Chapter 31

A Date Fit for a King

Emerald eyes almost glowed with the subtle touches of muted violet shadow applied to the lids above them, and rosette lips were gleaming a soft, dusty rose color that harmonized with porcelain skin. Long, golden hair was pulled up into a high tail and a deep plum ribbon tied around it to contrast with the bright color. Saber stared at the beautiful young woman reflected back at her, a faint blush coloring fair skin.

She resisted the urge to bite her lip, after all it had been a chore to apply the gloss without it smearing all over her face. Still the girl she held trembling fingers out to towards the glass was almost alien to her. The girl was slight, with gentle curves and surprisingly long legs despite her lack of height. She was dressed in a deep plum peasant blouse that matched the ribbon in her hair that gave a hint of sculpted shoulders before the fabric covered her arms to the elbow. A beige skirt hit her right above the knee and swayed with each movement, and brown leather sandals completed the outfit.

There were no gems or precious metals to adorn her skin, but Saber had thought them frivolous and fussy. Her clothing was simple, but pleasingly so. It allowed complete freedom of movement, and there was not a worry of one misstep to expose the white panties she was wearing like her uniform did constantly. A smile flashed her even, white teeth and the blush crossing her cheeks deepened before looking away.

Her heart was racing, but yet she felt oddly light and weightless at the same time. Her feet barely touched the wood floor as she headed to the living room to wait for Archer. Thousands of tiny knots were coiling and uncoiling in her stomach, and there was a slight tremor to her hands. The feeling was utterly alien, but it wasn't unwelcome either.

"Oh," a familiar male voice said.

Saber froze as golden brown eyes widened and locked on her. Ice crystallized in her veins as she met the eyes of the man she wanted to bring her death to her. "Shirou," she said with a bow of her head.

"Saber, I . . . You look nice," the redhead said as his cheeks flushed red and he rubbed the back of his neck. The gesture was one Saber had seen before, but it had been Archer looking away with that shy expression and flush. She blinked at it, the sense of déjà vu that was forming in the back of her mind.

Instead she replied, "Thank you."

"That clothing seems to suit you," Shirou said as his eyes looked away from her.

Saber felt heat cross her cheeks and she replied, "Yes, I had help picking this ensemble out."

"You do look fetching, Saber," a low, purring voice said from her side.

Saber found a smile cross her lips as she looked at Rider, who was simply dressed in jeans and a black tank top for the heat. The Gorgon's queer eyes met hers and a smile spread across her face as well. Saber replied, "You approve?"

"Yes, and I think Archer will as well," Rider said as her lashes lowered over her eyes as she cast the still blushing Shirou a look. "Yes, I think he will approve."

Saber frowned at the half amused look was giving Shirou, who was still silent and rubbing the back of his head. She shook it off and said, "I am glad for that then."

"So, you think Saber looks really cute then, Sempai?" Sakura said from the kitchen, her wide smile not quite reaching her eyes.

Shirou blinked, shook his head, and nervous laughter spilled forth as he headed for his lover. "Just I'm not used to seeing her look like a girl, that's all, Sakura," he said as he wrapped his arms around the curvy girl's waist.

Sakura gracefully shrugged him away and turned to face Shirou. Her smile somehow became even wider as her eyes narrowed. He frowned and said, "You don't need to remind me that you're a girl, Sakura, and a beautiful one at that."

The smile hit Sakura's eyes and she let him embrace her. She said, "Nicely played, Sempai."

"You're the one I love," Shirou said before kissing her forehead, "I mean, I came back from the dead and all for you."

Saber blinked. Illyasviel had brought Shirou back from the dead. Archer stood a mere stone's throw from her with his broad chest rising and falling with each heavy breath. His steel grey eyes locked upon her before widening as they stared at each other. You died, Saber thought with a tilt of her head as she studied him. Mayhap the same force that forced her back to life had done the same to him as well.

Illyasviel had brought Archer and herself back as well, but for what purpose?

It had been something that had haunted her, the why of Irisviel's daughter's actions. If it had been Irisviel herself, Saber would have understood her reasoning. Irisviel's daughter, on the other hand, had more of her father in her than anyone in the Ezinbern family proper would care to admit. However, Kiritsugu wasn't sentimental. He was practical, to the point of dishonor even, much to Saber's disgust.

She never put much thought in why Archer had been resurrected as well. It had not been her concern. However, he did stand up against overwhelming odds to protect Illyasviel, but Saber did not think that would be enough for Illyasviel to involve the other Servant in her miracle. I wonder if it was something else that only Illyasviel herself knew, after all, technically he was the one Servant that had been housed within her.

Ironically, it had been Archer's own power that had brought them back to life. Then his first action had been to save everyone from the cave collapsing on them. The hand around Saber's wrist was hot and as strong as steel as she was forced to keep pace with the determined man in red. Even there he moved to save her; proving himself as a hero and not a warrior.

Rider drifted over to Saber's side and asked, "Are you excited?"

Saber shook herself out of her revere, nodded, and replied, "Is it obvious?"

"Well, you took extra effort in your appearance for once for one thing, and is that make up?" Rider asked with a smile as she pointed to Saber's glossed lips.

Saber felt heat creep into her cheeks and replied, "Yes, it is. I know it is odd . . ."

"Different, but pleasing," Rider said with a chuckle. Saber stared at Rider, wondering if the gorgeous woman would do anything to draw attention like that to herself. Despite Rider's teasing nature to those she knew, Saber knew the other Servant was withdrawn around people she didn't know. Especially men, and other than Archer, Rider seemed to take more interest in other women like Rin's classmate Ayako. It made the former king wonder how much of Rider's myth was true.

Saber tilted her head and said, "Even though one such as yourself doesn't need aid to look stunning."

"Saber, I would rather look like you than myself," Rider said with a slight smile that certainly did not reach her unreadable eyes.

Then at that moment polite knocking at the door stilled Saber's response. Saber perked up and said, "Well, I wish everyone well today." With that, she ran to the door, not wanting to deal with teasing well wishing from the lovely Gorgon.

Besides, she wanted to see Archer's reaction for herself.

She smoothed down her skirt and slid on her sandals once she reached the door. With a deep breath, the door was opened. Saber met a pair of wide, steel colored eyes as Archer stared at her with an expression that went from sheer surprise to a look of awe. The look caused warmth to curl in her stomach and her heart slowed down a little as she smiled at him.

"Saber," Archer said as he stood there, one hand going to the back of his head and rubbing his neck.

Saber felt her smile grow and replied, "Greetings, Archer. I am ready to leave if you are."

"Yeah, I'm ready," Archer said with a quick smile as he held his hand out to hers.

"I have been looking forward today for some time," Saber said as she rested her palm and fingers against his before their digits intertwined. More warmth spread through her that had nothing to do with the Summer heat as his hand took his and she looked at him.

He was dressed simply, as always, in blue jeans and a clean black T-shirt. Black was a color that suited him, it contrasted with his hair and harmonized with his eyes and dusky skin. Not to mention she could see the swell of muscles and shoulders even under the soft fabric, and his jeans emphasized his long legs. Right now his eyes were akin to molten steel as he looked at her, a slight flush on his cheeks.

"You look . . . amazing," he said before giving her hand a tiny squeeze.

She moved to his side and said, "That pleases me to hear you say that."

"You didn't have to do that for me though," Archer said in a soft voice as they started to walk together.

Saber nudged him slightly and replied, "Believe me when I said I wanted to."

"Oh?" Archer asked with a smile of his own.

She nodded and replied, "Yes, that look of yours when you answered the door was worth it."

"Was it?" Archer asked as he nudged her back.

She nodded and answered, "Yes. It felt good to be the one to surprise and please you for once. I think I shall make a habit of it."

"Dressing up?" Archer said with a smirk.

Her eyes narrowed at him as she gave his hand a tiny squeeze that was aided with a tiny bit of Prana Burst. His eyes narrowed and jaw tightened, but that smirk was still painted clearly on his face. "Surprising and pleasing you," Saber replied in a firm voice as her eyes held his, "I am not going to make dressing like this an everyday occurrence. It would become tiresome and you would stop finding it charming due to the fact that it had become so common place. Which is what I do not want happening."

"Good," Archer said as his hand swung lightly, the smirk turning into a smile that lit up his eyes even more.

Saber smiled at his expression and asked, "So, what are we going to do?"

"Well, what would you like to do?" Archer replied as he looked at her.

Saber frowned and did find herself worrying her lip with her teeth. The waxy taste of the gloss hit her tongue and she stopped. "I honestly have no idea what to do," she answered, "Other than I hope there is a good meal involved."

"I actually have two good meals involved," Archer said with a smile.

She almost bounced at that and asked, "You do?"

"Yes. How about we grab some lunch first, and then we go from there?"

Saber nodded and said, "I approve of this course of action." Then she found herself smiling even more, almost bouncing as they walked together.

So, yes IT LIVES.

This was actually brought on by a couple of things. First off I had literally the week from hell at work. A 6 day work week (I had to come in for Saturday for training) with overtime as well.

Second off, that damned MSTP NTR Rin and Saber doujin series. God the art is so good, but I rage so hard at the subject. So yes.