Brotherly bond and a Blooming Feelings

"Kirei, why did you come out? I thought I asked to stay out of the conversation."

Young executor bowed his head slightly before apologizing. "Forgive me, father. However, I thought that giving Avenger and her master information about Caster will ensure the demise of a monster."

Risei's eyes were closed, as usual, but a frown was seen on his face. "Son, you know we can't support any master." before Kirei could say anything he added. "Besides Tohsaka, that goes without saying."

"That was part of my idea as well. The Einzbern master is hiding in their castle in the forest. Sending Avenger to deal with Caster will force Einzbern's Saber to fight since two servants are on their territory."

"How do you even know that Caster will show up?"

Kirei turned to the said and nodded to no one. A second later a female figure appeared before two men. "When Caster appeared before Saber and her master he spoke to her as if they knew each other," said Assassin.

"Two servants from the same time?" sighed his father. "That's not a good omen for us."

"Actually father. It would seem that Saber didn't recognize Caster or didn't want to. She threatened to attack him if he didn't leave them." The young priest pointed out. "Caster and Saber aren't allies or at least Saber doesn't want to be allied with him." However, Kirei's face darkened. "I'm more worried about this Lelouch Lamperouge. Do you believe him?"

"Hm, it's a difficult thing to say. To be honest I couldn't tell if he was lying about his reasons to fight in the war but at the same time, I can't trust him blindly. If he really what he claimed to be then I don't see any reasons to be enemies against him. Killing fellow believers isn't something I like."

"Understood, father. I will inform the teacher Tohsaka about it."

"Good." smiled his father before addressing another person in the room. "By the way Assassin. You or the others weren't spying on Mr. Lamperouge while we spoke?"

The female servant shook her head. "Negative. After Avenger killed our scout, master Kirei decided to stay out of church ground while they were here." The fight in the port didn't go according to a scenario that Kirei and Tokiomi wanted. His teacher was forced to use one of his command spells on the king Gilgamesh and Kirei lost one of the Assassins thanks to Avenger who somehow felt their presence.

Since she could feel them, Kirei decided that it would be better to order Assassins to go after families that were sent by masters. They wanted to learn as much about Avenger's master but he made sure the church was safe from spying eyes.

'Lelouch Lamperouge. Does he really want to claim the Grail and hand it to the Vatican or is it a facade? Whatever it might be I don't care, I just need to follow the teacher's plan and be done with this war.'

Somewhere else in the city.

Among city buildings, a small alley was hidden. Inside it was nothing but trash bags and among them was a man with grey hair, sleeping or more correctly unconscious. He was wearing a dark blue jacket with a hood and black pants. However, what caught attention was his face or rather how deformed it was. The left side of his face was mutilated, his left arm twitching from time to time even if he wasn't awake.

________________________________

"Wake up, princess. Rise and shine."

Suddenly a male voice interrupted the crippled man's wallowing. A hooded figure slowly started to move as a man on the ground opened his eyes. The right eye had a dark purple colour while the left one was almost grey. Opening his eyes, the man felt pain probably because of last night. He slowly looked at sides, remembering where he was before raising his head to see a person before him. Clear surprise appeared on his face when he saw a familiar face.

"Byakuya?" blue-haired man with purple eyes said. He was wearing a grey suit and black pants. He immediately felt a familiar smell from a man in front of him, alcohol.

"Good morning to you too, Kariya." Byakuya said sarcastically to his brother, Kariya Matou, the master of Berserker and participant of the Fourth Holy Grail war. He looked at the trash bugs around his little brother. "Looks like you found yourself a base of operation for the war."

Kariya narrowed his eyes, well, his right eye. "Come on, joke about how I belong here."

"That will be too easy, Kariya," smirked Byakuya and Kariya sighed with frustration. "Besides, I come here to check on you and see if you already lost the war."

This time he little brother glared at him."Well, as you can see I'm still breathing and kicking. I'm not going to lose this war, Byakuya." he said and started to stand up."If Zouken sent you to torment me then just fuc-" however before he could finish, Kariya felt a sharp pain at his left shoulder and fell forward.

However, instead of a falling master of Berserker felt two arms caught him. Raising his head, Kariya was surprised to his brother supporting him. Even more surprising was the look on Byakuya face, it wasn't anger or disgust. No, it was something closer to pity and regret. Kariya wanted to ask what he was doing but before he could a more familiar pain returned to him. He turned away from his brother and vomited with blood and cursed worms of Zouken.

"...I see you still enduring it," commented Byakuya and Kariya could swear he felt sadness in his tone.

"I-if it means saving Sakura then I will endure anything. Be it war or Zouken." he said and covered his mouth, cleaning blood from his lips with his working right hand. "This is nothing."

Byakuya was silent, looking at the picture before him. Kariya, a little brother whom he envied when they were kids. But now? Looking at Kariya before him Byakuya couldn't help but wonder about some things. "Come on. You need some rest." he said and gave him a hand to help.

"W-what?" his brother looked confused.

"I said you need some rest. I'm taking you with me."

"I'm not going home!" shouted Kariya when Byakuya took his hand and tried to go.

"We are not going back there. None of us wants to be near Zouken, believe me. But staying here isn't an option either. I will buy you a room in some hotel to stay in. So stop bitching and let's go!" yelled Byakuya and took his hand by force before he started moving. He half expected that beast to appear and protect his master but it seems Berserker didn't care too much about Kariya. Nobody did, well probably beside Byakuya but he wouldn't admit it.

"...Why are you helping me, Byakuya?" It was an obvious question. Two brothers weren't closest siblings ever, rarely calling each other. Kariya would usually visit to see his nephew but not him. To be honest, Byakuya himself wasn't completely sure about it.

"Let's be honest, Kariya. You won't survive this war even if you win. It might be our last meeting and I think I could at least try to make it memorable."

"But why?"

Byakuya sighed tiredly."Just, think about it as my last gift to you, okay? Maybe I don't want another reason to drink at night." God knew, he had enough already. "I'm helping you today and after that, you are on your own."

It would seem it was enough to silence Kariya as two brothers made their way towards the nearest, and preferably cheapest motel in the city. Still, Byakuya glanced back at him and thought about something. Maybe buying some food for him wouldn't be bad too. However, Byakuya's thoughts were interrupted by a sudden word he didn't expect to hear from him.

"Thanks, Byakuya."

______________________________

Outside Fuyuki

It was sunset when Avenger made her way towards Fuyuki forest where Caster might appear in her spirit form. If the priest didn't lie, something that will cost him his life, then Caster should appear there in order to confront Saber for unknown reasons. Two servants at one place and if Saber was against Caster as well then the fight will not be hard.

Before coming here, Avenger and her master made a stop in Fuyuki's police department to 'temporarily take' some documents regarding Caster's master who didn't bother to hide his identity. With Avenger's spirit form, stealing documents was peace of cake. However, leaving her master behind didn't appear as a pleasant idea to Avenger, for some reasons.

'He can take care of himself, as long as he isn't facing an enemy servant.' her master, Lelouch is smart and she knew he could survive without her. However, it didn't stop worrying about feeling inside her. Avenger didn't understand where this feeling came from but she liked to think it was because if Lelouch died she would lose her only anchor to this world before she won the Grail. 'Stop thinking about it, he is full of secrets. He will be fine. I need to focus on my mission...and on this.'

Avenger stopped moving as she saw an interesting and quite disturbing scene before her.

"Come on, children!" said a high voice that has come out of a hideous creature in robes with fishy eyes that was a leading group of kids who were clearly scared but did as he said. "We don't want to make the Holy Maiden wait any longer!"

'This must be Caster.' she thought as she looked closely at him. Disgust was on top of her thoughts as she analyzed him. 'Well, this is interesting. Is he planning to use these children as hostages against Saber? Her knightly attitude might be used against her. Heh, then better to take care of it right now.' thought Avenger as she has come out of spirit form and raised her minigun and aimed at Caster.

To be continued

__________________________________

Cliffhanger Kun arrived at the last minute of confrontation between both servant and another chapter is done with 1,681 words, and I hope you enjoy.