"Normal Talking"
"Thoughts"
Night turns to day and it's soon morning. Shirou is preparing breakfast. "Hmm... should I add another dish? Well breakfast is the days source of energy. That reminds me, Saber really likes to eat, even though Japanese style food has to be unusual for her, she really enjoys it." He smiles a bit, trying to banish the other foul thoughts that entered his brain.
"That gives me a good reason to cook." The front door opens behind him.
"Morning, Shirou~!"
"Good morning, Fuji-nee." He may be smiling but inside he's freaking out. "Oh crap! How could I forget about Fuji-nee! She'll kill me when she finds out about Rin!"
"Oh? Where's Sakura?" She looks around.
"Sakura's here?" Shirou's confused.
She scratches her cheek. "Hmm...? But I thought I saw her shoes at the entrance? Huh, I wonder if it's my imagination...?" Instead of checking again like a normal person would do, she walks into the dining room.
Shirou immmediatly pales. "Uwah!" He runs to Rin's room. "Tohsaka!" He bangs on her door. The door opens and a very tired looking eye peeks through.
"Leave me alone... I was out late yesterday so I'm going to sleep until the last moment." She mumbles through the door. Before he could reply she slams the door, and he heard an audible click, she locked the door...
"If Fuji-nee and Sakura find out she's here...!" He hears the door opening, he runs as fast as he can.
"Good morn-" Sakura sees Shirou is on the ground.
"Umm... Senpai? What are you doing?"
"Ah... I'm just doing some cleaning." He shoves the shoes under the cabinet. He could see that she didn't believe his words.
"Uh... l-let's go and prepare breakfast for everyone, I didn't start yet, so... can you help me, Sakura?" She smiles softly at Shirou's sheepish grin, she couldn't help but see how adorable he looked.
"Yes, let's go, Senpai." She said, they slowly walk into the kitchen, both sporting smiles of happiness.
Everyone finishes breakfast. "Thank you for the meal! I'll be leaving now!" Fuji-nee said. Before anyone could reply, she runs out of the house.
"Take care! I should probably clean up now."
Sakura stand up. "Ah, I'll help too."
"It's okay Sakura, I can handle it."
She shakes her head. "No Senpai, let me do this much, since I didn't visit last night." He wanted to protest, but a childish pout found itself on her face, any argument he had, died in his throat.
He couldn't say no to that face...
"In that case, please help me out."
She smiles. "Okay."
Saber enters. "Good morning, Shirou, Sakura."
"Ah! Good morning, Saber!"
"Good morning, Saber-san."
"I prepared some breakfast for you too Saber, so please enjoy it. We'll be going now!"
"Be careful, Shirou." Saber said, even if she had a slightly concerned look in her eyes, she trusted her Master.
After they finished cleaning the dishes, they walk to school. "Man, it's been a while since I've walked with you."
"It has, it's because I always have morning practice..." She suddenly stops, her happy expression becomes emotionless, there are only two reasons for that kind of expression...
"Sakura!" A voice said. Shirou tenses, his hands ball into tight fists.
She turns to see Shinji ready to slap her, she closes her eyes waiting for the strike.
"W-What are you doing, Emiya?" His voice is laced with pain.
She sees Shirou is holding onto his arm. "Enough, Shinji." He said through gritted teeth, how he wished he could break his arm right now.
Shinji tries to jerk his arm out of his grip, without success he then turns back to Sakura. "Why didn't you come to morning practice?! I took great lengths to show up but you embarrass me! Are you attempting to sabotage your brot-" Shirou's grip tightens to where Shinji hisses in pain.
"She was with me Shinji, if it was anyone's fault, it's mine." Shirou's eyes become molten balls of hated. Shinji almost broke into a cold sweat with that glare. But, he slowly steeled himself, already thinking that Shirou is an insect compared to him.
Shinji returns his own glare at Shirou. "This is our problem. Back off, Emiya." He turns to Sakura. "Sakura! Didn't I say it yesterday? Don't go near that guys house." He speaks as if Shirou isn't there, as if that would offend him.
Her eyes gain a blank look. "But Nii-san... Senpai's family is dead, so it's difficult on his own..."
"Oh? You're talking back to me?" Shinji's arm relaxes, Shirou reluctantly releases him.
Shinji smirks. "You're wrong Sakura, he's a guy who likes to do everything on his own, he even retired quickly from the Archery Club, he didn't even appear concerned for us at all."
"But Nii-san forced him to do that..." Her comment falls to deaf ears.
Shinji continues. "I bet even the majority of our club was relieved to see him go! After all, this guy likes being alone!" He makes sure to yell this out so everyone can hear.
Most are giving sympathetic looks toward Shirou, and the others are glaring at Shinji.
"..." Shirou doesn't say a word, he didn't care. All he wanted was to keep Sakura as far away as he could from Shinji, and... that thing.
"...So cruel, that's going too far, Nii-san..." Shinji smiles arrogantly, seeing Shirou's silence as a victory for himself.
"Anyway, it would be good if you listened to me, stop going to this guy's house. You got it?" He stressed those last few words, he wasn't sending an empty threat, he was going to do something that would harm Sakura.
Like hell he would let him.
"...No, I will not even if Nii-san says so, I will not listen!" She said, her voice showing clear conviction that she will oppose her "brother".
"What?!" He growls. "You bitch, learn your place!" He raises his fist to hit her, Shirou also readies himself to defend her, almost tackling him to the ground, and beating him to near-death. Maybe to death, whichever comes first.
Sakura closes her eyes waiting for the hit, but like before... nothing happens.
A hand is holding his arm. "It's too early for this and you're noisy... and you're being a nuisance right in the middle of the street." Rin said.
"Tohsaka..." Shirou said.
"What, Tohsaka? We were just discussing club matters." Shinji said, annoyance clearly present in his voice.
She crosses her arms. "Then let me say this, I heard that participating in the Archery Club's morning practice is an individuals choice, is it really your choice to interfere with what Sakura does?"
"I'm Sakura's older brother." Shirou almost snorts at that. "Is it wrong for a brother to correct his sister's mistakes?"
Rin scoffs. "You're barking up the wrong tree, Shinji. Since she's not doing anything wrong. Futhermore, she's at the age where she can make her own decisions and be responsible for her own actions. Your just using your position as her older brother to satisfy your own selfish desire for control."
Shinji sneers. "That's a little extreme Tohsaka...!" He turns to Sakura. "Hey, Sakura! Since Tohsaka is standing up for you, I'll forgive you today!" He turns to walk, but Shirou is right in front of him.
"Shinji, if I ever see you try to harm her again..." It's as if a sudden pressure hits everyone around them, the feeling of dread is centering around Shirou.
"It will be the last thing you'll ever do."
Shinji pales considerably, his knees almost begin to shake, he's using all his tricks right now to stay calm and superior. "...Hmph, I didn't ask for your input, if you go too far and get hurt it's not my fault." He shoves Shirou and walks away.
Rin frowns. "Seriously, that guy..."
"T-Thank you, Tohsaka-senpai, Emiya-senpai." Sakura said quietly.
"Don't worry about it!" Shirou said happily, his expression quickly changes.
"I'll make sure he never hurts you again, just tell me if something happens again, Sakura." Shirou said seriously, Rin also speaks up.
"No problem, since I was also a little upset just after waking up, I wonder if I said too much...? I should probably have some respect for him in public." Rin's and Sakura's eyes meet for a split second, no one would have notices, all but Shirou of course.
"Very well, Senpai I'll be going." She leaves.
"I have things to do as well, see ya, Emiya-kun." As she passes Shirou she whispers to him. "The rooftop during lunch, okay?" She leaves as well.
Shirou sighs tiredly, a hand suddenly pats his back. "Yo! Thank's for that."
"Mitsuzuri! You were watching?" He gives her a mock glare. "Why didn't you help?"
She shrugs. "It's fine since Tohsaka was there to help, and besides when is it my job to protect the people outside the Dojo?"
"..." She's right about that.
"You know, Emiya? I didn't know you could make such a scary face! It made me almost feel bad for, Shinji." She playfully pinched his cheek.
"Is my little Shirou finally growing up? I didn't know you harbored such strong feelings for, our little Kouhai?" Shirou's cheeks redden slightly, and he slaps her hand away.
"W-What are you saying, Mitsuzuri?" She only laughs at his shy response. She smiles a bit more, until it sours a bit.
"Anyway... Matou has been really irritable lately, hasn't he? I saw him picking on some first-years this morning... we got control of the situation, but it was still unsettling."
"Hmm... well, I'll see you later Mitsuzuti, tell everyone I said hi." Ayako opened her mouth as if she wanted to say more, but instead gave a half-hearted wave, before she left as well.
It's soon lunch time and Shirou is headed to the roof. "Phew... I took longer than expected, I think she said we'll meet on the roof?" He opens the door.
Rin is standing there with an annoyed face, he notices she is shivering slightly. "You're late Emiya-kun!" She runs right up to his face.
"What's the big idea, making a girl wait in the cold?!" Besides the sudden fear he's feeling, he pushes on, quickly thinking on his feet.
"Hmm? Oh, sorry about that, here take this." He hand his school jacket to her.
"...Thank you..." When she puts it on, the sudden warmth of the jacket spreads across her body, the warmth that came from Shirou... she shakes her head with a red face. "What's wrong with me?! Thinking about stuff like that!"
"...Hey Tohsaka, you, uh, okay? Your face is all red." He slowly begins to get closer to her.
Before she can even form a single sentence, Shirou gently grabs the back of her head and places his forehead against hers. Her entire face explode, even redder than her own red turtleneck... and also turning into a babbling mess.
"Hmm..." Shirou mumbled. She could feel his warm breath against her own lips, sending shivers down her spine. "You seem okay..." He looks at her with slight concern. Looking at her with those strong, trusting, and warm eyes...
She mentally slaps herself and shakes from her daze. "F-Fine, I'm fine!" She jerks away from his touch, she feels a tingly feeling on her forehead that spread across her entire body everytime she thought about it. He looks at her strangely for a moment, but shrugs thinking nothing of it.
"Well, sorry about that Tohsaka, do you, uh, want this drink I bought you?" He asked hesitantly.
"...A-Ahem. My, aren't you unexpectedly thoughtful..." She said, gaining back her confidence that Shirou unknowingly shattered. "Well come on! We're not standing to talk, so let's sit."
Before they begin to discuss what happened, Rin does something strange. "Umm, Tohsaka...? You're sitting a little too close..." He again looks at her strangely, feeling a bit uncomfortable with having a... rather cute girl sitting so close to him.
Her face reddens. "I-It's not like I want to... the wind is cold and if we share body heat we'll stay warmer." She said logically, but in the deepest parts of her mind and soul... she wanted to sit next to him, just so she can feel his body next to hers, to be closer to the boy that she-
Again, she mentally slapped herself. What is wrong with her today?!
"...I guess so." Rin takes a deep, calming breath and soon begins.
"Anyway, I went to check out Shinto last night, you want to hear about it, right?"
Shirou nods. "Yeah, so what happened?"
"What we found last night wasn't Rider's work, the magic used was something completely different." Rin said.
"So that means..."
"There were no clues indicating Rider, so we have no choice but to search steadily while we destroy the magic circles around the school as according to plan. You should also watch out for any suspicious people."
"Yeah, I know... having said that, since there at no Masters at the school there's little hope." Shirou mumbled, it soon became an almost awkward silence, before he spoke up again.
"By the way Tohsaka, I was surprised this morning, you know, surprised that you're acquainted with Sakura?" He had to make small talk.
"Well... only a little, we... spoke to each other from time to time. But you two look like really close friends." She seemed slightly uncomfortable talking about it.
"It's because she was a Kouhai in the same club as me, and various things happened and now I'm indebted to her now, and the reality is that Sakura and Fuji-nee... er, Fujimura-sensei always eat at my house." He's reminded of another problem. He grabs her shoulders and looks straight into her eyes, with eyes so sharp and serious, she would have thought she was looking at Archer.
She almost snorted. Yeah, right. Like that's possible.
"You should really reveal yourself soon, I think it'll soon be impossible for you to hide."
"...Why? What seems to be the problem? Or... does it have something to do with, Saber?" She saw Shirou shiver slightly, it wasn't from the cold.
"...That... that was a complete disaster. When I introduced Saber, Tiger freaked out. A lot. She attempted to hit me multiple times with that cursed stick of hers, and only through sheer luck I got out of that, I really don't want that to happen again, so when the time comes you have to help me out."
"Hmm... we'll deal with that later, for now let's settle the matter at hand." Rin said.
"Yeah... then I'll work hard in finding the magic circles." She nods and they get up to go inside.
"See ya, Tohsaka."
"Yeah later, Emiya-kun." They depart separate ways.
While Shirou is walking down the hallway Issei notices him. "Hey Emiya! Where were you, and where's your jacket?"
"I was on the roof with Tohsaka and I gave her my... jacket..." Only after Shirou finished talking he realized his mistake.
Issei looks horrified. "What?! Why would you be with that She-Devil?! Come! We have to cleanse you before its too late!" He drags him off before Shirou can complain.
Meanwhile Rin is having similar problems, Mitsuzuri sees Rin. "Hey Tohsaka! Where were you, and who's jacket is that?"
"Hello Mitsuzuri, if you must know I was on the roof, and it was cold so Emiya-kun offered it to... me..." She also realized her mistake.
Mitsuzuri eyes go wide for moment and then she grins. "Oh? So you were alone with Emiya? What were you guys doing for him to give you his jacket? Heh, heh, heh... care to share?"
Rin's face glows red. "Noth-Nothing happened! We just talked!"
"That blush ruins that claim! I can't wait to tell the others!" She giggles while she's running away.
"He-Hey! Come back here! You better not say anything!"
Shirou is wandering around and soon reaches the Dojo, he closes his eyes and sniffs the air. "...I can't feel anything around here... that reminds me, the source of the barrier was behind the school in the woods, so-"
"Senpai!" He turns around to see a smiling Sakura.
"Do you have business at the Dojo?"
"No I'm just passing through."
"Well if it's okay would you like to drop in? I would love to see Senpai's shooting."
Shirou has an apologetic look. "Sorry, I'm a little busy right now, maybe next time."
"I see..."
"Sorry."
"No, it's okay Senpai."
"Is it okay for you to be here with me? Won't Shinji get angry?"
Sakura shakes her head. "Nii-San had some things to do today so he's not here."
Shirou snorts. "Well isn't that the same..."
"Um Senpai, I'm sorry about this morning, please don't think bad of Nii-san, okay?"
"...Did something happen?"
"No it's just that Senpai is Nii-san's only friend... even at home he talks about you a lot."
"Is that so...? Well I'm stuck with him, so I'll try to get along."
She smiles. "Please do." He raised his hand, he didn't want her to go. He wanted to stop her, and kiss her softly, to make her feel safe, away from any harm again. But in the back of his mind, he knew that was impossible right now, he had to get rid of the Tainted Grail once again to save the girl he loves...
He shook his head of these thoughts and gave a small smile.
"Do your best at practice!" She waves and goes back into the Dojo.
Shirou's cheerful smile turns serious. "Now then..." He suddenly feels a presence above him, but it's too late and Shirou feels a sharp pain hit his neck.
"Gah!" He falls to one knee but doesn't go unconscious, that really hurt though.
"Hmm... It seems your more resilient than I thought..." A voice said.
"Ri-Rider?" He sees the purple-haired beauty staring at his fallen form, she gets ready to strike again, Shirou reacts this time and rolls out of the way.
"What are you doing, Rider?!" She responds by sending a kick toward him, he blocks the hit, but the force slides him across the ground.
"Rider, Stop! Don't make me hurt you!" Shirou raises his hands to prepare for anything. Rider pauses, and does something very unusual, she giggles. It was a very strange thing to hear from her.
"You amuse me boy... if you must know, my... Master wants to meet you."
Shirou crosses his arms. "I thought I told you my name is Shirou... but your Master, huh...? Fine let's go." They soon reach the Archery Club House.
"Wait here, bo-... Shirou, my Master will be here soon."
"Wait, Rider." She pauses and looks from the corner of her covered eye.
"Why do you follow your Master's orders? I know you don't like him, so why?"
"...I must follow his orders no matter what, even if I don't want to."
"Did he use a command seal?" He needed to confirm it was the same as before.
"...Something like that..." She leaves with that cryptic message.
Shirou already knew who it was so he waited, he closes his eyes and meditates. A little while later the door opens, he could just feel that pathetic presence enter the room.
"Yo, Emiya! Sorry about being so rough!"
"Shinji..." He sees that overconfident smile on his face.
"...What's the meaning of this, Shinji?"
He smirks. "It's how it looks, I'm a Master like you."
"..." Shirou doesn't speak, he's just trying to hold back barely controlled rage.
Shinji takes that silence as a way to continue. "It's not unreasonable for you to be surprised, I'm amazed too. As a friend from long ago, I can trust you so I have something to ask you."
He sits down in one of the decorated chairs. "How about it Emiya, will you join me?"
Before Shirou could answer Shinji moves and punches Rider.
"!" Shirou gets up, now a Servant can never be hurt by someone as weak as Shinji, but it still angers him to see her be treated that way.
"Seriously, if you think about starting the barrier, make sure Emiya isn't in danger."
"...I have no excuses, Master." She said quietly.
"So that's it, Emiya. Everything up until now has been her acting on her own, it was never my plan to make you an enemy. We're the same Emiya, shanghaied into a war we have no interest in, so it wouldn't be unnatural for us to join together. If we joined together not even Tohsaka could win. How's that? Not a bad plan?" He puts his hand on Shirou's shoulder. If he wasn't trying to be civil right now, he would have cut that disgusting hand off his shoulder, and burned the shirt he's wearing.
"I'm... sorry Shinji, but I have to say no, if it makes you feel any better I'll try to stay out of your way, okay?" Shinji's smile goes away for a second but soon returns.
"It's not the answer I wanted but it's better than nothing, remember Emiya if you ever change your answer you know where to find me."
Shirou nods and prepares to leaves. "Shinji, if I find out you're lying and you're the one who purposely put up the barrier..." He let that hang.
"Don't worry Emiya, I'll make sure Rider doesn't do anything."
As Shirou is leaving he encounters Rider at the door. "That miserable prick is such a horrible liar, I'm sorry you have to deal with him. Rider... have you considered my offer?"
"...I can't, even if I wanted to... I'm forced to follow him for now until he dies or I die." Shirou frowns, but nods slowly.
Shirou puts his hand on her shoulder, he felt a bit inadequate being a little shorter than her, but he can still get his message across. "I will save you from him, Rider. Just hold out a bit longer." He quickly leaves into the cold night, he looks back and gives her a warm smile before he disappears.
A smile appears on her face. "...You're a very strange one... Shirou." She feels a... warm feeling spread across her chest, no one has treated her that nice in a very long time...
As soon as she returns she is yelled at by Shinji. The wam feeling disappears, being replaced by a cold, empty, void.
"You bitch! This is all your fault!" Her smile fades completely as she is forced to endure this idiot.
Shirou enters his house. "I'm home!" He hears hurried footsteps, and turns to see a very angry, apron wearing Rin.
"Where have you been, Emiya-kun?!"
"I-I wa-"
"Never mind! We'll talk later, hurry up and come in."
"Umm...? What's with that get-up?"
She looks down to the apron. "Isn't this yours? I found it in the kitchen so I borrowed it. Didn't I also say we would take turns cooking meals?"
"Welcome back, Shirou!" Fuji-nee said. He sees Sakura and Saber there as well.
"Where were you, Shirou?" Saber said, her cold stare begins to unnerve him.
"Tohsaka-san's cooking is amazing! She's probably as good as you if not better! You should hurry and eat some!"
"E-Eh?" Shirou looks back and forth between Rin, Fuji-nee and Saber.
"I'll explain later, also what did you tell them Tohsaka?"
"Ah that, Shirou? She told us there would be no mistake."
"Eh...?"
"Hmm? Tohsaka-san's house is under renovation so you let her borrow the detached room, right?" She puts her hand on her cheek in thought.
"Uh... Yeah! That's right! Don't worry..." He laughs nervously, he turns his head to a very ridiculous scene.
Rin seems to glow with innocence and purity. "I am truly grateful for Emiya-kun's compassion for a school mate, thanks to him I no longer need to waste money living in a hotel."
Shirou's glowing with disbelief and uncertainty. "Are you kidding me...?"
Fuji-nee readily agrees with everything. "Yeah, Yeah! Because, one of Shirou's good points is he never turns a person in need away, but you will take care of her, right Shirou?" She begins to glare at him.
Shirou sighs. "Yeah, yeah I know..." He takes his first bite, and his eyes open in surprise.
"How is it, Emiya-kun? Does it suit your tastes?" She has a smug smile.
"So this is what you meant yesterday... Oh! By the way, Saber how do you like it?"
"It's very good... But I still prefer Shirou's cooking."
Shirou smiles. "I'm glad."
Rin straightens. "Even if you have such pride in cooking Emiya-kun, I have a reputation to hold."
"You're such a perfect woman..." He said sarcastically.
He sees Sakura is looking sadly down at her plate. "But, ya know... I think Sakura will surpass me in cooking soon, so wait for her food as well!"
"U-Um Senpai... I don't think I'm as good as you..." She shrinks down in her seat, shes completely embarrassed, it makes her look cute.
"Nonsense! That stew you made before was perfect! Even I couldn't do that!"
"Th-Thank you, Senpai..." She has a strong blush on her face but she's smiling.
Sakura and Fuji-nee soon leave and Shirou, Saber and Rin are alone.
"I'm going to use the bath now, so don't bother me."
"Yeah."
"Please wait, Rin. What do you plan to do for tonight's operation?" Saber said.
"I intend to go to Shinto again, I might find some clues about yesterday's suspect. Fuyuki City is a land under Tohsaka control, I won't let anyone do as they please."
"I see... then I'll go as well!" Shirou said.
Rin tilts her head in confusion. "That won't be necessary, this is completely unrelated to Rider, so it's my problem."
Shirou shakes his head. "That's not exactly true to me, Masters who attack people indiscriminately are unforgivable, and didn't you say that we would always operate together? And more importantly I have something to tell you..."
Shirou, Saber and Rin are patrolling the city, and he tells them about how Rider attempted to knock him out, how Shinji offered and alliance but the thing that Rin reacted the most to was telling them he's a Master.
"What! Shinji's a Master?! This can't be...! There can't be another Master at school!"
"But Tohsaka you were unable to detect my magic, right? Then..."
"No this is different, completely different, first of all Shinji shouldn't even be a magus. Here, let me explain, originally they were a foreign family of magi, called the Makiri but when they came to japan they later changed it to Matou, the Japanese land didn't agree with them, and considerably weakened their magus blood, soon enough the magic circuits that were part of their magus bloodline died off with Shinji's father's generation. In other words, the Matou family lineage has already faded away, so for Shinji to be a Master makes no sense..." She seems frustrated.
"But Rin, we must accept that if Rider follows his orders..." Saber said.
"...Right, I know so what did you say to him after he told his story?"
"I rejected his invitation of course, since I'm allied with you."
"I see, now is the time to defeat Rider!" Saber readies herself.
"No, not yet Saber. I want to avoid unnecessary battles, once he makes the first move then we'll attack." Saber frowns, but nods at his decision.
"So does this mean our alliance is at an end?" Saber said.
"Of course not! I just want to see how this goes. I'm sorry but I can't put faith in Shinji's words, even if he's harmless right now, finding out a Masters identity makes them easier to deal with, so we'll leave him alone for now."
"I see, but I think we should still take out the roots of evil while we can..."
"Don't worry Saber, we'll get that chance soon enough. Anyway, Tohsaka you said that the Matou were a line of magi, right? So Sakura..."
"Heh, your worried about her aren't you? Don't worry she's unrelated to the Holy Grail War." He smiles a fake smile. "If only she knew..."
They soon walk in a comfortable silence and Shirou is having the feeling of someone watching them. The figure smiles and raises her hand.
"!" Shirou spins around at the same time everyone else reacts. "Shirou, An enemy!"
Archer appears behind them. "Did you feel that, Rin?"
"Yes, this is the same feeling as before. Let's go Emiya-kun!" She starts to run off.
"Wait! Tohsaka, isn't that's the wrong direction? I'm sensing something in that direction."
"Archer, do you feel anything?"
"No, a little while ago there was a magic reaction in the heart of the city."
"I also do not think Shirou can distinguish between abnormalities..." Saber said.
"...But we shouldn't ignore Emiya-kun's ability for sensing abnormalities... we should split up."
As Shirou is running, he hears Rin. "Remember Emiya-kun! If the enemy is too strong you run!"
He uses reinforcement and pumps his legs to get there faster.
"Shirou, what is this way?!"
"I don't know! But something seems familiar... and something old and putrid is there as well..."
They arrive at large barren area of land. "Shirou, where are we?"
"...Long ago there was a great fire here... this park was made from those ruins."
Shirou senses a presence behind him. "Watch out, Shirou!" She appears next to him in a flash and slashes a humanoid skeleton. "Please be careful!"
"Trace On!" He grasps his twin swords readying himself for the skeletal army before him.
"We're surrounded!" They both go back to back slashing, blocking and destroying as many as they can. Suddenly, Shirou feels a large magical build up and jumps in front of Saber and traces as many swords as he can and creates a barrier, a large explosion is soon created.
"Shirou!" As soon as the smoke clears she sees he's alright, he just has a couple of cuts and he's slightly singed in places.
"I'm alright, but something was off about that magic, it felt... old, no ancient."
"Are you Saber's Master, boy?"
"A new Servant?!" He turns to see a cloaked figure. "Who is she?" She appears to be in a large robe like cloth that covers her body completely, she is wearing a very simple robe which is black and purple with gold trimmings. It also appears to have a metal ring with a ruby attached holding a part of the robe together.
Memories begin to flow through his brain, he feels he should know who she is, he feels like this happened before. His eyes widened in realization. It suddenly hit him like a tsunami.
Caster.
"Are you really her Master? You have such weak reserves, yet... you seem to be hiding something..." Shirou tenses ever so slightly.
"I feel sorry for Saber, if she was summoned by me, then this wouldn't have happened."
"Be silent, Caster!" Saber growls.
"Though, I'm quite amazed that your Master got out of that with minimal injury... his magical resistance is pitiful. So it's more surprising the more I think about it."
She smiles. "What an interesting fight, certainly worth the wait."
"You separated us from Rin, which also means to divide our powers... to me however, these are all useless tactics! You can't win against me, Caster!" She charges and attempts to cut her down, but all she hits is an illusion.
"How about this, Saber!" She chants a few words and launches a magical blast at Saber, she is consumed in the blast but soon brushes off the attack like nothing.
"Quite amazing... You certainly have a strong force against anti-magic." She then gets her army to attack again.
"Even if my magic won't effect you... it will still hurt your Master!" She sends another magical blast.
"Shirou!" She defends with her sword, cutting the magic in half, sending the two halves into the ground.
"Ha! This kid is your weakness, Saber." She then sends a barrage of crescent shaped energy blasts, Saber blocks most of them, but one hits Shirou in the arm.
"Are you alright, Shirou?!" He could already feel the wound closing up.
"Don't worry about it! Focus on Caster!" Saber is forced to fight the skeletons and defend Shirou.
"Saber! If we defeat Caster these things will go away, right? Do you have any ideas?" Shirou had many ways to defeat her but using them this early on will only raise many, many questions, some that will probably get him killed.
"Yes, I have one but..."
"What, is it? Tell me..."
"If I use my Noble Phantasm and I activate it, everything including Caster will all disappear."
"Everything? No, Saber we can't do that, it'll be too much."
"But Shirou if we keep this up..."
"Yeah, I know because of me, you can't do as much, so I'll protect myself and give you enough time to defeat her!"
"Are you crazy?! There are too many for you to handle!"
"Go, Saber. I don't care about my life anymore, I've already made up my mind to protect the people I love from people like them! We'll have to get out of here without using your Noble Phantasm, NOW GO!"
"...Be careful Shirou! Please last for 30 seconds!" She charges at Caster, destroying everything in her path.
Shirou is slowly surrounded and everything seems to slow down, but besides the horde before him, he smirks "30 seconds, huh...? That's more than enough time to destroy them!" He charges and swings his blades destroying each one in an instant.
But with each one destroyed two took its place, it was like fighting a hydra. Shirou was starting to get slowly pushes back and with each swing of his swords the enemy's were getting closer, one got close enough to slash his arm.
"Tch!" He is starting to get injured, he throws his swords and traces more and more until the air is filled with them, he throws, slices and catches each blade, he feels his brain burning with complete concentration.
His tactic is working, he's slowly annihilating the army. But it's still not enough, the traced swords soon break and the skeletal soldiers advance toward Shirou, they are soon upon him and are delivering more and more damage across his body.
"I guess it's time..." Shirou closes his eyes and releases the 'Shroud' he is once again filled with pain, but he is able to push the demons back, his swings are black and white blurs in the moon-lite sky.
It's still not enough.
They attempt to slash at Shirou but the swords that rip out of his body protect him for now. "Hurry Saber! I can't keep this up much longer!" Shirou doesn't notice a couple skeletons sneak up on him and skewer his body.
Saber is fighting Caster but is hitting nothing but air. "Hmm... perhaps I misjudged your Master, using projection to such a high degree... and having that sudden power boost as well... heh, he's more interesting than I thought." Saber gets behind her and slashes at her body.
"Hmph, no matter what you do, it will not work." She notices something behind Saber.
"Hehe, good job boys, for distracting her... Remember Saber, I am one step closer to winning the Holy Grail!" She dissolves into the air.
"It was... a fake?! Damn it!" She turns. "Shirou!" Her eyes widen when she sees him, he has multiple gashes, and swords are sprouting all over his body again but the most damage seems to be the bone like swords that's in his stomach and chest.
"I-I'm alright..." he drops to his knees and vomits blood.
"Shirou!" She helps him up and notices his wounds can't heal with the swords in his body. "Shirou, this is going to hurt..." She grabs the one in his gut and gives one swift yank, Shirou grunts in pain.
"One more, Shirou hang on..." She attempts to pull it out but it's stuck, she could use more strength, but she would just cause more damage. "It seems to be stuck between your ribs... Shirou we need Rin's help!"
"No... I can handle it." He grabs the one in his chest and pulls as hard as he can, you could hear his ribs forcibly break, Shirou nearly yells out in pain, he has to cough out some blood to speak.
"Le-Let's go home, Saber." She supports him for their slow walk home.
"So the Caster that was controlling the soldiers was a fake..." She puts bandages on Shirou.
"Rin, what happened to the area you checked on?"
"Same as yesterday, a karaoke place was attacked. Oh well." She tightens the bandages on him.
"Ow! Tohsaka, that hurts!" She gives him a disapproving stare and slaps his back.
"Ow! Why?!" He glares at her.
"If you're a man stop complaining!" She looks at his body and is still amazed. "You have such a weird body Emiya-kun, you're already almost healed... I didn't have to use any of my healing techniques."
"So what should we do now Tohsaka?"
"Well, now since the enemy has made their move, we can't just do nothing. Right now Archer is following the magic trace. Hopefully we'll be able to find where she resides."
"Rin..." She puts her hand up to her ear. "How's it going, Archer?"
The scene goes to Archer. "I lost it, the magic trace left behind must have been a trap set by Caster, lots of mammoth soldiers suddenly attacked me. Yet, I can still feel a slight trail... If I keep following it, then maybe..."
It goes back to Shirou, Saber and Rin. "So that's what it is!" Rin said.
"What is it, Rin?" Saber said.
"I've always suspected, in both cases we did not see Caster there at all. In this case, how do you think Caster managed to take all the souls that she sucked up?"
"Could it have something to do with the magical exchange?" Shirou asked.
"No, even if she were to do that, the mana needed would be way too inefficient..."
"So that means..." Saber mumbles.
"There's only one place where currently a lot of people gather..."
"So it's the Temple outside in the forests... that's where Caster most likely is, right?" Shirou said.
Saber prepares herself. "Now that we know Caster's whereabouts, there is no reason to let her do as she pleases. Let's go and defeat her now!"
"No wait! We don't have enough information right now. Even if we know who she is we don't know her capabilities, besides we don't know what her Noble Phantasm is either and no deaths have occurred yet so let's wait a bit."
"Then I guess it's just the two of us, Shirou." She looks to him, but notices an uncertain look on his face.
"No... Sorry, Saber."
"What?! But, Shirou!"
"I agree with Tohsaka on this, I don't think we'll gain anything if we attack now, if were too anxious we could die besides, we still have Rider to deal with so we have to sit and wait for now."
He might have agreed, but he knew next-to-nothing about Caster's abilities and true potential.
"..." Saber wants to protest but reluctantly stops herself.
Everyone is back at the Emiya household and it's the dead of night, Saber waits until everyone is asleep and silently removes herself from Shirou.
She sees him frown slightly so she caresses his cheek softly, a small smile appears on his face and he settles down. "I... I am a Servant who disobey's my Master's orders, but..." She remembers Shirou facing down the army.
"I don't care about my life anymore, I've already made up my mind to protect the people I love from people like them!" She looks to the sky.
"Shirou, you won't live long if you think like that..." She activates her armor.
"I'll just have to bring victory by myself! I'll defeat Caster for my Master who can't fight for himself!" She disappears into the night.
...
Meanwhile Shirou is having a recurring dream. "As for me Shirou, I always wanted to be a man of justice." Kiritsugu said.
The younger Shirou speaks. "What are you talking about? You're a Man of Justice already, besides you saved me after all." He smiles.
"Ha ha ha, even then there are limitations to being a Man of Justice. Like when you become an adult, it's something very hard to do."
He closes his eyes. "So I've already..." The dream suddenly ends and Shirou wakes up to darkness, a lack of warmth at his side.
"Saber...?" He sees the empty space where she should be laying. "Damn! Did she go to Caster?!" He gets up. "I have to make it...!" He releases the 'Shroud' slightly and uses it's power to boost his reinforcement far beyond his maximum. "Please be safe, Saber!"
Saber is in front of the temple steps, another figure is watching from the woods. "Saber... Just as I thought, she came. Probably to challenge Caster, it'll be good if she defeats her, and will be better if she falls with Caster, but..." He reaches his hand and a magic barrier fizzes against his skin. "A barrier... probably set by Caster or it's the temple itself, I'm not sure... It seems like I'll have to go through the front."
Saber is speeding up the stairs at an alarming rate. "Of course, there would be a barrier that blocks enemies. But whatever it is I'll defeat it!" She almost reaches the top until a figure is seen. "Is that a Servant headed my way?" Saber halts her movement.
"Who are you!" He slowly gets up.
"I'm someone who's been named to guard the entrance to this place. If you turn around now, I'll let you go, but if you insist on going in you have to get past me!"
His shadowed appearance is revealed, he is a rather tall man with kimono that has a mix of blue, dark and light purple with gold trimmings, he has long dark blue hair, held together with a purple string, on his back he has a very long sword as well.
"Servant Assassin, Sasaki Kojiro!" He yells out.
"Assassin?!" She brings out her sword. "Why is another Servant here? That name sounds Japanese... a Servant who revealed his true identity, impossible! But since he's revealed his identity, as a knight I also must..."
"Hello, Kojiro my true name is-"
"No need for that." He interrupts, he begins to walk down the steps. Saber has a surprised look on her face.
"There's no need for you to tell me your identity, I just do that as a part of my courtesy. We'll talk with our swords."
Saber is surprised. "Assassin you, already know I'm a swordsman?"
He smirks. "Even if I can't see your sword, I can feel the sense of battle within it."
Assassin draws his long katana. "Let us fight now Saber, the Strongest Servant with a sword."
Saber brings out her invisible sword. "Very well, I accept your challenge!"
At the same time Shirou is still running toward the temple. "Damn it, I need to go faster!" He releases the 'Shroud' even more to pump his legs with the foreign prana. "Going by herself, what is she thinking! I hope that the Caster of this war is not different from the one of my war... you better be alright, Saber!"
Saber and Assassin clash, Saber is forced to immediately jump back. "How? I am faster, stronger and even heavier, yet he's hard to fight against... especially with that abnormal sword of his... such a long sword should be easy to defeat, but... I can't even get close!"
Archer is also observing the new Servant. "So Sasaki Kojiro is his name huh...? Using that 5 foot long sword and a Chujo-ryu fighting style... it's not surprising he can fight Saber at the same level. In that case his sword should be his Noble Phantasm." He feels blurry memories brighten in his mind.
Saber is having similar thoughts. "Just what is going on? I can't sense any magic or any kind of spirit coming from that sword, is that thing not his Noble Phantasm?
He relaxes his stance. "Hmm, you're much more of a challenge than I thought, but..."
"He let his guard down?!" Saber speeds toward him. "Are you underestimating me, Kojiro?!" At the last possible second he leans back, dodging the sword by millimeters.
"What!" Saber yells.
He puts his sword on his shoulder. "Alright, I know all about you sword now, I'd say about 1 meter long and 4 inches thick. Hmph, certainly a sword that fits your name, Saber."
"How did-" She waits for the next move. "How did he figure out my sword in such a short amount of time?"
"So Saber, there's nothing to be afraid of now. Stop hiding the true face of your sword."
"...What do you mean?"
He points his sword at Saber. "Your blade... it's still in its sheath isn't it? Or do you think that is good enough for me?"
"Did he see through my wind barrier too?!" She stays silent.
"Still won't let me see it? Well then... I guess I have to show you mine." The wind slowly picks up around him.
"His power just increased, is he planning to use his Noble Phantasm?"
Kojiro brings his sword to his side and raises it slowly into the air, he quickly gets into a two handed stance with his back turned from Saber.
Prepare yourself Saber, or else you will die..."
"Tsubame...!" He brings down his sword.
"GAESHI!" Two simultaneous strikes approach Saber.
She sees herself being cut in half, and at the same time being decapitated. "Unavoidable?!... No, there!" She is able to jump away and rolls down the steps "What was that?! If I didn't dodge I would have died!"
"Hmm, even though I would like to say you dodged that pretty well Saber, I didn't have the correct footing so I was only able to get two shots off." He moves to a new spot. "There, this is a perfect spot. You still won't release your Noble Phantasm? You better do it soon because with the next shot, you won't be able to dodge, so pull out your sword, Saber!" He said.
"What move was that? I had no choice but to dodge..." She notices her arm guard slowly starts to crack until it shatters into multiple pieces, her arm is bloody and cut up.
"Argh!" She clenches her bloody fist. "What do I do...?"
Archer is still observing. "So that's Tsubame Gaeshi, eh? He attacked from the top side of Saber, no... that technique has two consecutive arching blades that close in on the enemy from all sides to create a prison, allowing no chance for defense or evasion. Saber only dodged because it was incomplete and she still got injured... he's able to bend space and time to create those slashes, he made something impossible, possible! Something like that shouldn't exist! Yet up until now, I could not sense any Phantasm coming from his sword. He's a Servant that can match Saber without using his Noble Phantasm at all!"
Assassin looks on with disinterest. "What? You look surprised, you know I found this out by accident. I was trying to cut down a swallow and by the time I did, I developed this skill."
"How is this possible? To be able to slash more than one time. Very few could do this, in fact, it's impossible, but if what I dodged really happened..." Saber asks.
"That's right, Tsubame Gaeshi actually has three slices, but due to the position I was in, I could only achieve two." He gets back into his stance.
"Before you were able to dodge it. But now, I have enough room, you can taste the real Tsubame Gaeshi, what will you do now eh, Saber?!"
"His Noble Phantasm is undodgeable. There is no next time so I have to attack before he does. Normal attacks won't work, I have to beat him in an instant or else he will still hit me, that means I have to make this move!"
Saber lifts her sword. "Alright then, I'll do as you wish! I'll use my Noble Phantasm to beat your sword! Release, Wind Barrier!" The wind all around picks up, it's so strong the entire forest is shaking from the power.
"Hmm, as swift as the wind." He looks at her sword, a golden light begins to slip through. "But this isn't her full power..."
Shirou reaches the steps and is nearly pushed off his feet. "This feeling... no! She can't use that...!" He sees Saber is fighting someone he doesn't recognize. "Another Servant?!" He runs up the steps. "Saber!"
"Uhh... My Phantasm will waste a lot of mana... but I can't retreat now, I need to beat him in order to advance. I need to use my power to beat him!" She raises her sword. "Here I come, Kojiro!" She is about to strike.
He sees something in the corner of his eye. "Wait just a moment, Saber." He silently pulls out a dagger and throws it at Archer, he immediately disappears.
"What's going on!"
He sheathes his sword. "We better stop for now, someone is trying to peek at your Noble Phantasm, Saber. Jeez, that outsider just killed my mood to fight."
"Wait, Assassin! We still don't know who the winner is yet!"
"I originally wanted this fight to be between only us a fight to the death, besides someone is here for you... Oh? Wait, it seems I still have a fight." In one swift motion he redraws his sword.
Shirou is speeding in. "Saber!" He traces his swords and leaps over her and brings his swords down on Assassin, he easily blocks the twin swords, no... more like he re-directed the brunt of the force. He smirks slightly at Shirou's angry glare.
"Who are you?!" The man only keeps that small smile. They soon clash and with each hit, small shock waves form, but Shirou is easily outmatched, even with his reinforced strength, Assassin is much more skilled.
"Servant Assassin, boy." Shirou only glares until he sees his sword.
"So, Sasaki Kojiro that's your name..."
Assassins eyes widen. "How did you..."
Shirou jumps back and drops his swords. "Trace On." He closes his eyes and a weight falls into his hand, he opens his eyes and Assassin's sword is in his hand.
"When I copied your sword, I was able to see your history, but most importantly I can utilize you ability as well!" Shirou slowly brings his sword up an gets into a two handed stance with his back to Assassin. Shirou fully releases the 'Shroud'.
He smiles. "Interesting!" Assassin goes into the stance as well.
"Tsubame..." Assassin said.
"Tsubame...!" Shirou yells.
"GAESHI!/GAESHI!" They both roar at the same time.
They both clash and each hit is simultaneously struck, but since Shirou is only human he's only able to achieve two, while Assassin finishes all three.
...Ow... were those his muscles tearing? He's pretty sure he ripped apart the muscles in his arms right now... it makes sense though, like he said...
He's only human.
"Guh!" Shirou is forced back when his chest is slashed, only due to the full release of the 'Shroud' and sword-like armor coming out of his body prevents a fatal strike. He gets up and prepares to fight again.
"Heh... not a bad Master there, Saber. Take a rest for tonight, we'll finish our fight next time." He slowly walks up to the temple steps. "Heh, interesting boy, interesting indeed..."
He turns around. "Saber are you alright?" He sees her bloody hand.
"Shirou! What are you doing here! You're injured!" She attempts to scold him more but with her first step she falls into Shirou's arms.
"Hey, hey! Saber? Saber!"
Author's Notes:
Sorry it took so long for this chapter, I have no excuses, I'm just a slow writer. Anyway some of you still don't agree with Caster, but I want her to be with Shirou and the one's who agree, be happy! But to those how don't, sorry. The encounter with Rider will happen in the next chapter, so don't worry. So I will see you in the next chapter, Bye!