44- Promises For Tomorrow
…..
Breakfast in Shirou's home was usually a peaceful affair.
"We can't just ignore all we heard!"
Besides some competition for more food that was usually settled in a race for the scraps there was always enough for everyone so it never really devolved into a fight.
"We won't tell them everything! We made a promise!"
"You know very well that isn't what I mean, Irina!"
"Can I get more rice?" Koneko asked cutely and Yoruichi jumped to fill her bowl. "Thank you."
The nekomatas traded smiles. "You are always welcomed."
Everyone at the table was still in their sleepwear as they barely woke up and took their time to eat what Shirou managed to cook. The redhead magus was happy to have been able to cook a proper meal and his gratitude had to go to Yoruichi who claimed the seat to his right with Rias quickly taking over his left.
While Rias was using the same clothes she had the night before, Shirou had a different shirt but the same pair pants and Yoruichi was using one of Shirou's shirts that fit her perfectly and she playfully dared someone to comment.
While Liz watched the nekomata with some irritation she moved to sit beside Rias while Koneko took her side at her new anointed sister who was pampering her a little after the ordeal of the previous day.
Were it not for the shouting then the table would be their ideal picture of a breakfast.
"You are ignoring the problem!" Xenovia's voice ran around the living room even if there were walls between her and everyone there.
Irina's voice escaped in the same volume. "I am not ignoring anything! I am just saying that we should go back and talk with everybody first!""
Usually the environment of the mansion was relaxing and peaceful, never too silent or too loud. Calm days had people chatting and rushed days had everyone hurrying up to get ready for one thing or another.
Days when there was conflict were few and far in between, things that could be solved with a conversation or even a small spar. Nothing too big and certainly nothing that could be heard all around the house.
"You are the one ignoring things! We have to go back, Xenovia!" For a few minutes it was clear the conversation went to a manageable level as the people at the table did their best to not pry.
It was impossible when the voices were raised. "All this time they have been lying to us!" Another silence showed the conversation went low. Nobody believed any of the Exorcists was silent for that long.
"We should have given them a room with a boundary field." Rias mentioned with a frown as she looked around the table.
Yoruichi chuckled at the redhead's observation. "Unfortunately the only room with a decent one that is available is Shiro's and we all can agree that it should be cleaned first." She leaned on the magus whose small blush was almost undetectable. Almost. "Isn't that right, 'darling'?"
Instead of focusing on the trap Yoruichi was laying for him, Shirou was paying attention to the conflict in the other room. "I would offer my workshop but a conversation like that around dangerous tools-"
"What you are saying is heresy!" Irina's voice was the first to come back.
"By default I don't think the Church can say what is heresy anymore!" Xenovia sounded madder than previously and that made those at the table quite uncomfortable.
"-Isn't a good idea." No one in their right mind would disagree with Shirou's statement. By his side both Rias and Yoruichi nodded and kept a hand on each of their lover's shoulders. "I won't go there."
"You want to." Rias replied with a chuckle.
"I still won't go." Shirou added to both ladies' amusement.
"We know… Just making sure." Yoruichi took a bite of her rice. "After all, we are trying to respect their privacy."
"THEY BETRAYED US FIRST!" Xenovia sounded so loud that those at the table feared the ones not present would wake up after her scream.
"Juice." Liz requested with her cup held high and Rias was quick to fill it. "Thanks."
Rias studied the maid for a moment before nodding. "I just hope Medusa and Luvia can't hear all this." She looked at Shirou. "Are you sure your swords can't isolate them? Just for a minute?"
"Reality Marble or not I still hadn't perfected the boundary fields my swords can create and this is too much noise." The mention of his soul made many blink. "No, it just doesn't solve all my problems like that." He took a bite of a carrot on his hand, something nobody ever saw him eating raw like that. "What?"
"I can't believe what you are saying!" Irina sounded passed beyond the point of frustration. "What do you think Griselda will think?!"
"She should have told me the truth!" Xenovia sounded hurt and another silence followed in the living room. "Don't you dare apologize! You meant what you said!"
Another moment of silence had the people on the table trading glances. Most of them wanted to go and stop the two Exorcists' fight but they also knew it was inevitable and they needed to settle their differences.
And they knew the two had differences from what they managed to glean between the shouts; Irina remained steadfast in her support of the Church and seemed ready to go back while Xenovia felt betrayed and wasn't willing to hold back her feelings.
Indeed it was the blue haired girl who expressed her opinions more strongly and by the snippets of the conversation they all managed to hear it seemed that Irina didn't understand that Xenovia took the omission about the death of God far more personally.
It also seemed the chestnut haired girl was reaching her limit. "You are unbelievable! They obviously had a reason to not tell us about it!"
"I know!" Xenovia screamed sadly and another silence around the mansion told those at the table the conversation had only gone down in volume.
"Maybe I should-"
""No!"" Both Rias and Yoruichi held Shirou back but the magus was obviously worried. They didn't blame him as everyone was uncomfortable about the fight.
"That is it?!" Irina's voice cut the silence again. "Fine! Be like that! It wasn't only you that was mad at the Lord's death!"
Loud furious steps combined with the opening and the slamming of a door indicated someone's departure and when Xenovia entered the living room with a defeated look they all knew who left.
The Exorcist was dressed with some of Rias' clothes; a dark blue gym bra and yoga pants that the King offered the previous night before she took a shower and went to bed. Irina had borrowed some clothes but left before anyone else saw her.
The majority in the room knew some confrontation between the pair was inevitable but they hoped that a night of rest would have smooth things over, at least a little. However that wasn't to be as Xenovia didn't look any better than she was the night before. If anything she looked rested but still exhausted as her face showed a conflict that was also present the previous night.
Because she saw Xenovia a little earlier, as it was natural since she was weary of strangers, Liz knew that the exhaustion was new. "Ugly fight." And pointed out the reason without hesitation.
Everybody, even Koneko, flinched at how blunt Leysritt was with that comment, none more so than Xenovia. "You guys heard?" Nods from everybody were the reply. "I'm sorry."
""It is fine!"" Shirou and Rias spoke exactly at the same time which made Yoruichi laugh a little.
The redheads looked at each other in silent communication as Rias offered Shirou to keep going but the magus shook his head and gestured for her to take point. Both were in the opinion the other would know what to say when in reality neither was really sure on how to help the owner of Durandal.
With a chuckle, Yoruichi broke the stalemate. "Why don't you sit down to have some breakfast. Shiro worked hard on the food and it would be bad if it went to waste."
Finally paying attention to the table in front of the, the blue haired girl looked astounded. "You did all this? Did you even sleep?"
"I felt… energized this morning. Didn't need that much sleep either." In fact he woke up just an hour after finally falling asleep and feeling fully rested. Rias and Yoruichi traded smiles.
Between the pair of rice containers, soups, vegetables, two different types of fish and another three of meats the table had enough variety to be the workload of a restaurant with four or more chets. There was enough food there to feed a small army.
Still a little stunned, Xenovia crossed her legs close to the table and picked an empty bow, not knowing where to begin. "Need some help?" Shirou offered with a gentle smile as he finished his carrot.
Xenovia found it weird how Shirou was eating the vegetable but noticed he had more food in front of him that was like the rest. "Yes, I think I do…" Asking for the bowl, Shirou put some rice in it while Rias threw some meat and vegetables in a separate plate. "Do you guys always eat this much every day?"
"There are some more today because of you and your partner but yeah, pretty much. Usually I cook in the mornings."
"The Heiress of Gremory can cook? I don't think anybody back home would believe that." Xenovia commented with a smile that quickly vanished when she noticed what she had said. "I don't think I am that hungry."
Hearing those words, Liz was quick to try and size more food for herself. "No." Shirou intercepted her hand with a spoon. "You already have your portion and you didn't even finish it." He pointed to her plate still half full.
In turn, Liz points to Yoruichi's bowl overflowing with rice. "You gave her the triple."
Shirou was in disbelief but couldn't really deny the accusation. It was true. "She asked for more before I started cooking." The moment she threw him a glance while he was getting up and made the request before going back to sleep.
"Well, his extra energy needed to come from somewhere." Yoruichi added with a giggle. "Now it is my turn to recharge." She took a huge bite of her fish, specially made for her. "Or would you prefer to not have his food today."
"Perverts." Koneko blushed as she knew exactly how Shirou got the extra energy.
"Ah~ don't talk about your older sister like this." Yoruichi gave Koneko a side hug but the white haired devil remained stoic. "I will give you some of my food."
"Love you, onee-chan." The maid felt envy and betrayal but her expression remained calm as her eyes shifted.
Realizing that she owned the food they had now to Yoruichi, Liz changed her target. "She said she isn't hungry."
"I-"
"Xenovia you had an exhausted day yesterday and you can't just eat pizza and say you are better." Rias was quick to put an end to any protest. "A healthy meal is the most important thing for someone who needs to recover and even if your wounds are healed you need the nutrients."
"Also weren't you saying yesterday that 'hunger is the enemy'?" Shirou picked where his first lover left off. Xenovia looked hesitant but her eyes stuck in the food showed that she was starving. "Think about it this way, if you are still going to talk with her then you better have some energy to do it."
The idea of having to talk and not fight actually seemed good. "I don't think we will be able to have a normal conversation." However the bluehead didn't see it as something possible. "She just… just… God." Xenovia still spoke the name with reverence and Yoruichi glared at her as Rias and Koneko flinched. "Sorry."
"Just… don't do it again please." Rias offered a small smile to show she was fine but Shirou gave her a look.
"You are still recovering." The pureblood devil nodded. Shirou let out a sigh before putting more food on Rias' plate which made Liz pout. "I will make lunch later… Maybe cake this week. We need to refill the pantry." He frowned. "I could swear we had some apples in the fridge."
"Was that why you were eating a carrot?" Rias asked with a smirk. "Because I am sure I never saw you eat one like that."
Shirou shrugged as the image of the legendary mount in his soul appeared to be satisfied. "Blame the pegasus." Once again everyone gave him a look and he rolled his eyes. "Can you guys just stop it?"
Rias shook her head to snap herself of her stupor. "Sorry it is just that when you say something like that…"
"How is a pegasus at fault?" Xenovia asked, she still hadn't touched her food. "Is this something to do with that Reality Marble business? Is this how you have already recovered after yesterday?"
Yoruichi raised her hand like she was in a classroom. "That was because of me. I used my Ki to put him better together after he almost blew himself up." She then looked at him. "Speaking of which; was your Reality Marble why you survived?"
Before Shirou could reply, Rias asked her own question. "You aren't sure?"
"Not really, I mean, there are beings that can use the ley lines of the land perfectly but Shiro doesn't seem to be one of them." The grin she gave was both feral and amused. "Believe when I say I did a… throughout the exam to make sure."
"How?" Shirou was pretty sure that Yoruichi didn't have the chance to examine him.
"Nyahahaha~ Let's just say that I am that good." Yoruichi seemed confident but Shirou's look told her that he wanted a better explanation. Unfortunately for him, she had the perfect way to finish the conversation. "Do you really want to have this conversation at the table?"
Unfortunately for her Shirou wasn't falling for it. "I don't mind." He chuckled at the shocked expressions of those present while Xenovia was the only one confused.
"Are you… bragging?" Rias couldn't help but ask.
Shirou looked a little offended. "I don't need to brag about anything and neither would I. It is disrespectful. Even if someone told me to be more like a demon." Rias blushed and the magus knew he had her. Then he turned to Yoruichi. "Besides I know you can censor your words for the sake of your little sister."
"Good grief, that is some confidence." Yoruichi admitted with a smile. She liked it. "Okay, I know nothing about Reality Marbles and maybe it had something to do with him surviving what I can only describe as tanking a star to his face by how much energy his body had to deal with." Again she was unsure but collecting her thoughts, the nekomata isolated that possibility. "But I checked if he was one of the two possibilities of beings that could use all the mana of a territory completely free of consequence and I am sure he is neither."
"I didn't know anyone could actually use the mana of a city like that. Or is it something to do with a country?" Rias didn't doubt Yoruichi's words but found them weird regardless.
Either way everyone was curious and Yoruichi decided to explain. "There are two beings capable of fully controlling a ley line by being connected to them completely and they are either a Blessed Child or a god of an area devoted to them." She pointed at Shirou. "And while he is good at a lot of things, a god he is not."
"Which leaves only the Blessed Child theory." Xenovia recognized while playing with her food. "What is 'Blessed Child'? Someone blessed by a god? Was lady Medusa who made that possible?" She looked around. "By the way, where is she?"
"Still sleeping." Shirou replied easily.
"Continuing, no, actually the gods have nothing to do with that. It is just someone born somewhere and naturally blessed by the land." She was summarizing things for everyone's sake. "They also get a lot of other benefits when in the territory which blessed them like perfect luck or health and those are things that can be observed every single day of their lives." She then chuckled. "There are other kinds of Blessed Child concepts out there too but that is the one relevant to this situation."
Koneko connected the pieces first. "So it would be someone protected by the land." It sounded natural to her as Senjutsu was Yoruichi's speciality.
Yoruichi hugged the little devil again in happiness of having imparted the lesson and her sibling understanding it. "I so want to introduce you to our brother back in Kyoto. You are going to love him." The white haired devil blinked as others chuckled.
"Maybe it was the fire, or better yet, ritual." However Shirou was still focused on the facts and he knew another unnatural event that he lived through. "We still don't know what it did. Maybe that was its purpose."
Just mentioning it had sombered the room. Nobody could disagree with Shirou's words as it was a possibility, one that Yoruichi considered and dismissed. "So far that ritual only had negative consequences but nothing else, for years. Without knowing what its purpose was, it is better to not consider it responsible for anything." It was frustrating but she still smiled. "And you better keep that 'sheath' inside you."
Rias chuckled as she realized her lover had told Yoruichi about Avalon. 'Usually telling people a dangerous secret would be bad but I trust Yoruichi.' The fact the nekomata avoided to say its name showed that she knew how important the secret was. 'Good to have a 'sister' to count on with this.'
Because if more people knew than maybe the knowledge about the Reality Marble would be the least of everyone's problems.
"Yes ma'am." Shirou accepted the words with a smile.
"'Ritual'?" And once again Xenovia was confused.
Shirou shook his head, taking pity on the girl. "Doesn't matter. What happened, happened and I am glad it allowed me to stay with you all." He touched Rias's hand and Yoruichi's leg and both smiled at him.
"Maybe that pegasus then?" Xenovia suggested, still trying to understand everything. "I mean, he showed up when you were using that white sword."
"Bakuya and no." Shirou sounded absolutely sure and no one challenged him on that. "I don't know if my Reality Marble had something to do with it either but my pegasus kinda lives there." Even he started to grow uncomfortable with the looks he was getting. "He first showed up after I saved Medusa from her island. It has been around since then and… I think I should name him something. Just calling him pegasus feels empty."
Even more so because Shirou knew he owned the pegasus his life as it had jumped at the right moment with Bakuya to save him. He could feel the creature's power now more than ever and while similar to Caliburn's it also had a different flavor.
It also reminded him of Medusa after she turned into a proper goddess after being a Gorgon for so long and before turning into the girl he was used to seeing. Another thing Shirou could tell was that the pegasus was part of his Reality Marble but also not.
He had much to meditate about.
"That explains some things but not everything." Rias massaged her temples. "I just know we will have to research Reality Marbles later."
"We have a lot of them stored in a drive and on my laptop and I can assure you that none of them is useful." Rias raised an eyebrow at her lover. "My old man's father researched it in the past. Now I believe we were trying to convince Xenovia to eat her breakfast."
Not that the books were useful since every little bit of knowledge in them was theoretical and completely unfamiliar with his own experience with his. It wasn't a surprise since the research of Reality Marbles was a taboo but he still read it out of curiosity once when his suspicions about his own first arised.
"I can-"
"No, Liz, you can't." This time it was Rias who stopped the maid and she pouted again. "Don't look at me like that, even Koneko isn't trying to poach more food."
"Because Yoruichi is sharing hers."
"Nyahaha~ I am still eating more than you both." And it was true since the nekomata had already devoured most of her by herself before she began sharing. And she was still eating with the little devil. "I need to get as much as I can while I can anyway. Don't know when I will get the chance to get Shiro's food after tomorrow."
"You can still come on the weekends." Koneko sounded sad in her plea but Yoruichi just patted her head.
However both Rias and Yoruichi knew that such a request would be impossible, at least for a while. "She needs to stabilize things in Kyoto once her name starts to pop up because of this incident."
"Fact is that my investigation about the ritual ended in a dead end and I have 'neglected' my position by staying here for long periods of time." And while Yoruichi didn't like her position of power in Kyoto, she had a responsibility. "I will need to stay around and show my face for a few months so people don't ask too many questions." She hugged Koneko again, this time with her face in her white locks. "But I promise that once things are back to normal I will pop up here right away."
Koneko was silent and about to cry but held herself back. "Can I call you?"
"Of course! I still need to introduce you to our brother… But I want to do that personally." The nekomata looked pensive but both were smiling. "You will see him when I officially adopt you in the family."
"Hold on, she is still with me and I refuse to let Koneko go!" Rias stood up and embraced Koenko's shoulders, making the white haired devil glare while Yoruichi glared. "Unless, of course, you want to share."
"Fuh! Well played." Yoruichi admitted with a smile, also embracing Rias and Koneko. "There is nowhere saying we can have more siblings, right?"
"Don't expect me to call you 'onee-chan'." Koneko blushed as she knew Rias' tone was for her.
"Food is getting cold." Shirou said it more to Xenovia's benefit but the speed everyone else moved to keep eating had him smiling.
The blue haired Exorcist looked at the food before her. 'Is it really that good?' The faces of the women in the table told her 'yes' and curiosity was demanding her to start. "Thanks for the food." She remembered the tradition before taking the first bite.
An explosion of flavor took over her tongue as Xenovia felt every single speck of the food left a lingering effect in her mouth that took over her conscience. The taste was unlike anything she ever felt in her whole life as electricity seemed to cover her body as her brain tried to process what she was tasting.
'This is…' Xenovia didn't even know what she was chewing because compared to anything she ever ate before it couldn't be called food. It was beyond that in comparison.
In all fairness most of her life she ended up eating on the road or the equivalent of military rations. Another sacrifice she made for the Church as she ate only for the energy and did not care much about the taste. This time it was different as the taste of the food was all Xenovia could think about.
The act of chewing itself became like breathing and fell into a rhythm to maximize her pleasure. Her taste buds danced at the new experiences and every single time she chewed seemed to have the flavors of meat escape with its juices. The shock the food sent through her system made Xenovia think that her clothes were too tight despite how comfortable they were a moment before.
Then she finally swallowed it and the warmth of the food rushed through all her body. "This is so good~"
"And another bites the dust~" Rias joked upon seeing Xenovia's expression of bliss.
"Well damn." Yoruichi almost laid on the table to watch Xenovia's expressions closely. "I think she had a-" She stopped herself to look at Koneko who offered her a cute look. "Her first time experience with some proper food."
"I had proper food." Xenovia barely managed to say after recovering her breath. "This… this is beyond that." She looked at Shirou with reverence. "Did you sell your soul to make food this good or is this another thing to do with your Reality Marble."
With a mirthful chuckle, Shirou shook his head. "This time it is neither. Just the result of old fashioned hard work. Years under a strict chef that had me perfecting my skills to the limit," Liz nodded to his side, remembering her sister, "and perfecting my magecraft to make sure the ingredients are at the peak of their potential. My speciality, Reinforced Food!" The announcement had Xenovia's eyes flash with stars. "Do you like it?"
"I love it!" Xenovia shoved more food in her mouth until her cheeks were similar to a chipmunks before she began to eat. Her face had pure bliss until she finally swallowed and was able to speak again. "The taste, the texture, the taste, how it feels in my mouth, the taste.."
Everyone decided silently to avoid commenting on how she spoke about the taste three times. Not that the girls would disagree as even if Shirou was a little embarrassed they all knew he sometimes underestimated how good his food was.
Yet Xenovia now knew the level of the cook at the table as she enjoyed more of the fruits of his labor. "Everything can only be called divine!" She had a look of wonder and bafflement. "Did Kokabiel kill me and I end up in Heaven?"
"Fufufu. No but Shiro's food can make you think that." Rias was enjoying seeing Xenovia process everything. She was certainly pleased when the blue haired maiden began to attack the food again. "Some of it was for Irina," suddenly the blue haired girl stopped but she was still munching what was already in her mouth, "but since she left for the day you can have it."
"I will make something for her if she doesn't eat out." Shirou commented as Xenovia went for the food once again.
"Hmm, I don't think she can. She didn't have any money left." Xenovia nodded at Rias' words and the devil hummed in thought again. "Then again she is native from Fuyuki. She may know someone willing to give her some lunch." She began to think about calling her Pawn about the subject. 'Going to give her a few hours and if she doesn't return I will make some calls.'
Rias suspected that much like Xenovia, Irina also needed some time to process the events that happened in the city. While she would prefer to keep an eye on the Exorcists to avoid a leak about Shirou's Reality Marble, she was considerate enough to give Irina some space.
The two lovers of Emiya Shirou shared a look and Yoruichi nodded as they shared the same idea. With a small magic circle Rias contacted her familiar and ordered Bat-chan to keep an eye on Irina. While they may trust her to an extent there was little need to take risks.
Meanwhile his lovers plotted behind his back, Shirou focused on helping Xenovia who seemed to haven't ever eaten anything good in her life before. "Calm down, the food will stay until you finish." He tried to tell her but the bluehead was putting as much food on her plate as she could. "I can make you lunch later if you want."
"I can have more?"
"Well, to a point. I know that because of your special diet you can eat a lot but I would hate to let you get sick by eating too much." While Shirou had some estimates of how much Xenovia could eat he wasn't sure. "Some references would be useful but if you are just to keep going like that I don't think you can help with that."
Blushing at being called out, Xenovia fixed her posture and slowed down. "Sorry, the food was so good that I was blinded by it."
"Nyahaha~ Not your fault. All of us acted like that the first time Shiro fed us." Yoruichi had no shame and neither did the white haired duo as the two nod their agreements. "If we didn't know where we could get this food or were used to it, we probably would be eating as much as you." She remembered how much she ate the first time.
And she still eats practically as much because of energetic necessities but not as fast as Xenovia was trying to. Compared to the Exorcist, everyone else was eating slowly and enjoying the meal more which made Xenovia realize that if she ate too fast she would soon run out.
That helped her control herself a little more and bow her head to Shirou in gratitude and deference. "Sorry for my manners. Your food is delicious."
"As expected of Durandal's Owner. An excellent display of discipline." Rias and the other girls applauded while Xenovia blushed.
"Stop teasing her." Some were still giggling but the cook's word was law and no one would challenge that.
The rest of the breakfast was peaceful and full of small talk even if there were some dark clouds hanging around the table made of some concerns and worries that some had.
Peace could not last for long and the one to break it was Shirou himself. "What do you think you are doing?" Rias wasn't frowning but by her tone she was displeased.
Surprised and a little startled at the question, Shirou raised an eyebrow. "Getting the dishes… You know, to wash them?"
"No, no, no. Sit back down. You already got to cook today even though you should be resting."
"But I feel fine, better than fine even." Shirou was unable to lie and even if he could no one could really disagree by just looking at him.
Besides the new white hairs in his head, Shirou was the picture of perfect health. Not only his body was as fit as usual thanks to his training there was no indication of the suicidal efforts he made the previous day.
It was like all that happened, the fights, the reforging of Caliburn and the mana of the city, had occurred not twelve or so hours ago but weeks or even months. There was nothing in his disposition or his body that indicated that Shirou suffered any repercussions besides the white on his hair and even that was easily dismissible, more to him than to anyone else.
However, Rias wasn't willing to dismiss the events of the last 24 hours easily. "Between all that happened you should still rest even if Yoruichi made sure you are healthy."
"I agree." The nekomata said immediately as she finished her food. "After our nightly activities your body is even better than before but you should still rest." She said all that with a cheeky smile and a small blush before her face turned serious. "Even if your soul is… honestly too complicated to be in my department, that doesn't change the fact that you must feel tired mentaly."
"Honestly I feel just great. No headaches or anything." Which earned him some confused looks. "I am not lying, you guys know I suck at it."
Yoruichi fixed her ponytail, tying her hair in her usual hair style. "Which makes this even weirder. Senjutsu alone doesn't repair the mind like that and, again too complicated for me, I don't think you should be this fine."
"Even with a Reality Marble." Rias added after a thought. "On the other hand maybe you should. We don't know."
Yoruichi smiled at Rias' observation. "That is my point; Senjutsu can't fix all that and nobody knows enough about Reality Marbles to tell if what is normal or not." She shrugged dramatically with her hands. "It is supposed to be a 'world of the soul' so maybe it can take all that mana."
"Then can I-"
"That doesn't mean you shouldn't rest." Rias cut her lover with a grin which had Yoruichi following suit.
"Your body may feel fine but it still needs some time for the recovery to set in after the trauma you ran it through."
A skeptical eyebrow was raised in Shirou's face. "Really?"
Yoruichi shrugged with her grin still in place.. "Not really but it is recommended. 'Part of the recovery is the resting', said a certain old turtle."
"Let me do it, senpai." Koneko was already standing and collecting the dishes. "You, Buchou and onee-chan fought a lot yesterday. You all should rest."
"I'll help." That surprised everyone who knew her as for the most part Liz never offered that kind of service. Shirou had seen that miracle a few times but even then it was just once or twice. "You need to rest and we barely fought."
"You fought members of the Order." It was a weak argument and Shirou knew it.
And if he didn't, Koneko made sure he did. "Foot soldiers and a bunch of weaklings." She avoided mentioning she took a spear in the back. "You guys fought the tough ones." With her eyes on Yoruichi it showed she planned to let her newly anointed sister to rest as well.