Author's Note: There will be smut next chapter, this one was too long already. Enjoy the fluffiness!

Karna did not call Robin out at the breakfast table but several of his statements reeked of deception.

Oh, none were outright lies. Karna wouldn't have let the other Heroic Spirit get away with that. But several times, Karna's Discernment of the Poor told him that Robin was skinning the truth to the bone. And when they were alone, he planned to tax the Archer with it.

As usual, he had plenty of opportunity. Arjuna and Junea were working on magic again which would be both boring and pointless for their Servants to observe. Karna followed Robin outside and observed the tension in his back. Of course Robin Hood would expect Karna to speak to him about his not-quite-lies.

"Let's go somewhere new," Robin said, the ease in his voice belying the tension in his posture. "There's a rocky cliff I found, it would be fun to climb up." Karna didn't think so but he understood. Robin wanted to shake any possible mystical watchers the Einzberns' had set on them.

"If you wish," Karna acquiesced and saw a bit of the tension ease.

The trek through the woods was quite pleasant and to his surprise, Karna did enjoy the cliff face. It was mildly challenging, finding handholds and pulling himself up. Robin certainly seemed to enjoy it, exerting himself in a carefree way as he took a very challenging route. Karna paused at one point to just watch as the Archer deliberately chose to go over a rocky outcropping instead of simply avoiding it. It took considerable effort and skill to get past the obstacle and the red haired man was grinning widely when he got to the top. Karna followed and pulled himself up to where Robin Hood was sitting, his legs swinging in the breeze.

"Love that, climbing was a hobby of mine when I was alive." Ah, that did explain it. "And this is a beautiful view isn't it?" Karna turned his head to see. They were reasonably high now and could see the forest canopy, the Japanese maples and other foliage. What caught his eye, though, was the Einzbern's castle. This was a beautiful vantage to take in the full glory of it, the spiralling towers and the grey stone. Karna just soaked it in, vaguely aware of the cool wind, stirring his hair and cloak as he gazed over the forest and the castle. "Haha oh nice." Um? "You can't see but with my Archer eyes I spy a kid looking out the window. I think your Master misses you." Karna couldn't help but smile at that. "Do you worry about him?"

"Of course I do," Karna responded instantly. He worried about Arjuna's safety, particularly after the near miss last night. Robin shook his head, reaching into his cloak for his cigarettes.

"Not like that. I mean, do you worry that he'll change?" Karna frowned, unsure of what the Archer meant. "Do you worry that he'll become another ice cold magus like the Einzberns, creating homunculi just to die and not giving a shit?" …Ah.

"No. I know him better than that," Karna said evenly and Robin just looked at him before smiling thinly, lighting a cigarette with a flick of his fingers. He took a deep drag of his cigarette, savoring the smoke before speaking.

"Yeah, I agree with you. And that's why I trust you." Karna tilted his head slightly, inviting an explanation. Robin was more than willing to oblige. "I wouldn't trust you for yourself. No offense, but you give your loyalty too readily, Hero of Charity." Karna could not truly disagree with that. He would answer anyone who sincerely asked for his help and he was aware that had a downside. "But that kid of yours is a good kid. When push comes to shove, he'll do the right thing, not like that Master of mine." Robin's dislike for Junea was showing through. Karna ignored it, though, in favor of other matters.

"Tell me the truth then and through me, my Master. How do you remember? What are Caster and Assassin to you?" Karna asked and Robin flicked out a bit of hot ash from the end of his cigarette. It drifted in the breeze, floating down to the forest beneath them.

"Ah, cards on the table time. When I lived, I was David of Saxby, son of the Earl of Saxby," Robin said calmly before bringing his cigarette back to his lips. He took another breath from it before speaking again. "When my father's keep was sacked and looted, I happened to be elsewhere, doing a patrol and giving justice to the villages in my father's name." Karna understood what he meant. He'd actually done the same as a King, ridden to the outlying towns to oversee matters of high justice. "But my wife and daughters were taken to be slaves and whores for the Saxons." Robin's voice was steady but he suddenly crushed his cigarette in his fist. "I knew a witch and I went to her for help. I told her I'd sell my soul to the devil if that was what it took. She told me she knew a way for me to sell my soul and I did. God help me, I did…" Robin tilted his head back to look into the sky. Karna stared at him, fascinated, as he closed his eyes for a moment. Karna could see a boundless sorrow in him. "I sold my soul to Alaya and in return, I was given the help of two men, an archer and a swordsman. I was also given Robin's bow and told to take up his name, to be him, and I did. I became another chapter in Robin's story and it gave me great power in life and greater after the grave."

"What are you?" Karna asked, not harshly, but compassionately. Robin breathed out slowly and opened his eyes, looking at him before answering. The sorrow and pain, the deep regrets, were painful to see.

"I am a Counter-Guardian. Robin is a fractured hero, so I can be the only Robin to sell his soul. The others are true Heroic Spirits, but not me. I'm a Counter-Guardian." Robin paused, looking at his crushed cigarette before dropping it, littering without a qualm. Then he pulled out another and lit it. He took a drag from his new cigarette, smiling bitterly. "It's a shit job but someone has to do it."

"I see," Karna said slowly. Counter-Guardians had not existed when he had been alive but the knowledge the Grail provided told him what they were. Beasts of Alaya, the balancers of the scales. They functioned as a counter-weight, ensuring the survival of humanity. "The men given to you were Caster and Assassin?" Although from what he'd said, in different classes. Robin nodded with a sigh.

"Partly sealed but yes, they were. Daud was the swordsman and Archer… I think that's his actual name… was the archer." An Archer named Archer? That sounded absurd. But if that was his real name… Karna couldn't help but smile. An Assassin named Archer was even worse. "It's more than that though. Counter-Guardians are unique in that we can remember prior Grail Wars." Robin paused to rub his face with one hand, his cigarette caught between his fingers. "It's blurry around the edges, there's just been so many, but I can remember my fellow Heroic Spirits."

"Interesting," Karna remarked, certain that Robin Hood was giving him the full truth this time. However. "Why do you distrust the Einzberns?" Really, Robin's feelings for them could not be clearer. Robin tensed then, scowling.

"They're obsessed," he said with absolute conviction and Karna frowned, reluctantly admitting that it was a fair charge. "They wouldn't care if their wish made the world burn as long as they got what they wanted." That… sounded fair, Karna reluctantly admitted to himself. "If there's anything wrong they won't admit it until it's too late. And if you were serving one of them, you'd be the same, Hero of Charity." … "But you're serving Arjuna and that's a different kettle of fish."

"You are still keeping secrets," Karna said, mildly fed up. There was a silence as Robin smoked his cigarette. Just when Karna was about to run out of patience the outlaw finally spoke.

"I'm not ready to talk about that yet. It could just be bullshit from other timelines anyway." That was the truth and Karna frowned, not liking it. "Although it's strange, three Counter-Guardians… but those two come as a set." Robin was talking to himself now. "So I guess it's not so odd even if we are rare." Robin shook himself out of his reverie, looking at Karna and meeting his eyes. "Look, just trust me? I swear on the name of Saxby that if I see any real problems, I'll tell you."

"…Very well." Karna acquiesced, reflecting on it. The truth was, he did trust Robin, despite all of his half-truths. And Karna did not truly trust Junea and the Einzberns. Their cold blooded plan to murder the Heroic Spirit who had given them loyalty did not sit well with him. …Ah… wait… did Robin know about that? "The Grail War system. Are you aware…?" Karna asked, unsure if he should mention it. Robin Hood raised his eyebrows before taking another drag from his cigarette.

"That she means me to fall on my own sword? I'm aware of it. Doesn't really bother me, actually. Pro-tip, if you have to kill yourself, a cut throat isn't actually that painful and you bleed out fast." …Not really something he'd ever wanted to know. Also, that wouldn't pierce the mana core. "If you deliberately prevent yourself from healing, it works." Ah.

"I will keep that in mind," Karna said politely and Robin chuckled dryly. "Shall we return to the practice grounds?" It was beautiful up here but Karna wanted to do something physical. Robin nodded.

"Certainly." They had to go down the cliff and this time they both simply jumped, taking the impact with ease. Glancing back, Karna mentally noted the spot. If he had time he would show Arjuna. With him to watch, there would be no danger to attempting a climb. Would Arjuna want to? He was still young and adventurous so he might.

Pleased with the thought, Karna followed Robin. As he did, though, he thought about the Archer's words and attitudes. It was clear to him that Robin was not entirely pleased with his status as a Counter-Guardian and found it unpleasant to talk about. Also, he was not even remotely disturbed by Junea's plan to kill him in order to open the way to Akasha. To Karna, these two things together, came to a disturbing conclusion. Robin Hood thought the Grail posed a danger, something the Einzberns might overlook in their quest for Akasha. How great a danger? That was the question that troubled Karna. Mentally, he vowed to keep his eyes open. Because Robin was right about Arjuna.

Arjuna was the reincarnation of the Awarded Hero. If necessary, he would be a hero again.

Robin and Karna returned to the manor for lunch. It was held in the usual room and it was pastrami sandwiches on rye. They were served with sauerkraut and coated with melted cheese. Karna tried it tentatively before deciding he liked it. The pastrami, in particular, suited his palate. He'd always loved cured meats. And then the sauerkraut cut the richness, giving a good tang of acid. Karna missed the curries and dishes of India, but this was a reasonable substitute.

"Oh, this is good," Robin murmured and Karna glanced over to see he was drinking his beer. A fruit ale? "Never liked fruity beers but this apricot is fine." Really? Karna's beer was the same so he tried it and was pleasantly surprised. The light trace of apricot did indeed mesh well with the golden beer. "One great thing about this place is the food. I've been summoned by Masters who wouldn't give me anything, no food, no room, nothing."

"Most uncharitable," Karna remarked and blinked as Robin choked on his beer. Then Arjuna walked into the room, immediately claiming his attention.

"Oh god food! Is there more – oh thank you," Arjuna said to the maid as she set another plate of food on the table, as if she'd been expecting him. Quite likely she had. "I can't do this anymore today, I'm exhausted." Arjuna did seem exhausted, his shoulders drooping a bit as he picked up his sandwich and took a bite. "We've been doing combat drills, it's painful."

"Oh?" Robin asked and Karna just listened as Arjuna detailed his training. Apparently, the goal today was simply to activate his mage circuits very fast and very hard. For combat magic, speed and force were vital, something the Einzberns had neglected for centuries, to their detriment in the Grail Wars.

"I'm surprisingly good at it," Arjuna said, rubbing a hand over his face for a moment before taking a deep drink of his beer. "Junea says I really shouldn't be, quantity trumps quality for combat, and I only have sixteen mage circuits."

"That's not a lot?" Robin asked as Karna listened, interested. He really knew very little of mage craft, Caster was definitely not a class he could qualify for. Arjuna nodded and Karna frowned as he realized he'd only eaten a quarter of his sandwich, despite being famished when he arrived.

"No, over twenty is a better number for – huh?" Karna reached out and deliberately nudged the plate.

"Master, this is interesting but you must eat," Karna said firmly and Arjuna blushed a little before picking up his sandwich again. Then Karna turned to Robin Hood. "He forgets to eat, do not speak to him until he is done." A small smile played around the outlaws' lips and he nodded.

"Sure," Robin said agreeably before taking a deep draught of his beer. He followed it by pulling out a cigarette and lighting it, leaning back and relaxing with his cancer stick. Karna wondered at that habit. The knowledge the Grail gave him told Karna it was unhealthy.

"Did you smoke so much when you were alive?" Karna asked, just making conversation. He was surprised when Robin laughed, loud and long.

"Hah! I never touched a cigarette in my life. They didn't exist then, this is a new world thing." Eh? "Tobacco comes from the Americas. They weren't discovered until after I was long dead," Robin said before shrugging slightly. "This is just something I picked up along the way and kid, stop staring at me and eat the sandwich." Karna turned his head to see that Arjuna had indeed stopped eating to listen. His young Master blushed again, almost hidden by his dark skin, before going back to his food. "The faster you get done that, the sooner we can drag you down to the swimming hole."

"Swimming hole?" Arjuna asked and Karna realized they hadn't told him about that.

"There is a very nice pond in the woods. There are good places to relax on the bank, reading a book," Karna said, certain that would interest Arjuna. Books were definitely a love of his. Sure enough, Arjuna looked very interested as he popped a piece of stray pastrami into his mouth. "We have been going there after practice." Robin was right, a good swim after a hard workout was close to bliss. Arjuna smiled a bit.

"I wondered what you were doing, I didn't think you would be practicing all day." No, that would eventually become boring and frustrating. "Robin… please, don't take this the wrong way, but I'm a little confused. Except for Assassin, Archer is the best class for scouting." That was because of their eagle eyes, the ability to see vast distances. "Why are you staying here?" Arjuna said with disarming directness. Robin drew smoke from his cigarette for a moment, his eyes hooded. Then he smiled, a hard, dangerous expression.

"Insurance." Karna tilted his head slightly to one side, silently asking the Archer to elaborate. Arjuna also stared at him, confused. "Junea has tied me into the castle defenses. With that backing me up, I'm confident I can catch any intruders… but if I leave, I lose it. And I'll be honest here, that Assassin is exactly the kind of man who'd plant a bunch of explosive around the supports." Karna frowned, wondering why he couldn't have been tied into the defenses. Perhaps because Junea was not his Master? "And Caster would send in the drones." …Drones?

"What is a drone?" Karna asked, mostly to himself, and blinked as the Grail supplied the answer. "…Mechanisms that can fly autonomously…?" This was extremely peculiar. Arjuna started on the second half of his sandwich as Robin nodded.

"Yeah, he loves modern technology and has adapted pretty well to it, not like most modern magi." Robin shook his head, tapping out his cigarette in his empty beer bottle. "Crazy people." Karna rather agreed. Couldn't magi see how incredibly useful technology could be?

"Mph… a rune wielding, ancient wizard who likes cell phones and drones. He's dangerous," Arjuna said, quite neatly summing it up. Karna wasn't worried, of course, with Kavacha and Kundala. But for most spirits Caster would be a credible threat. "Depending on when it happens, we should let Karna eliminate him." Ah, he would like that, he really would. Karna felt a dark, spiteful feeling welling up and tried to suppress it. Still, he couldn't deny that he would take pleasure in seeing Caster die. Robin frowned but nodded.

"Prudent. He knows me too well and he can probably use his runes to nullify my poisons, for a while anyway. Caster is yours," Robin said to Karna and he smiled, pleased. "That's a creepy smile… but you look done kid." Yes, Arjuna was just finishing the last bit of his sandwich. "Want to see the swimming hole?"

"I would love to but do you mind if I get a book first?" Arjuna asked and they both nodded. Karna and Robin waited patiently as Arjuna went out at a fast walk to fetch that. Karna wondered what book he would bring. He wasn't able to see, though, when Arjuna came back with the novel tucked under one arm. On their way out, Arjuna paused to let one of the maids know where he was going.

Outside the castle, they walked through the woods. It was very pleasant and Karna enjoyed the warm sunshine, the breeze on his skin. This was a typical summer day and very nice. Robin hummed softly to himself and Karna noticed he could keep a tune. Could he sing as well? Perhaps he would ask later.

The swimming hole was just a tiny pond. There was a rope hanging from a branch – Robin had done that – and it could be used to swing out over the water and let go. Karna dispelled his armor, his Kavacha and Kundala as well as his jumpsuit and calmly went over to the rope –

"Karna, you're naked!" Eh? Karna looked over at Arjuna with a blink. He was looking horrified as Robin laughed, his shoulders shaking under his cloak.

"Kid, we don't have swimsuits and who cares?" Robin started to undress as Arjuna frowned, gazing at the Archer. Karna saw a sudden animosity and considered it for a moment, trying to puzzle it out. Then the answer came to him and he smiled, a small curve of his lips. Arjuna was feeling possessive of him, almost jealous. That was… pleasant.

"Arjuna, we have just been swimming," Karna said gently and saw his Master go pale for a moment before flushing. "Please, join us."

"That wasn't… I didn't… I was just worried Junea might see this," Arjuna muttered and while that had a grain of truth, it was overall a lie. Karna let it pass as Robin laughed. He was almost fully disrobed.

"I'm not interested in guys, kid. Hey Karna, go or give me the rope." He would go. Karna used the rope to swing himself over the pool before letting go, landing into the water with a tremendous splash. The cold was shocking and he had to control the urge to inhale – always the worst idea – before swimming to the surface. He broached it, taking a deep breath before swimming away a little to give Robin room. "CANNONBALL!" Ah, that was Karna's cue to duck beneath the water before he could be splashed. Ducking beneath the light blue surface he was able to see Robin's body hitting the water with a cascade of bubbles. He surfaced in time to see Arjuna setting his book and blanket down before going behind a bush to change. How disappointing.

Shrugging that away – he could see Arjuna naked later – Karna settled in for his preferred method of swimming, which was actually just floating. He loved floating on the surface of the water, letting the sun warm his skin. It was a beautiful sensation and there were only the forest sounds, the wind through the leaves and the rhythm splashing that was Robin doing laps around him –

"Uh, Karna, I'm coming in!" Karna opened one eye to see Arjuna gripping the rope.

"I am ready," Karna said laconically, closing his eyes again. He was confident Arjuna would not favor the kind of splashes Robin Hood did. Sure enough, his brother swung out and dove into the water with grace, causing only a small swell that Karna easily bobbed with. Then there was a laugh and a splash and Karna opened an eye again to see that Robin had splashed Arjuna. Good, they were having fun. Karna closed his eyes to engage in more sun worship.

Eventually, though, he had an idea. Robin and Arjuna were racing now and Karna waited patiently for them to stop for a moment. When they did, quietly talking about something, he put his idea into effect. Taking a deep breathe he ducked under the water and swam towards the two, hoping he could get them both at once. Luck was on his side and Karna gripped two legs, tugging sharply. Both immediately kicked and Karna let go, coming to the surface to take a gulp of air.

"AH SHIT you bastard! You scared the crap out of me!" Robin yelped as Arjuna looked shocked. Karna just smiled, amused at his own joke. "I seriously thought Caster was branching out! Don't do that!" Arjuna suddenly snorted and they both looked at him, surprised.

"It's a Great White…" he said and Karna chuckled as Robin frowned and touched his chest in a habitual gesture, looking for a cigarette that wasn't there. "Karna, would you like to race me?"

"Certainly," Karna replied, finding the thought of a playful competition rather charming. Robin huffed a bit before abandoning them, pulling himself out of the water, liquid flowing down his naked back and glittering in the sun. Arjuna was briefly distracted by the sight, to Karna's mild irritation. But his Master quickly looked away, which was reassuring.

A few very quick sprints later and Arjuna was tiring, so they both left the water. Karna settled down for more sunbathing, this time on the ground. A blanket made it comfortable, protecting his back from errant grass. Arjuna read a book while Robin was lying on his stomach, his head cushioned by his arms, fast asleep. Karna felt himself drifting off and welcomed the relaxation, even as his senses kept a watch over Arjuna. Although sandwiched between two Heroic Spirits as he was, it was very unlikely anyone would try.

And no one did. Their rest and relaxation was disturbed, though, by one of the maids.

"AHEM." That sound, followed by a cough, made Karna stir. He sat up to see one of the maid's frowning at them. "Junea-sama would like you to return to the manor for supper." The way she carried herself said she disapproved of their laziness, but Karna thought that opinion was invalid. Junea could have summoned Arjuna at any time, she'd let him take the afternoon off, likely to recover.

"Oi, it's that late?" Robin pulled himself into a kneeling position, uncaring of his nakedness, and glanced up at the sky. "Huh, it is. Karna, can you wake the kid up while I dress?" His clothing was still lying on the ground. Karna's had dematerialized.

"Certainly," Karna said before looking at Arjuna. He looked so cute, dozing and making tiny little snoring sounds. Karna smiled softly before noticing the book had fallen out of his hand. Picking it up, he glanced at the cover.

Mahabharat. Karna's breath caught as he saw a depiction of several people who… didn't look like his brother's in the slightest, but the artist was clearly trying. A small smile crossed his face before he reached down to gently shake his brother's shoulder.

"Uh? Ah?" Arjuna came out of his doze with a jolt, blinking up at him. "Oh, Karna? Does Junea want us?" Arjuna said, a touch groggily but quickly coming to full wakefulness. Karna nodded.

"Yes, it is almost supper time." They had been out for quite a while. Arjuna glanced at the sun, a touch surprised.

"I didn't think she would let me have that long… oh, thank you," Arjuna said as Karna offered him the book. As he took it their fingers brushed, lingering just a bit longer than necessary and Karna felt a feeling of warmth in his chest. Ah, this might be infatuation but it was extremely pleasant. "I need to get dressed." Ah, that reminded him. Karna materialized his clothing. "Cheater," Arjuna said with a smile before leaving to use his bush again. At least there was better reason this time, the maid was waiting with well-concealed impatience.

Soon they were ready, though, and went back to the castle. As they walked through the forest, Karna felt light on his feet, pleased and refreshed.

It had been a marvelous day.

Elsewhere

"You want me to do what now?"

"Make yourself look like me. I'd love to see myself as a superhero!"

"Well, I could do that but you realize it will up the danger to you considerably?"

"Yeah, I know, but who cares?"

"…Have I mentioned that you're my favorite Master ever?"

"Yeah, we have a solid bromance going here. So are you ready to take on the Einzberns tomorrow at dawn?"

"They'll never know what hit them."