So now we get into the post Deep Blood arc chapter, the gang is going to try to take a massive breather from the insanity but things won't be the same, it will mostly center around Touma and Tamamo's rebudding relationship in the form of a date as well as Saten getting acquainted with Artoria.
Also I got rid of the hiatus notice segment. Since I'm back no real reason to have it there.
JD91B: I can understand you thinking that but the way I see it Touma's wrought iron resolve came out early when he interacted with Amaterasu because of his deep growing love for Tamamo who splinters from her buried in his heart.
Index and Fate belong to Kamachi and Nasu respectively. On with the story.
Chapter 14: Cool Down Period
A day passes since the incident with Deep Blood and the greater battle of Misawa Prep School. To say things were returning to normal was a far from the truth, the destruction of the school and the surrounding areas drew too much attention from the masses, it looked to much like a battlefield to give any non violent explanation.
So the entire ordeal was jotted up to a terrorist attack, Academy City was the city state hub of science that acted independently from the rest of the world, but such isolation wouldn't go without any suspicion from outsiders, the Board of Directors and other higher ups were aware of other countries and rival organizations attempting to pull an arms race in science and military development including outside esper programs, the tight security of the city drove out countless foreign agents in the past. However no one besides the director general and those involved in the chess game struggle knew the truth of a whole other side to the world, much less a grander scheme beyond that.
The city had gone on high alert, Anti Skill was deployed to patrol round the clock, guards around every corner armed with riot gear and assault rifles, even the occasional powered suit, students and staff coming in and out of buildings had to be frisked, ran through body scanners and have there ID's verified, the city of science became a militarized zone, parents from the outside of many students protested or even rioted in different parts of the world attacking outlying facilites that run under it demanding the city government to send their kids back to them unsure if they would be safe any longer there.
Windowless Building:
Aleister Crowley floated upside down in his preservation tank as any other day, he was then approached by a certain blonde haired teen.
"Tsuchimakado, what brings you here?" Aleister asked.
"You know full well why I'm here, hell of a mess going on don't you think, yet again another element evades your notice and causes greater havoc, tell me how many revisions are you running in terms of your long term goals director general." Motoharu Tsuchimakado responded.
"It would be wise of you to hold your tongue, the incident involving the vampire as well as the sudden appearance of powerful beings is no slate to me, every step of planning requires countless revisions to fit the ideal result."
"You do realize war may be around the corner faster than you expect, other nations are freaking out at the new developments and militarization of the city and all outlying facilities in the world, they're starting to move their forces, and the magic side is in chaos at the moment by a group called the Cradle of Lilith as well as various cults popping up out the woodwork kidnapping civilians. None of the churches and various cabals are able to dispatch them and the Vatican is under siege though the Right Seat of God has held them at bay, even the Dawn Colored Sunlight is having a hard time putting them down, England seems to be untouched but they're almost on full lockdown."
"It was inevitable from the get go, the scale merely raised a bit more, I doubt that fool Fiama will be deterred from acting, in fact it gives him all the more reason to pull the trigger on his project."
"Your just gonna keep going forward as you normally do don't you." Tsuchimakado inquired.
"Precisely." Aleister responds.
Kamijou Residence:
"Alright, I'm off to school." Touma said.
"I'm coming with you, I still need to fix the rumor situation there." Tamamo said sternly.
"I forgot about that after the disaster at that prep school yesterday."
Index was currently laying on the floor playing with Sphinx and Pickles as they circle around her, she was still her jovial self despite everything that transpired the day before.
"Index! We'll be back ok, stay out of trouble." Tamamo said.
"Ok." Index responded.
"Also I have someone coming over to look after you, I'm sure you'll be delighted to see her." Touma added.
"She should be here right about now." Tamamo spoke.
Knocking could be heard as Tamamo opened the door.
"Aisa!" Index said happily, the two had become friends at the hospital after the Deep Blood incident, Index's bubbly personality bouncing off of Aisa's more aloof one.
Tamamo came to an agreement with Aisa to come look after Index whenever Touma and her weren't around.
"Hello Index." Aisa greeted.
The trio took notice of her new cross necklace she was wearing.
"When did you get that?" Touma asked.
"The church gave it to me to seal the Deep Blood's power so I can walk around without issue of attracting a vampire."
"Rather convenient I think." Tamamo said.
"Alright, I'm about to head out, ready Tama?" Touma asked his companion.
"Lets go, be good to Aisa ok Index, Aisa make sure you make enough food to satisfy Index and make sure she behaves and helps, you have my number so call me if you are having trouble keeping her in line, or if something happens that needs my attention."
"Tamamo I'm not a little kid! I wouldn't go out of my way to go and cause trouble." Index pouted.
Tamamo laughed as she walked up to Index, put a hand to her shoulder.
"That has yet to be determined, but this doesn't mean I don't have any trust in you, make sure you give me a reason to maintain it, understand?"
Index nodded, sure she felt it embarrassing to have to deal with this kind of stuff, but deep down Index was slowly looking at Tamamo as the closest thing to a mother figure she's had since she doesn't know if she even had one or parents in general.
So before Tamamo turned to leave Index quickly caught her in an embrace shocking her slightly, the foxy witch returned the embrace and learned down to kiss the silver nun's forehead.
"Love you Index." She said sweetly.
Tamamo the made her way to her beloved to start their walk to A Certain High School, they reached the bottom of the stairs where Touma would be surprised by who waited there.
"Miss Yomikawa?!" Touma gasped.
"Kamijou, ready for another day of school I see, let Komoe know I said hi." Aiho Yomikawa.
"You're not gonna be at the school teacher PE?"
"No unfortunately, I'll have little time to come to the school to teach, Anti Skill is being doubled down on duty." Yomikawa then sighed.
"Honestly, I don't like this! This is a city of science and learning, not a war zone. You among every other youth are just students and shouldn't be subject to this like prisoners." Yomikawa snapped.
She was brought out of her anger upon noticing Kamijou's companion.
"You must be the famous Tamamo Koyanskaya, you're definitely more beautiful in person those magazines don't do it justice for you. I'm Aiho Yomikawa, PE teacher to Kamijou here."
"A pleasure." Tamamo bowed.
Then something occurred to Yomikawa as she looked at Tamamo.
"I'm sorry you are subject to those awful rumors that still prevail at our school, I know Kamijou and he would never do such awful things, I tried my best to put a lid on it and punish those who started it but the damage done was too much."
"I thank you for trying, and I can never doubt a soul as kind as my beloved to do such things." Tamamo replied.
"So you really are together. That explains why your here, hopefully Kamijou isn't trying to divulge in adult activity so soon, especially without your consent when ever you visit him."
"Miss Yomikawa!!" Touma snapped as his face burned.
Tamamo merely snickered.
Both of them then looked at each other processing the last thing Yomikawa said, of course she wouldn't know they were living in the same building, and if the woman was gonna be stationed here from time to time among other Anti Skill officers, could mean trouble.
'Looks like I'll have to find us a new place that isn't a dorm and soon, I still need to take ownership of the bakery I saw before, maybe renovate it a bit to also be a home?' Tamamo thought.
"Don't worry ma'am, I'm perfectly ok with him wanting to take it to the next level should he choose too." Tamamo proclaimed.
"T-T-Tama!! What are you saying?!" Touma stammered.
To hear her say that in front of one of his teachers was utterly embarrassing for him, especially since despite recent events he was still reeling from Amaterasu's idea of a reward.
"Wow, you've got a real catch here Kamijou, hold onto her or you might regret it later." Yomikawa said while trying to hold back a smirk.
"Oh and don't forget protection."
Touma was officially done.
The duo ran there stuff as well as themselves through the scanners and had their ID's checked before making their way to their destination. Students and staff alike were going about like any other day but it was weird to see a major presence of Anti Skill all around.
"Looks like everything won't be so normal from here on." Touma muttered.
"Well was it ever normal from the start?" Tamamo responded.
"I guess your right, things not being normal is probably what granted me the biggest stroke of luck I've had in my entire life."
"Oh, and what would that be coming from someone who's cursed with misfortune?" Tamamo inquired.
Touma stopped and turned to face her, giving her a warm affectionate smile that made Tamamo's heart melt.
"I get to have you in my life." He stated.
Tamamo blinks for a bit as her cheeks turned pink she then slowly walked up to Touma embracing and gently kissing him on the lips in the process making his eyes go wide, she then backed up as the two gazed at one another transfixed into their own world. Tamamo's perfect world she would imagine deep in her very heart and soul, just the two of them together, and Touma despite not knowing it was ever so slowly falling further and further in love with her.
Touma was quick to snap out of it since he still had to attend school, so the duo continued their trek in peaceful silence.
Once they got to the school after going through another checkpoint Tamamo officially went on damage control shutting down the rumors that isolated Touma from everyone else, she even went to punish the two members of the Delta Force for their transgressions.
Kamijou's Classroom:
"Tamamo Koyanskaya!! It is an absolute pleasure that you grace our classroom once again with your heavenly sexiness!" Pierce Aogami yelled as he ran up to Tamamo, took her hand and started kissing it to her utter disgust.
"Keep your hands off me bug!" She yelled as she ignited Aogami's ass on fire making him run around for a bit before he started rolling on the floor as everyone looked on in shock.
"Man someone has a temper on them today, you need to chill out hot stuff." Tsuchimakado said.
Tamamo looked at the creepy teen with a sweet smile which made the boy nervous.
"Good idea."
She quickly tagged him with a talisman in her palm and froze the blonde in ice. Everyone in the class besides Touma wondered how she did that.
"Let this be a warning to everyone who wants to spread lies, Touma and I are true lovers and he treats me very well, whether in a normal outing, or eventually in the bedroom. Got it!!"
Everyone was quick to nod their heads, Touma looked away red faced, did she really have to add that last bit?
"Tama don't you think this is a bit far?"
"I'll go as reasonably far as I need to in order to protect my love's status." She responded.
She then took her leave after hugging Touma goodbye, she was walking down the hall when a particular girl crossed her, she was known as the Beauty Senpai of the school, Seria Kumokawa, and she gave Tamamo and unpleasant vibe.
The two eyed each other. Animosity thick in the air as they stood across from one another.
"So your the famous beauty queen of Academy City huh?" Seria said calmly.
"Is there a problem?" Tamamo asked.
"Oh no, no problem, I'm merely just wondering how someone like Kamijou ended up with a complete bimbo."
Tamamo's eyes slitted as she gave the high school third year.
"Mind. Your. Tongue." Tamamo growled.
"Where did you even come from anyway, I work as one of the twelve members of the board of directors and have extensive knowledge of the resident population, you suddenly came up out of nowhere."
"I'm not telling you anything, you have the air of a manipulative bitch, so I would just mosey along if you know what's good for you." Tamamo said, her voice laced with venom.
"Hmph!! You claim to be Kamijou's lover but I would watch your back, he deserves better."
This girl was starting to piss Tamamo off, it seems Touma's habits were rubbing off on her as her fists began clenching, she wanted to sock Seria in the face like no one's business and make her see the reality in front of her.
The two eyed each other down a little more before a random student who was in a rush bumped Seria making her stumble foreword into Tamamo who was late to register what was happening, and the two collided falling on the floor with Seria on top, to make things worse...their lips were locked.
The two backed off from one another hacking up a storm.
"You taste like wet dog!!"
"You taste like whore!"
The two ran going their separate ways.
'I'm gonna have to keep a close eye on that girl, there's much more to her I can tell that much." Seria thought.
Tamamo walked out of the school as she spat on the ground trying to rid herself of the sensation of bitch lips. She then saw a pair of familiar faces.
"Ruiko, Artoria!" She called out.
"Tamamo! It's good to see you, what are you up too?"
"Had to take care of some business at Touma's school."
"You look a little frustrated my friend." Artoria deduced.
"I ran into a slut while I was there."
"Oh." Ruiko and Artoria said at the same time.
"What are you two up too?" Tamamo asked her question.
"I'm just getting Artoria acquainted with the city, then we're gonna have some fun." Ruiko explained.
"It's fascinating how the world has advanced so much in technology compared to my first life, it's like an entirely different world." Artoria stated.
"Mind if I tag along, I don't have much going on at the moment, at least until Touma is done with school."
"Of course, the more the merrier!!"
And so the trio went off to continue touring Artoria around, eventually Ruiko recommended the batting cages she usually visits and Tamamo agreed. Once more Saten proved a master batter, Tamamo had gotten better since she hit more balls than the last time. When it was Artoria's turn she swung her bat around like she would a sword but never managed to hit a single ball to her frustration. Saten would comfort her while Tamamo tried Desperately to hold in her laugh.
"Umu! Is that the hungry blue king I see?!"
"Nero!" Tamamo called happily.
"Merlin help me YOUR here?" Artoria said disgruntled.
"Umu, that I am, I saw that little display just a moment ago, it's just like you to treat a recreational item as if it were weapon."
"Well let me give a prime example of how a bat can be a weapon." Artoria snarled.
"Excuse me, but are you two twin sisters?" Ruiko asked confused.
"NO!!" Artoria and Nero shouted at once making the middle school girl back up.
"She's a friend of mine Ruiko, she may look like Artoria but they definitely aren't related. I think?"
"Ok."
"UMU!! Watch this glorious performance as I take the attempt at batting!" Nero said with gusto.
A bunch of misses later:
Nero sat in an upward fetal position while Tamamo patted her back in comfort, meanwhile Artoria had a smug look on her face.
The two were gonna have yet another argument until Tamamo hit both of them over the head telling them to knock it off, they both agreed and Nero said goodbye to go back to Sogiita at the gemstone facility.
"Where too next?" Artoria asked.
"Sorry but there's something I want to do that I just thought of, I'll see you guys around." Tamamo waved.
"See ya!!" Ruiko waved back.
"Do take care of yourself." Artoria added.
Meanwhile a the Kamijou residence:
Aisa sat at the table with wide eyes as Index scarfed down the big meal she made for the nun. When Tamamo told her about Index's massive appetite she wasn't expecting what she was seeing, merely a couple of minutes and Index was halfway through the food.
"You're a good cook yourself Aisa, would rank you just below Touma and Tamamo."
"Index, that woman's name IS Tamamo, right?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Before I met Aurelos, as I worked in a shrine, I read up on an old legend about an entity that held that name, Tamamo no Mae."
"The nine tailed demon fox that almost took over Japan when she was under Emperor Toba, but was ousted by a court mage and hunted resulting in an 80,000 death massacre. That Tamamo?"
"You don't think-"
"Ridiculous! There's no way she's the same Tamamo of legend, Tamamo no Mae was malevolent, the Tamamo we know is very kind and loves me and Touma!" Index huffed.
"Tamamo no Mae was also deceptive throughout before that happened, she's not unlike a trickster."
"That's...true."
They heard the door open to see the aforementioned fox come in with a bag in hand.
"I'm back."
"Welcome back!" Index happily greeted as she ran to embrace her which she was quick to accept.
"I'm sorry Index but I have to go do something ok, I won't be too long here. Aisa! Has Index caused any trouble?"
"No, she was well behaved, you were right about her food consumption." Aisa replied.
Tamamo only giggled before taking up a phone book and rummaging through it, she eventually found what she was seeking and dialed the number.
"Hello, my name is Tamamo Koyanskaya, I was wondering if I can reserve a table for two tonight?"
Later that day in the Kamijou residence:
Touma now done with school was tired. After Tamamo helped clear up the rumor incident he was bombarded by questions ranging from, 'how did Tamamo use more than one element as an ability, to much more embarrassing questions of when he was gonna actually bed her. Tsuchimakado who had been frozen started up with antics as a means of payback, as Aogami joined in causing yet another Delta Force fight, and a Fukiyose beat down.
When he opened the door to his dorm room to see Tamamo sitting at the table watching Index an Aisa play chess, to which Aisa was winning to the nun's frustration.
"I'm back guys!" He called.
"Welcome back." All three said at once.
Tamamo walked up to Touma and wrapped her arms around him as she spoke.
"Touma, do you remember when you told me you would make it up to me during the Deep Blood incident for the command seal?" She asked.
"Yeah, sorry I still haven't thought of anything."
"I have, tonight we're gonna go on a dinner date at a fancy restaurant."
"Fancy?" Touma asked.
"Yep, don't worry I booked us a private booth cut off from the rest of the patrons, it will be just the two of us, I'll handle the overall expense."
"Uh, Tama wouldn't it be right if I was the on-"
She gave him a peck on the lips cutting him off.
"Let me do this, for tonight."
"A bit selfish are we?" Touma replied.
"Oh I can be very selfish when it comes to my love." She said seductively as she ran a finger down his chest.
"Alright, what time?" Touma asked.
"9:00, I bought you a nice suit to wear."
8pm rolled around as Tamamo dressed herself, she wore a long ebony backless dress that went to her ankles in the back but arched up to just above the knees in front, matching leggings and high heeled shoes, the top front of the dress was cut into a V going just to the bottom of the chest showing ample cleavage, except unlike her spring mystic code there was no bra, and she let her hair completely down over one shoulder while a white ribbon hooked to the back of her head.
Tamamo looked herself over in the mirror satisfied with the look. But she wanted a final judgment as she waited for Touma to finish changing. She heard the bathroom door open and looked over to see him, what she saw stunned her. (AN: try to imagine Touma in an outfit similar to Kiritsugu.)
"What can I do for you handsome?" She said in a sultry voice.
Touma looked away feeling a little shy.
"I'm so not used to this dress style."
"Oh relax, you look wonderful, you have this Yakuza prince look about you, and me likey."
"L-Let's just go ok." He stuttered.
Tamamo linked to his left arm and the two went off to their date while Aisa continued to look after Index.
They made it on time to the restaurant where a waitress took them to their private booth in the back of the dining room with a curtain, there was even a tv hooked to the wall playing shows and a remote to change channels at they're leisure. The booth was lit up just enough to give a romantic lighting as the duo took their seats, the waitress handed them their menus then left closing the curtains leaving them alone.
"Are you nervous?" Tamamo asked.
"Yeah a little, you look amazing Tama." Touma said.
"Mikon." She said as she leans comfortably up against Touma who unconsciously put his arm around her.
The two looked over their respective menus before choosing what they wanted to eat. The waitress came back and collected the orders and told them it would be a good 40 minutes, something Tamamo was great full for.
"Come on honey talk to me, it's just us here." Tamamo said sweetly.
"I know, I just feel so out of place, I don't really go for such high class, especially with my budget, at least until you came along."
"If something is scaring you tell me, I'm here to comfort you."
Touma gulped trying to find the words.
"Remember when I told you that it was the biggest stroke of luck that I have you in my life?"
"Hearing that made me so happy."
"Well...I'm sure you know by now that when it comes to good luck I'm not the kind of person to look too, when something good does happen it's followed by greater misfortune."
"What are you saying?" Tamamo asked in a worried tone cupping Touma's chin.
"I'm saying that since it was an absolute miracle that your in my life, something of equal or worse misfortune is around the corner...I'm afraid of the idea that I'm just gonna loose you." Touma explained as his eyes glistened indicating on coming tears.
"That's not gonna happen, I won't let that happen, you're stuck with me regardless of whatever bad thing might occur."
"How can you be so sure!" Touma snapped surprising Tamamo greatly.
"Back during the height of the Deep Blood incident when Artoria had you in her arms greatly injured and passed out, I feared the worst for a brief moment. Then the fight with Aurelos, you saved me from being crushed by rubble, after all of that it just started bugging me ever slightly the idea that somewhere along the lines I might never see you again Tama!"
Tears fell as Touma despaired in his own dark thoughts. Suddenly he felt Tamamo's hands frame his face turning his head to look her way, a serious expression on her face, and she spoke a pledge.
"I, Tamamo no Mae pledge to forever be by your side no matter what, through rain and snow, light and darkness, I will serve you faithfully and without fail, whatever your heart desires of me I will see it done, I will look to no other but you, to guide you, protect you, and love you for all eternity, and nothing, not even the forces beyond will tear us apart."
Touma couldn't bring himself to speak at all, he felt all dark visages leave his mind replaced with the glow of sunlight. He smiled.
"I'm not one to pledge but I will promise you that if I ever need help with anything I look to you first and foremost, I will also take upon myself to protect you, and defy any odds that may stand between us, for as long as I breath."
With the vows said they closed the distance between each other and sealing with a loving kiss. To anyone outside who expected a clear night saw rain, the mark of a phenomenon from stories of old, a Fox's Wedding.
The two separated breathing lightly both sporting blushes.
"Thank you, Tamamo no Mae." Touma whispered.
"From now on, it's Tamamo Kamijou." She said happily."
Soon the waitress came with their orders and the spiritually married couple dug in, it was good though they preferred each other's food they enjoyed themselves.
"Mikon, we should do this again sometime." Tamamo said satisfied.
"Yeah, we should." Touma responded.
They were watching the tv and flipped through different channels. They eventually landed on international news and looked at what was shown.
"In the mist of rapid destabilization around the world a frightening development has occurred along the Indian coast, a massive attack is occurring via an unknown group that has managed to capture norther territory from the northeast of the Bay of Bengal to eastern New Delhi, a coalition of the Indian, Thai, and U.S. led forces are enacting heavy air, ground and naval bombardment but have not been able to deter them, survivors of the onslaught made claim that these are cultist who have operated underground for centuries, other reports from injured military personnel claim them wielding supernatural powers but they've been chalked up to PTSD from from the resulting shell shock just three days in of operation with no progress."
Turning the tv off the duo gave each other a worrying glance as the uncertainty of the future began to set in, but as they had vowed they would take on what ever comes. Together.
AN: boy my longest chapter yet, and it's just a semi calm period, the chaos is certainly kicking off in big ways, and we'll just have to see what kind of battles are in store for everyone.
Phantom Dark-Knight: You are right, it's a matter of time till Amaterasu will witness the feud between Touma and the magic goddess othinus, in fact it will hold one of Amaterasu's biggest roles.
So now we hit the end of the chapter, next time we go into the sisters arc, well, not really gonna go into that one directly, Touma will still be involved in the level 6 shift but the chapter goes to Tamamo as she investigates an incoming hidden threat from the magic side in regards to a rogue cultist sorcerer, who has gained a dangerous servant, while also meeting up with another old ally, and I know you all think he's one of the best fate waifu, they will slowly bleed into each other but won't directly interfere. Save for a few occasions.
Next Chapter: Level 6 Shift and Cultist Invasion.
See you next time.