I'm Already Married!

by Yuhabahha

For want of a nail, Kiritsugu summons an entirely different Saber. A Saber that has the potential to perhaps be even more powerful than the King he would have summoned in another time and place. ...The only problem being the unintended consequences caused by the new Saber's summoning...as well as the fact that in this timeline the world's oldest Hero is a woman...

2. Chapter 2

If you think a certain event comes out of left field and you haven't read Senpai's original story but you know your Nasu lore, I ask that you remember who I said the protagonist 'yoinked'/married in Babylonia and what her powers could potentialy do...

---

2 minutes prior

Unbidden, a grin spread across Abzu's face as he parried and weaved between blows from Lancer, nicks, scratches and grooves spreading across his golden armor and body, with Saber doing his best to return the favor.

Perhaps, he'd been a tad too harsh with the battle maniac of a brat.

For even though, none of his aspects were fond of battle, not even those two. This… this was almost fun.

"Oof!"

Flying backwards from the red-eyed man's kick, digging a hole through the sheet of metal behind him as if it was paper. He could admit, that he could do without being kicked.

Spitting a pair of panties out of his mouth and bringing his sword forth in a downward swing, meeting the man's spear and making Lancer wince from the force behind it, he grinned, and drove a punch with his other hand into the man's torso. Making his eyes bulge just as Saber's back hit the second wall of the container, bursting through that as well, all the while batting aside a growling Lancer's retaliatory thrusts.

Still, he blinked.

Is…is that a crossdresser? He couldn't help but wonder as below them both, an almost naked redhead lay face down, causing Abzu to catch sight of rather more than he wished too.

And judging by Lancer's grimace and quick aversion of his eyes, this wasn't some figment of either of their imagination.

But, in that case, neither was the sight of Lady Irisviel running away to his right, and he suspected that Lancer had seen her as well.

Emulating a move from Lancer. Abzu, knowing that another sheet of metal was drawing close behind him, let out a burst of mana, flipping through the air faster than Lancer expected. Landing on the sheet, caving it in as he exploded towards Lancer and spun into a retaliatory kick.

The Light of Ireland grinned at him, expecting this one and thrust his spear downwards, digging it into the concrete, arresting his momentum.

"Sucker," Saber said, and slammed his wing downwards, cuffing the man on the back of his neck, making his eyes bulge while a quick rap on the wrist, courtesy of Saber's talons ensured he let go of the spear.

And in the brief instant that had gravity blink and not yet resume its hold, Abzu's other arm shot forward, grasping Lancer's leg as his built up momentum shot him past the man, and, with another burst of prana and a flap of his wings, Saber spun in a dizzying movement and hurled Lancer upwards and away from the downed redhead, and more importantly, Lady Irisviel.

With a flap of his wings, he shot off like a bullet, grasping his sword with both hands, roaring and seeking to bisect the man in spandex.

But, tumbling through the air or not, Lancer was far from defenseless.

For with a quick mutter and his fingers tracing on the air, a set of golden letters appeared on the air, rushing to intercept Saber just as Lancer thrust his other arm forward.

Shit! I forgot about those!

Flapping his wings and pushing a bit of prana to the side proved enough for Saber to dodge out of the way of all but one of the golden blazing runes.

Saber inwardly cursed and winced as the magic letter touched his armor. Well, one can't be that bad— and his eyes flew wide as the rest of the chain of letters seemed to snap and follow the 'leader', as if they were a chain. Shit! He groaned and the world seemed to slow.

Despite the situation, Abzu couldn't help but smirk and snort, for given his looks and the time based nature of the attack… Well, suffice to say, the irony wasn't lost on him.

But, just as quickly, the smirk vanished, and since he rather doubted Lancer had something good in store for him, Saber pulled hard on his internal reserves, boosting his speed, his senses, his reinforcement as well as giving in to his nature a tad further, causing his muscles and stature to grow.

Still, it all barely proved enough.

"Argh!" a roar of agony left his lips, his back arching as a familiar spear of red pierced his lower left abdomen as it heeded the call of its Master, returning to him.

"Shit. I'd hoped that would've been enough," Lancer murmured, eyes wide.

Saber, spitting a globule of blood as red dripped down the side of his chin, grinned.

For if nothing else, at least Lancer's attack also shattered the runes slowing Abzu down.

At that, Saber frowned. He'd underestimated the man again. After all, with the benefit of hindsight it became obvious that stabbing the spear to avoid Saber's attack? It was merely another ploy. To prepare so quickly…

He'd have to be more careful, is all.

Gripping his sword, and with another push of his wings, Saber redoubled his pace towards Lancer. If he could keep him in the air, then perhaps—

"Well, fuck this," Lancer said, and with muscles bulging, threw his spear sky-high, which coupled with a burst of mana proved enough to send the man careening towards the ground.

"Oi!" Saber couldn't help but shout as the man, shooting like a missile impacted the ground, causing cracks to spread on the concrete and, with Saber hot on his heels started hauling ass, arms and legs pumping in big looping motions.

"Get back here you pest!" Saber roared, pushing his body hard and yet the red-eyed man proved an elusive pray, managing to maintain their distance, in fact—

"Gkh…" Saber winced and watching as Lancer started to increase the distance put a hand on his abdomen, the limb coming back red.

The wound, it would seem, taking a deeper toll than expected.

Abzu seeing Lancer's figure diminishing in the distance, the man jumping from container to container, let out a curse and with his flagging reserves called upon his authority yet again.

But, this time, the cost was higher, for the sea was further away, as were any sort of free flowing fresh waters. Luckily on the other hand, Saber's wound, although deep was smaller than his previous ones, and so, in a few short moments it closed up.

And with renewed vigor, Abzu raced after Lancer.

"Jackpot!" the man's distant shout was enough to make Abzu blink as Lancer, came to a sudden stop, and jumped of a metallic roof, falling into a small plaza below.

Cautious and yet eager to be done with the brat, Saber followed, in a few short beats of his limbs arriving at the spot and—

"Ah! Ah!" Finding a grinning Lancer holding up a scared blonde man by the throat. "Careful there, we wouldn't want any accidents now, would we~?" the man taunted, lifting slightly the choking man of the ground, causing the stranger's feet to kick and scramble, grasping for any perchance upon the ground.

"P-please! L-let him go!" the sight of a sobbing red-headed woman on her knees made Saber frown.

And with a weary flap of his wings, Saber lowered himself on the ground, taking a step towards the man while his eyes scanned for the trap that Lancer had no doubt prepared.

"Ah~ah~!" Lancer chided, lifting the man an inch higher.

"Gkh!"

And causing Saber to stop dead in his tracks.

"Not another stop, not with your sword in hand. Unless you don't care for the man's life here that is," Lancer said with a threatening grin.

With a disapproving frown, Abzu sheathed his sword and crossed his arms and alternated gazing at Lancer and hostage and the terrified woman.

"What do you hope to gain from this?" Abzu couldn't help but ask, a low growl in his voice. "And why involve innocent bystanders to the mix? Do you think that will stop me?" he asked, after all, despite the blond being somewhat familiar, the likely magus and Master both was obviously not Lancer's Master, mayhaps Mhxa's?

Lancer, grin still in place shrugged his wide shoulders. "Well, it is a gamble admittedly, but aren't humans your children from a point of view? Can you bear to see them hurt?"

"Saber."

"Master?"

"In a way, yes." Saber said, sighing and taking a step forward. Showing not a hint as to the conversation taking place on the inside. "But even so, my duty to my Master takes priority." He took another step, Lancer taking one backwards in turn. "As does stopping someone as craven as you," he said and for the first time, Lancer's grin slipped off his face.

"Oi!"

"I need you to go and help Iri, she's in a bit of a pinch."

Good, perhaps if I can— taking another step a sequence of runes appeared underneath his feet, activating before Saber could so much as blink and sending a cascade of electricity coursing through his frame. Making him roar in agony as his limbs locked in place.

"Gnkh! So am I, Master, but I'll see what I can…do, Master?" Kiritsugu abruptly cut of their connection, but Saber did not have time to ponder said fact.

"Heh," Lancer said, letting go of his captive and beginning to saunter forwards, unconcerned. "You fell for it… Sucker."

Only, for Saber to grin in turn, and roaring, he spread his tree-trunk like arms letting loose a burst of mana, shattering the runes effects.

"I think not, child of Ireland," he said, and with a grin took a step towards the paling man. "Now, where were we—"

At that instant, Saber felt a pair of soft arms touch his calf and blinking he saw the woman who'd until moments prior been crying holding his leg.

"Woman, this is not the place—" he started to say only to notice the tiny smirk on her face and realize he'd been played.

"Shit—" as golden light flowed from the girl's hands, Saber's limbs froze as did the world, long chains of runes spreading all over his body from the point of contact.

Despite the power coursing through him, he barely managed to see Lancer raising his arm, in a familiar motion that made his brows furrow and—

He roared in agony, the world returning to normal and with fading strength gazed downwards, finding a red spear jutting out from the center of his chest.

xxx

Watching the light fade from the Primordial God's eyes, Lancer couldn't help but feel a pang of sorrow.

Still, he remained tense for a few instants longer as the giant crumbled, and begun shrinking back down until he was once again a tall man clad in strange golden armor.

And yet, after a few more seconds where nothing seemed to occur he relaxed, and called the spear to him. The red thorn tearing itself free with a sickening squelch, making his Master and his fiancée both turn a tad green.

"Was there no other way?" he couldn't help but wonder, a tone of regret in his voice.

They were victorious, aye, and yet, why did it tasted like ash?

"It had the highest chance of success," Kayneth said from the side, standing to his feet and rubbing his throat with a wince. "After all, according to myth, Abzu was felled by betrayal, and so, of course, with it ingrained to his legend, he'd be weak to it. Still, Lancer, did you have to squeeze so hard?"

"Idiot husband, Lord Lancer had to make it seem real," Sola said with a huff.

"Mmh, yes, I do suspect you're right dear."

Ignoring Kayneth, a smile beginning to spread across her mascara stricken face Sola's feet ate up the distance as she grabbed one of Lancer's arms, blinking coquettishly up at him.

"My Lord Lancer, our performance was good right? So, we do deserve a reward, right?"

Cu Chulainn, Child of Light, Hero of Ireland, could read between the lines and the woman's meaning. Even if his Master seemed oblivious to it all.

And he wanted none of that thank you very much.

"Perhaps later," he said diplomatically. "Master."

"Mh? Yes, what is it Lancer?"

"I suggest we depart for the night, I'll meet you back at the hotel."

Kayneth blinked. "But why, we're winning."

Lancer gritted his teeth and instead of bitting the man's head off, merely jerked his thump backwards, towards the explosion that'd taken place a few seconds ago.

"That's why," he said in a deadpan. "The pair that I suspect was the cause of that are both insane, and spent as I am? I don't fancy my chances against either the ancient hag nor the space Dark Lady."

"Oh."

"That's right, idiot Husband, we should heed Lord Lancer's wise council!" the woman said, quick to throw her support with him. "But, my Lord," she batted her eyelashes up at him again. "I do feel rather tired. Perhaps you could carry me~"

Lancer gulped, alarm bells blaring in his head.

"I'm afraid I can't do that my Lady."

"Oh?"

"After all, in my fight with Abzu I spied his Master making a run for it, so…" he flashed a grin at Kayneth. "How does a pair of extra command seals sound?"

His Master grinned at him.

"Lancer, you're a genius! I could kiss you!"

"Mmh~ Please do~"

"Going now," Lancer said, pushing the woman aside.

"Oh, and Lancer?" his Master asked as he made to jump, making him turn and look at the man over his shoulder.

"Yeah?"

"We really do need to do something about that fear of women of yours."

Lancer twitched and, gritting his teeth opted to jump away in lieu of replying.

He feared no woman! He merely had a healthy set of survival instincts and would rather avoid potential sources of trouble. And Sola, Gilgamesh and the Space Lady? They screamed 'troublesome' rather reminding him of Medb in fact.

Unbidden, as he headed towards where his nose was telling him the white-haired woman was, a memory resurfaced and Lancer, the Irish Hercules?

Whimpered.

"First rule of training with Teach—"

xxx

Perhaps he was mad.

Foolish.

His actions pointless.

And yet, Kiritsugu, sweat dripping down his ashen face, rushed towards the spot where he'd watch his wife get taken. And where he hoped, one of the reasons for it, still remained.

The chance was slim, he knew that.

But even so, it would seem that this night was full of fools.

For before he climbed down from the roof he'd been perched? He watched as the Master of the mask wearing woman had sent her away. For why else would the Servant leave the stranger huddled underneath the irritating cover of trees?

So, he might be wrong.

His feet ate up the distance.

The man might've already left.

The scabbard within him continued its healing blaze. The sole reason for him being on his feet so soon and able to run.

Or he might've recalled his Servant.

And yet…

Kiritsugu gritted his teeth so hard that weren't for the artifact within him something would have snapped.

He still wanted revenge. Payback. Justice for the mess that was tonight.

After all, Maiya most likely was…

And Iri…

The woods came in view.

And even Saber was most likely… With furrowed brows Kiritsugu spared another glance at the crimson sigils still shining bright on his hand. That meant his Servant was still alive, right?

So, why did he not answer?

"Saber!" he roared down the mental path again, hoping and yet not expecting an answer. Just like the last few times he'd tried in the past minutes.

And yet, this time, a pained cough answered him. "M-master?"

Questions burned in his mind. How, why, and many others. And yet, at the moment a great many deal of other things took precedence.

"Saber, are you well?" he asked as he slowed down, ignoring the beating of his heart as he put his training to use and with silent feet, crept towards the trees. Doing his best to remain unseen and unheard underneath the foliage.

"…something like that," the man replied, and judging by the exhaustion in his voice. Kiritsugu rather doubted that. But, again, questions for later. "I'll…I'll go help Lady Irisviel right away, Master…"

"No need," Kiritsugu said. The fact that he had no idea where his wife currently was only part of it, the other part being the fact that Saber sounded half dead.

"Master?"

Trusting his instincts, Kiritsugu pushed half of his reserves through their connection, earning a relieved sigh from the Servant.

"Thank you, Master."

"Iri's been abducted," he replied.

"What?"

"It was the spandex wearing servant with a spear."

The answering growl was enough to make the hair on the back of Kiritsugu's neck to stand on edge. "We've met."

"Still, if they've taken her, that means they either think she's a Master or they want a hostage," he said and came to a stop within a bush. For further up ahead he spotted his target. The priest resting with his back against the trunk of a tree.

The Magus Killer didn't move a muscle.

"Iri is beyond either of our help for now, still, Saber."

"Yes, Master?"

"Did you catch the explosion?"

"Explosion?" the man asked with confusion. "Forgive me, Master, I was…busy whenever that was."

"Indeed." Kiritsugu did not ask. "Still, I've need of your gift," he said instead while on the outside, he reached with his hand within his suit and with silent motions withdrew his pistol.

xxx

Neither Lancer nor his Master and the red-headed beauty paid any heed to Saber's body.

Perhaps it was nothing more than a fluke of luck, or, perhaps, this being the first time the pair of humans had dealt with Servants was to blame. Or, in Lancer's case the fact that Servants, when summoned experience the fog of ages, forgetting prior summonings, their memories dim until a few days had passed.

Still, whatever the case, nobody paid any attention to Saber's body nor the fact that, as dead Servants ought to do, it did not disappear into motes of ether.

Instead, they all left.

…'thump'

A small, weak beat echoes throughout the silent clearing amidst the metal boxes.

'Thump!'

And again, and this time, a tiny black bead appeared in the center of Saber's chest, hovering in the center of the space created from Lancer's spear like the world's tiniest black marble jewel.

'Thump! Thump!'

The spot of dark ink, spread, and underneath the man's armor, dug into his flesh, spreading and soon dark tendrils speared through the man's visible veins, spreading until they covered every inch of his body and a pool of dark concealed the what'd been a gapping wound in the man's chest.

'Thump! Thump! Thump!'

With an agonized roar, Saber's eyes flew open as he thrashed on the ground, fists clenching and slamming on the surrounding concrete, his back arching a moment later.

For what felt like an eternity but very well could have been but a scant few seconds, Saber's world was agony and he saw white.

And yet, soon enough the agony came to an end, receding and leaving behind a panting sweating man, curled in a fetal position.

Limps pale as ash, he pushed with trembling arms and climbed to his feet. His knees almost buckled, but, even if barely so, he managed to remain standing.

Huffing, each breath a small agony of his own, Saber, clenched his trembling arms. Testing them.

I live. Again, he thought with a snort… and punched a fist through a nearby metal wall. Even when I shouldn't! Even though the only reason I do is because Lancer, whom I'd underestimated, again! Knows only part of my legend.

Sighing and getting his nerves under a semblance of control, Saber withdrew his arm, the metal squealing as he ignored its feeble attempts to keep the limb trapped.

As he did, he caught sight of the black thin threads coursing through his pale body.

And sighed.

He lived, yes. But only because he had done so as well. And yet, mud or not. This move had drained him dry.

"Saber!"

His Master's voice caused his scattered thoughts to focus. Right, the war, and Lady Iri was—

"M-master?" he hated how weak he sounded, even within his own mind. Still, there was nothing to it.

"Saber, are you well?"

Saber snorted. He was anything but, still, he could cry over his boo-hoos later. He was in the middle of a war and he was a warrior, a protector! He had a job to do!

Twitching, and quelling that pair of aspects. He replied to Kiritsugu.

The words exchanged did anything to calm or soothe Saber's nerves and pride.

"I've need of your gift"

"Master?"

"In the explosion, a set of buildings were destroyed, doubtless there are many wounded, amongst them Maiya. So, if you perhaps could…"

Saber, cursing at his foolishness that led up to this, pursed his lips and shook his head even though he was alone.

"I'm sorry, Master, I'm afraid I can't," he sent, voice filled with regret, tone apologetic. "While I can heal others, in a similar manner to how I heal myself, I can't heal so many wounded. Not with my current reserves. And besides, healing of that sort had always been Tiamat's area of expertise…"

"I see…" Kiritsugu's voice sounded hollow.

Saber sighed. "But, at the very least, I can heal Lady Maiya if she is still alive," he offered and with a jump and a flap of his wings, found himself in the air… The sight of the carnage his Master was talking about becoming apparent as ambulances and police cars were already rushing on the spot.

"…please do so," the man ordered, tone calm, and yet the self hate coming clear through the mental link even when it wasn't supposed to do so.

"Very well," he said in reply and flew towards the rumble. Paying little heed to the sound of metal clashing against metal somewhere to his side. With his brush with death and his near empty reserves? There would be no more fighting tonight, not from him at any rate.

Defeat tasted bitter on his lips. And his bruised pride demanded retribution.

xxx

Lining up a shot, his arm steady despite the turmoil in his mind, Kiritsugu fired a bullet straight at the unsuspecting man's head. Even if it ultimately was pointless, at least he'd extracted a measure of—

Eyes flying wide, the neigh instinctive activation of his crest saved his life as he jerked and fell flat on the dirt, a familiar knife passing through where his head had been.

Black key? Then that means— ignoring protesting muscles and rolling to the side, and ensuring he avoided the follow up salvo of deadly steel. Kiritsugu, leaped to his feet.

And found a smirking priest regarding him cooly from a few feet away.

"You dodged. Mmh, disappointing," the man said with a small grin. "Still, one can't help but ask." The priest spread his arms wide, giving a shallow mocking bow. "What reason could a stranger have for going after a humble servant of the Lord?"

Kiritsugu did not answer, training his firearm on the man and keeping his guard up.

The priest's response came in the form of an arched eyebrow and a shake of his head.

"What a deplorable lack of manners, still, even so, might I at least have the honor of knowing the name of my would be executioner?"

Body humming with reinforcement, Kiritsugu was primed to move. But, one question burned in the back of his mind. How did he know I was here? Call it pride if you would, but, the Magus Killer was quite good at what he did. And what he did wasn't very nice. And hurting or not, he was quite confident in his skills.

Still, he could offer the dead man walking this much at least. Even if it normally would be a bad idea.

"Emiya Kiritsugu."

After all, the priest would not live to see the end of this night.

"Hoo… Emiya?" the man tasted the name, before nodding and offering another grinning bow. "This humble servant of the Lord is named Kotomine Kirei," the man said, and steel flashed in between his fingers.

Kiritsugu fired.

The battle was on.

xxx

Saber landed amidst the rubble and his heart ached.

Bodies surrounded him on all sides. Some hidden underneath rubble, some visible. Some lingering still, others already having moved to the other side.

He wished to help them, and yet, he knew he couldn't. Not as he was.

So, with an iron lump in his stomach, and ignoring the weak pleas and mutterings of fear both, he strode towards where his senses and the now utterly wrecked plan said the woman would be.

Shifting a few pieces of broken re-bar to the side, a sigh of relief escaped Saber's lips.

For Maiya, bleeding and maimed, still drew shallow breaths.

Laying down, he placed an arm on the girl's exposed abdomen and summoned his power, an unbidden relieved gurgle escaping the woman as he did.

xxx

The hum of flying steel answered the roar of his pistol.

"Gkh."

"Urgh."

And Kiritsugu grunted in pain just as the priest did.

Both of them continuing to run across opposite sides of the streets. Caring little for the gawking bystanders.

'Slink'

'Plop'

Both of them scowling at the sight of the other, yet again removing the other's weapon, their wound closing up in real time.

Kiritsugu hated to admit it.

But the priest was good.

Ducking underneath a flash of steel, Kirei jerking to the side, his bullet only grazing him. They continued to run.

And the worst part was that he didn't dare to try for cqc again, not after the man's earlier heart stopping punch. Once again, the Magus Killer was thankful for the Scabbard blazing within him, the only reason he was still alive and now, with his body healed enough, could also use double accel frequently enough.

In Kirei's hand, yet another Black Key appeared and Kiritsugu prepared to dodge… only to blink in surprise as the man feinted a throw and instead ducked into an alleyway.

Cursing, Kiritsugu sped after him.

I don't envy the second owner after this night. The though came unbidden and indeed. Whoever they were, they would have their hands full with maintaining the masquerade after tonight.

xxx

"My Lady, perhaps I should…"

But the woman would have none of it, about as pale as him, Maiya shook her head.

"No, leave me, I can make it back on my own now. Go help Sensei, he needs you more than I do."

Sighing, Saber nodded, and with a flap of his wings was airborne again. Leaving behind the stubborn and now beyond the reach of the hands of death, woman.

xxx

She didn't want to die! Not yet! After all, if she did, how was she supposed to become a proper Dark Lady as she'd promised her Master she would?

Missing a step, she landed on the ground with a whimper, and quickly pushed with her arms to stand, her back blossoming into agony as she did, making her gasp while traces of hot liquid trailed faster down her back in response, her shirt sticking even tighter to her frame.

But pain was but an old friend by this point.

Letting her mind go to that place, the void were nothing mattered, she rose and resumed running.

Her lungs burned, and the corners of her eyes felt wet, yet it didn't matter. As long as she endured it would all turn out okay. As long as—

But, unbreakable will did not mean her body was so.

Knees wobbling and failing, caused her to crush down on the hard pavement.

Another pained whimper left her and a thread of purple covered part of her vision. Not bothering to push her hair to the side, and trying, and failing to make her legs obey her, she opted instead to grasp with her extended arm as hard as she could against the pavement, and pull herself forward, her body drawing close to the limp upon whose back a trio of burning sigils blazed.

And then she stretched it and did so again.

And again.

"Child…why do you insist on making this difficult for the both of us," a weary, almost sad voice asked accompanied by the thump of a pair of feet landing behind her, making her freeze.

Had she been but a few years older, she'd have fought through the terror, remembering that she could, in fact, use one of said sigils, to call her Servant to her side. But, alas, she did not.

"Forgive me child," the voice said again, and then she felt a rough callused arm land on her shoulder, holding her squirming body in place. "It was not my intention to prolong this so, but you proved more resourceful than anticipated," the woman offered, and by the tensing and movement of the arm holding her in place, the Servant's other arm was no doubt raised high. Ready to plunge down…

Her technique broke and she sobbed, she didn't want to die!

"If it is of any comfort child, take solace in the fact that I would have happily taken you as my student…" the voice offered and tensed before—

"Sakura?!" a familiar voice and a blast of fire smacking into the woman holding her captive, caused Sakura to peer through fading sight at a vision that'd just rounded a corner.

A familiar vision that was dressed weird.

"Papa?…"

"Why…how are you here?" the man seemed rooted on the spot, limbs trembling. "I thought… What is that bastard playing at?"

A rustle of movement came from behind her and the man's visage grew furious, and his arm snapped forward yet again, and again, its twin doing the same and a barrage of fireballs flew forth.

"Leave my daughter alone you bitch!" The Duke of Flame roared as he strode forth like an avenging god.

xxx

Saber, flying in the direction he could sense Kiritsugu in blinked and then, halted mid-air.

Fighting the urge to rub his eyes he found that no, said eyes weren't playing tricks on him. For down below, some few tens of meters from where he'd last seen the pervert.

Said man was now laying atop of a smaller body, both of them bleeding profusely and the man missing an arm while a purple-haired woman in a bone-white mask advanced towards the pair, daggers in hand.

The smart move would be to move on and let nature take its course.

The smart move would be to fly to his Master's aid. Besides, he was already wounded. And…

With a roar he flew downwards, his aura blazing to life around him, and what he rather suspected to be Assassin, jerked her head upwards. The woman twitching in obvious surprise and agitation as he landed in between her and her targets in a superhero landing before standing tall, muscles flexing and wings spreading, a low reverberating growl promising only death leaving his throat.

Tasting the woman's terror, Saber felt a surge of satisfaction as she turned about and started running as if the hounds of hell were after her.

He didn't pursue.

Not that he could.

For theatrics aside, and even with Kiritsugu's half spent mana donation, he was still fresh out of Ereshkigal's realm and in no condition to fight.

Although…

Appearances could be deceiving but, Assassin did not feel that strong. Not when compared to some of the monsters he'd already seen this night.

A hand weakly clutched at the metal greave around his foot.

"P-please…" he blinked and turned, looking down at the main in a maido getup. "Servant—" the man spat a globule of blood. "I don't know why you helped, but, if you can do anything…" the man, heedless of his already injured form pushed himself to the side with one arm, revealing the mangled body he'd been covering. "My daughter…s-save her…"

Watching the enemy Master's eyes starting to turn glassy, duty and desire warred within him.

Desire won.

Lowering himself, he extended a hand towards the girl and her father both—Sakura. Tokiomi.

A mirthless smile spread across his lips as he directed what remained of his flagging reserves at the pair, directing most of it towards the young girl. Off all the time for the haze in his mind to clear…

Looking at the man, a sneer formed unbidden. And the urge to let him die almost overtook him, the sight of the man's rather grievous injuries and the missing arm at the shoulder enough to stop him from doing so.

His memories were true then.

A fool, a colossal fool! But a naive well meaning one…

After all, despite the man's choice in allies, he had been desiring nothing but the best when he pawed of his daughter to Zouken and—

He blinked.

What is Sakura doing here as a Master? For that matter, why is Mhxa here and Cu is this war's Lancer?

The hell was going on? Female Gilgamesh he could understand, yes. The rest… Not so much.

At least Rider was the same, and for that matter so was Assasin, even if they'd been summoned with the female aspect in 'charge'.

He groaned.

Is this what Archer experiences whenever he is summoned in a variant of the fifth? If so, he didn't envy the dude. But then again, few if any Heroic Spirits envied Alaya's boytoy.

xxx

A vein throbbed across Kiritsugu's temple.

The scowl on his lips was enough to scare away small children and dogs.

Still, and regardless of what his wife might say if they survived this and he told her of it, it wasn't his fault.

For the annoying priest ahead of him was a right pain in his ass.

In fact, Kiritsugu would readily admit that he'd seen eels less slipery than Kirei. Hell, on the occasions he had the misfortune to tangle with one, not even Dead Apostles gave him this much trouble.

Well, aside from that right bastard in Cairo, he'd been about as slipery and determined to stay alive as Kirei was proving to be.

Ducking underneath another pair of knives he responded in kind with a salvo of bullets, and, with a quick brief usage of a triple accel, pushed of, yet another alleyways wall, using it as an impromptu spring board so as to jump towards the prick.

"Shit!"

He'd readily admit to a certain amount of glee at the priest's impromptu cursing before his boots landed on the bastard's face. Making them both tumble out of the alleway and into the open street.

Both of them sprung to their feet, firing and slashing at the other as they flipped through the air.

Kiritsugu blinked, eyes narrowing, something about this place felt…off the taste of the air almost tainted.

Though, seeing as the priest watched him wearily and cocked his head with a blink, Kiritsugu understood it wasn't of Kirei's making and thus, unimportant for now.

He once again raised an arm, gun aimed at the man and in the privacy of his mind quite thankfull for the artifact within him. He rather doubted he'd otherwise be feeling this fine.

And yet, he couldn't help but wonder.

What is his trick? For Kirei was keeping up even when by all rights he shouldn't, the man radiated an aura of sheer wrongness, yes. But besides that, and as far as Kiritsugu could tell he was but a normal man. Not a vampire or other short of abomination.

So, how the hell did keep standing up and have a seemingly endless stamina?

"Finally tired of running?" he asked instead and Kirei smirked, as if aware of a joke Kiritsugu was unaware off.

"Yes, you could say that."

The aura of wrongness around them seemed to deepen, enough to make the hair on Kiritsugu's arms stand on end.

"To be honest, I merely decided that this spot will do fine as your grave," Kirei said with a wicked grin, and despite himself, Kiritsugu snorted and grinned.

"A little full of ourselves aren't we?"

Yes, he'd failed to off the priest so far, but he still had a few aces up his sleeve, and if he could but herd the man back towards the center of the town, and namely towards any of the spots he'd prepared beforehand… Well, mysterious healing ability or no, he rather doubted the man could come up from an up close and personal meeting with Mr. C4.

Now, though, how to go about doing so—

A pair of soft feet landed near the smirking priest and Kiritsugu's grin faded.

"Ah."

"Quite so."

For next to Kirei, knives at the ready, stood none other than Assassin.

That complicated things a tad, yes.

xxx

Standing tall with her arms crossed and the waves of the sea swelling and ebing behind her, Gilgamesh stared down at the upstart from the stars.

Showing no hint as to the weariness ladening her very bones.

For in truth, she hadn't felt so emptied and drained of strength since the days she still walked amongst the living.

Truly, humanity, once it deigned to walk across the stars, was a wonder to see.

And yet even so, this child hailing from a potential future and looking so much alike in both myth and strength to the woman that in any other case she'd gladly pursue…

Gilgamesh's eyebrow twitched.

Truly, this 'Mhxa', vexed her. And speaking off… What sort of a name was that to begin with!

"Not… yet…" the blonde across her, in the middle of a scene of devastation, metal, items and a ruined crate surrounding them both huffed and puffed, leaning on her monstrous sword for a moment, attempting to perhaps draw strength from it, a measure that was seemingly successful, for the girl's breaths came a tad easier mere moments after.

…Even though Gilgamesh felt no traces of power flow from blade to owner. She frowned.

She was the world's oldest Hero. She was above such petty things like an itch like feeling as to how and—

Pushing her clairvoyance into but a tad more active state for but an insignifact instant she had her answer.

"Scabbard?" she murmured, perplexed and not moving from her spot. Not trusting her limbs to do so, gladly using the time the girl took to recover to do the same.

"Eh?" Mhxa blinked, cocking her head.

So, she was unaware, then.

Gilgamesh snorted and shook her head. Well, she wasn't about to share, not if it meant that her future hubbie could survive until she could claim him.

"Nothing to concern yourself with," The King said in a smooth voice instead. And took a step forward, recovered enough to do so. "Now, be glad, mongrel," she said, flashing a smile at the frowning girl. "For you've sufficiently amused your King this night and thus, I, in my infinite mercy grant you leave to depart and go about your day."

Berserker opened her mouth to respond and then froze, eyes wide… Mirroring Gilgamesh's own.

She twitched and fought the urge to scream and kick something.

Off all the times the incompetent fool could choose…

Putting Mhxa out of her mind, she leaped to the sky, aiming towards where she felt her temporary mana supplier and anchor both to be. She would be sure to reprimand the man severely for—

She blinked.

"What are you doing?"

"Humu, I could ask you the same," the girl said, narrowed golden eyes staring at her with naked suspicion.

Not willing to deal with the idiot any more tonight she graciously offered the truth.

"If you have to know, I'm heading to the aid of my mana supplier," she said and watched… and watched as the girl took her sweet time processing the King's wisdom.

"You mean your Master?"

Gilgamesh sighed and flashed the brat an indulgent smile. "If that is what you wish to call it, then yes."

"Ah," the girl nodded, understanding flashing past those dimwitted eyes at last. Surely now she would— "So do I."

Gilgamesh's smile faded, and she faced forward, pushing her body harder. The brat beside her doing the same. Surely not…

In short order, they completed the trip, landing with but a few meters separating one another.

The King blinked. Well, at the very least, it would seem that it hadn't been what she suspected.

For the maid, was resting with his back against a metal wall, the child serving as Berserker's Master hunkering down and doing the same, while in between them stood her soon to be husband, directing healing energies at them both.

"Tokiomi…" she said with a sigh.

"M-My king?"

"Do I want to know how you landed in this mess?" she asked, looking from the healed stump to the ground but a few feet from the wide eyed man where a small pool of blood rested, no doubt a mix of the man and the child's.

Saber tensed and turned a nervous grin towards her, making her stand tall. Good, her man recognized her splendor!

"Ah… Gilgamesh, good to see you," he offered and she nodded. Her smile widening. "And you as well, Mhxa," he continued, making her smile dim while beside her, the brat tilted her head in curiosity.

"Ah, have we met?" she asked, tone airy yet still weary.

Saber shook his head, a mischievous smirk in place. "No, not… exactly. Let's just say its a long story from a galaxy far far away…"

"Humu."

"At any rate," Saber continued, his smile dimming. "This was the work of what I suspect to be assassin. I found both of your Masters…" he trailed off, looking at Mhxa questioningly only to receive an imperious nod from the idiot. "Found them at the end of her blades. And so… scared her away."

Gilgamesh's smile froze, she gazed at Tokiomi.

The man wisely inferred the question in her eyes.

"It is true My King…"

"Sakura?"

"Y-yes, Master, the nice dragon speaks the truth."

Assassin and that mongrel dared to threaten what was hers?

Gilgamesh's furry begun mounting.

Oh they would pay…

"Humu, if that's the case, the King thanks you for your generosity future subject—nay future minion," Mhxa said with nod, sheathing her sword and crossing her arms. "Be glad for this honor."

Saber gazed incredulously at the tiny waif and Gilgamesh couldn't help but commiserate with her future hubbie, they were really surrounded by idiots.

Saber licked his lips. "Well, if that's the case then—"

Before any of them could do anything to react, or even so much as manage to process it, Saber vanished.

"What?"

xxx

Now, Kiritsugu was good. That much he could readily admit to.

But to face off against a Servant on his own, while also fighting her superhuman Master at the same time?

He was good. But not that good.

And besides, like the woman before him, he preferred it when his enemies did not know of his coming.

Muscles tensing, Kiritsugu prepared to dash like that old weirdo often did back when they traveled towards Cairo.

Kirei's smirk widened an he opened his mouth—

The creak of a door opening caused all pair of eyes to turn towards the two story house to Kiritsugu's left, and watch as, with blood leaking from numerous gashes and cuts, a young boy stepped, or rather stumbled out.

"H-Help…" the child mumbled, gazing with unfocused eyes at them all. "Parents…bad men…" the child said right as the light faded from the boy's eyes and he fell to the steps below, tumbling down to the pavement.

Kiritsugu's instincts screamed at him, and as he caught a pair of wicked auras staring at him and Kirei both from further inside the building the malign aura suffusing the place finally gave him a horrible idea as to what was going on.

Just how horrible can my luck be? He wondered, while Kirei, appearing unconcerned opted to rub his chin.

"Hooooh? Please do join us my friends, the more the merrier," he said, voice low and sweet.

Yeah, no. If fighting one pair of Master and Servant was a bad idea. Then two was unthinkable.

"Triple accel" he said, and in the moments of all but frozen time, the Magus Killer raised his fist in front of his face, palm facing outwards. "By my Order, come to me Saber!" he roared, and as time resumed its normal pace, a single of the sigils emblazoned in his palm blazed and vanished.

And a sudden heavy pressure threatened to make everyone crush to their knees before it vanished, and in its place, a giant of a half dragonic man, glad in golden armor stood and spread his wings wide.

Kirei's smile slipped of his face.

"Assassin!" the man roared, and at his command the woman picked him up and jumped away, and at the same time, the pair within the building became visible, a nauseating man in a purple robe doing the same with a young man on his arms, the pair heading in the opposite direction from Kirei and Kiritsugu both.

Master and Servant stood immobile, watching, waiting.

Finally, after a few moments where it seemed that they were truly in the clear.

"Can you fight?"

Saber snorted. "I'm barely standing up as it is, Master."

Kiritsugu nodded. "Thought so."

"You?"

"The only reason I am standing is due to the Scabbard within me, Saber," Kiritsugu said and Saber blinked at him in confusion.

"Kirei was that tough?"

Kiritsugu opened his mouth to reply before blinking and frowning. "How do you know his name?"

And watched as Saber sighed, running a hand through the pale locks slowly, oh so slowly shifting back to golden. "It's a long story, Master, and not to be had out in the open."

Well, if that was the case then on that much, they could both agree.

"Well, to answer your question, yes, the priest is that tough but no, he's not entirely to blame. I overused my crest," he said and Saber made an 'Ah' of understanding. "But enough about that, Saber, go in and scan the building, apparently the Master and Servant—"

"Caster."

Kiritsugu did not question it. "Caster," he nodded. "Was in there doing who knows what, so search for survivors," he ordered and they started walking towards the house, Kiritsugu focusing his senses. "I don't sense any bounded fields…" he murmured. Not knowing whether to be pleased or not.

After all, as the Magus Killer piercing bounded fields, and thus recognizing them was something akin to his specialty. On the other hand, could he recognize the work of a Caster?

"Still, be wary," he added at last as they came to the steps and the young boy lying facedown in the dirt.

Saber nodded and bound up the steps, while Kiritsugu knelt and with gentle motions and his first aid lessons tried to tend to the kid.

A frown marred his face at what he saw, and only the fact that he'd seen worse, much worse in his career inured him to the things done to the child.

In his illustrious career he'd seen Sealing Designates and Dead Apostles less twisted than that!

A pair of footsteps alerted him to someone coming and he looked up, Saber's grim faced visage stared at him from the door.

"The parents…"

Saber shook his head, his face a mask of sorrow.

"Dead. Mutilated. At least the father was, in the mother's case…" rage shone in the dragon's eyes. "She was beyond my help, all I could was offer her mercy…"

Kiritsugu did not ask what that mercy was.

All he knew was that Kirei and all the other Masters and Servants? They suddenly dropped down in importance. This Caster took precedence. For from what he'd seen and knew, rituals demanding maiming and killing of this sort rarely lead to anything good.

So, they couldn't leave the pair to their own devices.

"The child?" Saber asked, and Kiritsugu sighed.

"Alive, but fading fast, he needs treatment, fast, and I fear you're the only one who can provide it."

Saber winced. "I can't, Master."

Kiritsugu gazed up sharply. "Why?"

Only to be met with a humorless grin. "I'm dry, Master. Beyond my physical abilities, I can't so much as cast a single spell right now."

The Magus Killer bit his tongue, resisting the urge to howl at the world.

Much as he hated it, the man spoke the truth, a brief focus through their connection revealed that much.

But. He gazed down at the unconscious and dying boy. He gazed at the sigils in his arm.

They were a finite resource, yes. But a potent one, capable of achieving small scale miracles. And compared to that, 'refiling' Saber, so to speak would be child's play.

This night did not go at all as they'd planned and hope. Still, if he could save one more life…

He opened his mouth and prepared to speak the words, before blinking. And looking down again.

"Master?"

"Down at his chest.

There was another way, wasn't there?

"Saber," he said. "Prepare to catch me and then carry us both back to the castle."

"Master—"

And before Saber could finish, Kiritsugu slammed his reinforcement as high as he could, gritted his teeth and reached with one arm physical one metaphysical deep within him. Willing the artifact to detach.

Obediently, it did. And in the span of a human heartbeat, Kiritsugu held in his hand the Scabbard of myths, its soft light spreading throughout the area, lighting the night, pushing back the darkness and easing the weights on their minds and bodies.

Saber's breath hitched.

But Kiritsugu did not look up, did not breath, did not stop. Before the pain hit, before he collapsed. He slammed the holy object downwards, commanding, pleading for it to save the boy.

And it once again obeyed. Entering the child, causing the boy's breath to hitch and his eyes to fluter open for an instant, dark eyes met eyes of steel and the pain hit right as Kiritsugu's strength faded.

As he fell into the clutches of the dark, he barely felt a hand steadying him and lift him.

Please not a bridal carry again… he pleaded in his half unconscious state. Before chuckling within his head. Well, better that than Iri's driving. He thought, for despite the indignity of it, as had happened when the night started? He preferred Saber's flying to letting his wife drive. Iri… stay strong… I'll come for you—

Darkness took him.

xxx

"So, what now oh 'glorious' Master?"

Blinking, Kirei, adjusted his position in Hassan's arms and smirked.

"Oh my, is that sash I detect in your voice, Assassin?" he said, tone mock innocent. "How shameful for a self proclaimed 'humble servant'"

He could feel the woman's arms tremble as she alternated jumping from rooftop to rooftop, interspersed with bouts of running across the street, and no doubt giving many a heart attack to the startled drivers.

Duty and desire warring within her on whether or not to dump him.

But duty, once again, won, as Kirei knew it would.

"I am, of course, your ever Loyal Servant, Master," the woman said with gritted teeth, deftly dancing between a pair of cars, both of them ignoring the angry honking. "And thus, I merely express my worry over the apparent failure of your plan."

Oh, how must it burn to say those words.

Kirei smirked, his shoulders shaking in mirth. "You misunderstand, Assassin."

"Master?"

"Who said we failed?" he asked and broke into dark cackles.

xxx

Iri remained silent throughout the whole trip, gripped securely as she was by Lancer.

Not out of any sense of fear, or worry. What was to come would come regardless of her actions and desires after all.

No, rather, merely due to sensing that Lancer had little desire for small talk. And so, she obliged him.

Still, she wished that wasn't the case. If only so that she could thank the man for allowing her to experience what unaided flight, or close to it at any rate, was like.

Not that the trip lasted long enough for her tastes. With them quickly arriving at a five star hotel near the center of the city, Lancer coming to a stop on a nearby house's rooftop, before, Iri felt powerful muscles tensing and they were once again cutting through the air, flying through an open window at the top floor and landing a moment later at a very expensive carpet.

"Eep!" the man letting her go without warning, causing her to just about manage to catch herself and not land on her rear.

"Yo, Master! We're back," her captor said, stepping forwards, and towards a pair of ornate couches that wouldn't be out place on the castle back in germany, and where a couple rested. A regal looking blond and a red-headed scowling woman, whom, upon hearing Lancer's voice, snapped towards him, a radiant smile replacing her scowl.

"Lord Lancer~!" she squealed in a high pitched voice, making Iri and the blond wince, and jumped to her feet. "You did it! Is that her?" the woman asked, rushing to the purple-haired man, and leaning close, way to close.

And despite the situation, Iri felt her cheeks flush.

Oh my, she thought, heart beginning to hammer within the confines of her breast. An illicit romance between Servant and Master? Or— she eyed the blond, rising in a smooth slow motion from his seat and approaching the pair. Is he maychance the Master? Is this… a tiny giggle escaped her lips as her whole face felt on fire. Is this, Ntr?

"Sola, stop bothering Lancer," the man said, coming to a step next to them and gazing coolly at Iri. "We have business to attend to."

Iri's pupils dilated and she squealed within her mind.

This is just like my doujins~!

"I'm sorry, Mr Lancer," she said, making the trio blink and focus on her. "But, I'm afraid I can't return your feelings."

"Huh?"

"For you see, I'm married."

"Huhhhh? Oi! What are you implying, woman?" Lancer shouted, eyes wide. "I did not abduct you cause I want to court you, and don't get me wrong you're most certainly comely but, this is merely so that we can take your command seals! Not your body— Lady Sola… Where did you get that knife?"

"Tee~hee, Lady's secret~"

"Ah, oops?" Iri said and rubbed her head. "Sorry about that then."

"Children…" the blond man said, eyes closed, smile on his face. "Can we focus!" he roared, eyes flying open and he pointed at Iri with one trembling finger. "You."

She tilted her head and pointed with a finger of her own at her body. "Me?"

Causing him to nod.

"Yes, you!"

"Oi! Sola, put that knife away! I thought you didn't care for him?"

"Let me go Lord Lancer, even if he's an idiot he still belongs to me!"

"What do you mean you're not a Master? We know that Saber was your Servant."

Iri flashed an apologetic smile at the man. "Forgive me, but it would seem, you successfully fell for the trap my Husband and Saber devised and… oops!" she gasped, and slapped a palm across her mouth. She'd said too much and—

Her heart skipped a beat.

"Ah, well played," the man said, sighing in irritation. "Well, at least you'll make for a fine hostage and bargaining chip…"

"Dammit, I knew something felt fishy about it all," Lancer said, gritting his teeth and absently holding the amorous redhead in his arms at bay.

But Iri cared little for that, a horrible suspicion forming in her mind.

"S-sir?" she asked, eliciting a blink out of the man.

"Mmh? Oh, forgive my lack of manners, my Lady. I'm Lord Kayneth El-Melloi at your service," the man said, with a short elegant bow, one hand across his chest. "And this here is my wonderful fiancée and I've trust you already met with Lancer."

"Irisviel of the Einzberns," she replied with a curtsy of her own, using her coat in place of a dress, trained instincts taking over for a moment. "But, Lord Kayneth, what did you mean, was?"

"Mmh?" the man blinked, parsing her question.

"Ah, sorry, Miss," Lancer interjected, seeing that his Master was taking too long for his tastes. "Saber is dead, although, if it is of any comfort, he was a splendid fighter."

Irisviel's world came crushing down and she hastily stepped to the side, using a small round table for support while from somewhere deep within, from a place that belonged to her and yet not, a sorrowful roar shook her soul.

Saber… is dead? Then, all of their plans, all of their preparations were for naught it would seem.

But, even so—

A bitter chuckle escaped her lips.

"Err, Miss?" Lancer asked, tone worried.

It would seem that at least one of their contingencies had worked, for Saber's 'half assed barely passing master magecraft when compared to his wife' his words,was working fine. After all, with the death of a Servant, and one as mighty as he. Irisviel should've been knocked unconscious thought the metaphysical weight of his soul smothering her.

Still, even if the man's patchwork solution had worked… it came as cold comfort.

Kiri… she longed to see her husband, Illya… and her daughter one last time at the very least…

She did not resist as the trio, namely Lancer lead her with gentle if firm motions to one of the side rooms within the suite.

xxx

Arriving safely and nesting under the cover of one of the now sanctified houses. Caster, after seeing to his young pupil's needs, namely that he actually went to sleep and did not dilly-dally as the youth were often wont to do, and he'd know, he'd been one once upon a time.

He proceeded to spend a few minutes with that curious box, which his zealous child had shown him how to use. Partially out of a desire to witness the decadence of this modern age and in part so as to stand vigil and at the same time deter suspicion. After all, from what little he'd gleamed so far, most modern houses had one of those boxes active at all times of the day, did they not?

But still, Servant or not. Blessed or not. He remained but a humble servant of the Lord and thus, after a few hours spent in vigil, he grew assured that no one knew where they were and thus. Opted to sleep as well.

And to his great joy, yet again, she visited.

"Jeanne! Oh, Jeanne!" he cried, tears of joy drifting down his face as he landed to his knees, watching the familiar visage he'd long to see once again for so long descend with a smile from the clouds above, the blazing sun behind her framing her in a golden radiance.

"Giles, my sweet, dear Giles," the voice that was just as he remembered whispered in angelic tones as the woman clad in a humble nun's robe touched down, and cupped his face with a hand, making Caster shudder and hiccup, leaning in to her touch. His eyes closing.

"You have done well, oh, so well, tonight," the woman said, and with his trembling body and closed eyes, missed the devil like smile spreading on her face. "Our reunion swift approaches, but, there's still work to be done. In fact, here's what you must do."

Giles opened his eyes and listened with feverish intensity at the words of the light of his life.

"It will be done, Jeanne. Oh thank you, thank you!" he cried, falling down and kissing the hem of her robes. "And thank you Lord for this blessing!"

"Shh… everything will be alright now, Gilles."

xxx

"And then, I had to listen to him for so long, babbling and crying! Agh!"

Kirei let out a hum, laying with his back on the conjured bed in this world full of clouds, 'Claudia' laying next to him on top of his left arm and airing her grievances.

After a few more seconds, an explosive sigh left the woman's lips and she too stared at the sky.

"You're ready for tonigh, Kirei-poo?"

He twitched, a grimace coming over his face.

"Please don't call me that, dear."

The nascent beast by his side shifted, half turning and supporting her head on a pale arm, she graced him with a mischievous tiny smirk, her other arm's fingers making circles and playing with his chest hair.

"But why? You understand me," the woman pouted. "Is it so bad that I want to give you a nickname."

He sighed and glanced at Claudia.

"It's not your intent that's the problem, honey, rather…the results. If you desire to do so that much? Please keep at it and try again."

She huffed and puffed her cheeks, falling on top of his arm again and staring at the sky as she crossed her arms.

"Meanie!"

Kirei sighed.

"At any rate, dear, yes, I'm prepared for tonight."

"…it will be a close call," the woman mumbled, chewing on her lip. "Dangerous!"

"As all things worth having are," he replied smoothly. "Besides, its either this or our inevitable defeat."

The woman sighed and snuggled closer.

"You're right," she said, head burried into the crook of his neck…and after a few more moments like this, her hand once again landed on his chest. And started working downwards.

"Claudia…"

"Hehehe."

"You're insatiable," he said with a shake of his head receiving a naughty smile in turn.

"It's your fault, you awakened me to the pleasures of the flesh, dear~"

xxx

Everything hurt.

With a pained groan, Kiritsugu rolled over and, with his arm protesting against his decision every second of it, pushed against the mattress and rose to a seating position.

Running across and through every inch of his body with his mind's eye, he cataloged each and every hurt on his body.

It didn't look good, to be honest.

But, he'd survived worse, and thanks to what healing Abzu could spare last night after Kiritsugu fainted, it was better than it had any right to be. Plus, with Scabbard being and remaining this active ever since Saber was summoned, or rather becoming so a few hours after… well, once the kid was stable enough, he could put it back inside himself and accelerate his recovery.

His eyes flew open.

Right, the kid!

Ignoring the aches and whines coming from his joints and muscles Kiritsugu all but jumped to his feet and—

"Hello, Sensei."

Came to an abrupt halt, only now noticing Maiya, seated in a chair the wrong way about, sending him a wan smile.

…Perhaps there was a smidgen of truth to Iri claiming it was time for him to retire.

To fail to notice the woman, or the very fact that there was another person in the room with him…

"Maiya," he said with a nod, drawing a minuscule widening of the girl's smile at his acknowledgment. And he bit his lip, the girl's broken nature was an ongoing problem and not something to deal with now, especially given her state. "Your injuries—"

"Are fine, Saber saw to that," she replied, tone clipped and Kiritsugu sighed.

The girl looked anything but fine, no obvious signs of injury yes, but the bags under her eyes and the paleness of her skin which wouldn't be out of place on an Einzbern… or a Dead Apostle contested her claims.

Still, the girl was stubborn.

And so, as long as she considered herself 'functional' he couldn't hope to budge her on the matter.

He sighed.

"If you say so, at any rate, Maiya, what of Saber and the kid he brought with us last night?"

Maiya blinked and rose with stiff motions on her feet.

"Come, Sensei," she said, pursing her lips. "it's best to see for yourself."

xxx

"Slow now, kid, do you feel it?"

Watching the brat, covered in enough bandages to do a passable job as a mummy scrunch up his face and nod after a few seconds, Saber couldn't help but sigh.

What did he do to deserve this?

"Good, now, take hold of it and—" as the words left his mouth, the kid winced and blue sparks of energy fizzled into view for an instant.

"Gkh!"

"No, not like that," Saber said, shaking his head. "Gently, don't demand, don't force it, guide the power. It is part of you, after all, ask and it shall obey."

Steel like eyes blinked up at him in confusion and he pinched his nose.

"Kid, Shirou." Why did he he have to deal with the future steel-brain while his Master took his sweet time sleeping. An idea popped into his mind and he grasped it with a pair of desperate hands. "Do you know what a dam is?"

The kid blinked up at him. "The thing in rivers and stuff, right?"

The spark of hope within Saber's chest begun to bloom, perhaps he wouldn't have to keep bashing his skull against this wall.

"Yes, try and imagine your body as a set of lines—"

"Like the ones running up and down your body, Sensei?"

"Don't call me that," he growled and glanced at the soon to disappear lines, indicating his brush with death. "and yes, kinda like that. Now, close your eyes, good. Imagine your power as a pool of water surrounded by a set of doors, or dams, and the place you want to sent it, say your arms, as a set of lines, or rivers if you prefer. Now, keep all the doors leading elsewhere closed and merely open the doors leading to your arms, to send water down them, but open them only enough to fill the river, not flood it."

Good, this should keep the brat busy for the next couple of hours—

Saber blinked and fought back the urge to sob.

For in front of him, Shirou's eyes flew open and the kid started hopping in excitement.

"I did it Sensei!" he said, grin in place, and thin blue lines glowing across his arms.

"…I can see that."

The kid abruptly paused, and scrunching his eyes shut for a moment… Great! The glow spread across the rest of his body.

Full body reinforcement in a couple of hours. The hell?!

"So, what now Sensei?" the kid asked, the combination of the Holy Scabbard and the boost of reinforcement enough to have him ignore his injuries as he hopped like the world's most energetic bunny.

Saber, blinked and blinked again.

"Saber?"

Luckily, his break came in the form of his Master appearing behind them, with his apprentice in tow.

"W-well, Shirou, you keep practicing, I have to talk with my Master."

The kid blinked and nodded, although a wide smile spread across his face at the sight of Kiritsugu.

"Oh! It's the happy mister! Can I come talk to him?"

Alarm bells blared in Saber's head.

"Afraid not, this is grown up talk, but, as a future Hero, you should think hard about your finishing move, after all, every Hero needs one, and look! Miss Maiya is here and she'll be glad to help you!"

Maiya looked anything but. And if the woman had the appropriate Mystic Eyes, Saber rather suspected he'd be kissing Eresh about now.

"Oh, ok."

xxx

Kiritsugu knew something was wrong when the grin on his Servant's face wouldn't have been out of place on the apostle in Egypt.

Granted, watching Maiya, grudgingly allow the child to pull her along further along the forest made for an amusing sight.

But, they had more important things to deal with.

"Saber," he said again, making the man focus on him. "What's wrong? Is the kid okay?"

"Wrong, nothing's wrong, Master!" the man said, voice just on the edge of breaking. "It's not like, this morning, I've been witness to an amnesic child all but take to my cobbled together magecraft teachings like a fish does to water. No sir. Oh, and yeah, the kid's fine or will soon be otherwise."

Kiritsugu's brows furrowed. Trying to parse the meaning of his Servant's mad ramblings. But something caught his notice.

"Amnesic?"

And Saber sighed, running a hand through the exposed part of his hair. "Yeah, aside from his name and other basic stuff, the kid's a blank state. And perhaps it is best that is the case, for after last night…"

The Magus Killer grimaced and nodded. No child should have to suffer such, and from Saber's expression and words last night, the fate of his parents hadn't been pretty either.

"Unfortunate, but I still don't understand what has you so stressed," he said, arching a brow.

Saber's eye twitched and he took a step to the side, slightly turning to the side as he did and pointing with an arm.

"That!"

Watching as the kid, blurred around the clearing further ahead under the guidance of Maiya, Kiritsugu nodded in respect before the rest of Saber's words fully filtered through his still groggy consciousness.

"Oh."

"Yeah," Saber said with a nod.

The kid had been a normal kid last night hadn't he?

"This is all your fault, Master!" the man said, rounding on him and making Kiritsugu blink.

"How is that my fault?"

"When the kid came to, he wouldn't stop badgering me, the only thing in his distressingly empty mind a wish to be like 'the brave dragon and the crying Mister!' His words." Kiritsugu fought the urge to deny that, he hadn't been crying last night, had he? "And so, after a few hours where you still hadn't woken up, I tried to distract him," Saber said, and the crazy gleam in his eyes, made Kiritsugu fight the urge to reach for his gun. "First with a crash course in philosophy and want it means to be a hero, and then, after he just. wouldn't. stop! I relented and activated his circuits and…and…"

Now Kiritsugu felt bad. Watching a grown man, a High Servant of all things, cry like that? It just wasn't the done thing.

He averted his eyes and reached out with an arm, patting the man on the shoulder.

"There there."

"Shirou's a sponge, Master. He took everything I threw at him and came back for more!"

So that was the kid's name.

Well, the kid's proficiency with magecraft was a curiosity, yes, but, and since he was apparently fine, they had bigger problems to deal with.

"Saber," he said, tone firm, causing the man to sniffle and focus on him. "That's all fine and good, but, since the kid's fine for now we still need to talk, share notes on what went down last night and whatever happened to you."

Saber sobered up.

"Yeah, we do." He nodded. "Plus, there are some things you should know as well, for my memories finally cleared up."

That… didn't sound good.

Kiritsugu jerked his head, and spun around, heading back towards the castle and leaving Maiya and the kid—Shirou to enjoy themselves.

But, unbeknownst to them both…

Saber's half assed 'teaching', coupled with the curious law of this world that anything ancient was 'better', combined with the fact that, from a certain point of view, Saber was the oldest or just about, had him impart a tremendous amount of knowledge and wisdom to young Shirou, even when by all right he shouldn't have.

And this brief lesson would become the catalyst for their eventual victory…

xxx

Tokiomi's day hadn't been going all that well. To begin with, his duties as the city's second owner forced him to deal with last night's…mess.

Which, his Servant, despite the temperamental woman's words and beliefs, had played a great part in causing in the first place.

Covering up all that?

Let's just say, that he got an unexpected and unwanted opportunity to re-live his College days. Namely, not sleeping.

But still, that, coupled with the phantom sensations coming from his now missing arm, helped with putting his mind off his precious daughter.

The encounter last night coming off as somewhat of a shock. And when combined with the words of Sakura's Servant, Gilgamesh confirming them, the woman deciding in her mercurial moods to use her foresight just enough to do so.

Tokiomi gritted his teeth.

If the worm was still alive… Oh how, I'd wring his neck!

He sighed and took a steadying breath, his trembling hand slowly coming to a stop, unclenching.

"My King, are you certain that is a wise idea?" he couldn't help but ask, watching as the woman lunged in the chair behind his private study, the sun flitting in through the drapes increasing her allure even more.

Thankfully, he was happily married.

"Oho?" she asked with a blink. "Are you questioning your King again, mongrel?"

He shook his head, too tired to really care. But still offered a rebuttal.

"No, My King, merely concerned. Admittedly my sight is not as…grand as yours and thus I fail to see the whole picture, so if you could—"

The woman snorted and the aura of danger subsided.

"And it is only expected that you will continue to do so," she said and waved her arm in a shooing motion. Turning back towards the model ship she'd retrieved from her treasury, turning it this and that way in her hand, examining it. "But worry not your tiny mind over it, just do as your King commands and everything will turn out alright."

Bitting his tongue, Tokiomi nodded and gave a short bow. "As you wish, My King," he said, and reaching out with his remaining arm, grasped the gold engraved rolled up papyrus and spun, making his way out of the study, and down the stairs, heading for the door.

"Papa!"

Before a tiny red missile impacted his back, making him grunt and steady as he looked down, to find Rin staring up at him with teary eyes, an unexpected display of emotion from his proud daughter.

"Please don't go!" she said, and watching her lips warble, his heart tore. And yet, he could do anything but.

"I'm sorry, Rin," he said and with a sigh knelt down, letting the letter drop carelesly to the ground and rubbing his oldest child's head. "But Papa must. It's so I can protect you and your mom, you see." He said his own smile wan.

But Rin's sniffles only grew.

"B-But, you're hurt, I don't want you to get hurt again!"

Tokiomi had no answer to that.

"Come, dear, Daddy has to go to work." Soft hands wrapped around Rin, pulling her gently back, and he flashed a smile of thanks to his wife.

But, in Aoi's eyes only disappointment and judgment could be found and he averted his gaze in shame.

His wife's words and insistence that he avoid both the war and his involvement with Zouken filling him with guilt.

Sighing, he picked up the letter once again and headed out the door and towards his car.

xxx

She should have been beyond this.

As a follower of the teachings of the Honored Founder, a Hassan in her own right.

She should be above such petty things as disgust and fear.

And yet…

Pushing open the tiny alcove door leading to the center of the Church, the sight of her Master's form kneeling on the ground, his upper half exposed…

"Come in Assassin," the man said, baritone voice making her shudder as the insult to priests everywhere went about his business, continuing that abominable ritual of his, sparing little interest towards her. "What is it?" he asked, and she felt her stomach clench at the sight of the roiling, pulsing darkness that once originated on his palm now stretching up his arm and across his torso.

"Forgive the intrusion, Master," she said, letting none of the disgust in her voice show, as she watched the man reach out with his other arm and pluck one of the tiny red sigils pilfered from his father's corpse and the man's stash, before lowering the squirming thing on the ground in front of him, and into the center of the dark seal, spreading outwards from the priest in writhing concentric circles.

"I was merely curious as to what our next steps are—"

The man chuckled, and turned towards her, one of his eyes a baleful dark with a red center.

"Worry not, Assassin, for the time of our victory soon approaches. But, for now… we merely wait. But fear not, for tonight… I'll have need of your services."

"By your will, Master," she said, giving a short bow before spinning around and departing the way she came. And if her steps were a tad hastier than they ought to be from someone of her station? She prayed for the Great Founder's forgiveness and understanding.

xxx

"Master, why must you go?"

Holding back a sigh, and composing her expression to something cold and aloof, she gazed down at the purple-haired girl wrapped around her thigh.

"Because I must, my young apprentice," she said, patting the girl on the head, and as she blinked at her, in a movement to fast for mortal eyes to follow retrieving a donut with her other hand and handing it to Sakura. "But fear not, for I will return to continue your lessons, humu!" she said with a nod and using her speed, undid the girl's grip with gentle motions and spun around, making it to the house's door before the tiny girl could so much as blink.

"M-Master!"

"Worry not, but, Sakura?" she said, pausing at the door, tone stern as she looked at the girl over her shoulder. Making her eyes flash.

"Y-yes?" the girl asked with a gulp.

"Continue your studies until I return, for there will be a test!"

"Meep!"

She inwardly smiled.

Good, mind successfully taken off of bad stuff.

Closing the door behind her and stepping out into the sun, Mhxa reached into her hood and retrieved a certain item. Staring intently at it as she stepped out into the road, dancing through the traffic.

"Now, where to?"

xxx

Now granted, Irisviel could not profess to have a deep knowledge regarding abduction or that much experience in being abducted.

But, if last night was any indication, she was ramping up said experience fast!

And, even though her pool of experience remained small, she'd rate her current circumstances and her captors favorably, solid A- treatment.

"Look at her, isn't she just the prettiest?" the minus had to do with a certain blond leaning in way too close to her personal space and, with a silly smile wave a picture of his sister in Iri's face. "She's the best? Isn't she?!"

Behind him, and seated on the couch, the man's fiancée let out a sigh, taking a sip from her cup of hot cocoa, while shaking her head.

She had to say, even if only within the privacy of her own mind, that the image she'd built up last night of the elegant noble in front of her… was rapidly deteriorating.

"Err, yes, she's indeed quite cute," Iri said with a somewhat terrified grin, as the man leaned even closer, almost close enough to stick said picture to Iri's face.

Thankfully, her words seemed to mollify Kayneth.

…Or at least make him change his target and redirect his energy.

For the man quickly drew back before whipping around fast enough for audible cracks to come from his spine, and stare with furry at Lancer, the Servant standing guard near the suite's windows, peering down at the morning traffic below.

"See, Lancer?" he shouted, pumping his arms with fervent vigor. "Even Lady Irisviel here recognizes Reine's majesty! Why can't you?"

"Screw it, it's too early for this," Sola said, picking up her cup and herself and making her way out of the common room.

"Oi!" Lancer said, glaring over his shoulder at his Master. "The poor woman only said so because you've been all up her business. That, and she luckily did not have to interact up close and personal with the little demon," the man said with a shudder, making Iri tilt her head.

"Oi!" Kayneth said, eye beginning to twitch. "That's my precious innocent sister you're talking about."

"I know. Not so sure on the innocent part."

Kayneth growled, before shaking his head and throwing his arms in the air.

"Lancer, you're hopeless, why, if she wouldn't have to breath the same air as you, I'd almost hope for my dear Reine's to ascend to that throne of heroes of yours, she would bring peace and justice to her new realm."

"Oh hell no," Lancer said with a deep shudder. "I'd rather visit the hag for remedial lessons than endure that!" the man said and slipped into astral form.

"You ungrateful little ingrate—"

"Erm, Lord Kayneth?" Iri intervened, stopping the man from slipping further into his rant, and perhaps saying things he shouldn't to the man out of time.

"Mmh? What is it my lady? And I told you, call me Kayneth," the blond smiled, his anger seeming to slip out of him like water out of an overturned cup.

She squirmed and lowered her eyes, her trick worked, yes, but even so. Perhaps she'd misjudged things, and besides, was it really her place to intervene in the first place?

Taking a deep breath, Iri nodded to herself.

Right or wrong she had to.

For even if they were in a war, even if they killed Saber—grief filled her again for but an instant. And even if she was their hostage… They'd treated her adequately enough.

"Forgive me if what I say sounds offensive, and I might be misreading things, but…" she met the man's patient gaze as he lowered himself back into a cushion near her.

She licked her lips.

"Your fiancée," she said at last, making him blink.

"Sola? What about her?" he asked, making Iri huff and make a beckoning motion with an arm as she leaned close to his ear.

"She… she's flirting with your Servant!"

Drawing back, she watched comprehension dawn on the man, followed by a deep sigh and slump of his shoulders. The man seeming to age half a decade.

"Ahh… that," he said and leaned back into his seat, gazing at the ceiling and the crystalline chandeliers hanging from it, reflecting the sun outside. "First of all, Lady Irisviel, thank you for your concern and warning but…" A bitter smile spread across his lips. "It is not something unknown to me."

Iri leaned back mortified, her cheeks burning, then, had she misjudged as she'd feared—

"You see, and pardon me if I get a bit too personal here," the man said, drawing her focus back. "Neither Sola, nor I, were and I suppose aren't still what the other desired." Kayneth sighed and a sad smile spread across his lips. "But, the duties of a noble to their house, to their family, to their blood are absolute," he said and met Iri's eyes, her heart hammering in her chest. "And so…"

He shrugged.

"As long as we both ensure our duty to house and bloodline is fulfilled and heirs are produced… I can't begrudge Sola her dalliances and what small amounts of freedom she can find within the confines of our bond."

Oh.

She lowered her gaze.

"Forgive me for intruding…" she said, voice small.

"Nonsense my dear," Kayneth said, leaning forward and taking the cup of hot cocoa in front of Iri, lifting it towards her. "Your intent was noble, and I can't fault you for that. But, still, drink my Lady, you'll need your strength."

Iri took the cup and did just that, trying to enjoy the, somewhat, companionable silence.

Shame and fear both waring within her, trying without hope to get a grip upon her soul. But, it was futile. For, with the sun shining down upon them, her resolve was renewed and remained clear. Come what may, she would greet it—

Just as her mouth touched the warm porcelain, motion out of the corner of her eye caused her to reflexively turn towards it.

Lancer had rematerialized. The wide eyed man jumping towards them.

"Master, look out!" the man shouted, an instant before an echoing 'boom' caused Iri's ears to ring and stars to dance across her eyes.

As her vision cleared, a gasp left her.

For where moments prior windows had blocked the world outside, a gapping circular hole existed now in their place. Peering behind the runic barrier emanating from Lancer's spear, protecting Iri and Kayneth both, she blinked and tilted her head in wonderment.

Wasn't that—

"Mwahaha!" the woman clad in golden armor laughed in glee, arms crossed, the massive pauldrons on her shoulders shaking. "Just as expected from you mongrels. Entirely unprepared for the King's arrival!" the woman proclaimed, mirth dancing in her ruby eyes.

"Oi!" Lancer shouted, spear still spinning, body tense. "What's the meaning of this?" he asked. "I thought the rules said no hostilities during the day, what with the masquerade—"

"Mwahaha! Mongrel, I am the rules!" the woman said, laughing even harder, while from the semi-ruined floor above—and Iri suspected below—wary if curious bystanders gawked at the sight.

After all it was not everyday you bore witness to a woman out of myth striding, what Iri could only assume, was the world's oldest golden hover-plane.

"That so…" Lancer said, teeth gritted, Kayneth wisely remaining silent. "Even if that's the case, care to share your business here, oh 'King'?"

The woman nodded, blonde locks swaying. "Glad you asked mongrel, and even if I can almost taste the sarcasm in your tone, you still admitted my superiority. And thus, so as to reward even a dimwitted mutt like yourself, I will answer you."

Gilgamesh pointed an arm, and Iri blinked.

"Eh?"

Straight at her.

"Oi!" Lancer shouted. "You can't do that!"

A patient smile spread across the King's lips.

"Oh~ And why is that, mongrel?"

"Cause… cause we stole her first! You can't just barge in and steal what we've rightfully stolen!"

Iri turned.

Kayneth turned.

Gilgamesh stared… and snorted, before breaking into outright laughter, slapping her thigh and shaking her head in mirth as she rose again.

"Mongrel… your stupidity amuses the King," Iri watched as she ignored Lancer.

"Oi!"

And stared at Kayneth, the man gulping.

"Be glad, magus, for thanks to the mutt's antics the King graces you with another day of life," she said, and before anyone could react, a golden, almost glowing chain set forth from a golden portal.

"Gkh!"

Shattering Lancer's barrier and knocking the man backwards before proceeding to wrap itself around Iri and pull her towards the golden woman.

"Eep!" a shout of surprise escaped her lips. Not out of any sort of pain, for the chain seemed gentle, almost…soft and kind in its…their touch—for some reason that felt right.

"Now, I bid you all farewell Mongrels, if you live that long, I welcome you to my Marriage with my Queen," the woman said as she placed a warning and steadying palm on Iri's shoulder. "After all, every marriage needs jesters and an offering of blood. Mwahahaha!"

As they flew away from the nice hot cup of chocolate Iri had but one thought.

Times abducted: 3!

xxx

He wouldn't go so far as to say that Saber's tale was the most outlandish thing he'd even had the misfortune of hearing.

No.

In his long career, Kiritsugu had born witness to all manner of absurdities.

But, the man's tale definitely made its way to Kiritsugu's list of top 10, with ease!

Sighing, he rose from his chair and shook his head with a snort. For it would seem his Servant's words that the spirit's last night adventures were the wilder of the two was the truth after all.

"Master?" the man seated on the other side of the table asked with a blink, but Kiritsugu ignored him in favor of stealing a glance out of the room's windows, to the forests outside and then, with another snort step towards the wooden desk serving as his study in this place.

Pulling back a drawer, he took out a brown parcel, setting it on the desk and opening it. Within… Within, Acht's 'belated true wedding gift', as the man called it, lay.

Kiritsugu glanced at Saber, this too was the result of the man's meddling.

Not that he minded in this case, for, it seemed that at least, no matter this war's outcome, as long as the world did not outright end. Illya would be safe. Safer than in the timelines Saber spoke off and which made the hair in the back of his neck stand on edge at any rate.

"Err, Master?" Saber asked, pointing with a finger at the object. "Is that… Isn't it a tad too early and given your still recovering it might not be the best of ideas—"

"Quiet, Saber," he said, and in a burst of motion grabbed the item and stuffed it in a pocket on the inside of his coat.

No. The circumstances were not dire enough to require its use quite yet. But, if this kept up…

Kiritsugu sighed, Saber thankfully keeping his peace.

"I can't say I'm all that happy with what you said, Saber." More like extremely unhappy. How was he supposed to deal and avert all that? He was but one man!

The blond snorted. "And you think I am, Master?"

Touche.

Kiritsugu inclined his head, the man had a point.

"Still, reality is what it is and we can only play with the hand we're dealt. The question is, what to do now," Kiritsugu asked, tapping a finger on the wooden desk.

Saber shrugged and stood, opting to walk towards the window and gaze outside. No doubt scanning the environment for threats while relaxing as well.

"Maybe we should go about saving Lady Irisviel?" he offered.

Kiritsugu shook his head.

"No, can't do," he replied and caught an arched eyebrow gazing at him. "We've no idea where she and Lancer and his Master are—"

"But didn't you and lady Maiya scope out the most likely places Masters would stay at?"

He inclined his head at Lancer's question.

"That is so, and yet, don't forget, Saber, the mission parameters have changed thanks to your knowledge."

The man winced at that and turned to face him fully.

"Again, my apologies for trampling on your dreams, Master—"

Only for Kiritsugu to raise an arm in a forestalling gesture.

"Don't be, I prefer knowing and living in truth. But, at any rate, even if our enemies fight for different causes, we fight to avert the Grail's summoning and to ensure my family's survival. And once again, you are sure that the Grail…"

Saber flashed him a bitter smile and raised an upturned palm in answer, and after a brief moment of focus, a tiny pinprick of darkness appeared hovering an inch above his palm, a pinprick which rapidly grew into a black roiling and barely contained mud.

"Aye, Master, I'm sure. For this… as I've already told you, is part of the reason I came back to life. And sure, I would have anyway, but this easy, this…quick?" the man shook his head, clenching his palm and vanishing the stuff that even now coated his veins and was slowly dissipating. "Nay, it should have taken longer, a lot longer, I am a mere Servant after all, this container doesn't hold the true me and so…"

The man dropped his arm and stared back outside, towards the city and towards something, Kiritsugu could only feel a faint echo off reflecting through their bond and only due to Saber allowing him to do so.

"No, Master. The existence of this mud, and of such potency? There's no doubt, the grail is corrupted at the very least."

Kiritsugu nodded and stepped close, clapping an arm on the Servant's shoulder.

"Then we proceed as planned… or at least what we can salvage out of the remains of the plan. As for tonight, we'll—"

Kiritsugu pursed his lips as he paused, someone had just paused through the castle's boundary fields. Now, he'd never admit it to anyone, but, he tried to avoid linking himself to any sensory fields as often as he could.

Not due to any fear of them or anything like that, but due to a more simple reason.

As each magus had their own way of perceiving magic, so they had unique ways of interpreting a field's sensory input.

And to Kiritsugu, whenever someone passed through one he was connected too?

Well, the feeling of a warm egg sliding the middle of his back remained as unwelcome as it'd ever been.

Still, none of it showed on his face.

Saber turned towards him, the man already gripping his invisible sword. "Someone just entered—"

"I know," Kiritsugu said, frowning as he turned and rushed out of the door, trying to figure out who it might be, and his mind conjuring unwanted images of the kid and Maiya in danger.

A car honked and they sped up.

xxx

"Erm…"

"Speak, woman."

Iri, licked her lips and tore her eyes away from the magnificent view below, the clouds seeming to turn golden while far below, the city and its inhabitants seemed like a tiny moving toy from so far up high.

"Apologies, but, how should I address you?" A heart stopping face turned, regarding her with ruby eyes. "My King, My Lady…err Lord Gilgamesh, great—"

The woman out of time snorted and faced forward once again, hands securely upon the wheel that wouldn't be out of place on a modern F1 car.

"The King is gracious and so, I leave the choice up to you, woman, as long as you show the proper deference, I care little."

Iri blinked and flashed a tremulous smile at her abductor. "Erm, thanks, my Lady," she said, choosing what came easiest to her. "If I may ask though…"

The King did not answer, but neither did she stop Iri.

"Why did you, err… abduct me?"

"Because I'm curious."

Iri blinked.

"Curious?"

Her impromptu chaffer nodded and turned towards her, leaving the wheel and crossing her arms.

"Eep! M-My Lady, p-perhaps you should focus back on f-f-flying?" she squeaked and the King blinked, before a rich chuckle busted out of her lips.

"Worry not, woman," she said, chuckling still as she wiped a tear from her eye. "The King's ship steers according to the King's whims, not merely her hands," she said and Iri's mouth widened in an 'oh' shape for indeed, the wheel was making tiny adjustments as if invisible hands were still steering it.

"Indeed." The blonde said, pride entering her voice as she noticed her awe. "In fact, the King's will and the superiority of her vessel is the reason you're not buffeted by gales of wind as we speak."

"Oh."

"Yes, but, as I was saying," the woman narrowed her eyes, and leaned in a tad closer. "You, woman, have roused my interest," she said and Iri flushed scarlet.

Oh my! Am I about to experience some yuri~yuri action! Iri wondered, squirming in place, a silly smile on her face while small pants escaped her mouth.

Gilgamesh paused and drew back a tad.

"I don't know what you're thinking off exactly woman, but the King does not wish to find out," she said, making Iri blink at the implied promise that if she so wished, the blonde could. "You're comely, yes, but I'm already spoken for. You see, the King has at last found a Queen worthy of her magnificence!"

As their vessel dived, entering a dark cloud, obscuring their sight for a moment, Iri's mind struggled to process the woman's words. But, as they escaped the humidity and darkness she did.

"Oh…" last night's frantic events and the woman's words currently by her side hit her. "I'm… I'm sorry, my Lady," Iri said with a teary smile. Causing the blonde to arch an eyebrow.

"You see, Saber… Saber is dead," she said, her tone polite and a touch afraid. For what little she glimpsed of the blonde assured her that the Servant was mercurial and Iri? She currently served as the bearer of bad news.

And any second now she would probably find out what landing without a parachute—

The blonde snorted.

"Dead? I think not," the woman said, naked disbelief in her voice as she punched at one of the petals by her feet, making the craft triple its speed in an instant and for them to pass harrowingly close between a pair of buildings.

"Eep!"

Iri, wide eyed clutched tightly at the golden handgrip by her seat.

"Who told you such lies, woman?"

"L-Lancer," she squeaked. "Lancer said that last night he fought and k-killed, Saber!"

Upon hearing that, the blonde snorted and eased up on the pedal, the craft slowing back down as they arched upwards and towards one of the nearby mountains surrounding the city.

"And you trusted the words of a mongrel?" the woman asked, turning towards her with incredulity. "You're naive, woman," the King said, shaking her head. "No, fret not. My Queen remains among the living, I've seen it so myself and I see it as we speak," she said, and for a moment a strange glimmer entered the blonde's eyes.

But Iri cared little for that. For the woman's words ignited a twin joy within her.

"Truly?"

"Oh yes," the King said, flashing her an impetuous grin. "But, at any rate," the woman focused back on Iri, once again leaning close. "The King has yet to satisfy her curiosity."

"Erm…"

Red eyes peered at her, as if looking deep within her. "There is something about you, something which must have compelled my Queen to care so for you…"

Iri blinked.

Her words made it sound like…

She barely held back a snort. The woman believed that Iri cared for Saber in that way? The man was a hunk, yes, and yet. She was happily married to her hubbie, thank you!

Well, powerful or not. Regal or not. Saber was right in that much at least. Gilgamesh is very…self assured. She thought, tactfully choosing her words even within her own mind while in the presence of the woman.

For mistaken assumptions or not, they were still flying through the air and Iri remained amongst the living only at the whims of the blonde. Best not provoke her.

"In fact," the King leaned close enough that Iri almost started believing the girl's earlier words to be nothing but lies and fear that she was about to become the victim of a yuri ntr plot! "It's almost as if there is—"

Gilgamesh's eyes widened and with movements too fast to follow, the blonde, one arm shooting to the side, so as to shield and steady Iri in her seat, the other on the wheel. Yanked on wheel hard, causing the craft's left wing to rise upwards. Just in time for a thin beam, almost a lance really, of golden light to slam into it, a beam that would have likely gone through Gilgamesh's chest but now instead caused the craft to careen out of control for a few moments.

"That space mongrel!" the woman hissed, superhuman muscles flexing as she fought the craft for a few moments longer, until with a harsh pull she stabilized it and pulled a hard turn, sweeping around at the same time as a translucent, and of course, golden barrier covered the cockpit and the woman scanned the horizon.

A series of curses left her mouth in a language Iri had no hope of understanding.

"Gone…but I'll get my revenge yet, brat," the blonde promised, eyes glowering. While to their side, liquid gold seemed to stretch across the wing, repairing it.

Iri wasn't sure what all that was about, but, just as before with Lord Kayneth, she suspected that it would be best if her current captor did not spent too much time in a foul mood, or pondering difficult subjects.

"Erm… can I drive it?" she asked, voice timid and causing the King to blink and glance at her.

"What?"

"Given your minimal reaction, I assume that we're in no present danger, my Lady," Iri said, and smiled, the tiniest hints of excitement leaking through to her voice. "And so, if it's not too much trouble, could I please drive, err… fly this magnificent vessel? It's not every day one gets the chance, nay, the privilege to witness nor experience such grandeur after all," Iri said, pilling it on thick with the compliments.

And seeing the imperceptible swelling of the woman's chest coupled with her growing smile? She'd dare say it was working.

"And besides, it's not like I have any chance of besting a Servant, and you are the Lord of this craft after all…"

Thus said, Iri awaited with baited breath.

xxx

Staring at the white-haired woman seated next to her, Gilgamesh came to a decision…

And snorted, before gesturing with an indulgent smile at the wheel.

"How do the mongrels say it these days? Ah, yes, 'knock yourself out', Irisviel," she said, making the woman gasp. Silly, girl, of course the King would know anything she desired to.

But that aside, the King was a gracious host and the woman a most well behaved subject, and given that her Queen held affection for her, Gilgamesh saw no reason to deny her request.

After all, what was the worse that could happen?

xxx

"Tsk!"

Ducking into an alleyway, mindful of the gaze of the flying idiot, Mhxa couldn't help but frown.

She'd been so close to removing the offensive eyesore too! If only she didn't have such superb reflexes…

But oh well, you can't have everything in this life.

Ignoring the curious glances coming from the passing locals, she pushed her glasses up her nose and stared.

For in her hand, the compass, her trusted companion that'd seen and guided her through thick and thin… it was spinning madly.

The blonde couldn't help but blink again, her expression cool and controlled… even if her ahoge was twitching erratically.

"What the hell…" she wondered and stared at the sky, searching for the vessel that her compass had lead her to. And after a few moments more spent searching she found it.

Slowly, with meticulous care, Mhxa reached up with her other arm and removed her glasses, holding them, while with the back of her arm she furiously rubbed her eyes until tiny spots danced in them and then placed said glasses on her nose once more.

No. She wasn't seeing things.

The Golden Idiot was currently in the process of performing stunts, corkscrews, and a level of irresponsible flying in general that would get Mhx on her ass in a heartbeat if her friend had been here.

Her compass continued to dance madly.

xxx

Iri had to admit, flying was fun!

In fact, if they survived this, she'd be sure to pester Kiri until he finally relented and helped her through the steps necessary to acquire pilot's license.

"Hrk!"

Ignoring the sound of some passing seagull, Iri hummed a cheerful tune and banked hard to the left.

"Oops!" she said with a giggle, and seeing as she turned the wheel a tad too hard and that the ground was approaching a bit too fast, she spun the golden wheel around the other side and back. "Whee!" causing the ship to turn towards the left for an instant before the upwards motion sent them into a loop back and towards the opposite direction.

"Blegh!"

Iri blinked, that sounded a tad too close. She turned her head and gasped.

"Oh my! My Lady, are you well?" she asked with naked worry, for by her side, the King was looking decidedly green.

The woman gave a stiff nod, and Iri shrugged, preparing to push the wheel forward—

"Woman!" only for the King's hasty bark to bring her up short.

"Eh?"

"T-the King…" the green tint intensified for a moment. "Be glad, woman," she tried again. "For the King is feeling merciful and has decided to release you due to your good behavior and manners."

"Oh my, really?!" Iri said with a gasp, letting go of the wheel for a moment and clasping her arms. "Thank you!"

The King gave another stiff nod. Not speaking for some reason.

And Iri cocked her head. "Err… should I set her down?" she asked.

"Yes," the King croaked.

"Where?"

"Anywhere! Just make it stop spinning!"

Shrugging her shoulders and grasping the wheel once more, Iri focused on the task, searching for a suitable location down below.

But we're not spinning right now? She couldn't help but wonder before an excited gasp left her lips.

"W-what is it?" the King asked.

"I found a landing spot, my Lady!" Iri proclaimed.

"Good, then end this tort—meep!"

Dark giggles escaping her lips, Iri pushed both the throttle and the wheel downwards and in a rush the ground approached, banking upwards on the last moment, Iri hit the brakes and then pushed the nose down once again and with a series of bumps and jostles they came to a stop.

The ship's tip a few inches from one of the gas station's fuel pumps, while the man attending the one next to it stared wide eyed, his cigarette continuing to burn in his mouth, the couple in the car within frozen.

"Thank you for this, my Lady!" Iri giggled. "It was fun!" she said, and sensing that despite the woman's words her feelings weren't so pure, decided to reward her both for this gift and letting her go, as well as saving her by abducting her.

And so, leaned in close, and planted a soft quick kiss on the blonde's very green cheek.

"I'm married but I'm flattered, my Lady!" she said and drew back with a giggle, before with a final wave, jumped out of the ship's cockpit. Landing on the tarmac and starting to walk away with a cheerful tune.

Now, where did she leave her car last night…

xxx

"Wha—huh? H-Hey, Lady are you ok, w-what is that—"

Waving her trembling arm and letting a small pulse of magic escape her fingertips, Gilgamesh sent her ship back into her treasury, landing on uncertain feet and walking away from the hypnotized mongrels.

"Hrk!" her hand flashed to her mouth, holding bulging lips close until the nausea passed.

What the hell was that woman? She seemed so harmless, so kind even. And yet, in her hands, a normal vessel turned into an instrument of horror.

Letting her arm fall, she continued her walk, paying no attention to the mongrels staring in awe at the King's attire, and with unsteady steps she turned a corner and started following the road that would eventually lead her back to her subject's home.

"Gnkh! What in tarnation…" she mumbled, a hand shooting out against a nearby wall to steady herself. For the nausea seemed to reach and thus affect even her sight!

Distantly, she noted a pair of feet approaching.

But she paid, them little heed, for in fact, Gilgamesh's interest was rather more on the trash bin a few paces from her.

No.

She would not succumb.

It was unbecoming of a King!

But, just then, her foresight, malfunctioned and showed her a most horrifying sight.

"Hi~!" For an instant she was inside a tiny cramped tube with a multitude of seats and a revolting music all around her, coupled with a set of soft white lights."This is your Captain speaking, Lady Irisviel and—eh? I don't need to share that much? Ok! Anyway, I hope you all have a pleasant flight~!"

Horror consumed Gilgamesh, it was possible that the woman would turn into—into…

Her stomach churned, her cheeks bulged and she lost the fight.

The King rushed towards the bin, pushing back the lid and grasping it for support as she leaned over the opening and—

"Blegh!"

With her senses and powers in such disarray, she paid no attention to the still approaching pair of footsteps.

Nor did she react in time when one of them came to a stop and—

'Whack!'

Unconsciousness took her.

xxx

"Wow! This was easier that I thought, Teacher!"

"Non~Non!" Gil said, shaking his head as he turned to regard his pupil with a smile. "It only seemed that way my boy," he gently chided as he threw away the magically reinforced brick in a sock, hearing it break against the pavement a few paces behind him, and crouched slightly, grasping one of their target's legs, and throwing her in the prepared purple sack. His student obediently fastening the lid and tying the rope around it.

"Good," he said and grasping the sack, threw it over his shoulder. "Let this be a lesson my boy," he said, fixing his gaze to his young pupil as they walked away. "Divine providence coupled with exhaustive preparation can make everything seem easy. Even when things aren't in truth."

The boy's eyes sparkled.

"Wow Sensei, you're so smart!"

Giles nodded, pleased to see his words heeded. They would make an adequate follower of the Lord out of the boy yet!

xxx

To say that Tokiomi was in a foul mood would be akin to saying that water was wet.

Driving with one hand was a bitch.

But even that could be managed.

No.

What was worse was the fact that the time spent behind the wheel left him with nothing but his thoughts. And not even the phantom sensations from his shoulder, the morning traffic impeding his path to the Einzbern Castle, or the ostentatious gaudy parchment resting on the passenger seat next to him helped.

Nay, his thoughts kept circling back to last night.

When he had seen with his own eyes the results of his foolish choice, and when, even Gilgamesh own furry, the woman clearly had been weighing whether she even needed him any more.

All of that had paled to the scorn aimed at himself still suffusing his entire being.

"What?" his Servant said, "what is the meaning of this, Berserker?" the golden woman asked, an aura of danger radiating outwards from her, as his daughter's Servant stared at Archer with a cool blink.

But speaking of said daughter, Sakura shrunk back, seeming to huddle in on herself, eyes turning downcast under the oppressive aura.

Something both he and the blonde girl noticed.

"Mmh? No, this is not of my doing," the blonde said, voice cool and with a tired grip on her humming sword.

"Oh, is that so?" the King said, barring her teeth, and her eyes glinted.

"My King!" Tokiomi roared, standing and stumbling in front of Sakura on unsteady knees.

The woman nodded, a satisfied smile spreading across her lips at what she glimpsed and she turned with a raised eyebrow.

"Mmh? What is it, servant?"

"Lower your aura," he barked and the King blinked, before a cruel smirk spread on her lips.

"Oho~ Daring to command me, your King? And after—"

"If it's about my daughter's safety? Then yes," he growled and raised his sole arm, sigils blazing.

"You'd dare?"

"Try me."

The blonde stared at him, and with a snarl peered at and past him. Before blinking a moment later, snorting, and starting to chuckle. Throwing her head back and palming her head.

"Bwhaha! Who knew that you'd really be willing to go that far, spoke the truth, and actually care enough for your child to die," the woman calmed down and shook her head with a smile. Ignoring the blonde by her side and her raised sword. "You've amused me, Tokiomi," she said, smiling at him without a hint of malice, but, more importantly suppressing her strength.

Behind him, Sakura took an easier breath, and his scowl lessened.

"Mmh, I've had enough of you for one night," the waif of a girl said with a sigh, lowering her sword and pushing up her glasses with one arm, making them glint and walked towards Sakura. "I'd give you my condolences, for having to deal with her," the girl said as she passed him, taking his trembling daughter in her arms, the girl huddling deep into the blonde's embrace. "But that would necessitate me respecting you in the first place."

Gilgamesh snorted.

"Good going there, Tokiomi, even the idiot recognizes your failings," she said and turned, starting to walk away, her interest dissipated.

As the glasses wearing girl by his side prepared to jump, Tokiomi, warring with himself came to a decision.

"Miss…"

The girl, thankfully paused, and regarded him with cool eyes.

His shoulders slumped. And swallowing his pride he spoke. "Thank you for helping her. For being there when I was not and doing what I should have done," he said, and it might've been a trick of the light but the girl's eyes seemed a tad kinder. "Please…keep her safe will you?" he asked. Knowing that at this point, he had no right to demand her back.

Besides, even if the Servant did acquiesce, she'd clearly be safer away from Gilgamesh's mercurial moods.

"I will."

She jumped away.

Tokiomi blinked, gazing past the wheel and suppressing the guilt and the memories both and for a moment not believing his eyes.

But reality could not be denied.

He slammed the wheel to the side. Barely avoiding a collision with the maniac on four wheels!

xxx

Iri's eyes light up and a happy squeal left her lips.

For it would seem that luck was on her side, her precious baby was unharmed!

…Granted, she didn't park it all that close to the docks last night and thus, even though she could see the police cordon a few dozen meters up ahead, her baby remained safely out of reach.

Reaching the door on the driver's side, her hand shot out, grasping the cool handle and—

"Halt."

Blinking, Iri turned towards the newcomer, a gasping of surprise, and a not inconsiderable amount of elation, flying past her lips.

For standing before her, regal and aloof, with the destroyed docks visible behind her back. Was none other than the Sith girl from last night, the blonde even leaning on her sword, the weapon's tip digging into the road.

"Oh my!" Iri couldn't help but gasp, one hand flying to her mouth. "Are you perhaps here to…abduct me?" she wondered.

Go for 4 go for 4! GO FOR—

Unaware of her thoughts, the aloof beauty's visage in front of her remained unchanged at her words… for the most part. The girl's lips twitching a moment later, her brows furrowing and the cutest strand of hair atop her head vibrating.

"The…thought has crossed my mind," the girl admitted slowly, drawing back a hand from the pommel of her sword and using it to push up her glasses.

YES!

"But…no, I think not."

Oh…

"For I owe Saber a favor and wish to discuss things with him and you both, given you're his Master. And so, I've come to humbly ask you to take me to him."

Iri blinked, the girl wanted to willingly come to another Servant and Master's seat of power? She couldn't be that naive, could she?

"Erm, you do know I'm not his Master, right?" she couldn't help but ask, revealing a crucial bit of info, but Iri chose to trust on her instincts.

To her relief, the girl nodded.

"That is fine too, then I suppose last night was naught but a brilliant play of misdirection. But even so, I once again ask that you please allow me to accompany you and meet with Saber and their noble Master."

Iri blinked and slammed her palm across her mouth.

"For there is no doubt in my mind that the man's Master is as pure and kind as he."

"Pfft!"

"Are you alright, Miss?" the blonde asked concerned, dismissing her sword and stepping close, reaching out with a worried arm.

An arm which Iri waved away as she leaned on the frame of her car and with shaking shoulders fought a desperate battle to contain her giggles.

Kiri? Noble? Pure? Despite her efforts a giggle did manage to escape. She loved her husband and he no doubt had a kind heart, one that was big enough to hold the entire world and his intentions could be said to have been pure, yes. But, Noble in the sense of his actions and modus operandi?

"Mft!" Iri's cheeks bulged as with one last shake of her shoulders she managed to contain her mirth and pushing away from the hood of the car stood tall once more, shaking away the well intentioned blonde's help.

"Just thought of something funny, is all," she said to the Servant's questioning glance with a kind smile. "But in regards to your question, sure, I'll take you to them, hope in!" she said with a beaming smile.

Watching the somewhat nervous Sith enter the car, Iri did the same, shaking her head.

Gods. She really is that naive… she mused with wonder. In any other situation, Kiri would've eaten her alive…

But thankfully it wasn't so, and thus, Iri would not have anything to be guilty about… she hoped. Fishing for the keys, Iri flipped down the sun visor, elation filing her as the keychain slipped and fell into her grasp.

"Humu, I don't reckon I've ever been in a vehicle so primitive," the girl by her side noted as Iri rammed the key into the ignition socket. "This Dark Lord thanks you, for it will be a new experieeeeeee—meep!" the girl's words and royal nod both cut short, as with a cackle, Iri shifted into first and rammed the pedal to the floor, twisting the wheel maniacaly.

xxx

"Aaaaaaaaaa!"

Waver, lips an inch from his cone stopped and paused, staring at the maniac wheezing by, ignoring laws, traffic, and common sense as well. Leaving a mess in her wake, as cars frantically swerved to the side, doing their best to avoid the maniac's random path. Not that the driver noticed the angry honking left in her wake.

"Isn't that…" he couldn't help but question.

"Yes."

"And by her side, wasn't that…"

"Yes," Rider said again with another nod, the man's eyes shining with interest as he tracked the terror on wheels, absently taking another spoonfull out of his bucket of ice-cream. "And it seems the young maiden has managed to capture Berserker as well somehow. Truly, she would've made for a terrifying chariot driver."

"Err, Rider, don't you mean terrific?"

"That too," the man said with a distracted nod. "Oh, if but I only had a hundred like her in my army. The wonders I could've accomplished," the large man said, tone wishful as he rubbed his beard, and then, glancing at the spoon in his other arm with irritation, proceeded to throw it to the side and lift the whole bucket his face disappearing in it.

Waver on the other hand, shuddered, the mere mental image conjured by Rider's words enough to make him pale and whimper.

xxx

Even with all the wonders of magic and a lifetime of conditioning, Kiritsugu and Saber lacked the purported abilities of the biblical angels, namely the capacity to travel instantly at any chosen place.

And so, it still took the pair a couple of precious seconds to reach and jumpdown the stairs leading to the gates and out of the Castle. Time in which, against a determined adversary, or worse a Servant, a whole lot of things could happen.

For an instant, Saber was enveloped by an aura of gold, speeding past Kiritsugu and slamming into the doors, threatening to tear them of their hinges as he forced them open and pushed further on ahead, the man's frame staying in front of Kiritsugu for the most part. Enough to guard and yet not so much as to eliminate Kiritsugu's line of sight.

And…

The pair came to a skidding stop.

For up ahead a familiar face was waving an arm in greeting.

"Yahoo! Kiri, Saber, I'm back~!"

In spite of himself, a smile found itself on his face, unprompted and a snort escaped unbidden from Kiritsugu's lips.

Elation danced in his breast and with Saber in tow they approached the giddy woman.

"Iri…how," he asked, voice thick as he reached his wife, the woman proceeding to dive into his embrace, one he happily returned even as his eyes trailed to the familiar weapon of mass destruction in the form of a blonde girl currently kneeling but a few feet from the car and—

"Blegh!"

Puking her guts out.

"Why?" he asked with a nod towards the girl as he let go. His hand itching to reach for his trusted pistol in his pocket as he stole a glance at an aloof Maiya standing behind Iri, her arms crossed. As for the kid…

"H-hey, nee-chan? Are you ok?"

The Magus Killer bit his tongue, fighting the urge to scream for the brat to get away from the very dangerous woman, while Saber's hand was on the pommel of his sword.

"Y-yes," the girl that under the light of the sun seemed even paler than he remembered her last night through his scope said, "t-thank you, future subject—blegh!"

Causing Shirou to nod and the young boy to stand and turn towards them, marching to a tense Maiya.

"Onee-chan," the boy commanded, stretching out his arm, making the woman blink down at him. "Give."

"Eh?"

Shirou rolled his eyes. "Geez, nee-chan, my bottle and my lunch," the boy said. "Its obvious nee-chan is sick and so we have to help her, and water and food always helped me before…" the boy trailed off, a vacant look and a frown coming to his face before he shook it. "So, anyway, it's a Hero's duty to help people, so, nee-chan, give!"

Reluctantly, and after gazing at Kiritsugu for help and finding none she did as asked, passing the objects.

Kiritsugu, for his part opting to defy his instincts and trust Iri, after all, this mess was edging close to, if it wasn't already, a bit past his expertise.

"Here you go, nee-chan," Shirou said, with a brilliant smile and they watched as the girl, wolfing down the sandwich and gulping down the bottle of water seemed to regain a molecule of strength.

"T-thank you, future minion. Your help won't be forgotten, humu!" the girl proclaimed, standing on her feet and patting the smiling boy's head.

The Magus Killer stared at his wife once more. "Iri, why?" he asked again.

The woman blinked. "Mmh? Oh!" she said, eyes flying wide. "She said she wanted to meet with Saber's Noble and Pure Master," his wife said with a giggle. "Apparently she owes Saber a favor." Causing both his, and apparently Maiya's mind to short.

What.

Iri giggled, as even Saber gazed at her with a perplexed expression.

"And so, I thought, why not?" his wife asked with a shrug and Kiritsugu bit his tongue again. Why not indeed.

"Oh, Kiri?"

"Yes, dear?" he grinded out through gritted teeth.

"Who's the young man?" she asked, looking at Shirou.

Kiritsugu sighed.

Wack one mole and two more take its place!

"I'll explain later," he said, flashing a smile to Iri, the woman tilting her head in confusion. A flash of inspiration struck him as he caught Maiya's piercing stare. "In fact, why don't you go with Maiya and take the kid with you, she'll explain everything to you, plus its another chance for you to get better acquainted."

Iri, please—

"Oh sure~!"

The knot of tension in his gut unwound itself, Iri getting the implied message that they'd talk later.

And with a cheerful wave, Iri spun around, proceeding to all but rush towards Shirou, the kid not even having the time to blink as she grabbed his arms and dragged him off with Maiya in tow.

He sighed.

"Now, Miss Berserker, how can we—"

"Saber."

"Pardon?"

"You're excused," the girl said with an almost royal nod. "I can see that your mind is as addled as that of your noble Servant in this matter, but fear not! Know simply that I'm the true Saber. Humu!"

Kiritsugu's mouth opened and closed, and even a confused glance towards his Servant yielded an unhelpful shrug.

Right. Madness Enhancement. So this was the girl's tick, huh? Well, alright, nothing they couldn't work around, or with.

"Then in that case, Miss Saber," he said, the girl's lone strand of blond twitching as if pleased. "What can we help you with?" he asked and inclined his head in the direction of the Castle. Starting to walk towards its gates, near the center of the wards and where they'd be at their strongest.

Surely, she wouldn't—

The girl trailed after them.

Kiritsugu's mind struggled to reboot again.

xxx

He tried to fight it, yet he failed.

For even with the dim ray of light slithering in from the thin slit at the top of the pulsing cocoon they were in the fact remained clear.

Watching as his Sensei placed the unconscious blonde in the center of the prearranged seat, the mass of throbbing purple tentacles, pulsating with circular suckers all over the spun, immediately proceeding to hug the woman tight.

"Nnngh!" a grunt of discomfort leaving her lips as they immobilized her and started sucking, the air around them all growing heavy. Laden with magic as the purple amound the pulsating muscles grew and an eerie light coated the expanding chamber.

By this point he was certain. This night would be filled with terrors and he'd have front row seats to the mayhem!

…Still.

"Sensei?" he couldn't help but ask, making the frowning black haired man blink and turn away from the unconscious blonde that started to stir.

"We did it! Why are you not happy? We're about to bless everyone within the city!"

At his words, his Sensei's shoulders slumped.

"Ah…my young apprentice," the man said, a sad smile. "I fear not."

"Eh?" he asked with a blink, tilting his head.

A sad sigh escaped Caster and he waved his arms, pointing at the space around them.

"The offering's strength is extraordinary, yes. And yet, in an so carefully monitored it is not sufficient to pierce through the dimensional walls."

Despair threatened to consume his heart.

"Then…"

"Indeed," Sensei said with a sad nod. "We will be unable to bring forth a proper servant of the Lord. Not like this," the man stepped close and pated him on the head. "But fret not my young apprentice, for there is a way to solve the issue."

"How, Sensei?" he asked, eyes fervent.

"Why, with a proper sacrifice to strengthen the ritual and make a blood core out off, of course!" the man said with a glint and a knife appeared in Sensei's hand.

The screams were enough to jerk the blonde back to consciousness.

xxx

Abzu couldn't help it any longer, he just had to know.

"How did you find Lady Irisviel?" he asked, as his Master lead them left of the gates, following the curve of the Castle's walls, leading them towards a cloth canopy underneath which a table and a set of chairs waited for them.

Kiritsugu having set them up the first night he'd arrived, partly for himself and Lady Irisviel no doubt, and yet… Knowing his Master, he doubted he headed towards said pieces of furniture out of any care in regards to a pair of Servants, one of them an enemy no less.

"Master, how many explosives are there underneath each chair and the table?"

"…enough."

Saber felt the need to sigh, and yet did not get the chance to.

"Humu, it was easy," the woman—'Saber' said, nodding and producing an item out of one of her coat's pockets.

And Abzu blinked, and even Kiritsugu glanced over his shoulder at it.

"Is that…"

"Humu, a compass, yes," Mhxa nodded. "Using science so advanced it may as well be magic to you primitives, it is able to pinpoint to what my heart desires."

Saber caught his Master twitching at that.

Truly, it would seem everyone wanted a piece out of Lady Irisviel. Curious and he had his suspicions as to why it was so, but something else caught his attention.

"I see…" he said, pulling out a chair for the woman. "But, why is there an ahoge in place of a metallic index?" he couldn't help but ask.

It was Mhxa's turn to twitch.

"Advanced piece of technology," the woman ground out, her eyes flashing in warning.

Right, more Servantverse madness, got it. Saber thought, nodding and lifting his palms up as he took a step back. Best not focus too much on it, lest I pull a Guda and get dragged into it.

"Saber?" Kiritsugu asked, likely catching a stray thought.

"You don't want to know, Master. Trust me," he send back. What he'd already shared in regards to Mhxa and her… place of origin was enough.

Letting it drop, and pulling his seat closer towards the table, his Master hid his face behind his arms, elbows bent and resting on the table.

xxx

Under the shade of the canopy, Kiritsugu gazed with dark eyes at the blonde interloper. Saber's earlier words and the girl's actions making it difficult to form an accurate picture of her.

His instincts, honed over a lifetime, saying one thing, and yet the girl's almost…naive nature and his Servant's clipped words regarding the girl and this… 'Servantverse' painting another.

Well, Iri was back and this was already a day filled with…interesting events. So, why not risk it a bit further, see where it lead?

"Forgive the lack of refreshments," he said, eyes flicking to the austere square table, the white tablecloth concealing the glass underneath gleaming in an almost mocking fashion, the emptiness atop it neigh glaring. "You were, unexpected, you see," Kiritsugu continued. Opting to remain diplomatic and polite as best he could, dredging up memories of dealing with stuffy nobles, primarily Acht in recent memories. So as to best maintain the image the girl in front of him seemingly had about both him and Saber.

Where the circumstances different, and they were truly aiming for the grail…

"Humu. It's no issue, your young squire's provisions were…were enough," the girl said with a nod, turning a shade greener as she no doubt recalled her experiences under Iri's… ministrations.

Kiritsugu couldn't blame Mhxa for this. He too worried over what excuses he would be forced to come up with to avoid letting his wife chaffer him here and there… assuming they lived through this mess.

"As you say," he said instead, glancing at Saber, the man choosing to remain standing in between him and the girl. "So, to what do we owe the pleasure of your visit, Miss?" he asked, doing his best to avoid looking directly at Saber. For with the rays reflecting off his gold plates… well, his eyes protested somewhat fierce.

"Humu," the girl said, nodding to herself and pushing up her pair of glasses. "Tis simple, having had the chance to witness the kind heart of your Servant and no doubt yours—"

He avoided letting out a snort. It was a near thing.

"I wish to propose an alliance between us," she said and Kiritsugu caught Saber's stirring, the man seeming to focus. "Not a permanent one, of course," the girl hastened to add, mistaking their silence as recalcitrance. "I'm sure you have a wish of your own and thus I would not force you to abandon it, but," Mhxa lowered her eyes, brows furrowing. "At least until but the false Saber and I remain…" She turned, peering at Saber. "Let us form an alliance so that we can ensure the survival of our Masters!"

Ah. So that was her goal then. Saber did mention the whole kerfuffle with the city's second owner and the man's youngest that in certain timelines would become interested in Shirou didn't he?

Well, they could certainly use this. And on a provisional basis he saw no reason to deny her request… Even if he still longed to plant a pill between both the girl's ribs and that of Archer for almost costing him Maiya.

But he'd long learned to suppress his desires in favor of the bigger picture. And in this case the girl wasn't even the one to blame. Not really.

He glanced at Saber and prepared to speak only for his Servant to lean in, a curious smile on his face.

One that caused alarm bells to ring in Kiritsugu's mind and his memory to flash back to a place with too much sand for his liking.

"What if I told you," the man begun, drawing Mhxa's eyes again. "That we, in fact have no interest in the grail?"

"Saber!" he roared, eyes wide.

What was the idiot up to now?

xxx

"Release me, mongrel!"

"Ssh…shh, relax Jeanne," the deranged mongrel said in a soothing tone, as he stepped closer, just out of her limbs reach…had she not been so bound. "I know you're confused still, but soon everything will make sense and then we can be together again!" the lunatic said, smiling at her with his eyes closed while rubbing the small pulsating orb held in his hand.

To be laid so low by such an ingrate…

With a roar she summoned forth her reserves of strength, pitting them against her fleshy restraints while above and all around her golden portals flashed into the air.

Now she would so this fool—

"Gkh!"

The portals winked out just as a deep sense of fatigue engulfed her and her muscles slackened, enough so that weren't for the tendrils leeching her strength she'd crush to the ground.

"Save your strength, Jeanne," the man said with a shake of his head and turned around. Leaving her panting and staring at his back with blazing if impotent eyes.

Gilgamesh winced, for the words the mongrel was now speaking to that orb of his were an abomination and enough to kill most mongrels inhabiting her garden in this day and age… Great, not only did she have to find a way out of this mess. She'd have to endure this in the process as well.

If Siduri ever heard of this she'd never let her live it down…

xxx

"And that's more or less the gist of it," the redhead said, eyes darting to the boy by their feet, who even now danced across the clearing, magic radiating off his body as he practiced a set of acrobatic moves that showed he'd been practicing for at least a month or two, at least in Iri's outsider's opinion.

"Ahh… I see," Iri said, bitting her lip, sadness welling up within her. The woman smart enough to pick up the implied meanings in Maiya's words. She didn't have the whole story, not with the boy present and thus liable to hear the redhead's words if she spoke candidly, but still. Iri had enough to grasp the picture.

And it was a sad one.

"I'm sorry you got hurt," she said at last, making her companion shake her head.

"It is of no issue, I was of service to Sensei and that is enough," she said with a shake of her head, and Iri puffed out her cheeks at that.

Kiri you dummy! Before the war she didn't know the woman personally, no. Only through bits and pieces Kiri let slip at moments when his attention waned. Not that she minded, she'd given him her blessing after all.

No. What she minded was the fact that Maiya, still remained as broken as she'd ever been. She'd picked up enough regarding the woman's mental state over the years from Kiri after all.

On the one hand, and she felt a tad ashamed, she was glad. For it meant that even if she died and Kiri survived this war, as long as Maiya did as well, then he'd have someone devoted to lean on.

But, on the other, as an unofficial member of their 'family'… Well, Iri took objection to leaving the poor girl as broken as she was.

She'd have to see about getting her some help after all this.

Perhaps a hobby or two would do?

Iri tapped a finger on her chin. Before her eyes flashed and she slapped a palm on her fist with a nod.

That's it! She could be her driving teacher just as Kiri had been hers!

"L-Lady Irisviel?" Maiya said with a squeak and a shudder, making her turn with a blink.

"Mmh? What is it, Maiya, and why are you shuddering?"

"…I don't know, I simply had a horrible premonition, and as to your other question…" the woman pointed towards Iri, more specifically to the front of her dress, or rather the lower part of it where Shirou was grinning up at her. "He's been trying to get your attention," she said.

"Nee-chan! Look!" the young boy said, before getting into a stance. And letting out a punch. "Hah!" he said and his fist flashed forward, making a few loose leaves by their feet move. "What do you think, nee-chan?" he asked, looking up at her with big bright eyes. "As Sensei said, I've been practicing and trying to come up with a finishing move, cause all Hero's should have one. Only…" the boy looked downcast all of a sudden.

"Shirou-chan?" she asked, hoping she used the honorifics correct, and crouched slightly towards the boy. "What's the matter."

"I'm not sure its good enough, after all Maiya—nee doesn't like it," the boy murmured making the woman by her side tense. "and I don't have a name for it yet..."

Glancing from redhead to redhead, Iri pursed her lips before, after a few brief moments of thought came to a decision with a nod.

"Shirou-chan," she said, voice sweet and a smile on her face. Drawing the boy's eyes. And growing even more certain of her decision, and as to his dilemma… Well, Saber was his teacher or something, right? "How about—"

xxx

Mhxa's lips begun to part, the words causing enough surprise that she barely caught herself, managing to maintain her composure…and her image.

After all, presentation was everything when it came to bargaining.

In fact, the words were shocking enough, that even with her superior reflexes and body, the quarter of a heartbeat it took for her brain to reboot, almost caused her to miss the golden man's twitch, his eyes darting towards the black haired man seating opposite from Mhxa.

Ah. So they hadn't intended to share that tidbit then?

She nodded to herself, quite prudent of them really, and the fact that the false Saber had decided to do so only server as further proof of their noble nature.

Yet again, it would seem, her instincts showed her the correct path.

"That is most gratifying to hear then," she said, making twin pairs of eyes blink and turn towards her.

"Oh?" Lady Irisviel's husband said, arching an eyebrow. "And just why is that so?"

She nodded, it was a fair question and she would have shared in their mistrust had she been in their place.

"It is quite simple, actually," she said and pushed her glasses up again, causing them to glint. Heh, she still got it! "But before I answer you, pray forgive my impudence for answering your question with a question but…" she glanced from man to man. "I don't believe we've formally introduced ourselves to one another and so, you are Lord Abzu the primordial God and you are Lord Kiritsugu, Lady Irisviel's and the golden bimbo's words spoke truth, yes?"

A snort escaped the golden man's lips and he glanced at his Master, the man giving a slow nod.

"That's indeed who we are, yes."

A relieved sigh escaped her lips, good, time for those etiquette lessons Mha forced her into to prove useful!

With slow movements, she pushed herself to her feet and, grabbing the sides of her robes, gave a small curtsy. "And I'm, Mhxa! Servant Saber and the future ruler of this world! Pleased to make your acquaintance, humu!" she said with a serious nod and seated herself again.

"Chuuni."

Rude!

She glared at Abzu, that was uncalled for! And judging by the tic in his Master's eye, the noble Kiritsugu no doubt agreed.

"The pleasure is ours, no doubt," the man said with a drawl, dark eyes peering into her with an intensity that threatened to make her blush. But she persevered! For Sakura's sake if nothing else. "But, if you'd be as kind as to answer my question…"

"Humu, of course!" she said and, as the peasants of this era put it, she spread her 'cards' on the table. "Both me and my Master have little desire for the Grail. My Master has no wish of her own and I…well, and forgive me if I'm about to sound rude, Lord Emiya, but the power it could grant me…well, it pales in comparison to what I normally wield."

The man arched an eyebrow.

"Surely you jest, Miss Mhxa."

She shook her head and smiled. "No, I do not, difficult as it may be to believe, this…container is not my true self, in truth, and I won't go into more details, my summoning here was somewhat of an accident, one I have little understanding off." Abzu's eyes widened at that and he leaned forward, studying her intensely and making her want to squirm as a curious glint entered his eyes, the man rubbing his chin.

"So, no, I also have little interest in the primitive trinket, "she said, avoiding Abzu's gaze by focusing on his Master. "But, my Lord, the question is why don't you?" she asked, cocking her head and causing the pair to stiffen, trading cautious looks.

"That…" Kiritsugu begun, slow and cautious. "Is a matter to be discussed once we know each other better."

"Humu," she said with a nod. Getting the hint and willing to let it go. She was curious, yes. But…

"I do not mean to pry," she offered in a gentle tone. "I'm merely curious, for while the grail might be what amounts to a paperweight to me, to you, and forgive me for using that expression but it is true from my point of view, to you 'primitives' it is something that would invaluable!"

A snort came from Abzu, making both of them turn to the man with a blink.

"Servantverse…" the man muttered with a shake of his head, making her stiffen.

How did he… First the golden hoarder, now Abzu too?

"I-in any case," she said, coughing into her fist to hide her blush. "If you speak true, then I'd be overjoyed to ally with you and yours, Master of Berseker," she said, making Abzu twitch.

"Berserker?" the man murmured and she sent a pitying look towards Kiritsugu. "Madness Enhancement is pitiable," she offered with a weak smile. Making the man nod.

"Indeed."

"But, as I was saying, if you're willing to offer me an oath, that you and yours will agree to not willingly harm my Master or incite others to do so, as well, as, for the duration of the war do your best to protect her," she pushed with her hands against the fragile table, rising to her full majestic stature and leaning forward, offering a gauntleted arm to the man. "Then, I do believe that we can be allies."

Kiritsugu's eyebrows furrowed, gazing from hand to face and then his eyes chanced a glance to his Servant.

"It is… a good offer," he said at last, almost reluctant to do so, and she could understand his recalcitrance. "And one, which, to use your own, words lady Mhxa, I'm not opposed to on principle, but preparing the geas scroll will take some time and—" but luckily she had just the thing to win him over!

Letting go of the table with her other arm, she reached into her coat with slow exaggerated movements and pulled out a scroll from her pockets.

"Worry not, future subject," she said. "For I've come prepared! Humu!"

"Future subject?" the man mouthed, glancing at Abzu and then furrowing his brows. Glancing at her still waiting arm, for a second it seemed like the man wanted nothing more than to slap it away, making her breath hitch, but then, with a tired sigh he reached and grasped it. Shaking it and then, letting go, he took the scroll from the other, unrolling it, his eyes darting across its span, taking it all in seeking for any hidden deceit.

She pulled back, settling back into her chair with a pleased nod. It was gratifying to witness the man's caution, even if, this once at least she did not intend to double-cross anyone. Still, with Kiritsugu and Abzu, Sakura's future was in good hands if she somehow failed.

"You understand that I will need to examine this further, yes?" the man asked at last, raising his eyes from the scroll and giving her an inscrutable look.

"Humu, of course. I would be offended if you didn't," she said.

"Nevertheless, at first glance, I don't see anything disagreeable on principle…" Kiritsugu said with a scowl, as if the very words pained him. "But in any case, while I perform my examinations, please allow me to rectify the matter of my hospitality," he said, making her blink. "Or rather, it's lack thereof," he said with a smile, nodding towards the bare table.

"Tis no issue, I've already told you so," she said with a dismissive wave, fighting the urge to blush once again. For Berserker's Master had a beautiful smile.

"Nonetheless, I insist," the man said shaking his head. "After all, we're to be allies, are we not? So." He rose to his feet and nodded to Abzu. "Please excuse me for a few moments while I prepare the refreshments. Abzu, please entertain our guest."

"Sure thing, Master," the primordial God said with a nod, his Master leaving, scroll in hand as he headed back towards the castle.

Leaving her alone.

Alone with the Golden Hunk.

Mhxa reached out with an arm and pulled her dark hood tighter around her face.

xxx

"Saber, the hell, were you thinking?" His Master once again roared within his head as he went about his business, no doubt examining the scroll for all it was worth, putting all of his considerable experience to the task…while also…preparing food and drinks.

Saber turned a sheet whiter.

Surely, it wouldn't be that bad, right?

"Trusting my instincts and taking a gamble, Master," he said while on the outside he looked at the blonde who'd been steadfastly avoiding his gaze. Was… was there something on his face or what? And he wanted so very much to ask her a couple of things…

"And what if it hadn't panned out, then what?" Kiritsugu asked in a low growl, and Saber caught glimpses of a marble counter-top, the man certainly moved fast didn't he. Almost inhumanly so.

"Well, in that case, we'd have the home field advantage, what with her having chosen to foolishly walk into an enemy's heavily warded stronghold. And without her Master nearby to empower her with a seal or two."

"Yes… a stronghold in which Maiya, Shirou and now Iri reside as well," the man snapped back and Saber winced.

The man had a point.

But even so.

"You're right, Master, and I apologize if I overstepped, but still, it worked out didn't it? Or at least… the scroll is clean, right?" he asked as, growing bored with Mhxa's silent treatment decided to at last pull back one of the chair's and plop down on it. Making the girl grow tense.

"Master?" he asked, catching a whiff of a horrifying miasma through their connection, and fearing for the worst. Had he made a mistake, he wondered, peering intently on Mhxa and preparing to summon his blade.

"Mmh? Oh, yeah, it's clean," Kiritsugu murmured, as Saber caught flashes of movement through their connection. Movements too fast for a modern mortal. Was he—"A part of me still refuses to believe it, but all signs point to your memories being true, regarding at least this much, Saber. The girl seems to really be that naive, and if that's the case… well, I'm glad the worm in your memories is probably already dead."

Letting out a relieved sigh, and coincidentally causing the girl to glance at him at last, Saber let the mental hold he had on his sword.

Good, one thing less to worry about.

But then… He frowned, where had the foul aura come from.

A horrible suspicion begun welling up in his gut and he prepared to ask Kiritsugu—

"If I may ask a question?"

Only for Mhxa's quiet voice to make him blink and focus back on her.

"By all means, what is it my Lady?"

A blush of all things found its way on the girl's cheeks, making him goggle as she lowered her eyes to the table.

"Why does the golden hoarder fixate upon you so?" Mhxa asked, the words seeming to give her a certain amount of strength as she raised her gaze to meet his. "Your history is all but lost to my time, but, since I've been summoned here, I availed myself to your primitive data-slates and, if the words in these… 'books' be true, you, my Lord are already wed to everyone's progenitor one… Tiamat?" Mhxa said, the sun appearing to dim for an instant and causing Saber to shudder. "Isn't that so?" the girl continued, seeming not to notice.

"Yes, it is as you say," he offered at last, and a gleam entered the girl's eyes.

"Humu! I knew it, the golden hoarder is a no good hussie as I suspected then!" the girl said with a pleased nod, leaning back and crossing her arms.

Saber, pinching his nose let out a sigh.

"On the face of it, it may seem so, but there are extenuating circumstances, Mhxa."

"Oh?"

"Yes," he said and glanced behind him. Seriously, what was taking Kiritsugu so long? "you see, I am not originally from this timeline, kinda like you," he said making the girl draw a sharp intake of breath. "But, where I am from, I did indeed meet with Gilgamesh, and we came to a sort of…understanding? Yeah," he said after a second of thinking about it. "That sounds about right."

Mhxa, continued to stare silently at him. Her full focus upon him.

"And during that time, things happened, things which, forgive me, but I shan't go into detail, not yet at any rate."

"Humu, understandable," she said. "I pray in good time we earn each others trust then."

Saber smiled. "It would please me greatly, but at any rate, in my timeline, Gilgamesh was a he," he said and watched as Mhxa blinked, and blinked again before breaking out into a set of giggles.

"A-apologies, snerk!" she said after a few moments waving her arm and re-composing herself… even if her lip twitched. "Pray continue."

"Yes… and after my…business there was concluded I departed, in what I think where rather good terms with Gilgamesh, or about as good as one could hope with the man…or woman in our present situation."

"But you were still married to Tiamat, yes?"

Abzu paused, and nodded. "Yes," he replied slowly. Although that was a whole other mess, one that he was in no hurry to try and explain to the woman in front of him.

Seriously, were was Kiritsugu, had he changed his mind and any moment they were about to experience what rockets did during lift off?

"So, in summary, and despite your words, you've no idea why the idiot is so taken with you and she remains a home wrecking hussy."

"Well now see, I do have some ideas," he offered weakly. "You see, the King's sight and powers are vast…when they bother to exercise it that is, and given that I got my Gilgamesh's respect, or a measure of it… It's not beyond the bounds that he'd try to set me up with an alternate version of…his…"

As the words left his mouth, and Mhxa's eyebrows climbed, Saber realized that maybe, his defense of Gilgamesh did not have the intended result.

"Plus, the man, or woman's incarnation as Archer always results in a more mercurial and temperamental version and as a Heroic Spirit I'm technically dead and thus I could see why she'd consider my previous vows null and void…"

He was only making things worse wasn't he.

"My point stands," Mhxa said, and Saber's shoulders slumped.

Thankfully, his lucky break came in the form of his Master arriving, a tray in his hands.

…Or so he thought, for as the man set the tray on the table, Saber's eyes found that of Mhxa's.

Both of them turning a shade paler, and gulping as they stared at the mugs filled with a purple liquid that seemed to swirl upon itself tiny screaming faces seeming to form and vanish within what could only be poison, while a miasma seemed to waft and rise in smoky tendrils from the mugs.

While the squirming, unnatural things upon the plates… The less said about them the better.

"M-Master… what is that?" he said, his voice breaking for the firs time since he'd been a teen while Mhxa, with delicate slowness begun pushing her chair back and away from the table inch by inch.

"Mmh?" the man asked with a blink, reaching with the hand not holding the rolled up geas scroll to grasp a squirming screaming square thing… and plop it in his mouth, followed by taking a gulp from one of the mugs. "What do you mean, Saber? I prepared refreshments as I said I would?" the man looked at him confused, searching for some hidden meaning in his Servant's words no doubt.

"Saber?"

"It's nothing, Master, you simply took a long time, I feared—"

And Saber despaired, for due to last night's events and this morning's follow-up he'd paid little attention to one small detail hidden in his recovered memories. A simple fact he'd overlooked, thinking it exaggerated and silly.

"Perfection takes time, Saber," the man send, back with a snort.

And Saber, staring at the neigh begging masses of liquid, realized he had erred.

For it would seem that Kiritsugu truly couldn't cook. Or rather… it seemed he could but his 'cooking'…

"T-The geas?" Mhxa asked, in a shaky tone, flashing Saber a panicking glance and receiving a tremulous smile in return. He felt like he could almost kiss the girl.

For her words might have just earned them a stay of execution—

"Mmh? Oh, yeah, I've already signed it," Kiritsugu said, and frowning, searching through the depths of his being, Saber noticed a new presence, prohibiting from doing certain things but also establishing their new alliance with Mhxa.

And judging by the minute widening of the girl's eyes, she just noticed it too.

"So, go on, have your fill, let's celebrate this alliance," Kiritsugu said, and for once, his smile seemed honest and pure.

Saber looked at Mhxa.

Mhxa looked at Saber.

Both their shoulders slumped, and as his oblivious Master flicked another screaming abomination into his mouth, the pair of Servants nodded to one another in an act of grim camaraderie, a salute to the damned, and grasped the proffered…refreshments.

Were he not a Servant, and thus more or less ageless, Saber would swear that a single gulp out of the goblet shorn a decade from his life.

Mustering his strength so as to take another gulp under the expectant gaze of his Master, the scowl coming over the man's face coupled with the tensing of his back and the honk of a car a second or two later put an end to that as all three rushed to their feet.

"Saved by the bell…" Mhxa's shuddering whisper not helping, even though he agreed with the pale and slightly green tinted girl.

But, Kiritsugu did not seem to notice the girl's disparaging comments in relation to his cooking…abilities, rather, the frowning man started jogging towards the clearing in the front of the castle.

Saber, and Mhxa next to him, rushing to keep up.

"Humu, were we expecting someone?" the girl asked, and Saber caught a hint of nervousness in her voice, and for that, he could not blame her. After all, despite the geas enforcing their newly forged alliance…loopholes and workarounds were all but inevitable. Whether intentionally added or something the creator overlooked.

"No, we do not," Kiritsugu replied with a clipped tone, gaze fixed in front of him.

"Master? Did you plan this?"

"No, and I do not know who it is, be on your guard Saber," the man replied, as they rounded the curve and saw…

The hell was Tokiomi doing here?

---

If it's not clear already, Iri is my favorite character in this fic, writing her was such a joy... Strong of will but with an innocent genki energy, ahh Kiritsugu you lucky bastard...

Also, ask me how I know that after around 40-50k Scrivener, if your whole project is in a single 'file', starts to chug.

For those of you who are shuddering and looking at me horrified, worry not, I was taking frequent backups as I went. It was more out of morbid fascination to see if it would crush that I kept going.
Spoiler, it didn't. But, by the end-90k- it was slow, slow like some of my oldest computers. At any rate, I do not recomend you emulate me :xD

And yeah, I know that Kayneth and Sola are probably out of character, but it's been ages since I last saw Zero and I really don't remember anything but a few scenes from the show, so yeah.

By the way, if you're still curious as to how Saber is alive again, it has to do with his wife Tiamat and her mud/sea of life...