A/N: Hello everybody, I know it's been awhile, but here is chapter 5. Big action chapter here and I hope it is worth the wait. Anyway, please, PLEASE leave a review, I love 'em!
Me: This is a disclaimer. I am writing this disclaimer to well, obviously disclaim any content of the anime Zero No Tsukaima. I am just a fan writing a fan fiction using characters from a show I am obviously a fan of, so this means I own no rights to the characters, settings, art, teamwork, delicious fruit, explosions, swords, sounds (well, maybe…), disclaims, hair styles, the number zero, crying, or emotions that are common to everybody. So please, let's not go APE on the writer.
(No one has yet, but I hope no one will later.)
Chapter 5: Season Three in a Nutshell Part 3
Saito just stared at Tiffania softly, who was smiling at him, but then, a piercing scream could be heard. Saito, Agnes, Tiffa, and Tabitha looked in the direction they heard it. Saito was the first to run towards it, knowing it was none other than his master's, Louise Valliere.
He opened the door and ran like a mad dog toward the scream, and when another was heard from Siesta, he ran even faster. He dodged trees, logs, and potholes and finally made it to his destination. He looked up to find Siesta and Louise tied by green gargoyles with purple glowing runes on them. "Oh no, who-" Saito looked to his left to find Sheffield smirking. "Sheffield, the Brain of God. What are you doing here?"
Sheffield smiled amusingly. "Is it not obvious, I am here for the other Void Mage."
"Other Void Mage? I didn't know there were more! But that doesn't matter, let Louise go this instant!"
"And the maid?" Sheffield laughed out.
"I thought it would be painfully obvious…"
Sheffield looked at Saito. "No, in fact, I got a better idea. Why don't you try and take them back."
"Fine…" Saito said, arming himself with Derflinger.
Sheffield only smiled and then Saito dashed at her. Saito ran at her, his feet slamming into the ground with each step closer and finally, he was within slashing distant. He made a horizontal swing and Sheffield jumped back. Saito ran after her even faster than before and slashed again. Sheffield ducked and slammed her fist into Saito's stomach. He blew air out, but recovered quickly and kneed her in the face. Sheffield stumbled backwards, holding her bleeding nose. Saito; however, took another dash at her and slashed again, but Sheffield strayed swiftly to the left, then the right before she landed a kick to his face, but it didn't hold enough power behind it.
Saito quickly brushed the pain aside and slashed with his sword once more, Sheffield kept dodging more and more. She then spun behind him and kicked him in the rear. Saito stumbled forward, but caught himself and spun back around slicing the air, the tip of his sword grazed Sheffield slightly. She looked at him then growled.
"You're going to pay for that." She stepped backwards and swayed her hand forward. "Kill him!"
The green gargoyles started rushing at Saito. He looked behind him to see them right at his face. Before he could retaliate, a large fist was plummeted into his face. Saito stumbled backwards nearly tripping, blood streaming from his nose. Another gargoyle planted a kick into his back, and another punched his cheek, sending him back again. The next gargoyle grabbed him by his hair and held him up. It proceeded in repeatedly punching the young boy's face until it got bored of it. It let go of Saito and struck his falling figure with it's knee. Saito yelled out in pain, specs of blood spurting from his open mouth. Before he could recover, another fist collided hard into his cheek, and Saito spun and hit the cold ground.
Saito felt like his body was grinded up. He struggled to look to see the gargoyles closing in again. He gritted his teeth and raised his right hand, then planted it on the ground. He did the same with the other and started to push himself up slowly.
"Partner, are you alright?" Derflinger asked.
Saito smiled meekly. "No… eheh… I feel like my body was just pushed down a long well with no water at the bottom…" He raised his sword and his smile turned into a gritted frown. "You…" He slowly shook, his head facing down. He could feel the pain from his countless injuries starting to take hold of him. His bruises throbbed with fresh blood. How could he be a Gandalfr? He can't even protect his only master.
You stupid dog! You never do anything right!
Saito shook his head slowly.
No food tonight, you were a bad baka!
Saito's body began to quiver from the pain he felt.
Fine, go then. Sleep outside for all I care, it's where you belong!
Despite all she's done to him, said… no, yelled to him, scolded him, and punished him for things that were not his fault, he still felt the need to be around her, to protect her, Louise. He was not going to let the only thing that he had a responsibility for be broken.
"… all are going down…" Saito finished. He looked up sharply, his facial features twisted in a manner of rage and anger. His teeth were exposed by his open frown and his eyes were smaller than normal, absent of the usual kindness that was present in them. He screamed a war cry and ran at the gargoyles with his sword ready!
He leapt into the air and came down in the middle of the pack. He slashed his sword, cutting one up, only for it to explode into a million pieces. A fist came at him, but Saito dodged it and stabbed the assailant. He spun and sliced three more, only to jump over a dasher and stab his sword into it's back. He yanked it out, the gargoyle exploding, and landed on the ground, crouched. Saito yelled and ran through five more and slashed at the next in front of him, making it explode as well. A fist hit his cheek, but Saito retaliated quickly by kicking the gargoyle he was knocked to and used the momentum to move in on the previous attacker and stab it. The gargoyle exploded, but another jumped on Saito's back. Saito stuttered forward, still standing, until it jumped off of him, kicking him into the dirt with both of it's legs. Saito yelled and skidded on the ground toward another gargoyle, which proceeded in kicking him like a soccer ball. Saito flew hard into a tree trunk and fell over.
He staggered back up, blood running down his body and he ran at the gargoyles screaming in anger. He sliced the first one he came at in half, and spun around and stabbed the sword up it's head from it's jaw. Both of them exploded at once and he ran at the others. He sliced another vertically, but then was punched in his face and was grabbed by another. He was thrown at another gargoyle and received a back-flip kick into the air from the stomach. Saito flew up. He was hurt, he was in pain. He was fighting a never ending battle, Sheffield kept making more of these things. For every one he killed, two came to take it's place. How could he end this? Saito could feel himself falling, only to receive a punch to his cheek and be carried to the ground by the fist, smashing into the ground, the fist still driving into his skull.
Saito shook heavily. His grip on Derflinger lightened until he let go of it. That's it. I can't fight no more… It hurts, it hurts too much. Saito could feel himself losing consciousness. The gargoyles stood around him and prepared to finish him off. They started slamming their fists down on his body. Saito screamed out in pain. The sickening sound of his body being pummeled could be heard by the spectators. Louise and Siesta looked away as to not see what was happening to the familiar.
Sheffield smirked. "Don't you see, the Left Hand of God can not beat the Brain of God. You stand no chance against me. The outcome of this was sure to emerge, no matter how hard or valiantly you try." Saito just continued to cry out in agony as the gargoyles continued their ruthless assault. "I mean really, it should have been quite easy to see from the get go…" She looked at him and squinted with a frown. "…you fool."
But out of nowhere, a gun shot was heard, blowing a few of the gargoyles up. Agnes jumped into the arena and started shooting the gargoyles. They looked at her and started running for her. Agnes quickly took aim, and fired at the ones coming at her. One after the other, they kept coming, but then she heard a clicking noise. "Crap." she exclaimed, realizing she needed to reload. She looked up to see another gargoyle right in front of her, it's fist reeled, but a crystal shot from the ground in front of her, destroying the assailant. Agnes looked behind her to see Tabitha standing with her staff in hand. She ran into the arena and used her staff like a sword, swatting and bashing those that came in her way. Every gargoyle she hit exploded into pieces. Sheffield was not feeling as confident as she did before.
Really, more of them? Fine, these weaklings are nothing compared to the Gandalfr. I'll just have to- "Ah!" Sheffield screamed and stepped to the left to avoid a crystal shot at her. She looked to see Tabitha standing in front of her, a short distance away.
"So you're the one behind all this." Tabitha stated. Sheffield looked at her in disgust. This mage was not going to be joke to trifled with, she obviously has some combat experience.
"Yes, and what if I am? What are you going to do about it?" Sheffield retorted.
Tabitha responded by sprinting at her with her wand. Sheffield was caught off guard and received a strike to the face. She stumbled backwards, holding her cheek. She shot her head toward her, gritting her teeth in anger.
"What do you think?" Tabitha told her.
Sheffield growled. "You're going to pay for that!" She dashed at her, Tabitha did the same. The blue haired girl swung her staff and Sheffield ducked to the right. She punched Tabitha's stomach, but the other girl stepped back briefly only to use that very leg to kick Sheffield. Sheffield blocked quickly and threw a punch which Tabitha caught with the hook of her staff. Sheffield gasped sharply and Tabitha proceeded by swinging the staff over her. Sheffield went with it and collided into the ground. Tabitha unhooked her staff, only to see a gargoyle charging at her. She swung the staff into the chest of the demon and it exploded. Tabitha then looked at Sheffield in time to see her fist flying at her face. Tabitha ducked quickly and dodged a kick from Sheffield. Tabitha then got punched in the cheek, but she jumped backwards, landing on an incoming gargoyle's head. She hit it with her staff after jumping off again, the gargoyle exploded. She landed on the ground and looked up to see Sheffield running through the remains of the gargoyle with her fist ready.
Tabitha dodged right, then left, and planted a kick in Sheffield's gut. She bent over slightly, grabbing it and Tabitha spun around swiftly. The hook of the staff then collided into Sheffield's face. Sheffield hit the ground hard, but quickly resurfaced herself on her feet. Tabitha scowled at her, wondering how much more she could take. Tabitha sprinted at Sheffield, who took on a defensive stance. Tabitha swung her staff only for Sheffield to catch it. Tabitha didn't flinch once, but Sheffield pulled her toward her and punched her in the nose. Tabitha recoiled quickly though, by jumping and landing a kick onto Sheffield's right cheek. They both staggered back, holding their respective injuries and looked at one another. Sheffield was smiling.
"You're pretty good, kid…"
Tabitha panted heavily. "Better than you…"
Sheffield scoffed and frowned disapprovingly. "Witch…" She stood up and charged at Tabitha. Tabitha got on guard, but she didn't expect Sheffield to stop right in front of her and duck. What she received was an uppercut to her chin. Tabitha flew off the ground and into the air, pain swimming up her face. Tabitha landed on the ground. Sheffield stood straight and looked at her. "Stupid child…" She just looked at Tabitha, but was shocked to see her getting up. "What the hell?"
Tabitha stood up, staggering little. "You think you've won because of that cheap shot… You're going to need to do a lot better than that."
Sheffield squinted at the blunette. "Fine, but how about another time…" Sheffield put her fingers to her mouth and blew. A whistling sound was produced and she jumped up and landed on a giant purple manta ray. She waved her hand in a later fashion, briefly. "But I have other business to attend to."
Tabitha could only watch as Sheffield retreated into the dark night sky. She looked at Saito, who still lied on the ground, but he was at least awake. She walked over to him. "Saito, are you alright?"
Saito only looked at her. He smiled. "Thank you…"
Agnes walked over to them, holstering her pistol. "Gosh, who was that?"
Tabitha hoisted Saito up, he proceeded in leaning on her. "That was Sheffield. She's a familiar, just like me…" Agnes only looked up into the direction Sheffield retreated. "Hey, Agnes?" She looked at Saito. "You don't think you could recover Siesta and Louise?"
Agnes looked back at the tree they were hanging from. "Oh yeah, them. Sure, kid."
Saito was sitting before the familiar fireplace he was once at almost two weeks ago. He looked over to the bed to see Siesta and Louise sleeping, they must have been exhausted. He sighed and looked over at Tiffania, who was just staring at the fire from the floor. He looked more deeper into her eyes, they seemed distant. She must be reliving some memory or something like that. He looked over to Agnes to see her sharpening her sword. Saito got up and walked over to Tabitha, who was looking out the window and to the rain outside. He stood next to her and rubbed his arm.
"Hey… um, Tabitha?" Saito asked.
Tabitha continued looking out the window, hardly acknowledging him.
"I just wanted to say "Thank you" for what you did back there…"
Tabitha batted her eye at Saito, then back outside.
"You're welcome."
Saito just stood beside and proceeded in looking out the window. They both just stood there, watching the rain fall, drop after drop. Saito looked at Tabitha through the watery reflection on the window. She, again, did not bother to register his attention.
"Are you thinking about something?" Saito asked innocently.
Tabitha just stared out. "… Yes."
Saito just looked forward now. "Am I a nuisance?"
"… Yes."
Saito just stared out the window for a few seconds before turning around and leaving her to her thoughts. He wrapped his arms behind his head and walked around. "Gees, everybody has something to think about. What's the deal?"
Derflinger, the talking sword, popped out of his sheath. "Maybe because they have some troubles needing dealt with, Partner. If you had some urgent trouble, wouldn't you take some time to think about how to go about solving it?"
Saito sighed. "Yeah, I guess you're right. Best hang up for tonight…"
"True, Partner. Best do."
Saito walked over to Tiffania and just looked at the back of her blonde head. She turned around and looked at him. Saito immediately looked away and then back.
"Say, um, Tiffa?"
"Yes, Saito?"
Saito turned to her. "You wouldn't happen to have anywhere to sleep, would you?"
Tiffania turned her head toward her bed. Saito caught the message.
"I see."
Tiffania stood up. "I didn't think you would actually come back, and with people…" Tiffania looked at everyone else.
"Well, yeah, they are my friends. Why, is there something wrong?"
Tiffania pulled her hat down more and shook her head. "No…"
Saito raised an eyebrow to that statement. "Okay." Saito noticed her pulling her hat down to cover what little was exposed of her ears. Could it be the fact that is the reason she does not wander away from this forest? Wait a minute…
Saito recalled one of the first conversations he held with Tiffania.
"And I am an elf."
"Well, um. Okay, what is so bad about that. Since I came to this strange world, I have seen many things, so how could I not be surprised about this one."
"You mean you're not afraid of me!"
"Uh… yeah. Why should I be?"
"You mean, you don't know about what I am?"
"Is there a reason to?.."
What did she mean by "afraid"? He'd have to figure that out later, right now, sleepy time, and he needed to get the master of the house a good place to sleep. Saito looked outside. It was still raining out, but he knew that there was a good place to sleep there, the problem would be the temperature. Saito would be able to deal with it, he was wearing probably the best insulated clothing in this world, a sweat jacket, but Tiffania on the other hand was still wearing that very exposing green skirt thing. Her legs, arms, and shoulders would be vulnerable to the cold out there, and this fire was really the only thing keeping them from freezing. Saito closed his eyes and put up his fist. "Alright! I know what to do!"
Tiffania stumbled back a bit, and Agnes just looked up at them.
"Wh-what is it, Saito?" Tiffania stammered.
Saito calmly turned to her, then smiled a big grin. "Me and you can sleep in there and I'll keep you warm with my body!" He pointed at himself proudly. Agnes scoffed at the comment, while Tabitha still didn't pay any attention to what was going on.
"Uh, um, you sure that would work, Saito?" Tiffania asked, blushing heavily.
"Yep!" Saito exclaimed. Tabitha proceeded in walking next to him.
"Pervert." She muttered while continuing down her path. Saito laughed it off.
"It was only a joke." Saito said. He looked back at Tiffania. "If we slept out there, we would freeze our tails off. I'm just going to run out there and grab what I can of our sleeping gear and then bring it in here."
Agnes got on her feet. "That's a good idea. I am getting kind of tired. I'll help you out."
"Thanks, Agnes." Saito replied. "Tiffa, you don't think you could open the door for us when we get back, do you? We'll be kind of rushing in."
Tiffania nodded. "Of- of course!"
Agnes eyed her. "Why are you acting so scared all the time. Loosen up."
Tiffania just looked to the floor. "Yes, ma'am."
Agnes just looked at her questioningly. Even in her own home too… Whatever.
Saito and Agnes proceeded to the door. Saito grabbed the door knob and opened it. They both ran outside and sprinted to the carriage, shielding their faces from the cold rain and wind. Saito made it to the carriage and opened the door. He hopped in and grabbed what blankets he could and darted out. Agnes jumped in and grabbed what she could carry, then jumped out and kicked the door shut with her leg. She, along with Saito, made a dash for the cabin again. They didn't want to get too wet and ran as fast as they could. Tiffania was staring out the window and saw the two coming back fast. She ran to the door and opened it. Saito ran inside, followed by Agnes. Tiffania slowly shut the door, then looked back at Saito. She walked over to him.
"Are you okay?" she questioned.
Saito panted, while putting the pallets on the floor. He stood straight and smiled at her. "Well, um…" he looked at the pallets. "I know it isn't much, but um, you can sleep in this one. It's mine." he waved his hand over to pallet now lying next to the warm fire place. Tiffania looked up at him, blushing.
"Yo- yours!" she stammered. She looked away. "I couldn't possibly do that to you, it's yours after all…"
"No, please, I insist." Saito assured. "I am the one offering it to you. It's the least I can do to repay you for allowing me to sleep in your bed when you had no place to rest. Please, Tiffa…"
Tiffania only looked at him with unsure eyes, but she decided to do what he wanted and just give in. She got into the pallet and pulled the heavy sheets over her. Tiffania snuggled into the pallet and got comfortable. She smiled at how warm and soft it was. Humans really know how to make travel equipment. It must be really easy for them to come all this way here, just to get me….
Saito just looked at her, smiling. He then turned around and walked to where Tabitha was sitting. He sat on a chair next to her at the table Tiffania supposedly ate at. "Well, it seems we will be headed out tomorrow morning."
Tabitha nodded. "How are you wounds?"
"Huh?" Saito asked, then taking a second to look at the dried blood on his features. "They're… annoying to say the least, but they don't hurt much. Still sore, but not enough to keep me down for long."
"Okay, I'm just glad you're okay." Tabitha responded.
She lifted her head from her book and looked at him. "You need to get some rest, as do I…"
"Yeah, I guess you're right about that." Saito said, scratching the back of his head. "It would be nice to meet the sun again tomorrow."
Saito and Tabitha both walked over to the mats. Tabitha got hers and Saito just stared at them. Gosh, I know no one else would let me sleep in theirs. Everyone else is a girl and would take it the wrong way… Saito's face slowly dawned into a dull expression… and they call me the pervert. Saito simply turned around and folded his arms behind his head, walking away. "Guess I'll just find somewhere else to sleep…"
Tiffania simply looked at him, then sharply turned around, blushing madly. The thought that hit her mind would be an insane move. She shook her head, closing her eyes excitingly. No, there's no way I could ask him to sleep with me. I mean, we're not even fully acquainted yet. I possibly couldn't call him my friend, but he did come back… Tiffania slowly opened her eyes. It wouldn't work, what if one of the humans here is his mate? She turned over quietly to look at Louise and Siesta. That pink haired human seemed pretty mad when he was showing attention to me. She must be his mate. He did seem pretty anxious to get to her when she was screaming back in the woods.
Tiffania sighed in disappointment and looked over to Saito. Good night…