A/N: Working another double today, ugh why meeeeeeee...

STILL! I LIIIIIIIIIIIVE!

Had to tear myself away from FGO, but here I am

By the way, I just wanted to say...thank you, to everyone.

Thank you for every kind word, for every review, no matter how small.

All of you readers truly are the wind beneath my wings; I hope you realize that.

I just wanted to let everyone here know how I felt. I've been having a rough few days lately.

Seems a lot of folks like this version of Naruko, even if this story has the least reviews of the "Unlikely" series. If you've read between the lines then you'll realize who she truly is, even if she doesn't know herself. She isn't as powerless as she thinks, given her origins. Here's a hint. Have you read the latest chapter of A Most Unlikely Beast? Yes? No? Maybe so? Don't worry, that one was written months ago and its still up.

Now, I know some of you have read it, while others haven't.

But it explains a lot of things. It also makes this story insanely dangerous.

On another note, this chapter is told from Gilgamesh's perspective and he is a fucking TREAT to write. Oh, he can be a right and proper arse if you get on his bad side; but in the same vein he's proven that he can be a decent sort when he wants to be, depending on who summons him. Fate Strange Fake and Fate Extra CCC exemplify this. Just let him do as you wish, possess a strong will, and DO NOT BETRAY HIM and you'll be fine. Maybe. Hopefully?

Please let me know if you like this. Every word counts.

I'm committed to this series, and I'll see it through to the end, but reviews are the wind beneath my wings.

As ever, Gilgamesh's casual clothes are what we see in the series.

...so I do hope people like this.

...you're mocking me, aren't you."

"No, no, no. I would never do such a thing-wait! Archer! Look! Its Saber again!"

"WHERE?!"

*Collapses in hysteric laughter*

~?

A Most Unlikely Understanding (Interlude)

It burned.

Every second Gilgamesh spent trying to make sense of this chaos-of this girl who had brought him back into the world-threatened to drive him mad. Worse, all this noise was near to doing his head in. Why had he agreed to this course of action again? Oh, right. It had amused him at the the time. The idea of mingling with the common folk, if only to see how far they'd come, was her idea at first. He went with it in on a whim, curious to see what the outside world had to offer him.

He was not impressed.

There were far, far, FAR too many mongrels walking about.

They were loud, noisy, and if one of them bumped into him again...!

"Uncomfortable?"

A muscle jumped in Gilgamesh's jaw, but her refused to admit his own loathing. "No. I simply dislike their chatter."

"Don't worry," her hand flicked between them in a negligent gesture. "I won't make you stay if you dislike these "mongrels" that much."

"You won't give me commands?"

A blond brow rose. "I'm bubbly, not suicidal."

A rare laugh burst from Gilgamesh's mouth, surprising even him. "Well said! I think I like you."

Much to his chagrin, Naruko gazed at him with something akin to pity. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"No reason. Just...confused."

Once, such an insult might have irked him. Now? Gilgamesh merely arched an eyebrow and strode after her. The next drunkard fool enough to bump into him, however? Bloody. Red. Atoms. Now that he'd vented his fury upon a hapless passerby, Archer was free to follow and contemplate his Master. This girl was feisty enough to be sure, he did not deny that. Perhaps she was a bit too fierce. Her spirit roared high and bright and wild like a flame. Yet for all her fire and red eyes she was as frail as any human. He could easily kill her if he wished and she wouldn't be able to stop him. She should be thankful that he did not desire her death...yet.

And then she said something that truly surprised him, the impudent girl.

"You claim to be one my descendants?"

The little blond shrugged as she adjusted her pack.

"I don't claim anything." those doe-like red eyes gazed innocently up at him. "Its just what I've been told for as long as I can remember. My parents...weren't really my parents. A stranger found me on their doorstep as a babe and took me in. The cult my folks were part of was already going strong by then." she paused, considering. "I'm sure you already know this, but let me tell you anyway. I was going to be a sacrifice for you, a host to bind you to this world so that you might begin your glorious reign anew."

...I see."

A growl answered.

"Do you, your majesty?"

The way she bit out that last part left no question as to her feelings on the subject. She'd gotten further ahead of him on the path when they weren't looking, and the crowd had thinned as they strayed further and further away from civilization. Now one of those scarlet slits not unlike his own narrowed intently over her shoulder.

"DO you understand?" something dark flashed in those pure eyes. "I was going to die so you could live. You would've worn my body like a coat. And my soul? My soul would've been gone.

Quick as a flash, she blinked and her smile returned full force.

"But I didn't and so here we are, Gilgamesh."

This girl?

Yes, now that he looked at her, there was a spark of...something there. She was still human of course, but he couldn't quite quantify her as a mongrel now that his true eye saw the molten core slumbering within her. A piece of something that wasn't mortal. The lass likely wasn't even aware of what it was, the truth of what she held. And once awakened...yes, this would be interesting. Quite interesting indeed.

She thought herself pure, did she?

He'd enjoy corrupting her.

But that was another matter for another day.

Circling around her, the king permitted her to look upon his form.

"You said you stole my relic from Tohsaka earlier." it was not a question, though she sulked from it. "Bold of you, woman. To take me from that mongrel. You have spirit, it nothing else."

"Is that what you call it?" the frowning Temptress wrinkled her nose.

"Careful, woman." Gilgamesh growled. "I enjoy your wit, but do not test me.

"What possessed you to do it?" she didn't answer and he pounced on her weakness. "Was it greed? Anger? Despair?"

Her fists balled at her sides.

...please stop."

Something in her words actually compelled him-Him!-to listen to her. It wasn't a Command Spell, or even any anger on her part. She suddenly looked...smaller with her head tucked in and her shoulders hunched down like that. All the fire in her had been guttered out by a flood of negative emotion that he couldn't comprehend. Was her upbringing truly that painful? That lonely? For the first time in an age, the Great King hesitated.

"Very well." He said impulsively. "I shan't broach the subject again. You have my word."

Her eyes lit up and she sketched a sarcastic bow as the Lord of Urk forbade himself from snarling at his Master. Had she tricked him after all? Was it all an act? No. Absolutely not! He was the king! He would not rise to such a taunt! Very well, then! If threats or his express displeasure didn't impress upon her some measure upon her, he elected to try another route. Perhaps that was his pride talking; perhaps he simply disliked the sight of her sorrow. Who could say?

So he gave her the the greatest gift-in his mind-of all, his smile.

"Now, then. Let us begin. Vimana!"

A great gilded and golden craft burst from a looming portal at its owner;s back; in the same instant, Gilgamesh donned his armor once more. A few hapless bystanders cried out in terror, but their fear only heightened his elation and excitement. Because for the first time since he'd met her, his Master was speechless. More so when it laid itself to rest before them. Gilgamesh spared the stunned woman a smirk as he climbed into his throne and took his proper place atop his beloved craft. Still, Naruko stared at him, her mouth hanging agape.

Then she squealed.

"I changed my mind!" she whooped, flinging up her arms! "Best! Servant! Ever! Long live the king! Banzai!"

In a single seamless movement she vaulted up to join him and plopped down beside his throne. Gilgamesh wasn't sure whether he should be amused or horrified by this turn of pace. Both? Regardless, he willed his grand craft to take-and he'd be lying if he didn't take some twisted satisfaction in his Master's yelp of surprise as they burst into the clouds and howled away into the night. Yes, she certainly had spirit, if nothing else. She would be needing all that and more in the days to come. But for now, it was time for war, for heartbreak and more.

After all, the Holy Grail belonged to him.

Just as everything belonged to the King of Uruk.

None were allowed to lay their filthy hands on without his permission.

Red eyes slid southward and with a thought, he willed Vimana to accelerate. Still his master hung on for dear life. Good. He wouldn't so fixated on her if she couldn't manage at least this much. She would have to fend for herself in the battles to come. Servants were his to fight of course, but the matter of the Masters inevitably fell to her. If she could keep herself alive without him, then perhaps she was worthy of his attention. If not, well, that would be...unfortunate. The thought nearly took him aback.

Surely he didn't care about her well-being?

"We could bomb the hell of out the other Servants with this bad boy." was Naruko...drooling? She was certainly stroking Vimana's hull affectionately enough. "Just...rain fire from above." she laid her cheek on the golden metal with a beatific sigh. They wouldn't even see us coming, would they?"

"Fool." the King said. "There will be none of that. Such a cowardly way of fighting is beneath me."

"So much for an easy win," she groused, crossing her arms.

"What was that?" a growl was his answer.

Her smile was almost innocent.

"Nothing!"

Indeed, though her line of thought did give Gilgamesh some small amusement...but no. He wanted his enemies to see his face; to know the terror of what-whom!-they faced before they died. They would all gaze upon his splendor and his glory, and if they failed to amuse him, they would die. Not that any Servants could possibly match him...but it would be amusing to watch them struggle nonetheless. He could already sense three of them near the waterfront, he had but to will Vimana to their location and they would arrive in a matter of moments.

Then something shot at them from the waterfront below.

Ah. Speak of the devil and he shall appear.

So too had a challenger answered.

Gilgamesh gave a cackle.

"At last!"

A/N: Gee, wonder who did that.

Ishtar IS in this story, but as an alternate class. It ain't Rider or Archer.

Its something...worse.

Artoria is still Saber, but most of the cast has been viciously switched up. I own no references whatsoever~! Right then, lets clarify things for you some of you further before everyone grabs their torches and pitchforks. To quote a certain madman, I have a plan. I'm also updating other stories that aren't Fate. My plan is to write and update everything, thereby releasing one new chapter for all stories one day at a time. Because the last time I did a triple update everyone said I was over-saturating things.

As a warning, Zouken IS creeping about in this story.

He rarely involves himself with the evens of Fate Zero, but there you are.

Now then...the best way to describe little miss Temptress!Naruko would be as follows:

"I'm going to save you, even if i have to beat you within an inch of your life. Now shut and let me punch you."

That about sums it up. She believes in salvation through willpower and good deeds. None of the Kiara-bullshit. Ironically, this makes her very easy to corrupt. Should she realize her mindset is full of flaws, or have her ideals broken, or be exposed to the madness of the Grail, she might break. Or, she might break through it. Considering her "origin" she has the potential to be an unrivaled force of goodness, or an incarnation of selfish and absolute darkness.

As ever, we're sticking with the two day rule for this story.

Its served me well so far; if folks don't like a story away it goes and I'm able to focus on those they like.

Drifter and Temptress were the exceptions of course. Folks enjoyed them so damn much that they came back from fragments.

So please, speak your mind. Tell me what you liked, didn't like, what you hope to see, what your expectations are. I'll be glad to listen~!

So in the Immortal Words of Atlas...

...Review...Would Ya Kindly?

And enjoy the previews!

Behold the Servants.

(Preview)

Saint Martha bowed deeply.

"Shall we begin then, King of Heroes?"

A hand hauled Naruko up by her hair.

"Such a weak, pitiful thing." the tainted Servant sneered. "What does he see in you?"

If anything, Ishtar didn't expect the girl to rear back and spit a wad of blood in her face. Not like that.

"Oh, that does it. You are going to PAY-

"Release her, you craven!"

Naruko yelped and lurched upright, levering herself off Ishtar's shoulders in a superb display of gymnastics. Not a heartbeat later, a blade cut through the space she'd occupied and forced her captor to leap away. Naturally someone chose that moment to grab her. Huh. Rescued by a lady knight. Not what she'd expected for her first day on the job. Not at all...

"Everyone can be saved, Magus Killer. Even you. Good luck."

Naruko blew a kiss and vaulted over the railing.

His shot flew wide as she dropped.

Karna sighed.

"How very...unfortunate."

Gilgamesh twitched.

"You...dared...touch that girl...

"Oh, dear. I believe I've blundered."

Caster had all of instant to realize their peril.

Then the great Gate of Babylon absolutely erupted.

"MONGREL! I WILL SCOUR YOUR VERY SOUL FROM THE THRONE!"

R&R~! =D