Disclaimer: I do not own Fate/stay night or anything affiliated with it:P
The Eternal Grail: Season 1
Episode 8: Issei's Got a Girlfriend!?
"Alright!" Shirou bellowed as he set into his daily routine of sit ups and push ups. "107, 108, 109, 110!" Shirou cried out as he strained to finish the last of his set of push ups. Lying on his stomach for a moment he took a couple of deep breaths and allowed his aching arms to rest. The sun that filtered thought the windows made the freshly polished wooden floor shine brightly, and slightly blinded Shirou. 'Alright, after this I'm going to take a shower, and then I'll cook something for everyone,' Shirou thought to himself with a tired smile as his eased himself up and headed out of the dojo while wiping beads of sweat from his brow.
'Wow, it looks like it's going to be a nice day,' Shirou thought to himself with a small smile as he headed toward the bathroom and removed his sweaty tee-shirt before placing it in the cloths hamper. However upon full entering the bathroom he heard a small sigh. Looking toward the direction of the bath his eyes nearly bugged out of his skull.
"SABER!?" he exclaimed as he began to back pedal in shock.
"SHIROU!?" Saber also exclaimed in shock as her eyes went wide as she grabbed her wash cloth in vain attempt to cover nude form. "Um, forgive me Master, but I hope you wouldn't mind if I finished my bath," Saber said in shaky voice as she tired to conceal the rosy blush that adorned her cheeks.
"Of course not! Sorry about that!" Shirou exclaimed as he sped out of the bathroom and shut the door behind him. 'Wow,' he thought to himself with embarrassment evident in the strawberry red blush as he had on his cheeks as he leaned against the bathroom door and tired to calm himself down.
A few minutes later Saber came out donning at fluffy white towel that barely concealed her unmentionables. This caused the pair to blush upon seeing each other again as Shirou quietly shuffled into the bathroom and Saber toward her room.
After showering Shirou got dressed in his usual outfit and headed toward the kitchen to try to find something to cook for breakfast.
"Hmmm, lets see what I have in the fridge," Shirou said to himself as he opened up the refrigerator door and peered inside. He was currently donning his favorite white tee-shirt with long navy blue sleeves, and a pair of worn jeans. "Let's see," he said to himself with a small smile as he gazed into the near empty box, aside from a carton of orange juice and an apple. "I guess I have to go to the store," Shirou grumbled to himself as he shut the door and stepped out into the dining room.
"Shirou!" a familiar perky voice called out as Taiga stepped out from the hallway into the dining room with a grin on her face.
"Hey Taiga, sorry but it doesn't look like we'll be having breakfast this morning," Shirou said with an apologetic smile. 'Get ready for it,' he thought as he braced himself for the inevitable.
"WHAT!" Taiga bellowed as her eyes went wide while the fires of rage burned in them.
"There we go," Shirou mumbled to himself as he headed toward the door.
"What are we gonna do! I can't make it through the day without some kind of sustenance!" Taiga cried out pathetically as false tears flowed down her cheeks.
"Well actually I'm getting ready to head to the store, so if you want to hang around for a bit I'll make something once I get back," Shirou offered as they both headed toward the front door.
"Wait, why don't we wait for Sakura-chan?" Taiga inquired as she eyed Shirou skeptically.
Shirou looked shocked for a moment as he stopped putting on his white and black tennis shoes and gazed up at Taiga. 'Why didn't I think of that?' he thought to himself with a frown. "Right, I'll just call her up then," Shirou said as he walked over to the telephone and picked up the receiver before punching in a few digits. The phone rung once before switching over to "We're sorry, but the number you have called is currently out of service. Please call back again later."
'Well that's weird,' Shirou thought to himself with a frown as he set the phone back down on the receiver.
"So?" Taiga asked as she tapped her foot impatiently waiting for a response.
"Their line has been disconnected," Shirou mumbled with a thoughtful look on his face as he turned and finished slipping his shoes on.
"What? That's odd," Taiga commented with a frown as she stroked her chin pensively.
"Well if she does come by tell her to wait for me. It shouldn't take me too long to pick up a few things," Shirou said as he headed toward the door and slid it open.
"Okay, I guess I'll watch some television until then," Taiga commented with a frown and a bored sigh as she headed back toward the dining room. Shirou simply nodded in response as he moved to step out the door.
"Master," a familiar voice called from behind him. Turning around Shirou smiled warmly before he said, "Don't worry I'm just running a quick errand. Besides it's broad daylight, I doubt they'll attack right now," Shirou said as he waved goodbye and headed out the door despite seeing the frown on Saber face.
"Shirou, why must you be so stubborn? Did you already forget about Gilgamesh and Kotomine?" Saber mumbled to herself as she shook her head before she turned around and headed back to her room in order to rest.
"Well then, better make this quick before Fuji-nee gets mad," Shirou said to himself as he hopped on his sleek blue bike and headed out toward the store.
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"Are you sure she's going to like it?" a certain blue haired bespectacled boy questioned as he glanced down at the violet velvet box he held in his hand with uncertainty evident in his eyes. Issei Ryudo was currently in a small dimly lit jewelry store standing in front of a glass case that showed various diamonds and other rare rocks illuminated by the bright backlight of the case. Although not the best looking store by far it had a very nice collection and he had to admit that the red carpet at his feet was surprisingly comfortable to stand on.
"Sir, take it from a woman who knows about women and jewelry," a plain looking young saleswoman with short shoulder length black haired stated with a smirk. She looked to be in her mid-twenties and she was currently donning a black woman's suit with a white dress shirt that flattered even her plain frame. "She would have to out of her mind not to like it. I guarantee that she'll be in love with it, and more than likely with you," the young woman finished with a devious smirk.
Issei's face immediately flushed as he nervously reached into his pocket and fished out a few yen which the saleswoman promptly scooped out of his hand as she handed him his receipt.
"Have a nice day sir," she finished with a warm smile.
"You too, and thanks," Issei replied with a wave as he headed out the door and out onto the street. 'Wow, being around Caster has made me a lot more comfortable around women,' Issei thought to himself with a small smile as she he gazed up at the white nimbus clouds above and began to day dream about a certain silver haired Servant.
Meanwhile in the jewelry shop the saleswoman was currently pouting. "What a disappointment, I sure wish I had a boyfriend like that," she mused to herself with a frown, "Especially one as cute as him."
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Upon arriving at the grocery store Shirou quickly selected some items and headed toward the check out line. After having the groceries bagged he headed toward his bike where he set the bag in the metal cart. He then moved to unlatch his bike from the rack, but accidentally ended up running head first into someone. Both immediately flew backwards and landed painfully on their rumps.
"Ouch," Shirou moaned as he rubbed his sore bottom and stood up. "Sorry about that I should have watched where I was going," he apologized with a deep bow.
"No need to apologize it was my fault," the other person responded in a familiar voice causing Shriou to snap his head up. "Issei!?" Shirou exclaimed in shock as he stared at the bespectacled young man who was currently crawling around on the pavement looking for something.
"Shriou!?" Issei exclaimed as he snapped his head to see the familiar red head boy towering above him. "Hey, long time no see huh?" Issei said with a small smile as he continued to look frantically search for what ever it was he was looking for.
"Yeah," Shriou replied with a warm smile as he cocked an eyebrow in confusion. "Hey Issei what are you looking for?" Shirou asked before Issei's eyes went wide and he shot his hand out under a nearby mailbox. 'Whatever he was looking for he must have found it,' Shirou thought to himself with chuckle as he watched the blue haired boy breath a sigh of relief.
"That was close, I thought I might have lost it for a moment," Issei said as he opened his hand to reveal a long rectangular purple velvet box. It looked rather expensive, and definitely suggested that there was some kind of jewelry inside.
"Hey what's in the box Issei?" Shirou inquired as he eyed the gold embroidery on the box.
"Huh?" Issei questioned looking up from the box with a relieved expression on his face.
"I asked what was in the box," Shirou repeated with a smirk, "Don't tell me you have a girlfriend!"
Issei simply sat stupefied on the pavement for a moment allowing his mouth to hang open. "O-O-O-Of course not!" Issei tried to deny but the crimson blush on his cheeks told Shirou a different story.
"Oh? So who's that for, your mother?" Shirou inquired as he bent down and unlatched his bike while Issei stood up and brushed off his pants.
"Don't be ridiculous," Issei replied with a frown as he placed the box in his uniform's jacket pocket. "Anyway, it was nice seeing you but I've got to get back to the temple," Issei said with a warm smile and a wave as he walked past Shirou who had just mounted his bike.
"Okay, but what's your rush?" Shirou inquired with a devious smirk still set in place as he waited for Issei to goof up. 'He can't help but to mess up at some point,' Shirou thought to himself.
"Caster's doesn't like me being gone for too long," Issei responded casually before his eyes went wide and he realized what he just said.
"Caster?" Shirou questioned with concern evident in his amber eyes. He then glanced at Issei's left hand and he almost fell off of his bike in shock. While there were three command spells on his hand they were an odd shade of navy blue, however Shirou failed to notice this due to the fact that he was more concerned with the fact that Issei was actually a Master. 'Issei's a Master!? How, he doesn't know any magic!' he thought to himself as the blue eyed boy turned to face him with a sheepish grin.
"Well then I guess I'll be on my way home, see ya'!" Issei said with a nervous whistle as he started to back away slowly and then broke out into an all out run.
"Issei wait!" Shirou called out as he set his feet on the pedals of his bike and chased after him. 'I know what I saw, but how is it possible?' he thought to himself with a frown as he watched Issei disappear down an alleyway. Quickly making a sharp turn he spotted Issei making his way out of the alley and turning to his left. 'How is he moving so fast?' Shirou thought to himself as he stared after the blue haired young man with wide eyes. 'I'll never be able to catch him at this rate. Looks like I'll need to catch him at Ryudoji.'
With that Shirou turned around and headed in the other direction intent on taking a shortcut.
Meanwhile Issei was wheezing his way toward the temple. "I can't believe I told him that!" he exclaimed breathlessly as he shook his head in disgust. 'Way to be discreet Issei, she already told you Shirou was a Master! I guess I can only hope that he wont come to investigate,' Issei thought to himself with a frown as he wiped the sweat from his brow and brushed past a young couple as he made his way toward the temple path.
'All I wanted to do was get there and pick this up!' Issei continued to internally grumble as he glared at the velvet box sticking up out of his pocket. Upon reaching the stone steps that lead up to the temple Issei took a moment to catch his breath as he hunched over and clutched his knees.
'Well at least I got here, and Shirou's nowhere in sight,' Issei thought to himself with a small smile as he caught his second wind and proceeded to climb the stairs. However as soon as he reached about midlevel he heard the familiar sound of a bike screeching against the base of the stairway. "It can't be!" Issei gasped in disbelief as he turned around with wide eyes to see who made the sound. Gazing down the steps he saw none other than Emiya Shirou himself with a broad smile plastered on his face.
"You didn't think you'd get away that easily did you?" Shirou questioned with a cocky smirk as he proceeded to climb the stairs. "Now as I was saying," Shirou began again as he wiped a few beads of sweat from his brow, "Who did you get the present for?"
"Shirou!?" Issei cried out in terror as he whipped around and dashed up the stairs at a lighting pace.
"What's his deal?" Shirou said to himself with a frown as he cocked an eyebrow in confusion. "Whatever," he grumbled as he shook his head and started to climb the stairs.
'How did he find me!?' Issei thought to himself with a terrified expression on his face as he ran toward the Shinto Shrine off to the side of the main building.
"Issei-kun?" Caster questioned as she slid open the paper door and stepped out of the main building with concern evident in her eyes. She was currently donning a black jean jacket, with a short sleeve baby blue tee-shirt that stretched slightly over her modest bosom, and a pair of bootcut denim blue jeans that flattered her curves. Her silver hair was currently tied back into a loose ponytail, but her braid still hung in front of her face.
"CASTER!" Issei exclaimed in terror as he whipped around to face the blue eyed Servant with fear evident in his eyes.
"Yes? Is something wrong Master?" Caster questioned as she approached the trembling young man.
"Uhhh, well you see," Issei started nervously as he corrected his glasses and took a deep breath to calm his nerves. Wiping the sweat from his brow he opened his mouth to explain, but was soon cut off.
"Wait, I sense a Master approaching," Caster said as she raised a hand and turned toward the direction of the temple steps. No sooner had she done this then Shirou came bounding up the steps with sweat forming on his brow. "Stand back Master, there is a good chance that his Servant will soon follow," Caster commanded as she glared at Shirou and stepped in front of Issei.
Meanwhile Shirou was simply trying to catch his breath as he slumped over on one of the crimson entrance pillars and heaved in and out. 'Wow, those sure were a lot of steps,' he thought to himself with a frown as he took in one last deep breath and rose shakily to his feet. 'Anyway, it's time to find out who Issei's girlfriend is,' Shirou mused to himself with a small smile as he looked toward the direction of the main building of the temple. However it was also at that time that he noticed the beautiful silver haired woman that stood in front of Issei with a scowl on her face.
'Who is she?' Shirou thought to himself with a puzzled expression on his face as he approached Issei. "Hey Issei is that your girlfriend?" Shirou called out with a small wave in their direction.
"What? Do you know him?" Caster whispered as the scowl on her face shifted to a slight frown as she glanced back at Issei who simply chuckled nervously in response.
"Well you see, he's kinda my best friend," Issei admitted as he smiled a goofy smile and scratched the nape of his neck nervously.
"Your best friend is a Master?" Caster questioned with disbelief evident in her voice. 'Well this could complicate things,' she though to herself with a deepening frown as she glanced back at Shirou who was eyeing her with a look of puzzlement.
"Hey Issei what's up? Why did you keep running when I tired to talk to you?' Shirou questioned as he approached the pair and stood a few meters in front of Caster who continued to eye him wearily but moved aside none the less.
"Well you see I was trying to keep the fact that I was a Master a secret," Issei admitted with a nervous chuckle as he held up his left hand and showed Shirou his command spells. "I already know you're a Master," Issei continued with a small frown forming on his lips as he glanced down at Shirou's left hand.
"I suppose that makes some since," Shirou admitted as he cocked an eyebrow in confusion. "However that doesn't explain why you tried to hide that box. What's in there anyway?" Shirou inquired as Issei's eyes bugged out in terror.
"SHHHHH!" Issei hissed as he brought a finger up to his lips and glanced at Caster who was currently eyeing him skeptically. Stepping forward Issei cupped his hand over Shirou's ear and whispered, "It's supposed to be a secret!" Shirou simply mouthed a silent "Oh" in response as he glanced toward Caster who was beginning to tap her foot impatiently.
"What are you hiding Issei?" Caster questioned as causing the blue haired boy to jump in shock.
"N-N-N-Nothing!" Issei stuttered out as he clamped a hand over his breast pocket and laughed nervously.
"Really? Well what's that in your hand? Also, I would appreciate it if you didn't lie to me," Caster stated as she took a step forward causing Issei to take a step back.
"Well you see," Issei began nervously as he removed his hand from his chest revealing part of the velvet box. "I wanted to give you this after we found a way to get the Grail, but I guess the surpise is ruined now," Issei said as he cast a glare at Shirou who simply mouthed a silent apology in response.
"Well what is it?" Caster asked, her eyes wide with excitement. To Issei she looked just like a kid a Christmas time causing him to chuckle slightly as he fished to box out of his pocket and approached Caster.
"Well you see I thought that this could symbolize my commitment to you. Kind of like the command spells symbolize your commitment to me," Issei said as he slowly opened the box. 'Well that sounded a little corny,' he thought to himself with a frown, 'Although it's not that bad for something I had to think up on the fly.' As he opened the box he could swear that Caster's icy blue orbs grew wider the more it opened. Suddenly the box was fully opened and revealed a gold necklace with a triangular shaped sapphire in the center with two rounded diamonds on either side.
Gazing upon the contents of the box Caster felt as if all of the air in her lungs had been sucked out and her mouth hang open in shock. However upon seeing the worried look in Issei's eyes she knew he had misinterpreted her body language.
"Issei-kun it's beautiful!" she exclaimed as she clomped onto the shocked young man almost knocking him off his feet.
"What!? Really!?" Issei stated with disbelief evident in his voice.
"Of course! Thank you!" Caster said as she pulled back and gazed into the young man's dark blue depths with a smile on her face. Placing her slender hands on the back off his neck she slowly drew him toward her before placing a feather light kiss on his lips. She could have sworn she almost saw him frown for a moment.
"That's just to start you off. I'm nowhere near done yet," Caster whispered seductively as she placed another feather light kiss on his lips before she mashed her lips onto his. Licking his lips she earned a stifled moan in appreciation causing her to smile into the kiss. Suddenly she felt his lips part allowing her entrance into his mouth where her tongue lightly danced over his. After a moment Issei slowly wrapped his arms around her slim waist and drew her closer allowing them to deepen their passionate kiss even further.
"Well then," Shirou said with a sheepish smile as he started to back away. "It seems you two are busy so I guess I'll just see you later," Shirou stated with a nervous chuckle as he headed toward the stairs.
"Emiya-kun!?" a familiar motherly voice called out from the main building of the temple. "It is you! How have you been dear," a middle-aged woman inquired as she stepped out the main building with a broad smile on her slightly rounded face. Her short light blue hair was tied into a bun and the barely noticeable wrinkles along her thin lips gave her face a warm motherly feeling. Although slightly heavy set she seemed to have an indescribable glow about her which was only accentuated by the plain outfit which consisted of a white blouse, and a plain black skirt that extended down to her calves.
"Hi Ryudo-san, I was just about to be on my way," Shriou replied nervously as he tried to keep the elder woman's attention drawn toward him instead of the kissing couple adjacent from him.
"Really? Well that's no good, I was just about to prepare dinner," Mrs. Ryudo replied with a slight frown as she placed her hands on her hips. "Are you sure you wouldn't like to stay?" she asked as she noticed Shirou looking at something out the corner of his eye. 'What could he be looking at?' Mrs. Ryudo wondered as she glanced off to her side. "Oh my!" she gasped as she stared at the couple with wide eyes.
"Hey Issei, your mom's here," Shirou deadpanned as he shook his head in disappointment.
"Huh?" Issei inquired breaking the kiss causing Caster to grunt in disappointment. Looking over toward the main building he noticed that his mother was in fact staring at him wide eyed. "KAASAN!?" Issei exclaimed in shock as his eyes nearly bugged out of his head,"I thought you and tousan had already left!?"
Staring blankly at her son for a moment, Mrs. Ryudo quickly regained her composer and smiled warmly at her son. 'Well at least we finally know he's not gay,' she thought to herself as she shook her head. "Me and your father will be leaving tonight Issei, did you already forget that?" his mother asked as she cocked an eyebrow in confusion. "Anyway, Caster-chan would you mind helping me prepare dinner?" Mrs. Ryudo asked as she watched the silver haired girl's eyes widen in horror along with Issei's.
"B-B-B-But what about," Caster stuttered as a rosy tinge found its way to her cheeks.
"That's all in the past, besides in order for you to be a good wife you have to know how to cook," Mrs. Ryudo kindly admonished as she strode over to the baffled Servant and grasped her hand. "Now come on, you can cut the onions. Just try not to cut yourself so many times this time," she said as she dragged a sputtering Caster toward the living quarters.
"Wife?" Shirou said to himself as he cocked an eyebrow in confusion. "Hey Issei," Shirou began as he turned around, "Did she just say wife?" However the look in Issei's eyes and the crimson blush on his face told him everything.
"Well you see," Issei began nervously as he stared down at his feet as kicked the pebbles at his feet, "It wasn't really my idea, but try explaining a strange woman sleeping your bed to Fujimura-sensei." Issei saw Shirou unconsciously shudder and knew he hand gotten his point across. "Besides…Caster didn't have any objections," Issei mumbled as his blush extended and darkened considerably.
"But…how? I thought you either disliked or had an unnatural fear of women? Also, how did you become a Master Issei, you don't know any magic do you?" Shirou questioned as he watched Issei walk over toward the stone steps the lead to the small Shinto Shrine off to the side.
Sucking a deep breath Issei glanced up at a large Sakura tree hanging over the shrine. It was a wonder, given the season, that it still had a few pink petals hanging from the otherwise bony lifeless branches. However, several of those petals had begun to wilt and a few made their way down on the paved surface under Issei's feet while one lone vibrant pink petal landed in his outstretched palm.
"I found her…on the brink of death," Issei began with a distant look in his navy blue eyes as he stared down at the silky petal that seemed almost tarnished by touching his rough hand.
Flashback
"Of all the days to get caught up with Student Government business," Issei grumbled to himself as he leapt over a mud puddle as he made his way up the mountain toward his family's shrine. The rain seemed to beat down on him harder the closer he got to the temple and the cracking of the thunder did little to ease his nerves as he almost tripped over a long gangly branch.
His shoulder length hair was currently plastered to his head and on his face obstructing his vision even more then his glasses which were beaded with droplets of water. 'This is ridiculous,' he thought to himself with a frown, 'I can't believe I had to stay after because Souichirou-sensei went missing!' Jumping over another branch he turned at the bend and approached the steps that lead to the shrine. However, as he made his way toward the steps he heard a pained moan which caused him to whip around.
'WHAT THE!?' Issei thought to himself as his eyes went wide. Looking down toward the steps he saw a figure donning an extravagant black a violet robe, with a purple gown. Her silver hair was slightly wet at the edges due to the rain and her outfit was covered in mud, as was her face. 'What the heck is a woman doing here!? And why is she dressed like that?' he thought to himself as he slowly approached the coughing figure.
'Women…tch. Well at least she's not Tohsaka, then I'd definitely let her layout here,' Issei thought to himself with a smirk as he bent down to the woman's level. "Hey are you okay?" he inquired nervously as he kept his distance. 'I don't know if I can trust her yet, and she is a woman after all,' he thought to himself as he watched the figure nod weakly.
"Alright, do you think you can walk or even stand?" he asked as he watched the woman shake her head. 'Well that's not exactly what I wanted here,' Issei thought to himself with a frown and an exasperated sigh as walked closer to the young woman before turning, bending down, and wrapping her arms around his neck. 'Even though I'd kind of rather not, being heir to this temple means I have certain responsibilities I suppose,' Issei thought to himself as he sighed again.
"This is so bizarre," Issei grumbled to himself with a frown, "Being this close to a woman is unsettling." After forcing the woman's legs around his waist he proceeded to slump her over his back before trekking up the steps toward the shrine. "Don't worry well get you some help once we reach the top," Issei stated as he felt the woman behind him nod weakly against his shoulder. Feeling the woman's cheek brush against the thin fabric of his school jacket caused Issei's face to flush and for him to slip on a slick step and fall forward face first. "SMACK!"
"Ouch," Issei moaned into the stone step as he bent his knees and forced himself to his feet. Now his nose was stinging, probably bleeding as well, his was soaked to the bone, and he had a strange woman latched onto his back. 'Today just can't get any better,' he thought to himself with a scowl as he started to trek up the steps once again.
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"Well it looks like the line is dead," Issei's grumbled as he turned back to the hot tea he had prepared along side a bowl of steaming Miso soup. 'Now what am I going to do?' he thought to himself with a frown as he made his way out his modest kitchen with the dishes on a tin metal tray. At the present Issei was currently donning a pair of faded blue jeans, and an old medium sized tee-shirt that read "Top Gun". His hair was considerably less damp but lay flat on his head and occasionally stuck to his face as he moved.
Walking thought the halls he noted that his parent's weren't home yet, and he silently thanked whatever deity that allowed that to be possible. 'There would be no way to explain this to them,' he thought to himself as he slid open a paper door at the end of the hallway.
"Here you are, something to warm you up a little. Do you need anything else?" Issei inquired as he stepped into the room. It was a modest room with only a wooden table in the center, a futon off toward the adjacent wall, an empty closet, a stand with a 32 inch television on it, and a wooden bookshelf with a few miscellaneous titles on it. Off to the corner, sitting in the futon, the young woman simply shook her head in response.
She was currently donning a modest lavender kimono, which flattered her curves, and she hand a fluffy white towel draped over her head which concealed her face from view.
"Are you cold?" Issei asked as he brought the tray over and sat next to the woman who simply sat dead still. "Well would you mind telling why you were laying in the mud next to the temple steps?" Issei continued to question as he set the white cup of tea on a white glass saucer and handed it to the woman who continued to sit still. "Okay," Issei muttered as set the tea back onto the tray. 'What's with her? I just brought her in out of the rain, a complete stranger, and she won't even answer any on my questions!' Issei thought to himself as he found himself getting uncharacteristically frustrated.
"Alright, well if you need anything I'll be in the next room…and I'm sorry about changing you. You just didn't seem like you could do it yourself, and believe me it was a pleasant experience for me either," Issei mumbled as he got to his feet and turned to leave. Just as he made it past the table he heard a soft as silk voice call out from behind him.
"Is it because you found me physically undesirable?" she questioned as she turned to face him allowing to towel to fall of her head and onto her lap with a wet 'PLOP'. Now face to face with her sorrowful pale blue orbs Issei felt his anger dissipate as he continued to gaze upon the woman's angelic face.
Issei soon caught himself staring and cleared his throat as he frowned and prepared to respond. "No, that's not it…it's just that I don't really get along with women, and I don't like them," Issei said with a frown as he looked away from the woman's intense gaze.
"Then why," the woman began with confusion evident in her voice as she cocked an eyebrow in confusion.
"Because…I couldn't let another person suffer," Issei said with a shrug as he thought, 'Unless they were a certain person named Tohsaka Rin, a.k.a demon spawn.'
"Is that so," the woman replied with a small smile as she picked up the glass of steaming tea and took a sip of it. After a moment of savoring the flavor she smiled at Issei before she said, "This tea is wonderful…thank you."
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"Caster!" Issei cried out as he dashed over to catch the woman who was about to fall face first on the pavement in front of the main building. Scooping her up in his arms in the nick of time he managed to stumble and fall painfully on his rump. 'Ouch,' he thought to himself as he cringed while trying to sit up while brushing of his school uniform with his freehand. Looking down at the cloaked woman in his arms he noticed that beads of sweat were starting to form on her forehead and he breathing was ragged
"Caster, are you okay?" he inquired with concern evident on his face and in his eyes as he wiped the sweat away from her brow.
"I can't keep on like this, Issei-san I need souls," Caster muttered out as she continued to breath raggedly.
"Souls!? What are you talking about Caster!?" Issei cried in confusion as he stared wide eyed at the woman in his arms.
"Issei-san…I am not human," Caster began with a small sad smile as she glanced up at the young man who continued to look at her as if she had grown a second head.
"What do you mean you're not human?" Issei questioned as he watched Caster fish out something from her within robes.
"I am a Servant…and due to the fact that you know this you have become involved in the Holy Grail War," Caster said as she withdrew her hand from inside her robes.
"Holy Grail War? Servant? What are you talking about?" Issei questioned with a stupefied expression on his face.
"I'll be able to explain after this. Please Issei-san, stick out your hand," Caster commanded as she balled up her fist that he just retrieved something from within her robes.
For a moment Issei hesitated, but as he reflected on the past couple of weeks he had spent with Caster he felt himself obeying her despite the fact that his mind was screaming for him not to. "Okay, what is it?" he inquired as he cocked an eyebrow in confusion before Caster opened her hand and placed something that felt moldy and slimy on the back of his hand. 'What's that awful smell?' he thought to himself with a frown as he felt the back of his hand tingle as if it hand all of a sudden gone numb.
"Now, you are my Master," Caster said with a small smile as she released Issei's hand and allowed him to gaze upon what she had done.
On the back of his hand were now several red tattoo like designs and they seemed to glow for a moment before turning completely blood red. "What…is this?" Issei questioned with concern evident in his eyes and voice.
"A present from my late Master, the one before I met you," Caster said with a frown on her face as she recalled the man who had tried to rape her right after summoning her.
"Late Master?" Issei questioned as he cocked an eyebrow in confusion.
"Don't think too much about it, now I would like to ask you if I may consume the souls that surrounded this temple?" Caster inquired.
"Of course not!" Issei exclaimed as he released Caster and started down at her incredulously.
"But if I do not I will cease to exist," Caster tried to explain as she watched Issei shake his head furiously.
"No, while I don't really know what's going on, there has to be another way," Issei stated with a frown.
"Master I need spiritual energy in order to exist, and since you are neither dead or a mage then the only way for me to obtain said energy in through the souls in this area," Caster tried to explain before Issei cut her off.
"You need spiritual energy right? Then take some of mine," Issei stated as he looked at Caster who stared at him as though he had lost his mind.
"Master if I did that I would kill you," Caster deadpanned.
"Well, er, um," Issei sputtered as he tried to think of something else. "WAIT! I'VE GOT IT!" Issei exclaimed as he smiled a triumphant smirk.
"What?" Caster questioned as her breathing became even more ragged.
"I'll explain it later, right now just trust me…this is for the best," Issei said with a warm smile as placed his face inches away from Caster's. "This should be effective enough, at least now my soul will be able to provide you with energy," Issei said as Caster continued to eye him questioningly. Suddenly he captured her lips in his and enveloped her in a passionate kiss. After a moment Issei's body began to surge with a pale blue glow which traveled into Caster who seemed to regain her energy as the kiss went on.
'Master…what is this? No! What have you done!?' Caster thought to herself as she felt her breathing regulate. Soon Issei gently released Caster's lips with a satisfied smile on his face as she gazed upon him with a near star struck look on her face.
"Well then, that was easy enough," Issei said with a smile. 'To think that technique would actually be useful...OH CRAP!' he thought to himself with panic evident in his eyes. Suddenly the back of his left hand began to tingle again and a pale blue glow was emitted from it. Glancing down at it he noticed that the symbols on the back of his hand were now navy blue instead of red.
'What the?' Issei thought to himself as he cocked an eyebrow in confusion.
"Master what have you done? Now both of us are neither living nor dead," Caster said as tears began to form in the corner of her eyes.
"WHAT!" Issei exclaimed as his eyes bugged out of his head in shock.
"Since you have unified our souls you are now half dead…and if we do not obtain the Holy Grail we will both become spirits," Caster said with sadness evident in her voice. "I can't believe you would do something so foolish, now if either one of us dies the other will die as well,' Caster said as she laid her head against his chest and allowed the tears welling up in her eyes to stream down her face.
Meanwhile Issei sat looking shell shocked as he gazed blankly into space. 'Stupid family techniques! Damn them all! Damn me for caring too much!' he thought to himself as he numbly brought his arms up and wrapped them around the sobbing woman in his arms.
After the pair finally calmed down Caster explained what Issei had gotten himself into. Several questions later the pair decided that obtaining the Holy Grail was unavoidable, but they also determined that it would be possible for both Caster and Issei to become completely living again without the Servant side effects of needing souls. With this information in hand they decided it would be best to allow the other Masters and Servants to battle each other and to kill the last Servant standing (Issei refused to kill another human being).
End Flashback
"Wow," was all Shirou could muster by way of a response. "That still doesn't explain the wife thing though," he added as he tried to take in all the new information he had received.
"Well when my parents did finally figure out that Caster was staying with us I had already used the technique. We decided it was unavoidable, and since we had already developed feelings for one another it wasn't a problem if we did end up getting married…besides I think she's the only woman I can stand to be around," Issei replied with a distant smile on his face as he gazed up at the evening sun with a distant look in his eyes.
"Well then I have another question, where did you get this technique from?" Shirou asked as he turned and gazed up at the purples, pinks, reds, and oranges of the clouds above.
"Well my ancestors were actually demon hunters and their martial art, as well as various techniques, have been passed down for ages. As the heir to the Ryudoji Temple it is my responsibility to pass these techniques on to the next heir, my child," Issei said as he stood up and brushed off his pants. "Well then, dinner should be ready shortly so why don't you come on in. Maybe Caster didn't burn half of it this time," Issei said with a chuckle.
Shirou chuckled nervously in response as he nodded and the pair walked toward the living quarters.
Meanwhile
"So then…tonight will be the night. They'll never see it coming," a familiar old man said to himself as he sat on the black leather interior in the back of a limousine. 'Emiya Shriou, you will be ours,' the old man thought to himself dry chuckled as he smoothed out his turquoise robe with his old brittle hands. Outside the limousine were three cloaked figures concealed within the dense forest that surrounded the temple.
"Yes, tonight will be the night."
To Be Continued
Author's Note: I hope I did a good job with Issei's character since I didn't really have much to go off of. I hope it was accurate enough however, and somewhat believable (notice I wasn't shooting for totally believable). Anyway, for those of you who might have wanted more detail as far as Caster and Issei's relationship goes I am considering writing a small a four chapter that goes into some detail. However all I'm focusing on right now is my main story, sooooo yeah. Anyway, please read and review. Also feel free to flame if it's starting to seriously suck.
