Chapter 135 - 46.2

More arrows flew in her direction and Setsuna deflected them all before rolling to the right. This time Shirou gave pursuit as he shot more arrows in her direction with the intention of pinning her down. Youki flowed around her body as she used her right side to protect herself while preparing Yukari no Tachikiri for an attack.

"Scourge of Swallows!" It was faster than she wanted and she took some damage but Setsuna still managed to get enough for twelve swallows worth of mana.

Shirou held back his surprise enough to quickly shoot some of the beams of mana down but eight still got too close and he could only defend. Once again not having to hide his sword's abilities any more gave him more options as Replica turned into a huge shield that took every single beam by itself.

'That is how he did before.' Setsuna was already preparing more youki. "Then I will break it! Scourge of Swallows!" Another round of green lights left Yukari no Tachikiri, this time the full twenty of them moved towards the shield.

The Faker felt every explosion against the shield and even had to use Reinforcement otherwise Replica would have broken. His arms still shook and he was thrown to the ground and around as twenty blasts of mana kept exploding around him. Even without a direct impact it was still like being inside a hurricane.

Or a cyclone. "Cyclone Burst!" It came too fast for Shirou to change Replica back into a sword. Setsuna had no intention of giving him time to recover or give up initiative as the cyclone hit him hard. Once again the shield had to be Reinforced so it didn't break but the redhead was still dragged through the ground until his back hit a tree.

With the cyclone pushing him against the tree, Shirou was unable to do anything other than to keep the shield in front of him. 'Damn it! I will have to hold on until she grows tired.'

Fortunately for him it wouldn't come to that as Setsuna charged from the dust in his direction. With Shirou down on the ground she saw a chance. 'I win.' She came at him with her full speed and bashed the shield to the side, Yukari no Tachikiri going for his neck.

Blood was spilled as Shirou managed to evade the position Setsuna was trying to put him in as he raced towards his shield. "Trying to make me give up? So soon?" He slid while Tracing a sword.

It clashed against Yukari no Tachikiri and broke. "This fight already lasted long enough." Setsuna jumped to get Shirou's leg but Traced another sword and deflected the naginata just enough to roll away. "Tch.'

She went to hit his back but Shirou reached Caliburn Replica and suddenly his speed grew, helping him to avoid the attack. He still jumped back as Setsuna followed it up with a stab then a swipe to his legs before he blocked the blade of the naginata with his own.

It was then that Setsuna pulled her sword again and moved to slash his hand, counting on the fact that even if it couldn't cut Shirou it could send his sword away. Too late as the redhead was already moving and his sword had changed into a staff.

He grabbed it with both hands and moved to attack at the same time that Setsuna reacted to the change. However the hanyou only had one of her hands in her main weapon which gave Shirou the advantage as his hit connected with her forehead, making her lose her focus and balance.

While Setsuna fell on her back Shirou moved to follow up with another hit on her head to knock her out. This time there the Yashahime countered by throwing her sword against him with a little desperation. The Faker didn't even bother to defend and instead completed his attack by hitting her head with his staff like a hammer.

Her back broke the ground and Setsuna felt dizzy. All her instincts told her to move, to run as fast as she could before it was over. She rolled on her back when Shirou tried to use his sword to pin her down, escaping his trap. The magus quickly transformed it back into a staff and tried to hit her midriff only for her to get up on a knee and hand on the ground.

She was seeing triple when Shirou attacked but her vision wasn't her main focus as since little her father taught his children to trust their noses more than their eyes. His smell was so familiar to her that she had a clear notion of which Shirou was real.

Managing to block the attack, Setsuna moved to her feet as Shirou followed up with a direct slam on her stomach with his staff. She deflected his weapon to the side and tried to counter with her naginata only for the smell of mana to grow stronger as it collided with his armor.

Finally Shirou began to use Reinforcement on everything as the fight grew in intensity but Setsuna wasn't far behind. If anything his actions only made sure she knew he was also using something besides magecraft and the possibilities were not many.

Once she managed to force their weapons in a lock between them, Setsuna pushed more youki in her blade. "You are using something else, something I can't perceive. Something different from magecraft." She pushed but he held his ground. "What is it?"

Her words didn't distract him as she wanted as when retreated with her weapon to try and break his, Shirou was cautious and allowed hers to hit the ground. She wanted the banter but a cloud of dust helped as she had the advantage there and pushed the naginata to stab him.

However, even without seeing her, Shirou blocked the attack as the staff moved to redirect the naginata. "Is something from Caliburn again?" Setsuna asked and Shirou just grunted as he focused on the fight. "Tell me, Shirou. The suspense is starting to bother me."

"You are also a bad liar." He replied with a smirk that had her grinning. "But I will tell you, if you quit."

"Heh, you are going to have to earn that." Setsuna's smile vanished as he pushed the blade to the side and his staff fought against her naginata's body. She repositioned and pushed it down before taking the hit.

It seemed that Shirou was open. "That is the idea." Only for his staff to break apart with a chain connecting and bending to guarantee a hit right on her mouth.

'It wasn't a bo staff…' She realized far too late as her legs grew weak. 'But a three section staff…' Her mind managed to process as she hit the ground again.

Still feeling dizzy and unable to react, Setsuna knew she was defenseless as Shirou divided the staff further to hit her arm and force her to let go of Yukari no Tachikiri. She didn't do it, still holding on as her youki began to grow agitated. The Yashahime tried to get up only for the tip of the staff to connect to her forehead and the magus advanced, his weapon changing back to a sword.

At that point both knew he was in position to win the fight, to place his blade on her neck to prove his victory was definitive. Setsuna's youki grew more unstable at the thought. Fear began to take hold, a fear of abandonment born of doubt. Those emotions were mixed with anxiety, anger but also with resolve, determination and a staunch refusal to give up.

All that began to bubble inside her, making a stew of positive and negative emotions where the most negative ones took over. All grew more and more uncontrollable inside Setsuna until her calm demeanor cracked.

Her youki acted with her feelings as it shook more and more, seconds had it growing like a storm.

Until it exploded. "AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!" Green energy surrounded the area as the grass began to die and her eyes turned feral.

"This is bad this is bad this is bad!" Jaken began to panic. "We must stop the duel."

"Why?" Issei asked as this wasn't the first time he saw Setsuna transforming.

The kappa couldn't believe the Pawn was asking that. "Because she can't control that much power!"

"She controlled it well enough during our training." Issei still remembered Kiba dragging himself back day in and day out after one of her beatings.

Rias also had the same memories and nodded in agreement with her Piece. "She always managed to keep a cool head in these situations. Look, she already is even getting up."

A terrible feeling began to set in his spine as Jaken advanced to stop the duel himself only for Akeno to hold him back. "You know she won't like it if you do that."

"You all don't understand! We yokais started as emotions and as a hanyou her emotions can make things much worse!" A pillar of green energy covered the clearing and Jaken felt fear. "Oh no."

"Relax. Master can take care of it." Xenovia's callousness didn't surprise Jaken as he identified her as a retainer as well.

No, what surprised him was how calm everyone else was. "Are you all insane?!"

"Shirou got this." Koneko spoke with certainty, Liz nodding besides. Both had popsicles.

Because of the explosion of power coming from Setsuna, Shirou was forced to retreat as the pillar of mana subsided. There were still remains however as the youki seemed to float around the area while involving Setsuna. Many of the trees around lost their leaves while Akeno raised a barrier to keep the green youki away.

Shirou's nose began to twitch uncomfortably as he poured more mana on Replica before swinging it to the side. 'Maybe toning down the Blessing aspect wasn't a good idea.' That was too dangerous with the company he kept. So, to protect himself from his friend, the Faker resorted to using the Destruction part of Caliburn.

Which didn't help much to clean the air of the area but minimize the risks as he studied Setsuna's transformation. It was familiar to him as he saw her after training with Kiba but this time it looked even more feral; her hair looked ready to lose its ponytail as her claws involved the naginata.

But It was Setsuna's face that caught everyone's attention as her sclera were crimson red and her cheeks had magenta claws-like marks, two on each side. On her forehead the red of her wounds disappeared as a violet crescent moon took its place as her eyes carried a look of anger.

"WAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!" She shouted to the skies and the forest trembled as more youki escaped her form and her hair released itself from her ponytail due to her power's intensity.

"THIS IS TERRIBLE! SETSUNA-SAMA WENT BERSERK!" Jaken announced in fear as her power kept rising.

Soon the earth beneath her feet broke apart as Yukari no Tachikiri shook in her grip. The blade of the naginata became emerald once again but not to launch Scourge of Swallows but because of the concentration of her power. It was an even deeper shade that also had green smoke escaping from it.

"Well, that looks poisoned alright." Shirou joked as he prepared the Caliburn Replica. When the berserker hanyou looked at him, he knew things were going out of control. "Setsuna, calm down. This is a friendly duel, remember?" Her feet showed she was poised to strike. "I can tell how my skin got tougher if you calm down, right now."

It was in vain as the girl charged at her full speed, only Yoruichi was faster by Shirou's standards. He threw himself to the side with Replica close to him defensively, feeling the impact of Setsuna's claws hitting it. The naginata which passed uncontested hit a tree and destroyed it as the Yashahime stopped and turned to attack him again.

Shirou heard the pegasus on the back of his mind. 'Don't worry-' He blocked another hit. 'Everything is under control.' Setsuna roared and Yukari no Tachikiri clashed against Caliburn Replica, dragging his feet though the ground as she kept pushing him.

"Shiro!" Rias and others called for him when his back hit a tree and they kept going.

"See! Before when you saw her like this she was in control but it was just barely!" Jaken kept shouting and everyone was growing concerned. "We must stop this before something irreversible happens!" He knew Setsuna wouldn't forgive herself if the worst came to pass.

"What do we do?" Xenovia looked ready to jump in, Akeno already creating a whip of lightning.

"I got this!" He said as loud as he could while concentrating on Replica. His words were heard but he knew there was little time. 'Need to get her back to normal.' Shirou was grateful for his ability to strengthen his skin or else he would already be dead. Disengaging from the fight with a roll, he knew he only had a few instants before Setsuna was on him again. "Sorry about this."

Mana and Ki were channeled onto Caliburn Replica as Shirou prepared for the next clash. Setsuna came exactly as he predicted, Yukari no Tachikiri ahead and a claw ready to grab him if he got too close.

There was only one way of snapping her out in Shirou's opinion; a hit strong enough that even her power couldn't push it back. Fortunately there was a lot of mana on her weapon so he didn't need to aim for her to cause a big explosion.

When she was close enough, Caliburn Replica moved first. Its target was not the opponent of its creator but the weapon opposite to it.

Sword and naginata collided and as Shirou expected the volatile mana combined with Destruction generated a huge blast that threw everyone, even Gasper inside the ORC, off their feet.

The cloud that emerged from it only couldn't be seen by the rest of the town thanks to the boundary field.

"My protector, I fear you forgot your actual job!" Medusa complained as she slowly got up from beneath Liz who jumped to cover her. Others were still recovering but all were still stunned from the blast.

Rias placed a hand on the earth before using her Stand to help her to her feet, Akeno slowly got up while placing a hand close to a falling tree, Issei looking dizzy as Asia, who he jumped in front to protect, helped him.

Both Rin and Luvia glared at each other before beginning to compete to see who would get up first while Koneko shook her head to get rid of the bright lights she was seeing. Xenovia was already standing before turning to look back to the fight.

Only there was no fight as Shirou was still trying to get to his feet around the huge hole the blast made. "At least the youki is gone." The blue haired woman commented.

"Together with part of the forest." Rias commented with a sigh as she looked around with her mouth open. She couldn't help but facepalm. "Goddamned Shiro, Kuoh doesn't have the budget to fix this. It will have to be from our own pocket."

"Sorry." His apology was sincere as he managed to get to his feet. "At least things calmed down a little."

"Bah!" Jaken dug himself out of the earth, looked around, then jumped to his feet. "What happened- WAAH!" He saw in the center of the hole some of the remains of Yukari no Tachikiri. "That was- That was one of Totosai's weapons! Made at the behest of Sesshomaru-sama himself! And you destroyed it!"

"Sorry again." Shirou fixed his back as he looked around before looking at Caliburn Replica. Or what was left of it as he only had its handle in his hand, there was only a little stub of the blade and that was it, the rest became dust. Scratching his head, he shrugged. "It happens."

On the other side of the hole Setsuna was still recovering, shaking her head in confusion before trying to use her naginata to stand only to fail and upon noticing that failure she looked to her hand and saw that she was only holding a small piece of wood that was left of it.

Shaking her head again, Setsuna noticed her transformed state, feeling her power run rampant before starting to control it. The moon in her forehead disappeared and the marks on her cheeks became less pronounced as she stood up. All her body was in pain and by looking at the area and Yukari no Tachikiri's blade in the hole she guessed what happened.

"Are you better now?" Shirou asked while still keeping his distance. He saw the white of her sclera but was still ready just in case.

"Yes, I am." The youki surrounding her body was calm but in that form she was still much stronger. "And ready to continue."

"I think we should stop." Akeno, as the judge, suggested. "This battle has already gone out of control once. Look around and you can see the marks." Jaken nodded repeatedly in agreement.

Once again looking around with a frown, Setsuna shook her head. "We don't have a winner yet."

Xenovia looked baffled and in disbelief. "Don't you remember that Master destroyed both your weapon and his? He was obviously winning and you were stronger than you are now."

"Setsuna-sama, I must agree with this obnoxious woman!" Jaken tried to approach and would have fallen down on the hole had Koneko not held him. "Thank you." The little devil nodded back and he turned to his charge. "At this point the duel is ruined and your weapons lay broken. We should at least call it a draw."

"I was out of control. It won't happen again." She made sure to focus her youki in her hands, a lime colored light oozing with power. "Poison Claws." Setsuna moved her hands around in a set of katas before stopping and letting the power go. "See."

Her eyes were on Shirou but he didn't move just yet, studying his friends with a concerned frown. "What is the point anyway?" Xenovia asked out loud. "You wanted to face Caliburn? Well, the original and even Valper's stupid sword wouldn't have broken there. I am pretty sure Freed would even have killed you."

Setsuna gave Xenovia a clear look of annoyance. "That wouldn't get that far if I was there to help." Her eyes turned back to Shirou. "Another one. Trace another one." The demand was met with incredulity by anyone else and even Shirou was surprised. "What are you waiting for? The duel isn't over."

When all eyes turned to Shirou they could see how frustrated the magus was as his fist closed with irritation. "It would be pointless." The redhead said after a sigh but when he saw Setsuna's look of frustration he quickly shook his head. "It would cost too much mana for almost nothing. Compared to Muramasa the cost isn't worth it. All the Noble Phantasms that I have are more versatile than that."

"Then Trace the original one. That one is bound to be strong enough!" Setsuna also sounded frustrated.

And Shirou shaking his head wouldn't help matters. "It just isn't viable, literally costing more than I have on my body. Even Valper's abomination used the Core of the original and would cost too much."

Incomplete as it was, God's creation was still powerful in any shape it was designed to be. That was why his Replica couldn't fully transform in everything for example and he had to settle into only weapons. For him that wasn't a problem but without the proper Core that sword failed to fully break the laws of the World.

Still Shirou saw the confusion in his opponent's eyes even as she still looked ready to fight. "Setsuna, that sword only had half of the Fragments' powers; Destruction, Mimic and Rapid. That was it." He shrugged again. "I couldn't really complete it without the proper materials, it was just to show you how powerful Valper's Mistake was."

"Doesn't matter." Shirou began to shake his head in frustration but Setsuna was resolute. "Trace another one then. I will break as many Muramasas as I need to take the win."

"Are you-" He held back just before saying anything he knew would make things worse. "You apparently forgot who I am." Mana began to cover his body as an aura of the color of metal seemed to escape his body.

Visible as it was, Setsuna managed to identify it, even if the color was odd for her. "Ki? Touki?"

Shirou chuckled with some smugness. "That is right, Touki." He raised a hand and closed his fist as his Ki returned to inside his body. "Makes sense that I got the hang of it fast once I understood myself a little more. After all; Steel is my body and fire is my blood." He brushed some blood from his forehead before chuckling. "At least one of those is metaphorical, I suppose."

It clicked on Setsuna's mind in an instant. "Sword. Even as Ki, your element is still sword." She shook her head in disbelief. "A defensive style of Touki… I didn't expect that from you but with your personality it makes sense."

"Isn't that great?" Shirou was happy with that fact. "First time I used it was in a spar, I took one of Koneko's punches in the chin and barely flinched. A defensive style suits me well since my swords can attack and I, as a sword, can protect." He couldn't hide how pleased he sounded.

"So you already mastered Touki." That made Shirou actually laugh a little with Koneko having a small smile.

"Mastered it? Koneko is way better than me at it, she is a genius." The little devil blushed as Rias touched her shoulder with a smile. "No, I am not even close to perfection but I took my real first step when I understood more of myself." Then he sobered up. He wanted to tell Setsuna about his Reality Marble but didn't trust Jaken with the knowledge. "When I looked upon myself, when I saw who I really was, that was when I first understood my power." His mana retreated as he raised his right hand. "Do you still want to continue this duel?"

"Yes, I do." Setsuna knew he was preparing but didn't know what.

However there was a feeling on the back of her neck when she saw Shirou's eyes and how he looked ready for the fight. It was far from different than before where there was resolve but his focus wasn't on the combat but on her.

Now his focus was on something else and Setsuna doubted that Shirou was even looking at her. "Then breaking your weapon may have been the least bad thing I will do to you today." Mana came to his hand as the projection of a familiar sword began to form. "I am the bone of my sword."

Bakuya came with all the power of the Noble Phantasm that Setsuna learned to expect. Because of circumstances that included her own hesitation and Kiba's mental state she never faced that blade but knew much about it. The back of her neck warned her of the danger that it presented.

Clearly it was a stronger sword than Replica but costing less and Setsuna took it as a sign Shirou would go all in.

Not realizing he was beyond that point until more power began to escape his blade. "I haven't introduced you to him yet, my partner." A white aura took shape around him as a figure surged on his back. Quickly she recognized the shape as a pegasus. "Setsuna, meet the inhabitant of my soul; Bellerophon!" The pegasus let out a cry of victory and triumph as the aura grew more intense.

It returned to Shirou but the power kept surrounding him in a quality hard to describe to any but made some in the clearing feel heavy and reverent. Jaken couldn't stop shaking and Medusa was beaming with pride.

When the aura disappeared none doubted that it was still there, inside Shirou, unseen but ever present as its power kept filling the place, the gem in the center of his armor glowing. "Get ready. The real fight begins now."

Shirou's power grew more intense in a way that had the Yashahime taking an involuntary step back which made her blink. 'I am… afraid?' Despite all the activities from before Setsuna knew she was sweating cold.

"Div-divine- DIVINITY?!" Jaken called for what it was as Setsuna realized who his aura reminded her of.

It reminded her of the goddess standing besides the devils, a goddess who was smiling happily while basking on the power of her protector. The power didn't feel really oppressive to anyone but they all knew how dense it was with a grandiosity that could be terrifying. Yet Medusa would never fear it for it was proof Shirou was her protector.

A mana greater than a human's was capable of, a power that boggles the mind of any who didn't have it for even if they intellectually knew what it was, comprehension could easily escape those who lowered their guard.

"Is he a demigod?" Jaken demanded to know but Rias just laughed. "Answer woman?"

"He isn't." Medusa replied as Rias controlled herself. "He is my guardian."

"That doesn't explain where that Divinity came from!" Jaken hit his staff twice on the ground but knew he could do nothing. Even if he intervened in the duel he knew it wouldn't be enough. "What is he?"

Rias chuckled a little. "A stubborn man."

Akeno followed suit. "A great chef."

Xenovia spoke next. "A Mage of Swords."

Rin smiled a little. "A Faker."

Luvia refused to be left behind. "A Shero."

"A Master." Liz added with a smile.

"A protector, someone that can see monsters and understand they aren't evil." Medusa's smile was soft and gentle.

Despite the intensity of the situation and the power circulating inside his body, Shirou was blushing. "Girls, I kinda need to concentrate on the fight."

Funnily enough that was the last thing Setsuna wanted as she felt the massive presence Shirou was exuding. Her nose was going haywire ever since Bellerophon showed himself. The Yashahime knew that her opponent was different from before, the power that lied below his skin was now something that made her shake in place.

Yet she refused to surrender or retreat as she took a step forward, Poison Claws ready. 'I need to win! One blow! If I can connect a single blow, victory is mine!' Gritting her fangs, Setsuna charged with a leap, covering the distance of the hole in an instant.

Knowing that Shirou's Ki was protecting him and that Divinity had a way to strengthen those who used it, Setsuna wouldn't pull any punches. If anything those factors just meant that the hanyou had to attack before he could react since she lacked any information of what he was capable of with that power.

However her first goal was to get rid of Bakuya or at least to force Shirou to let it go and for that she aimed for his arm first.

Despite her incredible speed that almost anyone present couldn't keep up with, Shirou could and his blade intercepted her claws, pushing her hand to the side. Not that it bothered Setsuna since there was an advantage of her fighting barehanded; she had another hand and that one hit Shirou's forearm at the same time that Shirou threw a kick that hit Setsuna in her midriff.

Both sides separated but Setsuna had no intention of allowing that to happen for long. She just threw herself at him again at full throttle. "Someone is in a rush." Shirou commented as Bakuya stopped her claw again only for the other to move to cut his hand off. "Not fast enough!"

Shirou threw himself back and fully avoided the hit, his feet connecting to her chest and pushing her away. 'How did he move so fast?' She formulated the thought before hitting a fallen tree. 'Is this the power of his Divinity? Speed?' The image of the pegasus came to her mind. "It is possible."

She looked at him again to see that Shirou was going for the offensive this time and was moments away from getting to her. He was faster than her, at least ten times faster than before, of that Setsuna was sure. Her mind tried to come up with all the information she had on Divine powers as fast as possible.

Not that she would have to stay still during it as she kicked the ground and launched herself back, using her hands to flip above the tree and push it Shirou's direction. He didn't hesitate to cut it in half and cover the rest of the distance easily, Bakuya hitting Setsuna's midriff with its side.

'He didn't use the blade?' Setsuna grabbed his arm with her claws while going for a slash to his face. She reached him and the four marks she left behind were emitting smoke because of her corrosive poison.

There were burns from and from previous experience the pain should be excruciating for a human but Shirou just advanced and hit her face with his forehead. He wasn't done either as he seized her arm with his free hand and did a judo throw to get her back on the ground.

Bakuya moved carefully but quickly in the direction of Setsuna's neck so Shirou could declare victory but she wasn't ready to quit just yet. Instead threw her Poison Claw in his calves to force the Faker to move or lose a foot. Another corrosive slash got him but he saved himself by retreating a couple of steps.

It was enough space for Setsuna to get up again and study the situation carefully. 'His Divinity is not Medusa's but the pegasus', Bellerophon.' She prepared herself again as Shirou rushed at her in a zigzag pattern. 'Speed and flight should be everything but he has no wings.'

Once more she blocked his sword with her claws but this time Shirou also came with a punch that unbalanced her. Setsuna was still recovering when she felt him kick her feet to bring her down.

'I need to finish this before there is an accident.' Shirou separated Bakuya from Setsuna's hands carefully to not mess with her fingers. Yes, he knew she could be healed but from the beginning he was still holding back.

And finally Setsuna noticed it. "Don't underestimate me!" She used her fall to kick his feet while using her free hand as support.

Shirou couldn't stop the next kick in the middle of his chest and flew back a couple of steps as Bellerophon complained on his head. 'Can you stop backseat driving and let me do this?' He recovered his footing and stopped to study his wounds. "She is my friend alright? I would like her to not hate me after this."

"Who are you talking to?" Setsuna demanded to know as she also recovered and got ready for another charge.

Letting out a sigh, Shirou raised Bakuya. "Bellerophon has some opinions of how I am fighting."

The magus could swear he heard Setsuna gritting her fangs in rage. "Then I agree with him! You are still holding back!"

True that he was but Shirou knew the risks of going all out in this case. "Setsuna, I know you believe that as a hanyou-"

"That is right, I am a hanyou! A hybrid of a yokai and a human!" Setsuna shouted proudly. "So stop treating me like a normal yokai or even a devil. My resistances and power are very different from them."

Shirou let the biggest sigh of frustration he had during the whole day escape. "That is the thing; you may be a hanyou but you aren't a perfect hybrid. You are more vulnerable than you think." The redhead saw her getting madder but refused to back down any longer. "You really don't understand how dangerous the situation was! Or Bakuya, Bellerophon, is!"

"You who don't understand that things would be more safe if I was there!" Before they hadn't shouted, they practically didn't fight when Shirou explained his role in the Fragments' incident and why he didn't call her. This time both, especially Setsuna, were ready to let it all out. "If you just had trusted me-"

"This isn't about trust!"

"Should we be here for this?" Issei asked cautiously as the two sides kept screaming at each other.

"Honestly I wouldn't leave even if you told me to." Akeno admitted shamelessly. "Now if we had some popcorn…"

The back and forth went for a few minutes before Shirou took a deep breath and shouted. "Fine! Fine! This is why we are having this duel in the first place!" Bakuya spun a few turns in his hand before he assumed a new stance with his arm sword behind his body. She didn't make the mistake of believing he was open. "You better get ready, Setsuna. This time, Bakuya will have your blood." While he said that Bellerophon's aura covered him again and the burns started to disappear.

Just by the feeling of her youki disappearing from the air Setsuna knew the pegasus was purifying it from his body and even healing the burns she inflicted on him. Soon the Faker had no more burns and fewer wounds as the power of the Divine steed restored him almost completely.

Feeling the severity of the situation just had Setsuna glaring at Shirou. Her nerves and the presence of Divinity didn't matter to her anymore as her power threatened to explode from her skin. "It is about time."

She prepared to leap but Shirou moved first, almost escaping her sight. Setsuna managed to keep up but barely and at least managed to figure out the direction he was coming from. Her claws were already prepared to clash with Bakuya again as she surrounded her body with youki. She moved to grab him while dodging the sword, planning to follow up with her claws to his neck.

When Shirou attacked, Setsuna couldn't stop him as she felt the metal bite her shoulder as her eyes grew wide. His swing had come from below in an upward trajectory and Bakuya cut her before she could even react. She was still in shock when Shirou took advantage of the situation and kicked her away.

Once she managed to stop herself Setsuna took a look at her right shoulder where her father's fur was protecting her. Or was supposed to be protecting her as there was now a huge gash where her blood was seeping into the coat. Even moving her arm was a challenge as not only she felt weaker for some reason but her right side was practically numb even if the cut seemed superficial.

Getting up as quickly as she could, Setsuna prepared for a follow up only to then notice that Shirou was standing there with a handkerchief, cleaning the blood from his sword. His eyes weren't on her as he took care of Bakuya in a few seconds before making the handkerchief disappear.

Only then did he turn back to her, his usual warm eyes were cold like the metal that almost took her arm off. No, they were even colder, cold enough that Setsuna barely could recognize who was the person in front of her.

All she saw was a man with a sword and a look that could kill as he took another step in her direction. Her legs began to tremble as the fear that was subtle before was now out in full force.

But Setsuna's spirit refused to accept defeat as her eyes grew firm and she tried to take a step forward. Tried because she failed the moment the redhead before her advanced she found herself retreating further. There was no winning this fight and every cell on her body knew it.

But to not accept defeat she turned around and ran while the Magus Killer's son gave chase.

…..

Kiba was right when he said that their stories weren't special but trading tales still helped as the devil started to understand the former knight before him.

Truly Bernard's story was uncomfortably similar to his own; a fake benevolent figure who pretended to care, other orphans that were like family, a tragedy that killed everyone but those present in the room, the survival born from luck and the dedication they offered to their savior.

The same way Kiba dedicated himself to Rias, Bernard had dedicated his life to the previous Sir Gawain, a man who believed in King Arthur's return and would have done anything to see it happen.

Trading stories with the older blond helped Kiba see how in a different life he may have walked a similar path and even made similar mistakes. Indeed the impression the devil was getting from Bernard's mannerisms was that the older man thought he was already making the same decisions which landed him in a wheelchair and prison.

And the real prison wasn't going to be a hotel room, both understood the current accommodations were Rias' way of saying 'thank you' and nothing else.

Yet the former Commander of the Order of Pendragon was still jovial as he spoke of his family. Of finding his path following King Arthur's teaching and of his desire to still meet Artoria.

However, before all else, Bernard told Kiba how he managed to live with himself as a survivor of what he liked to call 'Orphanage from the Abyss'.

Both chuckled as they appreciated the similarities. "We got lucky." Kiba didn't realize when he began to smile.

"You more than I. My mentor was actually hunting for who was taking the children around the area both out of duty and the reward while lady Gremory was just on the right place because of a vacation." Bernard laughed at that. "That, my friend, is what I can call lucky."

"Yes… It was…" Kiba just wished that luck had extended to more than himself.

And Bernard caught on that. "She was young too, Isaiah," Kiba didn't react to the name, the only name Bernard wanted to use, "there was no way for her to know your family was in danger. You also were young and almost dead. Stop blaming yourself."

Kiba's hands grew tighter around each other as he held himself back. "You aren't the first one to tell me that."

"Good. That means a lot of people care about you."

A self depreciating chuckle was Kiba's initial response. "Again, you aren't the first one to tell me that." Pausing to gather his thoughts, the Knight of Gremory hardened his resolve to ask something he knew would be uncomfortable for both. "Did you get your revenge?" Bernard didn't look surprised at the question and Kiba feared he wasn't heard. "That magician… did you-"

"I didn't kill him if you are asking about that." Bernard revealed with a sad smile. "My mentor didn't either, the bastard escaped and for years I jumped at every mission I heard a whisper about him. Every job, no matter how small, no matter the contract, if there was a chance he was there then I would go." He shrugged.

"And you never found him? You just… gave up?"

"When my mentor died, I had to. Especially since that was actually my fault." Bernard now looked really depressed as he looked up to the ceiling. "He was a good man. If the magician was a monster then he was a saint… After his death I worked hard to make myself worthy of his name." In a way, he knew, his loyalty wasn't to King Arthur at all.

It was a different kind of guilt and Kiba found himself looking down remembering every time his obsession almost cost him someone. While no one he cared about died, people still suffered. There were close calls, so many close calls that the blond could only call himself 'lucky' again.

If things were different and the Order of Pendragon was any other more ruthless organization then the bloodbath that would have covered Fuyuki would be enough to flood the streets.

And Asia would have been the first victim of his group, killed due to his recklessness and obsession.

His thoughts were showing because he could see the wheelchair blond man wince a little before nod solemily. Even if they couldn't see what it was and his men still fought honorably, Bernard could tell what Kiba was thinking and it hurt his soul.

"We are still different. I have the person I hate right there." Kiba brought his emotions out in the open and even if he didn't want to offend the man, it still sounded harsh.

Yet Bernard showed no signs of succumbing to anger for he had already made peace himself. "I learned from my mistakes, Isaiah. It is time for you to do the same."

"But what if you had that magician in your hands right now? The monster that killed your family?" Kiba asked in desperation. "What if he was here and you had a sword capable of killing him."

Bernard took a deep and slow breath, almost like he didn't want to reply. "If I had that monster here, with a sword at his neck, I would kill him. But not for revenge." He stopped just before Kiba could speak again. "You have to understand, Isaiah, that while a part of me will forever hate my monster, nothing will make me lose control because of him." He leaned forward to make sure their eyes were at the same level. "So that bastard can't have any control over me."

'Control?' Kiba felt his hand shaking before holding them back again. "You think that Valper… is controlling me?"

"Not directly. From what I saw he is incapable of that now." Bernard relaxed again but his gaze was firm. "However you are giving him control over you in the sense that your actions and life still belong to him. I think I don't need to explain how that can be bad, do I?"

"No…" All that just made Kiba depressed again. "I just don't want him to stop paying for what he did."

"That doesn't mean you have to pay for it yourself. If I had Zolgen Makiri in my hands I would cut him down not for what he did to me but what he did to many besides me, including my siblings." Bernard fist closed but he placed it in his chin with his other hand over it. "Funnily enough I once discovered that he didn't start as a monster but as a man like you and I who wanted to create an Utopia of some kind. Eventually he turned to sacrifice innocent children, perhaps for the same goal or perhaps because he lost sight of it."

None of that helped Kiba even if the name of the ancient magus was familiar for some reason he couldn't recall. At the moment Zolgen was just someone that made Bernard suffer but the older blond moved past his hatred for the sake of those he lost and the ones he still had.

Something that Kiba didn't see himself as capable of. "Sorry but I am not like you."

Bernard smiled a little. "You don't need to be like me since you have far more people who care about you and want you to get better. To return to them." He chuckled kindly. "I have to say that the threats from lady Gremory showed how much she cared. Even more than what she prepared so I would be comfortable to have this conversation." He waved around. "Same for everything in this room. Apparently everybody pitched one thing or another so my recovery would be smooth and even Emiya Shirou came for one last talk." He laughed at that memory. "The man breaks every bone of my body and when he shows up all serious to apologize it was not for his actions but for my suffering and that we had to be enemies. I was happy he just understood my reasons and forgave the others, that was good enough for me."

"That sounds like Shirou alright." Considering what happened to Luvia, the redhead magus' forgiveness would never be freely given.

Seeing Kiba smile helped Bernard to know he was on the right track. He stretched his hand to the table and pushed the message Rias had ordered Kiba to bring back to the Knight of Gremory.

Seeing the younger man's confusion, the older blond laughed again. "Come now, why don't we read your King's message to cheer up a little?"

"I don't think I should. The message is for you." He refused to touch the letter once it was set on the table. "Besides, as a Knight I don't think I should read my King's messages."

"Not even a peek?" Bernard wiggled his eyebrows and Kiba barely held back his disbelief.

Until he couldn't hold it back anymore. "Wasn't there a rule about not looking at the King's correspondence? Especially for Knights?"

"Former knight." Bernard reminded him with a cheeky smile before sliding the letter closer to Kiba. "And you should read this one."

Kiba looked at the letter and pushed it back. "Buchou's message is for you."

"Hahahahaha, believe me when I say that girl already gave me a piece of her mind." Bernard pushed the letter again and settled down. "Trust me."

With a look of confusion Kiba retrieved the letter and slowly opened the envelope. It was just a folded piece of red paper like a normal letter and when he looked back at Bernard he saw the former knight nodding.

Realizing he was hesitating, Kiba gathered his courage and sent a silent apology to Rias before opening the letter. "This is…"

"A letter for you." Bernard leaned back to give Kiba some time.

'Kiba, before you continue this letter I need you to listen to what Bernard has to say. I wouldn't be trusting a stranger to help you but I have found myself with no other choice and I hate to see you as lost as you are. So I made sure to know this man and know his reasons. After a long talk I trust that he has your well being in mind. As your King I am giving you this order: listen to him and after you talk you can leave, stay or do whatever you want.'

Kiba raised his head to look at Bernard in shock. "Keep going." He did so.

'I hope you forgive the trickery but I just wanted to help you. We wanted to help you heal and found a wall around your heart that didn't allow any of us to make any progress. That is why I entrusted Bernard with the task so you could see that we are here. That we want you to get better and we are ready to do whatever is necessary to see you safe. We all understand that you are struggling with Valper but we don't care about him, only you. We only want to see you happy, signed Rias Gremory.'

It wasn't just Rias' neat handwriting that was in the letter as below her signature every single member of the ORC, Liz and Medusa had signed as well. Most of them also left small messages like 'get well soon', 'let's go to the arcade sometime', 'talk with me if you need' and many others.

"Do they… sniff… do they think this is a 'get well' card or something?" Kiba couldn't stop the tears when he started crying. Quickly he moved the letter out of the way as a hand covered his eyes.

Bernard just remained silent and allowed Kiba to process everything as the devil let out tears of sadness and happiness at the same time. 'After all this time he can finally see that even if he lost a family but found another one.'

The tears didn't stop for a few minutes as Kiba's shoulders shook and he held the letter like a lifeline. When he noticed the paper crumpling in his hands the Knight quickly moved to dry his tears and fix it to the best of his ability.

After a few more moments Kiba finally calmed down enough that Bernard felt it was safe to talk again. "How are you feeling, Isaiah?"

"Better." Kiba offered the man a sincere smile before taking a deep breath and letting out a sigh of relief. "Much better actually. Better than I have been… in weeks." He saw himself in a mirror and almost laughed despite his sad state. 'Maybe years.'

Even with a red face and red eyes, Kiba still looked happy despite all the tears that were shed. He was smiling still, an honest smile born from his real heart that carried all the relief he felt together with all the joy he found.

Previously he felt as if the ghosts of the family he lost, the many children of the Holy Sword Project were pulling him towards Valper demanding some sort of retribution for all the man's sins. But now he saw no ghosts, only the hands of the friends he made after the tragedy and finally grasped them.

"I would offer for you to come back to talk more but something tells me you don't need it." Bernard chuckled and Kiba did the same, both blondes happy as the tension's weight left the room. "Unless you want to."

"Perhaps… There are some things I still want to talk about." Yet his eyes were fixed on his letter. "But I think before that… I should go back. I left them waiting long enough."

"Heh. If you say so." Bernard was happy for his new friend. "Then you should go, don't let me keep you. I will still be here for a few days at least."

Remembering his new friend's fate had Kiba thinking. "I could talk to Buchou. Ask her to-"

Bernard almost jumped from his chair but the pain stopped him. Yet he spoke, his tone firm but low. "Don't you dare, Isaiah." He placed a hand on the young man's shoulder. "This is my burden, my mistakes. I must make amends in any way Justice seems fit. I will only accept forgiveness from my king for it was in her name that I committed so many sins."

"She may never return." It gave Kiba no pleasure in reminding Bernard of that.

Yet the former knight smiled. "That is the thing about faith, we need not to see to believe." He relaxed again. "The same way many who aren't part of our world believe in their gods, I still believe in my king for to me King Arthur is greater than any of them." After that he pointed to the door. "Now you better go. Time only makes excuses more bitter."

"Thank you." Kiba slowly stood up to then move closer to Bernard and shake the man's hand.

The older blond laughed and dragged the Knight for a hug instead. "We may have different parents and started in different places but we can still be brothers." Kiba reciprocated the hug for he understood that Bernard also needed it. "Good luck."

"You as well." They separated. "I will visit you in the Underworld when I can."

"Bring some plums." They laughed at the joke as Kiba was leaving. Once Bernard was alone he looked up. "Huff, that was better than I thought." And saw the small bat-like creature watching things. "Are you going to tell her everything?"

"Boss said to only tell her if you did something wrong." Bat-chan dropped on the table with a smile. "But you didn't, so I will just tell her you had a talk as ordered."

"It was my pleasure. And thank her for the chance."

On the other side of the door Kiba walked out of the area in a rush as he was eager to go back to his friends. 'Most of them will be on jobs by now but I can-'

"Yuuto Kiba." Called the King of Gremory upon noticing the Knight departing. She quickly apologized to her Sitri counterpart who nodded and turned to leave as she ran to him. "Are you done with your visits?"

"'Visits'?"

The woman nodded before realizing what was wrong. "Hadn't you gone to see the prisoner as well?"

Only then Kiba remembered Valper but the usual desire to watch the man wasn't there any more. When he glanced to the side and saw a window there was his reflection. Kiba turned once he noticed something odd; he wasn't seeing himself as he was but the child he had been.

Isaiah was looking back with a happy go lucky smile that held a childish innocence Kiba was sure he had lost. Behind him the older version of the boy saw the ghosts which seemed to pull him towards Valper but only then he noticed that they weren't holding his younger version.

It was the opposite, as the ghosts took shape in his reflection Kiba noticed that all the children of the Holy Sword Project didn't carry looks of desperation or anger. Instead they smiled happily as their hands seemed to push Isaiah forward and send him on his way.

'We don't resent you.' Was what Kiba seemed to understand as he remembered that every single child in the image had sacrificed themselves so he could survive. 'Live.' There was almost a voice reaching his ears.

"Yuuto?" He snapped out of his trance as the King of Gremory placed a hand on his shoulder with a look of concern. "Are you alright?"

Kiba looked back at the window and only saw himself and the older woman, the images of his friends gone.

He didn't even know if that was real. "I am sorry but what were you asking again?"

"What do you want to do with Valper Galilei?" The woman waited a minute, giving Kiba time to understand the question. "The interrogators are already done with him and we are free to do whatever you desire with him. He is still your prisoner."

"Humm…" Kiba found himself smiling. "I don't care anymore."

"You don't care?" Reports from her compatriots over the week told her otherwise.

"Nope." Isaiah turned around and began to march to the elevator.

"Then what should we do with him?" She asked aloud and many devils noticed the interaction.

Kiba just pressed the button and waited for the elevator practically jumping into place. "I don't care. You can do whatever you want." He waved her off and got inside when his ride arrived. "Throw him out of a bridge or something." He waved. "Bye, have a good night."

When the doors closed the doors remained mute as even the members of the Sitri looked at the Gremory King for guidance as technically Kiba had given her the authority to do whatever she pleased with the prisoner.

The woman cleaned her throat but everyone kept looking at her. "We will… throw him from a bridge then." Technically it was Kiba's last instruction. It would also spare her from any extra paperwork.

"Can one be in the middle of the desert in the Underworld?" A man asked after raising his hand. "You know, one of those above lava?"

"Sure."

…..

Setsuna can't remember the last time in her life she ran away from something. As a noble from Kyoto she always had people to protect her or her father watching over her family so no dangers could even get close. As she grew older and developed her power there was no need for extra protection since it was deemed that she could take care of herself.

She was one of the Daughters of Sesshomaru, a hanyou with power greater than most yokais, a natural born warrior and a talented individual, running away should be the last thing in her mind and she knew it.

Setsuna could almost hear her father's voice telling her that 'You are the predator, not the prey,' with all of his nobility and disappointment. 'Never show fear, fear is for the weak.' Sesshomaru would hate seeing his daughter running away from any enemy around her age.

But that was all Setsuna could think about doing, running and hiding from her opponent both out of fear and a desire to still seize victory despite her instincts screaming to her it was impossible. Never before had Shirou scared her, not even when he demonstrated Caladbolg's power to help make a new pool for Kuoh. It wasn't a perfect hole but it was a perfect start that left no room for complaints and she was mildly impressed at best.

Yet she couldn't help but run with the image of a radiant pegasus around him stuck in her mind as Setsuna jumped behind a tree to catch her breath. 'Did I miss him?' She was sure he was chasing. 'I need to calm down…' Controlling her breathing was harder than it should. The smell of her own blood and the forest left her blind in her most important sense. 'Shit.' That was nothing compared to the sting of pain in her shoulder.

She never expected Shirou to make a sword capable of damaging her father's fur even if it was weaker once it was removed but Setsuna could only look as her blood was still flowing from the wound made by Bakuya.

Feeling herself shaking, Setsuna grabbed her hand and fought to control her nerves. 'Calm down. Calm down. Calm down. Calm down, please calm down.' She couldn't believe Shirou managed to put her in this situation but despite how she felt she knew her priority was to control herself first. 'I need to keep calm or else he will find me. I need more time,. time to think. There must be a way to defeat Bakuya with that pegasus. Some sort of weakness.'

Already she could feel her youki growing uncontrollable because of her fear and Setsuna knew the redhead was a good enough detector to find her unless she managed to tame her power again.

Panicking wasn't helping because the more she panicked the more power escaped which made her panic more resulting in more power leaking. The cyclical nature of the phenomena made her even more terrified as Setsuna bit her lip to try and control herself which only made her bleed more.

"That is a nasty wound." Shirou's voice snapped her out of the cycle as she jumped to her feet and prepared to defend herself. "Hey, it is alright. It is over." The redhead was unarmed and even his armor was missing. He also looked exhausted. "See? Nothing in my hands."

"The duel isn't over! I haven't lost yet!" She prepared to jump at him again but Shirou just sighed. Already ready to attack, she raised her only functional hand from a strike.

But Shirou's voice stopped her. "Then it is my loss. Congratulations. Now let me check the wound." He tried to approach but Setsuna threw a look of fury and almost hit him with her Poison Claw. "Woah! Careful now, I can't take one of those anymore."

"I won't accept this kind of win." Her youki began to leak again as fury colored her face. "Trace your armor again! Get Bakuya! We are finishing this!"

Shaking his head but making a point to show his exhausted face, Shirou took a step back. "Setsuna, the fight is over."

"It isn't! Get that pegasus out again! I will defeat it with my own strength!"

"Him. And his name is Bellerophon."

"Doesn't matter! Call him again!" She could feel herself losing control but held her power back with just her will.

"I can't. The moment I let Bakuya go completely, Bellerophon also was hit by the exhaustion of keeping our connection going." Words left Shirou but Setsuna couldn't comprehend them even if she understood. "He needs to rest and so do you. Even if I can keep fighting I don't want anymore either."

"Then that is it? Was our duel for nothing?" Frustration, all her voice had was frustration. "Did you even care?"

Now Shioru looked angry but it was just for a moment. "Do you think I would have accepted a duel if I didn't care?" His point took away her rage but he wasn't done. "Setsuna, if you are refusing to accept my surrender after all this, then you are the one taking away the point in this duel and me winning was always impossible." Realization was dawning on her. He was right. "Now let me take a look at that wound. Looks like Bakuya did more damage than I expected."

Without strength or emotion to keep her standing, Setsuna let her back hit a tree as she slid down until she was sitting. Shirou took the opportunity to approach. "It is my loss."

"No, I surrendered first." EM was Traced and he took a step towards her.

"Only because you knew you already won." She took off her father's fur and Shirou's face showed horror. "Worse than you thought?"

"Much worse. Your shoulder is barely connected to your body. I almost ripped off your arm." He held the appendage in place and Setsuna flinched. "Sorry. I will make this quick."

Calmer than before, concern was the emotion that came next. "Do you have enough mana? We can go to the others."

He shook his head gently as EM began to work. Setsuna flinched again as her flesh began to regenerate. "Don't know if it is safe in your condition. Maybe once we get the wound a little patch up we can but…"

"That ugly huh?" She let escape a mirthless chuckle. A sad one. "You really grew strong. A year ago we were almost equals."

"Only because you don't fight like this most of the time. Had our first spar been like this I think you would have washed the floor with me." He chuckled but Setsuna didn't look amused. "I am serious."

"I know. I had thought… I was still faster and stronger than you. I didn't expect you to already have figured out Touki or the pegasus- Bellerophon's existence." Combine that with all his previous skills and she had to admit that Shirou had her beat. "Sorry I underestimated you."

Focusing on her wound didn't stop him from laughing. "Setsuna, that wasn't the problem here. You can't prepare for anything if you don't want to be prepared in the first place." She looked offended but Shirou just chuckled. "Look, I understand you were upset that we didn't call you… That I didn't call you about Caliburn's situation. But I won't apologize for that. Even if you won-"

"I didn't."

"-I still think I made the right call." Shirou waved to her still regenerating shoulder. "And unfortunately this is proof of that, a far too good of a proof in my opinion." Clearly he didn't want things to escalate as they did. Setsuna remembered how hesitant he was in using Bakuya. "It just showed that I was right."

That Setsuna didn't take well. "The Fragments can't be compared to a Divinely empowered Bakuya." Shirou just gave her another deadpan stare and Setsuna blushed. "They are still weaker."

"Okay, fair point. Except that Blessing still was capable of ruining Luvia's circuits to the point she had to be Reincarnated." He gave her a sad look. "Or do you think I would risk your life against something I knew you were weak against."

"I am a hanyou-"

"But you aren't a true hybrid." Shirou's tone was harsh and left no tone for discussion. "I know you may think you are a perfect balance between human and yokai thanks to your parentage but… you aren't. It is unfortunate but, Setsuna, you barely fit the bill. There is far more yokai blood in you than human blood when you are angry." She looked to the side in shame. He touched her face delicately to pull her back. "Too much human blood than yokai's most of the time. You barely show any signs that you are a hanyou except when you are losing control and when you do…"

The way Shirou was speaking had Setsuna concluding one thing, "You met a true hybrid."

While he didn't avoid her gaze Shirou was trying to think on how to speak without saying too much. "She is someone that hates her power, her blood and yet she has perfect control over it."

Back with the rest of the ORC, Akeno was happily chatting with Rias as they waited for one or the two combatants to return.

"I have felt her power once when I used Structural Analysis on her and even if I didn't know what was there at the time I knew she had it completely under her control and that she loathed it for what it was. Do you understand? Unlike you who is divided between two worlds, she is perfectly in the middle of them and she loathes it."

If Akeno hadn't been Reincarnated into a devil, Shirou was sure that she would be a being with all the benefits of a fallen angel and none of the down sides. No weaknesses, perfect control, all the power of her lineage and her innate potential with magic would make her a formidable force capable of fighting against even the gods given time. If anything she was living proof that they were right into trying to have demigods in their ranks.

Not that there weren't plenty throughout history with the likes of Heracles or Arjuna just to name a few.

However Akeno was now a devil, not the hybrid she was born as and while Shirou wouldn't reveal hers secret that Setsuna had no right to know he still accounted for that when thinking about their duel.

Knowing both of them as well as he did helped Shirou to make comparisons between their powers even if he just touched Akeno's once. If anything that just argued his case as he stated before Akeno never lost control of her power even in fury or desperation.

Perhaps that was also because of the kind of hybrids they were but the fact remained that Akeno still held some of her balance while Setsuna had almost none of it.

Such thoughts ran on both their minds and made the hanyou pause for a moment but she still didn't want to concede defeat. "I could still have helped. Even if the Fragments were dangerous-"

"I didn't let Yoruichi, someone hundreds of times stronger than you, fight until I was sure that the Fragments weren't a factor." That did it as Setsuna looked to the ground in resignation. "I get that you don't like being out of the loop, I get that you are frustrated that I didn't call you, I get it. But I will never, ever, risk the life of someone I care about if I can help it."

Her fury returned even if diminished. "And there is no problem risking your own safety? Your own life?" Setsuna grabbed the hand that was healing her to stop him from running. Shirou didn't mind, he didn't plan to. "This power, all your training. You are getting ready for a fight anyway, aren't you?" Her nails were still claws but he didn't flinch even as she made him bleed. "Why? Why aren't you trusting me to help you?"

Silence took over the clearing as Shirou looked Setsuna in the eyes. "My sister is a genius." He said bluntly. "Because of her nature she always would have to learn Magecraft and she took it, mostly Alchemy, like a fish takes to water. Add to that her mana pool and some of the ideas that she has and I have no doubt that one day she can change the world." Despite praising his sibling his face was somber. "Still she went up and joined an organization whose methods I cannot and will not approve of. That wish to raise Humanity by destroying everything around it."

Setsuna scoffed while letting go of his hand. "They aren't the first of their kind and won't be the last."

Shirou smiled sadly. "But they have my sister's support and I trust Illya to do great things." He shook his head, the smile still sad and in his face. "But with them those great things can bring about disaster. That is why I can't remain weak. In this world we live in, Power is the only thing that can let me protect those I care about." His eyes grew firmer and his smile more confident. "That is why if they step out of line and Illya decides to do something that would be unforgivable, I will be there as her brother and stop her before she gets that far."

For in his Core Shirou was always someone who protected his loved ones, be their ideals or their lives. Illya wasn't in peril, at least for the moment, but there may come a day she will be because of her own actions. With that in mind Shirou's course was set; he would save her, even from herself.

Setsuna felt ashamed as she could understand his feelings. "Why didn't you ask me to help then?" She shook her head and her shoulder burned. His hand came to stop her but she batted it away. "Why didn't you trust me to help in your task? Why are you placing all the responsibility on your shoulders?"

"But I am not-"

"Rias already knows, doesn't she?"

Almost stopping focusing on EM, Shirou still managed to hold back his shock and kept treating Setsuna's shoulder. "She confronted me on why I train so much. Everybody knows I am not like the typical magician, focusing on my research or power; I don't care that much unless it can help someone down the line or as a hobby… or for work I suppose." Despite more than a year working with Rias he still found the notion odd. "Thing is that, in life, we should focus on doing what makes us happy, either being noble or practicing the violin." His pointed look didn't dissuade her. "Regardless of everything Rias agrees with me that in this world, to get what we want, Power is necessary. What she wants more is Freedom but also the safety of her loved ones and as a devil she knows her life will be full of conflicts. Another reason for me to train too, I suppose, even if I should slow down in her opinion."

"But you talked with her." Setsuna insided and Shirou sighed.

"She confronted me, asking why I was always running hagged trying to master dozens of things instead of focusing on one. Trying to see why, from the moment I wake up to the moment I go to bed, training is still on my mind." Shirou chuckled at her surprised look. "Don't look at me like that, it isn't all the time. When you guys want to spend time with me I give you all my attention. School, on the other hand…"

"That is why you grew stronger so fast? Because I didn't train enough?" It was a hard notion for the hanyou to swallow.

But it was believable and Shirou saw it. "More like you didn't train more than you needed. You don't try to push yourself, to seize a goal or get ready for something." He studied her arm, noticing how the bones and muscles were still damaged but it was much better. Unfortunately he was out of mana. "It is hard to do something when you don't have interests or dreams. Even a wish can make someone grow by leaps and bounds. Much like Rias, you also wanted some freedom from your responsibilities. But unlike her who knew she would need more Power to keep her freedom, you didn't see it like that."

The magus began to get up but before he could say something the hanyou spoke again. "Is that why you chose her?" Finally Setsuna asked what she really wanted to ask. "Because much like you she also believes in the nature of the World and Power?"

"No, no." Shirou kneeled before her. "That isn't… Look, it is complicated, alright. Stuff of the heart… I am not good with this. It wasn't a matter of me choosing her." He messed up his hair as he himself didn't know how to explain. After some thought he found the words. "We choose each other would be the better term. She completes me in a way hard to explain and I complete her." A sigh escaped as he scratched his head. "Perhaps if things had been different and we had been more proactive…" He let out a groan while scratching his neck. "Look, life is only one and I can't tell you how it would be with 'what ifs' but I can only tell you how it is now. I love Rias and the thought of living my life without her or Yoruichi hurts me more than you can imagine."

At the end of the sentence Setsuna had to do a double take. "Yoruichi? What does she have-" She began to blush as Shirou looked to the side and scratched his cheek. "What?"

"I have no idea how to explain this to you. Actually, no, maybe this will help, I was intending to tell you anyway." He took a deep breath. "Setsuna, I have a Reality Marble." Her shock was visible but he was too deep to stop now. "I don't know if that influences my emotions but my soul is literally so complicated that I have a pegasus living in an eternal field of swords. Because of that asking me to like just one person is hard? Honestly it wasn't my idea."

"And Rias is fine with this?" Because Setsuna was going to have questions for the Heiress one way or another.

Shirou chuckled a bit. "It was her idea. A way for everyone to be happy." He placed a hand over his heart. "At least I can tell you that the idea of living without either of them would hurt too much. Even though Yoruichi has returned to Kyoto, Koneko and I still exchanged messages with her and talked over the phone just the other day."

Teleportation with that many boundary fields was impossible and she was too busy but technology kept the nekomata close to those who care for her.

Quickly Shirou waved his hands. "This isn't an invitation of any kind or anything like that. I just want you to understand." He smiled. "Even if things were different, things are how they are. I still care for you and I will always care for you and all our friends, that is why I accepted your challenge in the first place."

"But you still care for her- them, more." That was harder to accept than the Reality Marble bit of the conversation.

"Does that mean I don't care about you? Or any of the others?" He tried to not sound offended but it was obvious. Too obvious as Setsuna retreated and Shirou relented. "Look, I don't want to force you to do anything but I understand if you are upset with me."

"More like I am upset with the situation." Setsuna admitted. "Do you really have a Reality Marble?"

"I would have told you sooner but our last real conversation was… well…"

"Tempers flared even if we didn't shout." Both smiled a little. "Sorry."

"Sorry too." He got up and offered his hand. "Now, your shoulder needs someone to take a proper look. We can go to the others and ask Asia's help or you can leave." Seeing Setsuna's hesitation, Shirou smiled kindly. "No matter what happens, I won't force you to do anything but I would like to stay in your life."

He was trying to avoid using the just 'friends' line, he really was. However Shirou was an honest person at heart who wanted the best for Setsuna and didn't want to pressure her in one way or another.

Looking at his hand Setsuna realized that, despite the duel and the conversation they just had, if she walked away from Shirou now he would accept it. It was up to her to decide if their bond would remain or would be severed once for all.

In the end she decided to take his hand. "You are still my true companion." Even if she wanted more.

"Nothing to do with the food, right?" He helped her up with a joke.

There was much Setsuna wanted to say but refrained as she knew emotionally she wasn't ready for all this. "Yeah, I would miss that the most." Small lie, one that she refused to elaborate before turning towards their club. "Also, you won this time, fair and square."

"But-"

"No 'buts'. I won't ask for a date or anything." Setsuna made sure to give him a sincere smile. "Only that one day I will get that win back." One million and more things she wanted to say but she settled with that.

She was smart enough to not push or force either him or herself. Sure Rias had got a relationship first and the past couldn't be changed but whatever they made from then on was up to the both of them.

Once Setsuna realized she didn't want to lose Shirou or anyone else from her life, her decision was made. 'I need to get stronger.' She decided with determination. 'I will grow stronger.'

…..

Running at a normal pace back to Kuoh was painful for Kiba both by how irritating it was for someone with his speed but also because he just wanted to get back. 'I could have waited for the night to fly but nooooo. I just wanted to run.'

However his smile was visible to all who saw him, carrying around a joy that had been missing since he was a kid. It was the kind of smile which could spread happiness to everyone else and Kiba's almost angelic face made it easier for many to share their own smiles even if they didn't know why.

Not that Kiba noticed that much in the good mood he was in, he felt lighter than he had in a long time.

Despite his rush and because of his limitations it was already night when he returned to Kuoh. At least he knew nobody would see when he accelerated and jumped over the fence and opened his wings. There weren't many students anymore so he felt it was a risk free action.

When his foot landed again he accelerated and paid no mind to anything other than the path to the ORC. He arrived in seconds, hoping to catch his friends before they left for their contracts and opening the door with his shoulder. "Guys!"

"Kiba?!" "Senpai?!"

Xenovia and Gasper spoke at the same time in the couch of the club, the Knight noticing a board game with getting set at the table Liz's assistance. He also noticed Setsuna, back in her school uniform, and Jaken on another couch.

The hanyou looked tired but offered her friend a small smile. "You are late."

Kiba smiled back at her. "And you are back."

"Fah!" Jaken hit his staff on the ground. "That is no way to talk to-"

"Jaken, he is a friend."

The kappa frowned but changed the subject. "We should get back, Setsuna-sama. Your wounds may be healed but time will help more."

Setsuna offered her caretaker a small smile. "Later. I haven't been here in a good while."

On seeing Setsuna's good humor, Kiba approached with a smile of his own and sat down. "How was the duel?"

"I lost." Yet she still smiled despite it. Jaken stuttered but said nothing.

"That sucks." Kiba commented as Gasper approached.

The former dhampir's shyness was something that Kiba found himself missing. "Are you really back, senpai?" Since the Knight was avoiding staying at the club, Gasper was the person he saw less of.

"Sorry that I worried you, Gasper. You and everyone else." Xenovia and Liz didn't look that concerned but that was fine to Kiba. He knew he had a look of apologies to give. "But yes, I am back."

"So is Valper dead?" Xenovia asked.

"Don't know, don't care." The older blond commented before picking a piece on the board. "Can I play?"

"It is for four players or more so yeah." Shirou commented as he returned from the kitchen with Medusa. Both carried trays, he had sodas and juice while the goddess had snacks of many kinds. "I just need to go get another cup."

"No, I got it." Kiba raised to his feet and stopped beside Shirou. "And I am sorry for all the troubles I caused over the last few weeks."

"It is fine."

"No, it isn't fine." While Shirou was happy to brush it off, Medusa didn't allow it. "You better not have everyone struggle to help you again anytime soon or I will go for Xenovia's method and drag you around."

"Ehhh!" Gasper hid behind the couch as Xenovia laughed.

Kiba accepted the words with an honest smile. "I see I made you lose your patience."

"Not you, them." She only pointed at Shirou. "He, Rias, Akeno, Koneko, everybody!" Medusa glare was as cut as it was fierce. "If it was only once then fine but I hope we aren't going to deal with this if another Holy Sword shows up. Are we?"

"No, I promise." Much to the relief of many.

Medusa studied Kiba's face for a moment before nodding. "Good." She then looked at the board. "I am the snake piece."

"There is no snake piece." Setsuna pointed out and the purple haired goddess turned to Shirou.

The magus got the message and traced a small figure of a snake with wings in the appropriate size for the board game. "Will this do?"

"Yes. As expected of my protector once he remembered his position." Her glare showed she was still a little annoyed with him.

When Kiba returned he found himself smiling again as he approached Setsuna. "Say, can you sign something for me?"

"'Sign'?"

"Careful, Setsuna-sama. He is a devil. Make sure to read whatever you have to sign."

"Oh let it go, midget." Xenovia grabbed some dice and got ready to play. "Now come on! We have to decide the order."

"Isn't usually the youngest to the oldest?" Gasper asked and Xenovia laughed before ignoring him.

Meanwhile things were defined, Setsuna read the letter Rias had written for Kiba with everyone else's signatures. "Only yours is missing."

"I need a pen-"

"Here." Shirou produced one from his bag.

She received it with a smile and returned the letter. "Thank you." Then she smiled and got the dice before pointing at Shirou. "I may have lost the duel but I will win this."

"Oh it is on!" He had the Emiya family reputation of game players to protect after all.

Kiba laughed a little more while looking at his letter. "No, thank you." He placed it on a side table with the goal of emoldurating it later.

Besides Setsuna's signature was the message; 'To my good friend, call if you need, Setsuna.'

…..

"Keep using a bike', they say, 'It won't be the same without it', they said." Issei grumbled as he moved at a fast pace with his bike around Fuyuki. "It doesn't matter that I can teleport now, the clients want me on a bike… I don't even know this new guy. He wouldn't know about my bike but Buchou offered to add that option." He almost cried a little. "I know it's a little more money but I shouldn't have taken it."

He couldn't even blame the fact he was a devil on his greed because he wanted to buy a game and it was either that or wait for another week. Issei chose to keep taking her offer, sure that only a few of his clients, enough to buy his game, would still want him on a bike. So confident he was on it that Issei was ready to retire his bike.

Turned out he was wrong.

Still racing the streets at night, Issei kept looking around for his newest client address. He never had been to that part of the town, a new one full of expensive apartments.

He stopped to pick up a paper from his pocket. "Really a strange place for a 'bachelor new pad'." Issei looked around, finding a sign. "Thank you night vision. Goddamned, I just hope he pays well to help him move. Who knows, maybe he'll be a great client. Better than-" He shivered at the memory of a muscle bound man dressed as a magical girl. 'Good luck, Luvia-san. Maybe you can help Mil-tan realize his dream.' More pedaling later, the Pawn began to muse. 'At least I wanted to take Asia-chan to her client but it would take too long with mine on the other side of the town… Why did I agree with Buchou about the option of summoning me on a bike? Oh, right, Adventures of Likari-chan IV, The Forbidden Cave. Why are games so expensive?'

Still he couldn't complain since he did agree with it, even without much thought. There were other arguments in favor of it too besides allowing him to charge more for the entertainment value, Issei also got extra training with his bike modified with heavier wheels.

Arguments aside, Rias was right that it was for his own good and the Pawn acknowledged that. Didn't stop him from letting out a sigh at remembering that conversation. 'I should have at least asked her to let me see her breasts-' An image of Shirou with a sword covered with blood cut off that thought. 'Maybe not. Akeno-san's then. That would be fair, right?'

Just imagining the Queen taking off her uniform made Issei flush and he almost fell from the bike. He held on and pushed forward until he found the address.

Checking the paper twice, Issei nodded. "This is it." He approached with his bike to show he used it and rang the bell. 'I hope this guy isn't-'

The door opened and a tall man looking to be in his twenties with an average build, black hair, golden bangs, a goatee, violet eyes and a smile of glee. "Well, I will be damned, you really came on a bike. Hahaha, that is rich!" He was dressed in a dark green yukata and held his head with a hand as he laughed. "A devil traveling on a bike, that is a first. Going to pay you triple just for the amusement alone."

"Really?" Issei couldn't believe his ears. 'Lucky!'

"Sure, sure. I am a man of my word and that, heheheheh, that is an image I didn't know I needed to see until I saw it. It is so funny! Hahahaha!"

Personally Issei didn't see it as a big deal but he remembered the advice his fellow devils gave him. 'The client is always right.' He nodded and prepared to get back on business. "Sir, you called the House Gremory for a contract. I am your devil, Hyoudou Issei, nice to meet you." Polite, professional and honest. 'Buchou is going to be so proud.'

"No need for formalities my friend. We just met and you are going to give me a huge help." He opened the door to reveal boxes, lots and lots of boxes. "As I said in the email; I just moved in and unfortunately I don't know anybody in the area that can help. My brother was around the town buuuuuuut he had to leave."

"Why? Something happened?" Issei tried to not be intimidated by the number of things he needed to unpack.

"Picked a fight with a girl and a friend had to bail him out. Though he still ended up in prison."

"Sorry."

His client waved it off. "Nah, he is kind of a dick. A few years of cooling down will do him good." He stepped forward and opened a box. "Now come on. It is going to take days to fix this place. Good for you, Issei, you just got a steady job." He offered the younger man a smile. "If you don't mind, that is."

"Of course not. If anything this is easier than my usual contracts." Issei quickly opened a box and found a painting that he was sure cost more money he and his ancestors ever made in their lives which had his eyes jumping off his head. 'Holy- ouch- I need to be careful. If I drop this box I will end up paying this for the rest of my life.'

His client chuckled. "Really? Do tell. Are all your clients difficult?"

"No, they just ask for things I can't grant… Or I get distracted." Issei then found a super old vase that seemed to be from somewhere in the middle east. 'Is he a collector or something? This stuff should be in a museum.' Carefully he closed the box with the vase and moved to another one.

"It happens to the best of us." The man chuckled. "Believe me, if it wasn't for my job I probably would just live 'distracted' as my brothers call it." He then pointed to another box. "If you don't want to mess with the art," Issei flinched as he retreated from a box with a small statue, "then you can help with those ones. Just a couple of books and stuff."

"Yes sir." Books were fine, Issei was sure he couldn't ruin them. Then he remembered something extremely important for his job. "Sorry that it took me so long to ask but… what is your name again?"

"You can call me 'Ace'. Like Ace of Spades."

"Sure thing, Ace-san." Issei liked the man's easy going attitude.

Liking even more with the answer he got. "No 'san' business here, no forms of 'sir' in any language, please. I came to this town to make friends and I got too much of 'sir' at work. Give me a break already."

Issei chuckled as he recognized the stress he saw on his father and his King. "Then what about 'ossan'?"

That got the man perked up. "'Ossan', hmm." He gave the devil a thumbs up. "Approved. Now let's get working. There are some gifts around here somewhere for people I want to meet. Maybe I can give you one as payment." His hidden smile was a mischievous one.

"You don't need to do that!" This stuff was way too expensive for Issei to feel safe with, much less own one.

"No, no. I insist." For some reason the devil felt he was being pranked but the tall man's face looked serious. If anything he looked regal even, as a king bestowing his art to a man who did a good job. "But first things first; we have a lot of boxes to open."

And looking around both of them knew there was a lot of work to do.