A/N: Ah, here we go! Second chapter of Zero No Tsukaima: Love Breakdown. I ought to start naming these, it makes it more professional. I know, I'll put it under the disclaimer, speaking of Disclaimer, Super Buu, if you will?
Super Buu (Gohan Absorbed): If I must… Ahem, *clears throat*. This is a disclaimer, if you didn't know that, then you must be retarded…
Me: Hey, hey, cool it there…
Super Buu: Don't tell Buu what to do. *Clears throat* By using this disclaimer, the author is now not suggestible to any kinds of sues pertaining to characters, environments, magic tricks, hat pulling, candy cracking, and any thing else stupid you can think of. Please enjoy the show.
Me: Thanks, Buu.
Super Buu: Don't call on me again…
Me: Right…
A/N: I sure hope you guys don't mind if I mix up the disclaimers, it keeps things fun and fresh for me. Oh, and please don't forget to review, your suggestions, criticism, and other things are really appreciated, except flames and spam. That belongs in the Army.
Chapter 2: Helping the Elf
A loud noise was made, waking Saito from his peaceful sleep. He shot up in a second, and looked around, panicked, until he remembered he was in the home of an elf, or what he could call a home. He had only seen the bedroom. Saito rubbed his head.
"Hmm… What time is it?" Saito asked himself. He then looked at the curtain over the doorway and slipped out of the bed.
He carefully moved it up so he could see the other side. He noticed that this home wasn't very big, in fact, what he would call the 'living room' and the kitchen were actually in the same space, though he could see the difference in flooring that was used for the respective spaces. The 'living room' had a soft, dark red velvet rug and the kitchen was smooth wood. He walked in. There wasn't really much. It was mostly empty, spare the small table on the corner of the room.. Saito scratched his head, puzzled over a situation.
"Now, where did she sleep? I don't see anything here…" Saito asked himself.
Then, all of sudden, another loud noise was made, making Saito jump. He quickly dashed to the wooden door and opened it up. What he saw was Tiffa on the ground, rubbing her butt. She looked like she was in pain. Saito rushed over to her aid.
"Hey, you okay?" Saito asked when he reached Tiffania.
Tiffania just smiled back and waved her other hand toward him. "Yeah, I'm just fine, just tripped is all." Tiffania reassured him, chuckling nervously.
Saito looked around her. There were small, expertly cut logs spread all around the ground near her. Tiffania began to stand up, when Saito offered his hand to her. She smiled and took it, and Saito helped her up.
"Thank you." Tiffania told him.
"It's no problem." Saito said, beginning to pick up the logs. Tiffania stuttered a soft sound while reaching toward him, but immediately stopped when she saw the expression on his face. Then she just smiled softly and also began to pick up the logs. After a minute, the logs were all in hand, Tiffania holding more than Saito did. He felt a little embarrassed, making him laugh nervously.
"Hey, Tiffa…" Saito began. She just looked at him with a 'huh?'. "Um, where do I put all this?"
Tiffania motioned for him to follow her. She walked around the dwelling, giving Saito a chance to look at it. It looked like a small log cabin, but it didn't stand out. It looked like it was built to be apart of the forest around this place. When he reached the backyard, he could see small patches of wild flowers everywhere. He was amazed at how colorful and beautiful they looked. He saw pink flowers, which reminded him of Louise and that whip of hers, but he couldn't help but miss her voice. Then he saw a few white lillies, and Siesta came to his mind. He smiled at the thought of her.
"Hey, Saito!" Tiffania called out.
Saito shot his head in her direction, surprised. "Huh?"
"Come on, over here."
"Uh, oh yeah." Saito muttered, almost forgetting that he was holding logs. He made his way to her and set the logs down where she placed hers. He then sighed. "Okay, now what?"
Tiffania looked up a bit. "Hmm… I don't know, I've never had anyone around with me like this before…"
Saito fell over almost instantly!
"What!" Saito exclaimed rubbing his head. "You mean you have been all alone out here?"
Tiffania just smiled and nodded.
"But, for how long?" Saito asked, concern clearly in his voice.
Tiffania only looked at him. "Well, it's a bit personal. Um…" Tiffania looked the other way shyly. Saito's eyes became wide as he knew he needed to draw the situation away from the current topic.
"Ooh, I know what I'll do!" Saito called out.
Tiffania just looked at him, blinking.
"How about I rake the front the yard!"
"How do you… rake a yard?" Tiffania asked innocently.
"Oh yeah… Um… Ooh, okay, how about I clean your home!"
"You, you want to clean my house? But why?" Tiffania was puzzled as to why this human wanted to help her. This wasn't normal human behavior, why was he so different, why so… accepting?
"Yeah, it's the least I could do for everything you have done for me. I mean, you patched me up, fed me, you even brought me back from the dead and you didn't even know who I am! I have to do something to make up for it!" Saito urged to her.
"Well, you don't have to. I just did all of that out of the kindness of my heart."
Saito didn't believe this. Why is she saying that 'I don't have to'? She does all these kind things for me and wants nothing in return?
"I can't accept that." Saito told her. Tiffania only blinked at him. "I just can't. I have to repay you, I owe you my life."
"Please don't say that…" Tiffania said, wincing at the words.
"But I do." Saito assured. "Please, just let me help you out a little. I'll do anything you want me to do." Saito got in his knees. Tiffania could only look down at him.
She just sighed. "Okay, okay."
What she had said made Saito smile. "Well, then, I guess I'll get to work." Saito cheerfully ran off to the front and into the cabin. Tiffania just decided it would be best to let him do what he wanted to do. She then proceeded to go about her work.
Back at the Magical Academy, Louise was walking down the main path outside, clearly depressed. Saito did not come back from the battle, nor did any Tristain soldiers find his body. He and Derflinger were just gone, missing in action, away forever. Tears came to Louise's eyes as she remembered the memories she shared with her familiar. She shook her head, trying to make the tears vanish. She continued on into the main building, unknowingly being watched by Kirche and Tabitha from the side lines.
"Wow…" Kirche stated. "I can't believe that the Zero's familiar is dead. Such a loss…"
Tabitha just turned the page of a book she was reading, making no response, making Kirche look at her questionably. Tabitha only looked at her with her eyes before deciding to say something. "Quite it is…"
Kirche disappointedly sweat dropped, not believing that Tabitha was taking it so well. "I can't believe how emotionless you can be."
Tabitha turned the page of her book. "I'm not being emotionless, I am just not going to worry about it. He's gone, and that is that. No amount of mourning or crying is going to bring him back."
Kirche put her hands to her hips and poked her lips out. "Wow, I didn't think you were capable of those kinds of feelings, Tabitha."
Tabitha's eyes just froze in place and she closed the book, standing up, startling Kirche. "I'm leaving."
"Oh, okay…" Kirche said.
Tabitha proceeded past her and walked away. Kirche just crossed her arms. "Gees, what's up with her?"
Meanwhile, Louise was running up to her room in frustration and depression. When she finally reached the door, she swung it open and threw her bag against the wall. She slammed it shut and ran to her bed, throwing herself face first into, wailing loudly.
"Saito, Saito, Saito!.. You just can't be gone, you CAN'T! Where are you, Saito!"
Louise banged her clenched fists onto the bed angrily. She tossed and turned about the bed, crying in agony. She finally settled down and just looked up to the roof. She just breathed in and out.
"I can't believe you're gone, Saito… Why?.. Why? You're supposed to be my familiar, you not supposed to die like that and leave me all alone…" Louise sniffled and just continued to breath in and out.
"Uh, Louise?" someone asked.
Louise slowly turned her head to the side to find Siesta in the room. Louise just looked her in the eyes, as Siesta returned that gaze.
"Is it true…" Siesta asked, tears surfacing. She just looked at Louise and Louise just looked back. Siesta's lips started quivering and she slowly broke into tears, falling onto her knees. Louise could only turn around and look the other way as Siesta's sobs lulled her to a not-so peaceful sleep.
Saito rubbed his forehead with the sleeve of his jacket. He looked backwards to find Tiffania tending to some plant life in her yard. The sight made him smile, but he needed to start heading back to Louise, he figured with all the hard work he had done today, his debts were paid. He stood up and walked over to the elf.
"Um, hey." Saito greeted.
Tiffania looked up from what she was doing and looked at Saito. "Hi."
"Hey, listen. Could you probably tell me where Derflinger is?"
"Derflinger?" Tiffania asked, her ears perking up in curiosity.
Saito just blinked. "Oh, I mean my sword."
"Oh, your weapon. Don't worry, I just put it under the bed you were sleeping in." Tiffania informed.
"Really?" Saito asked excited. "Well, I need to get it. It's time I started heading back home."
Tiffania stood up. "Oh, really?.."
Saito caught some sadness in her voice.
"You're leaving now?.." Tiffania asked, looking away.
Saito smiled softly. "Yeah. I helped out as much as I could, but I really must be getting back, it's a long way from here to Tristain."
Tiffania looked at him. The look she had made Saito feel almost guilty for just asking the question. It seemed like it was a cruel act with the expression she had, but he knew he had to be getting back.
"Well, um…" Tiffania said bleakly. "You can go get your sword and head off when you like. It's not like you got to stay here…"
Saito smiled. He took her hand in his, making her jump. "Thank you, for everything." Saito smiled a smile that made Tiffania lighten up a bit. "If it wasn't for you and your generosity, I wouldn't be alive right now. Thank you so very much."
Tiffania smiled more now. "You're-, you're welcome, Saito…" She sniffled a little bit.
Saito didn't seem to notice as he ran inside the cabin to grab his sword. He looked under the bed and sure enough, there was his partner, Derflinger. He grabbed it, waking the sword.
"Ah, there you are, Gandalfr." Derflinger told him. "I was starting to wonder when you'd show up. Let's get a move on, we got a long, long road ahead of us."
"You sure are right about that, pal." Saito told him, happily strapping the sword around his body and on his back. He ran out the cabin to see Tiffania just standing in the same spot. He ran to her and took her hands again.
"Tiffa, when ever you need me, I'll be inside an academy in Tristain. If you ever need help with anything, anything at all, just come by and get me, okay?" Saito told her.
"Yeah, sure, but, Saito-"
Saito ran off, waving. "You take care of yourself, you hear?"
"Oh, okay!" Tiffania waved back. "But, I can't just go there…" Saito started to vanish. "Have a safe trip." Tiffania said quietly while putting her arm down.
Saito faced forward, running with all of his new energy. He smiled confidently and ran through a path of woods, random holes, and logs. A ravine started coming into view, and he ran faster. His speeded pace gave him the momentum to jump over the ravine, and from jumping the higher ground, he easily made it past. Landing hard, dust flying, he launched off into a clear plain and continued his way to Tristain, and more importantly, Louise, Siesta, and all of his friends. But slowly, he looked back and thought of Tiffania. Would she be all alone now? Saito shook his head.
"You were a burden to her anyways…" Saito told himself. "Right now, there is someone who needs you, your master." Saito started to run faster and faster, his runes glowing. He looked at them.
"That's strange, I'm not holding a weapon, so why am I increasing in strength?" Saito asked.
Derflinger popped out of his holster. "The runes on you are also meant to help you get to your master faster so you may protect them. Remember, the only reason a Gandalfr exists is to protect their master, no matter what."
"Okay, gotcha." Saito said.
Derflinger dropped back into the holster, and Saito continued sprinting at a speed faster (but not too much) than a normal human, a small dust cloud trailing behind him.
Tabitha entered her room and sat down on the bed. She waved her staff in the air and chanted a spell. Tiny light particles materialized in front of her and she took them in hand.
"Please, I ask of anyone, the God that is out there… please heal my mother… please."
Tabitha just sat in the room alone. She fell over on her side and flopped onto the soft bed. "I miss mom…"
She reached for the lantern and turned the nozzle until the fire dimmed out completely, leaving only the moon light in the room, until she used her magic to close the curtains, making the room completely filled with darkness. Tabitha just continued to sit in this darkness, fantasizing on ways she could just rescue her mother from the sickness she had suffered with. The darkness and the fantasies lured Tabitha into a trance until she fell into a blissful sleep.
As night began to fall, the Queen of Tristain, Henrietta, was standing on a balcony, her arms to her chest. Her eyes were closed as she thought of the proud familiar that tried to take on a swarm of seven-thousand men all on his own. She was thinking of Saito. She opened her eyes and looked forward, hope in them. "I know he's not dead. Regardless of what anyone says, I know he's not. I can feel it." Henrietta assured herself. There was no way a legendary Gandalfr could be killed so easily, especially with the magical sword, Derflinger by his side. It was said to be nearly impossible to defeat Gandalfr in battle, but maybe seven-thousand men was a bit too much, even for him.
Henrietta sighed as she walked back into the room of her chamber. She slid off her dress, showing her elegant back to the fading sunlight. She took off everything she had on and stepped into the bathroom. She turned the nozzles and let warm water run down her body, allowing the water to purify it. She sighed again and looked down.
"I sure hope he's coming back…" Henrietta told herself.
+++ (A/N: If I do this, that means some time has passed, but the setting has not changed.)
Thunder started in the distance and Henrietta was sitting in front of a mirror readying herself for bed. She just looked at herself while brushing her hair.
"I wonder if I should probably invite Louise tomorrow and see what she thinks of this whole mess. Now that Albion is surrendering, we may be able to see if one of their soldiers knows what happened to Saito." Henrietta told herself. Then, a knock on her door presented itself.
Henrietta just looked it's way. "Yes, who is it?"
"Um, your Majesty?" Agnes asked.
Henrietta turned to the door. "You may come in." She called out.
As if on cue, Agnes stepped in, bowing. "Your Majesty, the emissary from Albion is here to talk to you."
A storm was brewing, heavy winds were everywhere, lightning was flashing, and the sleet was hard. Saito was running on mud now, and he was suffering from fatigue.
"Crap, I should have just stayed with Tiffa." Saito complained.
Derflinger popped out of his holster. "Hey, partner. If you don't find a place to rest soon, you're going to get sick and be of no use to anyone all the way out here."
Saito stopped and leaned on his knees, trying to catch his breath. He panted and his cheeks were red. He'd been running all day and he was still not out of Albion. He looked up, exhausted. The sleet was hitting his face, it felt like millions of hard pebbles were being spat at him from big bullies and there was nothing he could do about it. Truth was, the only thing he could do now was find shelter, but where would something be out here that could provide comfort?
The lightning flashed again. "My mom always told me to… Hmm… what did she tell me?" Saito asked himself. He shook his head lazily and looked around. The lightning flashed again, followed with an ear shattering boom. Saito covered his ears. "Well, the point is that I can't go under a tree out here. Lightning tends to be attracted to things that stand out in a flat field like this, no matter where you are!"
"Well, partner." Derflinger began to point out. "You are standing out in a flat field right now."
Saito looked up with his teeth gritted. "Eee!" He started running until lightning flashed again. The sudden outburst caused Saito to freak out in the severe thunderstorm blasting around him and he tripped into the mud, face first. His legs went up a good height, then they fell flat onto the ground. Rain fell and lightning flashed as Saito just lied on the ground, his face in the cold wet dirt. He lifted his face up, pain apparently present. He was hungry, starving, and getting confused. In short, he was scared. He reached out desperately and grabbed hold of the mud in front of him. He started to pull himself, the only light he could see was the light of his runes.
"Got to… get… to… Tristain…" Saito panted. "I… need… to let them know… I'm… alright…"
Saito continued to pull himself, but he found himself quickly losing strength and will.
How did I ever get myself in a situation like this? Saito squinted his eyes shut. Man, this sucks! I'm so useless, I couldn't even help my savior that much, and now I'm going to probably die out here, all alone…
Saito opened his eyes again, softly. "All alone, again… Like always." Saito reached forward. "No! Not again! Louise!" Saito grabbed the ground and pulled. Lightning flashed once more, and Saito desperately reached out again, but alas, his arm lost it's will to reach, and so did he. He lied there, just breathing in and out. He flipped over and faced the dark, thunderous sky. He could see flashes of lightning everywhere in them. Saito began to shiver and he coughed.
Oh no, I'm getting sick.
Saito lacked the strength to move anymore. He breathed in and out, not moving at all. Then he smiled pathetically. "Great…" He chuckled. "Now what?"
He looked into the black sky and found himself falling asleep. He laughed softly. "So… is this how it ends?"
"Partner, don't give up." Derflinger shouted out. "Get up, and get your rear in gear!"
Saito stopped smiling. "You're right, as usual." Saito told the sword. He sat up slowly and looked around. There was no sign of a shelter in sight. Then, his eyes caught onto something. He could see it, a small dragon! Yes, that could be his ticket out of this storm. Saito stood up and limped to it, noting just how tired and hungry he was. "Geez, I hope when I get home, maybe Louise will feed me…" Saito chuckled out.
"Not before she whips you." Derflinger commented.
Saito slowly approached the sleeping blue dragon. It looked young, but strong. Saito got close enough, but it didn't seem to wake up. He observed the situation and shivered. *Gulp* "Well, here we go." Saito stood next to the dragon and grabbed it's wing softly. He slowly and cautiously used the wing to shield his body from any further impalement of the sleet. He sat down, exhausted and laid his head against the dragon and fell asleep.
The dawn was approaching and Saito was lying on the ground when he woke up. He opened his eyes to the face of the dragon. His eyes popped open wide as he stared and it stared back right into his face. He could smell the dragon's breath, it was strangely clean. Saito couldn't believe he was alive right now.
The dragon just sat there, looking at him, as Saito slowly sat up. The dragon moved it's head away, almost as if it was respecting his space. Saito turned his head to look at the dragon, and then he realized it was Sylphid! His face then brightened up to a huge smile. "Sylphid!" He cried. He got up and ran to the dragon, embracing her head and rubbing it softly. "What are you doing all the way out here, girl? Huh?" Saito asked.
The dragon only groaned softly. Saito laughed. "Hey, don't worry, I bet you were only taking a break and flying around to sight see and what not. But I have a favor, you don't think you could take me back to the Magical Academy, do ya?"
Sylphid nodded her head and motioned for Saito to hop on. Saito gladly obliged and they were on their way. In the sky, Derflinger popped out of his holster. "To think of all the dragons you ended up running into, it was Tabitha's familiar."
"Yeah," Saito agreed. "Luck must really be on my side."
And on they were to Tristain, and Saito was ready to see his friends again.
A/N: Well, here is chapter two. Oh, hey, I have got an idea, thanks to a certain reviewer. How about I make Saito's next power he will get from Tiffania something that has to do with Mana? I think what I have in mind is going to be pretty cool.
Well, the next two chapters will practically be a short season 3 redux, including the bath episode and the episodes where Saito and others rescue Tabitha, that has got to happen in order for Tabitha to start developing feelings for Saito, but you can expect it just won't be like a copy of the anime, I'll throw my own little schemes in here and there. I guess I should name them "Season 3 in a Nutshell", what do you guys think? Oh, and please read and review, it really inspires me to keep writing!
Oh, one more question, should I keep mixing the disclaimers as I did with this chapter or just do it with the FoZ characters or just do it like a normal person would?