"...now then, besides your mission, there's one more thing." Doctor Roman paces around, adjusting the Rayshift systems to the proper coordinates. Finally, they've returned to the Chaldeas conference room. The very same room set ablaze by sabotage the day he had arrived. Now it's pristine, a serene blue and white light surrounding CHALDEAS. A far cry from the inferno disaster he remembers. It's been a couple of days since Roman cleared them for their mission. In truth, they could have left earlier, but he had decided against it in favor of further preparations and training in Chaldea Gate. At least it's what he had said on the surface anyway. Maybe he's truly nervous deep inside. If only because of his Demi-Servant.

There, Mashu stands beside him, listening to the Doctor's briefing intently. Even Four, who had found a place on the girl's shoulder, is paying more attention than he is. He wants to listen, he's doing his best to do so, but the event which had come to pass prevents him from it. After all, he had found happiness with her at his side. Perhaps for her sake, he can't bear to see her get hurt? Inwardly his heart pounds with increasing rapidity, his eyes stealing furtive sideward glances at Shielder. Somehow, he can't help but think she's just as nervous, despite her taciturn appearance. After all, this is the first official Grand Order. If Fuyuki had been dangerous, he can't imagine what sort of situation they would be getting themselves into.

And it doesn't help that the only one who seems a bit too eager and calm keeps staring at him.

Ushiwakamaru. Standing right beside Mashu.

The armored and agile girl who had trained with them in Chaldea Gate. Her prowess with her katana and athleticism was a display of sheer skill. Mashu had expressed her surprise without reserve at how capable the Servant had been in dealing with the simulated enemies. Maybe it's because she's a true Servant? Or it's just to be expected from Japan's most historically renowned general. Her speed, her bladework, and her maneuverability, all of it precise and without hesitation.

He can only describe her with one word in that sense, "elegant". Even with how her armor exposes her midriff, it only serves to accentuate her graceful figure. Truly, though her appearance is a young girl's, she has the body of a refined warrior. But the most captivating and defining feature about her are her eyes. Sharp and piercing blue eyes, devoid of any sense of panic or nervousness. Despite cutting down innumerable waves of enemies, her even gaze had remained unchanged. A gaze which seems to expose his very soul.

He still remembers her eyes from days ago, peering from behind Doctor Roman's back. She had watched him and Mashu, hadn't she? He's sure of it. Maybe it's why she's looking at him now. Without thinking, he steals a glance at her, as subtly as he can anyway. He has to make sure.

The keen blue eyes he meets nearly causes his blood to freeze. Though only for a moment.

She knows. The fleeting grin on her lips proves she knows. And it throws him off balance completely. Rider's smile. It's a playful if not daring smile. A smile displayed by someone eager to prove their worth. It disappears just as quickly as her stare, her blue gaze returning to Roman.

But to him, the stare lingers and his memories take him back a few days ago.

A flash of steel and a loud clang rings within his ears. He's barely able to keep up with her. It's true in Fuyuki they had faced more assaults than rookies were expected to handle, but this is something else. And coming from a single person. Well, rather, not a person, but a Servant. A servant clad in armor that scantly covers her graceful figure, enough to preserve her modesty, but little else. And this Servant is the second one he had formally contracted with. He finds himself lost. Mesmerized by the symphony of steel and artful bounds she takes as she strikes down one simulated opponent and quickly leaps to another. Even Mashu can barely keep up with her, her positioning firmly keeping her rooted to the ground.

"Hyaa!" Her effortful cry echoes in his ears, smashing her massive shield she wields against and then through the enemy.

And there he stands, two beautiful young girls fighting at his side, and he can do little but duck and cover, avoiding the incoming blows and arrows aimed at him.

"A Master out in the field is always in constant danger of being attacked! This sort of exercise should keep you sharp enough for the next mission! What? Don't worry this sort of exercise isn't designed to kill you!" Doctor Roman's lecture is still fresh in his mind. The doctor had suggested they trained before heading out for the Grand Order, but he hadn't expected this. Especially not when Rider had requested the difficulty be set a step higher than what Fuyuki had been. And Fuyuki had already been difficult enough.

But here they are, Shielder's blows coming against skeletal enemies and savage werebeasts, Rider's blade deftly cutting through hide and bones.

It's an entrancing sight, seeing the both of them clearly. The haze of smoke and fire in Fuyuki had obscured his vision, making them little more than blurred figures. But in Chaldea Gate, the brightly simulated fields and artificial lighting enables him a clear view of the both of them. So long as he's not busy dodging and fleeing from arrows and spear points that is.

He can't say it now, but they're both beautiful in their own way. The Demi-Servant's solid and full-frontal style with her shield only serves to amplify the force of her attacks. It's rather fitting each blow she makes fits in with her hardworking personality. Not an ounce of movement is wasted as the force spreads across the quickly crumbling skeletal warrior. Rider's athletic agility contrasts Mashu in a perfectly complimentary way. Swift and decisive, each slash and stab makes short work of her werebeast targets, enabling her to leap off and turn to another without losing pace. In between dodging a soaring arrow and harrowingly escaping a spear shaft to his side, he wonders just how she's classified under Rider. It would seem Saber may be more fitting. Her swordwork is magnificent after all. But he still has his own priorities to fulfill, such as staying out of harm's way.

It takes a moment, but he manages to pull his gaze away from the fighting pair in order to scan the battlefield. The arrows from far off have been a nuisance for his two Servants at best. But for him, he finds himself increasingly out of breath just sprinting behind trees and rocks for cover. It doesn't help the occasional werebeast manages to circumvent Mashu and rush at him, flushing him from his positions. This is one of the rare moments he's able to properly spot where the archers are positioned.

"Rider! There, at the top of that hill!" Even calling out to his Servant is an effort on his part. He can scarcely catch his breath after all. But he does feel a faint bit of accomplishment watching Rider glancing over towards him to confirm his command.

"Without delay, Master!" She doesn't sound the least bit out of breath. With a flourish of her slender blade, she artfully parries her savage werebeast opponent's attack, swiftly slicing through its torso before turning towards the hill he had indicated. Just in time to catch sight of the new wave of enemies charging her position.

"Shielder, cover Rider while she makes a break for the archers!" He's not even thinking twice about his orders; everything he's saying comes instinctually. He's barely even able to register the girl is still busy fighting off the skeletons surrounding her. But perhaps subconsciously, he's confident in her skills as a Servant. It seems she hears him too, as with a powerful smash of her shield, she disintegrates two of the simulated undead to clear a way for herself.

"Hai, Senpai!" She's not exhausted, but he can tell she's winded simply by how hard she's breathing. Still, her voice and actions are confident, even as she dashes over towards her fellow Servant's position. Positioning her shield in front of herself, she throws her entire bodyweight against it, tackling and smashing aside one of the attacking werebeast's flank. The force of her impact is enough to send the howling creature flying into its violent companion, knocking the two towering enemies aside as two others move in to close the gap.

"Rider, now-...!" Before he's even able to blurt out his order the blazingly agile servant has already dashed forward, blitzing past the two closing opponents. Her initiative definitely fits in with her history, but it's so seemingly impulsive. He doesn't want to call her reckless but she seems just a bit too eager. Even from where he's taking cover it's nearly impossible for him to discern how fast Rider's moving. Each bounding leap and flip across the terrain only propels her faster towards the group of archers he had called out.

Her figure and fluidity of movement captivates him. And even from where he is he can see it, just barely. A small grin upon her face. A joy or eagerness for the battle perhaps? Such a miniscule detail only emphasizes her bodily movements all the more. Even as she reaches the base of the hill, there's no breaks in her speed. She squats for the briefest of seconds upon landing, only to effortlessly kick off the ground in the blink of an eye. For him, simply watching her skim through the air lasts an eternity. The brightness of the room only serves to accentuate her body and enrapture him. The slenderness of her agile legs, the paleness of her unblemished skin, the flow of her silken-black hair, it all hypnotizes him. In the back of his mind he can only find himself desiring her.

Another volley of arrows flies forth towards her, let loose by the group of enemies she's swiftly closing in upon. Her brisk landing at the base of the hill has finally managed to alert the skeletons to the closing distance between them. Unfortunately, even as they shift their attention away from Shielder to target her, she's already blazing her way upwards in graceful leaps. By the time the simulated undead has finished readying another arrow, Rider's upon them.

She doesn't so much as smash into the first skeletal archer as Mashu's done. Instead, she glides past it, her sharpened blade effortlessly disintegrating bone, carried by the artfully built up momentum of her movement moments prior. She doesn't even need to swing her sword, the metal neatly sheering through dried ribs and spinal columns. The instant she passes through her destroyed target her blade flashes for one concise second, cutting the skeleton in front of her in twain. As the two crumble he finds himself in complete awe. So this is the true power of a Servant, making enemies seemingly a trivial nuisance. Rider completes her landing atop the hill with a dive forward. Rolling once on the grassy terrain to lessen the force of her own maneuver, she pushes herself up into the air once more with one lithe arm.

The gymnastic stunt propels her several feet in the air, silhouetting her against the artificial sunlight. If he had been anyone else, he'd see her only as an exceptionally beautiful young girl, such is her seemingly delicate build. But her armor, her movements, and the keenness in her eyes enables him see her as much more. That of a talented and genius warrior, eager to prove her worth. Methodically, she brings her blade down with an overhead swing against the skull of the final undead archer. The skeleton's brittle skull doesn't even crumble against the force of her cut. Instead, as she completes her attack against it, its two halves fall to either side, a testament to her precision and force.

Each second ticks by like an eternity. His eyes are fixated on her. Everything about her is on point and accurate. The destroyed simulation only hits the ground after she completes her landing, her katana stopping just short of the grass at her feet. He knows in reality all of this has happened within a minute of him pointing out where the enemy archers had been. And now, nothing. Rider has completed her objective without delay, just as she has promised. He can only find himself admiring her from a literal distance, unable to break away his stare. This is a Servant. A legend of history, and she's under his command.

In a way, he feels second-rate. After all, he's just a rookie. But at the same time he knows he can only get better from here.

"...because you have high growth potential!" Mashu's words echo in his head. It's a small comfort he can afford. He doesn't feel any sort of exhaustion aside from the pure physical exertion he's gone through today. A far cry from when he had been in the ruins of Fuyuki city. It's enough for him to muster a smile just as Rider stands up, her slender and athletic legs straightening. Perhaps she's happy for this sort of action, or perhaps she simply enjoys proving herself in combat. Either way, as she turns to face him, he can see the smile upon her face. A different sort from when she had leapt into combat. It's still an eager smile, but eager for praise. Something he, as her master, can give her. It makes him feel a swell of pride within himself.

"Great work, Rider!" His voice is a bit hoarse, but he knows he's clear. After all, the way her eyes widen in surprise for the smallest moment lets him know she's heard him. Maybe she wasn't expecting him to actually call out to her, but it's exactly why the confident smile she returns to him is all the greater. If only for a second. The expression fades almost immediately as her eyes sharpen again and she makes a start towards him from the top of the hill.

"MASTER! Behind you!" Mashu's voice rouses him from his trance just as she smashes away the last beastman. Instantaneously, he knows something is wrong. If only a moment too late as his surroundings darken. Before he's able to so much as turn and get a good look at his attacker, his vision explodes into colors.

The impact against the left side of his head doesn't leave him reeling as it sends him flying. The simulated grass, so previously soft under his feet doesn't provide any sort of welcoming cushion for his impact. He can't even control his own limbs to soften the blow as he crumples onto the ground. The pain in his head is intense, his ears ringing like someone has set off all fire alarms right next to him. Dimly he can hear screaming. Barely, just barely, it sounds like Shielder. But he can't even properly process it right now, only groan as he tries to get up, flopping his arms and groping around the grass. It only serves to roll him onto his back, his eyes still seeing bright lights. But they dim soon enough as his sight gradually returns in increments.

There, looming before him, a snarling and massive werebeast. The mace it had clubbed him with is slowly rising into the air again, ready to deal the final blow. He instinctively shuts his eyes, but attempts to move his body anyways. He has to at least try to get away, even if he would end up with one half of his body smashed to dust by a heavy metal mace. The pain in his head is still intense, flashes of pain makes seconds feel like minutes. And with each second that ticks by, he's a sitting duck.

As his fractured thoughts return to him he can only berate himself for acting so stupidly. Not paying attention, not giving orders, merely watching his Servants fight and letting himself get caught up with their display of abilities. He deserves this, doesn't he? This sort of behaviour wouldn't have him last more than a few seconds out in the field. Maybe he got lucky in Fuyuki. Maybe he only avoided death because Shielder and Rider had risked themselves for him the entire time. And now, without them at his side, he can't even dodge a single devastating blow properly. Perhaps the Director is right, he's just a rookie. If any other properly trained Master candidate had been in this situation, they would have probably not even been winded. But...

He's the only one left, isn't he? The only one who can properly carry out the Grand Orders. The only one who's in command of Servants. If he loses here, how can he save humanity's future? How can he...how can he see Mashu's hopes for mankind fulfilled? She's relying on him as much as he's relying on her isn't she? He can't simply give up now, not with her smile and her happiness on the line. And Rider as well. Though she has said little with him, he can't help but feel she's also relying on him. Perhaps for his acceptance, or simply his praise.

In that moment, he makes up his mind. He'd escape this.

Instantly, his eyes flash open and focus in on the vicious werebeast. To his surprise, the creature's club is already coming downwards, aimed at his head. If it had just been a second slower, he could get out of the way. But he's sure it will strike him and his body instinctively tenses for the incoming attack. Though he's loathe to admit it, he fears pain, as does anyone else. Already, the pain in his head is exploding again. He had been prepared for injuries and wounds when the responsibilities of saving humanity's future fell onto him. But now he doesn't feel at all prepared. Gritting his teeth he flops his body to the side, trying desperately to roll to the left side. He knows it's too late, but he has to try.

The pain never comes.

"Dan-no-ura! Hassotoubi!"

The words echo in his mind. Then there's silence for the longest time. The only company he has is the high-pitched noise bouncing around in his skull.

"Master!" Rider and Shielder's voices replace the ringing in his ears. His chest is still heaving from how hard he's struggling to breath, his head still thudding with a dull pain. He can feel two hands grabbing hold of his right arm, gentle but firm.

"S-senpai are you alright?!" The panic in Mashu's voice rouses him, her hands trembling against his arm.

"Knngh..." He tries to muster his own voice, but he cant seem to find any words, even as he rolls onto his back again.

"He took a blow to the side of the head, he might be unconscious! I'll lift his head up and keep him steady!" Rider's words come out clearly, but he can detect the worry within them. He didn't think she'd have any sort of medical knowledge. Though perhaps her experience on the fields of battle passively comes with such know-how. The first bit of movement causes him to open his mouth to yelp, but he can't seem to produce any sort of sound from his throat. Only a dry and half gagged cough comes out as he feels his head and shoulders being lifted up only to settle a moment later on something soft. Something warm and comfortable that's managing to prevent him from tilting his head to either side. The pulsating pain in his head begins to fade.

"Ah! I-I could have done that for senpai, Rider!" Mashu words are flustered, filled with embarrassment derived from something she's witnessing. Now he's wondering what she sees.

"I've already promised to stay at our Master's side until the very end. Shielder, get the doctor!" Rider doesn't sound indignant, rather she's completely serious with her intentions. Now he really wonders just what's going on. With no small amount of effort he cracks his eyes open.

He can see her looming above him. Rider's barely covered and developed breasts, hidden from view only by the panels of her armor, and now he can nearly see them. It seems she's shifted his head onto her thighs, resting him against her lap as a makeshift-pillow. Her shapely and well-toned thighs, serving to keep his head steady? The thought of it causes his blood to rush into his head. Very carefully, cranes his neck side to side. He can't exactly explain the reasoning behind his actions, but the silken softness of the skin his head is pressed against confirms the transpiring moments aren't a dream.

"B-but...I also-!" Shielder sounds like she's about to voice a complaint, only to cut herself off at the last moment. Given her proximity directly at his right, he can see her just out of the corner of his eyes. She doesn't only sound agitated but looks completely so, her violet stare wandering back and forth between him and Rider. It can't be, is she jealous? "Let me take a look at him first!"

"I don't doubt your medical knowledge, Shielder. But I've done this in countless battles already!" Rider's sharp blue gaze is even and unflinching. She's committed, to be sure. His head's still throbbing and it feels as if any sudden movements might cause the boiling pain to spill over. And almost as if reading his mind, he feels it. A delicate pair of hands, pressing against the sides of his head. They gently massage his temple and ease the aching. It's tender, much too tender to be the legendary warrior he's resting his head against. Right?

"This should help with circulation and relieve him temporarily..." Rider's voice erases the notion altogether. He should have expected it, but he can't help but feel surprised. The quality of her smooth fingertips against his skin is not something he would think a warrior of her calibre would possess. But there they are, gliding against the sides of his face and applying tension at certain points. There isn't any pain, only the feeling of a slight bit of pressure before it's relieved. Her words are soothing, completely confident and assuring in their tone. The softness of her thighs and her caring demeanor only further lulls him into a sense of security. Enough to allow him to relax completely. He doesn't even feel it, but the tension and grimace on his face quickly disappears.

"See, he's better already, Shielder." The sigh of relief Rider gives is quiet. She sounds like she's finished fulfilling another duty, her tone a bit matter-of-factly.

"Th-that's...-!" Mashu's raises her voice again, only for Rider to interrupt her before she can give off her opinion.

"There are no more enemies around to battle, so why hasn't this imaginary field faded yet? It can only be that the one in charge of maintaining it isn't paying attention, don't you think?" Come to think of it, she's right. If they've already dealt with all the simulated enemies, why does he still feel the grass underneath his back? Doctor Roman should be carefully monitoring their performance after all, unless he's distracted by something else. With the way Rider continues to soothingly massage his temples with her skillful yet tender fingertips, the pain gradually fades off enough to allow him to open his eyes definitively. The gaze she's exchanging with Shielder is formal and unflinching, but receptive all the same. He doesn't expect any less of her to notice him. Her sharp blue eyes aren't just for show, instantly she breaks her stare from Mashu to gaze down at him.

"Ah, he's waking up now!" He finds himself staring back up at her, her expressions changing for the most miniscule moment. She has a beautiful smile. A timid yet natural smile that brings out the beauty of her charmingly framed face, and he can swear she's blushing. It's almost as if she's fixated entirely on him. He finds himself unable to do anything but stare back, incapable of breaking eye contact. Her modest yet pert breasts, hiding away her nipples so appealingly underneath the panels of her armor. Her attentive and loyal gaze is further enlivened by relief. It all enraptures him, encompassing his entirety. But the fleeting image only lasts for a heartbeat, her facial features shifting back to her normal expression just as fast. But at least it's proof she does care for him. Well, perhaps it's only at a professional level. After all, he's her Master and source of being. Though the image lingers, so realistically and affectionately. If only for a moment anyways.

"Senpai! Do you feel any sort of pain? Does your head still hurt?!" Mashu's words come out hurriedly, and soon her violet eyes engulf his vision.

"Haaah..w-well..." He finally finds his own voice, blinking rapidly as his kouhai's panicked tone stirs his dazed mind. "I should be alright...j-just a bit of a...knh..."

"You're not alright, senpai! Rider, let me examine Master a bit!" She isn't hysterical, but she sounds hesitant. She really doesn't want to leave his side does she?

"He's conscious and speaking, isn't he? Clearly my treatment's aiding him right now; there isn't any need for further examinations. If you would fetch the Doctor, our Master can receive proper aid! I've already said it, I've promised to remain at his side until the very end."

"And I've made the same promise! You're much faster as well, Rider! I can treat senpai while you fetch the Doctor!" Despite their tones, at least they haven't raised their volume, though Mashu's violet eyes are clearly clashing with Rider's blue gaze now.

"I can respect your promise as much as you can mine, Shielder. But what does it matter right now? I'm capable of taking care of Master until the Doctor's arrival!"

"It matters because senpai and I...-!" Mashu cuts herself off again, unable to find the proper words for her current feelings. But it seems Rider instinctively picks up on just what's bothering her.

"So...is it because you're in lo-..."

They're both rather stubborn about their positions at his side. He doesn't know if he should feel complimented. Given the situation and their imminent Grand Order, this sort of relationship in the fields would be detrimental to progress wouldn't it? And with the way this conversation is going, it might become a full-blown argument. As their Master he can't simply let this sort of disagreement devolve into something that may seriously hinder their goals. Even with how comfortable Rider's lap and fingertips are against his head, he has to act. It takes no small amount of effort, but he manages to open his mouth his arms moving in order to prop himself up.

"Now, now! B-both of you!" He still feels dizzy, but at least the pain is reduced to nothing more than a mild throbbing. With a deep breath he deliberately sits himself up in order to look both his Servants in the eyes. "There isn't any point in arguing like this is there? If I do seriously suffer an injury out in the field..."

His vision is starting to blur a bit even as he looks between Rider and Shielder. It's a bit of an effort to even look stern.

"...what would happen if both of you were to..."

He doesn't notice it but he's already starting to sway. The blood in his head is starting to follow the laws of gravity, along with his ability to perceive images.

"...act like this...?" His vision blacks out, along with his ability to keep any sort of balance.

The last thing he hears comes from both his Servants, a single word spoken in unison and panic.

"MASTER!"

...

...

He's jolted back to his senses by a quick shake on his right shoulder.

"Huh? What? Yea, of course! Sorry, I just…this is a lot to take in." His words sputter out and he can feel all eyes in the room upon him. Of course he had zoned out, and the embarrassment only runs into his head.

Doctor Roman scratches his head and shrugs.

"Well, as long as you remember your exercises and training in the simulation room, everything should go accordingly. You have two Servants now after all, and even the lewdly dressed one is growing to be a good kouhai!"

"Wait, huh?" His eyes quickly look towards his side. He had expected Mashu to be gazing at him intently. But instead he stares back into the same sharp blue eyes he had looked up towards but only a few days ago. The soft touch of Rider's hand now seems a lot more pronounced than before, and he can only stiffen. Her expression flickers for a moment again, a teasing hint of knowing what he had been thinking. And it disappears just as swiftly. Though he catches her smile once more. A smile which causes his lungs to intake a generous amount of air.

"Well then Master, our training should guide us through the upcoming battles. Though…" Her voice softens as her delicate fingers slowly slide down his right arm. "…both Shielder and I, we hope you will watch over us when we cannot."

The way she's looking at him, and the way her words had flowed out…

She's being completely genuine. For this fleeting moment, she's completely vulnerable and looking up at him, almost as if he were and older…

"Well, there you have it! Synergy between Servant and Master is quite important. And so is establishing communications once you've all successfully Rayshifted!" Doctor Roman's voice pulls him out of his trance, the wonderful blue eyes in front of him shifting away. Right, they had a Grand Order to attend to.

But…

What was that any ways? That brief second of vulnerability he hasn't seen from Rider before. His gaze shifts towards the acting Chaldeas Head and he nods.

"You'll have to do whatever you need to deal with that time period. I'll be praying for your success! Remember too, I'll be waiting for your communications establishment when you reach 15th Century France!" The Doctor quickly hurries to the controls to start up the process.

And as he slowly makes his way towards his "coffin" to properly Rayshift, he takes a few moments to glance at both his Servants. Mashu turns to give him one final smile before slipping inside of hers. The same heartwarming smile which had captured his heart many times before.

And Rider…

Rider simply nods once before hopping inside spryly.

"Unsummon Program started. Beginning leyline conversion." The announcer's mechanical voice starts up within the room.

Settling himself inside of the enclosed capsule, he watches the lid of the coffin close in on him. He really doesn't understand her. But he's sure, just for the most minuscule moment, she had given him a final playful smirk.

"Ray Shift beginning in 3, 2, 1..."

Well, it seems the relative success of my previous Interlewd with Mashu has garnered the slightest bit of attention. So here I'll present to you gentlemen (and the few ladies who enjoy this), A Brief Interlude, featuring the lovely and lewdly-dressed Ushiwakamaru! I might as well make it an effort to put out at least a teaser chapter given I've received three reviews at this point. So thank you, my three reviewers, for giving me the encouragement I need to publish this chapter. I can only hope I can verily complete Interlewd on schedule. But I promise it shall be done! So until then, leave more reviews (or not, you can save it for when the actual lemon pies come), or just make it an effort to follow this story!