A/N : Sorry late, but here goes the second half of the last chapter! Look forward for the slight action we all miss, a bit of Saber alter, a reappearance of a much loved character, and more XD
Also, look forward for more infos at Author's Notes at the end of the chapter
The albino woman's appearance was the one who'd take anyone's breath away. Irisviel's hair was snowy strands flowing gracefully to her waist, her eyes red as blood framed with long silvery eyelashes. Her figure was slender and her curves made any woman envious. She was captivating in her formalwear—a maroon velvet blazer over white frilly shirt and knee-long skirt with golden ribbons lining the hem. A simple black bag completed her outfit. ''Saber!'' she called, walking up to embrace her warmly. When Saber released her with a smile, she took her seat in front of her and a waitress quickly came to hand over a menu.
''Ah, thank you. I'll have a vanilla latte, please,'' she softly ordered without looking at the menu.
''And one more cup of Earl Gray, please,'' Saber added.
The waitress left and Irisviel turned towards Saber. ''I am sorry for being late, did you wait long? The traffics were worse than usual today, and it took me a while before they let me drive by myself.''
Saber shuddered at the thought of her beautiful albino friend riding a car. It must be a disaster—rivalling Enkidu's reckless driving—and she thanked God that no accidents seemed to bloom from the event.
''No, it's alright, Iri,'' Saber answered sheepishly. ''I know you're busy. Thank you for taking your time to see me.''
Irisviel waved it away. ''No, you really helped me out. I have an excuse to be absent from this afternoon's meeting. Sometimes I think that my firm holders just love having arguments, and the reason don't even matter,'' she complained. ''Plus I haven't seen you in a very long time. I've missed you.''
Saber smiled, remembering how Irisviel had agreed to meet her even before she finished her sentence on phone, quickly offering a time and place to meet. ''So do I.''
Irisviel chuckled. ''So… what did you want to ask me?''
This is it, Saber thought. ''Um, actually…'' She could feel her cheek burning and words started to scatter inside her head. ''I need help… to pick a birthday present. I just have no idea what to give someone…''
Instantly, Irisviel's blood red eyes sparkled with excitement. Saber gulped. ''Oh? And who is this lucky man getting the present?''
''Hold on; why did you just assume that it's a male?''
The albino shrugged. ''Just a feeling. Pardon me. So it's a woman then?''
Saber was at loss of words. ''W-well, actually—It's a man.''
Irisviel raised her eyebrows, her long lost fangirlish side bubbling up. ''Alright. Who is this man? Is it Shiro?''
''No,'' Saber answered. ''It's… someone from other school. You might not know him. Or-or you might know him,'' she corrected herself, remembering Gilgamesh's crazy business. ''I just..owe him… a… present. Is all.''
When Saber brought her eyes up, she found Irisviel studying her with gleaming eyes and she had to look away. ''I see. I… thought you liked Shiro, but I suppose you wouldn't ask me if you wanted to buy something for him.''
Saber furrowed her brows. ''What made you think I like Shiro?''
Irisviel only smiled cheerfully. ''Nevermind. That's one less rivalry for you and Rin, then.''
It only puzzled her even more. ''Wha-?''
The waitress chose to deliver their order at that very moment, and after murmuring a gentle thank-you, the albino woman took a sip of her drink blissfully, nonchalantly dismissing Saber's confusion. ''So,'' she declared, ''—I'll cut straight into the problem. Who is this man? You wanted to give him a present; so first of all, what is he like?''
''He is…'' Saber contemplated her words, trying to sort it out. ''Prideful, and very high-classed. Perhaps self-centered. He's a confusing man, too. I thought he was reckless, but he's actually a tactful man, and he seemed to be good in management. He's surprisingly honourable, too,'' she blurted out; masking her much harsher mind-opinion. ''And he's really rich.''
There was a sudden silence. ''Wow. I would never have guessed that you liked that type of guy.''
Saber's cheek burned. ''I don't like him. I just owed him a present as I said before.''
Irisviel smiled ever so gently. ''Of course you don't like him, I understand,'' she answered calmly. ''How about him? Does he like you?''
The remark baffled Saber as she pushed away the very idea itself. ''Why would you—'' she started, but her gaze met Irisviel's, and she knew the woman must have her answer. ''No. I think. I mean, he does seem interested in gathering my confidential info, and he pops out of nowhere at times just to have a duel with me, but...''
For a moment the only sound was the gentle sip of vanilla latte.
''I see. What an interesting relationship,'' Irisviel replied with a knowing nod. ''So, do you know his hobbies, perhaps, or things he likes?'' she asked again before Saber can react.
The blonde woman recalled her conversation with Enkidu just moments before. ''I heard he likes chess, and lions, and fighting,'' she mentioned randomly. ''He likes travelling, too, I think. And games, but I think he possesses more games than we can ever recall.'' Saber decided not to mention the wine.
''Ah, games, you said? I have a few good recommendations that guy might not have yet. That game titled Holy Grail VII : Roman Children, for example. Oh, or Carnival Phantasm. They're freshly released, and I can testify their quality for I have finished them both.''
Saber fought the urge to facepalm. Those was games from Gilgamesh's company. ''I… think he might have played that.'' She decided not to ask how the woman found time to finish such a complicated game in such a busy schedule.
''The thing is… he's so rich that I'm afraid anything I give him would be meaningless. The best present should be something useful for the receiver, but I don't even know what he needs.''
Irisviel smiled at her gently. ''Saber, no gift is meaningless. The price don't matter; the thing that matters most is the feelings you put into it. I am sure whatever you give this man, you'll get your feelings across.''
The sentence made her speechless, and for a moment she just contemplated her words in silence. ''Hmm,'' Saber murmured, lifting her teacup to her lips to take a calming sip.
''And I'm sure this guy likes you, somewhat,'' Irisviel suddenly added, making Saber almost choke on her tea. ''You need not worry.''
Saber stared at Irisviel. ''You put it…as if…'' she seemed abashed. ''I must set this straight again, Iri, but there are no feelings that need to be delivered. I just don't want to embarrass myself by giving something he could just as well throw at the trashbin right away for all it's worth.''
Irisviel stared back for a moment before laughing with humour, shaking her head with a hand over her lips. ''Gods, why are you so… so stubborn?'' she retorted. There was a small part of her mind that considered the possibility of Saber really having no special feelings, but the blonde woman was so easy to read once you know how, especially when caught off guard. She might just believe her if she wasn't being so uncharacteristically self-conscious about such a normal act. ''Alright, you need not deliver any feeling, but you want the present to be one-of-a-kind, yes? Something worth more than money—that kind of present?''
''I'm not sure how to put it—but I guess so. What do you recommend?''
Irisviel pursed her red lips as she took a moment to ponder about an answer. Finally she smiled.
''Well, Saber. Of course, there's nothing more special than something you make by your own hands.''
Her first try was a mess.
For the love of her life, Saber couldn't bake. She could cook, yes—her mother wasn't at home often so she gradually learnt how to—but not baking. It never crossed her mind either even though she also had a sweet tooth—the cakeshop at the first intersection north of her school was more than sufficient for that. Looking at the recipe in her hands, she was sure that she followed all the steps, but the result was suspiciously lumpy and paler than intended. The woman was glad she only used half the measures for the trial, or she might waste her money and effort on nothing.
But since she was even worse at art(at least she could cook), she chose the option of bakery over handicraft.
On the other hand… she really hoped Gilgamesh liked cakes.
So when the second try turned out somewhat edible, she nervously brought it to school and asked for her friends' opinion. While Sakura turned away as she chew, Shirou did his best to tell her that it was very good for her first(and she couldn't—didn't have heart to correct him), but Rin made a face as she gulped down her portion.
''That tasted a little weird. It's somewhat bitter. Very bitter.''
Saber nibbled some of her own. ''Perhaps I used too much chocolate. I wanted it to have a richer taste so I did a little experiment, but…''
''If you really want to learn baking, Saber, you must follow the recipe precisely,'' Shirou suggested, smiling patiently. Saber noted his suggestion at her mind, nodding, embarrassed at her failure to follow the small rule.
''Anyway, why did you suddenly want to bake?''
That took Saber aback as she scrambled for an answer. ''Err, I want to practice for my Mother's birthday…?'' she lied.
But the lie seemed to work. And as much as Saber hated lying, it was necessary—and she did want to bake for her Mother whose birthday was three months later.
That evening, she went to shop for her third and final trial. She was hanging up on Irisviel after asking her some tips about baking, her left hand balancing a big shopping bag against her chest when she stumbled upon a typical delinquents' bullying scene. The blonde woman frowned unapprovingly, but then she remembered her heavy baggage. It would be inconvenient fighting with it around, if she ever needed to, and moreover she didn't want the risk of damaging the precious content of the bag. But when a wail resounded from the group, followed by mocking chuckles, the blonde woman sighed and walked over them, shifting the weight more comfortably in her embrace.
''What are you guys doing?''
That took their attention. After exchanging glances, the biggest guy shrugged, and snickered.
''What is it, little girl? Care to join us?''
That bark earned hearty laughters. Saber counted five men in the group, surrounding a whimpering boy with coal-black seaweed hair who googled at the sight of her, tears dwelling in his eyes.
''M-miss Saber! I knew you'd rescue me again! P-please, punish these—''
One of the guys kicked him and he wailed agonizingly. ''Shut up!''
''Stop that!'' Saber commanded, glaring at the smirking bully. ''Do I know you?'' she asked to the black-haired boy, who stumbled his way to her feet, receiving unapproving glares from the male group.
''I-I am Matou Shinji; you saved me once before. D-do you remember me?''
Saber narrowed her eyes. ''Matou? I don't recall Sakura having any brother… are you her relative?''
''A-ah, you know Sakura? I am her cousin, but she sees me as her older brother, and is very attached to me, yes!''
''I..see…'' Saber replied uncertainly. For certain Sakura never spoke about the boy at all.
''..is the reunion over now?'' one of the delinquents asked, in which Saber replied with a glare.
The black haired boy—Shinji—glared along, his face twisting in a not-so-confident-smirk. ''Don't you all know who she is? She's the King of Swords, and she's a good acquitance of mine. She's gonna beat you, so you better leave me alone now!''
That added the tense in the air, and now it was Saber's turn to smack the boy's head. ''Don't provoke a fight!'' she snapped. But when she looked back up, she saw determination, and Saber knew she wouldn't be able to avoid the match.
The skinniest of the group nervously called out. ''Boss, I think she's the woman Master Gilgamesh had ordered us to take a watch on.''
Saber made a face. So this was one of the infamous informers of his.
''Hoo? Is that so? All the more reason to seize her, then.'' He smiled tauntingly at her. ''So… you think you can handle us, o King of Swords?''
Don't these people have anything else to do other than fighting? Saber thought to herself, once again remembering the obxinous blonde man with blood-red eyes. She shook her head.
''Bring it on,'' Saber replied.
Pulling out her wooden katana, Saber didn't even get any chances to put down her grocery as two of the boys lunged forward, trying to grab her arms. She moved sideways and whacked their hands before knocking them down from behind. The third person was more agile, however, and she just managed to knock him down when the two fallen guys rose again, wincing but still full of fighting spirit. Saber knocked once down once again, and stood to catch her breath as her enemy halted for a minute.
The remaining two seemed hesitant to attack.
''What's wrong, you two? Go attack! Are you afraid of her?''
''But boss, she's so strong, and besides, if Gilgamesh knows what we are going to do to her—''
''—then he'll come running without his usual calculation, and mayhaps we can take him on while he's distracted, or use her as negotiation tool,'' the leader of the team cut him. ''Then we can overthrow him.''
Saber gaped at his ridiculous explanation, and the other two inched further instead of getting the desired effect of getting motivated. He sighed. ''Nevermind, you cravens.'' Stretching his heavy muscles, he looked at the still shocked Saber. ''Come here, I'll bind you close,'' he called, grinning.
The whole situation was ridiculous—like how the guy seemed to think that seizing her would somehow help their chances against Gilgamesh—but she never felt so humiliated before. ''Like hell you would!'' she spat back as he lunged for his first attack.
The boy smirked and attacked her sides, which she nimbly dodged. Another blow almost welcomed her and she almost lost her footing.
Saber was nearly overwhelmed by his attacks, and that only made her even angrier. Gritting her teeth, Saber—unexpectedly—crouched, swiping the enemy's stance with her footing. With a battle shriek the girl lifted her hands for her powerful signature move of two-handed sword attack, earning a big bump on the said man's head and a satisfying crack sound.
Wait, crack sounds…?
The man grunted as she gaped, but his head seemed to be fine. Then that meant…
Horrified, Saber turned back to see her precious grocery bag on the ground, wetness spreading through it's insides.
''Noooooo! My eggs!'' The girl ran to the bag to find the inside ruined. That was her last resource! She had barely enough for her final cake, but that was all, and she hadn't even mastered the cake yet…
Mumbling under her breath, Saber gripped her katana tighter and turned back to the guilty group—who now produced big beads of sweats. Her steps made them flinch, and when she was finally in front of them, looking down with anger, they looked ready to cry.
''You broke my eggs.'' She stated shortly. The air felt colder somehow.
The group whimpered. ''Demon,'' one of the boys blurted out in a small voice, before the guy beside him smacked his sorry head. Saber didn't even notice as she stepped closer.
''You must be punished.''
''N-no…''
''That was my last money.''
The biggest guy, still dizzy from her previous attack, finally burst. ''P-please don't hurt us! I'm sorry, I'm sorry, please take my money but don't hurt mee…!''
She really didn't mean to bully the bullies or blackmail them but the group was so scared they offered to buy Saber everything she lost—and more. She was so mad that she didn't control herself and just grabbed everything at the minimarket—but now that she calmed down, she felt quite embarrassed and guilty about it. She must've emptied their wallets.
But then again, they must do the same to the weak very often so it's quite alright, she guessed. With the thought intact, Saber contented herself and started digging through the freshly bought groceries.
The contents were quite random. Well, aside from being angry Saber was admittedly quite hungry and the thought of her running out of meat suddenly crossed her mind. She stared at the stacks of various meat and flour, and suddenly felt sick. She didn't even bought the correct ingredients, and she was running out of time and money.
After pondering for some moment in front of the stacks, Saber carefully unloaded it into the refrigerator and tried to calm down. She picked up the recipe book for dummies beside the sofa and began flipping the pages again, seeking for inspiration.
She stopped at a page and read it carefully. Yes, this might work, she thought, although not like what she initially planned. But…
Absentmindedly, she reached for her phone and browsed her contacts. Among them was Enkidu and Irisviel. Saber stared at the screen for a moment and started clicking the buttons again.
''Hello? It's me, Saber.''
A/N : How was that? XD
Hmm as I said this is actually one with the last chapter; with some additions. I have the next plot in mind and also one bonus chapter in construction; but first-tell me your opinion! Correct my rusty grammar, and critique my lame storytelling :'3
For those of you who have missed Gilgy, he'll conquer the next chapter, so look forward to it! XD
Thanks for reading, and see you!