Hey, what's up? I'm Hopeless Author.
Okay, okay, before you dive into this chapter, let me clear something up: I have no idea how this is going to end. I mean, I've got a couple of crazy ideas bouncing around in my head, but you know how writing goes… you start with a plan, and next thing you know, the characters are running the show, and you're just trying to keep up.
This chapter? It kind of just happened. Like one of those late-night fridge raids where you end up creating a "gourmet sandwich" with whatever you can find. I'm not promising it all makes sense, but who needs logic when we've got magic swords, cousins with enough chemistry to make a lab jealous (but nope, this isn't heading in that direction, relax), and a city with that classic "DC Universe weirdness" vibe?
Did I proofread this? Meh, sort of. Am I going to update anything in the older chapters? Probably not. Life's too short, and stories are supposed to be fun. If even one person reads it, that's already a win, right?
As for how things will turn out… well, who knows? I've gotten some feedback, but honestly… it didn't help much. Like, I appreciate the effort, but it's not like they made it crystal clear what they thought. So yeah, I'm kinda in the dark here.
If you've got something to say, great! If not, well… I'll just keep writing whatever pops into my head. At the end of the day, this is what it is.
This fanfiction was created by me, Hopeless Author, and is inspired by the general worlds of DC Universe and Fate/stay night. All rights to the original characters, concepts, and universes belong to their respective creators and owners.
Tatsu stood atop one of the tallest buildings in San Francisco. The wind toyed with her hair as she gazed at the full moon, lost in thought. The sound of light footsteps behind her broke the silence, and a shadow emerged from the dim light.
"I didn't expect you to get here so quickly," she said, crossing her arms. Though her tone carried a hint of relief, she masked it well.
The figure stepped closer, the echo of his boots tapping against the concrete.
"I got your message," Shirou replied, his voice calm but tinged with fatigue. "I hurried, but... let's just say I got sidetracked. A mysterious mage was performing at the War Memorial Opera House."
Tatsu raised an eyebrow, intrigued, turning slightly to look at him.
"Really? Don't tell me you stayed to watch the show."
A faint smile played on Shirou's lips.
"Against my better judgment, I did. I'll admit, it was impressive, but... something about her performance felt off. It left me thinking more than I should have."
Tatsu let out a short sigh, tinged with mockery.
"Always the same. You can't just enjoy something, can you? You're always looking for something deeper. Let me guess—did you notice something suspicious? Like... I don't know, maybe a sword up her sleeve?"
Shirou chuckled softly.
"That joke's getting old, and you know it." His face darkened slightly as he continued. "Right at the end of her act, she invited me to her dressing room." He caught the smirk spreading across Tatsu's face and raised a hand. "Hey, I turned her down, obviously. But there was something about her... she felt unnervingly familiar. And her 'charming' smile reminded me of you whenever you're planning one of your bad pranks."
Tatsu let out a brief laugh, shaking her head.
"That sounds like something only you would get caught up in. Though, to be fair, you've always been terrible at picking up signals—especially when a girl's flirting with you."
Shirou sighed, resigned.
"Maybe. But I didn't want to waste any more time. Your second message sounded urgent."
The atmosphere shifted slightly. Tatsu exhaled before looking at him with a more serious expression.
"Even after all this time, it still surprises me how dependable and straightforward you are. But for now, I hope you'll focus on what really matters."
Shirou observed her silently for a moment. There was something in the way the wind played with her hair, the tension in her shoulders, that revealed how much she was carrying inside. His cousin wasn't the type to ask for help lightly. Her call had to mean more than just a casual meeting.
"Why did you call me, Tatsu?" he finally asked, his tone low but firm.
She shrugged, avoiding his gaze.
"What? I can't just invite my dear cousin to keep me company?" she joked, but without her usual spark.
Shirou crossed his arms, raising an eyebrow.
"Tatsu Toro-san. You know I'm not that easy to fool. If all you wanted was company, you could've called me for something more... relaxed, like giving me a city tour. What's really going on?"
She let out a long sigh, unsheathing her sword. The faint glow of Soultaker under the moonlight seemed to echo the gravity of the moment.
"Since I arrived in this city a year ago, a lot has happened... but this past month, I've been wondering if I was truly the right choice to wield Soultaker," she said softly. "After all the chaos with the succession, the clan's opposition, and the incident that proved you're the last direct descendant of the old Muramasa clan... you were the only one truly qualified to wield it."
Shirou let out a heavy sigh, shaking his head.
"Not this again. Tatsu, we've had this conversation before. The sword chose you for a reason. That's not something either of us can change."
She pressed her lips together, visibly frustrated.
"That's what you think! But ever since I took on the alias of Katana, I've been searching for my place. After all the mistakes I made, after disappointing the clan... I still haven't achieved anything. I'm not even sure I'm doing the right thing since I retired as a martial artist."
Shirou glanced at the glint of Soultaker before stepping forward. Placing both hands on her shoulders, he forced her to meet his gaze.
"Tatsu, I know it's not easy. No one said carrying something like this would be," he began, his tone calm and steady. "But if there's one thing I know about you, it's that you've never given up, even when everything was against you."
She let out a bitter laugh, lowering her gaze.
"That's easy for you to say. You didn't see everything I had to sacrifice to get here. To some, I'll always be the daughter who failed the clan."
"And to everyone else? To the people you've helped so far?" Shirou tilted his head, pressing gently. "Are you going to leave behind everyone who truly matters to you?"
Tatsu bit her lip, trying to keep the emotion from creeping into her voice.
"It's not that simple. Every time I wield this sword, I feel the weight of all those expectations. The mark of the curse... I can feel it's still not under my control. The darkness is still there, constantly reminding me that I'm not enough."
Shirou let out a long sigh, running a hand through his hair as he tried to collect his thoughts.
"Do you remember that old man from the mountain who trained me?" Shirou asked with a faintly ironic smile. "Have you forgotten everything I suffered under his teachings?"
Tatsu raised an eyebrow but remained silent, giving him space to continue. Shirou shook his head, as though still grappling with the memories.
"I never understood why he decided to become an observer… and I couldn't stand his cryptic, vague sayings. Like a true crazy old man."
A small smile appeared on her lips as she leaned slightly toward him.
"And what exactly did he teach you? Because the last time I saw him, he seemed more interested in making you suffer than giving you deep, unconventional lessons."
Shirou shrugged.
"Believe me, he wasn't exactly a loving or attentive teacher. But between his mocking laughter and the way he pushed me to my limits, I learned something important. There will always be doubts—always. Even he had them after I begged him to take me as his disciple when I barely qualified. In the end, what matters is pressing on, even when everything is against you."
Tatsu let out a soft laugh, though her gaze remained fixed on the ground.
"Is that grumpy old man still alive? He must be rolling in his cave hearing you talk about him like that."
Shirou feigned a nervous expression, raising his hands as if to stop her.
"Please, don't tell him. He already gave me enough trouble with my last mission—searching for those damned 'Bat's Fangs' in a city up north."
"You're still on that?" Tatsu asked, her tone neutral, though the glint in her eyes betrayed her amusement.
Shirou nodded in resignation.
"Believe me, it's not something I'm eager to add to my to-do list—at least, not right now."
Tatsu fell silent for a moment, gripping the hilt of Soultaker tightly. Finally, she lifted her gaze, her expression more resolute.
"You know what? Calling you was the right choice. At least you've given me something to think about."
"Oh, really?" Shirou asked, raising an eyebrow, amused.
"Yeah," she admitted, her shoulders relaxing slightly. "You've always had this knack for finding a way forward, even when things look grim."
Shirou let out a small laugh.
"Don't mistake me for some wise sage. I have just as many doubts as you—maybe more. But one thing I know for sure is that I'm not alone. And neither are you."
Tatsu looked at him, surprised by the sincerity in his words. A faint smile appeared on her lips as she threatened him with her phone in hand.
"I didn't know you were so good at motivational speeches. Maybe I should record this and play it whenever I need a boost."
Shirou rolled his eyes, though a smile crept onto his face.
"Don't make me regret being honest with you, cousin."
The relaxed atmosphere didn't last long, as Tatsu turned her gaze back toward the horizon.
"There's something else, Shirou. This city… it has things I didn't expect. And I think you'd find them interesting."
Shirou raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical, but couldn't help the faint smile tugging at his lips.
"Weird how?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.
She shrugged, regaining some of her usual spark.
"I'm not sure yet. But come on, you've always had a knack for this kind of thing, haven't you?"
He chuckled softly, glancing at his phone to see a couple of notifications—the latest one from a friend in a neighboring city.
"I guess we'll find out. But I warn you, I'm not looking for more trouble. I've got enough on my plate already."
Tatsu smiled, as if the tension were finally lifting.
"It's never boring with you, cousin. I guess that won't change."
Shirou sighed, crossing his arms, but said nothing, letting her steer the conversation.
Tatsu crossed her arms.
"I mean it, Shirou. Last night, while I was patrolling, I felt something…"
"And what did you do?" Shirou asked, leaning slightly toward her.
"I kept going, obviously. But the farther I went, the stranger the feeling became."
Shirou frowned, processing her words. Finally, he sighed, raising a hand as a cold breeze swept between them.
"Tatsu, have you gotten yourself into some weird trouble lately?"
She rolled her eyes.
"Please, like you're the shining example of someone who avoids weird trouble."
"Touché. But still, you should be careful."
Tatsu gave him a light tap on the arm, trying to lighten the mood.
"Don't worry so much. I'm not ready to leave you to deal with everything on your own. Besides, if something big happens, I'm sure I can handle it… with a little help, of course."
Shirou let out a small laugh, though his mind lingered on what she had said. His thoughts were interrupted by a faint sound in the distance, like something approaching.
"Tatsu…" Shirou murmured, his tone shifting.
She looked up, noticing how Shirou extended his hands. A familiar glow appeared between his fingers, and in an instant, Kanshō and Bakuya materialized. His twin swords, black and white, reflected the moon's pale light as Shirou adopted a firm stance.
Almost instinctively, his clothing began to change. The simple coat he wore was replaced by his signature red cloak, billowing slightly in the breeze. His expression shifted from curiosity to pure focus, and Tatsu couldn't help but smirk.
"Always so dramatic, Shirou."
"Dramatic?" he retorted, not taking his eyes off their surroundings. "I'm just being cautious."
She drew her weapon, Soultaker, holding it firmly.
"Well, if we're facing whatever's coming, you could at least admit you enjoy making entrances like this."
Shirou smirked faintly but kept his gaze on the horizon.
"Maybe a little."
Tatsu stepped up beside him, ready for anything.
"So, what's the plan?"
"We wait… and react quickly," Shirou replied, his tone blending confidence with seriousness.
The tension in the air grew heavier as they stood in silence, alert to any sign of what lay ahead.
If you've made it this far, that's awesome! I'm glad you stuck around. Honestly, I have no idea what's going to happen in the next chapter (and that just makes it even more exciting). But I promise, whatever comes next will be just as crazy, epic, and maybe a little chaotic.
See you next time… or whenever. Let's keep writing!