He Who Protects the Living

AN: Wow. You have no idea what I had to get through to be here. Like, really, you have no idea. I could go off on a tangent about all of the stuff that has kept this chapter from coming out for so long, but chances are none of you care.

Sorry to the people who PM'ed me recently and got no response back. I was pretty ashamed that this chapter was so...you know. Late. Especially after my last somewhat embarrassing chapter. Now that this chapter is up, I'll PM all of you back.

Thanks to everyone who was so patient with me about this chapter. It was a wild ride, and hopefully how fast Chapter 10 comes out will determine how my updates will look from now on. Some of you may have vague memories of a time where I had time to update semi-regularly. I'm hoping I can go back to that someday.

Well, enjoy this chapter that has kept you all waiting for so long. Hopefully.

Disclaimer: I don't own Fate/Stay Night, or Bleach, or anything else from anything I may or may not reference in any way, shape, or form.

Last time: "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?"

Chapter 9: Stay With Me

The air began to distort, and then to slowly shine. A waver ran through the air, unnoticed, as a pair of shoji doors appeared and opened. From the blinding light came a young woman, wearing a shihakusho, and a haori with the kanji for two on the back over it. She was followed by a rather large man with a large purple collar, and an old fashioned hair style. Behind them followed more people, dressed like ninja.

As the young woman began to observe her surroundings, the shoji doors behind them closed, and a large, hollow shriek filled the air. Immediately on guard, the squad saw a bunch of hollow fighting each other, trying to get past..thin air?

'No', she thought. 'I feel, a presence. Beyond that invisible wall, there is a huge reiatsu. It feels different. Not hollow, nor shinigami.'

Soifon had been sent to check if there was anything here, anything unusual going on. Hollow trying to do something so bizarre as this, instead of going to a populated city to feed was quite strange.

Regardless of what the hollow were trying to do, or the strange reiatsu, the young woman ran into battle with her squad. A sense of confusion filled her as even more hollow showed up and they began to cut them down, all trying to get at the source of this large reiatsu.

-I refuse to conform!-

Shirou stared at Sakura blankly, trying to process what she had just said. She was free? Out of all the things that Shirou had expected Sakura to say, perhaps express her anger to him on killing all of her family, or her immense sadness, it was happiness and gratitude?

Both Shirou and Saber stared somewhat bewildered as the girl fell crying onto Shirou's chest. Shirou wasn't exactly sure what to do in such a situation, but hugged her close and allowed her to cry to herself. Sakura eventually became limp as she fell asleep in his arms.

Shirou looked up from her, to find Rider staring with distaste, and Saber looking with an odd expression that he couldn't quite place. Slowly, he grabbed Sakura and started walking back home, confident that Saber and Rider would follow him.

From not too far away, two pairs of eyes stared as Rider, Saber, and Shirou with Sakura in his arms walked away. Rin frowned in the same distaste Rider had shown. She didn't really like Shirou carrying Sakura in his arms like that. Beside her, Archer had his arms crossed, a disinterested look on his face.

'This Shirou is really nothing like me. This Grail War is already so different from mine, Zouken has been killed, so has Shinji. The more I look, the more I wonder if this Shirou even has the same ideals as me. Is it possible for there to be an Emiya Shirou that does not want to sacrifice himself for others?' Archer's thoughts betrayed his supposed disinterest.

"We'll come back later Archer. I want to be prepared, for when Emiya and I fight." Rin told him. Archer looked at Shirou, who had survived his fight with Gilgamesh. It surprised him that he would be strong enough to come out of a fight with the golden Archer so unscathed. This Shirou was much stronger than he could have ever been at this point without extenuating circumstances.

He could not say he could almost fight Servants as this Shirou from his own fight with the golden Archer. Granted, he had been holding back greatly against this Shirou, but a Servant like him, ten times stronger than a normal servant because of his innumerable Noble Phantasms, it was impressive.

"It would be unwise to fight against Emiya head on Rin. Berserker still lives, and that golden Archer was quite strong. Let them fight each other, and we can pick off the victor." Archer told her.

In another world where a stupidly kind man had mellowed out Rin from her absolute magus mentality, she might have disagreed with such an honor less plan.

-I refuse to conform!-

One final shriek filled the air. Panting soon replaced it as the weaker members of the young woman's squad took a rest. The young woman had naught a scratch on her, looking to where all of the hollow had tried to break in. She walked forward and placed a hand, but felt nothing. Walking a bit forward, she was shocked as her hand hit something. Pushing, she could not get through.

She took her sword out and slashed at the air, trying to get through. Nothing. Gritting her teeth, she summoned a blue ball in her hand and fired it at the air, only for it to disappear. Soifon blinked as she thought she heard something like, "My cabbages!"

Everyone now noticing what the woman was doing, the large man with the purple collar looked her way and said, "What's wrong Soifon-taicho?"

Giving up, Soifon looked back. "We're going back Omaeda. There doesn't seem to be any getting through this barrier, especially if the hollow couldn't. At the very least, we have confirmed that there is something here."

The large man, revealed as Omaeda groaned as he looked like he had just expended a lot of effort for nothing. Soifon quickly shot him a look that quickly shut him up. Soifon used her sword to create another set of shoji doors, entering with one last glance back as she wondered what was hidden behind that barrier.

-I will not conform!-

At Shirou's home, Shirou gently placed Sakura down in a spare room. He turned around to see Rider and Saber also taking a look to see how Sakura was. Shirou spoke up then. "Rider, do you know what Sakura meant when she said she was finally free? Free of what?"

Rider refused to tell him anything. "It is not my place to tell you anything shinigami. Should my master be happy to tell you when she wakes, that will be her choice. I am grateful for what you have done, but leave now. I will tend to my master."

Saber did not like the tone Rider had as she talked to Shirou. "Rider! We help you when my master has no ne-" Shirou cut Saber off before she could say more.

"It's alright Saber. Rider's right, and I would like to hear it from Sakura more anyway. Know this though Rider: Sakura is my sister in all but blood. Should anything happen to her while your guarding her..." Shirou left the threat unsaid.

Rider hissed at the very insinuation. "I will not have some shinigami talk to me as if he can just order me around. I will protect my master with my life. I do not need you to tell me my duty as a Servant."

Shirou frowned. "What do you have against shinigami anyway? Why do you know we exist at all?" Rider hissed again at the memory.

"You shinigami! So arrogant, thinking you are entitled to everything! I have no reason to answer any of your questions!" Rider growled at him. Saber looked ready to complain once more, but a look from Shirou had her hold her tongue.

"I will await you in the living room Shirou." Saber had evidently had enough. Shirou wondered for a moment, that Saber would leave him alone with Rider when she did not seem friendly.

A warm feeling spread through his chest when he realized it must be trust. She trusted him to be okay on his own. And to call her if he needed her help. Shirou looked to Rider who also seemed a little surprised at Saber's abrupt disappearance. "Rider, I'm about to go make something to eat for dinner. Would you like anything?"

Rider seemed unnerved by the offer. She quickly declined and entered her spirit form. Shirou sighed, but left the room. A scowl made it's way onto his face, one of the first he had had ever since Saber had arrived as his Servant. Rider infuriated him somewhat.

He entered the living room, and saw Saber sitting down quietly, waiting for him. His scowl disappeared as quickly as it had come, although Shirou did not notice. "Anything special you would like to eat tonight Saber?"

Saber perked up instantly at the mention of food. "Anything you prepare would be delightful Shirou." Shirou had expected that, but still felt an odd feeling spread through his chest at her words. He wondered what it was as he idly scratched his chest. Ever since that gold Archer had called her his woman, he felt...different when he looked at Saber. Shirou dismissed the feeling as pains from his most recent battle.

Shirou quickly cooked something up, making sure to make some for Sakura as well. There was also one other person that would appreciate his cooking...

"SHIROUUUUUUUU!" Or, tiger, as it were. With all the commotion that had gone over that day, he had almost forgotten that he had talked with Fuji-nee just that morning about how school was out, and he was going to check on Sakura.

Shirou quickly brought the plates out to a hungry tiger and a silent lion. He marveled as they both devoured the food he had made. Albeit, in different ways. Fuji-nee was content to shovel everything down her throat without tasting anything, while Saber slowly destroyed everything on her plate, savoring every bite. He found himself staring at her a little, wondering how a petite girl like her could eat so much.

Fuji-nee, unfortunately noticed this. "Shirou, I see your staring at Saber again. Don't you get enough of her during the day?" Fuji-nee had a sly smile on her face as she said this. Shirou scowled deeply, looking at her with a slightly murderous look. Fuji-nee gulped slightly and sweat a little. Shirou did not notice how Fuji-nee had said, "Again."

Saber herself ignored the madness that had become slightly expected out of dinner. She interrupted both of them when she held up her plate to Shirou. "Seconds please." She asked of him.

Shirou forgot his anger momentarily as he served Saber food again with a small smile. Fuji-nee noticed once again. She was really on a roll that night. "So Saber, how has Shirou been treating you? Liking Japan so far?"

Saber looked up, blinking a little at being addressed. "Shirou has been a very kind host to me indeed. I do not know what I would have done had Shirou not been able to take me in. Japan is a country far different from my homeland, but I have enjoyed it immensely."

Fuji-nee knew that Shirou was not normally so kind to strangers. "Is that so now?" She looked over at Shirou who was looking at her suspiciously. "I'm glad your acting of a manner befitting of what I taught you Shirou." She looked quite proud at having used such a big word like 'befitting.' It was a little sad when you realized she was a teacher that taught teenagers.

"Yeah. Right." Shirou said somewhat sarcastically.

"Anyway, Shirou, what happened with your trip to Sakura's today? Is she feeling alright what with the disappearance of her brother and all?" Fuji-nee asked him.

Shirou was relieved she had changed the subject. Fate couldn't hate him all the time. "She was doing pretty good. Actually, her grandfather had to go away for awhile, so she will be staying with us until he comes back. She's in one of the guest rooms right now, resting."

Fuji-nee grinned at this. "My Shirou, was Saber not enough for you? Now your sinking you claws into poor little Sakura as well?"

Shirou grew red. He was not sure if it was because of anger, embarrassment or both. Fuji-nee took this as a sign she should get going before he got even more angry. "Right then Shirou, I'll be going now. Take care of Sakura now, don't make me an Aunt too soon."

The tiger quickly fled. Saber looked at Shirou inquisitively. "Shirou, what did she mean by-" Shirou cut her off as he had been doing a lot lately. "It's nothing Saber. Just Fuji-nee being Fuji-nee."

Saber looked slightly unconvinced. She still had food left though, so she ignored it.

A little while later

Saber sighed happily as she finished eating. Shirou quickly gathered the plates up. When he came back, he had a serious look on his face. "Saber, we need to talk about what happened today."

Saber quickly grew more serious as well. Shirou started. "That Servant today. That golden Archer, what's his deal? You said he fought in the last Grail War?"

Saber nodded. "Archer is a terribly strong opponent. As were most of the Servants from the last Grail War. We never could figure out Archer's identity. All I know is that he has a huge amount of Noble Phantasms. And that he wants me to be his wife." You could hear Saber's immense distaste at her last statement.

At the reminder of what the golden Archer had said, Shirou was once again consumed with anger. 'How dare that Archer call Saber like she's his possession!?' Shirou began to hear laughter in his head, which brought him out of his angry state. Startled, he looked around for the source of the laughter. Saber looked at him with some concern.

"Shirou, is something wrong?" She asked him. Shirou flushed a little. "Nothing Saber. Actually, Saber, you look a lot more annoyed at that Archer than just because he wants you to be his wife."

Saber flinched as she remembered a night where she had drunk with kings. "He just...brings back some memories. He and another once mocked the wish I have for the Holy Grail."

Shirou was surprised that Saber would admit something like that. It seemed that day was just full of surprises. "What is your wish anyway Saber? You've never told me."

Saber looked at Shirou slightly coldly. It was a look she had never given him before, and he opened his mouth to apologize and tell her there was no need to answer, but she beat him to it. Her expression softened and she nodded.

"I trust you Shirou." Saber spoke to him. He felt that odd feeling again. He thought back to when he had talked with Rider, and his thoughts when Saber had left him to her on his own. "My wish." Saber continued. "My wish is to save my country from ruin."

It took Shirou a few moments to absorb those words. Slowly, he started to talk. "Saber, you mean..." Saber nodded seriously. "My dear Britain was brought to ruin because of my weakness. Had another taken the throne, taken the sword from the stone rather than I, my dear Britain would have survived."

Shirou frowned. "But Saber, Britain has survived. Even today, it's still here, still alive."

Saber shook her head. "Though the landmass is there, I failed my people. My people died, and I could not protect them. That is why, even if changing the past is a miracle that none can make come to life, if this omnipotent wishing device can, I will wish someone more suited to the throne had taken it."

Shirou grew pale as he thought more about what exactly that meant. "But Saber, if you wish someone else had taken the throne, doesn't that mean that you-"

Saber interrupted him. "That is right, I will have not become a Heroic Spirit." The world seemed to crash down on Shirou. He felt like he was choking, though he made no sound. 'If Saber never becomes a Heroic Spirit, that means I will never know Saber. Saber, I will forget her because she will be lost in history.'

Shirou's vision took a red hue. "YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!" Saber was startled, but grew angry at his words. "Shirou, I told you such a thing in trust, and you spit on my wish so! You know nothing of what it is as a king, you know nothing of the suffering my people went through when I let them down!"

"Saber, erasing your own existence, spitting on the men that followed you into battle! Erasing the past just like that! Can't you see that if you erase the past that you built with your people, the battles you have fought, the feelings you shared with them will all be meaningless!" Shirou yelled at her. He forgot that Sakura was in the same house, could possibly hear them yelling at each other.

That struck Saber hard, as she remembered similar words from another man. "My life is meaningless if I could not protect my people Shirou! My entire body, mind, and soul are devoted to my country! I would gladly die for them, gladly sacrifice my existence for them!" Saber shot back.

"Your life isn't so meaningless for you to just throw it all away Saber! Your people may have died, maybe your Britain fell, but your life had meaning! Britain still lives to this day, a proud country! You still matter, even now! To me!" Shirou shouted at her, unable to stay his anger.

Saber refused to acknowledge his words. She tried to speak, but was cut off as Shirou grabbed her and held her tightly to him. She felt her face grow red and her breath came out in gasps as she felt his arms encircle her. "You still matter to me Saber." She looked up at Shirou, as he spoke now very softly at her.

Shirou had a passionate look on his face that she could not place. She felt an almost painful sensation in her chest as he stared at her so intently. "Shirou!" She gasped out.

Shirou could not believe what he was doing, just knowing that it felt right. Slowly, his head lowered to Sabers. Saber gasped and raised her head as well. She could not understand the feeling she had in her chest, the feeling Shirou was giving her.

She should have been fighting with him, still trying to get him to see her point of view, but...

Their lips met with force, as Shirou assaulted her mouth roughly. She whimpered as lightning spread throughout her body. Shirou grabbed her even more closely as he too felt a sensation like no other flow through his body. Saber's soft lips on his, her whimpers cause him to enter a state of euphoria.

To those two, it was as if the entire world had disappeared at that moment, nothing existed except for themselves. Nothing but the feeling that they were complete filled their bodies. Saber struggled to get out of Shirou's grasp, even as her mind shivered and demanded more of her.

Shirou now understood what he felt. The odd feeling he had gotten all day, ever since the golden Archer had claimed Saber was his. The feeling of possessiveness he had felt in the form of anger. He was in love with Saber. Perhaps from the moment he had seen Saber, he had been in love with her.

He remembered how she was summoned, and the wonder he had felt as he saw the beautiful girl. The sense of completeness he had felt when he had seen her. The Holy Grail summoned those most compatible with the master if no catalyst was used. The Grail had outdone itself this time.

Saber shivered as Shirou's lips assaulted her own. Slowly, she let herself be claimed by the man in front of her. Shirou released her moments later, gasping for breath. He looked at her with such intense lidded eyes she could do nothing but stare right back. She stood still and said nothing as a wonderful feeling overcame her. She felt, complete. She tried desperately to contain those feelings, and succeeded somewhat.

"Shirou." Saber's mouth whispered without her consent. Shirou took that as a good sign and captured her lips once more, slower this time. He was trying to send his feelings for her through the kiss. Shirou could feel his heart fluttering as he kissed the beautiful blonde. With her in his arms, the entire world just seemed...right.

Away from Shirou and Saber, another pair of eyes looked at the pair painfully. Shirou really should have realized that he could have woken Sakura up with his yells. Sakura painfully stared at the two who were showing each other how much they had come to care for one another.

'It's not fair. I've known Shirou all my life and he hasn't noticed me, but Saber-san comes for just a few days and she gets his heart.' Sakura was close to tears as she saw Saber begin to grab Shirou's head and hold his hair as she accepted his feelings.

Sakura motioned to Rider to go. She didn't want to stay anymore. She appreciated everything her senpai had done for her, but she couldn't handle seeing him with Saber. Absorbed in their own world, Saber and Shirou didn't notice Sakura leave with Rider.

-I will not conform!-

Shirou felt himself enter his inner world, but didn't quite realize it. "Ichigo, you look happy. What happened?" He vaguely heard Zangetsu ask him. He did not respond. He could feel his face turn red as he remembered what he did in the spur of the moment. Really, he had really not expected that to happen.

Zangetsu sighed. Ichigo was in his own little world at the moment. "In light of the circumstances, I will forgive tonight's training Ichigo. Go to sleep, we'll meet tomorrow."

Shirou barely heard himself mutter out some kind of reply as his world grew dark. Zangetsu remained standing, looking at the sky.

A hollow laugh came behind him, but he ignored it with a practiced ease. "You can't protect him forever Zangetsu. It was inevitable that King would fall to me from the moment that he saw his mother die in front of him."

"I will not allow it." Spoke Zangetsu. "Shirou doesn't need you hollow. He is strong enough with me."

More crazed laughter ran out through the area. "Have you seen the fights he has gotten into!? Servants, those monstrously strong heroes of the past, he will not survive with you alone."

"I will make sure that he survives. He holds great power, almost all of it still untapped." Zangetsu spoke more strongly.

"HAHAHAHA! This war won't last long Zangetsu! Even now the boy's anger leads him to me. Soon, I will become the rightful King!"

With those chilling last words, Zangetsu was plunged into silence. 'Survive Shirou. Become as strong as you can, so you can overcome that...thing.'

-I will not conform!-

That night, Shirou dreamt of Arturia. He marveled at all that he saw. He saw her fight, and listened to how the people would say things behind her back. They would say that she was too different from normal people, that she could not understand them.

As one who was blessed with eternal youth, she had lost sense of emotions. He grew angry at thinking that anyone would treat his Saber that way. He watched her sacrifice so much, taking all the hopes of her men into herself.

She was all alone, and it pained him so much. But she wouldn't be alone now. Even if he could not convince her to get rid of her stupid wish, he would never leave her now. She was one of the only things he had left to love in this world.

-I will not conform!-

Saber also had a dream, much as she had been having much of lately. The same green scenery she had been seeing. She blushed as she slowly thought to what she had been doing before this. 'Shirou...'

Shirou had been so, aggressive. When he had kissed her, she had gotten the most wonderful feeling...

She was not alone as she had been in these last few dreams though. "I see you have become a little less foolish, King."

Startled, she spun to see that black reflection of herself. It gave her a cold smile with no feeling in return. "Make sure that you become less and less foolish my King. Else I will make sure to do it for you."

Saber shivered as she heard the things voice for the first time. She would have tried to reply, but found herself falling. Falling...

In the morning

The light fell on Shirou's eyes, making him open them. He slowly blinked his sleep away, noting that he was much warmer than normally was. He tried to move, but a weight on his arm stopped him. Looking down, he saw a curtain of blonde hair. Saber. The events from last night went through his mind, and he almost gasped in horror, realizing the implications of Saber being in his bed.

He relaxed though, when he saw that they were both fully clothed. They had not changed from the clothing they had had on last night. He remembered as he had grabbed Saber, and then, he had...Shirou's face got red. He didn't think he could be so bold, but Saber had just made him so mad.

He and Saber had kissed until they were both panting and breathless, and he had carried her up to his room. They had done nothing but stare at each other until they had fallen asleep. The body in his arms stirred. He looked down with affection at Saber who blinked as she saw Shirou.

"Shirou, why am I in your futon?" She asked him, slowly getting up. Then, last nights memories started to go through her mind and her face turned red. She tried to get up in a hurry, but Shirou held her close and did not let go.

"Shirou, last night, you-" Saber was cut off as Shirou kissed her slowly. Her struggles disappeared and she sighed into the kiss. After a few moments, Shirou let go. She stared into his eyes, and shook her head slightly. "Shirou, last night, why..."

Saber trailed off. Shirou held her tighter. "Because I'm in love with you." Saber shook. "Shirou, I've told you before, I'm a weapon, a tool, I'm a king, I'm not a woman. There is no man that would want a body like this one, and I cannot-" Shirou kissed her again. 'I can really get used to this.' He mused to himself.

Saber looked at him. He looked back warmly. "Please Saber. Give up your wish. For me." Tears leaked out of Saber's eyes. "I can't Shirou." Shirou's happy expression dulled. Then his face set itself in determination. "Then I guess I'll just have to convince you to give up on it."

Shirou bent down and Saber closed her eyes. It took a little while for them to leave the bed.

Later

Shirou and Saber sat down to start eating. They had barely begun when they heard the customary, "SHIROUUUUU!" Fuji-nee flew into the room. She stood at the doorway, proud of her entrance, but Shirou and Saber ignore her in favor of eating. Fuji-nee face faulted, rivers of tears going down her face as she cried about Shirou and Saber ignoring her.

As she finally got up though, she blinked and looked around like she was forgetting something. "Shirou, didn't you say Sakura was staying with you? Where is she?"

Shirou blinked at that, and quickly stood to go check on her. What with everything with Saber, he had forgotten that Sakura was staying with them. Normally, she would have already been up long ago to help or make breakfast. As he came up to the room he had left her in, an ominous and foreboding feeling began to fill his body.

He quickly opened the door to her room, and gasped as he saw an empty bed. He left the room and ran around the house trying to find her. Soon, Saber heard him running around and left her meal behind, Fujimura going after her in concern.

Saber came across him opening doors and looking desperately around. Shirou turned and saw Fuji-nee and Saber. "She's gone!" He gasped out. "I can't find Sakura!" Saber's eyes widened, and she and Fuji-nee began to search desperately for Sakura.

Some time later, all of them sat at the living room, in slight despair. "Shirou!" Growled out Fuji-nee. "How could you just lose Sakura like that!" Shirou growled right back. "It's not like I meant to lose her! How was I supposed to know that she was going to run away!"

"Her brother is missing and her grandfather left for some reason out of the blue! You just expect her to be alright after that!" Fujimura asked him as she butted heads with Shirou.

"Well I didn't exactly see you showing that much concern for her last night!" Shirou growled right back, pushing her away with his forehead.

Then, a large force forced their heads down to the ground. "ITAI!" Was Shirou and Fuji-nee's combined shout of pain. Shirou looked up at Saber betrayed, but she meet his gaze with her own cool one.

"This was both of yours' fault!" Saber yelled at them. They both calmed down. "Stop acting like children, we're not going to get anything done if you two are fighting like that!"

Saber calmed down a little. "Come, we will look for Sakura-san right now. Shirou and I will search the city, Taiga, you search the residential district."

Both nodded quickly. Fuji-nee stood and ran out the door first, a quick "I'm going!" left behind.

Now alone, Shirou and Saber looked at each other, similar looks on each of their faces. "You don't think Sakura was attacked by an enemy Servant?" Shirou asked Saber, somewhat afraid.

Saber shook her head. "No, your Bounded Field would have detected the intrusion. Well, Caster is left, so a Servant like that could have destroyed the field without our notice, but there is no reason for Caster to leave us alive. The same for Assassin. Besides, we were so distracted last night that..." Saber trailed off, her face slightly red.

Shirou's own face colored a little, but he shook it off. It was important that they find Sakura at the moment. "Right. It would be a good idea to look on Ryudou Temple. Shinji did say there was a Servant up there, that will be a good starting point."

Saber agreed and they both shot out the door.

On the road now, Saber looked at Shirou while they ran. "I may have said it before, but there is a Bounded Field around the Ryudou Temple that does not allow spirits to pass anywhere but the front without repercussions. The kind that would affect even me."

Shirou nodded and took that into consideration. "I'll go first then, cover my back." Saber nodded. They were at the temple in minutes. Without hesitation, they both shot up the mountain steps. They encountered no resistance as they both came across the entrance to the temple.

Giving each other a pair of quick nods, they shot inside.

-I will not conform!-

Unknown location

An old man was troubled. Soifon had actually found something suspicious. He had wished that she not find anything, for it to be one of the few errors that their system had made. A barrier that erased the memories of the people who knew what was inside was dangerous.

He had no way of telling if it was a threat to them or not. There was something inside. Something strong. Slowly, he walked. He would have to employ a certain man to try and find what was going on. They needed a way inside that thing.

-End Chapter 9-

AN: Who else expected that to happen? I must admit, I certainly didn't. It just kinda, you know happened. I was kinda imagining Sakura telling Shirou about her past, but Sakura fainted on me, and before I knew it, Saber and Shirou were making out.

In case it wasn't clear enough, Saber and Shirou did not have sex. I felt that it wouldn't have really happened, as it usually happened with a lot more cause in the game.

Sakura also running away, I kinda didn't see that coming. Man, it's almost like this chapter wrote itself. You know, after I finally had the time to sit down and say, "Chapter! You will be written!"

This chapter was still smaller than the norm for me, and I apologize for that. I feel that I could have kept on going a little, but this chapter was overdue anyway. Didn't want to keep you all waiting longer.

The next chapter will be longer. Pinky swear.

I give no promises as to when the next chapter will be out. My promises usually aren't that trustworthy nowadays. Hopefully, very soon. At the very least, not in another two months. Definitely not, like ever again. I can at least swear on that. Well, nice seeing you all again.

Oh, by the way. The poll. Looks like I'm definitely writing the sequel to this story after it's done. If I decide to do two at once, the other one will be the Harry Potter idea.

Ja ne!