Chapter 131 - 44.3

"I can still unmake it." And Shirou did with a thought as the blade disappeared in motes of light. "It doesn't matter what I make, if I make them with Tracing then they will always be mine." That also applied for every sword present on Kuoh at the moment.

Once he was aware of it, Shirou realized how easy it was to Trace another sword and cease sending mana to it instantly. It was another copy of Muramasa of which both Waver and Jaken could tell it was a Noble Phantasm but avoided commenting for their own health. Shirou wasn't even thinking when he Traced it.

By studying that new Muramasa, Shirou noted how there were no flaws compared to every other time he Traced it. As the sword he worked with the most, it was easy for him to check for any defect that should be present when the flux of mana was cut from the normal Gradation Air.

'But I am not using Gradation Air, just picked up the basics and expanded on it. A similar but also completely different magecraft.' He began to understand that, while mostly an accident, the size of his accomplishment couldn't be understated. "And other people can learn it too."

Waver shook his head in denial. "I know no one that ever will be able to use it to the extent you can. The quantity of information you have in your mind…" He looked around. "You remember, consciously or not, the history of every single one of those blades. I counted at least a thousand before quitting." Jaken's jaw almost landed on the ground and Tsubaki looked at Shirou with understanding. "I have no idea how you did it but that by itself is a feat as impressive as the spell."

Shirou chuckled nervously. 'I suppose that I can attribute it to my Reality Marble.' For he was sure that everytime he was Tracing something, it was his soul that gave him the correct information.

However the possibility of such a thing didn't pass by Waver's mind, both because he didn't dare to think about it and because of lack of evidence. "Then again you are a swordsmith and there are plenty of professionals that master their craft to the point of doing it blindfolded."

"Then he can get rid of any sword that he makes?" Xenovia was smart enough to know they needed to change the subject. "That means nothing you create can be used against you, ever. Or you can just make it disappear if you don't like how people are using your stuff." She tilted her head to the side and Shirou saw some of the closest swords to Caliburn; Traced versions of its Fragments. "A pity since the Church probably would want some of those."

"Good thing you said that because I was about to scream in frustration." Shirou admitted with a bitter sweet chuckle.

"EM?" Waver was also chuckling.

The redhead nodded. "Month after month perfecting the process of forging EM and for a moment I thought I had a solution the whole time." He looked around Kuoh's grounds again with a smile. "But maybe selling these weapons would be cheating in a way. They would never belong to anyone else, only me." He nodded at the thought. "Forging is the honest way of selling my work, regardless."

"Then there is only one thing to do." The tall teacher waved his hand around. "Make all other swords disappear."

No words or warnings were given as the blades of Kuoh Academy began to break apart into motes of mana. All stopped to watch the show of lights as the weapons broke in different rhythms and the mana that escaped looked like snow floating to the sky.

There were so many swords that the whole area was washed with mana but no one felt anything negative from it. The mana actually had a quality that could be confounded with purity for those who couldn't understand it but those that did knew that pure mana was dangerous, specially on the quality that Shirou just released.

'This is…' Jaken hit his staff twice on the ground as the mana dissipated, finding much to his surprise that much of it was returning to the ley line. 'A perfect match?! Is he a Blessed Child?' Without the same means Yoruichi used, that was the best conclusion that the kappa could come up with. 'That explains how he survived! I need to report back to Sesshomaru-sama as soon as possible.'

All at once the mana departed, creating a canvas of light that ascended to the skies. It was a beautiful sight that mesmerized all those present.

"Like stardust." Xenovia felt wonder like she never had before. "An ocean of the skies leaving the world."

"Or returning to it." Jaken commented, his eyes not leaving Shirou who looked happy by what he accomplished.

"It is beautiful." Tsubaki voiced what many thought.

"Indeed, it was admirable." Sona approached from the side while removing her helmet and fixing her hair. "I was right in calling you to help but next time make sure that you clean your mess after work, Shirou."

Chuckling a little, Shirou stretched an arm to the side. "Would you believe me if I told you I didn't even notice this stuff was still around? I thought that they would disappear after their mana was spent." With the way things are, the redhead was as confused as anyone about his magecraft. "To be honest, because of how Gradation Air works, the possibility of them staying never crossed my mind."

"An accident then." Sona deducted and Shirou's nod confirmed it. "Happy for your discovery about your magic, Emiya." She turned around. "Show is over! All of you back to work! Unless you want to take your break now?!" Immediately the movement around the school grounds began anew but the Sitri King wasn't focused on that. "There is still one last thing…"

"Yeah, yeah." Shirou sighed as he turned to Caliburn. "You could at least give me a moment for the discovery of my Tracing to set in, you know."

Sona gave the redhead a glare. "I am sorry, are you the one dealing with repairing Kuoh while also having to worry about the budget for the next six months? No? Then don't complain." It was clear that the stress was starting to get to her.

"I thought that you devils were loaded." Xenovia's eyes were fixed on Caliburn but the observation managed to pierce the fog her mind threatened to fall into.

Fixing her glasses, Sona threw a small glare in Xenovia's direction. "My family may be rich but we don't stay rich by recklessly spending our money. There is also the fact that we have shareholders, banks and taxes to pay." An eyebrow twitched. "And since Kuoh is a joint operation with the government then its budget is also limited to a certain number of Lucertes, our currency, per year. Which we already blew off." Before any of the teachers could ask, she raised a hand to stop them. "That includes your salaries so don't worry. Every paycheck will be delivered but I doubt we will have the conditions to fix the place as fast if the school is attacked again."

Even the 'Shinji Incident' didn't do as much damage as the 'Caliburn Incident' did. Despite how much Sona learned to despise the now deceased student the boy's attack had only damaged the gym and the rooftop. Kokabiel's fight had ruined the land, broke every window, damaged the school building and almost brought it down.

And that was just the physical aspects since the ley line also was damaged and needing repairs but all that just made Sona quite upset.

""Sorry."" Shirou apologized gently and Xenovia offered sincerely as some of the damage was her fault.

"Apology accepted. Now please Shirou, get to work so we don't have another incident any time soon." All turned to Caliburn.

"Now for the hard part." Because Shirou already knew Sona would be furious with him. "Look, Kaichou… I know you are hoping me to take the sword-"

"And avoid a pile of paperwork and Church further interference in Fuyuki." Sona threw a look at Xenovia but her focus was still on Shirou. "But I can understand if you can't do it."

"You do?" By her tone of voice, Shiirou didn't believe that.

"Tsubaki and I talked on the way here and she made me realize that I can't blame you for that." The Queen nodded at each word of her King and Shirou decided he was going to bake her some brownies come Monday in appreciation. "I can only blame Kokabiel, Valper and Caliburn itself. Especially if you can't move it."

"'Only someone worthy can pull the Sword in the Stone.'" Waver quoted as he picked up a cigarette inside his suit. "However, if Shirou knows what makes someone worthy of it…"

The redhead nodded. "I do but that is a Fate I don't wish for anyone." Surprising statement for many aside, Shirou began to approach Caliburn. "I will give my best shot but please understand something; the number of people who wanted to be the Chosen King was vast and their attempts close to millions." He stood in front of the sword. "Spells, magic potions, rituals, tricks, hypnosis… Each one was more complex than the last and every single one of them failed."

If a list was to be made with the attempts to cheat Caliburn then Shirou was sure that it would have enough paper to cover every hole made during Kokabiel's fight. And that was excluding details because if he added those then it would be enough to flood the school with paper.

Still Shirou felt that an explanation was necessary since he suspected he would fail. "Because it isn't a spell bounding the sword to the 'stone' but the sword itself. Its very existence demands it to be wielded by someone worthy." His hand touched the handle gently and the image of the blonde girl came to him once again. "And only then did the sword let go of the land. Any other person trying to pull it out has to compete with its power."

"And since the power is what they want, the task becomes impossible because the sword itself is almost all powerful." Xenovia spoke with reverence as she knew that sword was one of the works of God.

Jaken took another meaning to Shirou's words. "Doesn't that mean that someone sufficiently strong can't pull the weapon? Like a god for instance?" 'Or someone close to one like Sesshomaru-sama?'

With a casual shrug, Shirou studied and leaned his weight into Caliburn. "I don't know anyone strong enough to force the issue since this is a weapon capable of challenging time itself but sure, I suppose it is possible." Both Sona and Jaken's eyes gained a clean of greed that made Shirou chuckle. "But then, even if they succeed, the sword will break."

Waver chuckled at how his young employer and friend deflated. "There is no cheating with that sword. If there was then King Arthur would never have broken it when it was his."

"Hers. King Arthur was actually Artoria Pendragon." The casual comment made Waver blink but he just accepted Shirou's words. "But anyway, that is why you can't force the issue. Not only would it need to be someone strong enough to stop time with brute strength alone but then Caliburn would just break anyway." He turned back with a smile, his arm resting on the handle. "EIther is the right way or no way with it, sorry."

Sona didn't like what she just heard. "But you didn't try anything." She wanted to say more, to mention how he had a Reality Marble connected with a sword that should help but she held back.

She had no way of knowing that on the way to Kuoh, Shirou had been studying the Caliburn in his soul and that his words were definitive. That version of the weapon was his to command and he could hold it easily in his world, even taking a swing capable of erasing a mountain with finesse born out Artoria's skills engraved in the weapon.

But that wasn't the original sword, it was his version of the sword born in his soul, a weapon that was part of him in almost every sense. If he was stronger than he could even Trace it and use it in Reality as skillfully as any one else that ever had touched the weapon or its Fragments.

However he wasn't and the Sword of the Stone wasn't his, it didn't belong to anyone until someone picked it up.

"Shirou, are you truly trying everything you can?" Tsubaki asked and Shirou winced. "You spoke before you didn't wish that sword to anyone. Are you hesitating on picking it up?"

Sona quickly understood what her Queen was getting at. "That is right, you must know the right conditions to become worthy of Caliburn."

"Yes, I do and that is why I know I can't have it." Shirou admitted, stunning Sona. "Tsubaki, you asked me if I am hesitating? It is just the opposite. I know what I want, the type of person I wish to be." He frowned but nodded resolutely as he let go of the sword. "And I don't wish to be what Caliburn needs me to be."

"So you can do nothing about it?" Waver cut to the chase. "With your Structure Analysis you have knowledge of every method attempted to pull Caliburn without its approval, correct?"

Shirou nodded slowly, trying to piece together what his teacher wanted. "What are you trying to get at?"

"Then is there something that they didn't try?" The tall teacher offered as a suggestion, stunning everyone. "You have a fair knowledge of magecraft and contact with the Gremory Clan. Even the Sitri would be willing to give a hand in this situation."

"You want him to piece a solution together on the spot?" Jaken laughed. "Madness! Absolute madness, Waver."

"I have to agree with Jaken-sensei." Tsubaki shook her head. "Trying to figure out something no one ever did by knowing everything done before doesn't really give a solution unless it is an obvious one."

The black haired teacher shrugged. "It doesn't cost anything to try."

"Something nobody tried huh?" Shirou doubted he could come up with a spell or anything like that, he was just a third rate magus after all who had only a couple of spells and funnily enough there was a magus that tried to blow Caliburn up with Reinforcement. 'I could try a Noble Phantasm…'

Except he didn't want to do it, Caliburn wasn't a weapon that deserved to be destroyed even if he disagreed with the Fate it imposed. It was a marvelous blade, a tool made to do good and Shirou knew it had the potential to do good if only there was a way around its restriction.

He also doubted he would really be able to destroy it without opening a crater on Fuyuki, the Fragments or Valper mess were a thing but Caliburn was a Noble Phantasm and the strongest one he ever saw, even Angelo's bow blades fell short if just slightly.

Taking a moment to think and review every scrap of knowledge he collected from his Reality Marble, Shirou was sure there was little he could do. Everything he knew, not only his magecraft but also a lot of alchemy and Artifacts, were used in the attempts and while his repertoar of weapons actually grew a little with mystic codes of swords and daggers used, none had any effect.

If anything that just reinforced his belief that there was nothing he could do unless he was willing to pay the price.

Still a decision was made and Shirou would make an attempt. 'Here goes nothing.' He took a deep breath. "Caliburn, please let me move you." He tried to pull but the sword remained the same. "Well, I tried."

"That is it?" Fury returned to Sona's voice. She marched in his direction and the redhead turned, irritation starting to boil in his being. "You asked? It is a sword. Did you really expect that to work?"

Now even Shirou was losing his patience. "What am I supposed to do, woman? Everything else already failed." Both were holding their voices back but people still stopped to watch. "Didn't you say that Tsubaki helped you to come to terms with whatever happened?"

"I didn't ask for such a half baked attempt."

"That was the only thing anyone else hadn't tried. I said before and I will say it again; even Merlin couldn't do it and he stuck the thing in the stone in the first place."

"But that can even be called a 'try'. You asked the sword to let you move it? Who does that?"

"You know I know a little bit about swords more than you."

That made Sona stop and blink as the argument was more than correct. "Fine but we still need a solution to take it off. That thing is too dangerous."

It was like a lamp had turned on in Shirou's head. "No, it really isn't."

"It is a real sword, Shirou. Even if we dismiss the political ramifications, this is a school." Sona put emphasis on the word 'school'. "Between the dozens of careless students and whatever demands the Church is going to have-"

"Caliburn is not dangerous-"

"Events yesterday say otherwise." Sona raised her voice again, ready for a fight.

However Shirou had no intention of giving her one and instead crouched down to pull up the leg of his pants to show his skin. The pureblood devil raised an eyebrow at the action but said nothing until the magus turned and kicked Caliburn hard enough that dust was kicked off all around the area.

Stunned by the action, nobody said anything as Shirou showed the Sitri King his leg. "Not a scratch." He fixed his pants with a look of mocking annoyance on his face. "You can tell them that Caliburn has the greatest security system of all the moonlit world; itself. Nobody but someone worthy and willing to take its burden can take the sword or even use it." He waved for her to approach and Sona did slowly. "Touch it."

Swallowing her fear at the idea of touching one of the most powerful Holy Swords, Sona did as asked and touched its side carefully before retreating quickly. "It doesn't burn."

"Of course not, 'it is just a sword'." Shirou chuckled at the glare Sona gave him. "Caliburn is unable to hurt you, or anyone for that matter, until it has a proper owner. Even if someone is curious about it there is no one who will be harmed by it."

That solved one problem but not all. "The Church-"

"Will probably send agents to try and claim it but even if someone succeeds that doesn't mean you will ever have to face Caliburn again." Shirou smiled sadly. "After all, it cannot harm innocents." Sona still looked at the sword distrustfully. "Look at it this way, if Valper didn't burn by touching the sword, someone who definitely deserved it, and neither did you, a pureblood devil, then it is clear that Caliburn will do nothing other than wait for someone to claim it."

More good arguments had Sona fumming internaly but she refused to pout or anything. 'I really wanted this sword out of here. Why does it have to be my territory?' She sighed. "Fine."

"Fine?" Shirou asked to make sure Sona was certain.

"Fine! This isn't my problem anymore, it is my sister's." Sona decided to wash her hands of it but only in one condition. "Are you certain that it can't harm anyone?"

"You have my word that it won't and if the Church or the Heavens complain you can tell them that since I fix the sword I know better." And if she wouldn't then Shirou would do it himself.

Sona was a young devil but after the whole ordeal she was feeling centuries of years old. "Very well, Shirou. I shall trust your word if anything else." Then she pointed to his face. "But if they have questions-"

"I shall do my best to explain." Shirou threw a look at Xenovia but her focus was still on Caliburn. "I promise."

A nod of acceptance later Sona was turning around. "Tsubaki, get me the report on the materials still necessary to finish all the repairs. I also want to know when the night's team is going to arrive."

"Yes, Kaichou." Both devils of the Sitri Clan put their helmets back on and began to march around the area to help with the reconstruction. That prompted the teachers to approach Shirou, Waver smiling and Jaken pensive.

Before getting close, Waver put out his cigarette and made it disappear. "A good thing is that the sword isn't leaving the Kuoh so soon. Studying it is a sure way to help our students develop their own research both thanks to the fact it is a Noble Phantasm as well as Holy Sword." His smile also had something mean behind it. "Just the chance is more than many back in London can appreciate."

"So does that mean you are getting more students?" Shirou asked with a knowing smile.

"Only if they agree to pay a special commission to me and Kuoh." Waver knew after Sona's small outburst she would appreciate his condition. "But odds are that many in the Clocktower will be moving here just for the chance of taking King Arthur's sword. Plenty of nobles claim to be his descendants after all."

"Ha! As if." Shirou tried to disguise what he said with a chuckle but Waver's raised eyebrows proved the man didn't fall for it. "I mean, it isn't a matter of who descended from King Arthur but who is worthy. Blood has nothing to do with it."

"And what does?" Asked Jaken with true curiosity. "Is there some special criteria? And does that person can be from every race or is it just humans who have a chance of pulling the sword?"

Shaking his head, Shirou could see the greed in Jaken's eyes. "Anyone can, no exceptions." That answer pleased the kappa but the magus wasn't done. "But it won't be that simple. It needs to be someone with an absolute faith in True Justice."

"And what is 'True Justice'?" Waver had some suspicions but knew Shirou had the concrete answers.

However the redhead had no intention of offering them. "If you are asking then you don't know."

The teacher gave his student a frown. "Cheeky brat." But Waver could see his student's eyes weren't on him. "Are you going to be okay?"

They were in the blue haired woman everyone knew was the representative of the Church. "Sure." Shioru replied softly before sighing. "You two should leave. I doubt Kaichou doesn't have you working on one thing or another."

"As a representative of one of the Kings of-"

Jaken was silenced when his taller companion grabbed him by the back of his suit. "You are right. We should get going." Waver began to leave with Jaken right behind. "See you on Monday, mister Emiya."

"See ya." Finally Shirou could focus entirely in Xenovia. "Are you going to try and pull it out or not?"

"You knew?" The bluehead girl asked as she slowly approached the sword.

Any trace of humor leeft Shirou's face. "The pensive look, the distracted glances, the way your eyes barely left Caliburn since we arrived." He stepped aside to allow Xenovia free access. "You look like someone lost. I used to see the same look in the mirror."

Xenovia took her eyes off Caliburn to give Shirou an incredulous look. "Have everything you ever believed been ripped from beneath your feet?" She looked down at the sword again. "Have you ever lost the one thing you always had for certain? Has the person you most respected- that you love, lied to you about everything?"

"I didn't know my father was an assassin and I almost got killed because of it." By the lack of bitterness on Shirou's tone Xenovia almost didn't believe him but then she saw his eyes. Those weren't the eyes of a liar. "And I thought you agreed yesterday that you should still have faith in God."

"I still do. His so-called followers are the ones that I can never trust again." Caliburn was at her reach and it seemed to pulse at her presence. "Can I take this sword?"

Never before Shirou wanted to lie as much as he did in that moment. "Yes, you are able." But he couldn't. "Let me tell you a secret, just between the two of us, anyone is if they lived an honest life and made certain oaths to Caliburn and themselves." He whispered conspiratorially.

"Then I don't qualify. My whole life was based on a lie." Xenovia felt a dark emotion in her chest, an ugly mixture of rage and depression. "Ever since I joined the Church I believed I was making God's work easier by punishing the wicked… How many innocents did I kill?"

"None." Shirou replied so fast that Xenovia was in shock. "Don't take my word for it if you don't want but your real sword told me as much." That blade also seemed to pulse. "And if you don't believe us, believe in the person that you love."

"Griselda…" A whisper full of fondness escaped Xenovia's lips. "She should have told me."

"And burden you with the knowledge? Maybe she considered the secret a mercy." Yet Xenovia just looked more conflicted. "Look, I won't stop you from trying to take Caliburn but I will warn you that would be a mistake."

Xenovia looked between the sword and the magus. "You were speaking about an oath?"

Shirou motioned to Xenovia to get closer so he could whisper to her. "Promise to not tell anyone?" She nodded. "To be Caliburn's owner all you have to do is swear yourself to Justice."

"To Justice?" Xenovia smiled at the notion. "That isn't a bad oath."

"It is hell. A hell that almost consumed Artoria Pendragon." Shirou could see how the notion confused Xenovia. "It is not just about fighting for what is just or being honest, it is about going everywhere that there is evil and stopping it."

"A noble goal, a noble mission." Xenovia spoke with certainty as her hand approached the weapon. "Once free of lies and-"

"And you can't stop." Shirou watched the girl freeze. "You won't be able to stop. That was one of the reasons why Caliburn broke; Artoria was focused too much in her notion of Justice, in her country and that sword was made to protect all mankind, more than borders can measure." He smiled sadly. "It was, after all, made by God and while He loved Humanity He didn't understand that we can't be bound by a duty 24/7."

It was a simple but crushing truth that Caliburn could sustain a person without even needing the bare necessities. That was by design as the sword was made with the intent of doing a job similar to God's, to always work towards a future regardless of the risks. That was what led to His death and Shirou knew that Artoria was too strong, too human, to lose herself to Caliburn.

The problem was making Xenovia see it. "In the end Artoria lost Caliburn but she gained a much better sword, the much brighter and powerful Excalibur."

"Are you saying that God made a mistake?" Even after knowing about His death there was still an offended tone in Xenovia's voice.

However the redhead remained calm as it just showed him she was listening. "There may come a day that someone is willing to take that sword and live that life. Humans come in all kinds of shapes and sizes so that is possible." Shirou shrugged. "However, that isn't a life a Human should live, the life of a machine going from battlefield to battlefield, from hell to hell."

Just saying those words made Shirou shiver and he could see that Xenovia was starting to have second thoughts. He didn't blame her as the words themselves brought forth an image of a truly miserable life with conflicts without end. To Shirou it reminded him of his father when he put on the mask of the Magus Killer.

Clearly Xenovia also had experience with similar people, people haunted by their actions after fighting without end only to see no meaning at the end of conflicts. If they even end.

It was a look full of sympathy and sadness that made Shirou believe she cared. 'She is a good person and if she wants Caliburn then she must be certain.' Because if the blade broke in her hand Shirou didn't want the same guilt which assaulted Artoria to hunt Xenovia. "I could give you Merlin's warning, how you will stop being human upon taking this sword or how a king can't be human but I will just say my piece."

Caliburn was between the two of them as Shirou stepped to the side to position himself behind Xenovia. He was showing that the way was open and it was her decision to listen to him or not, giving more weight to his words.

After a second of deliberation or perhaps hesitation, Xenovia nodded, eyes back on Caliburn. "If you have a goal or wish, even if it is something small, you shouldn't want this sword." Shirou's gaze was firm and even if the bluehead couldn't see it she could feel it. "It offers true power but the life you are going to live with it will be of a machine's. You shall know no life nor death."

She just stood there, hand barely reaching the sword. "Are you asking me to be selfish? To prioritize my desires over everyone else's happiness?"

He didn't even need to think about the response. "I am offering you to stay human and find your own way to do things." Shirou saw her flinch. "I know you want a purpose but this is the truth about life; we make our own purpose, be it following someone else's or to chase our own wishes. By picking up Caliburn you give up your search because the only thing you can have is the sword and nothing else."

"But that is a noble goal. A noble mission."

"But will it make you happy? What do you want, Xenovia? What is the thing you see yourself doing in the future if not now if you could?" He turned his back to her. "If you have nothing then swear yourself to Caliburn and pull it off. But if there is something you want, even if it is just a fleeting wish or something you believe to be impossible, please don't give it up."

Deliberately, Shirou began to walk away from Xenovia and Caliburn extremely slowly. Every step he took had minimal reach and a wish that she would follow or ask anything else. He couldn't force her to not try and after revealing the secret he knew Xenovia was capable of drawing Caliburn, lost as she was there was a risk she would succeed either way so all he could do was warn her.

Because she was lost and in search of a purpose, Caliburn would give her one; he would only allow it once the warning was given. He wouldn't be like Merlin and be vague either.

'Two choices are before you, two paths you can take.' Shirou took a moment to watch as people worked together to bring Kuoh back to its pristine state in record time. 'Neither is really wrong, that is reality. I just hope that, whatever decision you make, it can be one that makes you happy.' Shirou let out a sigh when he heard a sword being taken from the earth.

"I want to keep fighting, to protect the innocents like the Lord wanted." Living by His exemple was something Shirou could respect. "But I also want to be a mother." When he heard those words the redhead almost jumped from joy. "To have my own children and to pass them my love for the blade so that whatever path they take in life they will know how to defend themselves." She chuckled shyly, stopping just behind Shirou. "A selfish wish."

"A Human wish. A beautiful one too." He turned to see Xenovia holding on to the still covered Durandal. Even hidden Shirou could feel that the blade was pleased. "There is nothing wrong in wanting to help others as well as there is never something wrong in wishing for a family."

Xenovia's smile was still shy but Shirou saw a beauty that wasn't there before, a certainty and conviction that shined even more than the faith she carried less than 24 hours ago. "I have nowhere to go."

"You can stay." The offer surprised her. "Didn't you hear? I seem to have a habit of collecting strays. What is one sword maiden when I already have a couple of devils and a goddess living under my roof?"

The blue haired maiden blushed a little. "'Sword Maiden'? Better than stray, at least." She smiled again, still a little shy. "You also said you would teach me more about Durandal, right?"

"Oh, so you did hear me on the way here." Shirou chuckled as Xenovia blushed more. "Heh, don't worry about it. I will be happy to teach you everything that the previous Owners of Durandal discovered and help you become the greatest Durandal Wielder who ever lived."

"Really? Greater than lord Strada or even Roland?" Xenovia was excited by the possibility.

"It will take time and we will have to correct some of the stuff the Church butchered from Camelot's training but yes, it is possible. Both with Camelot's real fighting style and the memories of those who came before." Shirou knew everything about Durandal, all its potential and tricks, things that many Owners managed to learn but never passed.

He can't use most of them either as they apply only to Durandal and the cost of mana was too much for him to use casually but Xenovia can learn and push the sword to its maximum potential.

All the blue haired swordswoman needed was someone to teach her and no one would be better than Shirou who had the knowledge of every single person who ever wielded Durandal, period.

The redhead also had the proper knowledge of Camelot's fighting style which he gained from Caliburn since Artoria used to teach her knights with that sword. It was similar to the Church's since it was the original but the institution gave up much of its fundamentals, deeming them heretical.

And with a sword like Durandal, Xenovia could learn it properly. It was supposed to be used with a powerful weapon, after all.

"There is a lot that I can teach you, more about Durandal than anything else, but you need to be willing to learn." Shirou gave a smile. "Are you ready for this, Xenovia Quarta?"

"Of course!" Her smile was radiant not only for the challenge but also for the new goal. "I swear to you that I will train hard and that one day I will be stronger than Roland himself!"

"That is the spirit." Shirou felt a shiver on his back and turned to look at an exasperated Sona while Tsubaki was shaking her head by her side. There were a lot of people watching too. 'Why is she like that? Oh well, I better deal with that later.' Sometimes ignoring a problem can help. "Now let's go home, I need to start cooking if we want to celebrate you joining our little group properly."

For him that was that and Shirou was happy with the result since Xenovia wasn't picking Caliburn and becoming a flesh robot in service of mankind.

However, the girl wasn't done. "If I am to stay with you then there is something that I must do." She spoke seriously and respectfully, unveiling Durandal for all to see.

'Does she want to fight?' Shirou thought first by how the blue sword was pulsating, an aura of excitement and joy that he knew from somewhere in its memories but couldn't place when.

When Xenovia dropped to one knee and stabbed her sword on the ground, Shirou knew there would be no fight but relentless teasing once the word was out.

"I, Xenovia Quarta, swear in the name of God to follow you in any battle! My sword is your sword and your enemies are my enemies! No matter the obstacle, no matter the challenge, I shall watch your back the same way you did for me when offering a place in your castle!"

Silence fell around Kuoh as everyone watched the blue haired woman swear herself to the redhead magus with a Holy Blade. Shirou felt dread in the eyes of so many witnesses, some looking in envy while others in admiration as that meant there was no way for him to stop her without being attacked by pretty much everyone there.

"Wherever you go, I shall be there! My shoulder will be yours to lean on like yours was mine in my time of need!" It was because of Xenovia's words, so full of passion that they were able to even drop people in a trance. "I shall be there for you while you are the good man I know is worthy of being followed!"

That was because Xenovia was transferring her faith in the Church to Shirou because of his kindness and the belief he was always going to be honest with her. She had proof of that in when he offered her exactly what she wanted and gave her a choice, a choice that earned more respect than the Church ever did by leaving her in a lie.

Xenovia herself knew that she shouldn't be making those kinds of oaths but she was always an eager girl and the kind to charge head first. She was honest and determined to make the best of the experience.

"To be your most loyal confidant! To be with you in any adventure! Whenever and wherever you need me! I swear by Durandal!" The sincerity of the pledge was visible. All witnesses knew that the words were as true as the color of the sky.

Now the ball was in his court and Shirou barely managed to hold back a sigh. 'Rias and Akeno aren't going to have a field day with this.' He resigned to his Fate.

…..

Irina didn't know what to do with herself, she just knew she was feeling slightly mortified by Miki's words. "I remember this picture like it was yesterday. There was this theme park in town that closed a few years ago that Irina and Issei insisted on going to every other week. Here, check this out." The mother pointed to another picture and Asia leaned closer to look. "This is Issei puking on Irina's head after eating too much."

"Mom!"

"And this one?" Asia noticed something similar, a small Issei and Irina but this time their parts were reversed.

"I think Irina wanted a little revenge that day."

"Oba-chan!" After the shower Irina had dressed in Asia's nun clothing since it was the only thing that fit her.

It was still a little tight but it was the best she could have since Miki's clothes were a little too big and anything else from the blonde was worse. The result was that while Irina filled Asia's nun clothes nicely there were some problems in the chest area and the dress didn't hide her heels like it did for the Bishop.

Not that Irina was complaining as she was comfortable with that kind of clothing, even a little used to it thanks to her time in many Churches.

"Fufufufu." Miki loved playing with her child and his friend, in a way it was something she waited years to do. Part was the true happiness of having Irina around while the other part was a small payback for any headaches back in the day. "Here dear, take a look at this one." She loved watching them blush together.

Asia kept looking at the pictures with a huge smile as her eyes scanned more pictures until she started to notice the park didn't show up any longer. "What happened with the theme park?"

"Closed down." Gorou repeated with a tooth grin to the two childhood friends. "Problems with the food and hygiene." Which explained the agrigeous amount of puking in the pictures.

"Despite that they still wanted to go back." Miki added. "Took them a month to accept that the park wasn't opening ever again."

"Mom!" "Oba-chan!"

"Hahaha!" Gorou laughed out loud at Issei and Irina's reactions. "Either way, Irina-chan, tell me something; Do your parents ever plan to come back to Fuyuki?"

"Yes, yes. We missed you all a lot over the years." It was clear the adults of the Hyoudou household weren't lying and wished to see their old friends.

Irina suddenly had a sad smile on her face but it only lasted a single second before she gave them a sincere one. "Unfortunately we had no plans of coming back to Japan but if you want I can give you their number so you can call."

Gorou rubbed his chin in thought. "It won't be the same as if they were here," he smiled nonetheless, "but it will be good to talk with them even if we can't drink together like in the old times."

"You should start thinking about drinking a little less. You aren't as young anymore." Miki joked a little.

"Are you talking about me or you?" The look his wife gave him had the man coughing. "I mean, I don't drink that much." He glanced at the can of beer in his hand before looking back to his wife. "I mean… I am an old man and my wife looks just as young as the day we met."

"Better." There was a layer of warning in her smile. "Anyway, how long are you planning to stay, Irina-chan?"

Once again Irina smiled sadly but this time the expression stuck. "Unfortunately I have to go back tomorrow."

"What?!" "But you just got here!"

Both parents reacted in a panic and surrounded the chestnut haired girl while Issei and Asia didn't look surprised.

They knew from the beginning that once the Excalibur situation was solved the Exorcist had to leave, Fuyuki was still devil territory after all and having agents from their enemies was bad in most situations.

But Issei swallowed his own protest heavily. 'It's too soon for her to go.' His fist was closed in frustration but he managed to at least look calm if anything else.

Contrary to his parents whose sadness was visible to all. "Can't you just stay for just a few days? If it is a matter of passage, we can pay." Miki offered, her husband nodding in show of support.

However the twin tailed Exorcist shook her head. "Sorry oba-chan but I need to deliver my report and talk with everyone back there about what I learned here." It was not a lie.

Despite any conflict that Irina may have because of the discoveries she made in Fuyuki, the Church needed to be told about the Fragments' Fate and the new situation with Caliburn. Besides that the girl also wanted answers and the only way she saw of getting them was facing her family and her comrades.

In truth she wanted to already have left but since both her and Xenovia needed time to recover, Irina found herself anxious to go back.

"And you really can't stay?" Gorou asked seriously but calmly.

Irina shook her head twice. "Sorry Oji-san but I can't." Then she stood up. "In fact, I shouldn't even be here. I need to go back to my partner and the school group before they start looking all over for me."

That was technically a lie as she was alone with Xenovia and within Issei's residence the chance of her going looking was pretty much zero. All it would take was the Pawn calling his King.

However that was still part of her cover and Irina was happy that the Hyoudou parents accepted her explanation easily. "Then I at least should take you there by car." Which would be problematic since Irina didn't know the way in the first place. "Come on, let me get the keys-"

"Dad, why don't you let me take her." Issei quickly got up with a determined look.

Miki applauded her son's eagerness. "You two can take her later, maybe after dinner." She emphasized dinner to make sure the men would get the message. "There is no need to rush and-"

"I can take her there on foot." Issei suddenly interrupted his mother, something that shocked her. She was about to complain when she saw the eyes her son had. "It'll be just us catching up."

There was something in Issei's eyes that Miki failed to see but Gorou noticed and nodded. "Well, it would be rude of us to stop poor Irina-chan from spending some time with her friend." It was clear his wife didn't approve of the reason and Asia's pout almost broke the man's conviction. However he chose to support his son. "Ah, stop glaring at me, Miki. They haven't seen each other in so long, let Issei have some time without us buzzing around for a change."

"Thanks dad." Issei quickly got up and moved to the door, Irina following right behind after getting the bag with Rias' clothes.

Asia had a small pout that Gorou noticed but he patted her head with a smile. "Let him have this. He does dream of a harem after all and I would be a poor father if I don't give himuhhhh-"

"Is that what this is about, dear?" Miki sounded upset. She almost forgot that her husband also was a pervert. "I should have known you would try something like that."

"But deaaaahhh-"

"Don't 'but dear' me mister. I know your tricks. Are you forgetting about Asia's feelings?" That was almost enough for the patriarch of the house to hiss.

Except that Asia just smiled gently. "Don't worry about me, oka-sama. At this moment Irina needs Issei-san more than I do."

Miki let her husband go to gush over the former nun. Gorou massaged his cheek with a smile. 'Go Issei. Get another girl to like you. The childhood friend trope will give you a chance.' His eyes had a fire that he hadn't felt since his youth. 'For the harem!'

Issei was unaware of his father's support but took advantage of it because of his main concern. The reason for his worries was the same that had Asia equally worried and both of them knew why the Exorcist looked confused and exhausted during breakfast. Unfortunately that wasn't the kind of conversation that they should have even if the Hyoudou family knew about the moonlit world.

Asia wanted to help more but with Miki always around she had no chance to have an honest talk with Irina so she smiled more to distract the two adults. "Do you want tempura for dinner?"

"Nonono, you shouldn't cook for my foolish son today, Asia." Miki was full of sympathy as Issei was leaving the house with another woman. "I will take care of dinner."

Before he heard anything else, Issei moved outside the house with Irina. He was dressed in a sleeveless redshirt and shorts, looking embarrassed by how his parents were acting. "Sorry."

Chuckling at her friend's blush, Irina shook her head. "It is good to see they are as energetic as I remember." She then scratched her cheek in embarrassment. "Well… I have no idea where Emiya-san's house is."

"Buchou made sure we memorized the way." It was either for emergencies or to find her but Issei didn't care why as he was glaring at Shirou with jealousy that day. "It's a little out of the way. Did you really get here by accident?"

"Hehe…" Her timid laugh was all Issei needed. "I was… distracted."

"Becau-"

"We should get going." Irina quickly marched away from the Hyoudous' house and took a random turn that had Issei blinking.

The Pawn rushed to catch up when he almost slammed into her because Irina had stopped completely. "Are you alright?"

It was a loaded question that Irina didn't want to answer. "You should… I think this is the wrong way."

[She is avoiding the problem.] Ddraig pointed out in Issei's soul but the devil brushed the dragon off.

He focused on looking around to make sure they wouldn't get lost. "Yeah, it's that way." Issei pointed to the opposite side.

"Great." Irina quickly stepped up and walked in that direction before stopping again. "Maybe you should go ahead so I don't get lost again."

[A trained warrior never gets lost in enemy territory unless they are dying or distracted.] Ddraig's voice came again and Issei was quick to shut him down. [I can also force the connection open.] It didn't work. [Stop trying to close yourself to me, it is exhausting forcing this.]

Deciding to indulge the original Red Dragon Emperor, Issei nodded to Irina and himself. 'What should I do?'

[Talk with her you moron. Can't believe I have to be your conscience in something so obvious.]

'But she doesn't want to talk about it.' It was something so obvious that even Issei was absolutely sure of that fact.

He was also sure the dragon facepalmed. [And that worked so well with that Knight.]

Nodding to Irina, Issei took point but distracted as he was with Ddraig his pace was slow. 'We talked with Kiba, but it didn't work.' He reminded the dragon.

[It just didn't work because that blond had no time to heal. Trust me on this.] Issei found it hard to challenge the voice of experience in his head. [Either you talk to her now or the problem is going to be eating her up until someone else deals with it. Do you trust anyone else to do it?]

"Maybe…"

"Uhm? Did you say something?" Irina's question made Issei realize he had spoken.

Quickly coming up with an excuse, Issei chuckled. "Trying to remember if there is a short cut we could take." Irina's skeptical look showed she didn't believe him. Instead of comforting her, the Pawn kept walking.

Noting his partner showed no indication he was going to press the issue irritated Ddraig. [Do you want Emiya to add her to his harem?] That made Issei pause midstep and the dragon chuckled. [Oh~ Does that bother you?]

'Emiya doesn't have a harem.' Came the quickest denial, so fast that the only reason Ddraig understood the thought was because it was a thought in the first place.

[Hmm, let's see, shall we? He has your redhead King, the Queen is also interested, he lives with two white haired girls that would eat in the palm of his hand if he asked and there are also the yokais and the witches you all hang around.] Ddraig could feel every wave of irritation on Issei's soul. That made the dragon practically giddy. [Oh and lets not forget that he also had that cat woman sitting on his lap practically everyday for the last year. Are you sure he doesn't have a harem?]

A pause. "Son of a bitch!"

"Issei? What 's wrong?" Irina started to look around, searching for enemies but the brown haired devil just waved his hand.

"Nothing, nothing, just realized something." He tried to look calm. 'That bastard has been building a harem this whole time? Damn! How didn't I notice that sooner?!' Ddraig didn't need to say anything else, Issei gladly started to fill any possible blanks himself. 'And Irina had spent the night in his house and he could- No, Emiya is not that kind of guy… But then there is her partner! He wouldn't go after Irina if he was after Xenovia first! If Irina is vulnerable then Emiya could take advantage of her!'

[Not on his character but that will work to get my partner moving.] Ddraig chuckled as Issei's mind was still spinning. Time to finish the job. [Best chance to protect your friend is making sure she has nothing that Emiya can use to breach into her heart.]

The Pawn nodded resolutely, he didn't mind that Irina hated him later but didn't want to give anyone the chance of taking advantage of her. Or help Shirou build his harem more even if that never was the redhead's intention, after Ddraig's words all the Pawn could see was how successful Shirou was with the ladies and that was exactly what the dragon wanted.

So the actual Red Dragon Emperor walked a little faster, Irina noticing the sudden rush and quickly moving to catch up. Issei still had no idea where to begin but he knew something that would help. "Remember this place?"

"Hm?" Irina was shocked by the sudden question and looked around with a blink before noticing a grocery store. "Isn't this… Hana-san's old shop?"

"Yeah, remember how she used to give us candy every other day…"

"She always said, 'don't tell your parents' before giving us a chocolate bar or some sweet buns." Irina laugh was angelic but soon it grew smaller as she looked inside the closed store. "It looks different."

Too different from her memories as before it was just a small store with conveniences all around. Now it was empty, empty with just some small shelves laying around gathering dust.

"Hana-san passed away two years ago and her son sold the store." He could see how shocked he was at the information. "She was kind like our other grandma so I thought you should know."

"I…" Irina didn't know what to say. "What happened?"

"She started to forget things and soon her body just stopped." Issei remembered the last time she saw the old woman. "But she looked happy, as if her job was done." He tried to add the happier note but flinched when he saw that Irina looked depressed. 'Talk about shooting myself on the foot.'

Ddraig decided to intervene again. [She is showing more emotion than before, even the bad ones. That means she is open. Talk to her!] Taking a deep breath and reminding himself to stay calm, Issei began to walk again. [Partner!]

'Just looking for a place to sit.' Luckily they were still close to his home so Issei knew there was a tree they could use. Irina followed and soon they were in the right place as Issei sat down on the ground. "What is wrong?"

Again Irina tried to avoid the real issue. "Just sad that Hana-chan died. I wanted to see her again."

While Issei knew that wasn't a lie, it wasn't the answer he was looking for either. "It's just that… or there is something else?" Irina flinched and avoided looking at her friend. He saw her hesitation but before she could try and change the subject, Issei tried something else. "Remember how we didn't have secrets?"

Irina shook her head in disbelief. "We were kids. Hard to have secrets at that age."

Issei didn't give her a chance to say anything else. "Really? Because I'm sure you didn't want anyone to know when you wet the bed."

Blushing like an apple, Irina looked to the side. "Stop."

"Or how you sneaked in your parents bed because of lightning."

Her blush grew more intense. "Stop it."

"Or that time you admitted you were afraid of the dark-"

Her blush was now an inferno. "Issei idiot." She threw herself at him to shut his mouth but Issei kept laughing. "Idiot, idiot, idiot."

"Why? You said they weren't secrets." There was no one in the streets to hear them but Issei was loving Irina's reaction.

Took a few moments for the girl to calm down. Irina's blush had diminished greatly but was still there and she was making a lousy job of hiding it. She still attacked Issei with weak hits before it devolved to a tickling match that the brown haired devil could fight back.

When they stopped both were breathing hard but smiling, for a moment back where they were before Irina left Fuyuki.

Then they grew conscious because they were not children anymore, Irina was sitting on Issei's 'little soldier' and he was starting to get up. Blushing a storm of scarlet they quickly separated only to find themselves back to back, breathing hard and shy by the recent development that left them with no actions.

Recovering first out of the desire to help his friend, Issei looked at Irina's back. "Can you tell me what is wrong? I don't like seeing you sad."

Irina's shoulders began to shake but before Issei could ask something out of concern he heard her giggling. "That is the same thing." She commented, back on the memory lane. "That is exactly the same thing you asked me before I told you I was leaving."

"Really? I barely can remember that." All Issei could remember was how sad he was that his friend was gone.

"I swear you did." She leaned in his back and Issei looked ahead in thought. "I don't want to talk about it."

"About God's death?" He felt her flinch and shake her head. "What then?"

It was in that moment that Irina felt every uncertainty she had was ready to pour out in a storm of screams and tears. However she was also an Exorcist and one that found comfort in falling back in her training.

And if there was one thing that her training taught her was how to take hold of her emotions, to control them instead of being controlled by them.

Didn't get rid of the negativity and some of it still demanded to be spilled. "Am I selfish?" Irina's question surprised Issei but he didn't reply. "Am I selfish?"

"Why are you asking that?" Her oldest friend asked slowly and Irina shook her head.

"Nothing. It is stupid."

He didn't even need to think to reply. "If its bothering you then it isn't stupid."

Growing stiff but barely moving, Irina looked up to the blue sky. "After we learned that the Lord… After we learned that the Lord died I felt lost for a moment. I feel ashamed that my faith was shaken but I thought 'He will forgive me' only to remember later He isn't around to forgive." Issei trew a little of his weight on his back to show her he was listening. "But I thought that, even if He was gone, maybe everything would be alright if we stayed together. Even after His passing Heaven and the Church kept fighting to uphold his legacy so maybe I could be like them…" She hesitated. "Everything would be fine if I had my friends, if I had my partner by my side."

Once Irina began to shake again, Issei knew it wasn't because she was holding back a laugh but tears. 'She was always a silent crier… I thought it was because 'boys don't cry' but Irina never was a boy…' He didn't need Ddraig to tell him what to do. "Xenovia doesn't want to go back?"

"No." Irina shook her head slightly. "She stopped believing in our family, in the Church…" Her hands began to shake but she made sure to hold one with the other. "Did it mean nothing to her? All the missions we went on together? All the time we spend going around and defending the Lord's work? Was all that-"

When Irina stopped herself, Issei feared she was going to close her heart again. He stood up and turned but the girl remained seated, looking despotent. Going around, he kneeled in front of her and tried to lift her face but Irina refused to budge. He didn't want to harm her but was starting to grow worried by her actions.

Afraid of saying the wrong thing, the devil still took his best shot. "I'm sure that it isn't easy for her. That it meant something and that probably she just wants to deal with her own problems-"

"Then why can't we do it together?" Finally Irina looked at him and Issei saw the stream of tears in her face. "Why can't she still be my partner? Why can't we work together like we used to? Why did she say that she is going to leave me?" Irina stopped herself when she noticed she was raising her voice. Looking down again, she looked worse. "I am selfish?"

"No. No!" Issei moved to the side and hugged his friend, her head resting on his shoulder. "When you left… I felt the same way. I was afraid that I wouldn't ever see you again, that I would lose my best friend forever. Remember how we were crying that day?" She nodded. "But you are here."

"But I need Xenovia with me." Her voice was shaken and muffed. "I can't… I don't think I can face the people back in Europe without her. I know she doesn't want to go but we should, we should get answers."

"Maybe… Maybe for her the answers don't matter, what matters is that they lied." Irina suddenly looked at her with shock and understanding and Issei took it as a good sign. "You don't need to go back if you don't want to but that is up to you. The same way it's up to her to not want to go back." His friend looked sad again but this time when Issei held her face, she allowed him. "Besides, just because you two aren't going to be around as much, it doesn't mean you stopped being friends."

It was something so simple but so alien to Irina that she had no words. Usually when someone went 'stray' and abandoned an organization they became enemies of it but the way that Issei said it sounded not only credible but also logical.

Still the Exorcist part of Irina could only shake her head. "She is abandoning the Church, Issei. She is going to become a criminal. Next time we meet it will be as enemies."

"So aren't we enemies since I'm a devil?" Shocked once again, Irina could only look at Issei in disbelief. He kept holding her, showing no fear. "Are you going to kill me? I'm pretty sure you could do it, even unarmed." Mostly because Issei had already decided that if Irina attacked now he wouldn't fight back.

Instead he had faith that Irina wouldn't harm him and it was rewarded when Irina looked disgusted by the notion. "No! I would never!"

"Then what is the problem in being her friend?" Her wide eyes made him smile. "Look, if you still think you have to fight her because of the Church then there is another alternative."

"What?" She grabbed his hands, her eyes becoming full of hope.

"By becoming someone that can order them to not hurt Xenovia." He made it sound so simple. "I was thinking about telling my parents about… my condition. You know? The whole devil thing." Issei chuckled. "But this whole Excalibur, Caliburn, Kokabiel thing made me realize that it's too dangerous. But then it wouldn't be fair if they don't know forever." His eyes look firm. "That is why I will become an Ultimate Class devil and tell them."

"You want to become the Ultimate Class?" Irina knew what that meant; Issei wanted to become one of the strongest beings in the Underworld.

"You can bet your ass I will." He stood up, his heart pumping fast as the thought took over him. "I'll become Ultimate Class, the Strongest Pawn, then I'm going to get my harem." Irina almost fell face first on the ground in disappointment. "But I will also be strong enough to protect my parents." She looked up to see Issei's smile. "I don't like keeping secrets for them or any of my friends but the moonlit world is dangerous. So I'm going to get strong, strong enough that they don't need to fear anything."

Once again it was something simple but it brought a smile to Irina's face. That was one of the things she always liked about Issei; he had a habit of focusing on what he wanted and pursuing it with his whole soul. In a way, she had to admit, the harem was the same thing.

For Issei details don't matter, only what he wanted and that he was going to go after it at full speed.

Good thing for him that he always had friends to remind him of the details, starting with Irina. "It won't be easy, you know? You are talking about becoming one of the strongest beings of the Underworld. No, to protect everyone you would have to become one of the Top 10 Strongest."

"Then that is what I will do!" Issei spoke full of conviction and Irina believed him. Then and there what he said sounded like the absolute truth in her ears. "So everyone I care about can live happy lives, no matter what is in the dark." He offered her a hand. "Including you. We'll always be friends even if you are in the Church. And you know what? I bet Xenovia feels the same way."

For an instant the image of the boy Issei was changed to the man he was becoming in Irina's heart. 'When did you grow up so much?' She grabbed his hand. "Fine! Then I will become the greatest Exorcist the Church has ever seen! I will make sure that we don't need to fight!"

They held the handshake for a few more seconds, Irina feeling much better as she relaxed her arm but didn't let go with her hand. Soon they noticed that they were getting closer to each other and parted ways.

""Sorry!"" They said at the same time while blushing like mad. Irina had her hands on her cheeks, trying to calm down her heart while Issei was starting to think about what was about to happen-

"Will you die for me?"

-before shaking his head to dispel any thoughts. 'That is your childhood friend, your idiot.' He didn't want to think anymore about what almost happened. "We should get going. Emiya's house is kind of far."

"Right." Irina was too embarrassed to say anything else and just followed Issei. She didn't notice how stiff he was until they got talking again.

Or how his smile was gone until after a few minutes of banter.

…..

Later at night Shirou moved to his dojo after dinner. Considering that everyone else was busy with their own problems the redhead wanted to start training immediately even if some would protest.

He didn't miss Xenovia and Irina's hug when Issei brough the girl back or how they spent the last few hours just talking about one thing or another. Xenovia wouldn't change her decision to not return to the Church and Irina acceptance was a bit of a surprise but Shirou wouldn't let that be the end of it so easily.

If Xenovia was going to be in his service, something that Rias and Yoruichi took some time to laugh about when the bluehead professed her new loyalty, she would at the very least write a letter explaining the situation to her guardian.

Shirou may not know much about Griselda Quarta but he would like to avoid anymore assassins gunning from his head if possible.

Besides some teasing and dinner, which the Red Dragon Emperor refused as he left giving Shirou a stinky eye and the promise of a fight, things began to calm down again. The Exorcists had much to discuss about what was going to be reported but as Xenoiva promised, Irina was willing to sign a contract and even forget about Reality Marbles.

A thing that Rias was quick to put in motion as she dragged Medusa off her bed to do it. The purple haired goddess did as requested after bartering for a personal banquet as a reward which Shirou granted, Rias cooking for everyone else.

Luvia still hadn't left her room but the redhead devil actually spent some of her time there after calling her brother. Suffice to say was that the actual Lucifer was on their corner and moved to call Azazel as fast as possible.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Sirzechs called back a few hours later saying that everything was settled. He was even making jokes from what Rias told everyone which was a good sign, something that Yoruichi pointed out as odd as the situation should have a worse backlash but the Maou's attitude said otherwise.

Regardless of all that Shirou still took some time to sneak out of the main house while everyone else was distracted or resting. After the events of yesterday the magus knew he had much to think about and plan. He also wanted to train a little, to test some of the things he discovered about himself.

However he hesitated on starting because he knew his lovers could detect his use of mana and drag him back to rest. Shirou wouldn't even disagree with it since he didn't want to worry everyone even if they all knew his body had already recovered.

In those circumstances the best thing Shirou could do was plan as he had a lot to think about not only about himself but also about Xenovia since he promised to train her.

Previous experience with Akeno didn't paint a pretty picture of his opinion as a teacher but Shirou observed that he wouldn't be training her in magecraft but in swordsmanship. At least not in the beginning as much of Camelot's fighting style involves a certain understanding of mana and other fundamentals.

That was all stuff that would also depend on Xenovia herself and not his focus at the moment.

No, his first focus was on finding a good place to meditate and the dojo of the house seemed ideal. It was silent, discreet, comfortable with the pleasant cold of the summer night and private since most of the training for everyone was usually outside. Shirou never had been so happy to keep that space clean for everyone and even with the gym equipment he had enough space to sit down in the center in lotus position.

'Time to finally do this, huh?' Shirou blinked and was already inside his Reality Marble. "Talk about advanced meditation… Am I thinking or really speaking right now?" He chuckled before noticing the pegasus running around the sky.

Without a shadow of a doubt the acceptance of his Reality Marble was the greatest change in him and that was something Shirou was anxious to explore. Already he could feel there was much to see in his world, things that he yet had to understand and learn about it and himself.

'Remember what dad taught you about observing new surroundings… When did I stand up?' Thinking about the subject had Shirou realize that even in his dreams he appeared inside his Reality Marble on his feet. 'Is this my subconscious thought or something else? What does it mean?'

Shirou shook his head to recenter himself as too many questions without answers weren't what he needed. If he lost himself there would be no progress and so he had to compartmentalize and deal with things one at a time.

Starting with previous dreams and memories Shirou knew he could do almost everything inside his Reality Marble; it was his soul, his arsenal, himself. Sure the pegasus was something he gained after saving Medusa and the only exception but it was still an inhabitant of his word.

And Shirou knew thanks to the legendary mount intervention in his fight with Freed that the pegasus was his ally and friend.

Remembering the Mad Exorcist, Shirou knew exactly where to start his investigation. "Would the fight be any different if I had my Reality Marble in the beginning?" The immediate answer was 'yes' even if he didn't know why. 'Okay… I have a Reality Marble… How do I use it?'

Manifesting it on Reality was apparently the key and also why the prospect of one was feared. However Shirou already knew that he couldn't just do it. Just the thought of attempting was shot down by some instinct on the back of his head that told him that he was missing something.

"Come on… This is my soul. How do I use it?" A frown made its way to his face as he tried to think. "Swords, swords everywhere. This is where I begin." With a thought about Muramasa, Shirou found the original one floating in front of him in an instant as the altered versions of it surrounded his position. "Okay, that was easy enough."

The pegasus watched in amusement as Shirou studied and played with his swords before trying to Trace his armor.

The redhead quickly noticed that he lacked his coat and his pants didn't change. With some more effort he made the rest of the armor appear without any cost of mana. "My soul, my rules. Mana means nothing here." He flexed his fingers experimentally before Caliburn appeared in his hand. "Cool."

The Sword of Kings returned to wherever it came from as Shirou studied his armor and noticed that Medusa's Gift hadn't been Traced. Concentrating a little the magus tried to summon the jewel but it failed.

After some thought Shirou tried with other things and every single thing he had in his house showed up with ease even if not as easily as swords. Medusa's Gift was the exception and Shirou realized that it made sense since it was a creation of a goddess. It was just that his soul couldn't understand it properly.

Which gave him room to experiment some more as he summoned Bakuya and turned to the pegasus. "Nothing?" He was surprised when the legendary mount shook his head and he chuckled. "I need her ruby, don't I?" The pegasus nodded. "That thing is more powerful than I thought. It is also bonded with me… More stuff to do later, I suppose."

As easily as it came the armor vanished and Shirou sat down again, assuming the same position he was sure he still was in Reality before closing his eyes. For an instant he didn't know in which world he was, the cold seemed to indicate it was night even as he felt the sun and the breeze in his world.

But he chose to not observe that phenomena for the moment, once again trying to focus on what he had planned; breaking down his fights and seeing how his Reality Marble would have changed things at least in the last 48 hours.

Obviously Freed's fight was his main focus but he took his time and began with his first fight of the day with Irina and Mimic. "Had I been more open to my Reality Marble then maybe I could have figured out the truth about Caliburn earlier? No, it was still too fragmented, tainted by the attempts of reforging it incorrectly due to its nature as a proto Noble Phantasm." He almost laughed at the irony since its ascended existence should have given the sword power but made things harder.

After breaking the fight apart and studying Irina's abilities with Mimic, Shirou was sure that the fight wouldn't change that much; neither was trying to kill the other and victory would be his if Kiba hadn't gone berserk.

Even if not having fought her he still considered Xenovia before realizing that he could only win if he went all out and if she failed to use Durandal properly. It would be a hard fight with the legendary sword in play and its destructive power could break anything he made easily to the point that most of the fight he would be dodging her.

However there were still paths to victory and Shirou saw many of them not for any flaw in the sword but in Xenovia herself. "Lots of training for her to do too but Artoria's fighting style will fit her like a glove if I can teach her properly." Which meant he had to learn it himself but he already planned to do that.

Far from him to reject something as beautiful or precise as Camelot's original martial art, not when he knew there would be more fighting in his future.

His skirmishes with the Order of Pendragon wouldn't have changed much and he easily moved through them. Even Agravain wasn't a proper opponent if Shirou decided to go all out and unleash his Noble Phantasms. He was also much faster than the knight and was sure that could defeat him barehanded if necessary.

So finally he landed in his fights with Freed and realized quickly that had he possessed his Reality Marble he could have defeated the Mad Exorcist in the galery and stopped the Fragments reforging.

Most of that was due to the pegasus and Bakuya as Shirou was sure that with only the unstable power of two Fragments, Freed had no chance of winning. Not everything would have changed as Yoruichi would still have to stop Kokabiel or maybe the fallen angel would grow desperate but he could have at least stopped Freed faster.

'Hindsight is 20-20 right?' Shirou chuckled as he realized that with just a thought Hrunting was by his side. "I just needed to think about finding my opponent and you were already there. I could have defeated Freed much earlier, the moment he started using illusions… Did my soul call you or if you came by yourself?"

Unfortunately for Shirou the black sword had no response to give him, just the memories of its former owners and how it never missed. How it was used. There was nothing indicating the sword had any sort of conciency which had him deduce it was his soul doing the heavy lifting.

Instead of keeping going in that train of thought, Shirou recentered himself again in his fight with Freed. "Time for a new perspective." And another sword appeared by his side, stabbing itself to his left. "Valper's 'masterpiece'." He said sarcastically as the Fused Fragments stood tall and defiant. "A mess and a failure in equal measure." His hand grasped the handle and he pulled. "Yet, Caliburn none the less. A defensive type of sword."

With the blade in his hand Shirou felt a deeper connection as the focus of his mind was on the Fused Fragment. He already knew everything about the weapon but now the information was easier to understand and was properly sorted. Instead of learning something new he was remembering what he already knew.

Taking a couple of swings Shirou felt no weight. The balance was perfect as Mimic made it to be and its power was considerable. "A powerful mess." He acknowledged with a hard look before the sword changed in his hands.

Because of how it was reforged there was little that Shirou could transform the sword into. The weapon should be able to turn into anything his mind desired but Valper's failure was complete as Mimic's power failed to work. It just wasn't possible as the sword was limited both in his hands and Freed's.

Curious about how much different a single Fragment would be Shirou called for Mimic in the same shape of a katana Irina used. Immediately he was flooded with the information of all who used the weapon, much like he had with Durandal.

Dropping Valper's masterpiece and having it vanish, Shirou made Mimic transform into liquid metal and cover his body. "Freed could have survived Hrunting by reacting fast and colliding his sword with it before it got too close." Another armor covered his body, weaker than his own but capable of protecting everything. "However the original Mimic could guarantee his survival."

Already Shirou could see himself in Freed's situation, Hrunting flying faster than he expected and almost killing him on the first dodge. He replayed all the Mad Exorcist's actions and realized that while they were born from fear and confusion there was a huge dose of underestimation.

'Freed couldn't win against Hrunting, not with the Fused Fragments. In the end Valper failed as the Fused Sword wasn't even close to the real thing.' Just thinking about Caliburn had it stabbed before him as the Fragment was dismissed. "How would you have fought, Artoria?" He chuckled at the question. "Just from the memory of his sword I can see you cutting down Freed in less than 2 seconds… Maybe I would last a little more if I had time to set something up."

Her face showed up in his mind as he saw her easily defeat a version of Freed in his imagination. Then Shirou challenged that image of Artoria on his mind, he saw her first move, a salutation before the beginning of the battle.

Then Shirou saw her move in his mind's eye and cut him down after a couple of strikes. It was fast, it was cruel and possible not how Artoria would have fought, she was kinder than that, at least in the beginning.

However Shirou constructed the fight with an idealized version of Artoria, all of Caliburn's power with all her skill. It was an insurmountable mountain that Shirou saw himself failing to again and again. After the tenth fight he stopped, noticing how he made some progress but was still not even close to winning.

"I need to train more." Shirou declared and the image of Artoria was replaced with the White Dragon Emperor in his full armored glory. "After all; a promise is a promise." Unfortunately he barely had any information to simulate a battle against Vali. "You use magic, you are fast, not as fast as Yoruichi but fast, and you are strong. Then there is Divide." Looking up, Shirou saw the sun, his sun, and thought about its true identity. "Will Avalon protect me from it?"

It was a question that could change the complete outcome of the fight by itself as if Avalon protects him then Sihrou had far less to fear.

However if it didn't then he needed to plan for that. "Best to assume it won't and play around Divide. Vali needs to touch me to use it so range is my best bet… Against an opponent that uses magic and is clearly better at range than me… Goddamned."

"Shiro. Shiro." He snapped outside of his Reality Marble to see Yoruichi looking at him with some concern. "Meditating?"

"Reality Marble."

"Hmm, do you know what time it is?" At Yoruichi's question, Shirou shook his head and she chuckled. "Here is a tip; everyone else already went to bed."

"And you came to collect me?" Shirou stood and noticed how stiff he was. Normal since he was sitting down in meditation for a few hours. "I barely noticed the time passing."

Yoruichi chuckled again. "Most thought you were already sleeping but when I got there you were nowhere." She approached and hugged his side. "This is my last night around here and I would like to spend some time with you."

"Sorry I didn't make dinner… Sorry that I couldn't finish things before you had to intervene."

"You are still thinking about that? I already said it's fine." She gave him a warm but sad smile. "As one of the Kings of Kyoto I shouldn't be that far from home for so long… As a King, I am a failure. But then again, I never wanted the job."

Shirou chuckled. "No, you prefer to be just a stray cat." She was about to protest but he scratched her head just right and Yoruichi purred instead of talking. "Sorry we can't go on dates and stuff. I know you wanted to."

"Yeah, that actually sucks." Yoruichi leaned further in his touch. "But we can consider some of our training days 'play dates' if you want. I certainly played too much with you, more than I should."

"Fine by me. But I still want to take you to a proper date when you are around Fuyuki again." His smile had her smiling more. "So, when will that be?"

"As soon as the dust settles a bit, so in a few months… Maybe." Yoruichi stepped away before shrugging. "It also depends on the political situation around. I don't know if you noticed but… things are changing."

Shirou nodded slowly as his expression turned serious. "That they are."

Not wanting to ruin their conversation, Yoruichi punched Shirou's shoulder. "Come on then. Time for one last 'date' as it were."

"What? Now?" His internal clock may be a mess but if everyone was on bed then it was already late.

"You can bet we are going to do this now. We don't have much time and I need to check something if you are going to be training Koneko for me." Yoruichi declared with a happy smile.

"Training her in what?" Her smile just grew bigger, practically screaming to him he should know. "Yoruichi, I can't read thoughts."

"You can try~" They embraced and her nose started touching Shirou's. "Here is a tip; now that you know you have a Reality Marble, think what you can do without it? What would I like you to teach Koneko?" Her eyes looked sad for a millisecond. "That I can't teach myself because I won't be around."

"Senjutsu… She finally asked you for lessons?" He received a small nod and another sad look. "That is great! I mean, I know that you won't be around as much but it is progress."

"I know! The problem is that I will have to contend with phone calls and the like since I can't stay around to teach her properly." Yoruichi's finger began to dance on Shirou's chest. "But that is where you come in, dear~"

Shirou chuckled, he was happy for Koneko's progress and was willing to play a little more. "In case you forgot, dear, I don't know Senjutsu and I am pretty sure that a Reality Marble won't fix that problem."

Yoruichi smiled again and kissed him on the lips before stepping back. "Not on the most advanced stuff," a familiar white aura began to surround her, "but I am sure you get what I mean now, right? The part of Ki which is more about introspection than anything else, the power from the fighting spirit."

"Touki." Shirou understood and closed his eyes. "I was blocking myself because deep down I was denying something I had, something key." He took a deep breath and soon the aura was around him as well. "My own soul."

"Your real self." Yoruichi whispered huskily in his ear. "Promise me that when you can, you are going to show me your world."

"I promise." He whispered kindly, Yoruichi's grin infecting him.

"Good." She disappeared again to appear across from him. "Easier now?"

"Very." It was like a weight Shirou didn't know he had was gone. Still with his Touki the redhead began to move around the dojo, much faster than before. Only when he was using the pegasus power was he faster. "I could get used to this."

"Hey, hey, eyes on me." Yoruichi easily got Shirou's attention. "You still have to master the thing but now that you can use Touki the next stage is going to be to connect yourself with the element of your soul." She laughed a little and he chuckled as well. "Wonder how that will be affected by a Reality Marble."

"Only one way to figure it out." Shirou spread his feet and assumed a fighting posture. "Ready for our 'date'?"

She assumed the same posture. "Nyahahaha! I thought you would never ask!"

Ki began to pour from both combatants, Yoruichi's was fluid like a stream while Shirou's was more rigid. Their feet shifted before the spar began.

Shirou knew he was going to lose this fight, that was fine with him. He also knew that this was more than just training for Yoruichi and that she wanted to have some fun.

So they would enjoy each other's company until the sun rose on the horizon.