[Hail to the King] Part One (Patreon)

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, Fate, or any other anime I use in this story. They belong to their respective owners: Masashi Kishimoto and Type-Moon..

Hail to the King - Part One

"Alright, if that concludes our discussion, I believe we should conclude this meeting. "A young-looking boy said from atop his throne at the table.

He looked to be a refined, slightly feminine-looking young male. His long, golden blonde hair was tied into a small bun, as an extravagant, bright gold crown lay atop his head. He was dressed in the finest of clothing, with ornate silver armor over it.

His green eyes looked across the circular table, seeing his many knights that sat with him. Many of them having served him for many years.

"Actually, your highness, if I may make a request," a voice spoke, as all the knights turned towards the person who spoke up.

He was a handsome-looking tall man, with purple hair, as he was dressed in a heavy suit of silver armor with golden highlights.

Arthur raised an eyebrow, not expecting this knight to speak. "You may, Lancelot," he stated impassively, as the purple-haired man cleared his throat.

"I'd like to recommend a knight to the round table," he stated, surprising many of his fellow knights around him.

This peaked his king's interest: "And who would you like to recommend?" He inquired impassively.

The man coughed. "I would like to recommend Sir Naruto," he told them, as many of his fellow knights recognized the name and nodded in approval.

His king recognized the name as well, but even still, he had to ask. "And what would you say qualifies him for such a position?"

Lancelot gulped, but he felt that the young boy was ready. "Young Naruto has proven himself to be well above all the other knights, as he has performed nearly three times more missions than those of the knights not within the round table. I believe it is only right that we reward him because of it." He told his king.

"I second this nomination," another voice said, leaving many of the other knights even more surprised.

"Uh, Gawain?" Lancelot asked, not expecting his fellow knight to agree with his decision.

Gawain was a senior knight of the round table, and he was also hailed as being the strongest, along with Lancelot himself. And although the people debated on who was the stronger of the two, the purple-haired man still held a respect for the blonde, but he did not expect the man to second his request.

The handsome-looking man nodded. "I have served with Young Naruto many times; he has proven himself a valuable and honorable knight under my command, and I believe it is only right I speak up for him." He explained.

"I agree as well," another knight of the round stated, as he rose from his seat as well.

This time it was a younger-looking male, with white hair that shadowed one of his eyes, as he wore armor as black as the night sky.

Sir Galahad, Lancelot's biological son, spoke.

Arthur nodded. The knight's reasoning was sound, and truth be told, she had planned on knighting the man soon. But with the recommendation of two of her best knights of the round table, as well as another knight who had earned his place, Arthur felt this was the best opportunity to do so.

Off in the corner, a blonde raised a golden eyebrow, as tired eyes opened their eyelids, revealing the blueish-green orbs that lay beneath. The knight's face was angular, and he appeared to be either a feminine-looking male, or a tomboyish-looking female.

Mordred also wore bulky armor, a set that nearly covered 'his' entire body.

The hidden female perked up, hearing that a new knight of the round was possibly going to join their ranks.

She was one of the many who were surprised by just who recommended him. Lancelot recommending a knight was unexpected; he was a bit of a loner when it came to these things. Galahad agreeing with the man was even more surprising, seeing as how she knew they didn't usually get along. But Gawain, another one of the strongest knights, is also recommending the same person?

She hadn't heard of this Sir Naruto before, but judging by the company he kept, perhaps he'd be good in a fight?

Arthur made a decision: "Very well, I shall send for Sir Naruto," the king concluded.

Mordred couldn't help but grin a little; she couldn't wait to meet the bastard.

XXX

Hours later.

But Mordred's curiosity soon turned to anger.

It had nearly been over three hours, and the knights of the round were still sitting at their table, but she could see many of them had grown irritated at the long wait.

She could see Lancelot was palming his face, while even Gawain had a bit of a sour look on his face. The only one who held an impassive gaze was Sir Galahad, and for some reason she could expect that the white-haired male had predicted that this would happen.

King Arthur was impassive as ever, but if you were observant enough, you could see that there was a slight twitch of his fingers every few minutes as they were planted firmly on his chair's armrests.

Suddenly, the large doors to the meeting room abruptly opened, as a tired-looking blonde made his presence known.

Mordred saw that it was a young man, one who looked similar in age to the young Sir Galahad, and herself. His hair was an unusual golden blonde, a similar color to her own, as well as her father's, as his hair spiked out in all directions. His skin was also tanned, with what appeared to be whisker-like birthmarks across his cheeks. He was adorning a set of silver armor, with blue plants and blue Faulds underneath.

He certainly was a strange-looking fellow, one many women would call a handsome, if a bit wild-looking, young male.

But Mordred couldn't see it that way, as all she saw was anger.

The young male was left heaving for breath, as he greedily took it in, sweat marking his brow. But even then, he still kneeled before his king.

"Your highness, I apologize for my tardiness," he stated, as his king looked down upon him impassively.

The king's advisor, however, was not as silent. "Such insolence," Agrivain, stated. "Your presence here is now a mockery unto our king."

Naruto looked at the man, a grimy, pale-skinned man with dark hair, the king's royal advisor. "You're right," he said in shame as he looked down once again.

"Of course I am; I believe this incident has seen fit that he is—" Aggravain was cut off, as his king raised his hand.

"Young Naruto, might I inquire why you are so late?" Arthur asked.

"Of course you may," Naruto affirmed. "Well, I was rushing over here when I got the message," he started, before he blushed a little in embarrassment. "But I spotted carting a heavy load across her back, and..." he trailed off, realizing he was rambling.

Galahad only sighed. He had expected as much; the blonde would always stop and help an old lady whenever he spotted one in need. Gawain silently beamed, happy at his subordinate's honor, but he only wished the boy would display it at a better time.

"I see," the king said in thought, as he stared at the boy. This boy didn't have any semblance of deceit within his figure, so he could only discern that his excuse was indeed valid.

"Very well, I shall… overlook this transgression on this day." Arthur resolved.

"You will?" Naruto asked in surprise.

"Yes," Arthur repeated. "But within the future, I suggest you manage your time much more wisely; I will not allow for such an event to happen again." He told the blonde.

"Of course, your highness," Naruto nodded, still embarrassed at the fact he had arrived so late.

His king nodded. "Very well, then , without further delay, I suggest we carry on with the ceremony," the king stated.

"Ceremony?" Naruto asked in confusion.

Arthur inwardly smirked, although he still held his emotionless expression. "Why, your induction into the knights of the round table, of course," he told him.

"What?!" Naruto nearly shouted.

XXX

King Arthur, the King of Camelot, hailed as the perfect king, one who has made no mistake and has brought Britain up from the fractured states that were sought after by the Saxons.

He was the only reason Britain stands today; as a symbol of this prosperity, Camelot was formed as the capital of the new British Empire.

King Arthur had assembled his kingdom and formed a group of elite knights known as the Knights of the Round Table. Bringing new hope to all those who lived within it, he was truly the perfect king…

Oh, if only that were true.

Currently, the young-looking blonde was alone in his study, dutifully working to preserve the prosperity of his kingdom.

Suddenly, the blonde stopped in his writing as he looked up.

It happened within only an instant, as the boy took up his nearby sword, Excalibur, and released it from its sheath. It was then that he quickly brought his sword up, turning and pointing it towards the intruder as he did so.

A white man nervously laughed, not expecting the blonde to attack him outright, as he cowardly raised his hands to show he was not a threat.

"Oh, come now, dear Artoria, why must you be so hostile?" the mage asked, a sword still pointed at his throat.

The only response he received was his sword growing closer to his windpipe.

"Please don't be like that, Artoria; you used to be such a sweet little girl," he somewhat teased.

The one known as 'Arthur' spoke up. "And why should I entertain your games any longer, Merlin?" the hidden female asked as she narrowed her eyes at the head mage.

A handsome-looking man with long white hair who was adorned in a white cloak.

Merlin, the magus of flowers, a half incubus as well as a half human. A wizard who had garnered a reputation in his own right. He was the king's royal mage, one she only called upon when she was in dire need, not that he would help. As he had proven to be a rather tough thorn in the king's side when he wanted to be.

The cowardly man tapped his finger along the sharp edge of the blade as he gulped. "Um, because we've known each other for so long, your life would be meaningless without me," the man pathetically argued.

But the king only narrowed her eyes even more, not buying the incubus's excuse.

Merlin decided to change the subject: "So, I heard you got a new knight of the round table; isn't that fun?" He nervously laughed.

Artoria finally lowered her sword, sheathing it at her hip. "I have," she stated.

The white-haired mage nodded. "I've seen the kid around; he seems pretty nice, not one you'd expect to be indited so young." He commented

"What is your point?" The blonde asked.

Merlin just came out and said it, "He reminds you of the knight, Sir Bedivere, doesn't he?"

Artoria frowned, remembering the silver-haired knight who'd perished during her conquest of the fractured states of Britain.

The king frowned, not liking the mage's accusations. "And what if he does?" she asked.

"Well, Sir Bedivere was always your most loyal knight, one who sacrificed his life just so you could get here today. And now this boy, so kind and honorable, just like he was, reminds you of him," Merlin stated.

Artoria narrowed her eyes. "What are you implying?"

Merlin waved her off, saying, "Oh, don't be like that; I think this is a good thing; you've always been someone not influenced by emotions. But this is different; maybe you've grown in my time away?" He stated.

This development could change things. Artoria was always destined to be sent to a horrible fate at the end of her reign; he knew that. It was foretold that her life would end in misery.

But now? The future was clouded; he simply didn't know what was to happen.

It was incredible! The future itself was entirely changed. He wanted to know what caused this, and he thought he had found the answer.

Just who was this Naruto Uzumaki? Everything that was foretold was now blurred. He wanted to know what kind of future he would have.

"He's quite young, but I think that this position could be good for him; hopefully he'll shape up to the role; I know he has the determination for it," Merlin stated, having observed the blond from a distance. "And then there's his—" he nearly stated before he cut himself off.

"And then there's?" Artoria questioned, as Merlin noticed his slip-up.

"Of course, well, our dear little Uzumaki isn't quite human, like you, I, and our little Mordred over there," Merlin said in a matter-of-fact tone.

Artoria processed this information; on the surface, this was troubling news. She was born from the blood of the red dragon, and Mordred from her.

She had always known of the existence of otherworldly beings, such as the fairies or incubuses like Merlin, but she still didn't quite understand them.

"What is he?" She asked outright; she would try to gauge what he was before she'd make a decision with this new information.

Merlin shrugged. "Honestly, I have no idea; I doubt he even knows."

From what he had read, the boy was an orphan, raised within the local orphanage, never knowing his parentage. "The best I can tell is that he has some sort of affinity for healing magic," he told her.

"I see." Artoria nodded, processing the information. She'd decided to let this play out.

XXX

Mordred disliked Naruto Uzumaki.

She had disliked him ever since she had laid eyes upon him, and it wasn't just because he had wasted her time. No, not at all… Okay, maybe that was a small reason.

But she had seen him, and from the moment she laid eyes upon him, she could tell only one thing: he was weak.

There was no way around that reasoning. He wasn't big and bulky like Gawain or Lancelot. He wasn't even heavily armored like Galahad, the shield bastard.

Those three walked with at least some semblance of skill.

But Naruto? He walked like a complete and utter fool. He carried himself as if he were completely at ease, not even ready to fight at a moment's notice.

Naruto didn't belong among the knights of the round table; that was the only conclusion she could draw.

Even with the recommendations of three of the most famous knights of Camelot, she could tell they were heavily biased. Lancelot seemed to favor the boy, Galahad seemed to be the boy's friend, and the blonde previously served under Gawain.

The level of bias they all had pissed her off!

Even her father, Arthur Pendragon, the one she had been bred to surpass, viewed him in a high light. She had busted her ass off to attain this rank, a rank she'd achieved in record time.

She'd served Camelot and its perfect king with everything she had.

And when she'd been told that her biological father was indeed Arthur Pendragon, she'd been ecstatic. Even when her mother ordered her to go against her king, she couldn't help but feel some semblance of joy.

Of course, she'd later informed her father of her mother's plot.

But there had been some semblance of hope—a small part of her that demanded the perfect man acknowledge her—but he did no such thing.

She was unfit to be heir and unfit to be a king, at least according to her father.

Their relationship had only gotten worse from then on, and now they barely talked outside of the few meetings between the knights of the round.

But now this upstart had come and waltzed into the king's throne room to become a knight!

With no repercussions from the king whatsoever, it didn't bother her, shouldn't bother her... okay, it bothered her a lot!

She didn't accept it at all! She didn't accept him as a knight of the round table. He was everything she despised, so she made it her mission to prove he wasn't worthy of holding a candle to them or to her.

Normally, she would have fought him outright, but she had to find the right place to do it. But the bastard just wouldn't stay still!

He had been given a few days of leave so he could prepare himself for the new position. Normally, this time was used to secure any loose ends they might have before handling the responsibilities of a knight of the round table.

She had used this time to train, but the blonde had just used it to do chores!

Who the hell does that?! Helping an old lady with her home repairs, helping a group of children find their lost dog, and helping a rowdy couple with their crumpling marriage. How the hell did he get them to make up afterward?

She didn't know, but the guy was strange. Who the hell does something like that in just a few hours?

She saw him meet up with his white-haired friend, Galahad, as they met up within the street of Camelot.

This was the perfect moment to strike.

XXX

Naruto blinked. "You want me to do what?" He was confused.

Mordred gritted her teeth. "You heard me, you bastard! I challenge you to a duel!" She repeated.

Naruto blinked again, still not understanding what his fellow blonde was talking about. He had never met Mordred at all, never even talked to him, and he didn't understand why the hidden female wanted to battle.

Luckily, Naruto's companion, a young white-haired boy, spoke up for him. "Mordred, you know, fights between knights of the round table have been strictly prohibited!" Galahad reprimanded.

Mordred glared at the boy, "Quiet, you shield-bastard! This is between me and him!" She told him, but as the boy was ready to reply, Naruto raised his hand, signaling for his friend to let him speak.

"I think I understand here," Naruto said in realization.

"Finally!" Mordred shouted tiredly, having tried to explain that he wanted to fight, and possibly kill him.

"Yeah," Naruto snapped his fingers. "You want to do a friendly spar."

Galahad palmed his face as Mordred's anger only rose.

Naruto nodded, "That would be great; we can even do it in front of the other recruits," he offered. "Seeing two knights of the round table should give them motivation to train harder." He responded, before he rubbed the back of his head, slightly embarrassed. "Although, I doubt I could give you a run for your money." He laughed.

Galahad palmed his face once again, "He's gonna get himself killed." He muttered.

Mordred was more vocal in her opinion, "Yeah, whatever, the recruits seeing me kick your ass is fine," she agreed.

Naruto gave his senior knight a smile, "Great, it'll be fun; we can hone our skills together," he beamed.

Galahad only palmed his face at his friend once again. Sure, he liked the blonde, but he could be a real idiot sometimes.

Mordred was strong, stronger than him at least, and Naruto was still new to the knights of the round table.

"Yep, he's so getting his ass kicked," he muttered.

XXX

A few minutes later.

"Alright, now that we've gathered the lesser knights, let's do this, ya blonde bastard!" Mordred shouted, causing many of the surrounding knights to grow slightly irritated. But many of them knew about the red knight's reputation and wisely kept their mouths shut.

"Aren't you blonde too?" Naruto asked in confusion, standing on the other side of the courtyard. This place was usually used for the new and older knights to train and hone their skills. They had chosen this position because it already had a number of men had gathered already.

And the ones that were here alerted all their friends about what was about to happen. It wasn't every day that two knights of the round table fought against each other, after all. This was sure to be quite the spectacle.

Naruto walked up to his fellow knight as he extended his hand. "Let's have a good match," he smiled, as he awaited the boyish girl to shake his hand.

Mordred stared at him, not understanding why this boy would be so sportsmanlike. Did he not understand that she wanted to kick his ass?

"Yeah, whatever," she said, as she slapped his hand away. But Naruto only kept his smile across his face as he returned to his fighting position.

Mordred looked into his eyes, and as she saw his smile, she couldn't help but get angry. He was mocking her, wasn't he! She knew he was.

She'd kill him, she growled within her mind. She'd slice his chest open and bathe in his blood. She resolved… Okay, maybe she wouldn't do that, but she'd beat him black and blue.

Galahad stepped in between the two blonde males, or at least what he thought were two males. "Alright, I want you two to have a clear match," he told them, as he eyed Mordred.

"Yeah, yeah, let's get on with this, ya shield-bastard!" Mordred shouted, as Galahad sighed and left, giving one more weary look towards his friend.

The two blondes looked towards each other, as similar blue eyes met. Naruto smiled towards her, as he finally put on his silver knight's helmet, and got into his sword stance.

"Aren't you going to put on your helmet?" He asked, he didn't want her to get hurt.

That only made Mordred even madder, as the secret-female grit her teeth. "You think I need a helmet to beat you?! Don't make me laugh! You won't even lay a scratch on me," she told him.

Naruto frowned under his headgear. While this was only a spare, there could always be accidents, and he didn't want something to happen to the other blonde.

Mordred wasn't thinking along similar lines… she wanted to kick his ass.

As she raised her large, two-handed, double-edged blade, she could move around with ease.

To contrast, Naruto was the total opposite. Where Mordred had a large and bulky sword that only complemented her massive strength, Naruto only had the standard longsword, one that had been given out to every knight within Camelot.

This was taking too long for Mordred; was impatience, she struck.

As she launched herself forward with all her strength, the ground shook as she did so, hurling herself toward the other blonde knight.

As she sent a flying kick towards the blonde, she was so fast that Naruto barely had time to react. He crossed his arms to try to suppress the blow, but even still, his knees buckled under the pressure, as his body cried out.

Mordred kicked off of the blonde's armor, effortlessly launching herself into the air as she knocked Naruto back, the blonde only barely keeping his footing.

Landing towards the ground, she didn't relent on her assault. Charging forward, Mordred sent a high lash towards his figure. Naruto tried to parry the blade, but her strength was just too strong, so he had to back off to the side. Right into the awaiting hands of Mordred's fist, it sent itself into his abdomen, as his armor bucked from the blow.

Naruto was sent sliding back, only barely managing to stand on his feet. That only made Mordred even madder, as she sent a glare towards the knight.

This was pathetic; he hadn't even managed to even try and hit her.

Naruto used the opportunity to get closer, as he slashed down. The red knight easily blocked his sword, and sent another punch towards his gut, successfully knocking the air out of his lungs.

She sent a high kick up towards his face, knocking him back, as his helmet hit the ground.

Naruto eyed her, as Mordred only gritted her teeth even more, sending a harsh glare towards her fellow blonde.

Naruto was smiling.

Even when she was kicking his face into the dirt, he was smiling! How was that possible? He should be frowning, he should be angry, and he should realize just how weak and pathetic he really was!

What kind of idiot kept smiling even when he was fighting for his life?

She didn't understand it, she didn't understand it at all!

Mordred went in on the offensive once again, jumping high and slashing down. Naruto was only barely able to block with his sword. As their swords interlocked, Naruto nearly holding his sword horizontally to block her vertical slash. She locked eyes with her fellow blonde.

"What the hell is with that face?!" She questioned angrily,

Naruto smiled. "I'm glad to have the opportunity to spar with you," he told the hidden girl honestly. "As well as you taking me seriously as a real opponent."

Taking him seriously as a real opponent—is that what he called it? She'd show him her fighting him as a real opponent!

"Shut up!" She roared, as she used her monstrous strength to catch Naruto off guard as she pushed her sword off of him. Naruto recoiled from the lack of pressure, as he was forced to move his sword upwards with the lack of Mordred's blade to stop it.

The red knight used the opportunity to strike, sending a powerful kick towards his chest, knocking him back.

Luckily, Naruto somehow managed to keep his footing as he slid across the dirt ground, using his left hand to keep himself upright.

Mordred pointed her sword directly towards him, "You haven't seen nothing yet, Bastard! I'll blow you to tiny smithereens," she promised, and yet Naruto still had a small smile across his face.

She absolutely hated it.

It was as if he was looking down upon her, as if she was nothing, as if she meant nothing. Honestly, it almost reminded her of her father. He had no right to look down on her!

She was Mordred, a knight of the round table! The rightful ruler to King Arthur's throne.

And yet he still looked at her that way, even as she was beating him to the ground. It just didn't make any sense.

"Dammit!" Mordred exclaimed, as she sped towards him at breakneck speeds, aiming for his head. Naruto blocked, as she pushed in his blade even harder, the blonde parrying his own sword towards the sky as to not strike himself.

But even then, Mordred was relentless in her rage, as Naruto widened his eyes.

Slashing horizontally, Naruto dodged, his cloak nearly getting sliced in two in his wake. Mordred slashed downward, with the whiskered blonde only barely able to parry her strike. She slashed to the right, as Naruto used his forearm gauntlets to try and lessen the blow.

Locking blades with her, Naruto was finally able to see an opening, but it was only a faint, as she lessened her sword, leaving Naruto's footing off balance, nearly falling as he did so.

Readjusting his grip on his sword, Naruto tried to slash upwards, but Mordred easily saw this coming and moved her head to the side. It was as if everything he did, the red knight had a counter for.

Honestly, he thought that his fellow blonde was incredible.

Mordred slashed to the left, as he was forced to block with his forearms once again. The impact being nearly too much as he was sent back.

He reacted just in time to see his fellow knight send a horizontal slash towards him, ducking under the blow lest his head be severed from his body.

"Quit running! You coward!" She exclaimed.

If he didn't know any better, he would say that Sir Mordred was trying to kill him. But that couldn't be the case, could it?

"Just die already!" She shouted, giving Naruto a semblance of her true intentions.

She tried to slash upwards towards his head, but he only stood up straight as she did so. Mordred slashed downwards, as he dodged to the side.

Sending a pitiful sword slash towards her abdomen, her armor protecting herself from the blow.

"Why don't you just give up already!" She shouted, her anger finally reaching a boiling point.

"I am a knight of Camelot!" Naruto told her.

Mordred slammed her heavy blade downwards, as Naruto's eyes widened, as he was forced to dodge backwards. The red knight's sword carving itself deep within the ground.

He pushed his foot onto her large blade, trying to prevent her from recovering it within the ground. "If I am not willing to fight to the end, I am not worthy of such a title! Naruto said as he tried to slash at her.

But his statement only seemed to make the other blonde even angrier, something she had previously not thought possible. As she grunted, using her mana burst to increase her strength significantly.

Lifting her sword up high into the air, catching Naruto by surprise, she caught the blonde along with it, sending him flying towards the sky.

Naruto was only barely able to steady himself, landing to his feet as, he was left kneeling on the ground, panting for breath.

"Until the end?" Mordred spat, quoting his words, her sword's tip striking the ground at her side.

Naruto prepared for an attack, but even as his respiration was left ragged, he did manage to answer her.

"I am a knight of Britain; if I am not willing to fight until my last breath I am not worthy of such a title," he spoke, standing up straight once more.

Mordred's anger was reaching new levels. As she adjusted her grip on her sword even tighter, so much so that the metal was nearly caving in.

"Until the end, you say!" Mordred roared, and it was then that she did something unexpected.

Instead of charging towards him like Naruto would have expected, the red knight launched her large sword into the air, using it as a projectile against Naruto.

Naruto knew he couldn't dodge; the sword was just too fast. He barely had time to block the sword with the flat of his blade. His arms buckled from the pressure, but it was only then that Naruto's eyes widened, the knight's shadow looming over him.

Mordred had positioned herself at the right moment to where her feet connected with the pommel of her blade, and she pushed.

She pushed hard.

As Naruto's body was sent skidding back, as their still connected blades caused sparks to fly between them.

Naruto barely had the strength to send the hidden-girl's blade upward. But it seemed Mordred had expected this, as she was stationed high in the air.

Catching her blade within her grip, she twirled within the air to gain even more momentum.

Luckily, Naruto had the insight to dodge the attack, stepping to the side as Mordred's blade embedded itself within the ground.

"Don't get cocky, Naruto!" Mordred told him as she pulled her blade from the ground.

Dirt and dust flew through the air, all aimed at Naruto in an attempt to blind him. Thankfully, Naruto had managed to evade her efforts as he blocked a strike aimed at his chest.

"You're a weak and feeble knight who sat in the extra seat!" Mordred told him as she aimed for him once more. Naruto struck his blade down, causing her arm to shift to the side.

And as relentless as Mordred was, it was no surprise that she quickly recovered. And with an audible grunt, she slashed towards his head, as Naruto ducked under her strike.

Seeing an opening, Naruto took it. With both hands on his blade, Naruto thrusted his sword forward. But it seemed Mordred was quick enough to evade, using her armor as a shield and sending sparks flying in the air as the metals clashed.

Naruto's blue eyes widened, as Mordred sent a high kick towards his side.

"You're so pathetic, it pains me!" She told him. As he flew through the air, Mordred was upon him.

As the hidden girl stuck, Naruto was only barely able to block with his sword. But even still, Naruto was sent careening back.

"You can't even put up a good fight!" Mordred spat.

And as Naruto was sprawled out on the ground, when he was on his knees, she threw in one more comment. "You think someone like you can protect your king!"

Naruto's hair showed his eyes, as he rose to his feet.

Mordred growled, "King Arthur, he just happened to take a liking to you! You're nothing but a sniveling coward!"

"But even so…" Naruto started, showing his face once more. Mordred noticed something; he wasn't smiling any longer. Naruto gripped his sword, which he somehow managed to remain within his grip.

"My king believed in me! I will not betray his trust!" He told her, as they both charged forward.

Naruto sliced up, and Mordred sliced down.

XXX

"Sir Galahad, shouldn't we stop this?" One of Naruto's comrades questioned, as the white-haired boy barely turned his head, still watching the scene before him.

The soldier was dark-haired with pale skin and black eyes; he was Sasuke, if Galahad remembered him right. He vaguely remembered Naruto being friends with the male, having served in Sir Gawain's division together.

He thought about the question.

With every single rule in the book, he should stop this fight. Mordred didn't fight fair, nor did he fight with honor; he aimed for the kill, or at least it seemed like the male did.

But Naruto had asked him specifically not to interfere with the fight under any circumstances.

He knew that Naruto didn't stand a chance against Sir. Mordred. He was pretty sure that the blonde himself knew that he didn't stand a chance against the red knight.

It was as if his blonde friend had a death wish, or something.

But even still, he wouldn't let it play out for now. He just hoped he wouldn't come to regret this decision.

XXX

Mordred was faster, as she sliced down upon the blonde. Her large sword hit his shoulder, and his armor struggled to shield him from the blow.

Mordred then launched a powerful kick to Naruto's chest, launching him back as he was sent tumbling onto the ground. Landing in a heap as he was on the dirt floor, unmoving.

None of them expected him to get up from that, as blood leaked from his mouth. His armor was heavily dented, with dirt maring its once-shining silver metal.

"Sir Naruto!" "Sir Naruto!" "Sir Naruto!" Several of the nearby knights shouted in concern for their friend.

They began trying to rush towards him, but a seething glare from Sir Mordred stopped them in their tracks.

As all the knight's eyes widened, Sir Naruto was... he was moving!

None of them could believe it, as all of their voices died in their throats.

Mordred was much the same; she couldn't believe Naruto would be able to even move at the moment, but he was standing up, using his sword as a crutch to prevent him from falling.

"What are you staring at? Aren't we going to continue this spar?" Naruto asked, even as his body ached to move.

Mordred's surprise soon turned to rage, as she sent a seething glare at the other blonde.

"Why the hell are you getting up?!" She demanded. It was clear that he stood no chance; he should be lying on the floor in pain. But there he stood, on shaking knees, still willing to fight on.

Naruto chuckled, even as blood leaked from his mouth. His stomach was in pain, but he just wiped the liquid running from his mouth off with a stray hand.

Naruto smiled. "Isn't it obvious, if I give up now…" He paused, tightening his fist as his resolve only grew.

Taking a deep breath he continued, "If I give up now, I may give up when my life is truly needed. If I'm not willing to give it my all in a simple sparring match, when will I? If I give up now, I may never stop!" Naruto explained, even as it hurt to speak.

He felt lighter, like the weight on his chest had lightened.

Mordred could see it too, as his body rose from being just barely able to hold himself, to standing as tall as he could while still using his blade for support.

"I see…" Mordred said, her bangs shadowing her eyes as she analyzed his words.

She took her large sword within her hands, gripping it tightly. "You are an utter fool; are you willing to die for this belief?" Mordred asked, as she walked closer towards Naruto.

Naruto answered almost instantly, "If my life is the cost it takes to save them, then so be it." He answered honestly, looking towards the knights who stood off in the distance.

Mordred got close to him, as she overshadowed him, raising her large sword towards the sky. "Then you really are a fool," she told him, as Naruto still held himself by his sword, unable to move.

"Maybe," Naruto told his fellow night, as he finally saw her eyes, behind all her rage, her anger, they were filled with... sadness?

Even still, she swiped down…

Slash.

Blood filled the air, as a sword pierced through skin.

Small droplets of blood, a small nick that wouldn't even leave a scar.

Mordred pulled back in surprise, her eyes widening as she clutched her right cheek. "I-I— Y-you— How?" She asked, as blood dripped down onto her hand, her sword having been dropped to the ground from her shock.

There Naruto stood, his sword piercing the hair just where she stood, and if her vision was playing tricks on her, it was almost as if he was smoking from the exertion.

But then it hit her… he had scratched her cheek.

It was faint, shallow, and wouldn't even scar her skin, but it was there.

He had laid a hand on her, done something that she had not thought possible. Naruto seemed to notice this.

"I win," he said resolutely, even as he collapsed to his knees.

"So it seems," Mordred said, as a small grin formed across her face.

She had let her guard down, and Naruto had surprised her. But there was still one thing left to do…

"You know what happens now?" Mordred told him, as she neared him once again.

Naruto slightly grimaced; he knew exactly what was going to happen.

Mordred's grin grew. He couldn't move; all his strength had been used in their exchange. As the blonde male—hidden female—rose her hand, as she then planted it clear across his face.

He saw nothing but darkness.

XXX

(Elsewhere)

"Well, that was quite the entertaining show, don't you think?" Merlin commented as they watched over the fight.

Artoria narrowed her eyes, where Mordred and the unconscious Naruto were situated. "It seems Sir Naruto still needs to grow before reaching the strength of a normal Knight of the Round," she observed. "But Sir Mordred was a strong fighter, one unorthodox enough to throw off many opponents, but even then..." she trailed off.

"But?" Merlin asked teasingly, wanting to find out what exactly the blonde felt for him.

Artoria gained a small smile upon her impassive face, one that not many would have noticed had they not been paying attention. Merlin noticed her expression almost immediately.

"He fought honorably," Artoria finished.

She looked upon the faces of the nearby knights, although many were worried over Sir. Naruto's condition. They had heard the blonde knight's words, and many had felt invigorated. And she could see that expression across all their faces, even from a distance.

Naruto had managed to encourage them all with just a single speech as he fought until he could no longer.

Honestly, she sort of envied him for that.

She wished she could produce such an effect.

"Careful now, your mask is slipping," Merlin teased, as Artoria frowned slightly before her face fixed itself with her impassive visage.

XXX

Later.

Naruto opened his eyes, unaware of where exactly he was, but he did have a good idea of his location.

"I got my ass kicked," he groaned, the pain he felt still aching his body.

"You did, didn't you?" A voice spoke throughout the room, hearing what he had muttered.

Naruto lifted his head, as he realized he was lying down on a bed frame. "Galahad?" He questioned, spotting his white-haired friend within the room. "Where am I?" He asked.

Looking around, he spotted that the room was made out of stone, with a small window cut out of the wall. He couldn't see much out of it, only the blue, cloudy sky that lay about. Not much else was in the room other than the bed he rested upon as Galahad leaned against the wall.

Galahad answered him, "Well, right after you got beaten to a pulp, you were taken to a room within the castle. Doctors visited you, said you were pretty beat up, and now we're here," he explained.

"Is that so?" Naruto asked, as he rested his head upon the bed. "It sure feels like it," he complained, his body aching even more.

"Yeah, sorry about that," Galahad apologized. "You wouldn't have been hurt so much if I had just stepped in a little sooner," he reasoned.

Naruto waved him off. "No, you're fine; this is my fault; I asked you not to step in; you were only listening to my words," he told him.

And it was then that he finally sat up, as he twisted his body to sit upon the mattress.

His white-haired companion protested. "Woah, the doctors say you shouldn't be getting up right now, so—" Galahad pleaded, but his words only fell on deaf ears.

"Galahad, I'm fine," Naruto said, in a strained voice.

"Sure you are," Galahad said, as he helped the blonde sit back down, but Naruto still resisted as he smacked his hands away. "Damn, Mordred really did a number on you," he commented, seeing the pain his friend was in.

"Yeah," Naruto agreed, "but it was worth it."

Galahad chuckled. "Naruto, only you would say that getting beaten to a pulp was worth it," he laughed. "I think Mordred hates you even more now; I didn't even know that was possible," he commented.

Naruto remembered the blonde's face, the anger he felt, and the rage he had shown. But he had also saw the sadness that lay beneath, the loneliness that had.

Honestly, after seeing that, he felt Sir Mordred needed a friend more than anything.

"I'm not so sure about that," Naruto told him. He felt that they had reached an accord in their fight, although it was possible that it was only wishful thinking.

Galahad laughed, "Yeah, I'm sure, you were always the optimist. But I don't know how you can believe that; even Mordred scares me," he admitted. It was part of the reason he avoided the other blonde so much. Well, that, and the fact that the knight was always so aggressive toward him—so what if he used a shield?

"Anyways," Galahad said, changing the subject. "There's someone who wanted to see you when you woke up," he informed, not stating exactly who he was talking about.

And as Naruto tried to question him, Galahad ran out of the room, not giving him an answer.

It took several minutes for someone else to arrive at the door, but who it was that opened it shocked him, as Naruto's eyes widened.

"K-King Arthur?" Naruto questioned, not expecting to see his king at the door.

He tried to bow, but as he was going to the floor, his king stopped him.

Artoria raised a hand. "Naruto, there is no need to bow, especially when you are so injured," she told him.

"I see," Naruto said, not happy that he wasn't allowed to show his loyalty to his king.

"You've healed nicely," Artoria commented, seeing that he was moving already, something that none of the doctors had expected given his injuries.

Naruto smiled, "Yeah, I'm feeling much bett—ow!" He said, as he rolled his shoulders, which caused him a slight amount of pain.

He didn't notice when his king grabbed onto his arm, as her green eyes observed his shoulder in shock.

From what the doctors had told her, Mordred had almost completely shattered it, and it was unclear if he would ever recover. But now, after nearly a full day's rest, he was already moving with little struggle.

While it wasn't as fast as, say, her using her magic sheath, Avalon, it was quite impressive. And judging by his unknowing expression, he didn't even heal himself intentionally.

This needed to be observed more; just what was he? She questioned in her mind.

"My king?" Naruto asked in confusion, snapping Artoria out of her thoughts.

"It's nothing," she told him, realizing she was spacing out, as she let go of his arm.

Before, she spoke up on the meaning of her visit. "Truthfully, I must apologize," Artoria told him honestly.

Her statement shocked him . "Apologize? For what?" Naruto stated, not expecting such a statement to come out of his king's mouth.

"Because it is my fault for allowing such a battle to take place. Had I not been so negligent, I would have been able to stop such a match, and you would not have been injured so severely," Artoria told him, which wasn't exactly true.

She had tried to stop the battle from taking place, but then Merlin managed to stop her. And she foolishly let him talk her into allowing it. And now one of her knights had been hospitalized.

"... And I can assure you, Mordred will be punished for his actions," his king told him, but that didn't sit right with the blonde.

"That's not it at all!" Naruto shouted before his brain could process it all, too late for him to shut his own mouth.

Artoria raised an eyebrow and said, "Oh, are you disagreeing with your king?" She asked.

"I, well… No!… I'm not," he told her in a panic, before he held his head low. "But if I may be allowed to speak freely," he pleaded.

"You may." Artoria nodded her head. She wanted to see how this would play out.

Naruto took a deep breath. "I don't believe Sir Mordred should be punished for this," he told his king resolutely.

"And why not?" His king inquired. "Mordred defied my word, incited violence within my ranks, and nearly murdered you yourself. Surely this is cause for punishment and scorn."

Naruto looked away. "While that's true..." he looked back into his king's green eyes, eyes similar to Mordred's own, as his resolve grew.

"I believe Sir Mordred has a deep admiration for you yourself and your kingdom." He opened. And with this statement, Artoria's interest was piqued by the statement's sheer absurdity.

"At his deepest level, he only wished for the best of knights at the round table. He wished to test my ability and make sure I was worthy of such a title I was given. His challenge was not done out of malice, but out of his admiration for Camelot," Naruto reasoned, before his fist tightened slightly. But he knew this was true.

"If anything, the fault lies in myself," he told her honestly, slightly surprising Artoria at his nobility. "I was the one who accepted the match; I was the one to gather the other knights. If anyone should be blamed, it should be me," he told her. "Please, my King."

"I see," Artoria stated in thought, actually contemplating his

She knew that her illegitimate son had once held such values. But after she rejected him, she told him he was not fit for her title and not fit to be king. And he…

"You won't recognize me as your son? That is your answer, King Arthur?" Mordred realized in disbelief, as she walked away, not even meeting the younger blonde in the eyes.

Mordred's whole body shook, as her king's back faced her, not even bothering to pass a single glance.

"I was happy just being in your shadow," the knight told her, as she held her head low, her eyes widening at the shock of it all. "Yet you never turned around to face me..." before her disbelief soon turned into anger.

She gripped her fists, as if she were grasping and crushing the very air itself. "King, I will destroy everything you represent!" She roared.

"Arthur!"

Artoria's bangs shadowed her eyes, as she walked away from the door.

"My king?" Naruto questioned, not knowing what was going on.

"I will contemplate your words," she told him, as Naruto's hope was raised, "as well as Mordred's proper punishment," dashing the blonde's hopes away.

"...along with your own," she told him, as she left, leaving Naruto with a somewhat relieved and hopeful smile.

XXX

Some time passed, and he found some books situated on top of a nearby desk, likely having been left there by Galahad himself.

And grabbing one off the table; reading it. Naruto could safely say he felt bored, overwhelmingly so. And as he was left to subject himself to his own thoughts.

He wondered about a certain blonde-haired knight on his mind.

The reveared and mysterious Mordred who came out of nowhere and rose through the ranks within just a few months.

Many were afraid of him, and he could blame them. Being subjected to his harsh blows lacking any chivalry after all.

But he honestly felt he had made a connection with the blonde.

Perhaps he was as crazy as Galahad to feel such a way.

But perhaps not? It wasn't like him to hold any doubt on the matter, especially regarding matters such as these.

Yet he couldn't be so sure, not until he talked to the other knight.

Thinking, Naruto was so engrossed in his thoughts he only barely heard the faint sound of knocking in the distance.

"Come in!" The blonde hollared, as he then lifted his head up to meet the door.

But after his statement, silence remained, and yet he still heard the reverberating sounds of knocking continue, as its loudness increased ever so slightly after each second.

Until, finally, someone revealed themselves.

But what he saw next was truly unexpected: "M-Mordred?" Naruto questioned, as he saw the red knight enter the room.

Just who he had on his mind.

Although what was more unexpected was the way 'he' entered—instead of going through the door, the knight entered through the nearby, opened window.

"Naruto!" Mordred growled with angry eyes.

However, Naruto was unperturbed, as he simply raised an eyebrow, questioning the strange way she entered. "Isn't this place, like, on the fifth floor or something?" He asked pointing back towards where she had just come from.

It was then that Mordred took a second to blink, before she looked out the window she had just entered through.

Seeing that he was indeed correct, as the room was located on one of the middle floors of Arthur's castle.

She guessed she hadn't really been paying attention, when she climbed up the walls of the building given how immersed she was in her war path.

Nevertheless, she shook that thought off. Snapping her head back to the other blonde within her room as her anger returned in full force.

"Na-ru-to!" Mordred growled once again, her fists clenching as she walked towards her target.

However, Naruto was unfazed by her anger, even as the blonde seemed to be stalking towards him like a lion stalking a gazelle, ready to pounce.

He knew he didn't stand a chance, especially in his somewhat wounded state, so why should he even bother trying to defend himself.

"Mordred?" He asked calmly as the other blonde got close to him.

The red knight grabbed onto his shirt collar, bringing the sitting Naruto up to reach her at eye level.

As she gave him the fiercest glare she could, Naruto matched her with an impassive one.

Blue orbs met similar eyes with a green tint.

"Naruto," she growled once again, before angrily throwing him back onto his bed.

"What the hell!" She yelled out as Naruto nursed his wounds from the hidden girl's assault.

"Shouldn't I be the one asking that?" Naruto questioned, as he rubbed his sorehead. Having accidentally hit it as he was forcefully pushed down.

But that only seemed to cause the other blonde's anger to rise, as she glared at him once again. "I—never mind that!" She yelled, trying and failing to reign in her emotions. "Why the hell did you do it!" Mordred questioned once again. Although Naruto didn't really understand what his fellow knight was talking about.

"Do what?" Naruto questioned, but that only caused Mordred to grit her teeth.

"Why the hell did you take the fall for me?!" Mordred clarified angrily. She had talked to her king and been informed of her punishment.

And she had also been informed about just why her punishment had been so light.

"Oh, that," Naruto stated, as realization sparked through his eyes.

"Yes, that!" Mordred yelled.

But Naruto just shrugged, "Why not?" He questioned, the answer seeming obvious.

"Why not?" Mordred repeated in shock, before narrowing her eyes once again.

Naruto nodded. "Yeah, why not?" He repeated it as well.

Before, he gained a friendly smile, harshly contrasting Mordred's angered expression.

"You seem like a nice person, one I wouldn't mind getting to know a bit better," he stated, it was the only way he thought of that could unravel the mystery that was the red knight. "Plus, it's not like I said anything that wasn't untrue. So, yeah, why not?" Naruto shrugged once again.

However, it seemed that his words had more of an effect than Mordred would like to admit. As the hidden girl had her arms crossed, not meeting him in the eyes as her face was turned away from him.

But it was then that he heard something he didn't expect from his slightly effeminate comrade. It was quiet—almost too quiet for him to pick up on, as he heard her mumble something.

"Huh?" He questioned, not picking up on what she had said.

"Thmmmmhmmm," Mordred murmured once again, not meeting the blonde in the eye.

"I'm sorry, Mordred, I didn't quite catch that," he blinked.

"I said thank you, damn it!" Mordred finally stated, snapping her head up to meet his, with a light dusting across her cheeks. "I might've gotten in serious trouble if it wasn't for you, I let my anger get the best of me, so..." she trailed off, before seeing Naruto's outstretched hand.

"It was no problem," he stated simply with closed eyes.

Before he gave her one of his megawatt smiles. One that Mordred would say was as bright as the sun.

"So, want to be friends?" Naruto asked, as Mordred once again turned her attention to the blonde's outstretched hand.

Staring at the slightly injured limb for what seemed like an eternity. His words resonating within her mind, as they almost seemed foreign to her.

However, somehow, she knew that Naruto would not relent on this, she knew that much.

So, with some embarrassment, she took his hand. And somehow, that caused Naruto's smile to grow even more, as its light nearly overtook the entire room, something she hadn't even thought possible.

Almost instantly, the red knight's face took on a royal red hue for reasons unknown to them both.

"Good, now we're friends," he told her, shaking their interlocked hands firmly, happy at how things turned out.

But it seemed the knight in front of him had other ideas.

"I-Idiot, it's not that I like you, bastard! I'm just doing this cause you helped my ass! " Mordred stated, in a very tsundere-like fashion. As the heat in her face reached the tips of her ears.

Naruto only chuckled, happy to have made a new friend.

End Chapter.