Chapter 1,

A Splendid Master

"WHY?!"

Running. The constant tapping of her shoes against the concrete stairs, quickly changing to the hollow thuds of wooden steps after she slammed the basement door behind her. A thin trickle of blood fell from her left palm, and she winced at the stinging on her right wrist. The explosion came from the living room, she thought to herself again after countless other times. Damnit, I forgot to fix the clocks in the house! God, this is embarrassing, my power not reaching it's highest potential because I forgot to move the clocks back one hour?!

The living room of this Western-style mansion was right ahead of her. She kicked the door a few times before the debris holding it closed shattered and flew away. Upon opening, it revealed a destroyed room, the ceiling collapsed, the carpet hanging from...Something. On top of the largest intact piece of roof, crushing the sofa, was a very young-looking girl. Her white hair glistened in the moonlight that fell through the caved-in roof. The coat she wore matcher her blood-red eyes. The first thing that came to the newly-entered girl's mind was...

"Alright, what are you?"

***

Rin was awoken abruptly into the cold, last January morning of the year by a noisy wind-up alarm clock. She growled, annoyed that her short sleep was broken. "Ugh, that damn thing won't quit. You don't even offer mercy to the deathly-tired, you stupid bell-thing." Rin promptly stuffed her face back into the array of pillows lining the head of her bed. Almost all of her time overnight was dedicated to decoding her father's will.

She almost smashed the clock, before realizing the time she saw on it. "Seven? I set this thing for six-thirty! Damn, I really must've slept through that racket..." She jumped out of bed, and nearly collapsed from drowziness. Rushing to the bathroom, Rin splashed her face with ice-cold water, illuminating her senses and ridding her of sleepiness. "Now," she began, quickly remembering her usual daily schedule for School days. It was cut short. She shivered. "Ugh, why can't the heater stay on all night, anyways..." Flicking a few switches on the wall, a light buzz began. Rin then went through whatever one would do in the morning, and then headed out to school.

As she headed down the streets, something clicked. Hmm? Where is everyone?, she thought. It's almost time for school to start, so this street should have at least a dozen or so students heading to Homurabara. Alright, there must be something going on...

As she reached the School gate, a student finally appeared, shocked at Rin's arrival. "Tohsaka? What-" Oh, that's what was wrong. "-Are you doing up so early? Even the Archery club doesn't start for another twenty-something minutes."

"This might be a bother, but what time is it?"

Ayako Mitsuzuri looked at Rin sheepishly. "Almost seven."

"Ah, I knew it. The clocks in my house were an hour ahead..." Is this father's doing? Maybe the clocks go haywire after the family heirloom is removed from that rank cellar...

"Well, it's cold out here, so why don't you stay in the Clubhouse until School starts?" Ayako offered.

"No, I shouldn't be obtrusive. Non-members aren't allowed in there anyways."

Ayako grabbed Rin by the hand, forcefully dragging her in. "You'll catch a cold. It's a stupid idea to stay outside right now, and school is empty."

"H-hey!" Rin tried to loosen her captor's grip, to no avail.

"I'll make some tea. If you try and run..."

"Fine! I'll stay. Sheesh." Ayako smiled at the response, and popped out of sight.

***

Time dragged as Rin listened to the Archery Captain's story, something about a 'Matou Shinji' harrassing the newer male members. Rin decided to interrupt after a while.

"So, do you remember our bet from the start of this year?" She asked.

Ayako pondered a while, then, "Right. That. And whoever loses obeys the winner for a day, no exceptions."

"Have you had any luck with the guys yet?" Rin had a tiny smirk on her face.

"No comment. Besides, the boys here are always so rowdy, it gets on my nerves sometimes. And you?"

"Also no comment."

"I hear a lot of rumors you've turned down every guy who'se asked you."

"Personally, I've no time for them."

"Looks like we're at a standoff then. It's close to the end of the third semester. I hope you keep your side of the bet. You were the one who said it was unwomanly to not have a boyfriend, Tohsaka-san." Ayako was in thought.

"As long as you do." Rin replied.

She grinned. "Well, I'll get a boyfriend then. Then I'll put you to good use, Tohsaka-san." Ayako licked her lips.

"Wait, you're not..." Rin shivered at the line. "Mitsuzuri-san, since when were you a-"

"I can dump him after, right? Of course I can. Because Tohsaka-san never gave any specifics to the permanence of said relationship." Ayako started to crawl towards her guest.

"H-hey!" Rin's face turned scarlet, panicking. "What happens if someone comes in right now?"

Ayako changed back to a calmer state. "Good poi-" The door took that moment to slide open.

A purple-haired girl walked in, a bag full of equipment slung over her shoulder. "Good morning, Tohsaka-Sempai," She greets the two. "Good morning, Captain. I'm sorry, I couldn't convice him to come today."

"Oh, that's fine, Matou-chan. He's hard-headed, it's not like one person's opinion'll change his mind." Ayako shrugged.

"Uhm, Tohsaka-Sempai?" Sakura began quietly. "Are you staying here to watch our morning practice?"

Rin shook her head, getting up. "Actually, I was just about to leave. Oh, and, good morning to you too, Sakura-san." She opened the door and left. Phew.

After walking a few meters, she ran into someone she'd rather have not. "Hey, Tohsaka. You come to watch me practice?"

"I was just leaving, Matou-kun. I heard a few not-so-great things about you from your captain."

Shinji sneared. "But I'm sure you heard even more things about me that impressed you. Besides, you watch the archery range from your classroom, right?

"Oh, so you noticed?" I think he's getting the wrong idea...

"If you're so interested in archery, why don't you join?"

"No, actually I'm really not that interested in Archery." Rin waited.

"Oh, so you were watching us practice for me, eh? I didn't think you'd be so blunt about it." Shinji approached her slowly. "Well, you're in luck, Tohsaka."

"Interested in you? No. Frankly, I'm even less interested in you than I am in Archery. You can keep dreaming, though."

"Wh-" Shinji's face cringed at the remark, and it seemed as is he was going to attack Rin. He, however, stayed put and just growled.

"Good day to you, too, Shinji," Rin turned around and waved goodbye. She entered the school.

***

Damn, I thought it'd have at least a few students by now. It's so empty...

"Maybe it might echo..." As she walked down the hallway, a door slid open, and she nearly bumped into someone.

"Ah!" The blue-haired boy jumped back. "You! What are you doing here?"

"Isn't that an odd question, Ryudou-kun. I go to this school. I even helped you with the clubs' budgeting. Surely you knew." Rin said, wearing a solid poker-face.

"'Helped'? Hah! You call working your evil on our Treasurer so much he loses his psyche, even having to take a week's leave, help?" Issei explained rudely. "You even gave out most of the club budget to the sport clubs, you fox!"
"I was doing a favor for Mitsuzuri-san. It's not right for you to favor the non-sporting clubs all the time. The sport clubs need money, too."

"Putting that aside, I need to know something. Have you been staying here late at night?"

"Of course not. You of all people should understand that I head straight home after school finishes."

"It's as if you think I trust you." Issei remarked.

"Well, you should trust me. Everyo-"

The door opened again. "Issei, I've finished with the repairs." Another male student came out from the classroom. "That should be the last of the heaters."

"Ah, thank you, Emiya. I asked only for your help and yet I left all the work to you. My apologies." Issei switched faces and tones.

"No problem. Anything else you want me to fix?" He jingled the toolbox in his hand. "There's not much time left."

"Oh, right. The TV in the rec room is dead." Issei said.
"Hey, if it's dead, then I can't do anything about it."

"It might simply be playing dead to my eyes, it could be fine to yours."

"Well! Let's hurry then. There still might be hope for that old thing!" He smiled.

After a few steps, he turned around. "You're up early, Tohsaka," Emiya said, and left.

What kind of greeting is that? More importantly, should I be happy or scared about someone who seems right at home carrying a wrench?

***

The first half of the day finished slowly. A classmate, Saegusa, approached Rin. "Uhm, T-Tohsaka-san..." She wriggled a bit, obviously nervous. "Will you g-go... Will you eat with us?" Saegusa seemed discouraged quickly.

"Sorry, Yukika. I woke up a little late, so I didn't have time to make myself lunch. I was about to go to the cafeteria," the girl moped. "Remember to ask me tomorrow, I'm sure I'll have a bento then," her face brightened.

"Okay!" She replied happily, and walked back to her seat.

I was nearly confessed to, there... As Rin left, a student Saegusa sat next to barked out obnoxiously.

"Oi, Yukicchi, you'll have to prepare two lunches if you want her to join. She never makes her own lunch." Saegusa retreated slightly.

"Ignore her, Saegusa, you tried." A cool voice comforted Saegusa, who huddled against it's speaker. "You just need a little more courage. Makidera-san wouldn't understand."

"If I don't, then explain! Jeez, I thought she was asking Ricchan to join us for lunch!" Maki said loudly.

"Careful, she's still here." Himuro warned, to which Makidera covered her mouth quickly.

"Yes, I heard that. Please do not address me so informally, Makidera-san." Rin smiled, and left.

Makidera cringed. "Oh god, her smile's even scarier..."

In the end, Rin bought herself a sandwich and drink from the food machines near the stairs, and went up to the roof to eat in peace.

"Wah, it's so cold..." She murmured to herself. At least no one comes here because of that. So peaceful.

After getting rid of the lax face she wore throughout lunch, Rin headed back downstairs and finished her classes.

The bell marking the end of the day rang.

A straight-faced teacher announced, "I advise all of the students who are not in clubs to head straight home, for those who are, the curfew is six o'-clock. Good day." He then left the classroom in such an orderly manner it would have blinded any order-complex students...

Of course, such a thing sounds outrageous in its own.

Arriving at her mansion so many blocks from the school, Rin noticed a blinking light on her answering machine right at the entrance. "Nobody else calls, so I guess it's that damn priest again..." Surely enough, a rugged voice played over.

"It is I. As I am sure you have realized, the deadline for entry is near," The voice said, monotonous. "It would be problematic if you took it easy and layed this off until tomorrow, so I expect you to summon your Servant soon. I require two more Masters for the seats to be filled, so if you do wish to partake in this, do hurry. It takes time to organize a willing substitute Magus into a suitable Master. If you do not wish to participate, come take refuge at the Church." The beep followed as this boring message finished.

Heading down into the basement, Rin pulled out a gem from her pocket. "This should do it if I heat it enough. Right then, where's that spellbook..."

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