FATE/ETERNAL TEARS

Chapter IV: The Daily Life of Heroes

While everyone was asleep, Shinichi was up in his room and sitting at his desk with a sheet of paper in front of him and a pencil in hand. He twirled the writing utensil in his fingers, just looking at the sheet of paper.

Written on the sheet of paper was a list of Servants and their corresponding Masters. However, the list was currently incomplete. He knew what the Servant classes were, but he only knew a fraction of their Masters' identities. He had no clue about the real names of the Servants themselves.

What he did get in terms of solid information was as followed.

SERVANT-MASTER

Rider-Shinichi

Saber-Rena

Berserker-Gebok

Archer-Rika

Lancer-?

Caster-?

Assassin-?

Saver-?

Avenger-?

Shinichi sighed. Just looking at the list just gave him a headache. Of course, now with Saber's help he knew what to look out for when and if he ever encountered Avenger. The knight, whom was a Servant of his girlfriend, had provided some valuable information. Lancer was a jungleman with a spear and Avenger was some kind of grey-skinned gladiator. The problem was though that Shinichi didn't know any stories about legendary wildmen and there were too many stories about gladiators and Romans to be sure which one of them was Avenger.

Still, the identity of their Masters escaped him and he'd yet to encounter Caster himself. That scared Shinichi since he wasn't exactly grounded in the magical arts beyond the three treasures of Hinamizawa. There was also Saver, a new Servant he, Archer and Rider had encountered the night before and she was definitely something else. However, despite having the upper hand, she withdrew. Why she did, Shinichi didn't know but with how well she fought it was likely a good bet she could have won if she started whipping out her most powerful attacks.

Still, he knew next to nothing about her, and then there was Assassin. That Servant was a mystery. The being that was Assassin attacked them while covering the area in a thick mist. Of course as a former assassin himself he could understand how strategic it was to make sure their target could not see them coming before he was too late. It was a staple of the craft of assassination to use everything to your advantage from the weather to ordinary objects.

But Shinichi's main concern was Dr. Gebok. He was a Master and also the Master of Berserker, the Mad Servant, and she was definitely a powerful contender in this Holy Grail War. She had raw power but the trade off was her power of reasoning. All she cared about was pleasing Dr. Gebok who shamelessly called himself Berserker's 'daddy'.

And if things weren't bad enough, due to his contract with Rider and that his Spark Core was supplying the redhead with mana, he couldn't transform. His fellow cyborgs didn't know since he was keeping the Holy Grail War secret from them but they would definitely learn about it if they investigated. With how he was supposed to keep the Holy Grail War a secret, he didn't want to have to explain what was going on and possibly put them at risk with Ruler's decree.

His bike was also thrashed. He was going to need days, maybe weeks, to get it working again. As he tried to work out a schedule on fixing his bike, Shinichi yawned. The late hours and the drain from his Spark Core was leaving him tired. He had school tomorrow so he needed to go sleep. He would take care of things in the morning.

Jessica couldn't sleep. Her family should realize she was missing right now. She could already predict their reactions. Her father would likely bluster and make a scene, but he would be more concerned about running his business than facing the reality of his home life. Her mother would be a worried wreck, organizing police searches, volunteer groups, media exposure, the whole nine yards. Natsuhi Ushiromiya was great at things like that. She was likely the only reason that the household hadn't fallen apart since her father Krauss Ushiromiya seemed incapable of seeing anything outside of his business. Her grandfather would likely make a show for the sake of public face, but the majority of her aunts and uncles likely wouldn't care either way and would probably hope to use the incident as a boost in their own ideas in getting her grandfather's inheritance. The only ones who would likely be honestly worried would be her uncle Hideyoshi and her aunt Kyrie. Her cousins George, Battler, Ange, and Maria would likely be worried sick once the news reached them. Battler would no doubt be using every contact in the police force to try and help the search along.

She always liked her cousins. They were always nice to each other even though their parents were always scheming against each other like criminals. Battler and George were the eldest ones and treated Jessica, Ange, and Maria like little sisters rather than cousins or half-siblings in the case of Battler and Ange.

They always made living in the Ushiromiya Traditional Home bearable.

In the Meta-World, the Observers reviewed the battle which had taken place in Okinomiya. It was certainly amusing enough with the destruction and chaos. Lambdadelta giggled in rapture of the sight of it all. Beatrice merely watched in approval at Jessica's Servant while Bernkastel simply watched on. Only one person seemed to have a concern...

"Is Gebok allowed to use his mechanical creations in the Holy Grail War?" asked Virgilia. She felt that such an act would be in violation of a sacred ritual like this.

"As far as I know he's not violating any of the rules," shrugged Topper. "It's never stated that android troopers could not be used."

"That's because no mage would ever use such things," argued Virgilia.

"But they have used golems," Topper retorted. "Masters are allowed to use every ability they have at their disposal. It was traditionally mages who fought in Grail Wars so of course none of them would use modern technology."

"Oh don't be such a stick in the mud," Beatrice sighed, exhaling a plume of smoke. "It's the same result but with just different methods. Like how a mage would shoot fireballs while a mundane would use a flamethrower for the same effect. If anything, it gives this Gebok fellow leeway since science is widely accepted by the world at large, he can actually afford to be more...dramatic."

"One of the things I like about him!" Lambdadelta grinned.

"Still, I feel as if he's breaking the spirit of the rules if not the rules themselves," Virgilia frowned.

"Tell you what, I'll send my furniture the Stakes to keep an eye on things as sort of extra eyes for Ruler. Asmodeus has been asking for an excuse to be close to that Yoko-something or other anyway. Fair?" Beatrice offered.

"Much better," Virgilia nodded, her smile returning.

"Just remember to tell them they cannot interfere in such battles unless the rules are broken or my lovely Ruler orders it," Topper reminded them.

Beatrice agreed. She would summon them all in private and give them their instructions. In fact, the Stakes would act as enforcers to make sure that the rules of this Holy Grail War were not at all violated.

Asmodeus was happy, very happy, extremely happy that nothing could rid her of the happy feeling she was feeling.

Beatrice had just given her and her sisters an order to go to the Real World and watch over this new game called the Holy Grail War. Many of her siblings grumbled over the orders, but that was more for show like Satan would. It meant that they could have a real reason to hang out in the Real World and have fun rather than be on standby in the Meta-Realm for hours on end. However, it meant only one thing to the blonde Stake of Lust.

She got to see Yokoshima again.

Her sisters, however, didn't see how she could fall for such a guy. Sure, he was a super-powered cyborg super soldier but he wasn't exactly the sharpest tool of the shed. Asmodeus, however, didn't care about that. He was just so sweet and kind. Plus he had the libido equal to that of ten people his age at times which made for some very hot and raunchy times which as the Stake of Lust, Asmodeus could really appreciate.

Maybe if she hooked up her sisters with the other NUMBERS they'd finally accept Yokoshima?

The following morning, Shinichi yawned as he walked to school with Rika and Hanyuu. Along the way they met up with Rena who joined in their morning walk towards the Hinamizawa School. Rena was relieved to see that Shinichi was alright. She had been mad at Saber for just sending her off, though. Luckily for Saber, Shinichi had made sure that the Servant was alright. It didn't stop Rena from cuddling Shinichi's arm as soon as she saw him though.

Meanwhile, at the Hinamizawa School, Jackie (Assassin) was looking out the window. She had seen two new Servants last night and only knew the face of one of their Masters. She looked like a student too, so Jackie was keeping an eye on all of the students and teens in the area so to try and get a name attached to the face.

Jackie understood that the more she knew about the enemy, the more advantages she would gain in winning the Holy Grail War for Akane without getting her Master/Mother involved.

Jackie spotted Shinichi, Rika, Hanyuu and Rena running towards the school as she watched them from the window. They made their way into the building and ran down the hallway towards the classroom door. Shinichi threw the door open and declared, "Safe!" He laughed and turned to the girls. "Looks like I win the race, girls!"

Jackie's eyes went towards Shinichi. He was Rider's Master. The other girl, Rena, was Saber's Master. They were the enemy.

Unfortunately, they were also her sisters' friends. They didn't seem like bad people but Jackie knew that in this Holy Grail War there could only be one winner and while one way to earn victory was in a fight to the death between Servants, targeting the Masters themselves was also a legitimate strategy.

But for now, Jackie needed them alive. Berserker was definitely the most dangerous enemy at the moment. The Mad Servant's Master was also nowhere to be seen during last night's battle and thus she could not target him, and fighting Berserker was the equivalent of suicide. She couldn't do it, not alone. That meant she would need to wait until Berserker was dealt with by the others.

She only hoped that Berserker would be taken down quickly and she could get her chance to win the right to be with Mother.

Satoshi and Satoko were walking to school to meet up for their friends. One thing which deviated from the normal day to day activities though was the fact that Caster was silently following in his astralized form to follow his Master to protect him better with so many battles beginning to heat up. To Satoshi's annoyance, it didn't stop Caster from scribbling in his book or asking the odd rude question now and then in order for him to get more information on a subject, usually his and Satoko's personal histories or those of their friends.

"Do you really have to follow us, Caster?" asked Satoshi.

"Of course I do," the Servant replied. "Did you not hear about the destruction in the nearby town last night?"

"Hard not to," Satoshi sighed. "It was all over the news."

"The Holy Grail War is heating up and soon we will be called to battle," Caster nodded. "It is best we be near each other at all times since I am no fighter and you are not powerful enough to win but together we are able to become a force to contend with."

"Right, right," Satoshi sighed, knowing his Servant had a point.

"Nii-nii, stop talking to Caster when he's invisible," Satoko chided her brother. "People will think you're crazy."

Satoshi sighed. Being scolded on all sides would drive him nuts long before anything else happened in the Holy Grail War. He hadn't actually participated in any of the actual fights of the war, but he had spent his time training with Caster's help. Well, 'training' was a bit of a stretch. To Satoshi it seemed more like rehearsing for a staged fight scene rather than practice at actual fighting.

"Just act casual, my boy," said Caster. "Act casual and nothing can go wrong. All the world's a stage."

Satoshi and Satoko arrived next with Keiichi entering a few minutes later. Chie-sensei hadn't arrived yet so the kids went around and mingled.

"So, how do you like the school so far, Jackie-chan?" Shinichi asked Jackie who gazed up at her. Her eyes didn't blink and he felt chills running up his spine. The girl was very quiet but that was because she was in a new environment and would cling only to those she was familiar with, like Mion and Shion. Now, Mion's grandmother normally didn't tolerate outsiders but that was an act she put up. She was the Head of the Sonozaki Clan so she needed to show she was strong despite her age and was often hard on people. She was also a traditionalist and preferred that everyone followed the traditional ways. She would tolerate outsiders who became part of the village but only if they followed the rules.

His mother and the old woman didn't like each other for their own reasons. Oryo at least liked Shinichi's hard working attitude. He would often volunteer to help out around the village whenever he had free time. Shinichi even helped his mother with writing his books. It was those books which caused Oryo to dislike Shiori. They were erotic books which a lot of people would consider improper and the fact that a woman wrote them was a source of more impropriety. Of course a traditional woman like Oryo would dislike a modern woman like Shiori. Not that it stopped Akane from being secret fan and friend to Shiori.

Now, Jackie was a young girl, between the ages of 12-13, quiet and cute as well. The younger boys in the classroom definitely noticed. She also seemed foreign but she never revealed much about herself. She reminded Shinichi of his early days in Hinamizawa where he was just as quiet and shy, unsure about the people around him. He couldn't help but want to reach out to her.

"Jackie-chan, listen. Since you're a member of the club that means you're one of my friends. I promise that I will protect you." That was Shinichi's vow and he always took his vows seriously.

"Protect me...?" she asked. Such a vow sounded sincere but she was Assassin. She didn't need protecting. However, before Berserker was dealt with, maybe she could use this to her advantage.

"Yeah, and if you need anything, let me know, OK?" Shinichi smiled.

Gebok was in his lair and keeping his eye on Shinichi. One of his many spybots was inside the classroom, observing him and broadcasting what it saw and heard to Gebok's computer so he could watch. Gebok was obsessed with Shinichi, who he claimed was his best creation. He was so obsessed that not even death could stop him. He always came back, even when they thought he was dead, he always came back.

Standing dutifully at his side was Berserker who was patiently awaiting for his command so she could please him. In spite of being labeled as the 'Mad Servant', Berserker didn't exhibit any kind violent and psychopathic behaviour outside of battle. In battle, of course, she really lived up to her class' designation and would destroy anyone and everyone if her Master commanded her.

If Shinichi was Gebok's obsession though, Berserker was his curiosity. He'd periodically study the woman to see what made her tick and would always be stumped on her construction. She had all the pieces of a human body, but it seemed like her organs, muscles, and bones were unable to hold together without the augmentation of her machine parts. The electric-like energy that powered her seemed to be able to keep her going in all her bodily functions and even seemed to stimulate her functions down to the cellular level, ensuring her healing processes were rapid and complete. The metal pieces were absolutely archaic despite how well they worked though, like something out of a bad science fiction movie. All of the pieces were simple metals, most of which being that which could help conduct and transfer electricity with the least amount of resistance. The rest was cold hard steel. Gebok's insane scientific mind told him that such a configuration was nigh impossible to work with such a crude configuration, but Berserker's body seemed to beat the odds and work just the same.

Most curious of all though was that Berserker's heart was missing. Gebok wasn't sure where it went, but the gap that was in its place which stored the energy she needed until it was passed to the rest of her body was just a reservoir. Something else pumped the power inside her body to course through her and anything extra just ended up in her chest cavity where the heart should have been.

How very odd, but Berserker made for such a lovely pastime between Gebok's plots in teaching his 'son' the error of his ways.

It was time for final period, and today they had PE class. Chie-sensei allowed them to do whatever they wanted during PE as long as they had fun and exercised.

"OK, Hinamizawa Gaming Club, assemble!" Mion commanded. With that declaration, all the members came together, posing dramatically. Mion added, "That means you too, Jackie." Jackie went and joined them. She had on a white t-shirt and a pair of black bloomers. She just looked so adorable that Rena almost kidnapped her earlier.

"OK, gang! Today's Gaming Club Activity is 'Water Pistol Battle Royale'!" They each grabbed their gear, a water pistol each, filled with a limited amount of H2O ammunition. Buckets of water were placed in strategic spots on their field in order for them to reload. "Now, you all know the rules, right?" Jackie raised her hand. "Yes, Jackie-chan?"

"How do we play this game, Onee-chan?" she asked.

"It's easy," said Mion and she posed. "Just aim and shoot." She pulled her gun's trigger and let loose some water from the barrel. "See?"

"Oh," Jackie nodded and aimed at Mion, before pulling the trigger. Mion's face got wet. "Does this mean I win?"

"I didn't stay start," Mion mumbled.

"Technically, that's a preemptive strike," Shinichi stated.

"Fine! Go!" Mion aimed and shot at Shinichi who performed a dodge-roll.

"Let the games begin! Every man, woman and child for themselves!" shouted Shinichi and they all started chasing each other and shooting their water pistols. Jackie shrugged and joined in the fun. In her time, she had never had a chance to play like this. Even if her time in this world would be short because of the Holy Grail War, she was determined to live every day with no regrets and enjoy her time here with her new family and friends.

The game was an intense one. Some buckets contained extra guns too so players could dual-wield. Satoko even managed to hide herself and fill up balloons with water to make her own 'water grenades'. Hanyuu, of course, cried each time she was almost shot with water. The twins were brutal and Rena was simply laughing. Keiichi had a perverted grin as he couldn't wait to get the girls wet. Wet, white t-shirts were quite revealing when they got wet. Shinichi didn't want to embarrass the girls like that so he made sure to just target their faces. As a soldier himself he was trained to be able to dodge gunfire and these water pistols didn't have quite the range of actual guns. Satoshi had been taken out of the game early along with Rika. As for Jackie, she was actually wearing a small yet noticeable smile as she played.

Of course Jackie was using this as an opportunity to learn more about the other Masters in the Holy Grail War. However, she couldn't help but admit that she was having fun. It was just too bad she would have to kill them one day.

From afar, in astral form, the Servants watched their Masters as they played. Even if their Masters were competitors in the Holy Grail, they were still just children and children needed to play. This was a time for them to cherish, being with their friends and playing silly games.

It was evening when the game ended and Jackie was declared the winner. She was the only one who didn't get wet during the whole time. As winner, she was given the right to declare what Penalty to give to the losers. However, she only said that she needed time to think of a proper penalty.

The group walked home together, with Jackie holding Mion's hand. The older, green-haired girl just smiled at the innocent request. Jackie was already part of their family since their mother had taken the abandoned child in. Akane was just kind like that.

But then Shinichi suddenly went tense and he spoke, "Everyone...we're in trouble."

Suddenly, several android troopers leapt out of nowhere and blocked their path, from the front and back. They were wielding daggers. If that wasn't enough, the android troopers were also accompanied by a robotic Beastman who resembled a jaguar with sharp metal claws.

"Gebok again?" Mion deadpanned.

"Gebok again," Shinichi confirmed. He counted a dozen troopers, six in their front and six behind them. Counting the Beastman would make it a baker's dozen. "Everyone, run when I give the signal."

"What's the signal?" asked Rika and Shinichi let out a shout as he charged at the android troopers in front of them, tackling them like a football player and knocking them down. "Oh, that signal."

"Come on, Jackie!" Mion tugged on her little sister's hand as Shinichi gave a trooper an uppercut, knocked another one down with a downward punch, and grabbed one by the ankles to spin it around and toss it at the other troopers to knock them to the ground.

"You're not going anyway!" declared the Jaguar Beastman but Shinichi knocked him down and sent him tumbling with a dropkick.

"RUN!" Shinichi shouted as he backhanded one of the android troopers. He took out his Scada Buckle and was about to put it on when it was knocked out of his hands by the Jaguar Beastman. He then slashed him across the chest, leaving bloody gashes in his chest. Those claws were definitely dangerous! "Crap!" he cursed.

"BLACK 13, this is where you die!" the Jaguar Beastman roared as he went for the killing blow. Shinichi grabbed hold of Jaguar Beastman's wrist and performed a Judo flip to send him onto his back. Jaguar Beastman recovered quickly as the android troopers surrounded Shinichi.

"You wanna fight?" questioned Shinichi as he took out his Scada Buckle and put it on, allowing the belt to wrap around his waist. "Alright! But you're going to regret it!" He gripped the ripcord while ducking under an android's soldier's swing and shouted, "Henshin!" He tugged on the ripcord and the fan spun, blowing the android soldiers off their feet as his armor formed. Clenching his fists, he engaged the soldiers as the Jaguar Beastman hung back and watched.

Scada's friends stood a distance away from the fight, watching. Jackie's eyes were narrowed in concentration as she observed the Master fighting against the automatons. He disarmed an automaton and then kicked up the falling dagger so that it would get stuck in its neck. Scada then used a crossed forearm block to keep himself from being stabbed in the face before driving the android back with his foot. He backhanded one coming at him from behind before jumping up and performing a backflip to dodge an attack from behind. Rushing forward, he executed a devastating knee strike into one in the gut that sent it flying.

The other android troopers began to come towards Scada's friends while he was preoccupied. However, it wouldn't be long before they were turned into scrap as well. A thick fog began rolling in, confusing the group as their vision was obscured. The Jaguar Beastman was wondering what was going on.

"What's with this fog?" he questioned.

The android troopers not fighting Scada were suddenly torn to pieces and said pieces littered the ground. It only happened in an instant. The Jaguar Beastman may not have seen what had done it, but he heard the destruction of his foot soldiers.

"BLACK 13, is this one of your tricks!?" demanded the Jaguar Beastman only to howl in pain as he felt something slice along his side. "ARGH! Fuck!"

The Gaming Club was confused and the fog prevented them from seeing each other clearly. They could see each other's silhouettes and hear each other and hear what else was happening.

Meanwhile, Scada had finished off the troopers preventing him from helping his friends. He, of course, didn't have a good feeling about this fog at the moment. What was it? It didn't feel natural. He could tell.

The Jaguar Beastman swiped around as he felt himself being sliced by a sharp knife. He missed his assailant. "Where are you!?" he roared but then he was silence as his throat was slit. Vital wires were in his throat and he stumbled. Then, a knife cut all the way down his chest, exposing and severing even more vital wires and circuitry. He collapsed on his back. Shortly afterwards, the fog subsided.

Scada ran to his friends and removed his buckle as he asked, "Are you guys OK?"

"We're fine," said Mion. "Thanks to you."

"Yeah, you really took care of that thing," said Keiichi, pointing at the Jaguar Beastman's body.

"I didn't do that," Shinichi confessed.

"Come on, Shin-chan," Mion punched his arm. "Stop fooling around."

"No, I'm serious. I didn't do any of this," Shinichi insisted. "I was busy dealing with some of those android troopers." Now the club members' eyes widened when they realized Shinichi was telling the truth.

Jackie stood next to Mion and she expressed a small smile.

Mion called, "We're back!"

Akane smiled as she heard the announcement and then Jackie found her in the living room.

"How was your day, Jackie-chan?" she asked.

"I had fun," said Jackie.

Gebok knew that Shinichi hadn't been the one to kill the Jaguar Beastman. That could only mean one thing: a Servant had done it. But which one? Which Servant possessed such an ability. He turned to Berserker who smiled, awaiting commands.

His plan had been to use the Jaguar Beastman as a means of drawing in Black 13's Servant so he could learn more about the woman's capabilities as well as any other Servants drawn in by the action. It seemed that he had drawn in another Servant, but wasn't the one that he had been hoping to see. Even worse, he hadn't gotten a glimpse through the Beastman's ocular cameras as to what had struck him down.

Ah well, there were his other projects to help soothe his disappointment.

Those Darkloids and Darklings were still out there. He then commanded, "Berserker, my dear, please retrieve one of those Darkling things for me." Berserker nodded. She didn't answer verbally, but she understood.

"Judging by how swiftly that beast was slain and how it was done without any of us seeing or sensing the perpetrator, I think it was Assassin," said Caster.

"Really?" asked Satoshi.

"The Assassin Class is not adept in close combat. Their specialty lies in killing their victims without notice," said Caster.

"So, Assassin was in the fog, with us?" Satoshi paled. Assassin had been closed and they hadn't even seen him.

"Indeed, and an Assassin can use Presence Concealment to hide his presence from my senses and identity," said Caster. "Although..."

"Although...?" Satoko prompted.

"Assassins are patient and may have been observing all the Masters for the right time to strike. It is strategically sound," said Caster.

"You seem to know strategy," Satoshi nodded.

"Well, while you all sleep, I go out at night in astral form, enter a library, and start reading. The reading material of your era is quite fascinating," admitted Caster. Satoshi rolled his eyes. Great, his Servant loved to break into libraries.

"So, what is an Assassin good for in this War?" asked Satoko.

"They mostly target the Masters since they are vital pieces and the ones sustaining the Servants' existence here," said Caster.

"Makes sense. If you want to take down the rider, take down the horse," said Satoshi.

"That is poetic," smiled Caster. "You're learning."

While Shinichi was off at school, Rider had decided to go off and tend to her own devices. Since her Master was one of the fair few who could take care of himself without her around. In fact she kept Shiori company at home and the two women bonded. When Shinichi returned, Rider showed her affection for her Master in the way she knew how.

She grabbed him and hugged him to her chest. Right now, she was dressed in a black tank top with cut off jeans.

"Welcome home, Master~!" purred Rider. Shiori watched on in amusement.

Rena, who'd come over since her father was out of town on business, glared daggers at the redhead molesting her Shin-kun. As if responding to her emotions, Saber materialized.

"Ms. Rider, I suggest you release my Master's beloved," said Saber.

"Why should I?" Rider smirked.

"It is shameful behavior. You act like some common tramp," said Saber. He would've been respectful but Rider was a potential enemy.

"Oh, there's nothing common about me," grinned Rider. "Isn't that right, my Master?"

"Please, let me go before Rena-chan kills us," begged Shinichi. Rider pouted but let him go.

"Well, I could always cuddle with you later when you sleep," said Rider. "Oh, and just so you know, I prefer sleeping, in the nude."

Rena was about ready to go ballistic at Rider's shameless flirting.

"Oh, this is like a soap opera," Shiori giggled as she took notes.

"Rider-san," said Rena as politely as she could, even if her expression was looking strained. "Please, behave yourself and put something on."

"What? I'm dressed," said Rider.

"I mean put on something under your top," Rena glared. Rider wasn't wearing a bra. In fact, Rena had doubts that Rider was wearing any underwear at all.

"I think I prefer to dress this way. It's more comfortable," said Rider. Rena was almost tempted to use her Command Seals now to command Saber to kill Rider on the spot.

"Where are Rika-chan and Hanyuu-chan?" asked Shiori.

"They went to the shrine," said Shinichi. The Furude Shrine was their family shrine and needed to be maintained so that it wouldn't fall into disrepair.

Rena was still glaring daggers at Rider. The woman was just so infuriating when she teased her Shin-kun. Also, Rena was also envious of the woman's proportions. She was tall, leggy, with a large bust and curves in all the right places. She also had long blood red hair that was beautiful and silky smooth. The scar didn't even mar her beauty either.

Rena was confident Shinichi wouldn't go to such a woman (slut/tramp/whore), but Rena was a bit insecure since Rider was just so beautiful and exuding sex appeal. Also, Shinichi was still a boy with hormones and even he couldn't ignore the fact that Rider was a beautiful woman.

Shinichi, of course, was observant and said, "Rena-chan, let's go up to my room." He took her hand and led her up the stairs with Rider and Saber watching.

"So, Saber, how was your day?" Rider asked the knight, grinning.

"Rena-chan, what's wrong?" Shinichi asked after closing his door.

"Nothing," she lied.

"I don't think it's nothing. You look ready to claw Rider's eyes out, and as much as I would love to see a cat fight I don't want to see you get hurt," said Shinichi. "What's wrong?" He knew the reason but he wanted to hear it from her.

"Rider's very attractive," said Rena. Shinichi nodded. So that was why.

Shinichi closed the short gap between them and kissed Rena on the lips. Rena kissed back and put her arms around him. Breaking the kiss, Shinichi rested his forehead against hers.

"You're my girl," he told her. "And don't worry about Rider. Even if I like what I see, she's not my girlfriend. You are."

"She lives with you," Rena pointed out.

"Yeah..." Shinichi frowned. "Say, how long is your dad going to be out of town?"

"A couple of weeks," said Rena.

"Why not stay with us? It'll be like old times," he invited.

Rena's face was surprised at first, but then she broke into a smile, "Okay, Shin-kun!"

Outside the door, Shiori and Rider had glasses pressed against it and using the glasses as sound amplifiers to hear what was going on inside Shinichi's door.

"I'm glad Shinji was able to calm her down," said Shiori as she took off the glass. "Although, Rider, I don't think it was smart of you to antagonize Rena-chan."

"It was too easy," Rider shrugged. "But even if the girl's supposed to be my enemy, I'm happy that my Master has someone who loves him so much."

"Of course," said Shiori. "They're connected by the red thread of fate."

Rider smiled. Her Master was happy. Shinichi had learnt a bit about her Master's past from Shiori. How he had been kidnapped, used and manipulated. How an organization had tortured and twisted him. How he'd been turned into a weapon against his will. Rider could tell that he was strong if he could still live on past that trauma.

"Maybe you should apologize," Shiori suggested. "I mean, if there wasn't this Holy Grail War going on, you could be friends."

"If there was no Holy Grail War, I wouldn't have met my Master," corrected Rider. "But, in a way, you're right. I just like teasing her."

Shinichi just glared at the door, thinking, "Don't they know I can hear them?' He had cybernetically enhanced senses and thus he could hear them behind his door. His mother and his Servant weren't exactly subtle.

Of course, his mind went elsewhere as Rena hugged him then gave him a kiss. She was showing him how much she loved him as she slowly pushed him down onto the bed.

Rena had sent Saber to get her things. Since she'd be staying over, there would be a lot of luggage that needed to be packed.

She actually had a bag packed for overnight stays with Shinichi but since this might turn out into a long term arrangement as the Holy Grail War was taking place, she was going to need to go back and pack a suitcase of all her clothes and essentials.

In the meantime, Rena was taking a bath when the door to the bathroom slid open. She shrieked as she covered her breast, splashing water in the tub she was sitting in. Rena looked and gawked at the intruder. It was Rider, in all her naked glory, giving Rena a good look at her body.

Rena cursed in her mind, 'Damn, she has a nice body.'

"Mind if I join you?" Rider asked. She didn't wait for an answer as she took the shower head and started taking a shower. Rena just glared. Did this woman enjoy provoking her? Did she find some kind of sick pleasure in riling the girl up? First Rider purposely tried to seduce Shinichi and now she was invading Rena's personal space.

"Actually, I wanted to talk to you," said Rider as she began to lather her up with the soap. "It's about Shinichi."

"He's mine!" Rena snapped.

"I know, I know," said Rider. She sighed, "Honestly, he's a great Master. He provides me with Mana but he's got this hero complex of his. Could get him killed."

"He's fought worse," defended Rena.

"I know, I heard," said Rider. "Shiori didn't leave out any details. Your boyfriend's a true blue hero. Even after all the crap he went through, he didn't become some kind of psycho."

"That's because he's strong," added Rena. "But he always forgets."

"Forgets what?" Rider asked.

"That he's never alone," Rena finished. "He forgets there are people who can help him but sometimes he just fights on his own, shouldering the burden by himself, when he doesn't have to."

"And it worries the hell out of you, huh?" Rider asked. Rena nodded. "Hey, could you scrub my back for me? I can't reach." Rena blinked then shrugged. She got out of the tub and grabbed another stool before getting behind Rider to scrub her back with a soapy sponge. As Rena was scrubbing, Rider spoke, "You know, you're the reason he became a hero in the first place." Rena paused.

"Really?" Rena asked.

"Don't you know?" Rider asked. "He may have had the power in him all along, but you were the one who found him and gave him something to fight for; you, your friends and this village."

"That's because he's Shin-kun," said Rena. "Because that's the way he is."

"Yeah, and his track record is impressive. He could make it to the Throne of Heroes one day with all he's accomplished. Hell, I see a bright future for him," said Rider. "And also a very short life."

"No!" Rena denied.

"Rena," said Rider seriously as she turned to face her. "Heroic Spirits like us were trouble magnets in our past lives. We always found ourselves in danger. It either found us or we went looking for it. With danger there's a possibility of death. Death comes for everyone, and sooner for someone who gets involved in dangerous stuff."

Rena wanted to retort but shut her mouth. She agreed with Rider. How many times had Shinichi almost gotten himself killed fighting against his enemies? One day someone could get lucky and take him away from her, for good.

"Hey, if you want him to live and grow old with you, the best thing you can do is convince him to stop being a hero," Rider stated. "Of course, that's not gonna happen because..."

"...He's a Kamen Rider," said Rena. That title meant so much to Shinichi. He was a masked hero who protected the innocent from evil and fought for justice. It was the core of his being, his entire purpose. As much as she wanted him to be with her, she couldn't take away the thing that made him who he was.

"But then again, like you said, he's strong so there's no chance of that happening too soon, plus he's got allies even if he forgets that sometimes," Rider added. She smiled at Rena, "So...have you and he..." She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively, "You know...slept with each other?" Rena blushed at what Rider was implying.

"It's normal for couples to do that! Especially if they're in love!" Rena answered, blushing furiously. Rider laughed. "It's not funny!"

"Oh no! It's just that, I bet Shiori gets a hell of a lot of inspiration from you guys!" Rider answered. "I read her books. I can think up a couple inspired by you too rolling in the hay."

"Well, that's private! And it's the reason why Shin-kun and I do it elsewhere," Rena defended.

"Doesn't stop her imagination and she's got a really vivid one from what I've read," Rider replied. "You know, I would like to be in one of her books, even if she changed the name."

"Not with my Shin-kun!" huffed Rena.

"Hey, I'm a lot of things, but I don't take a man who's taken," Rider smiled. "But~, do you think he'd be interested in a threesome?" Rena blushed hard at the implication as Rider turned and smiled at her. "You know, back in my day, it wasn't just guys who I used to scratch my itch. I bedded girls too..." She caressed Rena's cheek. "And you are cute." Rena slipped backwards on her stool and fell on the wet floor. Rider also slipped and ended up on top of her, face-to-face and breast-to-breast. Rena let out a shriek.

Shinichi, unable to ignore her scream, threw the bathroom door open and exclaimed, "Rena-chan, I heard a scream!" He saw Rider and Rena in a compromising and provocative position before he collapsed with his nose gushing blood.

"Well, that confirms he's straight!" Rider grinned.

"Shin-kun!" Rena cried out.

"I heard a noise," said Shiori and then she saw the scene. "Keep that pose! Do not move! I need to get my sketchbook!" She then ran off, leaving her unconscious son, an embarrassed houseguests, and a grinning Servant.

"And the fun times keep coming!" laughed Rider.

"Please, get off me!" Rena begged.

Berserker had done well as she brought the specimen that Gebok wanted. The Darkling was no match for Berserker and she effortlessly caught it after wiping out the entire nest of these things. She slammed it down on the table and metal straps wrapped around the Darkling, keeping it in place as it struggled.

"Well done, Berserker," said Gebok and Berserker smiled at the praise. "Now, let the experiment begin."

KAMEN RIDER CHROME: Looks like Gebok is up to his tricks again. Oh boy, what could this mean for the others? Also, we get to see some fun from the cast as well as some plans and strategies. It was mostly slice of life with a battle, and also some fan service. What? Rider's hot. BTW, lots of thanks to Ten-Faced Paladin for his help on this chapter.