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Clarent Blood Arthur: A Fate/Stay Night Fanfiction

Chapter 21: A Moment of Respite

The drive to Einzbern Manor was a silent one as the improvised convoy made themselves scarce from the scene. In the limousine Morimoto was driving sat the lady of the house Illyasviel von Einzbern. With her were the Masters Tohsaka Rin and Emiya Shirou, as well as the Servant Ruler Jeanne d'Arc in the guise of the young Leticia Chevalier Delacroix. Coming at them from the rear was the Dodge Viper Mordred requisitioned for their use, with Saber and Archer riding with her.

The tone was somber, from the ride into the forest up until they pulled up in the manor's garage.

"I imagine that you are all quite exhausted from tonight's events." Morimoto said as he was ushering both Illya and Jeanne after opening the door for them. "I shall have Sella cook dinner while Leysritt prepare your accommodations."

"Thank you, Morimoto." Illya nodded as Berserker stood to her right. She looked up at him with a slightly narrowed gaze. "Just so you know, we WILL have a talk regarding your relationship with Ruler. Are we clear?"

"Of course." The elderly butler bowed. "I have no intention of hiding anything from you at this stage of the War, especially with what is at stake. All I ask is that you take this moment to recuperate before then. There will be a lot to discuss, after all."

"I suppose that's fair." Illya relented. "That will be all."

"Of course." Morimoto bowed before taking his leave. Ruler, having overheard their conversation, followed Illya as they all walked into the manor.

"I hope you're not going to ask me to go easy on him." The Master said as she lead the rest of them inside.

"I don't expect you to, but I can't help but feel responsible it." Ruler sighed with a wistful smile. "Sentimentality comes into play, I suppose."

"He may have kept all that stuff from you, Master, but if he meant ill, he would've done something a long time ago." Berserker interjected with a shrug. "So far, he's proven to be trustworthy, though I'm not going to hesitate if he stabs us in the back later on."

"If you all want to help him, then I'm going to have you sit in and help him explain." Illya sighed as well. "For now, I'm beat." She then turned around to address the rest of the present company. "Seeing as it's late, you're all welcome to stay the night. Consider it an honor from House Einzbern."

"Hooray." Rin quipped in a deadpanned tone.

"So you'd rather sleep in the woods, Rin? Illya asked with a raised brow.

"No. Too tired to fight back." The Master of Archer sighed

"Guess I'll have to call Fuji-nee to tell her that we're out." Shirou noted with concern.

"You can use our phone." Illya offered. "It's over down that hallway"

"Thanks, I'll get right on that." The red-head walked ahead while Saber and Rin flanked him from each side.

"In the mean time, I'm going for a bath." Illya stretched.

"Mind if I join you?" Ruler asked. "And don't worry,

"I suppose it won't do any harm." Illya shrugged as both of them walked up the stairs. This left Berserker alone with her thoughts.

"Now, if this isn't a rare occurrence." At least, before Archer appeared in front of her.

"What do you want?" Berserker asked, scowling as she crossed her arms on her chest.

"No need to be hostile, I just want to have a chat" The Servant of the Bow assured her. "It's not like we're going to be fighting each other until this entire Shadow business is resolved, no?"

"That's fair, I guess." The Servant of Madness sighed as she relaxed her posture only so slightly. "So, whaddya want?"

"Let's take this conversation to the roof." Before Berserker could ask why, Archer vanished from where he stood.

"Tch, drag this out, why don't you?" She scoffed before doing the same. "Fine, let's get this over with."

"Well, we're here." Berserker crossed her arms, clad in her civilian attire as she and Archer stood across each other on the roof. "Out with it."

"Has anyone told you that you're as unfriendly as your father?" Archer asked, his expression level as she scoffed.

"If anyone said that to my face, I'd give them a piece of my mind." Berserker scowled much to his amusement.

"Alright, alright. I'll get to the point then." What brief mirth was on Archer's face disappeared as it went back to it's usual stern expression. "I overheard your little conversation with Emiya Shirou last night." A smirk returned to his face as he added this next part. "I'll admit, I enjoyed watching you give him a verbal thrashing."

"So you did, huh?" Berserker grunted in annoyance. "I may Berserker, but even I know that no one likes an eavesdropper."

"It's hard not to when you were so loud." Archer chuckled. "I'm impressed that you didn't wake the entire household."

"If you got something to say, then say it." Berserker's arms crossing and the growing scowl on her face were signs of her patience wearing thin. "Otherwise, I'm gonna go to my room."

"Okay, okay. Very well." Archer waved her off before going to the heart of the matter. "That boy's borrowed ideals. That drivel about him being an "Ally of Justice." I have no love for it personally, but I noticed that it infuriated you. To the point that you were shouting at him."

"Well, of course it did." Berserker shrugged. "I've seen happen before. The way he said it too...sounds too much like my damn Father. Not to mention..." She trailed off, remembering earlier that afternoon in the cemetery as she learned of Saber's wish. Remembering it only irritated her more.

"Is something amiss?"

"It's nothing." Berserker said in a tone that suggested that she will not book any discussion on the matter. "Anyway, what of it? What's it got to do with you?"

"Call it a...passing curiosity." Archer explained. "In my experience, that road only leads to suffering in the end. After all, it is nigh impossible to save EVERY person in front of you, regardless of the situation." The Servant of the Bow kept a level gaze at Berserker, who was listening with interest. "What I want to know is, after fighting alongside with him, what is your opinion of Emiya Shirou?"

Berserker's hand going on her chin was a gesture suggesting she was giving the matter some thought. Of course, she still believed that his "Ally of Justice" philosophy was stupid, as all it did was bring suffering to the person for the sake of other people who may not be so grateful for the help you've given them. It was also a life where you give little or no thought to yourself, endless striving for others while you get naught in return. Lastly, it was first and foremost, a lonely existence.

What rubbed her the worst way was that she saw all this before; her Father, in pursuit of being "the perfect king", set herself apart from everyone around her. Her subjects, her knights, even her own Queen. While the Knight of Treachery had her own part to play in Camelot's downfall, she would gladly point out that Saber's attitude towards her kingship contributed as well.

Still...she couldn't bring herself to hate the boy. She had every reason to, but she just couldn't. Not for being the reason Kiritsugu never returned to Illya, not for being Saber's Master, and not for his borrowed ideals. So, she had her answer.

"Well, I know I don't like him." Berserker said finally. "But, no matter how much I want to, especially with the reasons I should, I can't bring myself to hate him."

"Oh?" Archer raised a brow, but remained silent as he let her continue what she had to say.

"Don't get me wrong, once this Shadow has been dealt with, it's business as usual." Berserker clarified. "Still, it's probably because a fought alongside that I see that he's not that bad a guy. Not someone that would make a father abandon his kid. Makes me believe that Illya's grandfather might have left out a few important details."

"Perhaps, but that's besides the point." Archer commented, prompting Berserker to nod in agreement.

"Yeah, you're right. Still..." She grunted. "That boy is too goddamn sincere to hate. He's an idiot, but a goodhearted idiot." She added with a slight tinge of red in her cheeks. "So yeah, I don't hate him, despite his dumb beliefs. That answer your question?"

"I see..." Archer nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. "It does, actually. Thank you for your time."

"Making go all the way up here for that? You're a strange one, Archer." Berserker chuckled. "I'd say I look forward to beating you down after this is all said and done, but you're gonna have to get past Morimoto first!"

"Trust me, I have every plan of avenging that defeat." Archer smirked back at her.

"Quite confident, are you? Too bad we're fighting each other in the end. We could've gotten along." She turned on her heel to leave, waving with her back turned to him as she disappeared into her Spirit Form. "I'll see ya around."

Once he was alone, Archer let out a long sigh as placed a palm on his face.

"Honestly..." He muttered to himself. "How did I sucker women like this when I was younger?"

Chapter 21 End

A/N: Hey, everyone! This is the King of Beasts here to let you know that yes, Clarent Blood Arthur is still alive and well! Of course, this is only a short chapter to remind people that my fic isn't dead yet! Despite that, I made sure to have at least one meaningful conversation that should serve as an appetizer for what is to come! This time, we had Archer finally have a conversation with Berserker about the justice obsessed red-head. I tried to make it so that she's a little conflicted about her feelings towards the guy. Hope I did that well!

Anyways, that's all I have to say for now! I'll try not to take too long making the next update. So, until next time, this is the King of Beasts, signing off!

Next Time on Clarent Blood Arthur: A Hefty Dinner.