Guda Guda: Honnoji Chapter 4
Sakura Saber
"Okay, remind me again on HOW we got into this situation?" Tatsuko asked as she was slowly turned towards the fire.
Two days have passed since they set out for the coast, and things were going strangely normal on the first day of their journey. It was on this second day, however, where things turned for the strange when the two Mini-Nobus left, and never came back from their scouting mission. In order for them to reach their destination, the group would need to enter another woodland area, and take the path on their left. In order to reach the village and find their two friends, they would have to take this path. Unbeknownst to them, the group was being followed. A few minutes later, the group saw a group of Mini-Nobus wearing tribal paint and wielding spears appear out of the bushes, surrounding them. The group was about to fight them off when one of them leapt up and grabbed Fou off of Mashu's shoulder, and held the little critter hostage. Not wanting to risk Fou's life, the group surrendered. They were soon tied onto wooden spits, and were carried back to the Mini-Nobus camp.
Which leads us back to the present, where the group is being held over a fire, being slowly cooked as the Mini-Nobu's continuously danced around them, raising their spears in the air and chanted.
"No-bu-No-bu No-bu-No-bu!"
(OC facepalms: Sometimes I hate being right…..)
Ritsuka strained against the rope to look around him. "Nobunaga, can you tell us what they're…..oh you can't be serious!"
The male Master looked at the black haired Servant in disbelief. She was tied to a spit like them, but in her mouth was an apple that she could not spit out. Ritsuka groaned further as he saw the Mini-Nobu tribesman sprinkle seasonings on the black haired Servant. Ritsuka then turned to Sakura Saber and sighed.
"Can you please tell us what they're saying?"
Sakura Saber listened intently before raising an eyebrow. "They're saying something about blood for a blood god and skulls for a skull throne."
"What does that mean?" Mashu asked.
"I don't know." Sakura Saber asked.
Ritsuka turned to Tatsuko with a curious gaze. "Do you have any idea what they mean? Is it a reference to something?"
"Not a clue." Tatsuko answered. The female Master looked around to see what the savage Mini-Nobus did to Fou, and found him in the arms of the one who captured him, who by the looks of it, was the chief of these Mini-Nobus. Fou was obviously struggling in order to free himself from the Mini-Nobu so he could save the Chaldean Trio and their allies, but he didn't want to give the chief an excuse to kill them before he could save them.
"Okay guys, we need to come up with a plan." Ritsuka said.
"I agree." Mashu said. "So what is the plan, Senpai?"
Ritsuka raised an eyebrow. "Sorry Mashu, but why do you think I have a plan?"
"Well you're usually the mastermind of our strategies." Tatsuko answered.
"I am not." Ritsuka countered.
"No, she is right, Senpai." Mashu countered. "You usually make our strategies for us to follow."
"Well I-" Ritsuka's eyes widened as he saw something move within the bushes, and saw a familiar cap. The male Master grinned and looked at the Mini-Nobu tribesmen. "I really do have a plan."
"Okay, so what should we do?" Sakura Saber asked as she spun over the fire.
"We struggle."
"What do you think we've been doing?!" Tatsuko asked.
"Look at the bushes for a moment." Ritsuka whispered to the others.
The four women turned to look at the bushes as best they could, and saw what he was talking about. Not a moment later, they all began struggling from their bonds, hoping to distract the tribe from what was to come. Everytime one of them was lifted away from the fire, they would glimpse back to the bushes and saw the rustling continue until they saw a musket slowly peak out of the bushes.
"Fire at the chief!" Ritsuka shouted.
BANG!
The Chief fell to the ground with a loud thud, allowing Fou to escape from its grasp and ran towards the bushes for safety at Mashu's urging. The Mini-Nobu tribesmen looked around for a moment before the firing of muskets made them try to retreat. However, they would be unsuccessful as the first volley killed the majority of the tribesmen, and the second volley finished off the remaining tribesmen.
Everyone watched with smiles on their faces as they saw their rescuers jump out of the bushes. Standing before them waving their muskets over their heads were their allied Mini-Nobus.
"Glad to see you guys!" Tatsuko shouted. "Now how about you put out the fire and untie us?"
"Hmph Hmph!" Nobunaga muffled.
"Maybe start with her first?" Ritsuka suggested. The two Mini-Nobus nodded and immediately put out the fire, untied Nobunaga, and removed the apple from her mouth.
"I can't believe that those idiots would do something so cliche!" She shouted. "Seriously they couldn't think of doing something more original?"
"Oh stop complaining and free us!" Sakura Saber shouted. Nobunaga sighed and helped free the Saber and the Chaldean Trio from the wooden spits. The moment their feet touched the ground, Tatsuko rubbed her wrists and winced in discomfort.
"Well that happened."
"This has got to be the weirdest day of my life." Nobunaga replied.
Mashu smiled as Fou ran out of the bushes and jumped back onto her shoulder. "Regardless, I am glad that we got out of that situation, and that Fou is unharmed."
Sakura Saber turned to the two Mini-Nobus with a warm smile. "Where were you guys for the past day?"
The Mini-Nobu closest to her jumped up and down flailing its arms. "Nobu Nobu. Nobu Nobu Nobu Nobu. Nobu Nobu Nobu Nobu Nobu Nobu."
"What did she say?" Ritsuka asked.
"Well this little guy said that they found the village and instead of returning back to us immediately, they decided to look around it some more." Nobunaga answered. "They were on their way back to bring us to the village when they saw us being cooked."
"What did you find there?" Tatsuko asked the Mini-Nobu.
"Nobu Nobu Nobu. Nobu Nobu Nobu."
Nobunaga raised an eyebrow. "She said that she can't tell us."
Everyone stared at the Mini-Nobus in surprise. The whole reason for them to have gone on that scouting mission was for them to inform them on the village, and now the scout refused to divulge it.
"Why not?" Mashu asked.
"Nobu Nobu. Nobu Nobu Nobu Nobu Nobu Nobu."
"She said that she will show us instead, because they believe that we wouldn't believe them if they told us." Sakura Saber translated.
"I swear it's a village full of fish people…." Tatsuko muttered.
"Nobu Nobu."
"Nope. It's not a village of fish people." Nobu said.
"Nobu Nobu Nobu Nobu."
The two Mini Nobus turned around and started walking back towards the bushes, and disappeared into the foliage.
"What did she say?" Ritsuka asked.
"She simply said to follow her." Sakura Saber answered.
"Then let's not waste anytime." Ritsuka said. The group nodded and immediately followed the two Mini-Nobus into the bushes. A few minutes into their journey, the group discussed about what just transpired, when Ritsuka raised an eyebrow. He turned on the communicator, and stared directly at Roman with a curious gaze.
"Say Roman, is there any reason why you guys remained quiet when we were getting cooked?" He asked.
"Well we were just so shocked by the sheer ridiculousness of the situation that our brains turned off for a moment." Roman answered.
"So you couldn't be bothered to help us because you just couldn't believe it was happening?" Tatsuko asked.
"Well to be fair we knew you guys would get out of it eventually." The doctor countered. "Though I still can't get over the fact that Nobunaga was getting seasoned."
Nobunaga groaned. "Don't remind me."
"Wait, if those Mini Nobus actually managed to eat her, would that count as cannibalism?" Sakura Saber asked.
"Let's…not think about that." Ritsuka said.
"Yeah, that's just creepy." Tatsuko said.
"I agree." Mashu said. "It does not seem to be a very appropriate thing to talk about."
"Especially since I'm right within earshot." Nobunaga said.
"Sorry…" Sakura Saber muttered.
"How about we talk about something else?" Ritsuka suggested. "How about you guys help us understand what the Mini-Nobus are saying?"
"Sounds good to me." Nobunaga said.
The moment they agreed on the topic, Nobunaga and Sakura Saber walked the Chaldean Trio through how to best understand the Mini-Nobus, and how they could try and incorporate it in their adventure.
"You can't be serious….." Tatsuko muttered.
It didn't take long for them to finally reach the village that the Mini-Nobus scouted out. When they finally found it, it was now clear as to why the two scouts decided to stay a little longer to gather more information.
This was a village comprised only of Mini-Nobus, and their variants.
The group watched on as the Mini-Nobu villagers went about their lives, jumping up and down while speaking to each other, eating, laughing and playing together. A humming sound from above drew their attention, and saw a metal Mini-Nobu flying in a tiny UFO. Ritsuka's and Mashu's eyes beamed at the sight and looked at each other excitedly.
"You have your camera?" Ritsuka asked.
Mashu nodded. "I will take as many pictures of that Mini-Nobu as I can."
Mashu proceeded to do just that, and everyone watched the male Master and the Shielder with disbelief at their childish antics. Roman, on the other hand, rubbed his temples together as he saw the village from the screen.
"Hey, you okay there Roman?" Nobunaga asked.
"No, I'm getting a headache." He answered. "We have a village of these Mini-Nobus, and now Ritsuka and Mashu are getting caught up in the atmosphere."
"We have a flying mecha right before our very eyes Doctor Roman!" Mashu countered. "A giant flying Mecha!"
Roman sighed. "Okay, I'm going to lie down. Davinci, you have the helm."
Roman walked away, allowing Davinci to take his place on the comms with a smile on her face. "How about you show me and Saint George the pictures when you get back."
"I will." Mashu replied.
"Okay, I think we should get back to work." Ritsuka said with a smile. "Sorry for the distraction guys."
"Honestly I'd have done the same thing." Tatsuko said. She then turned to Sakura Saber and Nobunaga. "Okay, how about we all stick together here to find out more about our situation."
"Sounds like a plan." Sakura Saber replied. "So where should we start?"
"Teahouse." Nobunaga answered. "Definitely a teahouse."
"That was quick!" Sakura Saber shouted.
"No no, she's got a point." Ritsuka countered. "People come and go from those places, so we will learn much more there than anywhere else. Also it's getting close to tea time."
"Well what are we waiting for?" Tatsuko asked. "Let's find a teahouse in this circus!"
The group walked into the village and were surprised at what they were experiencing. The Mini-Nobus of this village were more peaceful compared to the others they encountered in this singularity. It was a pleasant change of pace as the Mini-Nobu villagers waved to them and greeted them. In light of this recent discovery, the group decided to ask where they could find a teahouse in the village, and one of the villagers pointed towards the west side of the village. After a ten minute walk they arrived at the teahouse, and sat down. After obtaining their tea, the Mini-Nobu who owned the place came to speak to them.
"Okay, so I know you taught us a bit on their language." Tatsuko said. "But I'm still having a hard time understanding them, so can you do the talking?"
Sakura Saber nodded as the owner cleared their throat.
"Nobu Nobu Nobu?"
"Yes, we're from the capitol." Sakura Saber answered.
"Nobu, Nobu, Nobu Nobu?"
Sakura Saber raised an eyebrow. "Wait, so you all knew about those Mini-Nobus in the woods?"
"Nobu Nobu Nobu. Nobu Nobu Nobu bu Nobu. Nobu Nobu Nobu Nobu Nobu."
"What did she say?" Mashu asked.
"Well it seems those Mini Nobus we encountered were harrassing them for some time, and made trade and business slow to a halt because they kept killing any traders coming into their territory." Sakura Saber answered.
"Nobu Bu, No No No Nobu."
"I had a feeling that was going to happen to us too." Sakura Saber replied. "Thankfully they're all dead now so you don't have to worry."
The owner stared at her in disbelief. "Nobu Nobu Nobu?"
Sakura Saber smiled and nodded. "Yep! They're all gone."
"Nobu Nobu!" The owner shouted while jumping up and down. "Nobu Nobu No No Nobu No No Nobu!"
"Oh, I don't think we can take you up on that offer…." Sakura Saber said.
"What did she say?" Ritsuka asked.
"She said that the tea is free of charge." Nobunaga answered.
"Okay, yeah I don't think we should take advantage of that." Ritsuka replied.
"I agree." Mashu answered.
"Same here." Tatsuko replied. "It just seems wrong."
"Nobu Nobu Nobu?"
"Well we just so happen to be looking for their friends." Sakura Saber answered. "Maybe you could tell us if you saw any of them?"
"Nobu Nobu."
Sakura Saber turned to the Chaldean Trio. "She has agreed to help us with the search."
The owner looked at the Trio with a smile. "Nobu Nobu."
"What did she say?" Tatsuko asked.
"She asked if you could give her a bit of a description of who you're looking for." Sakura Saber answered.
"Okay so there are three that are missing." Ritsuka answered. "There are two men and one woman. One is a male with blue hair in a wolf tail. The other guy is tan, wears a red coat and has white hair. And the woman has blue hair and wears robes."
"Nobu Nobu Nobu!"
Sakura Saber smiled. "Good news! She saw three people who match those descriptions!"
"That's great!" Tatsuko said. "Where did they go?"
"Nobu Nobu. Nobu Nobu Nobu Nobu."
"She said they headed towards the coast." Nobunaga answered. "And they might still be there."
"Well what are we waiting for?" Tatsuko asked. "Let's get going."
The group got up and bowed to the owner before Nobu left a few coins on the table to pay for the tea. The owner looked at the coins and returned them back to Nobunaga. The group raised an eyebrow at the gesture as the Mini Nobu looked at them.
"Nobu Nobu Nobu Nobu."
"Seriously?" Nobunaga asked.
"Why did she hand us the money back?" Ritsuka asked.
"Apparently the Mini Nobus here have their own currency." Nobunaga answered. "And it's another reason why she said our tea was on the house. Because she knew we didn't have the money."
"Why didn't she say that earlier?" Tatsuko asked.
"Nobu Nobu Nobu."
"She said that she was just lonely and wanted someone to talk too…." Sakura Saber replied.
"That is so sad…." Mashu muttered. "I hope you get more customers soon."
"Nobu Nobu!"
Sakura Saber smiled. "She gave her thanks for that comment, and is wishing us luck in finding your comrades."
The group bowed to the Mini-Nobu and left the teahouse. The moment they were out of range, they looked at each other with uncertainty.
"Okay so we know they're near the coast." Tatsuko said. "But now we need to know where the closest road is to get there."
"How about we take the path that leads to the gate opposite from where we came and hope for the best?" Nobunaga suggested.
"That's a terrible idea!" Sakura Saber shouted.
"Well, do you have a better idea?" Nobunaga countered.
Sakura Saber blushed. "No… I just wanted to contribute to the conversation….."
"Okay then, we're going with Nobunaga's plan." Ritsuka replied.
The group nodded and made their way back towards the exit, all the while Mashu patted Sakura Saber's back in reassurance.
A couple of hours have passed since they left the village, and Nobunaga's plan just fell apart. When they first walked out of the village, the plan was going smoothly. The group could see the coast after thirty minutes of walking and as they continued their trek, their journey came to an abrupt end when the path was cut off by a large canyon. In order to reach the coast they would have to find a new path and take it. It would prove easier said than done, because not long afterwards, they got lost in the woods.
In the end, the group decided to let Fou and the two Mini-Nobus take the lead and find a path. As they followed them, Mashu couldn't help but feel like something was off.
"Is something bothering you Mashu?" Ritsuka asked.
The Shielder turned to the male Master and nodded. "I was remembering that ravine that was blocking our path earlier. It looked like it was very recent."
Ritsuka nodded. "Like it was deliberate."
"Yeah, it definitely didn't look like a natural disaster hit this place recently." Tatsuko said.
"Fou Fou!"
"Oh, it looks like Fou found something!" Sakura Saber shouted.
The group saw Fou jumping up and down as he pointed in front of him. They looked at where he was pointing and saw a clear path to the coastline.
"Great job Fou!" Tatsuko shouted.
"Okay, let's head over there and see what we can find." Ritsuka said. The group immediately ran for the coastline. The moment they got there they looked around for any sign of the three remaining Chaldean Servants, only to not find anything. All they could see was the sea and the beach.
"Maybe we're not close enough?" Tatsuko asked. "We did get sidetracked because of that ravine."
The group nodded, but Sakura Saber felt something was off. The Chaldean Trio did mention that the ravine didn't look like a natural phenomenon. A chill ran up her spine as her eyes widened. Ritsuka was right, that ravine was there on purpose!
The group nearly jumped back as something crashed in front of them, leaving an enormous dust cloud.
"Damn, of all the people that could've come through here, it had to be them…"
The Chaldean Trio stared in shock as they heard that familiar voice. As soon as the dust cloud dissipated, their eyes widened further as Cú lifted his spear off the ground and stared at them. Mashu then immediately sensed something coming towards them and gasped.
"Projectiles inbound!" She shouted. The Shielder immediately slammed her shield where the attack was coming from and blocked the hail of projectiles.
"Looks like you're getting the hang of things now."
The Trio stared in surprise as Emiya leapt to Cú's side with a conflicted gaze.
"Don't tell me you guys got brainwashed too?" Ritsuka asked in disbelief.
"Yes and no. We're aware of what's happening, but we have no control of our actions."
Eveyrone watched in silence as Medea appeared next to Emiya and Cú from a pillar of fire. The Caster sighed as she looked at the group with annoyance. "Of all the people to come our way, it just had to be you guys."
"Wait, does that mean that you made the ravine?!" Nobunaga asked.
The Caster nodded. "We're forced into roles that compelled us to find a way to make an ambush. But for you three to get ensnared into it is just beyond my comprehension."
"Well what happens now?" Ritsuka asked.
"Are you really that naïve, boy?" Medea asked. "Oh what am I saying, you ARE! If you think you can save the world without a hint of backbone, then you really are just a dumb child!"
Sakura Saber and Nobunaga stared at her wideyed. They watched as Mashu and Tatsuko stared at Medea in complete disbelief, but they could tell that this wasn't the first time this woman was cruel to the male Master.
"Now that really hurt my feelings." Ritsuka said.
"As if I should care about that." Medea countered. "Now unfortunately for you all, we have a role to fill, whether we like it or not."
"Wait, so you're going to kill us?" Tatsuko asked.
"No." Cú said. "But that doesn't mean that we won't beat you guys."
Nobunaga summoned her muskets and aimed them at the three Servants. "You can try!"
The black haired Servant immediately shot at the three Servants, but Medea immediately set up a forcefield to block the musket rounds. But this did not deter Nobunaga. The girl continued to fire round after round until Medea released the field, allowing Cú and Emiya to prepare themselves. The blue haired Lancer immediately twirled his lance, and lunged at Sakura Saber. The blonde Servant moved to retaliate, but Medea conjured a pillar of fire to keep her from attacking. The Caster turned to see Mashu raising her shield to smack her in the face, but Emiya managed to stop the Shielder in time by firing his blades at her. Mashu was forced to block, and was surrounded by dragon bone warriors. No doubt to keep her from interfering in the fight.
As that was happening Nobunaga decided to shoot her muskets at Emiya. The white haired Archer dodged her rounds and fired back. Nobunaga fired her muskets at his arrows in order to prevent them from getting close to the others, only for her and the two Masters' eyes to widen in shock.
Some of the arrows cut through her rounds.
"How in the heck did that happen?" Tatsuko asked.
"I don't know!" Nobunaga shouted. "Wait a minute….Hey you, weird Archer guy, how old is your legend?"
"First off, I'm not weird." Emiya said. "And secondly, I was actually born in the same century as Ritsuka and Tatsuko, but I was born only a few years before them."
Nobunaga stared at him in shock. "Oh…well that explains it now."
"Explains what?" Ritsuka asked.
"Well, the thing is that I'm better at fighting enemies with high mystery." Nobunaga answered. "Anyone who has a riding trait and divinity I have an advantage over, but those with little to no mystery like this guy here, and I'm at a disadvantage."
"Okay, I know that sounds pretty situational on paper, but it sounds more useful than anything." Ritsuka said.
"Yeah, that's true." Tatsuko said. "But that doesn't help us get out of the tight spot we're in!"
Nobunaga nodded. "Hey, Sakura Saber, care to switch with-"
The black haired Servant's eyes widened as she saw the Saber on the ground in a coughing fit. Cú and Medea stared down at her in slight confusion. In their lul, Mashu broke through the dragon bone warriors, grabbed Sakura Saber, draped her over one shoulder and made her way back to the others while the Lancer and Caster gave chase. The moment Mashu reached the rest of the group, she handed the Saber over to Ritsuka and Tatsuko for some support.
"Sorry for the inconvenience…." Sakura Saber said as the two Masters laid her down.
"Do not worry." Mashu said. "We will figure a way out of this."
"That's going to be difficult with just the two of us." Nobunaga answered. "Hurry up and recover, Sakura Saber, or you're going to get labeled a useless Servant!"
"Strong Servant, weak Servant. That's up to them…" Sakura Saber muttered. "Masters who are truly strong would-"
Sakura Saber hacked up more blood. Nobunaga cursed to herself mentally as she stared down at the three enemy Servants. "You guys take her and go, I'll hold them off as long as I can."
Ritsuka's eyes widened. "There's no way we can do that!"
"Well it can't be helped!" Nobunaga shouted.
Medea laughed. "And so we have won."
"Don't be so sure of that quite yet!" Nobunaga shouted.
"Oh don't be ridiculous! Before Mouri Medinari, you're like a moth drawn to a flame!" Medea raised an eyebrow and looked at her two allies. "Am I playing the bad guy role a bit too heavy?"
"You were always the bad guy!" Cú shouted back at Mouri Medinari.
Sakura Saber's eyes widened. "Mouri?"
Ritsuka and Nobunaga stared at the three Servants with widened eyes. They then looked at each other and nodded. There may be a way out of this yet.
"Hey Cú, if she's supposed to be Mouri Medinari, then who are you supposed to be?" Ritsuka asked.
"Shimazu Sétanta, why do you ask?" The Lancer said. "Also why am I the only one who's stuck with his childhood name?"
"Shimazu?" Sakura Saber muttered.
"And what about yours?" Nobunaga asked Emiya.
"Chousokabe Emichika." The Archer answered. "I have no clue why I ended up as Chousokabe, but I guess that's the way it goes."
"Chousokabe…" Sakura Saber clenched her sword tightly. "Tosa?"
Sakura Saber slowly got back up, shocking everyone but Ritsuka and Nobunaga. The Saber shouted to the heavens and glared at the three Servants.
"With sadness and misplaced anger giving me power, I shall now don the haori of my oath!" She shouted. As a bright light enveloped her, Mashu stared at the scene in shock.
"Why did she shout like that?" Mashu asked. "And why is Sakura Saber getting mad?"
"Allow me to explain." Nobunaga said. "This feeble man-slayer, known as Sakura Saber... Her True Name echoed through the streets of Kyoto at the end of the shogunate."
"It did?" Mashu asked.
Ritsuka nodded. "Hers, and the group she was a part of."
Mashu looked at the male Master in surprise. "Group?"
"When did you figure it out?" Nobunaga asked.
"Well Twig Boy and I knew who she belonged to right from the time she introduced herself." Tatsuko answered. "But it wasn't until our first fight with the Mini-Nobus when we finally figured out her identity."
Mashu looked at them in confusion. "What is her identity?"
The Shielder never received an answer as the light diminished. She turned and saw Sakura Saber, but she was wearing something different. Her pink kimono and hakama were gone. In its place was a blue and white haori. She wore a white shirt underneath with a black scarf. Her legs were bare, save for her long leggings and her boots.
"She is the one who swore to kill all Satsuma and Choshu…" Nobunaga said. "She is none other than the captain of the Shinsengumi's First Unit, Okita Souji!"
Chousokabe Emichika stared at them in shock. "Oh crap."
Okita walked away from the Chaldean Trio and Nobunaga and pointed her blade at the three Servants with a venomous glare. "Satsuma and Choshu shall die! No mercy!"
The three enemy Servants rushed at the Saber at once, but Okita did not even budge an inch. Shimazu Sétanta attacked first but Okita deflected his spear and lunged at him. The Lancer was quick to recover and deflected her strike, but the Saber went low, and slammed the pommel of her katana into his gut. The Lancer lurched forward and fell to the ground.
The Chaldean Trio and Nobunaga raised an eyebrow at this. There was no way she should have taken him down that easily. Their thoughts were scrambled as they watched her face Chousokabe Emichika, who wielded his blades instead of his bow. The Archer swung downward, but Okita proved to be too quick. The Saber got behind him, and slammed her fist into his back. The Archer fell to the ground, leaving Mouri Medinari as the last one left. The Caster immediately tried to conjure a spell, but Okita reached her first, and knocked her down, and raised her blade. Okita swung downward to deliver the finishing blow, shocking everyone.
"STOP!"
Everyone's eyes widened in surprise as Ritsuka got in between Okita and Medinari, forcing the Saber to stop her attack.
"Move." She said.
"I won't." Ritsuka said firmly. "I won't let you kill her."
Okita raised an eyebrow. "She insulted you, belittled you, and said such cruel things to you. And you would defend her? Even if she's from Choshu?"
"She's not really from Choshu." Ritsuka said. "She's from Greek Mythology. And yes, I would defend her."
"Why?" Okita asked.
"Because even if she said all those things, I don't hate her." Ritsuka said. "She's a comrade, and as a Master, I can't let her die under my watch."
Medea's eyes widened in shock. Even after all that, he would still help her? The Caster was further surprised as Ritsuka turned to her and offered his hand to help her up.
"I can get up on my own." Medea said, but not harshly. Instead, it was in a tone that made it sound like she appreciated the gesture. The Caster rose up alongside the others. Okita looked at them and sighed as she lowered her sword.
"If that is what you wish, then I will stand down." She said.
Ritsuka exhaled sharply and looked back at the three Servants. "You guys back to normal?"
Cú nodded. "Yeah, we are. Sorry for that guys!"
Tatsuko and Mashu nodded and smiled. Emiya then turned to Okita with a sigh. "By the way, while I'm not from Tosa, I am from Kyushu anyway, so I can understand why you'd be hostile towards me."
(CV: Fun fact, Fuyuki City in Fate is actually located in the Oita Prefecture in Kyushu. Look it up.)
Okita nodded. "Truth be told, I'm not a fan of the people of that island anyway."
Tatsuko's eyes widened as she saw Ritsuka gulp at that statement. Emiya raised an eyebrow at the Saber. "Really? Well that's odd."
It was Okita's turn to raise an eyebrow. "Why?"
"Because there's another person here from Kyushu, and they're from my hometown as well."
Okita gasped and stared at Ritsuka with a suspicious gaze. "Speak Japanese again. And don't use that weird dialect this time."
Ritsuka shook his head. "I don't want to….."
"Twig Boy, I now know why you'd refuse, but I think you're not getting out of it….." Tatsuko said.
Ritsuka sighed in defeat. "I guess I have no other choice…."
The male Master took a deep breath, and proceeded to speak in his native dialect. Okita glared at him. "So you ARE from Kyushu! Why didn't you tell me?!"
"Okita, you just admitted to not liking people from Kyushu." Ritsuka said. "And considering you're from the Shinsengumi, you'd probably assume I'd be from Tosa, Choshu, or Satsuma and try to kill me!"
Okita blushed and sighed. "You have a point. I should've thought about that."
Medea cleared her throat. "If you're all done bickering, can we go back to Chaldea now?"
Davinci reappeared on the communicator and shook her head. "We can bring the three of you back, but these guys still need to solve the Singularity."
"Then we wish you luck." Emiya said. "Okay, we're ready."
A few moments later, the three Servants were rayshifted back to Chaldea, leaving the Chaldean Trio with Nobunaga and Okita. Davinci then turned towards the group and smiled. "Good news, we probably found the source of the Singularity. There's a powerful energy reading near the capital, so you should probably go there and check it out."
"Sounds good to me!" Nobunaga shouted. "Alright, let's go!"
The black haired Servant walked off with the two Mini-Nobus, while the Chaldean Trio and Okita stayed put. The three girls looked at the male Master with differing looks.
"I am sorry Senpai." Mashu said.
"Why're you apologizing?" Ritsuka asked.
"Because I thought the reason your dialect sounded…..weird a few days ago was because you were not used to speaking it due to not using it for so long."
Okita exhaled sharply and stared at the male Master with a hint of guilt. "I'm sorry too. I was too harsh on you about your birthplace, when I should have been understanding. I promise to make it up to you and Mr. Emiya for being so rude."
"As for me, I almost forgot that Fuyuki was in Kyushu." Tatsuko said.
Ritsuka sighed. "To be perfectly honest I would've hidden my true accent anyway."
"Why's that?" Tatsuko asked.
"Because I always hated it." Ritsuka answered. "It's way too macho for me."
"Too macho? But is that not considered more ideal?" Mashu asked,
Ritsuka took a deep breath and stared at the girls. "I'll explain my reasons some other time. We have a mission to complete, and I'd rather have a clear head for it."
"I guess that's a fair compromise." Okita said.
"Hey guys, what's the hold up?! Let's get moving!"
Everyone turned to see Nobunaga waving at them. Okita and Ritsuka nodded and walked towards her and the Mini-Nobus. Mashu and Tatsuko looked at the two of them and exhaled sharply as Fou rested on Mashu's shoulder.
"So, what did you think of his accent?" Tatsuko asked.
Mashu blushed. "I-I….I felt my heart beating really fast when he spoke. Then I felt my palms starting to sweat and my eyes started to dilate."
"Well I can see lots of girls being attracted to his…..voice" Tatsuko grinned as she looked at Mashu. "Hang on, were you aroused by his voice?!"
Mashu stared at Tatsuko in shock. "I-I-I-I-"
Tatsuko laughed. "Don't worry, I'll keep it a secret. Now let's get going, the others are waiting."
The female Master ran towards the others, with the Shielder hot on her trails, begging her to slow down.