The fantasy world I got isekai'd to was everything I hoped fo~or! A white-haired king asking for the hero's help in saving his people? Check. Magic? Check. Cute and color-coded monsters around the starting town? Check. Beautiful female companion? Goddamn Check!

I was initially miffed about having but a single companion, true... and then I realised, this means I am alone with Sophia-san. Alone with Sophia-san! I said it twice for emphasis, you know? That's because this is important! Sure, looking at Motoyasu's party, he got to start with an all-female party but just how well do you think things will develop with any single girl?

I felt like we are all starring on wildly different genres. I mean, from Ren's point of view, this world is probably a shonen, while Motoyasu basically shoehorned himself into a romcom. Sakura-san... I understand what you were saying, but I am still quite worried about you going alone, you know?

Really, next time I see Motoyasu, I'll give him an earful about not offering to trade three of his girls for Sakura-san's party members. And not just because it was the proper thing to do, but also because it was his chance to pick the prettiest girl among his followers and instantly solidify her position as the heroine in his story.

Speaking of... isn't this almost me and my beautiful red-headed childhood friend together against the world!? Yes, I am aware Sophia-san isn't my childhood friend, but she's my story's starting heroine. The way these things go, that means the Sophia route is like 90% complete! Well, depending on how our adventure goes, it may lead to my dreamed-of harem ending. After all, Sakura-san is still alone, right? And she even offered to party with me already, so mayb-

~O~

Sigh.

This is why I haven't used [Mindlink] with Naofumi-san or Motoyasu-san since day one. Let's break the connection before I slap him on the back of the head.

Just what is that guy thinking? Shonen, romcom, heroine...? Ah but I guess hubby did unlock the harem ending Naofumi-san keeps hoping for... he wasn't trying to, though. At least he's actually considerate of other people's feelings and safety as a baseline, even if he tends to let his fantasies run rampant.

Anyway, let's try and just get close enough to peek in on them for the time being. I mean, I don't know what will happen, only that something is meant to happen.

It should be obvious, but shadow travel is way easier at night. Coming out of a shadow behind the tavern and inn they are about to stay at. I had an easy time peeking in by stretching my senses into the nearby shadows.

"Two rooms, please~" That's Sophia-san and... there we go, now I can actually see what's going on, too.

Looks like they are haggling with the owner over the price of their rooms for the night. Well, if Sophia-chan is asking for separate rooms, perhaps I was a bit harsh on thinking she was the type that would try and seduce the heroes to raise her own status.

"Wouldn't one room do just fine?" Naofumi, what are you doing trying to get one room for the both of you? Seriously, here I was worried Sophia-chan was trying to seduce you.

"Hero-sama..."

Sophia-chan, good job on that stern look. You shouldn't let him pressure you!

"Two rooms, then." Naofumi gave up and asked for two rooms like he should have done from the start.

"Yes, thank you for your patronage." The tavern owner sure seems happy. Well, he's getting twice the money.

Ah, they're only having dinner now? Well, I guess it doesn't makes much difference.

"Anyways..." ~ Naofumi clears a section of the table and spreads a map on top of it ~ "Today, we were hunting at this meadow, right?"

"Yes, that is correct, Naofumi-sama."

"You mentioned it earlier, something about how we could have 'pressed forth'. That would have taken us into this forest, right?"

Oh? Looks like we may have run into each other. I guess they wandered somewhat from their target area.

"Yes. It doesn't show on this map, but there's a village named Raffan inside of the forest itself. I think we should go there next."

"I see... maybe?"

"There's a rookie dungeon close to the village."

"A dungeon!?"

Right, those came up on our conversations. Dungeons are places where monsters appear out of the walls, and they refill by themselves once people leave them. Ah, I may try and throw some shadow elementals at it and see if I still get experience that way. Besides, since there would be technically nobody inside, I wonder if the monsters will just continue to spawn? That sounds kind of delicious.

"The monster drops aren't too bad either, hero-sama should level up a little while we're in there."

"I see."

"We're pretty well equipped now, so thanks to hero-sama's excellent defence, it should be easy."

"I see. Thank you. Let's use this as a learning experience."

"It is my pleasure to be of assistance. By the way, hero-sama, you haven't touched your wine."

"I'm not really fond of alcohol."

"Is that so? But one cup won't hurt, right?"

"I'm sorry, but I really dislike drinking."

"Bu~ut..."

"I'm sorry."

"O-okay."

Sophia-chan reached for the glass. Well, there really is no reason to waste it if they already paid for it.

"I guess it's about time for bed. Please take care of me tomorrow as well, Sophia-san."

"Yes, see you tomorrow."

Ugh, I've already said this, but having to focus through multiple sensors is a pain. I respect Sophia-chan for keeping Naofumi-san at arm's length, but having to track both of them move around felt like it was going to give me an splitting migraine.

Alright, Naofumi is walking into his room and starting to take his clothes off, so I can focus on Sophia-chan for a bit and... what are you doing, Sophia-chan? Its rhetorical, alright? I can tell she's walking into Naofumi's room... night crawling? Is this a case of night crawling!? Uh, and here I was, thinking that Sophia-san was a good girl and... ah, she's already taking Naofumi's pants off! Just how daring are you, girl!?

And then she neatly folded them and set them aside. Uhmm... that seems pointlessly organized for a case of night crawling, you know? If it was me coming unto hubby, those would be shreds by now... ah, nevermind that! Now she's taking off his jacket, shirt... eh, you're leaving his underwear on?

Why are you... oh wow, she's mugging him, isn't she? She picked up his chainmail and even his shoes, too. I am impressed with how daring you are, Sophia-san, but I can't imagine a situation where a person chosen by the crown would be in such dire economic need as to... wait a minute.

Is this what they were planning on doing to Naofumi-san? Yes, it is awful to leave him in nothing but his undies, but honestly, it could have been a lot worse.

Hm~m. I guess I should stop her? Though it is not a bad chance for Naofumi-san to do some urgently needed growing up.

'Ren-kun, are you awake?'

'Sakura-nee!?'

'Oh good, you really were awake. You see, I'd like to hear your opinion on something... I'm sorry, is this a bad time?'

'PleasejusttellmewhatyouneedSakuranee!'

'Well, you remember Naofumi-san's companion, Sophia Mein? I'm watching her as she robs him of everything but his boxers and socks.'

'WHAT!?'

'Yes, I think she drugged him somehow... anyway, she just went into his room, took his armor, his jacket, pants, shirt, sneakers... ah, she's leaving.'

'Well, stop her!'

'Here's the thing...'

I explained to him about Naofumi-san's delusions about this world, shonen genre expectations, harem hopes, and about how this may actually be a good wake up call. Sure, I could just stop Sophia-san and get all of Naofumi's things back, but there was a chance she was put up to this by the king or someone equally important, so maybe I should just follow her and see what their actual plan is.

'What do you think?'

'Ah... yes, I guess following her does sound like the wiser choice, but if you wanted my opinion, that's because you weren't sure, right Sakura-nee?'

'That's correct. That, and I wanted to check on you and make sure you weren't getting robbed as well.'

'Oh. I guess I'll store all my things inside my sword when I go to bed.'

'Sounds fine to me. Sorry to have interrupted your comfort time. Or was my voice in your head kind of a charry on top?'

'You weren't involved at all...!'

'Ama~azing Swimsu~uit!'

'…please cut the link, Sakura-nee.'

'Yes, yes, have a good night, Ren-kun.'

So that's what Ren-kun's childhood friend looks like. Cute girl. I may have gone a little over the line there, but it was an accidental walk-in and he's just so fun to tease...

Cough

Anyway, let's follow miss thieving cat.

~O~

When I woke up, it was to find all of my belongings gone. It took me a couple of moments to accept the reality of the situation, before immediately running out of the room to knock at Sophia's door, worried about her safety. After all, if I got drugged and robbed, what may have happened to her?

It was then that the castle guards arrived, but my relief was extremely short-lived, as they immediately grabbed me and dragged me out towards the castle and into the audience hall. There was Sophia Mein, crying in Motoyasu's arms. I was equal parts upset and relieved. It was clear that something had happened to her, but it looked like she was fine, so... yeah, equal parts upset and relieved.

It was short lived, though. As if I had landed in some weird, bizarro world, Sophia accused me of rape, and the king swiftly declared me to be guilty without giving me a chance to defend myself. Talk about believung the victim! What about my rights? What about a fair trial!? It was in the middle of this mockery of a trial that I noticed Motoyasu was wearing my chainmail. I pulled out my remaining money and threw it at him while accusing him of conspiring with Sophia to rob me blind, then left.

As soon as I left the castle and entered the main road, people began pointing at me while whispering to each other. Rumours sure travel fast.

Starting now, I won't trust in anything but cold, hard cash. Trust? Hah! Everything in this world already looks hideous to my eyes! From now on, let's proceed while keeping in mind that noone can be tr-whoa!

I fell face first through a table-sized hole in the middle of the road. I think.

I tried to brace for impact and orient my feet towards the ground, but everything was dark, and then I 'fell' out of the hole and back out into the world, as if the earth had swallowed and spit me, just for me to fall back down again and get swallowed by the dark again. Finally, the dark spit me in the middle of a forest somewhere.

You too, world? REALLY!? I landed badly on my ass. That hurt, damnit!

"Oh God he's gone and turned into a drama queen."

~O~

"Oh God he's gone and turned into a drama queen." ~ Said Ren as he looked at me from where he was sitting on a fallen tree.

'Ren-kun, that isn't helping.' ~ Chided Sakura-san as she walked over and helped me up ~ 'But yes, please tone down the drama a notch, Naofumi-san.'

"Turn down the... they accused me of RAPE!"

'Yes, yes, we saw, it was quite mean of them. Well, it could have gone worse.' She said as she handed me my ...clothes.

"How did you...?"

'I stole them from Sophia-san's secret hideout for you.'

"So... how?"

'I saw them take them, then followed her and watched as she hid them away.'

"You WATCHED her and didn't stop her!? I got accused of RAPE!"

'Quite terrible, yes.'

"You have no idea...!" ~ Holy shit I wish I had controlled myself better, said thanks, and kept my mouth shut, because...

"My Will is Absolute. My Shadow Shall Walk This World."

I saw Sakura-san frown, and a flood of shadows spread out from under her, covering the entire area in cold black purple that boiled and bubbled. Fat tentacles of darkness reached up and began twirling and widening until they became entirely two-dimensional things akin to paper dolls, completely invisible if you looked at the from the side, yet obviously heavy... and dangerous.

"Wh-wha the hell!?" I could feel myself getting dragged into the black purple mud(?) under my feet, and Ren was quickly wrapped around by dozens of those paper tentacles and held in place as Sakura was suddenly flooded from feet to neck by the purple black stuff, then reached fort and grabbed me by the throat, lifting me one handed with an strength that had no place on such a gentle-looking girl.

I was disgusted down to the marrow of my bones. I don't think I can ever properly express my revulsion and absolute, instinctive disgust for the stuff covering the young housewife and reaching over her to wrap around my neck.

"Are you calming down now, Naofumi-san?" ~ The young wife I've been fantasising about began to rub my hair with her free hand while talking in a soothing, calming tone. "Once you let it all out, take deep breaths, and calm down."

"I'm... ah... cough... let me go, Sakura-san!" ~ Attempting to struggle... the thought never even crossed my mind.

"Come on, give it a good scream."

As the liquid darkness began to flow over me, I couldn't take it, I puked and shat myself at the same time, and then it was over. She let me fall down to my knees, ashamed and hurt by her betrayal. In the back of my mind, I somehow noticed I was actually perfectly clean despite having just disgraced myself.

"To answer your question. I allowed for it to happen because you needed a reality check, and it'll be easier for you to move around if they think they already broke you, Naofumi-san. As to why I just did what I did, you were turning into a whiny bitch."

"Ugh..."

"Naofumi-san. I saw what happened, I'm sure it felt like the world was conspiring against you, like you were everyone's target of abuse, but that's simply not true. We believe you, we are here for you."

The darkness that had surrounded us began to evaporate as if it was dew under the desert's sun at noon. It gave way to the forest, and the trees, bushes and weeds came back. I had never seen a more beautiful thing in my life. Ren stumbled forth, falling from the tree trunk where he had been sitting now that nothing held him back.

"Naofumi-san... " ~ She said while kneeling by my side ~ "I was actually raped, you know?"

"Wh-?"

"By my nii-san, by grandfather, by his magical familiars, by every mage he wanted me to gather seed from in order to fill me with as much magical energy as I could possibly take."

"..." ~ We were quiet. I don't think either Ren or I had the jupiter-sized brass balls it would have taken to say anything right there and then.

"Naofumi-san. It was that way for a little over half of my life. I know abuse and I know betrayal, you see? What happened to you was sad, and it was cruel, but bad things happen to good people all the time. Bad things are happening to good people right now." ~ She looked over to Ren with an apologetic look before turning back to me. ~ "You were not harmed, you were not killed, you have us, you are really not that bad off all things considered, alright?"

"That... was Motoyasu in on it?"

"No." ~ it was Ren's turn to talk ~ "He's just thinking with his dick."

"You have to admit, Sophia-san know how to play with a man's ego." ~ Said Sakura-san as she handed me her water skin.

"Yeah... she's really good at it, that bitch."

I stood up, sucked up a mouthful or water, rinsed my mouth and spit it to the side to get the taste out of my mouth, then drank the rest of the water skin. I had absolutely ruined my jacket by dumping the contents of my guts on it, but thankfully the rest of my clothes were safe. I shouldn't have thrown my money at Motoyasu.

"A~ah. Thank you Sakura-san." ~ I offered to return the waterskin but she clearly didn't want it back. Well, I can't blame her. ~ "What should we do now...?"

"Eh? Are you, by any chance, including us in your plans?"

""Eh?"" ~ Both Ren and I stared at her.

"I said what I was going to do, didn't I? I'm going to go out on my own, and get my own companions. That being said." ~ She reached into her Bow and handed me a bag of coins ~ "500 silver coins. You only had a couple hundred left, right?"

"Actually, I threw them at Motoyasu's face..."

"I can't say that's the smartest thing you've done." ~ Commented Ren from the side.

"Hh..." ~ There was nothing I could say.

"Well, if you really want my advice... better late than never, I guess."

"I'll be in your care." ~ I replied to her.

And so, the plan is as follows. I'll play the part of a broken, angry man in the evenings before wandering into the woods at night, where Sakura-san will party with me and help me level up. Apparently she barely needs any food, drink or sleep to begin with... eh, isn't she an amazingly high performance, low upkeep existence?

Ah, I got a finger flicker to the nose. Don't laugh, it actually hurts, alright?

Well, in gaming terms, she's going to power-level me during night time. I'll go back to town and sleep in the mornings, and we'll keep this going while I gather companions of my own, though I am actually quite unsure on who to trust any more. I mean, I can trust Ren and Sakura-san, and I guess Motoyasu is just an idiot and not actually out to get me... no wait, he may be actually out to get me right now since he thinks I raped that lying bitch.

Yeah, if I thought he was a rapist, I too would be disgusted at the sight of him.

"Sakura-san, are you going to tell Motoyasu the truth?"

"Not for a while. I doubt that man could keep a secret of this size, and we want Sophia-san, and by extension the king, to think their plan was a success, after all."

"Why is that, exactly?"

"Because as awful as it was, at least they didn't kill you."

"...shit."

~O~

Naofumi-san used his shield's teleport to go back to town, which left me alone with Ren-kun for the time being.

"You are picking up unnecessary trouble, Sakura-nee." ~ Ren-kun chided me. Ah, I got chided by my adopted otouto! ~ "Didn't you warn us about that sort of thing?"

"Back when I was in pain, I blamed everyone I saw for going about their lives while I neeed their help, but the truth is I never reached out and asked for them to help. Seeing him blame the world, I just had to help."

"Hm. Sakura-nee is actually a big softie, uh?"

"Yup, check it out!"

I used shadow step to 'pop' into existence right before him and hug him, but he saw it coming and teleported away.

'Coward.' ~ I poked him gently through the mind link.

'Please spare me, Sakura-nee.'

'Well, as for my current plans, I think I'll wash Naofumi-san's jacket, then go to a dungeon and try some things.'

'Ew. Just throw that thing into a hole, Sakura-nee!'

'It's an easy enough stain to wash. It really lights my housewife spirit aflame, you know? Can't just throw perfectly good clothes away.'

'Penny pincher.'

'Hubby thinks its cute how I collect coupons every day.'

'I'm starting to believe you are married to a hero...'

'I am!'

Well, to be fair, removing stains by sinking dirty things into a large shadow, then having the shadow creep between the fibres and the stain is my most practised magic. We save a lot in detergent and everyone's clothes are always squeaky clean, though I still like to put them through a rinse process and add cloth perfume and softener. Its for that nice scent and feeling you just can't get in any other way.

~O~

Well, I guess Sakura-san really knows what misery feels like, growing up as a magus' experimental subject. Jesus wept, magus are absolutely terrifying.

Ugh, the memory was enough to make me puke a little inside my mouth just now.

Everyone was looking at me with eyes that said they firmly believed I was dirtier than shit, but I don't have time to be angry at ignorant, good-intended bystanders. I went back into the old man's shop, talked to him, and bought a cheap armour before going out into the plains. Those balloons aren't gonna pop themselves, and I don't want to be too big of a weight around Sakura-san's neck.

Sakura-san... I hope you see your husband again. You sound genuinely happy whenever you bring him up.

~O~

Hm. Looks like Naofumi-san really needed that. Well, I can absolutely relate to feeling like you're the world's sole target of abuse. Thankfully, we were here for him, or who knows how he may have been hurt by this whole thing.

Well, I better get started on my part. For now, let's head into that dungeon.

~O~

"Motoyasu-san I'm farming this dungeon right now. Could you please go somewhere else?"

Not just I, but everyone else also stopped as if we had hit a brick wall upon hearing that voice. And sure enough, Sakura-chan is right there, sitting atop an abandoned crate near the dungeon's entrance. Odd, I am sure I would have noticed her. I mean, she's incredibly attention catching, our beautiful violet-themed Bow Hero(ine) born under the zodiac sign of 'boing'.

Ah, she frowned a little bit just now. Is she out here because she's psyching herself up to go inside by herself?

"Sakura-chan, are you saying that you cleared this dungeon already? By yourself?"

"That would be... basically correct, Motoyasu-san."

"Since I dragged my entire party out here already, would you mind letting us have a go?"

"I would, actually. I am 'power-farming' this place. Is that the right term? Anyway, the soldiers over there said it usually takes a party about 4 hours for a full clear." ~ She said while looking at my party members ~ "I am not going to just sit here and wait for that long. Don't be unreasonable."

It was then that Sophia moved to the front and began to explain how everyone should do their part for the world's peace. We were all heroes, so it was in our best interest to work together, anyway.

"You're just an extra, though?" Sakura-chan leaned her face slightly towards the side as she supported it against her hand ~ "Why are you talking as if you were a hero yourself?"

"H-how rude!"

"Rude... I apologise for that. However, I am still not giving up my spot. I was here first, and see absolutely no reason to hamstring myself in the interest of your group."

Well, indeed, if we said we had to walk here, so did she, so that's not a good enough reason to ask her to move out of the way. Wait, if it takes a regular party 4 hours to kill every single monster in the dungeon, just how early did she get up to come here if she's already cleared it once?

"Sakura-chan, just how early did you get here?"

"About an hour ago?"

"Wait, you cleared the dungeon in an hour?"

"No, I got here an hour ago. I cleared it in twice already, so I'd say it took me about 20 minutes every time."

"You lying rude woman!" ~ Sophia cried out as she held on from my shoulders.

"What would I possibly gain from lying to you? Either way, I am not giving up my spot." Sakura-chan crossed her legs the other way around, and threw her hair backwards over her shoulder as she straightened her posture.

"Motoyasu-sama, please get rid of this vulgar woman!"

"Sophia-chan, I am not going to fight Sakura-chan for no good reason..."

I felt as if Sakura-chan was giving me a once over, looking at me as if she was seeing me for the first time, top to bottom. She leaned her head backwards and to the side, and looked towards the cave for a couple of moments, then back to us.

"Do you really need this spot?" ~ She asked after letting out a deep sigh.

"Well, its not as if we need it to save a life, but it would make things easier, of course."

"Then how about a trade. Does your game knowledge include a nearby dungeon with stronger monsters? Or you could literally pay me to go away. Even if I let you through and do nothing, if our [Legendary Weapons] are too close to each other, the [World's Blessing] will be halved, which would defeat the purpose of you going into the dungeon to begin with."

"That... is true. What would you like, Sakura-chan?"

"How about that chainmail you are wearing?" ~ She asked while leaning forth to support her chin on her knees while looking into my eyes.

"...this was a gift, I can't just give it away, Sakura-chan."

"It's for the sake of the world's peace." ~ She said while carefully copying Sophia's tone and cadence.

Sakura-chan, now you're just trying to irritate Sophia-chan, aren't you? Well, I guess Sophia-chan has been a little pushy and you don't know about the delicate state she is in right now. The poor thing has grown so attached and dependant on me, I can't help but to feel as if I picked up an abused puppy.

"Hm. Another dungeon, then?"

"That would be fine." ~ She said

"Its not all that close."

"It may be better that way, so our weapons don't interfere with each other's [World's Blessing] anyway."

"Alright, in that case..."

I explained to her about the [Ancient Catacomb] dungeon close to an abandoned temple south of the castle town, and that seems to have been enough to get her to leave. Ah yes, I so hate to see you leave, but I so love to see you leaving, Sakura-chan!

And then five... things, crawled/folded/unfolded out from the dungeon. It was as if they were made of night and framed by white, like they were paper dolls or cut offs that had height and width, with no depth. They quietly waddled the ground as if it was water, following after the retreating Sakura-chan.

It took us a minute to move after that, and then a tiny one dashed out of the dungeon, barely a couple of inches tall, desperately running to catch up to its much larger counterparts.

I was so shocked, I let go of Sophia-chan, and she fell limp into the ground.

~O~

"Kabuki-chan, I thought you weren't going to follow me anymore?" The Bow Hero(ine)-sama called out to me without turning around as she continued to walk.

"I made no such promise, degojaru."

"Hm. I guess you did not. Since you are coming along, would you mind serving as a guide? I think most people would freak out a little bit if they spotted these children out in the wild."

"...I-i know the feeling, Bow Hero(ine)-sama! I'm freaking out right now, degojaru!"

"Sorry about that, but calling them out is pretty taxing, you know? I'd rather not dismiss them if I'm just going to call them out in a little bit anyway."

"Y-you can dismiss them?"

"Yes, that's not a problem."

"Alright... in that case, we should go this way... degojaru."

~O~

A/N Thanks to everyone who has helped with constructive criticism and suggestions.

AnimeA55Kicker / I know, right? The reason she only mindlinks with him is because he's the only one of the heroes that doesn't immediately strips her naked in his mind. I plan on having her tease Shirou a lot about hearing his thoughts, along the lines of "Shirou, stop complaining. I know you like it" as she takes the initiative or just plain tops him in bed and... oh God now I want to get to the exp event in the islands soon just so she can have an amazing bikini. Still need to find a justification to have her find those long q-tips somewhere...

Xerad / Well, I am not very familiar with the anime and LN versions of Naofumi, and the manga doesn't actually tell us anything about him from before he got summoned, but in the WN we do get a whole chapter of his inner thoughts, ramblings and interests, so going from that, he was an stereotypical otaku that lived with his parents, was completely dependant on them, had wall-to-wall anime figurines, rows and rows of ero games (oh my God I should have made him be familiar with Sakura from playing F/SN I'm such a dumbass for not thinking about it sooner! Parallel worlds! He seriously could know her from there!), anime, LNs and manga, plus he had left his MMORPG character selling stuff while he went to an anime convention/festival since he prefers support/craft classes, and the reason he went to the library was to read LNs on his way home since he blew through the money his parents had given him already. Yes, he was a university student, but it is implied that he was an average one at a crappy private university because he couldn't rank high enough for a public one. When the WN starts, he basically has stars in his eyes because he gets to go in a super awesome adventure!(tm) and is hoping to start a harem and fight the demon lord.

So yeah, Naofumi with zero angst is a bit silly. He needed a reality check, but the author went quite a bit overboard with it. Well, that same author basically had the BBEG just ass-rape all the heroes in the WN original ending, with Naofumi and Raphtalia going to live in Naofumi's world as an apology from the Shield, but the readers basically rioted and the guy had to keep writing to get an 'acceptable ending'.

I am really curious about how the LN or manga will end, since they have already deviated greatly from the original WN. I think the editorial house hired some actual aithors to rewrite the later bits of the story because the style is very different from the WN. Reminds me of how much better the SAO franchise got after they removed the original author.

CyberAngelOne / Thanks. I saw that there were already too many Shirou crossovers already. Kind of inspired me to write the Shirou on this one as our Shirou, meaning, the Shirou all of us fanfic authors keep throwing into fanfic adventures all over the omniverse. I'm really tempted to write a Fate/Hellgate: London crossover at some point. Just to give him a bunch of inherently evil enemies to go ham on, you know? I mean, the Doomslayer in Hellgate: London... probably wouldn't even notice he's not home anymore.

Gadget boy / Thanks. I think it is basically Sakura having a therapy dog equivalent in that she finally got a wholesome (sort of) familiar relationship.

Calen and NotSpecialDude / Thanks. Shirou won't be showing up any time soon, though. Because of time dillation, I'm thinking at the very least the 3rd wave. At the earliest. May have Rider sooner, though.

MisterBillybob / In Carnival Phantasm she stalks Shirou by standing quietly in plain sight with her back against the wall and her eyes closed, and that's enough for him to not notice her despite running back and forth past her multiple times. A friend tells me this is an in-universe joke about Sakura being a wallflower or something like that. Is why I made her ridiculously ultra stealthy, to the point the Shadow was looking for her yet didn't see her until she literally bumped face-first into her.

Oh, and someone sent me a PM about teleportation being a true magic in the nasuverse and how I was using it all too casual-like. In the shieldverse, all the holy weapons allow their users to teleport, its canon. And Sakura's teleport is fairly short range, and a far, far cry from the "Now I'm here, and now I'm across the universe!" true magic from the nasuverse, so I think its fine, really. Thanks for taking the time to send me a message, tho!