Rider held on to Sakura firmly but gently, listening to her words with sympathy as she gradually fell to sleep in Rider's arms.
"Goodnight, Sakura. Sleep well...", she said, affectionately, as the girl finally nodded off, her legs now wrapped around Rider's waist.
Once she had fallen asleep, Rider climbed down off Pegasus, careful to avoid jolting and awakening Sakura, and then desummoned the flying horse. It didn't cost much prana to maintain once summoned, but she couldn't use it in this state without Bellerophon, and that did cost prana. Plus, whilst Rider knew Sakura's current state was not dangerous, she still wanted to reduce the prana drain on her as much as possible. Rider also wanted to change back into her casual outfit, but that would have to wait until she had returned home and put Sakura safely to bed.
One thing had confused her about Sakura's final words before falling asleep, though.
"That man wouldn’t hurt me, Rider, don’t worry. He would never do that, I promise...”, she had said.
Why had she been so sure? Sure, he'd not made any attempt to attack Sakura, but that was presumably because Rider was the bigger threat. Maybe he would have left Sakura alone, but she couldn't possibly know that for certain.
Before she could ponder it further, though, Caster spoke once more.
“Rider, please, use your brain. It was clear that the man’s focus was solely directed at you, and you alone. And frankly, your flagrant wastefulness of prana is shocking. I mean, I’m not a prana jew, but we did you really need to summon the phantasmal beast to fly home? Really?” he said, condescendingly. “I can understand the use of it while you were fighting me, but dammit woman, all I am asking of you is to think of Sakura next time you want to ride on your pony", he finished, turning to walk towards their house.
Rider glared at his back as she followed him home.
"Firstly, Pegasus is not just some 'pony'. Technically, he is my son. Do not speak of him in such an insulting manner. Secondly. I did not summon him for the fun of it, I did so in order that Sakura could get home quicker and more comfortably. Yes, in hindsight it was an error, but I did not expect us to be attacked, and just summoning him to fly home would have had no real effect on Sakura at all. I do not waste prana, although I will admit I am not as frugal as I could be. I am used to being Sakura's only servant, and this is honestly the first time I have ever seen Sakura like this due to prana deprivation. Well, since the Grail War, anyway.... In future, I will be more careful to take into account the increased drain the two of us put on her when using my more prana-intensive abilities.
As for the enemy, yes, true, his focus was solely on me at that point, but how can you be so sure it would have remained that way? Further, had I died or abandoned her, Sakura would have been devestated. I did not wish to use my Noble Phantasm in that way, but unfortunately circumstances forced my hand. I knew Sakura could survive it, and it was the best way to get us all to safety. Yes, it has caused her some temporary discomfort, which I feel extremely bad about, but she is alive, and no long-term harm has been caused, physical or mental. Sakura regenerates prana far faster than most magi, she will wake up tomorrow and be back to normal", she said.
"Anyway, enough of this. Let us get back to wherever it is you are living and let Sakura get some well-earned rest. We can discuss this when she is in bed, if necessary", she finished.
