Chapter 10: The Day After

Anyone else wish their school was as awesome as this one? Also, beware the power that is Sherlock Holmes!

Toko had finally managed to sleep soundly, after last night. Of course, it was tough, intense, and dangerous, but it worked out in the end. He was also happy that he didn't have a conflict with Ruler, and his wish was accepted, although he was confident that it would be accepted to start with.

It wasn't even that much of a secret to be honest. Lots of people knew. No one just bothered asking before.

And as the morning sun peeked in through the window, and Toko felt the morning sun bathe across his body...he began to stir and...

"...it feels breezy..."

That was the first thing Toko noticed as he started to awaken. It felt warm, really warm, but also...breezy...

And then, as he became more awake and aware, he felt a presence next to him, snoring. They were both in his bed, and very much naked. And while Toko slept with his body eagle spread, Horus did the same, so parts of them were overlapping with each other.

"Hu...huuh?!" Toko said as he shifted from the surprise, and fell out of bed and onto his back, disrupting Horus in the process.

"H..huh? Oh, good morning Toko".

"Horus...why are you...why are we..."

"Why? Remember, I told you there was a risk that the enemy might try to assassinate you in your sleep, and that I would be sleeping in the same bed as you".

"But...I dont remember taking my clothes off".

"Oh, I did that for you".

"Y-you did what?!"

"Trust me, you wanted me to" Horus said, pointing at the pile of dirty clothes in the corner. There was a combination of mud, dirt, and blood stains on it, as well as scorch marks here and there. And when Toko got closer...they could be smelled from there.

"What the..."

"Yep. There was no way I was letting either of us sleep next to that stink" Horus said as he jumped out of bed. However, then he started to sniff Toko, which made Toko's face turn red as a tomato. "...and you need a bath. Come on, lets go take a bath".

Horus suddenly grabbed two towels, flinging one over his shoulder and another over Toko's before taking Toko's hand and heading towards the door. Incidentally, there was a world of difference between Suzuki's room and Toko's room, for one thing Toko's room was only about one third the size, and also did not possess its own bath and shower. For his boy's dorm, there were only communal baths, toilets, and showers.

"W-wait...like this?! At least let me wrap it around my waist!" Toko pleaded as he was practically dragged out into the hall and down to the baths completely naked. He desperately tried to use his towel to at least cover his front, but could do nothing to cover his behind.

That said, while he was certainly embarrassed, he was not the only one. In the Elementary Boy's Dorm, plenty of other boys were also walking either with their towel wrapped around their waist, or even flung over their shoulder. Some were actually still groggy, and were dragging it along the floor with them, while others did not even have towels. Some were clad in just a shirt or a shirt and boxers also, but they didn't look like they were heading towards the baths.

Maybe because it was all pre-teen boys, but there was absolutely no sense of shame. As Horus expected, Toko was likely suffering a bit of trauma still from what happened to him, if he was exposed to this every day and still shy. Horus was sure of it now.

Of course, some had already bathed, gone back to their rooms, and gotten dressed, so there were others already dressed. Fitting the warm season, they were mainly wearing T shirts and shorts. Although...

"Were those boys wearing skirts? Was that a cross dressers thing?"

"Wh-what?! No. Ever since we all started developing Magecraft, and learning the truth about other cultures, students in the Debate Clubs and Culture Clubs have been investigating other cultures and how they dressed. Then, someone, probably someone in the debate club, started to argue against the idea of gender specific clothing, pointing out that it was a silly concept to begin with".

Toko explained that to Horus as they finally reached the bathing room. There were plenty of hooks to put towels on, and even spare towels in case someone forgot theirs, lost theirs, or had theirs stolen. The last one often being the most common. There didn't seem to be a hook for clothing though.

"Huh...I just figured it would be fine, but...there isn't even any place at all to store clothes here".

"Well of course" another boy said with an energetic grin. "Its all boys here after all, so why bother, right Toko?"

"Ah...well..."

"Huh...Toko, you seem shyer then usual..." the boy said with a look of mischief. He quickly moved around and wrapped his arm around Toko's neck in a friendly way as he pulled him in close. Horus could only imagine how shy and embarrassed Toko felt at that moment, all that direct physical contact. "...did something interesting happen...wait...oh right, you have a room mate now! I heard ancient cultures did not wake until adulthood to have adult fun, is that true for Egyptians?"

"Wh-what?! It was nothing like that!"

Horus just laughed. "So I was right. I figured it was just about his body he was nervous about! He seemed like the active type to me!"

"What? No, thats not true. In fact, every morning he would always come here towel over the shoulder, well unless he was groggy and dragging it on the ground, or forgot it, but would always be super social and friendly. He doesn't have anything like that".

And then, Horus' mind temporarily stopped working as he processed this new detail, and compared it with the past.

"Wait...wait wait wait what?! But...so far, every time I have seen him..."

"Thats because it was you! Do you not know how embarrassing it is, to be stripped by someone else?"

As Toko said that, the other boy also got a red face.

"Ah yeah...that would do it..."

And hearing that, Horus thought back to those moments...and realized something...

"Hold on...but, what about the nervousness you felt when I was first summoned?"

"Of course I was nervous! You have a Noble Phantasm that lets you pick up all sorts of weird details! I didn't want you learning any weird details about me, and especially didn't want to risk you spreading them around!"

Now that Horus thought about it, it was true that each and every time, Horus had been the one to strip Toko. And there was the time Suzuki did it, but he actually seemed less embarrassed then...

In other words, it was less Toko being shy, and more Horus being the cause of it this whole time. Although, he was pretty sure part of it was still Toko actually being shy. The kid was broken mentally though torture after all. Repeatedly.

Eventually, the three of them rinsed off and then hit the baths...and...

"Ahhhh...what...what is this bliss..."

"Always so good~"

"Sooo niiiicceeee~"

Horus questioned, while Toko and the other boy just had normal bliss sounds.

"What is this? Enhanced by Magecraft or something?"

"Noooo...all the dorm baths are actually hot springs~"

"Its sooooo goooooooood~"

"Its great to have a soak so early~"

"Agreeeeeed~"

"Hot springs are the greatest thing ever~"

"By the way, you can call me Sho. Or Sho-kun really. What is your name?"

"My name is Hoshi Takeru. Nice to meet you".

"Hey, Takeru-kun...so then...these sweet, blissful, heavenly waters..."

"Hooot sppprrriiiinnnggssss~"

"Soooo goooood~"

Horus, reading the mood, decided to accept it was well.

"It is wonderful~"

"Indeed~" Suzuki said as she floated next to them, much to the shock of everyone this time. Needless to say which two out of the three there got embarrassed.

"Suzuki-neechan! Why are you here?!"

"Suzuki-sempai?!"

"Obviously, I am on duty today to help give the elementry schoolers baths and to ensure proper safety!"

Of course, the Elementry School Baths had to be monitored in case someone slipped, or accidentally fell under the water, or such to prevent any accidents. However...

"That said...I am also here on serious business. Toko, do you know where Ren and Lancer went after the battle?"

The somewhat chaotic and silly atmosphere suddenly turned serious.

"No...didn't she return to the girls dorms?"

"Thats what I thought, but this morning I was asked by some of her friends if I had seen her. Apparently, after your battle last night, she seemed to have disappeared as well, along with Lancer. I went to check in with Serdtse-sensei and Sanchez-sensei, but they also seemed to have run off, though they were seen this morning so I dont think its related...probably".

"Oh, I see...well, good luck on your search and..."

And then, she grabbed Toko and Takeru.

"Now, lets get you puppies properly washed".

""Please stop teasing us!""

"Well, why have you called us out here Ruler? And why together?"

Rune asked that question as he leaned up against a tree. ALong with him was Set, who was also present, but that was not all. In addition, there was also the two teachers who were masters from the Black Faction, Stal'noye Serdtse and Lobo Sanchez. Also, Inuzuka Takashi, Marco Galeazzo, and all their servants were there, summoned by the Ruler, Sherlock Holmes.

"After last nights battle, no one is planning any more attacks for the day, however a situation has caused me to temporarily halt hostilities for the moment anyways to deal with a certain issue. I have become aware that Lancer and Berserker of Red, along with their masters, have gone missing, as well as Lancer of Black. And that, neither side was responsible for the disappearance of all three".

That last sentence put some shock into their faces.

"Hold on...how did you know...and wait, they are not responsible?!"

Sanchez asked that, with some clear concern.

"That is why I am calling you here. I already investigated the moment I felt a strange pressence and an interference in the Grail War, and determined that someone is attempting to interfere".

As expected of the great Sherlock Holmes, he had already gotten far in his investigation despite it only being a few hours.

"In addition, I have determined what direction they were taken".

"Huh? HOld on, could you stop for a moment, and tell us how both Servants and Masters were kidnapped?"

"There is no time for that. However, we must hurry. You see, with the Black Faction watching the skies, city, ocean, and school area, and the Red faction on the other side, the only way they could go that would not require them going through Black Faction or Red Faction forces is the mountains north of here. There is a small town there, and the only way out of the region that doesnt require going through both forces is a train. The trains do not run at night, only around mid day till afternoon, but it is morning now, so..."

"Right. So this is on the orders of Ruler? Why not involve everyone?"

"Because whoever did this is stealthy and perceptive. Therefore, we need a small group, small but versitile. The Sabres attract too much attention, but all of you should be capable. And yes, as my place as Ruler, I am ordering everyone to not fight each other and help me investigate the mountain village".

"So then..." Inuzuka said, stepping up to face Ruler. "Tell us. Why is this so important?"

"Simple. To kidnap three Masters and three Servants, the only way to do that is if they possessed some means to manipulate the Holy Grail War. As Ruler, I cannot allow this to continue. And neither can you, if it means a third side wants the Greater Grail. Especially if they can bring three Servants down with them. Now, we must stop delaying and leave. Castors, if you will?"

"Fine then. If I must".

"I guess together it should be fine".

The two combined their magic, and used Magecraft to suddenly teleport themselves up the mountain and to the town. Although there were still a lot of unanswered questions, no one felt like tempting fate and losing favor with Ruler.

"Welcome to Starken? Thats a weird name for this area" Marco commented as he saw the sign, while the group entered the local bus terminal to look at a map and get the lay of the land. Icarus volenteed to fly up, but they didn't want to risk the enemy noticing and reacting. That said, no one made any comment about the fact the group themselves looked weird. Old men, young boys, old fashioned looking businessmen. Still, they were foc...

"Set! Rune! Marco! Everyone!" Icarus said, appearing as a normal human boy as he pointed at a sign. "Look! This town is famous for hot springs! Lets go try some!"

It was something completely irrelivent to why they were there, but they just sighed none the less.

Actually, in truth, several of the servants secretly did want to try modern hot springs, while many of the Masters wanted to go in and relieve the stress built up during the Holy Grail War. But, that was besides the point. They had a mission to do.

Not to mention...

"There are no people here..."

There was not a single person around that they could see.

"I cant sense...hold on" Serdtse said, noticing someting in the distance. "I sense three people, a few blocks down, who are active. However, either no one is around aside from them, or everyone is asleep. That said...those three are radiating an impressive amount of magic..."

Sherlock Holmes went to look at the map to help determine where they were and come up with a plan, but...

"Lets go investigate! Come on everyone! You too Inuzuka! Lets catch them and have some fun!"

"Hold it..." Sherlock started to say, before Icarus ran off, with Rune and Set chasing behind, followed by his actual Master Inuzuka and Marco who somehow got caught up in it. Meanwhile, Castor of Red approached him.

"What an energetic bunch. So, where is it coming from? At least we can prepare".

"Sure, let me se...oh..."

"What?" Castor of Black asked.

"I think Archer of Red very well knew where it was coming from. Being an Archer, he probably understood between his ability to sense things at long range, and his ability to make spacial measurements...it was coming from the hot springs..."

"THen Inuzuka followed..."

"...probably to avoid a worst case scenario. Well, we better follow..."

The group decided to follow the rowdy bunch, being led around by Icarus who may have been following his own whims.

"Hold it right there, criminal scum!" Icarus shouted as he slammed open the door to a hot springs bath. However, despite his rushed appearance, it was clear he took some time as he was only in a towel. Rune and Set were behind him, although they were partially wondering how they got wrapped up in all of this. As for who was in there...it was an odd sight.

There were two girls and one boy there, all washing each other off casually without any sense of shame inbetween them. That was...until Icarus came in. Then they eached grabbed the bucket they had been sitting on and used it to cover themselves.

"What the hell are you doing here?!"

"Eh...so...wait...are they not involved?"

And that was when the others finally caught up to them and...

"Wait?! Is that you three? Kyouske-kun, Reika-chan, Uzumi-chan?"

Lobo was shocked to see his three students. He was also shocked initially to see them all naked and sharing a private hot springs bath together, but then again, they were childhood friends and got along great together, so that made a bit of sense. But not why they were here.

"Sanchez-sensei?! Serdtse-sensei?!" they asked in shock, embarrassed.

"Well, this is the second time now, but I admit this time is our bad".

"Second time?" Sherlock Holmes asked as he walked up behind them.

"Those three, also known by some in our school as the idiot trio despite their good grades, once snuck into the Teacher's Hot Spring Bath in the Teacher's building. Me and Serdtse-sensei caught them".

"Oh...that was awkward. Did they get punished?"

"Of course. The warning of how they would be punished was written in the hand book, engraved on a metal plate bolted on a wall by the entrance, and also written down. They had to get out, write an essay explaining how they knew it was wrong, in detail, and then walk back to the dorms. Without getting dressed".

"Is that accepted?"

"They accepted it when they broke the rules despite knowing the punishment..."

"Can we please get over that! Why are you here!"

"We are investigating kidnapings of Masters and Servants on both sides, under suspicious circumstances. What are you three doing here?"

"Well, after the battle, classes were canceled for tomorrow so everyone could rest..."

"...so the three of us decided to come here, and enjoy the famous hot springs..."

"...and we just got here like, an hour ago...".

"Wait...were there people here an hour ago?"

"Yes...wait, what do you mean were?"

"Everyone is town has vanished...you mean, you three didn't notice?"

"We were in here the whole time. Well, admittedly..."

The three of them turned around with red faces, and Magic Circles to resist and stop mental intereference were there, along with detection. Of course, those would only work at long range, but there was no reason for anyone on either side to come up here, except for the hot springs of course.

"That cant be all..."

"Its not. In fact, the magic circles they used are slightly different from normal ones. It looks like one of those...prevents soul detection?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Most of the power is going into that...in other words, whatever did this has some power over souls".

Before the group could continue any further though, they heard a loud sound coming from another part of town. The sound of a train whistle.

"Everyone, get dressed and get ready! The enemy must be on that train!"

That was when he looked back at the idiot trio.

"...actually, there is one last thing I need to know..."

"Its about time you got back" Terry Blood mentioned as Rider of Red and her master entered the room. "For some reason, every single other damn person seems to be missing around here. But its convienent because I need to ask you about something. You and your Servant".

Indeed. Two of them were kidnapped, three of them went missing afterwards, so it left only those two there right now. Although, the Black Faction was also still tired from last night and lacked the means to attack either, plus unknown to them, three of them were occupied with something.

And that was when he raised his sword towards Kasai Kori and Rider of Red.

"Who the hell is your Servant?"

"I thought we already..."

"No, I allowed that because I was already sure on her identity. She appeared during the last Greater Grail War after all. But now, for some reason, Mordred appeared as the Black Faction's Sabre...so who the hell are you, Rider of Red, since you cant be Mordred".

In response to that, only laughter came from Rider of Red as she went for her helmet, and took it off. And then, even Terry Blood was shocked.

"Well then, I think you have been duped, because I AM Mordred" she replied. "So I would like to know also, who the hell has decided to pretend to be me!"

AN: I was so sorely tempted to rename this one the Hot Springs episode. So, so, so terribly tempted. Also, gotta admire the strong friendship between that Trio...and also question if they really get good grades...

Anyways, with Sherlock Holmes around, no mystery is safe for long! Beware the greatest detective...but...just because they can find the issue, and deduce it...does that mean they will be able to defeat it?