He Who Protects the Living
AN: Well, aren't you glad to see me back in a week again? I was really glad too, I hated having to make all of you wait for more than a month for a relatively short chapter. Wasn't that popular either it seems.
The poll in my profile is still up, will be until Chapter 9. Not that urgent really. It is there however, anyone who hasn't gone should go and take a look, though it seems pretty much decided.
Not much to say really. I feel as if I should have a lot to say, but I got nothing. I hope you enjoy the chapter.
Fun Fact: The chapter titles are probably the hardest part of writing.
Disclaimer: I know some people wonder about these. Fanfiction does provide disclaimer's for us, we don't technically need them, but we use them because back in the 90's before , when you posted fanfics on blogs or whatever you used to post 'em, those sites did not provide disclaimers. It's pretty much habit, but it helps I guess. To make sure.
I own nothing. Not Fate/Stay Night, Type-Moon, Bleach, or any other anime/manga/LN/VN/etc. that I will reference in this story.
Last Time: Coming out of the bathroom, he caught sight of Saber, awkwardly standing and waiting for him to finish. He looked down as he saw her, she did the same. Saber opened her mouth to apologize once again when they both froze as they heard the doorbell. It was time. In light of the situation, they both grew a little more serious.
They would put this incident behind them, and perhaps talk about it later. Right now it was time.
Chapter 8: True Nature
An Unknown Location
An old man sat down while two lines of people in black kimono's and white hakama's stood in front of him. Some of them seemed bored, like they didn't want to be here, some looked quite serious, and others indifferent.
"We have recently received souls from a part of the world of the living that no one could recognize." The old man started. This got everyone's attention. An unknown part of the world of the living? Was that even possible?
"I have researched into this place, as the co-ordinates should not exist. I cannot find any mention of the place." The old man continued. Some of the figures shook their heads in confusion. They had been to the world of the living an uncountable number of times, to all over the world, and a place that none of them had been to before sounded so odd.
"There is something going on in this place, and it worries me that no one seems to know this it. Souls have come from a place that should not exist, co-ordinates that are unknown to us. I wish for shinigami to be sent to where this place is supposed to be, and investigate if this is a flaw in our system, which is unlikely, or if it is a place where something sinister goes on." The old man told them all.
"Soifon." The old man called out. A young woman with braided hair responded. She had a very hard and serious look on her face. "Hai, Soutaicho!"
"I want you to send your Onmitsukido to investigate this place. Send them to where this place should be, and have them report back what they find. I want this investigation done fast." The old man, the Soutaicho demanded of her.
"Hai!" Responded the woman. The old man nodded. "Dismissed."
-I have experienced, true fear-
Shirou readied himself mentally as he and Saber walked down to meet Sakura. He had no idea what might happen when he and Saber met Zouken. He had never met Sakura's grandfather, but as he was a magus, it was entirely possible that he might be leading them into an attack. Shirou did not believe that Sakura would do something like that, so he has to conclude that she knew nothing.
If he was walking into a trap, he would be clueless to it. Shirou didn't care much however. If he was walking into a trap, he would just beat Zouken. It never occurred to him that he might lose in a confrontation with Zouken.
He and and Saber put on their shoes and opened the door. The sight of purple hair met their vision. Shirou blinked. He had expected Rider to be with Sakura, but he couldn't see her. Saber also noticed, and kept herself on guard. Even if this was a meeting for an alliance, Rider would become an enemy later. It was entirely possible that Rider would not listen to her master and attack them.
Sakura greeted her senpai a little more enthusiastically. "Hello senpai, Saber-san. My grandfather is expecting you two." Her smile dimmed a little when she mentioned her grandfather, but neither Saber or Shirou noticed as her smile grew back at the thought that she might be fighting with Shirou soon.
"Alright Sakura. Let's go." Shirou told her, getting straight to the point. Saber nodded beside him. Shirou locked the door up quickly, then started walking. He had been to Sakura's house once back in the very short time that he was friends with Shinji. He knew the way.
Behind him, Saber stood between him and Sakura, who was trailing behind. Sakura tried to strike up some conversation with Saber. "Senpai isn't scowling."
Saber looked back at her confused. "Shirou scowling? I do not believe that he does that often."
Sakura nodded, looking down a little. "Yes. Ever since you arrived Saber-san, senpai has seemed much happier. He smiles so much, when he never used to. From what Fujimura-sensei tells me, he started scowling all the time when his father Kiritsugu died. He just wasn't very happy. He usually only smiles fake smiles when the day Kiritsugu died comes."
Saber blinked in surprise. Shirou had just seemed so normal. He had never given an indication of what Sakura was saying. Actually, now that she thought about it, back in that first night, wasn't Shirou scowling a lot?
"Actually, now that you mention it, I do seem to recall Shirou scowling a lot when I first met him. Why do you think it is that he now seems happier?" Saber asked her. Her thoughts grew to the war, and she wondered if perhaps her master enjoyed the thrill of battle more than she suspected.
Sakura sighed at Saber's obliviousness. She had really been wrong that first night, she had still had a chance back then. They had clearly liked each other back then, but Sakura could have still tried to steal him back. It was too late now though. The way Saber and Shirou looked at each other, even now.
Trust. They trusted each other. Even with Rider possibly an enemy and at Shirou's back, he showed no discomfort because Saber was at his back. They didn't need to speak to each other to get points across. Sakura wondered how it was possible for two people to grow so close in a matter of days. It didn't seem feasible, that two people could learn to trust each other, to grow so close in just days. It was like Saber and Shirou were made for each other.
"It's you Saber-san. Shirou is happy because he is with you." Sakura tried to tell her. It would hurt her, helping Saber to get Shirou. But she wanted her senpai to be happy so much. And anyway, there was no way senpai would ever want someone as dirty as her. With a body that lusted so.
They were now coming up to the Matou house. Saber was confused by Sakura's words. "I do not understand." Saber told Sakura.
"Why would-" Saber was cut off as all three of them, Shirou, Saber and Sakura felt something off. They were now in front of the house. There appeared to be nothing wrong from the outside, but there was a bad sense coming out of it.
"Shirou." Saber told him. He needed nothing more than that, as he summoned Zangetsu in a flurry of reishi. Saber summoned her armor to herself, readying herself.
Besides Sakura, Rider also appeared. "Master, there is a servant inside your house."
Sakura nodded. "Senpai-" she began. Shirou shook his head. "Stay out here Sakura. I and Saber will go in and see what is going on. Rider, protect Sakura."
Rider almost hissed at him. How dare a lowly god of death try to order her around!? But it was what she would have done anyway, and so she held her tongue. Her master would not be happy if she expressed distaste for this one. Rider simply nodded stiffly at Shirou, who started into the house with Saber.
'Senpai.' Sakura wished for his safety. She stood watching the door where Shirou had gone for a while. She thought about what he might be facing in there and shuddered. She couldn't leave him alone. She had to go. She started walking. Rider blocked her immediately.
"Sakura, where do you think you're going?" Rider demanded of her. Sakura shook her head. "I have to go Rider. I can't let senpai fight alone. If he's fighting grandfather, grandfather will kill him. I wouldn't put it past him to tell me to offer an alliance but want to kill him instead."
Rider still wouldn't move. "Rider!" Sakura almost screamed at her. "Why do you care about that shinigami," Rider almost spat out the word, "so much? He doesn't care about you Sakura. He can take care of himself, leave him be."
Sakura shook her head again. "I will use my command seal if I have to Rider. Move. I'm going. With or without you." Rider sighed. When she wanted to, her master was quite stubborn. "We will follow behind and only interfere if they are in trouble." Rider told Sakura. Sakura quickly agreed.
If worse came to worse, she would try to leave Rider behind to save senpai. She could at least do that much. It was at that moment, that the house started shaking. Rider spun, crouching low in front of Sakura, as the house began to collapse.
It had only been a few minutes since Shirou and Saber had gone in. An ominous feeling filled the air.
-I have experienced, true fear-
Shirou and Saber ran inside. There was a feeling of weight and danger surrounding them. Shirou felt his hand burn. It was a servant. "A servant. Sakura's grandfather's?" Shirou asked Saber.
"I do not think so. If so, he would have waited to ambush us. I believe someone is attacking him at this moment. I can feel it; this servant is strong." Saber responded. Shirou nodded and continued walking. Sakura's house was dark and did not feel very homely. It had an ominous look about it. There was no light inside.
Shirou's nose then gave him a whiff of something. Death. Rot. Decay. Power. Shirou followed the scent, silently telling Saber to follow behind him. They quickly made their way, and soon found an opening, to what seemed like a hidden room. It looked like it was forcibly made open. Shirou and Saber exchanged a glance.
Saber went in first. Shirou did not argue, though he desperately wanted to. It would do no good argue here and be found out. Soon, they saw inside the room. It was dark, and filled with the scent of rot and decay. Saber looked on with disgust, and Shirou almost wanted to barf.
Inside, they started to hear the sounds of someone arguing. Hiding and looking down, they saw a mutilated body on the ground. In front of the body, was an ancient looking man with a chain on his chest, screaming at a younger looking man in golden armor. The golden armor wearing man had blond hair, cube earring's, and had the disposition of a noble. He had an arrogant look on his face, looking down at the chained old man.
"Why are you here!? Who's servant are you!?" The old man did not seem concerned that he was almost clearly dead. He seemed more concerned with figuring out who the golden man was.
The golden man looked at him in disgust. "Be silent you mongrel worm. How dare a worm talk to his better like he can actually demand answers. Be grateful I only kill your mortal shell and I don't obliterate your pathetic existence as well."
The old man shook with rage. The golden man was uncaring, and instead looked up. Shirou felt a chill as he saw the man's eyes. He was strong, terribly strong. "How long are you worms going to try and hide?"
Beside Shirou, Saber had a look of shock on her face. 'Archer! But how!?' She recognized this man. He was one that she had fought in the previous grail war. She had never been able to figure out his identity, and he infuriated her.
Saber knew there was no more point in hiding when he called them out. She stood, Shirou following her from behind. "Archer! How is this possible, how are you still alive?"
The golden man, Archer, smiled when he saw her. "Ah, Saber! It is you, my woman. How do you recognize me I wonder? It does not matter." He looked at her like he owned her.
Beside Saber, Shirou shook. 'His woman? Why do I feel so angry? I've never felt such fury before.' Shirou felt his body heat up in anger. He didn't know why Archer's words infuriated him so, but he wanted to go down there and wipe that look on his face.
Saber shook in anger. Shirou was distracted, and looked at Saber in surprise. He had never seen her lose her composure before. "I am not your woman Archer! I refused you quite clearly."
The golden Archer sighed. "I see. But that just makes me want you even more, my beautiful King of Knights." At this he smiled indulgently, as if he allowed her to have the title. "Just come. I can give you anything you want in the world, any jewel or weapon. I can make you experience the greatest of pleasures."
Shirou was disgusted. "She already said no Goldie." He couldn't help himself from this reply, although Saber looked at him with warning on her face. "Why don't you go and run back to your master."
The golden Archer looked at him as if he had just noticed him. He frowned in distaste. "A shinigami. What do you want, death god." The golden Archer looked at the old man, who was staying silent and watching. He hadn't moved, as if sensing that he would be wiped out of existence if he tried to escape.
"Ah, have you come for this worm? Hurry up then, take him and get out of here." The golden Archer talked to him dismissively. Like he was ordering Shirou to hurry up and leave. Shirou and Saber both stared in surprise. He knew about shinigami? And he could see the plus of Zouken.
"Well, what are you waiting for shinigami? If you don't hurry up I'll make you leave." The golden Archer told him, looking extremely annoyed. Shirou looked at him with hard eyes.
"I'm Saber's master. We came here to meet with Zouken. Why do you know about Shinigami?" Shirou spoke to him harshly. The golden Archer looked at him for a moment, then started to laugh.
Laughing in delight, he made out, "A shinigami a master? How delightful! So, is this the reason why you won't be mine Saber? You believe this man is better because he is a false god?" The golden Archer stopped laughing.
"Well then, I suppose I'll just have to make you mine Saber. But not right now, I have things to do, somewhere to be. Await me patiently Saber." The man told her, turning. Shirou would have none of that. With a yell, Shirou shot forward in a flash of black, Zangetsu poised at the man's head.
"Master!" Saber shouted in alarm, also shooting forward to follow. She couldn't believe Shirou had just shot forward like that. He didn't know how dangerous this man was.
The golden Archer merely looked annoyed. With a snap of his fingers, a the air behind him turned to gold. In an instant, dozens of weapons shot at Shirou. Eyes widening in alarm, Shirou was not able to turn as he was still on his step. Quickly, he put Zangetsu in front of him to defend. Then he was pushed harshly away by Saber. Saber and Shirou collapsed in a heap as the weapons impacted the floor.
If Rin's red Archer shot like a machine gun, this golden Archer shot like a missile. Each of his weapons made a large crater on the ground, and caused the house to shake. Only now did Shirou notice these craters were in addition to ones left behind Zouken's mutilated corpse.
"Saber." Shirou breathed. "Are all of those..." Shirou did not need a response. His mind automatically stored the appearance of the many weapons, all of them being recorded in his mind, though Shirou himself was not aware of this happening.
Those weapons gave off a feeling that could not be mistaken. They were all Noble Phantasms. But such an absurd number of them! Just who was this servant!?
The golden Archer kept a smirk on his face as he saw them avoid his weapons. Behind him, the hilts of many more began to jut out of the golden air. "You're not a very strong shinigami are you? If you could not even avoid my weak assault. Please, keep on scurrying about like a rat, it is quite amusing."
"Shirou." Saber breathed to him. "This isn't the time to fight this servant. I don't know how he is still alive, he was in the Fourth Holy Grail War. He is terrifyingly strong."
Shirou did not listen to her. All he could see was the man's smirk. The possessive look in his eyes when he saw Saber. Shirou moved Saber out of the way and started to channel his reiatsu at Zangetsu. Before Saber and the golden Archer's eyes, Zangetsu split in two and changed. Where before Zangetsu had been a large cleaver, now it was a pair of chinese curved swords closely resembling Rin's Archer's weapons.
Saber readied herself as well behind Shirou. If her foolish master was going to fight, she would make sure he wouldn't die. Shirou blasted forward with a battle cry. The golden Archer had a slightly interested look on his face. Once more, behind Goldie, dozens of weapons shot out like missiles.
All manners of weapons. Spears, swords, arrows, kusari-gama, naginata, more! Shirou's arms blurred as he channeled his reiatsu at them. The black lightning of the prana burst that Saber had 'taught' him – whichh he should really rename, as he didn't posses any prana whatsoever – appeared on his arms as they blurred, knocking blades out of the way. Saber's arms also blurred as her invisible weapon also knocked them away.
The golden Archer did not seem to be worried in the least however. Shirou could tell. He was toying with them. He didn't see them as a deadly force coming to take his life. The thought that he could die was simply inconceivable to him. He was having fun.
Shirou channeled even more reiatsu into his swords. "Getsuga-" Shirou began as he leaped up, blades following him. "Tensho!" Together, his two swords glowed black and shot forward two crescents of blue that knocked the weapons out of the way. As they approached Archer, they combined to form one single greater attack.
The attack hit an unmoving Archer, and a large explosion rocked the room. As they were inside a house, it was shaking as the strong attack hit. The walls began to crumble. Smoke obscured Shirou and Saber's view, but the barrage of weapons did stop.
As the smoke began to clear however, Shirou's eyes widened in horror as he saw the golden Archer standing there, not so much as a scratch or a smudge of dirt anywhere on him. He had let the attack hit him. His face was set in a little bit of disappointment.
"You really are a very weak shinigami. They let shinigami as weak as you out of the Soul Society? Well, I suppose times have changed. You always have the most interesting zanpakutou however." At this, the Archer looked at Zangetsu with the same possessive look he had given Saber.
"Tell me, do you mind if I add it to my collection?" The golden Archer seemed to inquire, his tone suggesting an order. Shirou saw red. To demand of him a part of his very soul!? In his mind, laughter, crazed laughter ran out. He felt anger. He felt blood lust.
Saber looked at her master with worry. She felt something off through her connection with him. Why was he so angry? Surely, this golden Archer was infuriating, but to such an extent that he would lose his cool like this?
Shirou's eyes, unnoticed to all but the Archer, began to take on a yellow hue. The golden Archer watched, interested. Shirou shot forward, even faster then before, catching both Saber and the Archer off guard. The golden Archer held his hands up to protect his face as a barrage of slashes met his body. They did nothing. Not so much as a scratch appeared on the golden Archer's armor.
Shirou's anger grew more and more, and white started to form at the corner of his face. Behind the golden Archer and Shirou, Saber was shaking as a hollow energy began to flow to her thru her and Shirou's connection. Her armor slowly started to turn black, and she could hear a voice in her head. It was unlike anything she had ever felt before.
Shirou once again shouted his attack. "Getsuga Tensho!" His voice came out as warbled. It sounded like two people were speaking at once. Another twin pair of crescents came at Archer, this time no different from before save for a tinge of black on them.
They did nothing to Archer.
Archer was annoyed. Although Shirou's strikes were beginning to get stronger, they felt like love taps to him. How dare such a weak false god think he could attack him? Archer jumped back, the first time he was made to move during this 'fight,' and snapped his fingers.
In an instant, chains shot out of nowhere and enveloped Shirou. Shirou's face stopped turning white, as he desperately struggled to get out of these bonds. Saber behind him also stopped convulsing, as the flow of hollow feeling energy stopped flowing to her. What small parts of her armor had turned black turned silver again.
The house was beginning to collapse. The powerful attacks had started a fire behind the golden Archer with the annoyed look. The walls were crumbling. The golden Archer tisked in annoyance.
"What manner of beast are you?" He asked Shirou, who was coming back to his senses. Shirou did not respond. The man sighed with annoyance and looked at Saber who was panting from the intrusion into her body. "We'll meet again my King of Knights. You have a slightly interesting master."
The golden Archer disappeared. Zouken, who had not said or done anything since Shirou and Saber had revealed themselves was gone. Saber stood as debris fell on their heads. She looked at the chains still present, and destroyed them quickly in a series of slashes. "Master, we have to go!"
Shirou was unresponsive, and still looked a little dazed. Saber almost growled in annoyance. She grabbed her master and slung him over his shoulder. She ran as the ceiling caved on the hidden basement, crushing a multitude of insect familiars that had stayed away from the battle and must have belonged to Zouken.
-I have experienced, true fear-
"Senpai!" screamed out Sakura. "Rider, let's go."
Rider sighed, but nodded her head. Hurriedly, they both charged in to the slowly crumbling house. This must have been a battle between servants, for the large house to collapse like it was. Not too far inside, they came across Saber, who was carrying Shirou on her back.
"Sakura-san!" cried out Saber as she saw them. Rider understood this wasn't the time to fight. The four of them made their way out of the house, an old ghost left behind.
Outside of the house
Shirou slowly came to. He opened his eyes, and they met the darkness of the night sky. He felt his head on something soft. It was a familiar feeling. Forgetting for the moment that he had just fought in a life or death battle and almost died, he burrowed his head into the somehow familiar warmth. A gasp made his head shoot up as he looked at the red faced Saber, who's lap he had had his head layed on.
"S-s-saber!" Shirou cried out, falling backwards only to impact on someone else. Turning his head, he met the almost imperceptibly sad looking Sakura, who had her face reddened by Shirou burrowing his head into Saber's lap, and an unimpressed looking Rider.
Paling now, he tripped and fell sideways. A little dazed now, his ears met the soft laughter of Saber. He looked at her surprised. It was the very first time he had heard her laugh. Soon though, he started to laugh as well. The absurdity of the situation was starting to hit him.
He had not thought that there would be a hard battle to be fought except for Berserker and Ilya, and his meeting with Ilya earlier had almost made him underestimate even that threat. But that golden Archer...
He was just too strong. What kind of Heroic Spirit possessed dozens of Noble Phantasms? What kind of person was he, that all of Shirou's best attacks did nothing to him? That Saber had not even been able to get close because she was too busy trying to keep Shirou from being killed, and almost failed at that anyway?
The idea that he might die in this war, that Saber could die and leave him alone had not particularly crossed his mind. He had contemplated it for perhaps a few seconds at most but had dismissed it, as even a human like him could at least hold off these servants. After that battle, he was certain that even the ferocious Berserker would lose to that golden Archer.
He was interrupted of his inward thoughts and outward laughter when a rasping sound met his ears. Alarmed, he jumped up from his sitting position in unison with Saber. Sakura did not seem concerned though, and instead she seemed confused by why Saber and Shirou had reacted like that. Rider seemed like she had heard the sound though, as she was on guard as well.
"So, you survived that servant." The sound was of an old man. Looking, Shirou saw the plus of Matou Zouken. Zouken seemed unconcerned by Shirou and Saber.
"That golden Archer, he came into my home and attacked me." The man continued. Saber felt a chill go down her spine. She did not trust this man. Her every sense told her to kill him as an abomination. As something evil and wrong.
"You, you are the man that I sought to meet this night; Emiya Shirou." Zouken said, looking at Shirou. This was the first time Shirou was meeting Zouken. He was a frail old man that looked as if he could not stand or walk without help, but he sent shivers through Shirou. Shirou felt as if even though he had come to talk to this man to get his help, he just couldn't work with him.
But he was dead. And he seemed completely unconcerned at the fact. Shirou eyed him carefully.
Zouken ignored this. "So, that servant, he called you a shinigami. I must admit, although I have heard vague mentions of them, even I have never actually seen one. Tell me, what does one such as you do here in Fuyuki citu?"
Another person that somehow knew what a shinigami was. Shirou was a little confounded. Weren't shinigami supposed to be completely unknown to the world of the living? He could understand the golden Archer at least, he came from the Throne of Souls and might have even met them before.
Shirou did not answer him, as he didn't really know how. He was a shinigami, but he was born one. He had never been to the Soul Society, and he had never met any others of his kind.
Saber whispered to him. "Be careful Shirou. This man, he gives me a very bad feeling."
Shirou didn't listen to her however. He was dead anyway, a soul. What could Zouken possibly do to him? He walked forward, drawing his sword. Sakura asked him what he was doing behind him. Saber stepped forward with Shirou.
"There's no real reason to answer your questions old man. Just know, you no longer have to concern yourself with this place. Your going somewhere better, to the Soul Society." Shirou spoke, raising his sword, hilt glowing white. Caught of guard by this response, which he had completely not expected, Zouken had enough time to say, "What?" before his head was touched.
The ground immediately shook. A crack formed on the ground, and Sakura, who could not see anything cried out in surprise. Saber and Shirou shot each other a look. They had both seen this image before. Just what kind of a family did Sakura have?
Zouken was now looking about in alarm as a giant ominous gate arose from the ground. Chains rattled as the door opened, and laughter ran out. Zouken lunged at Shirou, as if to take him with him, but was pierced from behind by a giant blade. Zouken had no chance for anything but to yell and curse as he was sucked into hell.
"Senpai, what's going on?" Sakura demanded of him as the ground stopped shaking. Shirou sighed and turned to her. He couldn't just leave her without an explanation, and she was without a home or family now. She would need him now.
"Sakura, I told you I am a shinigami. Your grandfather's dead Sakura, I passed him on to the next life just now." He told her bluntly. Sakura shook and tears fell out of her eyes. Shirou was sure they were tears of sadness or anger, so he was surprised when Sakura shakingly said, "I-i'm free?"
-End Chapter 8-
AN: Yeah, a lot shorter than usual. Why? I'm not too sure myself. I just kinda lost my thunder and couldn't get it back.
My FTC Robotics team made second place in City this weekend. We're moving on to state. After that, I just got lazy after all my hard work, and didn't really work on anything. This is about where I had it on Friday, when I was supposed to post this, and I just kinda lost it.
I'll get chapter 9 out sooner I guess, since this chapter was so short. And it might be longer than usual. Things like this happen. I could have kept on going, but trust me it would have taken forever. Once my ideas run short like this, I need a new spark of inspiration.
I'm thinking next chapter goes out on Sunday. Poll will close by then. Status updates are on my profile as usual, though, I guess they've been kinda unreliable, since real life screws me over so much.
Ja ne!
