Productive reviews and constructive criticism are always welcome! Just...please don't send me reviews like 'nice' and 'give me more'. A sentence would be nice, lol.

HERE WE GO!

Chapter 3 The First Day

Three phantom katanas aligned in the void, forming a triple slash of bright silver.

The surreal katanas sang a harmony of blades as they carved through space and matter, cleaving into the domain of death itself.

Hassan grunted in exertion as he narrowly slipped through the approaching dimensional gaps through a maelstrom of dark shadows of his own, his shield cautiously held high in front of his body.

The mystic blades screeched against the surface of the shield as they scraped past, disappearing once more to reveal one cracked katana. The blacksmith let forth a bitter chuckle.

"Ha! As expected. Even this technique was not enough to put a single scratch on your flesh."

Shiro looked down at his cracked Monohoshi-zao in dismay. Even though he reforged the prized katana of nonother the Sasaki Kojiro and incorporated the swallow master's skill into his arsenal, he still has yet to reach its full potential. He just knew it!

'Quit your brooding, old man. The Assassin seems to have something on his mind.', Emiya warned him in his mind.

'I knew you would watch my back! Sweet ol'boy you are, eh?'

'….'

Hassan, as Emiya has predicted, walked out of the shadows in his usual effortless stride, sliding across the ground soundlessly with the dominance of a demon god from hell.

"Impressive.", the Assassin stated.

"A real honor, though still not impressive enough, for my blade didn't seem to make you bleed."

Hassan raised his right arm in silence. A thin line of red appeared on his stygian armor and trailed down, hitting the asphalt with a sizzle. One after another, the crimson liquid dripped down and spattered against the concrete road. Every single drop sizzled with arcane power as it dissolved, leaving a patch of black behind.

Shiro widened his eyes. His mouth slowly morphed into a wide grin.

"I did manage to make you bleed! Wow!"

The first Hassan curtly nodded, his horns on his skull mask bobbing up and down. Artoria thought the Assassin looked cute in a strange way. She vigorously rubbed her eyes as she berated herself. 'I must remain sane!', she swore.

Oblivious to his master's inner torment, Shiro relaxed, with his stupid grin still plastered on his face.

"Indeed.", Hassan shortly replied. "It has been a long time since I've bled."

Shiro laughed as he tapped Monohoshi-zao against his shoulder.

"Not surprised. It'll take hell to hurt the first Hassan."

The lord of death didn't answer Shiro's banter. Instead, he stared at Shiro in some kind of newfound interest. The blacksmith noticed the Assassin's meaningful stare, but he purposely chose not to dwell in it. He already knew he and the Assasin have already reached a mutual understanding between one another.

Shiro cracked his neck and yawned, his free hand scratching his back like an old man-which he was, at least, spiritually.

"Well, I think it's enough for one night. Your master didn't bother to order anything serious, right?"

"Affirmative."

"Goodnight to you, then. My little girl needs her beauty sleep."

Shiro waved. Hassan nodded once more, before dissolving into a puddle of darkness.

'Geez, Hassan and his skills. He could've killed us whenever he wanted.', Shiro grumbled to himself.

'Good thing you were smart enough not to offend him.', Emiya muttered back. 'You had me sweating when you offered him a blade-to-blade confrontation.'

Shiro shrugged.

'It's one of the fastest ways for warriors to attain trust for one another.'

'Ha, and here I thought you had pride in being a blacksmith.', Emiya snickered.

Shiro crossed his arms in mock anger.

'Of course I do! I just happen to be a warrior in order to forge the katana! What better way to improve a weapon than to become the wielder yourself? After all, the Blacksmith's soul must be one with the blade!'

Shiro felt Emiya shake his head with an exaggerated shrug.

'You're insane. You must realize that. I suggest you commit hara-kiri (suicide by gutting yourself), or just go split your skull in half to see what's wrong with your head. Go on, I'm sure Hassan would be more than happy to oblige.'

'You know, it's actually a compliment, coming from a cynical lad like you. Riiiiiiiight, mister 'Hero of Justice'?'

'…You old-'

Their internal banter was interrupted by an upset Artoria. She pouted, a cute scowl etched onto her face as she glared at him. Shiro raised an eyebrow in return. Artoria shook her head with an indignant huff.

"What?", Shiro asked.

"Why?", she asked back.

"Why what?', Shiro tossed back.

Artoria growled as she pulled her hair in frustration.

"Why did you pick up a fight with the first Hassan if you could've just persuaded him to leave!?", she shouted.

Shiro gave her an incredulous look.

"You sure you know the rules of the Holy Grail War?"

"You're making fun of me again, aren't you!?"

"Ok, ok. I have a reason."

Artoria placed her hands on her hips.

"Explain."

Shiro's eyes glowed in a brilliant gold hue, momentarily captivating Artoria in its intensity.

"Do you have what it takes to handle the truth?", he whispered.

Artoria gulped, hesitated for a split second, and then nodded. The last of her linage she might be, but she was no coward. She shall accept the servant's challenge.

"Yes!", she firmly answered back.

Shiro winked mischievously.

"SE~CRET!"

Silence took hold.

Without the barest hint of emotion, Artoria raised her right hand which held the command seals, now glowing ominously with arcane energy.

"I hereby command by the-"

"JOKING! I'm just joking!"

Artoria raised an eyebrow.

"I'm waiting."

Shiro patted Artoria's head. Artoria shot him a murderous look. Shiro grinned.

"Good girl. Always listen to uncle Shiro, ok?"

"I hereby command-"

"The reason was that I knew the first Hassan didn't have any interest in the Holy Grail."

"…Continue."

Shiro explained his reasons in more detail than he did with Emiya, emphasizing that the fight was essential; a sort of trial that he must pass.

Artoria still looked a little skeptical, but at least she's not threatening to use command seals on him. That's something in his book.

Shiro tried to pet Artoria again, but quickly decided against it when she sent him scathing gazes that promised a slow death.

'Geez, woman.'

Emiya snorted.

'Welcome to the club.'

The night left and morning came.

The sun shone its blazing light through Artoria's window. Her clock began to ring as she lazily stirred within her soft pillows.

'Why does it have to be Monday.', she grumpily thought.

A fragrant smell reached her nostrils. Mmm…Miso soup, hot rice, fried fish with garlic pepper, half-boiled eggs mixed with avocado, fresh seaweed salad…OH. MY. GOD. A FEAST.

Artoria jumped from her bed and rolled across the floor to her door. She slammed the door open with one well-placed karate kick and somersaulted into the dining room below.

This whole fluid movement took only three seconds.

Shiro looked up to find a very hungry Artoria waiting at the table, still dressed in her nightgown.

'Hey, Emiya. You were right about one thing.'

'I know, right? She has an unbelievable appetite.'

'Well, at least I made enough. Surely she couldn't finish this amount-'

Shiro gapped at Artoria as she literally sucked in his cooking like a miniature black hole.

'WHAT IN THE-'

'I told you.', Emiya said in his smug voice. 'That's hell you're walking into.'

After seeing a terrifying aspect of his young master, Shiro ushered her to school. He couldn't dematerialize, so he gave Artoria a mini katana as an accessory.

The accessory acted as a scanner and radar of sorts, so he could pick up hostile movements of servants in the vicinity.

He stayed nearby Artoria's school just in case, in fear that some irregularities might occur.

'Speaking of irregularities, the first Hassan shouldn't be summoned in the Holy Grail war. What do you think, Emiya of the counter-force?'

Emiya snorted at his nickname.

'To rephrase, it's more like he couldn't be summoned. So, yes, I'm afraid this Holy Grail's system is corrupted in more ways than one.'

'What do you suggest?'

'Asking help from this 'cynical lad'?'

Shiro rolled his eyes.

'You are the professional.'

Emiya chuckled in agreement.

'Fair enough. …Well, to be honest, I don't have the slightest idea about what's going on.'

'Oi.'

'That being said, we must first find the reason for this whole farce.'

'Yeah, obviously. C'mon, wrack that witty brain of yours!'

'...Hah. I suggest that we should try the direct approach.'

'Like in, search and destroy the grail?'

'NO! Do NOT destroy the grail until we make sure it's stable. Destroying the grail in its unstable state might easily warrant disaster.'

'…Ah, I see. Old nightmares, aye?'

'...It sucks to have your whole memory scanned by a crazy blacksmith.'

'Hey, I thought we were buddies! Brother in arms, both who specialize in the way of swords…'

'…Hmph.'

'I'm gonna switch with you while Artoria is around…'

'NO. Please don't. I already have enough headaches.'

'Aww. You are so sweet sometimes.'

'Shut up, old geezer.'

'Same to you, cynical lad.'

'…Ha.'

Emiya went back to his brooding and Shiro's mental connection clicked shut. He looked up at the sky. It was still noon.

Shiro yawned. It turns out to be a peaceful day after all.

Nearby. In a coffee shop.

"Is that the Saber you speak so highly of?", a young yet feminine voice softly whispered.

'Yes.'

"Hmm…he looks handsome. I wonder who he is?"

'I do not know.'

The girl raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"Even after directly confronting him, you do not have the slightest clue?"

'He is a blacksmith of the highest profession. He can forge katanas. I suspect he can also modify other types of blades into katanas of his own kind.'

The girl widened her golden eyes in shock.

"My, it's the first time you spoke in long sentences! You must have taken a real liking to him!"

'…'

The girl didn't seem to mind as the deep voice went silent. Her feet tapped against the polished marble floor. She sipped her cappuccino in blissful silence, a serene smile etched on her face.

After her long break, she stood up from her seat. Her silvery hair sparkled in the sunlight as she turned her head towards the window.

Caren Hortensia giggled.

"I will look forward to meeting you at school, Master of Saber."

Aaaaand, wrap!

Oh yes, a slice of life, comedy, action, tragedy...they all blend pretty well, wouldn't you agree?

Feel free to review!

X-kalibuuuur, over and out!