Diverged Path

Chapter 1

The air was cold.

That was the only thing on the mind of the six-year-old as she walked down the barren streets of Fuyuki late that night. It wasn't snowing anymore, but the frost was still there. Her rushed departure had cost her much warmth, but there was no way she was going to turn back now. Not after she had made up her mind.

"It's cold," she stated the obvious, and exhaled onto her palms, trying to warm her small hands.

She turned, and glanced back at the way she had come from, and sighed. Renewing her resolution, she continued her walk, not having a specific destination in mind. All that she knew at that moment was to get as far away from Fuyuki as she could.

"I really should have brought some money with me, or a pair of mittens, or a scarf…" complained the pig-tailed girl.

Then something caught her sight, and a voice she knew by heart called out her name, she immediately dodged into the nearest alley, hiding behind some crates. Apparently it was the back alley of shop lots, so there were plenty of places for a child to hide.

As the voice sounded louder and louder, she retreated even further into the alley, trying to hide herself in the dark. She knew that voice, and she knew that if he found her there and then, then all of her plans would be in vain.

"RIN-CHAN!!" the voice called, louder this time.

From her spot, she could see the man calling out for her. He was tall, with dark hair. And even in the cold, he was only dressed in a blue hoodie and black cargo pants.

Rin pressed her back against the wall, and closed her eyes. The sight of her uncle brought up a whole load of emotions. Kariya had always treated her and her younger sister like his own daughters, playing with them in the park and bringing back souvenirs for them whenever he went out of town due to his work.

She sniffed, and told herself that she shouldn't cry, but the tears rolled down her cheeks.

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"RIN-CHAN!!!" he called again, looking around for any sign of red. He knew the young girl loved to dress in red. It was the colour of the Tohsaka clan, and the young Magus had always followed the "family tradition".

But now, there was no sign of the child. He knew she shouldn't have gone far, since Aoi left Rin's room for only fifteen minutes, coming back to find it empty. The heartbroken woman had immediately called him instead of telling Tokiomi first.

Without a second thought, he had immediately rushed out into the night, looking for the missing girl while trying to comfort Aoi. He remembered how distraught his childhood friend, and also his love interest had sounded, but now, he felt so useless.

"Rin-chan, please…" he whispered. "Please come out, ojisan will bring you home…"

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Tohsaka Aoi sat on her daughter's bed, her fragile frame shaking from her sobs. She was still recovering the fact that her eldest daughter had gone missing. She tried to convince herself that the child might have just wandered off for a late night walk, but her mother's instinct screamed wrong.

She knew she should inform her husband about the matter, but she couldn't stand. It was the shock. And she knew that deep down, he wouldn't have cared in the least. To him, family were nothing but tools,that was how Tokiomi was like. He was a true Magus, unlike a lot of the Spell Casters out there who called themselves a Magus. To add on, he was an aristocrat at heart.

"Oh, Rin…" she sobbed. "Why?"

But, even as she asked herself that question, she knew in her heart that she had the answer to her question. During her conversation with her husband earlier that day, she had heard the soft creak of the door closing. But she had ignored it. Now, coming to think of it, she regretted not going to her child and talk about the matter.

Her phone rang, and she quickly answered it. "Kariya-kun? Have you found her?"

"No, Aoi-san. I'm already at the city outskirts, but there's no sign of her…" came his voice.

He sounded tired, and Aoi knew she shouldn't have called him in the middle of the nigh to help her search for Rin. But to the woman, he was the only person who could offer her comfort in times of need. They had grown up together, and got to know each other so well, people who have thought that they were actually siblings.

"I see…" her voice came out hoarse and broken.

"Aoi-san, I will continue searching in the other direction. Maybe Rin-chan had wandered off in the other direction," he offered. "Why don't you get some rest? I'll call you back if I have any news."

If, Aoi thought to herself, and gently shook her head before speaking. "No, I can't sleep. I'm worried about her… Kariya-kun, where are you now? I'll join you on the search."

"Ah?" he sounded surprised. "But Aoi-san, what if Sakura-chan wakes up and looks for you? Or Rin-chan returning to the Tohsaka manor? You wouldn't be there for either one of them if that's the case."

Aoi sighed. "You have a point… I'll wait for you to call then, Kariya-kun."

"I will," he replied before hanging up the phone.

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Rin looked around her in confusion, trying to get her bearings in the city. The buildings seemed so different in the night as compared to the day. She couldn't make out which building was which, and it was ruining her initial intentions of getting out of the city and making it to the neighbouring city on that night.

"I thought I was already at the city outskirts just now…" she grumbled, stuffing her numb hands into her pockets.

And she was actually right. She was already at the city outskirts, but seeing Kariya and her attempts of dodging him had taken her into another part of the city, one that she was unfamiliar with. Now, as she wandered through the streets, she was starting to get scared. Even if she was a Magus, she was still a child.

"Oka-san…" she started to sob. "I wanna go home…"

FSNFSNFSN

Just to clarify something first before I talk about this chapter. English is not my mother tongue. It is in fact the third language I learn. So, please put up with me if you see any stupid grammar mistakes. I'm still learning here. But, do point them out if you spot any, I will gladly appreciate it.

So, about the story. I took another path, whereby none of the sisters will be sent to the Matou. I have no idea whether this type of plot has been written or not before, but I would like to give my imagination a try. Here are some questions to ponder:

Rin has left home. Where will she go? Will her potential be developed? Or will she lead a normal, mundane life?

Sakura becoming the Tohsaka heiress. How will her sister's disappearance affect her personality?

One most important question. How will this affect the Matou family? Zouken is desperate for an heir, and the Grail. Where will he find a substitute?