A/N: Sorry for the delay! I got O-levels in a couple of weeks so yeah gotta study.. Well no matter how hard I tried, this chapter might be a little tough to follow ugh.. There's still a few chapters left to this so stick around but I don't think I might even make it to chapter fifteen. Eh whatever, sit back, get your chocolate out and enjoy~
Disclaimer: I don't own Fate/ Stay Night, if I did I'd quit school.
The next day, Shirou met with Rin and her roommate in the inn lobby.
"Since you proved to me yesterday that you wouldn't take advantage of this innocent gaijin here, I think I'll let you guys alone for today. Shirou, I'm entrusting her to you." she announced. Saber's eyes widened and she turned to Rin with a plea in her vibrant emerald eyes. Rin pretended she hadn't seen and walked away with a lazy wave. "Have fun, you two."
"Ahahaha, that's Tosaka for you," laughed Shirou.
"I'm sorry she's so.. commanding." sighed Saber.
"No worries. Y'know buchou, I got some cool stuff planned for us today.."
Saber trailed behind Shirou, enjoying his company.
"Where are we?" Saber asked, as she followed Shirou into a bustling street, lined with traditional buildings and souvenir shops. This didn't look anything like the hilly landscape around the temple she wanted to visit..
"Edo-Tokyo!" replied Shirou. "It used to be the capital of Japan, now that the capital is Tokyo, it's become quite the tourist attraction."
"I thought you said we were going to visit a temple?" Saber looked confused. Why on earth had he brought her there?
"We will, but later." Shirou said. "There's a really fun place I want to bring you first."
Saber sweatdropped. She wasn't quite sure if Shirou's definition of 'fun' was the same as hers. Then again, she had been accredited in her past life as being emotionless and cold..
"And here we are!" Shirou proudly pointed to a gateway that read "Toei Uzumasa Eiga Mura" in large gold lettering. Saber bit back a sigh. Movie village? She had never truly mastered the use of a television or understood how they worked. Once she had received a bit of a shock when Rin had turned the television on and a horror movie had been playing at the time. A bloodcurdling scream had echoed through the lounge and Saber had spun around, anticipating an attack only to find Rin laughing at her.
"It's just a movie, Saber. Calm down."
Needless to say, Saber had wanted to hide in a hole. She shook off the flashbacks. Why did people need movies anyway? According to Rin, there were even some people who became addicted to them! Saber felt she'd never comprehend why people were so interested in watching a bunch of actors in costume run around on a screen, acting (very badly, in her opinion) and not contributing to society in any way (or so she thought). She was already beginning to dread what Shirou had planned.
"You'll like it," Shirou urged, "Trust me." Saber nodded mutely and they paid for their entrance tickets. Saber's first look around Movie Village revealed streets humming with tourists and houses in the traditional Edo-period style. People dressed in Edo-style garb walked among the patrons, stopped once in a while to pose for a photograph with them. She wondered why, in a society so modernised and choc-a-bloc with the pinnacle of technology, people would pay to see a place that looked like it had come straight out of the pages of a history book.
"This is the best! I've always wanted to come here!" Shirou grabbed Saber's hand, causing the king of knights to blush. Come to think of it, she'd been doing a lot of that lately. "But first," exclaimed the gleeful Shirou, "We have to borrow costumes!"
"Borrow.. costumes?" Saber didn't quite understand until Shirou brought her over to a store advertising costume rentals. Inside, racks of kimonos, yukatas and wooden sandals lined one wall while wooden katanas, wigs and samurai and ninja garb lined the other.
"Welcome!" smiled the owners, an elderly couple who greeted Saber and Shirou enthusiastically. "How can we help you?"
"I was looking for costumes for myself and my friend here.." Shirou began, but was cut off by the old man.
"Ah, I see! One moment please!" and with that, he scurried off to rummage through the racks for an outfit for Shirou. Saber attempted to slink away, towards the men's clothes, but was stopped by the man's wife.
"What are you doing, my dear? The women's clothes are on that side!"
"Yes, but I was hoping to carry a sword."
"A sword? Whatever for?" the old woman was flabbergasted.
"Oh, um," Shirou came to her rescue. "My friend here is the president of the kendo club so.."
"Hmm.." tutted the old woman. "That might be so but such a pretty young thing like her shouldn't be wearing men's clothes." Saber wanted to protest but was hushed. "I think we might be able to compromise," smiled the store owner. "Come with me," without leaving room for argument, she bustled Saber away. Shirou watched his exasperated club president with a soft smile. He didn't even notice when the old man appeared from behind.
"That girl, is she your girlfriend?" he asked slyly.
"Wha-!" Shirou stumbled as the man helped him put on a samurai costume. "I-it's not like that!"
"Is that so? Then why were you staring at her?"
Shirou had no idea whatever would have possessed him to say so, especially to someone he'd only just met, but blurted out, "Well you see, there's this girl I was in love with, but she had to leave. I can't just go after another person like that."
"Why do you think that?"
"I don't know." Shirou admitted. "I suppose maybe it would seem like I only loved her superficially if I moved on so fast."
"Well," said the old man, tightening Shirou's sash. "If you love another person, and you're sure of that, wouldn't the one you used to love understand?"
"..." Shirou was unable to reply.
"Mark my word boy, if you don't pursue that girl, you'll regret it. Stop living in the past and move on. Be happy."
"Hn." Shirou grunted, retreating into deep thought. He didn't get much contemplation done, however, as the man's wife soon appeared with Saber bashfully hiding behind her.
"Oh don't be shy, child. Show them what you're wearing!" urged she. Saber was flustered, but reluctantly stepped out, causing Shirou's breath to get stuck in his throat. The girl, who so resembled his Servant was clad in a kimono of red, orange and gold. The backdrop was a stretch of orange silk, punctuated by elegant crimson maple leaves. The obi was gold, patterned with smaller maple leaves and her delicate feet were encased by soft gold sandals. The elderly shopkeeper had decided to skimp on the normally overwhelming geisha makeup, only applying a light blush to her cheeks. The kendo club president's hair was not in its usual tightly wound bun, but in a loose one, held together by a pair of red chopsticks and letting her bangs frame her face. To describe her in one word, Shirou would've said that Aurora's costume encompassed in human form the splendour of an autumn sunset.
"You look… You look.." Shirou struggled to find the right words. "Really.. Cool."
"Th-thank you. You also look.." Saber was lost for words. Shirou was exceptionally handsome in a navy jacket and a light grey male kimono. Above the kimono was a pair of dark grey hakama tied with a length of dark blue sash. With a long wooden katana tucked into his obi, Shirou definitely looked the part of an Edo-style hero of justice.
The old couple ruined the romantic atmosphere by bustling over with wooden swords for the both of them, ushering them out.
"Have fun, you two!"
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Saber and Shirou spent a good four hours at the movie village, visiting the open air museum, watching a "ninja show" and even going to the haunted house, from which Shirou had emerged quivering. Saber was amused by this; who would've thought that one who had been in a grail war and seen winged horses that could level skyscrapers, Masters who'd been trained assassins and a swarthy giant capable of ripping a man limb from limb would be scared by a haunted house? They travelled quietly, words not needed to express the atmosphere of comfort and friendship and.. More.
Saber and Shirou were just passing a stage, on which actors would perform skits when they heard frustrated complaining from behind it. Curious, they headed in the direction of the noise and saw a burly, bearded man practically shouting down the phone.
"What do you mean you can't make it, Noriko? Harima and Tanaka have already called in sick, how are we gonna perform our last act?"
In his anger, the man seemed oblivious to the two teenagers standing in front of him. He groaned, irritated. "Urgh that's it! Don't bother turning up tomorrow! Yes, I am aware I won't be able to do the show anyway, but it sure does make me feel better. Well, good riddance to you too!" he hung up, snorting with disdain, only to realise Shirou and Saber had heard everything.
"Ah, sorry you had to hear that," he sighed apologetically. "I suppose you kids were wanting to see the show today but I suppose that ain't gonna happen." he hawked and spat on the ground. "My lead actors called in sick and the person I was on the phone with had had a little too much sake last night. I suppose we won't be able to do our last skit. Pity though, it's my favourite."
"O-oh.. Is there something we can do about it?" inquired Shirou, feeling sorry for the man and the scores of excited children he'd seen wanting to see the show.
"Hmmm.." The big man weighed his options. "Not really, unless one or both of you have decent acting skills and know how to swing a sword properly. Especially you, lady, 'cuz the lead female wields a katana."
"As a matter of fact, we do!" piped Shirou and Saber wanted to facepalm. He really took the "hero-of-justice" thing too far sometimes.
"That is.. If it's not too much trouble for you, Aurora." he added, looking to her for consent. Saber sighed but nodded. The director, who introduced himself as Nakamura, was delighted. Instantly, he was showering them with thanks and hustling them away to meet their fellow cast and familiarise themselves with their parts.
Saber looked over the script, blushing. It just had to be a love story! Shirou, too, was blushing, but Nakamura didn't seem to notice.
"There you go!" he beamed. "We go onstage in half an hour. Ask the other actors if you need help. Good luck!"
Saber and Shirou looked at each other, flushed, and quickly made excuses to learn their lines. Behind a stage set, Nakamura rubbed his hands together in glee. It was going to be a good show.
Meanwhile, Saber briefly skimmed through the script. To her great embarrassment, the play was, in a nutshell, one of those where the happy couple are unable to be together for whatever reason and one of them is meant to marry someone else. As she read, Saber cursed the writer, as there were many, many lines she did NOT feel comfortable reading. Why did it have to be so cheesy? And at the end, it involved her in a very..interesting position with Shirou.
"Just admit it. You're looking forward to it," Saber had the urge to throttle the sibilant whisper, which always seemed to make an appearance at the worst of times.
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"Are you ready?" Nakamura whispered to Saber and Shirou. The high school students were huddled behind the curtain, both victims of last-minute nerves.
"Y-yeah.." Shirou muttered. He squeezed Aurora's hand, providing reassurance to them both.
"Great! I'll pull up the curtain and the narrator will start reading. Don't forget your lines, guys!" Nakamura sauntered off and sure enough, a minute later, the curtain rose upon a stage empty of all but a backdrop of cherry blossom trees. From the other side of the stage, Shirou saw Nakamura signalling them to move onstage. Someone shoved him roughly, and Shirou practically stumbled onto the stage. The narrator, not waiting forShirou to regain balance, began to read.
"Once upon a time, there lived a poor but kind young man. He lived by himself on the banks of a river, making a living by making swords. This man was called Yuu and he was madly in love with Nozomi, the daughter of a wealthy samurai."
Saber took her verbal cue and strode onstage, still rather unfamiliar with the mechanics of being a effeminate, passive Edo period girl. 'This is so embarrassing!' she thought, as she flicked her fan in front of her face, fluttering it delicately. The narrator continued.
"Now Nozomi too loved him deeply and the two would spend many long hours together by the riverbank, watching the changing leaves." Shirou got down on one knee and took Saber's hand, kissing it gently. Saber went a beautiful tomato colour but maintained the act.
"However, one day, tragedy struck. Nozomi's father arranged for her to be wed to a merchant named Hiroshi. Yuu was heartbroken and he decided to take up the issue with his lover."
Shirou sat on a "rock", still holding Saber's hand in his lap and said, "If only there was a way for you to avoid this marriage!"
"Oh, Yuu," Saber inwardly cringed. "How it pains me to lose you!"
"Never fear, dearest." Saber was awed by Shirou's acting skills (when necessary). "I will be with you always,as it is fate that drew us together and fate that wants to tear us apart!"
Her next line flashed through her mind and Saber spoke without a trace of sarcasm or insincerity that she feared had plagued her earlier lines. "You must not think that way, Yuu. You must move on and be with someone who will never be out of your reach."
Shirou's heart stopped. It was almost as if Saber was telling him that, from wherever she was. Heart pounding in his chest, Shirou replied, "There is but one solution; we must run away together, for I would rather die with you than live without you."
"Oh Yuu! I would scarcely have dared hope! Whence and where shall we meet?"
"By the old cherry blossom tree at midnight, from there we will leave."
"Ah!" Saber twisted around, as if she'd heard a sound. "They're calling for me! Goodbye for now, at midnight shall we meet again!" she kissed him on the cheek, stood up and went offstage. When she was safely behind the curtain, she took several deep breaths to soothe her racing pulse. The next scene began behind her, with Nozomi's father and fiancé discussing their plans to intercept the lovers' escape, Hiroshi having overheard their conversation. The minutes ticked by and soon Saber realised it was time for her entrance. She strode confidently across the stage, addressing her "father".
"Good evening, father. You called?" she asked politely. Shirou watched from behind the curtain on the other side of the stage as Nozomi's father locked her in her room and refused to let her out until she'd agreed to forsake Yuu so he could live. He leant against the wall, thinking quickly.
'Saber.. What would you say if you could see me now? Am I in this for a reason? Are you telling me it's alright to move on?'
For once, the voice that would've normally made some kind of jab at such a thought said nothing. Shirou clenched his fists and almost missed Nakamura's cue for him to get onstage. He did so, glancing quickly at the set, now painted with dark blue hues to represent it being nighttime. His gaze swept his surroundings in an arc, seeing no trace of his lover but of the tall, well-built actor playing Hiroshi.
"Where is she?" Shirou asked cautiously. Hiroshi laughed mirthlessly.
"She must really have loved you; she's agreeing to marry me so your ugly face doesn't end up on the chopping block.
Shirou stepped back. "She did that for me?"
Hiroshi took a step towards him. "Yes. What a pity her efforts are about to go to waste." Two masked men crept up behind Shirou and grabbed his arms. Shirou struggled in their grip and from that position saw Nakamura give him a thumbs up. Keeping up the good act, Shirou snarled
"You'll never get away with this!"
"Oh, I'm shaking," smirked the other man. "Take him away."
The kids gasped and chattered excitedly as Shirou was dragged offstage. Once he was safely backstage, Shirou reached into his pocket and grabbed his phone, which was vibrating in his pocket.
"Hello?"
"Shirou? Where the hell are you now? Why are there excited kids and weird music in the background?"
"Ah, Tosaka.. You see, I brought Aurora to Movie Village and.."
"Move Village? Shirou, you're the worst! You promised you'd take her to Kiyomizudera!"
"Yeah, I know, Tosaka." Shirou brushed off Nakamura, who was telling him to get his butt onstage in five as the next scene was being performed.
"Shirou, who was that? What was he talking about when he said to get onstage? What on earth are you doing over there?"
"T-Tosaka, see, Aurora and I kind of agreed to take part in this skit and all-"
"You forced her into it didn't you, Shirou? How could you?"
"We-well the kids were realy looking forward to seeing us perform and this Nakamura fellow asked if we could fill in for the missing actors."
"Honestly," Rin sighed. "Next thing I know, you'll be kissing babies."
"Well, there was that one time I-"
"No! No! I don't want to know!" Rin clamped her hand over her other ear. "Just.. Go."
"Yeah! Don't worry Tosaka, everything will be fine. Trust me." Shirou hung up with a sigh. He was so going to be killed when he got back..
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Next scene. Setting: a stereotypical dungeon.
Shirou leaned dejectedly against the 'bars' of his prison. He drew swirling patterns on the floor, stopping when he heard footsteps approaching. Looking up, he saw Aurora hurrying towards him and his heart leapt.
"Nozomi, what are you doing here?" Shirou reached out and clasped her hands through the bars.
"I found out everything from my maid," she whispered. "I'm getting you out of here."
"But you could be killed!" Shirou protested.
"It matters not." The locks fell to the ground with a clink. "We must run, now."
Shirou opened his mouth to reply but at that moment, a troupe of armed samurai guards poured into the jail, roaring their fury.
"Take this!" Aurora tossed Shirou a sword and they began to press through the horde. The actors hired to play the samurai guards were very well trained and they fell back just as they felt Shirou or Saber's swords make contact with their armour, resulting in a pretty realistic battle scene. In the carnage, the two managed to escape, steal Hiroshi's horse and ride off to the next town. There, they sat down to rest, the adrenaline from the combat fading from their veins.
"Yuu, I.." Saber did not meet his eyes. "I should never have dragged you into this. Now where are we to go? What will we do?" Seeing his stony face, she continued. "Perhaps it would be best if I returned and you fled to another village and-"
Shirou stepped forward, taking her in his arms, dipping her slightly and staring intensely into her eyes. The blush on her face could never have been that of a mere actress. "I won't hear any of that," he said. "We're in this together. I can become a Samurai and with your sword skills, maybe you could too. I'll take you anywhere!"
"Sh-Yuu that's.." Saber nearly called him Shirou by accident, being thrown off balance by his actions. Was he really acting or was this…?
Shirou didn't really hear the kids in the background calling "Kiss! Kiss!". He didn't really hear the other actors whispering things like "cute couple, don't you think?" or Nakamura wolf whistling. There was nothing else in the precious milliseconds where he dipped his face to hers and their lips met. The children cheered, the actors clapped and Nakamura's jaw dropped.
"O-oi! That wasn't in the script…"
But of course, nobody listened.
A/N: Well a staged kiss counts as a kiss, right? Or not? Wait til next chapter to find out! Leave 70 reviews at the door and the next one will be up in a jiffy - wrapping up the Kyoto story arc and beginning the final one! Drum rooooooolllllll!