Anime/Manga È Misc. È The trouble with mana B s : A A A Author: 22671991 Fiction Rated: K+ - English - General/Humor - Reviews: 7 - Published: 04-15-06 - Updated: 04-15-06 - Complete id:2893896 This just popped into my head after seeing something related in a board on 4chan. Blame them for this, not me. Rin glared at the woman across from her, again, and took a deep breath. ÒSo,Ó she began, her voice wavering almost imperceptibly. ÒSo, youÕre absolutely sure that my mana transfer isnÕt working?Ó The blonde woman nodded precisely and made a soft affirmative sound. Her blue-green eyes did not rise from the floor between them. Rin swallowed hard. ÒAre you sureÉÓ ÒOn a knightÕs honour,Ó said the blonde woman in a soft, but firm voice. ÒI have no reason to make up such a thing, Master. That would be meaningless.Ó ÒYou say that nowÉÓ Rin set her cup down on the table and leaned back in her seat a little more. Her head tipped back to rest against the back of the couch and she stared dimly up at the ceiling. ÒWhat an inappropriate situation. I had thought that with my magic expertise, you would be the most powerful Servant of all. But now I canÕt even recharge your mana reserves for even simple self-healing.Ó ÒIt is not your fault, Tohsaka-san. Perhaps I have not been performing my duties properly?Ó The dark-haired magician waved one hand dismissively, grinning across the table at her Servant. ÒThatÕs just nonsense. Ever since I summoned you, Saber has been nothing but the perfect Servant. With your help, I can surely defeat any other Master, no matter how powerful they are.Ó The blonde woman dipped her head slightly and said nothing, her expression firmly neutral. ÒWellÉif I am still unable to channel mana into you the usual wayÉÓ Saber looked up suddenly, a hint of confusion behind her eyes. ÒThere isÉone wayÉÓ Rin rubbed the back of her head as she blushed. ÒBut thatÕs just silly. I mean, it sounds like some perverted manga or somethingÉÓ Saber blinked, clearly oblivious. ÒIf this is the only option left,Ó she said a little more insistently than before, Òthen it must be taken. Without my mana, I am of little use as your Servant, Tohsaka-san.Ó ÒWellÉitÕs justÉitÉinvolvesÉerÉÓ Rin made some very vague gestures with her fingers and fidgeted a little in her seat. Saber looked none the wiser from any of it. Although she did notice, eventually, that RinÕs eyes were slowly drifting up and down her body. Such an intense look, as if the young magician girl was peering straight through her blouseÉ She gasped. ÒNo! NotÉthÉthat!Ó Her face was flushing slowly and there was a somewhat desperate look in her eyes as she spoke. ÒThat wouldÉthat would beÉÓ ÒIt seems that itÕs our only option, unfortunately,Ó replied the magician, averting her gaze so that Saber couldnÕt see her own blushing face. ÒIÕmÉsure thatÉitÕllÉbe fine, really. I can devote my time toÉresearch, to find some other way. Something moreÉwellÉreasonably, at least.Ó Saber blinked. ÒButÉhow do weÉI meanÉÓ She clenched her fists tight at her sides and glared down at the floor. ÒHowÉdo weÉwellÉthat isÉÓ ÒYou donÕtÉknow?Ó ÒOf course IÉÓ the blonde woman began, then trailed off. ÒJustÉnot withÉ IÕve neverÉwith anotherÉÓ Rin stood up quickly, determinedly. ÒThen IÕll teach you! Or rather,Ó she corrected hastily, red-faced, Òwe can learn together! So that you can regenerate all the mana you needÉÓ Saber sat on the very edge of the bed, her legs hanging off the end and folded to one side with her hands resting neatly in her lap. Her eyes were focused intently on the floor just in front of her, and a deep scarlet flush diffused through the smooth, pale skin of her cheeks. Her body was taught and tense, and trembling in the very slightest. ÒAre youÉare you ready?Ó She decided not to look up and nodded her head just a touch, her lips parting to an almost inaudible noise of affirmation. There was a sharp click, and the light in the room died, leaving her illuminated only by the faint moonlight seeping in through the thin curtains. A palpable sensation of anxiety crept through the air, as if the whole room was holding its breath, as if the surroundings themselves were waiting for something to happen. Soft, muffled footsteps padded across the floor towards the bed, slowly, cautiously, almost hesitantly. There was a ruffle of cloth as clothing was shed, piece by piece. A dark, pleated skirt fell to the floor with a whuff and delicate, black stocking-clad feet stepped out of the cluttered remains where it lay on the wooden floor. A hand touched her shoulder. Saber looked up, diffidently, and found a startlingly beautiful female face gazing raptly down at her. Tohsaka did certainly look different by moonlight. Rin held her other hand up, but it wavered and hung in midair before it reached its intended destination. ÒThis is justÉÓ Saber swallowed again. ÒBecauseÉbecause we have no otherÉno other way ofÉofÉÓ Rin cupped the blonde womanÕs cheek, and she fell into a stunned silence. She stayed that way as her Master leant down over her, until their faces were so close that the blonde was forced to lean backÉ ÉRin followed her motion, gaining ground in the process. In no time at all, their lips met. It was clumsy, uneven, sudden; a faltering first kiss. Both girls froze for a moment afterward. RinÕs hand on that lightly clad shoulder trembled. Before she knew it, her fingers were loosening the buttons on the ServantÕs blouse with the ease of long practice on her own garments. Her conscious mind seemed to rush away from her all at once as she leaned in again and stole a second kiss, undeniably more passionate than the first. Saber stared at her reflection. It stared back, wide-eyed. It looked a little shell-shocked, for want of a better word. ÒThat,Ó she muttered in a voice that was far steadier and calmer than she felt inside. ÒThatÉwasÉjustÉÓ ÒIÕll start researching as soon as possible,Ó interrupted Rin nervously. ÒIÕm sure thereÕs aÉmore agreeable way for you to draw mana.Ó Saber turned and stared at her Master. That was probably a bad idea; her Master was still practically naked and didnÕt seem aware enough to cover herself from the blondeÕs gaze. Saber felt her cheeks reddening again and breathed deeply. ÒJustÉthe onceÉÓ Rin looked up at her. It was an ominous look. ÒUnless,Ó she said quietly, ÒI canÕtÉfind anything useful.Ó Both women looked back towards the bed. An uneasy sort of tension gathered between them in the space of seconds. ÒAre you sure youÕre feeling all better now?Ó she asked in a voice that was revealingly monotone. Saber wetted her lips with the tip of her tongue. ÒAhÉperhapsÉI have not fully recovered yet,Ó she replied in the same almost dead tone of voice. ÒIt would be better toÉto make sureÉthat my mana reserves areÉf...fullÉÓ Rin took her by the hand and swept her across the room like a strong breeze brushing leaves across the ground. Moonlight streamed in through the still-open window and gave the whole room a more romantic, otherworldly feel. The third kiss was better than the first two. By far. This doesn't mean nothing, honest.