Chapter Five: The Little Hound

Normal POV

The sound of a battle could be heard which wasn't an uncommon sight here in the land of Shadows. 

It had been a few months since his defeat at the hands of Scáthach his one chance at finding an end to his seemingly eternal existence had slipped through his fingers. Now he was bound by the terms of their agreement 

The relationship between them was complex but devoid of any emotional entanglements they shared a connection built on mutual respect and physical need, but it was strictly for their pleasure—nothing more. 

There was no love or romance between them, just a practical arrangement to satisfy their desires and then move on to the next grueling lesson. 

Logan preferred it that way he didn't think he could ever start a romantic relationship with another...not after the loss of the first woman he had ever loved. He shook his head he'd rather not think about her doing so only ever let him drown back into his memories with her either that or he would start hallucinating again.

Aside from that particular aspect of their little relationship Scathach had only been teaching him how to fight better in unarmed combat and of course the use of a spear no runes were taught to him though as he did not possess any magical prowess. 

Scathach true to her word, had been relentless in her training she had taught him how to hone his instincts, to fight better in unarmed combat, and to wield a spear although he preferred to use his claws over the spear.

 However, that was where her teachings ended, she offered no instruction in magic or runes, as Logan lacked the innate magical prowess to make use of such skills nowadays all they did was just hunt for food, train, sex, sleep, rinse and then repeat.

As he stood up, dusting off the dirt from his clothes a sudden shift in the air caught his attention. His heightened senses picked up a new presence—a young man approaching from the edge of the battlefield the man was still a distance away, but Logan could pick up the smell of fresh sweat and dog. 

Scathach seemed to notice as well her gaze shifting toward the newcomer "it seems we have a guest," she remarked her tone indifferent as she lowered her spear.

 As the young man came closer Logan could make out more details a tall, lean figure with a blue haired tied up ponytail, red eyes simile to blood but nothing like Scathach's wine colored one's, and a fierce, determined expression on his face.

The young man finally came to a stop a few feet away, his eyes flicking between Logan and Scathach he looked to be in his late teens barely a full adult

"Who are you, kid?" Logan asked, his voice gruff but not unkind.

The young man met his gaze without hesitation "I am Setanta," he replied his voice steady and confident "I've come here to seek training under Scathach."

Logan raised an eyebrow, glancing over at Scathach, who was observing the boy with a keen eye "Setanta, huh? You're a bit young to be wandering into a place like this," Logan remarked.

Setanta's expression didn't waver "age doesn't matter here. Only strength and skill do,"

Logan chuckled softly at the boy's boldness 'me and the kid may get along just fine if Scathach does decide to take him on' he thought before continuing "fair enough but do you have any idea what you're getting into?"

"I do," Setanta replied firmly "I want to not only become the greatest warrior but prove to someone that I am worthy of their daughter and in order to do that I need to be trained by the best."

Scathach finally stepped forward her gaze sharp as she assessed the boy before her "you seek to learn from me," she stated more as a fact than a question.

Setanta nodded determination burning in his eyes "Yes, Lady Scathach I've traveled far to find you."

For a moment, Scathach was silent her expression unreadable. Then she gave a slight nod "very well. But know this, Setanta—training here is not for the faint of heart. You will face challenges that will push you to your limits and beyond. Do you still wish to proceed?"

The boy shrugged "sure how hard can it be," he said causing Logan to inwardly wince the kid had just pushed the Scathach button he would know having said something similar to her and in retaliation had made their training to life-or-death battles since she couldn't die, and he couldn't die due to his insane regeneration. 

Already Logan could see the tell signs of her having been triggered by Setenta's words the tightening of her grip on her spear and the barely noticeable twitch her right eyebrow.

"How hard can it be?" Scathach echoed her voice deceptively calm "you wish to prove your worth? Then you will do so by surviving the training I put you through. Here strength and skill are forged in battle, and weakness is rooted out by pain."

Setanta's confident expression faltered slightly as he caught the shift in Scathach's demeanor. He wasn't foolish—he could sense the danger now, the weight of what he had just provoked Logan could look at him with sympath. 

Scathach turned away from them both, her spear still in hand, and began walking toward the center of the battlefield. "Follow me," she commanded, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Logan exchanged a glance with Setanta, the unspoken warning clear in his eyes "good luck kid...because that's a hell that you're not going to come back out of," Logan said patting him on the back before following Scathach.

Setanta swallowed slightly at his words but fell in step behind them his grip tightening on his own spear. They reached a more wide, open area of the battlefield, where the ground was scorched and scarred from countless previous encounters Scathach came to a stop and turned to face them.

"You wish to become a greatest warrior then step forward and prove your worth," Scathach began her voice carrying an edge of steel "you will combat with both James whom you've already met alongside myself only after will I decide if you are worthy of my training," she continued.

Setanta blinked his surprise evident "wait the both of you? At the same time?" he questioned.

Logan smirked shaking his head "don't worry your head off to much kid I won't hurt ya to badly Scathach on the other hand now...well you can guess," he said glancing at Scathach before settling his gaze back Setenta

Scathach didn't wait for any further comments she raised her spear pointing it directly at Setanta "prepare yourself," then with a thrust of her feet she launched herself at the young man.

Logan cracked his neck before exhaling then with a swift shink his claws a low growl escapes from his mouth then much like Scathach he pushed himself forward leaving a trail of dirt all while staring at a pair of nervous looking red eyes. 

 -flashback end- 

Logan snapped out of his transe and focused back on the scene he could see the Emiya kid panicking on the ground looking around in fear so without waiting any longer he let out claws come out from his knuckles his eyes catching a familiar spear of crimson. 

Just as the kid was about to stand up Cu appeared ready to thrust Gae Bolg into his chest but Logan was quick to appear and catch the spear between his right set of claws while his left slashed at Cu's abdomen. 

Cu jumps back while Logan quickly glances back at his still in shock student "oi snap out of it already kid and run!" he shouted making Shirou look at him with wide eyes "logan-sen-sensei" he stuttered out "yeah it's me now stop standing there gawking like an idiot and run," he repeated again. 

Shirou's eyes glanced at his claws but eventually his body moved into a sprint Logan let out a silent exhale before turning back to face his old friend that should be dead but here, he was as if though he didn't die standing on his own two feet leaning against a tree. 

"it's been a long time...Setenta," Logan greeted causing the still recovering Cu to look up his eyes wide upon seeing Logan "James.. hehehe why am I not surprised to see you still kicking around old timer" he chuckled causing Logan to smirk. 

-end of chapter five- 

and there you have it chapter five is complete along with Logan's history between Scathach and Cu next chapter will hopefully cover a brief battle between the two before Cu is forced to chase after Shirou again and he summons Saber.