Disclaimer: I don't own Fate Stay night. Anyway, here's another chapter for our masterpiece! Lol :P. Anyway, read and review!!

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Chapter 10: A King's Sorrow

"Saber, we need to talk." Shirou said.

On the floor, Saber turned away from the medieval movie displaying television "What is it Shirou?" It was just an hour away from the fight but Shirou is about to undertake another hurdle.

He felt somewhat awkward to ask but seeing Saber being stabbed by Lancer in his mind settled his resolve. With a cough, he started his inquiry "Umm Saber…I was wondering…"

She gave him a loving stare "Wondering about what Shirou?"

Shirou continued "Well I was wondering... about the fight between you and Lancer a few days earlier. You didn't seem to fight as well back in the old days."

Her face turned sour "I see…I'm just fine."

Shirou persisted "I don't think so Saber. Lancer couldn't have broke through your defences, considering that you beaten Gilgamesh, the King of Heroes! Lancer should have been easy for you to deal with."

Anger seeped into her voice "And what exactly are you implying with that?"

Shirou continued "There's something wrong with you Saber. You nearly died out there, twice! We were only lucky because of …"

Saber snapped "Enough! I took a claw for you and this is all you have to say?! I'm hurt by your words Shirou…" She stood up "I need to get some rest, Master."

Shirou felt his heart burn 'When she uses that formal tone, this means big trouble!' As she passed him, he grabbed her by the wrist. She started to yell but Shirou pulled her close tight to him. She gave a fierce glare of outrage. Shirou sent a look of worry in return.

He said in deep sadness "Saber…it's just that I worry about you. I can't risk losing you out there. You were so close to being gone again. Every time I see you in pain…my heart hurts as well. I can't bear to see you like that anymore."

Touched by his words, her anger was whisked away. Her cheeks burned red "Oh Shirou. I'm so sorry." She leaned her head against his chest. Her voice turned into deep sorrow "It's just that…"

Shirou assured her with a pat on the back "Don't worry. Just let it all out of you."

Saber started to weep "It's just that I'm tired of fighting anymore." As her warm tears stained Shirou's shirt, she continued "When I was gone…I had Excalibur……thrown into a lake. I never fought again ever …again in the past decade."

Her voice slowly returned into her control "I'm so…weary of the bloodshed and violence. They gave me nightmares from time to time, frightening me to the very core. I never thought I would be summoned again. I never thought I would see you again. I missed you so much"

She hugged him even tighter "Although I was glad to be able to see you once again, the nightmares never stopped. It keeps haunting me night after night. I just don't know why. I can't stand them anymore Shirou…I just can't."

Shirou spoke in a cool soothing voice "There there Saber. It's all right. I never thought the Holy Grail would still be somewhat alive. I too missed you a lot during the long time we've been far apart. Likewise, I myself haven't kept myself in practice of your lessons. It's alright for you to do the same"

She looked up; her eyes still teary "Really Shirou? But I'm an Epic Spirit, a King! I should have foreseen that…"

He cut her off "Kings and Epic Spirits too are human. We can never predict everything." He added "If you don't want to fight anymore, we can let Archer and Heracles continue on in the Holy Grail war. You and I can rest together in peace."

She refuted his suggestion "We can't. We shouldn't be so selfish to let them out on their own. It's dishonourable for a knight to let others do their share of the work."

He gave a smile "Very well then Saber. Although I don't like it but I'll abide to your word." He kissed her in the forehead, drawing a blush from her "Come Saber, you need to sleep."

She gave a chuckle "After all this, I doubt I can sleep tonight. Even if I could, the nightmares would come and get me."

Shirou grinned "Ah, I have a remedy for that." He flexed his hand as he said "Trace on." A tiny white sphere formed between his finger tips. He handed it to her before tracing a glass of water "Swallow this and drink. It'll solve your problems."

Saber studied the small thing "What is it?"

"Ah, it's to help you sleep without your nightmares. Now take it."

Slowly, she swallowed it before drinking the glass empty. She blinked a few times in anticipation "I feel no different."

Shirou smiled as he put the glass away "You'll see it in just a bit longer."

Before she could give a reply, a wave of sleepiness hit her. Her vision started to fade black as she swiftly slipped into unconsciousness. Shirou held her by the hips before she could fall 'Ok, maybe a bit too strong for her but it did the job.'

He gently carried her into her room before laying her gently onto a bed. Saber slept soundly as Shirou placed her under the warm comforts of a blanket. He gave a last look at her. She looked so peaceful in her sleep, giving him a feeling of relaxation. 'I hope this solves those nightmares.'

With a smile, he turned for the door 'Time to get to work.'

In the unlit corner of his tool shack, he concentrated "Trace on…" His magical circuit turned alight. A sword started to shape itself in an orange transparent mesh.

As it was undergoing completion, a voice interrupted "Very interesting skill you have there."

He snapped his neck for the door, the tracing incomplete to form an imperfect weapon of a sword. A man hidden by the hood of his brown cloak continued "The ability to create weapons on a fly. I wish I have that."

Shirou gave a lash of his simple sword "Who are you? Do you plan on killing me tonight or this is just a threat before doing so?"

The man casually spoke "Nah, no killing for tonight. This is just an invitation for you and your servant."

"We could always fight right now." He lied 'With her mental state, she needs time to recover from her ordeal.'

The man waved away a hand "No thanks. I said your servant against me, not you. There isn't any serious challenge to it."

Shirou shot back "What makes you think I'm not a servant? I could only be dressing like this as a deception."

The hood rattled with a laugh "Common sense of course! Between an armoured big exotic sword bearing woman and a simple man with a simple sword, it's quite easy to tell. You do have a point on the deception part though."

Shirou grit his teeth 'So he knows about Saber. How did he get here and who is he?' He asked "How did you found out about this place? You could have just killed us in secret tonight."

The voice answered "Well, I followed from afar after the ambush on you two in the school. Happy now and may I continue with my invitation?"

Shirou gave him a cold stare 'So he should be the one who interrupted both of our fights. Just the question now is why…' He asked "Why of all things to do did you stop those fights then? I'm sure it's better of for you that we kill one another."

"Why simple Mr ask it all. I want information. If the fights ended too early, there aren't a lot of secrets that can be unravelled. Knowledge is power to those who believe in it. Now will you let me continue?"

Shirou gave a silent nod. "Anyway, I'm inviting you two for a duel between your servant and I. Meeting place will be in the dark alleys near the Fuyuki city mall. Our fight will be kept a secret to no one, even to your friends." He gave a serious look "No one comes along, or your knight's honour shall be disgraced."

He added "Time will be tomorrow midnight sharp. Be there before then ok?"

Shirou asked as the cloak turned for the door "And what if I refuse to come?"

The man pondered a while "Hmm…." A black rifle formed in his hand, its details shrouded under the shadow of the moonlight. "I think I'll shoot you two the next time we meet." He trained the rifle at a wall "Or maybe I'll enjoy myself assassinating your servant right now."

Shirou said in outrage "You wouldn't dare! I won't let you touch her!" He sensed some deception inside the mysterious figure "Did your master sent you here or is this invitation your own?"

The man said coolly "Well, is it your business to care?"

Shirou answered "Yes since our lives are at stake! We deserve to know…"

The cloak answered with a rustle of leaves in the wind "Well, what to do. I'm still new in this big game. By the way, just wait in one of any alleys nearby, I'll be the one looking for you two." The man then walked out of the barn and out of sight.

Shirou stood still as he thought in worry 'He's very odd for a servant. In this kind of circumstances, odd means dangerous. I wonder who the heck he was back in the past?' He stared towards his house 'Now with Saber on the line, what can I do to get her out of this mess?'