Disclaimers as always. I don't own anyone except Tomoko, her family, and Nagareboshi Cafe. Kei and her family belong to Lang Noi, and Saber belongs to Type:Moon.

The theme for this chapter is Ideal White by Mashiro Ayano, the first opening theme for Ufotable's adaptation of Unlimited Blade Works. The lyrics spoke to me when it came to this chapter, inspired by the Garden of Avalon Drama CD. Another, shorter theme comes from the soundtrack of the second Heaven's Feel movie by Ufotable, being I Will Face My Fate.

Please enjoy!


Chapter 5: Lion's Heart, A Blue Ribbon

"Tomoko. My Lady." Saber started the conversation at an empty kitchen table, having sunk to one knee while keeping eye contact. She wasn't even sitting on a chair, leaving me to look down at her. "You know that we are in a contract as Master and Servant."

"Mm," was the little noise that left my throat. My stomach was churning in that not-so-happy way and my face must've reflected it because Saber's green eyes seemed sad somehow when looking up at me. "I… I wish it wasn't such a formal thing, though." I wanted to reach out to Saber, to hug her, to hold her hand and comfort her because this looming talk didn't seem to be one either of us wanted. It was a reminder of how, as much as I wanted to be equals with her, this entire position made it feel like it was not that. "Because, Saber…"

My throat closed up on the words. I love you and you deserve better.

Saber's eyes softened. Did she hear my thoughts? "I know, Milady," she said dutifully, taking one of my hands in hers. "And I am forever grateful for that. Still, I must apologize for not addressing this sooner. Your kindness has been something that I have been taking for granted, and in hindsight, I should not have done so." She squeezed my hand tightly while bowing her head. "I should have informed you of the nuances that come with our being Contracted so that this morning would not have happened."

Oh. "The dreams?" I said softly.

"The dreams," Saber confirmed, her thumb rubbing my knuckles. "From my knowledge of magecraft and of past Holy Grail Wars, dreams are something Master and Servant share. The contents can be faded, at times erratic, but it always pertains to moments we have experienced in the past. From my own recollections, my previous Masters could see my memories as King, but…" her grip on my hand loosened. "This is the first time I could see memories of my Master."

A sharp pang of "ow" rang through my abdomen. This morning, she had a hand on my stomach. She had looked at me like she had seen me die before. It all confirmed it. She saw my fall. She knew about October Tenth now. All I could do was open my mouth, trying to hide my quivering lip. "I-I'm sorry."

Saber raised her head to look at me incredulously, green eyes wide. "Milady, why — why are you apologizing?"

I ducked away and broke the eye contact, feeling far too ashamed to look at her in the eye. "I saw things that were really personal to you and unintentionally exposed you to things from my past that I'm still trying to grasp myself. I'm really sorry. For not knowing, for showing you all that." My cheek wasn't bleeding, but I could faintly taste the aftertaste of iron. Memories or phantom pain, I didn't know anymore. I just messed up, and for once, it felt like there was no fixing this. Like there was no going back. Like I was going to lose Saber, and that was terrifying. "I-I'm sorry, Art-san."

"Milady," Saber said softly and a hand was tilting my chin up. My vision was blurring a little, but there was no mistaking the emotion in her emerald green eyes. "There's nothing for you to apologize for. I should be the one apologizing, simply because I did not tell you before it happened." Her hand slowly traveled upwards to cup my cheek, her thumb wiping at the edges of my eyes. "There's no need to cry."

I bit my lip while trying to look into those emerald green eyes. I didn't deserve her. I didn't. "I still looked into something personal to you, Art-san. I violated your privacy."

I saw someone you haven't talked to in what looks like a long time — I stepped into a memory that should've been yours alone.

"But I did the same, Milady, and I did not warn you." Her smile seemed mournful, regretful somehow as her shoulders slackened in her long-sleeved sweatshirt. "The fault is all mine."

There is nothing to blame yourself for, echoed in my mind's ear and a shiver traveled up my spine. Do not take this all on yourself, Master.

How could I respond to all that? How could I?

"A-Are," I shakily raised one of my hands to rest over hers still on my cheek, grasping it. "Are you okay then, Saber?"

Saber blinked slowly at me. "In a moment," she acquiesced finally after a small pause, her thumb still pressing against the edges of my eyes. "When you have calmed down."

This Knight. This selfless, ridiculous Knight. The first tear was already trailing down my cheek once I fell from my chair and into Saber's arms. She gasped against the side of my head, her hand on my cheek having long gone away to support both of our weights against the carpet. The first sniffles had started leaving my nose and I did my best to hide in her shirt, inhaling as much oxygen as I could. "S-Saber… Saber, Saber, Saber…"

I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, I should be better, but it all hurts, my stomach hurts, just, just—

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm scared of hurting you and I don't know what to do.

"Oh," she said breathily in realization, fingers already threading through my hair. I didn't even realize I was broadcasting my thoughts until she tucked me into her arms, straightening her posture to properly accommodate for a hug. "Milady, Milady, it is alright. It is alright. You did not hurt me." A soft kiss pressed against my head as the hug became tighter. Warmer. Safer. "It is alright. I am alright. You did not hurt me, Milady."

I clung to her, the tears falling like rain against her shirt. If she minded, Saber didn't seem to be up to voicing it, instead brushing through my long hair and humming gently. "Tomoko. It is alright. Calm your fears. You do not have to cry."

B-But, but—

"Y-You don't mind?" I whimpered, feeling my tongue dry from the sobs beginning to echo in my throat. "I-I'm ruining your shirt, Art-san. I-I—" I'm being a burden. I should be better than this, I'm not being the best for you—

Two hands were gently pushing at my shoulders to break the hug and a sniff left my nose as soon as Art-san's eyes were boring into mine. I shut my eyes almost immediately. She shouldn't have been looking at me like that. She shouldn't need to. "Tomoko." Her forehead bumped mine. "It is alright. Please look at me."

"…"

Two firm hands were covering mine, preventing me from wiping at my face. "Please, Milady. Open your eyes."

I did my best to gulp down another sob before opening my eyes as instructed. My vision was still blurry, but there was no mistaking the pure relief in those emerald eyes as Saber smiled. "My lady," she breathed in relief and I tried not to flinch once she leaned over to press a kiss to my forehead. "You are alright. And I am still here, unhurt and by your side. I am not leaving."

Those were words I had heard time and time again. From Kei, from Obi, from Ricchan, Kashi, Papa, Mama — everyone. And yet again, darkness curled in my veins. It was such a sweet saying, why was I—

"Are…" my voice became quiet, shy as I did my best to not look at her. "Are you sure?" I had no clue where I was going with this. But life was never fair. Bad things just happened and sometimes, there was no way to fix them. "I'm… I'm not as great of a Master as your previous ones may have been, Art-san. I'm not perfect."

I don't know if I'm good enough for you. I don't know if I ever will be.

I had no clue if I was anywhere close to fixing myself, even after October Tenth was over. Even after Kei and the others came back from Kannabi alive.

I was still scarred. I was still broken.

Even after Hisako had disappeared years ago, a part of me was still that scared little girl, missing her Nobody and wondering whether everyone would leave if she messed up again.

And no matter what I did, no matter how much Kei fought, there would always be someone who would light the fuse to war because they wanted something more from the world.

How could I—


In all of her days as King and Heroic Spirit, Arturia Pendragon was familiar with the concept of tears. Slowly becoming human again during her time with Shirou and Rin in Fuyuki was proof of that, because seeing them flee after Caster had taken control pained her beyond anything else.

Saber thought that she was familiar with pain.

But the world was proving her wrong yet again with her new Master currently sobbing in-between her arms. Even after a tight hug and muttered reassurances into that rosemary-scented hair, Tomoko still looked so small when not meeting her gaze, the occasional jolt of her shoulders through her crumpled white nightgown the only proof Saber had that she was listening. Her cheeks were pink for the completely wrong reasons, not helped with the glistening tear trails on her face.

Even with all her experiences, Saber had no idea of how to proceed. After all, she had failed in informing her lady of the concept of shared dreams and even if she was shocked at seeing Tomoko fall in the past, the simple fact that Tomoko knew she saw the event and was then reduced to this state — it all accounted for a situation that Saber wished she could have avoided sooner.

A Servant should have known better.

A Knight should have fought harder so that these kinds of moments would not have occurred.

Arturia once took up the Sword of Selection in the hopes of bringing Britain prosperity. She had done her best as King, in spite of the Battle at Camlann, but now, as a mere Servant and ally of this civilian girl, being unable to stop her tears, where did that leave her?

"A-Are…" Tomoko was finally speaking and Arturia leaned in desperately to hear. "Are you sure? I'm… I'm not as great of a Master as your previous ones may have been, Art-san. I'm not perfect."

Her heart could have broken from those words alone, but what made something truly snap was the single thought echoing in Arturia's head.

I don't know if I'm good enough for you. I don't know if I ever will be.

This girl. This selfless, foolish girl. There was no need for such worries. And yet she worried anyways.

Was this how the King of Conquerors felt when looking at Arturia years ago?

Tomoko could have resembled Shirou in how hopeless she sounded.

Saber inhaled slowly before channeling her mana. The familiar feeling of her armor overtaking her clothes was comforting and the winds that came with it were enough to jolt her lady out of whatever dark stupor had taken her. Those blue eyes were wide in her direction, still filled with tears and red-rimmed, but they were focused on Saber and Saber alone, so she could not afford to lose this chance.

"Master. No, Tomoko." Saber gently pulled Tomoko to her feet before sinking to one knee in front of her. Tomoko was yelping in what sounded like surprised embarrassment, but quieted once Excalibur had shown itself in Saber's right hand. Arturia merely rested her Gift from the Lady of the Lake in front of her Master too.

Nothing could truly match the person in front of her. Nothing, and no one.

"A-Arturia-san?"

It was a quiet voice, but it was still the voice of a lady that could have been greater than Guinevere. Kinder than Irisviel.

How many people out there truly cared for others like Tomoko did?

How many people in the world truly doubted themselves over simply "not being enough" for a Servant?

How many people treated a Servant like they were human again?

Arturia simply kneeled.

Tomoko was wrong in how she didn't deserve Arturia.

Arturia felt that she did not deserve Tomoko.

"Please, Milady, believe this. On my honor as the King of Knights, the leader of the Round Table, the former King Arthur, I, Arturia Pendragon," she took a breath, "I vow to be your sword. I pledge to stay by your side, to use this Holy Sword of Excalibur to protect you." She raised her head while taking one of her Lady's shaking hands in hers, gripping it tightly through her armor.

Tomoko's kindness could not be taken for granted, but that did not mean leaving it to fade into darkness.

Arturia had seen far too much darkness, far too much corruption in her past lives to let such virtue disappear again. Especially after Lancelot.

Kiritsugu may have had a point with his ideals, but he would have forgotten a girl like the one standing in front of Arturia right now. It was strange to think about him, but knowing he had sacrificed Irisviel for a hopeless wish made Arturia all the more determined when looking upwards into those blue eyes.

As a lone Knight, she had someone to protect again.

Arturia had someone to remind her she was human again.

"S-Saber…" Tomoko's blue eyes merely filled with more of those thick, pearly tears. If Arturia did not know any better, she could have resembled Guinevere in her final moments. Thankfully, this was different. "You… Y-You can't just say—" a sound that was caught between a sob and a laugh left her throat. "Art-san…"

Arturia slowly shook her head, silencing whatever protest that was on her lady's lips.

Perhaps this was too soon. Perhaps this was a hasty, a foolish decision. It could turn out to be a mistake paralleling her time in the Fourth Holy Grail War. But it felt just. It felt correct. It was a decision Arturia Pendragon could call her own and not one decided by fate or Merlin's old foretellings.

It felt like the right decision.

Perhaps Irisviel would have loved to see this moment.

Perhaps this was how Lancelot felt when first making love to Guinevere in secrecy. It was not the same kind of love, but there was no mistaking the warmth in Arturia's chest reverberating from this girl's mere presence.

Like Shirou in some ways, other angles, not so much. Like Sakura, maybe, but more outspoken. Like Rin in their shared forwardness, but different.

Tomoko was her own person and there was no mistaking those blue eyes still trained on her.

Arturia was not sure of her exact feelings, but the words alone were genuine enough.

"I can say this and I will, Tomoko." There was no going back. Arturia did not want to lose here. "It is because of your unrelenting kindness that I vow to care for you. I vow to love you as one of my own, now and forevermore. For as long as you will have me, I will be by your side. I promise you." Saber smiled before leaning in and pressing a kiss to the soft shaking fingers in her grip. "My clumsy, insecure, lovely Lady."

It was the least she could do to keep that light shining. Mistakes and cracks and all.

Kei was right. Tomoko was sensitive, insecure. Perhaps fragile too, if not for that dream last night. But it was all imperfections that made her so human, and to see such pure emotional honesty was something Arturia unknowingly longed for after so many years.

Perhaps, if Tomoko was in Camelot so long ago, maybe—

Could Mordred have not rebelled in the face of such purity?

There were so many what-ifs.

Suddenly, there was a large sniffle and finally, finally, Arturia could see a smile on her lady's face. Tomoko was laughing — still shaking, but laughing, finally returning the grip Arturia had on her hand. It was so human to see her like that and in spite of how sudden the gesture was, Arturia could not help but feel relieved. "Y-You, you, you silly Knight," she chuckled, falling to her knees to reach Arturia's height before throwing her arms around her neck. Arturia blinked but did not hesitate to hug back, gently resting her armored gauntlets against that tangled long mane of black hair. "You shouldn't have to dedicate your life to me—! Y-You should spend your life for yourself… Not for meeeeee…"

Oh.

Arturia chuckled too, resting her nose against her lady's neck. Rosemary again. "It was my decision to say all that, Milady. And it is my decision to embrace you like this, to stay. If it means I am foolish and naive, so be it. A King can be selfish as well. Please remember that."

Something wet was starting to build up against Arturia's shoulder, soaking her dress past the armor. The chest pressing against her breastplate was warm and real, and Tomoko was nodding jerkily. "D-Dork," she cried, sniffling. "I-I just can't win against you…"

What was there to win? Arturia Pendragon could not lose.

"Tis was my intent, Milady," Arturia smiled while tightening the embrace. "I suppose I should take your response as an affirmative?"

There's no way I'm okay with you leaving after saying all that!

Ah.

Instead of voicing the thought that just rang through Arturia's mind, there was another, weaker, chuckle. "Aye… aye… D-Dork." That phrase again. Said through a shaky voice, all the more hesitant and weak. Yet Tomoko pulled back and the sheer relief and love in her gaze pointed at Arturia alone was enough. "I-I'll have to make you a large feast for breakfast now, Art-san. Knights need to eat too. A-And, let's just talk about the dreams and the contract after that, okay? A-And no offense intended, but no more vows like that. I appreciate it a lot, but I don't want to keep c-crying on you forever. Mama and Papa will wake up soon and I don't want to be a baby forever."

This girl. Arturia merely chuckled and leaned in to press another kiss to Tomoko's forehead. She spluttered loudly in surprised protest, but it was the desired reaction. Teasing was not beyond either of them. So, it was an improvement.

Praise could not be brushed off so lightly, so Arturia whispered the words against her lady's hair.

"You have never been a 'baby' in my eyes, Tomoko. You are already a proper Lady no one can ignore."


"Mmm…"

"…?"

Saber's gaze was still pointed at me. My eyes still stung, my stomach still ached (a little bit, anyway), and my hands were still shaking. Even when stirring pancake batter in the kitchen.

I wasn't grateful for Art-san, don't get me wrong, but… what was I supposed to say now?

She had literally pledged her life. Her heart — to me. Little, civilian, unsure me.

How could I—

What was I supposed to do in the face of that?

"Milady?"

I found the breath hitching in my throat. "Y-Yes?" I squeaked, trying to focus on the bowl in front of me and not look over my shoulder because I already knew that looking at Art-san would start something. I had cried enough in front of her and ruined a perfectly good sweatshirt — I couldn't mess up again. "What is it, Art-san?"

How could I—

Something was gently tugging at my hair. "Milady, please excuse me."

"Eh?"

Fingers were brushing through some of the leftover tangles, unraveling the messy ponytail I had put my hair up in, and my hands were frozen over the batter as Saber went about… well, whatever she was doing. It felt like she was combing my hair, more so with the feeling of bristles against my scalp, and it was surprisingly nice. Almost like Mama's touch, or Miyako-bachan with how gentle it was. When did she get the comb? "Not to be rude," Saber exhaled gently behind me, "But your hair is beautiful, Milady, and I would prefer to not see it dirtied. So, please, allow me to tie it up for you."

Heat flooded my cheeks as the weight on my shoulders started to melt away. "Y-You don't have to do that, Art-san. I had it tied up earlier…"

"I understand that, Milady, but it seemed far too close to the food for my liking," Saber explained patiently, the bristles against my head brushing a bit more firmly with the words. "It would be a problem if your hair was dirtied before you went about your day. Please allow me to do this in compensation for all the tears shed earlier."

"Art-san…" The embarrassment was back yet again, but if the vow from earlier this morning was any indication, I knew I couldn't win. I put the whisk in my hands down into the batter bowl before turning slightly to meet her eyes, smiling. "Should I go sit in a chair to make it easier for you?"

The now obvious hair brush in Art-san's hands had stilled before she smiled. "If that is alright, Tomoko."

I turned around to wrap my arms around her neck and give her another hug. "Aye."

"Oh my. Milady?" A hand patted my back. "Are you still feeling unwell?"

"No… no," I still snuggled her anyways. Dorky knight. My dorky knight. There was no way I could win against her, but… "Not anymore. I just wanted to do this."

The least I could do was show her I appreciated her now.

A chuckle reverberated above my head. "Oh goodness, my lady," Art-san sounded happy and I tried not to squeak once another quicker kiss landed on top of my hair. "You do too much."

Did I?


Arturia was used to having her own gold hair in-between her fingers every day for the sake of getting ready for work. But to play with her lady's long black hair before the day even started — why, it could have been a rare gift after all the trouble this morning.

Tomoko had closed her eyes while leaning back against the chair she had chosen at the table, humming a little as the hairbrush brushed against her scalp. "What do you have planned, Art-san?" she mumbled, sounding almost sleepy as Arturia focused on each individual stroke so that it was not painful. "Any style in min—" Before she could finish her sentence, Tomoko yawned. If Arturia had to put a descriptor to the gesture, it sounded very much like a quiet "Fwah." It could have come from a child. "Muu, excuse me."

Arturia held back another chuckle. How cute. Every day she was with this young Master, Tomoko was opening up more so than she did to her own customers, exposing that innocent humanity that seemed so pure. "You are excused, Milady," Arturia teased, getting out one last tangle before taking a strand of her lady's hair to hold gently in her palm. "As for my plans, allow me to hold onto them for a little while longer."

"E-Ehhhh?" Tomoko whined, sounding much more like a little girl with the statement. It was not helped by the small swivel of her head to look in Arturia's direction, a sleepy pout on her cheeks. Her blue eyes were dulled by relaxation and what probably was the exhaustion that came with her outbursts this morning, but all Arturia could feel was fond endearment more than apprehension. "Art-saaaaaaaan…!"

"Hehe. In a moment, Tomoko." Arturia said softly, gently poking her lady's forehead with a well-placed finger before turning back to her hair. "You will see soon. Just let me have this moment."

Tomoko let go of her pout with a minute sigh before turning back to face the opposing wall. "Okaaaaaaay. But don't you need a hairband, Art-san?"

"…Hm. Perhaps," Arturia acquiesced after a moment of thought, but she did not forget the original blue ribbon that had kept that mess of a ponytail together. It could be used for a finer purpose, but for now, it could stay tied around Arturia's wrist. "But I still have the ribbon you used for your ponytail, so this is sufficient."

There was a pause. "You kept that ribbon?"

"It is sturdy enough for what I have planned, Milady, and it is one of your possessions," Arturia explained patiently, gently beginning the start of what would surely be a long braid. Perhaps a bun would be a nice addition? "I would be a failure as a Knight if I lost something like that."

"Muuuu," was the sudden noise and it took a second for Arturia to realize her lady was blushing. Even without facing her, the red tips of her ears said everything else and Arturia held back another chuckle. "Art-san, I'm tempted to hug you now."

"You may do so once I am finished, Milady," Arturia said placatingly, weaving more of Tomoko's hair through her fingers. It could have been living silk with how soft the feel was, and this was not a product of Merlin's machinations — merely shampoo, conditioner, and perhaps a lot of care Arturia was not able to witness from years before. She may not have been in awe at the sensation, but the feeling was close. "I merely ask you not to fidget."

"Ayeeeeee," Tomoko drawled slowly, holding back another yawn as Arturia continued her work. "If you wanted me to rest, Art-san, this is a good way to make me do so."

"Then I have succeeded in my job this morning," Arturia concluded with a hint of pride, reaching the end of Tomoko's hair at that moment. Slipping the hair ribbon into her fingers was mere child's play, and once the knot was made around the hairstyle, Arturia tied the ends as tightly as she could without it being painful. "You must not pride yourself on tiring yourself before the day has even begun, Milady. Hair is one aspect of self-care you should keep in mind."

"A-Aye…?"

A soft smile was already on Arturia's lips as she could not resist one last kiss to her lady's head. Perhaps in Camelot, her lady could have been a sibling — one that could have calmed down Morgan. It was still a what-if, but the familiar feeling of love was not unwelcomed compared to the time she was King. "I am finished, Tomoko."

It was as if a switch had been flipped. Tomoko jolted before raising a hand to her head, smoothing her hair with her fingers. She blinked before the tips of her ears flushed pink. "You put my hair in your bun?"

Saber smiled. "It suits you considering you are my Lady, Tomoko."

"S-Saber…"

The blue ribbon seemed brighter somehow as it stood accentuating the braided bun on her lady's head. It could have been a regal blue with how the sunlight shined on it. Arturia could not be anything but proud.

"Th…"

Arturia inclined her head. "Yes, Milady?"

Tomoko stood up to walk over and proceed to rest her head against Arturia's shoulder. The shaking arms winding around her waist was more than enough of a tell and Saber smiled. "Th-Thank you, Art-san. Thank you."

"Of course, Milady." Arturia hugged her back, closing her eyes. "But you do not have to thank me for every little thing."

Tomoko pulled back and to Arturia's surprise, looked more indignant with the pout on her face. Almost angry. "I want to!" she protested, shaking her head. "You do a lot of good things for me, Art-san, so just let me say that much!" With a puff, she glanced away to bite her lip. "I-Is that a problem?"

Arturia blinked before holding back a chuckle. "No," she said gently, "it is not. I simply request you do not exhaust yourself."

Tomoko still pouted. "I-I try. Really."

Arturia couldn't help but chuckle. There was no holding back with this new lady of hers. "There is no try, Milady, you can only do. Now, before we both forget, we still have to have breakfast."

Tomoko had to swivel her head once and an embarrassed flush colored her cheeks. "A-Ah!"

Arturia chuckled again. "If you are this troubled to forget your own cooking, Milady, I may have to escort you around the village. There is no telling what trouble there could be when you are this open to attack."

"S-Saber…!"

"Hehe."

For once, Arturia could finally start seeing this strange village as home. This lady, as part of her new home.


"That sounds a lot like a proposal, Tomo-chan," Ricchan said flatly over a piece of cake.

I tried not to choke on my own saliva once the words registered in my brain. "E-Eh?! You really think so?"

"The fact that you're still blushing, Tomo-chan," Ricchan gently pointed to my cheeks, which immediately resulted in my hands flying to try covering them because god, "says something." I was not expecting Ricchan's gaze to turn soft. Worried. Then again, this was Nohara Rin, medic friend and the original female member of Team Minato back in Canon. I should have expected this sooner. "Are you okay?"

"I-I mean," I was very tempted to tug at my hair, only to realize that my hair was still in Saber's bun, there was no way in all hell I wanted to meddle with that, so I held off. "I'm not dead, so there's that?"

Ricchan gave me a dirty look before putting her forehead into the palm of her nearest hand. "Tomoko-chan, that's not what I meant."

"Uh," now this was just plain awkward. "I'm tempted to apologize, but that's not going to help, is it?"

"No," Rin said flatly, "no, it won't."

"…You definitely have seen Kei recently, huh?"

Rin raised her head from her hand to smile wryly at me. "She's been going at missions, Tomo-chan. The occasional hospital check-up is not beneath her."

"Aye." I still hugged my tray to myself, hoping it would provide some kind of defusing-tension thing. But Ricchan was still staring at me, so I found myself saying, "I am okay, Ricchan, just a bit…emotionally exhausted?" It was hard to really describe it as anything else. "I dunno what else to say, but I'm here and with you, so there's that?"

…Vows of Protection/Love kinda do that emotional exhaustion thing. All the time.

Milady?

Shit. I-It's nothing, Saber! Don't worry about it!

If you are sure…

"Ah," Rin said softly, then she made a "come here" gesture with her pointer finger. I blinked, but leaned down to her sitting height, meeting her at eye level. The last thing I was expecting was for her to start adjusting my braid, untying the ribbon keeping it together before re-braiding the loose hair. "You need to take care of yourself better, Tomo-chan. And you can always come to me if there's something wrong." She smiled at me once her handiwork was done, putting a hand on her hip. "We're friends, got it?"

I did my best to hide a giggle. If Ricchan had blonde hair, she could have made for a smaller Tsunade-sama. Still, it was a sweet thing to say, so I couldn't help but put my tray to the side and wrap my arms around her neck in a hug. "Aye. Got it. I'm okay with you and everyone else here, Ricchan."

"Good."

There was no missing the curious stare trained into my back the entire time Ricchan was there.


"You certainly have a lot of people at your side, Tomoko."

Saber's statement sounded a lot more like a truth than it did an observation, but then again, she was right to say that. It was hard to deny it when my ninja friends could be so nosy. Not that I could ever hate them for that, no way. "Aye," I said, trying to balance my shopping bag while walking around the supermarket. "We've all been a group since we were little, so it's hard to really push them away." I counted off my fingers. "You've met Kei, seen Ricchan, Kashi knows of you, and Obi…" the thought of my Uchiha friend brought a smile to my face. "I think you'd like him!"

Honest Uchiha who never went bad helped in the "breaking tension" category of socializing, anyways.

"I see." Saber casually looked over a pack of cold noodles before putting it back on the shelf and turning to me with a mysterious expression. She was smiling, but at the same time, she looked sad. Thoughtful, really. "I am glad to know you are not alone, then."

Yep. There it was. Her voice already hinted at a catch. A snag of something in Saber's past that, again, I had no clue of.

That couldn't stand.

I blinked at her before reaching over and taking one of her hands in mine, keeping my voice soft so that only she could hear me. "I have you too, Art-san. At least, I hope you agree." I did my best to smile and squeeze her fingers. "Just remember you're important to me too."

Saber blinked, glancing between my face and our hands. Then she squeezed my fingers back, her expression turning grateful. She nodded slowly, closing her eyes. "Yes," she said quietly. "And I am more than thankful for that, Tomoko."

My smile stretched my cheeks. "Well then, with that cheesy bit out of me," I glanced around the aisle, considering the options. "How about we finish shopping? I'll cook again tonight, Saber. Whatever you want."

"As long as you have the energy for it, Tomoko." Saber tugged at my hand, leading me towards the spices while glancing the plastic containers over. "Perhaps something that warms the soul?"

I pretended to have not heard the first part before grabbing a can of carrots. "How about curry?"

"Tomoko."

I turned back to her with a grin, inclining my head. "No worries, Art-san. I can do it!"

Saber blinked at me again, taking in my expression before sighing through her nose. I wasn't expecting her to let go of my hand to instead intertwine our fingers. "We can, Milady. Not just yourself. Do not expect to handle this burden alone." Through our link, she added, We are Master and Servant now. I do not plan to leave you alone.

I sighed through my nose too before squeezing her hand. "Aye. Got it." We're friends first and foremost, Art-san. Friends help each other. That's what friends — what comrades do, right?

Arturia-san's green eyes widened before softening as she nodded again. Yes, yes indeed. I agree with that notion entirely. Her smile seemed brighter somehow. "Curry sounds delightful."

"Curry it is then!" A giggle left my lips and this time, there were no doubts stopping me from leading Saber by the hand through the supermarket to get the rest of the ingredients. She didn't verbally protest.

Once we made it out to the street, I kept a hold of her fingers. So, Art-san?

Hm? Saber gave me a single sideways look. What is it?

If it's okay, can we talk about those dreams? Maybe about things in your past, little by little. I want to help you, if you're okay with that…

Sure, that phrasing could've been articulated differently, but it was better to be honest, at least when it came to my own experiences. My ninja friends could get suspicious of anything, anyways. The least I could do was be open and give some kind of reprieve.

And, judging by the surprise on Saber's face, it seemed to be the right thing to do.

If… If you have time, Milady. She squeezed my fingers back. It is a long story to tell.

I have one long story too, if that helps with any anxiety, Art-san. After all, you saw a huge crux of it last night. And, since we'll be sharing dreams anyway, it would be nice to be prepared, right? I did my best to shrug while walking forward, because we couldn't stand here forever. The meat could go bad in the open sun. Only if you're okay with it, though. I have a trust exercise if we need it!

Saber gave me a wide-eyed look. A… trust exercise?

I grinned back at her. How do you feel about a small thought exercise-game?

What kind of game are you referring to, Tomoko? Chess? Solitaire?

Ten Million Ryō, But! Childhood favorite had to come back sometime. And besides, it helped Kakashi open up way back when years before. Why not Saber? Kei and Ricchan liked it when we were little. And we can learn what we like and don't like with our prompts. I want to build our trust, little by little.

The surprise on her face didn't disappear even when we came home. But it was something akin to progress in the end. We had a lot to share with each other if we wanted this to work.

Small victories could come in now, at least.


Author's Notes: The second Heaven's Feel movie killed me, 'tis all. I'm still tempted to cry when I see Saber Alter. Hence why this chapter came out the way it did.

Everyone needs a break. Especially the original blue Saber. So there.

See you all at the next chapter. :) I'll keep doing my best to write more.