Chapter 2

From Fuyuki harbor there was a brilliant view of the sea. Rin had been here many times before, on many a passing season. The view was familiar to her, and she was fond of it in a particular way. On wintry days its surface was shimmering silver, polished under the cold sun; and in summer it would appear merrier with a pleasant baby blue, tinged with white waves.

This time, Rin had come to it as the sun set. The beautiful sphere was just shy of the horizon, barely leaning in. Its rays cast a golden shadow on the sea, setting the water alight with amber and tints of rose as the world waited. The wind was mild and gracious, playing her hair and kissing her cheeks. Rin thought she had never seen a lovelier view.

"May your journey be favourable, Master Tokiomi." Tadao bowed in respect.

Her father nodded once. In the light his coat had an almost crimson glow, and in the wind it billowed slightly. The elegant turn of his head spoke of power and composure, silent and exerting no effort.

"Take care, Tadao." He said simply, unsmiling.

"Thank you, sir." The man replied with formality, indifferent to the callousness of the Tohsaka head. It is so strange how so warm a view could harbour such distant-feeling emotions.

Now Tokiomi turned to Rin, who felt unsure – always unsure before her father's unreadable gaze. The stately way Tokiomi carried himself had impressed Rin immensely as a child; and though she was not intimidated now, she felt like one again, her spirit withering somewhat.

"Have a safe trip, Father." She repeated the words she'd been speaking every time on these docks since she was a child.

Her father still didn't say anything. Not that she expected him to. Tokiomi was a man of few words, of which even fewer expressed his emotions.

But he opened his mouth and told her. "Tadao's replacement will arrive four days after his retirement. You will be well taken care of, Rin."

Those words sent an angry surge through her mind that for an instant she forgot how nervous she was. Although she reigned in her emotions and schooled her expressions, it didn't mean she wasn't infuriated at the thought of having a 'replacement' for Tadao. No one could replace him. His place in her heart was so special, so sacred to her, that to allow someone else in was absolutely ridiculous! Thankfully, she was able to bit back a rather snide remark.

Composing herself, Rin straightened her posture and reminded herself of her father's presence. It would not do to lose her calm in front of him. She knew her father meant those words for comfort. That soothed her somewhat, knowing that he'd at least acknowledged how much Rin loved her butler, the man that truly raised her. Even Tokiomi knew he wasn't there in much of her life. But she somehow found her father's rare acknowledgement easy to ignore, especially in favour of her fresh anger.

"There would be no need for a replacement, Father." She said pleasantly and smiled, the nonchalant kind she sometimes put on to get her teachers and classmates to accept her ideas. Though her smile might not be real, her words she meant very seriously. Gaining courage, she continued enthusiastically. "I can very well manage the house on my own. In fact, I was looking forward to-"

She didn't get to finish her sentence. "Nonsense, Rin. Such work is not for you. You're better off focusing on your studies, and by that I mean your real studies. You were not born and raised to emerge yourself in the work of slaves. Do you understand?"

His casual words were spoken so coldly the young girl felt as though she'd run through an icy shower. Rin innerly flinched at the hardness in his dismissal and replied clumsily. "Yes, Father."

"Any other questions?" He eyed her fiercely.

"No, Father." Came her mechanical response.

Her heart was scorching her with anger. But what else could she say?

"Good." Tokiomi nodded, satisfied.

He extended a hand, but what he offered was not a handshake. He held a white, expensive-looking envelope that bore the Tohsaka house seal. "This is for you." Inside it was a letter, whose contents Rin had no intention of reading soon.

Nonetheless, she took it to please her father. Tokiomi seemed appeased, for he smiled imperceptibly. "The letter contains all the relevant details in regards to our latest manservant," He explained carelessly. "That is all. I'll see you very soon."

With swift steps he boarded the ship, which laying stoic in wait for him. He didn't once turn back.

As the vessel left, Rin waved dutifully after her father. Yet inside, she could not help but marvel at how bitter it all felt.

.

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"...Jii-san, please stop here." Rin said quietly.

As the black car eased to a stop in front of a beautiful fenced park with autumn-colored trees, Rin immediately slid off and slammed the door in her wake.

"My lady-" Tadao's alarmed cry behind her make her fists clench.

"Do not follow me." She ordered, fully knowing he would never push her. Especially not where they were. Tadao always left her alone when she asked him to. "Wait for me here."

Soon she disappeared behind the gate, which lay carelessly open and entered the cemetery. Her footsteps were remarkably light on the whispering yellow leaves carpeting the path, so much so that to the normal eye it would seem that she flew.

She was going to visit her mother.

When she found the grave that bore her mother's name, she carefully knelt in front of it. Instinctively her fingers reached out and touched the smooth, cool stone. With one hand, she traced the letters that spelt 'Aoi Tohsaka', as if she was caressing her mother's cheeks. The letters were perfectly inscribed, their fine curves more resembled calligraphy than carving.

"Hello, Mum." She whispered lovingly, taking in a quiet breath. "You would not believe what happened today."

Her grave laid in a beautiful place full of light. All around her trees watched her with eternal steadfastness and rustled comfortingly, their canopy guarded her from the elements. Songbirds would come too, though only their chirps alerted her of their presence. Their voice strangely enough did not speak of death, but of happiness and remembrance. And wonder in a far away world. When she listened, it was the most calming melody.

Even so, she was sad. For all their songs they could not bring back the radiance of her mother's smile, the warmth of her hug nor the kindness in her songs.

"Father is leaving again. I'm used to that now. But he insulted Ojii-san..." Rin could feel upset seeping into her voice. "After all his dedication to the Tohsaka family Father called it a slave's work! He shot me down when I wanted independence. He controls what I do. And you know what else, Mum, he isn't the only one leaving..." Her tone lowered miserably.

After a pause, during which she felt exhausted in mind and spirit, she continued softly. "We're having a new butler, since Jii-san is retiring. Jii-san might be able to put up with Father's attitude, but I doubt any replacement will. Soon, I'll be alone. But that'll be a good thing. Cause I doubt whether I'll be able to love anyone besides you and Tadao. Maybe a life alone is a life I need."

Now that she said it, she realized it might be true. There were only a few people in life Rin knew she loved and certainly fewer she was ready to love. She wasn't an exactly picky person, nor was she at all anti-social. It was just that Tohsaka Rin found it very hard to let someone in her heart and become fond of them – always had. Since she was young she had always been a head and shoulder above her peers in terms of wisdom and intelligence. That made it difficult for her to understand them, for example how they could idolise some foreign celebrity whom perhaps only a stern kind of respect. She was simply out of touch with her classmates and as a result, she never found someone as close as a friend. Tadao was the nearest thing.

And he'd be leaving in days. Too soon.

She sighed, wishing to lean close. "I wish you were here. You'd know what to do, right? You'd be strong for me, right?" She whispered, and a tear involuntarily trickled from her eyes twinkling. "Well, Mama, I'll be strong for you." She wiped away the tear with her sleeve. Looking up to glimpse the sky, she softly sang the lullaby her mother gave her long ago. It was called Snow Rain.

Everyone will leave on a journey someday

Heavy with sadness and hurt

In search for the answer

That shall be found at the very end

...

The snow melts and twinkles in the night

The wind urges on a quest

The road of the blessed wind

Journeys on with a smile

The quiet snap of a twig behind her caused her to abruptly cease the song. Quickly whipping around, her eyes found a man dressed in simple clothes. He had unusually light hair – not the kind of pale blond or thin white or even grey. It was silver. His skin was tan, despite the cooler weather. He wore a dark coat that was stark against a white shirt, grey jeans and also a white scarf made of silk. Overall, he appeared full of contrasting tones. Rin thought he must not from around here.

He was standing casually, not even facing her. But he was looking at her.

Crossing his arms, a smirk appeared on his lips. "Ah, so you're the source of that awful singing. I thought I should report someone for disturbing the peace."

Rin's reaction was immediate. She quickly stood up, clenching her fist and blushing, embarrassed that she was caught.

"Well, if you don't like it you're welcome to go somewhere else." She said hotly, and blushed even more when he laughed. "Shut up."

"Trust me," He said when his laughter finally ceased. "I would have if I didn't have to be here. Some of us just don't have the luxury of visiting their loved ones in peace."

Rin growled in frustration, scowling at the man as if he'd go away if she stared hard enough. He smiled happily at her murderous glare before tilting his head with a frown. "By the way, you look terrible." He said bluntly.

What? That was totally uncalled for! Sure he could complain that her singing was distracting, but to go on insult her appearance out of nowhere? This guy's asking for it!

"And what are you supposed to be? The God of Beauty Pageants?" She snarled.

Her shoulder shook with displeasure. Even now she was denied peace. The man only raised a questioning brow.

Although, if Rin wasn't too occupied with hating this stranger's guts, she'd notice her words may be that might not be far from the truth. This silver-haired stranger had such an impressive built. Even beneath his dark coat and white shirt one could see the powerful muscles. He was also tall and lean, and had a dashing look. To say he looked like a model would be an understatement, for he had the handsome countenance that belonged to legendary warriors of old.

He ignored her bite and before she knew it he was right beside her, pinching her cheek. "These tears," He frowned. "They're all over your face."

"What? No they're not," Rin batted his hand away like it was an annoying bee.

"Look. Now you're face is all red. Are you quite sure you're okay?" This time, he brushed her cheek with his hand, feeling its heat.

"I'm fine." She said heatedly, but she didn't jerk away. To her surprise and alarm she found she wasn't very bothered by his touch, and was actually just a bit disappointed when his warmth retreated from her.

He looked at her in deep thought, as if contemplating. It made Rin sarcastically wonder if he could possibly be able to think with such a fat head and inflated ego. No doubt he was about to insult her again.

"Tsk, you shouldn't be out so long in this cold." He sighed, taking off his scarf and began wrapping it around her. "At least keep warm properly when going out."

He finally tied it in a cute knot and smiled. And he did it all so quickly and expertly that Rin didn't have time to react. She could have found some witty remark to say to him, but she was all out, frozen on the spot. This was so patronising, she thought, but... why is it sort of endearing?

"And don't cry too much. It doesn't suit you." He commented lightly before turning and walked away from her.

Only then did Rin snap.

"W-Wait a second…" She started after him, but his strides were longer than hers. Damn it!

She broke into a run, yet the mysterious man had somehow already vanished. There was no trace that he'd ever been there, and he had gone as quickly as a fleeting autumn breeze. There was nothing to prove he wasn't a ghost of sort, none to show that their conversation ever passed.

Except the scarf he gave her. Rin quickly pulled it off, but she had no one to return it to and frankly, she had no idea if she should thank him or shout at him if she did.

"My lady, it's almost dusk. We should be heading back."

Tadao's voice startled her. For a wild moment, she wondered if her butler had witnessed that awkward (and somewhat embarrassing) exchange. She blushed again when he eyed the scarf she was holding.

"Is something the matter?" He asked.

Bewildered, she shook her head. "No..."

"I have never seen that scarf before." He raised an inquisitive brow. Rin's shoulders relaxed slightly. If Tadao didn't know where it came from, he shouldn't know who gave it to her.

Rin hesitated with her answer. "Someone left it here." She said, which was part of the truth.

"Do you know who?"

"No." Another half-truth.

"Then I'm sure he or she will come back for it. Until then, you can hold on to it." Her butler spoke with such a calm tone that his young charge was tempted to think he knew it for the truth.

Can she? Rin wondered as she deftly climbed into the car. She was in a daze for the rest of the trip back to the mansion. Tadao said nothing.

That strange guy had taken care of her. In an instant, he did what she never allowed anyone to do. Even worse was the fact that she wasn't really angry.

No. Maybe he was a flirt. Maybe he did that to everyone he met. She wasn't special. His act didn't mean anything.

Or so her mind, disliking the alien feeling, tried to rationalise. Her heart though, still beating so fast was whispering to her other things. It knew everything she just claimed wasn't true, but for now it decided to let her mind dominate. Rin felt more in control that way.

The scarf she still held in her hand. Soft and comforting it was and still warm. Rin brought it to her nose despite her better judgment. Flustering, she noticed how nice it smelt.

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A/N:

Kana Ueda, the voice actor of Rin Tohsaka in the Fate/SN series actually sung a real song called 'Snow Rain'. The lyrics above are translated roughly and I found them on Anime lyrics. com. Check out this song! It's awesome.

Second chapter already. Honestly, I'm jealous with Rin. Archer is just one hell of a guy and it's so unfair that I only meet guys like that in (fan)fiction.

Review please?