In The Core of the Jewel
Chapter 7: The Change
Author's Note: Based on the Unlimited Blade Works Route
..
..
Original Game: Fate/Stay Night
Original Concept: Type-moon
Written by: wrathie
..
..
"Good morning, Emiya-kun.."
Looking like a wreck, Tohsaka Rin stumbled out of her room in the Emiya household, a room in the outhouse that was separated from the main building in the morning to see Shirou and Lancer putting the dishes out for breakfast.
Shirou was wearing a cute pinky apron while Lancer just helped to place the dishes out on the table for breakfast and she blinked in surprise.
She checked the clock, it was barely 6.30am and breakfast was ready?
She peeked at Shirou's face, he was looking pretty satisfied himself. They had agreed on taking turns to cook for dinner but she had neglected breakfast as she does not normally have time or the need to eat it.
But that look of satisfaction meant she will have to eat a little, this might make her gain a bit of weight…
..
..
"Ah, good morning, Tohsaka."
Shirou waved to her and she waved drowsily back. She only came out to drink some milk and then to prepare her morning ritual, bathing and changing, not to have breakfast.
"Yo, good morning ojou-chan, did you have a good rest?"
Lancer grinned as usual as he sat the table, taking instructions from Shirou and she was struck by how easily Lancer and Shirou had gotten along after a few hours.
A day before Lancer was his murderer and now he was a roommate or a part of his family from the hearty laugh he gave when Lancer had difficulty using the chopsticks.
..
..
"Good morning, Rin."
Saber appeared behind her and hurried to the table, all dressed up and perfect as usual. It made her a little self conscious of her looks as Saber sat down on the table and the rest looked at her, waiting for her to do the same when she blushed and shook her head.
"I don't eat breakfast."
"Ehhh?"
It wasn't just Shirou who said that, it was Saber and Lancer too, the former having a look torn between disappointment and joy at having more to eat that somehow made her angrier.
"I don't eat breakfast, Emiya-kun."
"But breakfast is the most important meal of the day, it is to help your body cope with the fasting of the night."
Shirou quipped and Rin looked away guiltily, if there is a reason for her to eat, it's that he spent the effort to cook for all of them.
..
..
"Ojou-chan, if you don't eat you won't grow. Saber seems to like eating so you should learn from her."
Lancer added and this led to two girls staring at him in obvious disagreement.
"I do not, Lancer, take that back. I am merely thankful for the food that Shirou has prepared for me."
She said so with a satisfied smile and I found myself wanting to sample it a little, just to see how good he was. Mah, mah, I think it'll be good to see his standard so I can beat him in dinner.
"But I'm cooking dinner tonight, do you understand?"
She glared at Shirou who nodded and smiled, causing her to flush again when she sat down, adjusting her hair with her hands absentmindedly and looked at the rest with her.
Lancer, Saber, Shirou and her… so why is there an extra setting?
"Oh, Fuji-nee is coming for breakfast. I told Sakura not to come by in the morning but it seems she too will be busy. I wonder why, do you know, Tohsaka?"
..
..
Sakura? Although I'm her sister I don't know much about her life, but at least she'll be safe from the war if she doesn't come here. This place will turn into a Battle Field soon so I should enjoy this normal scene while I can.
"No I don't, you should ask Fujimura-Sensei about issues with the Archer club."
She said so normally as she tucked in with the rest, clapping her hands together with everyone and started eating the breakfast Shirou prepared which is a simple breakfast of rice, fish and miso soup. She had the nagging feeling it was the fish that Lancer caught yesterday but she didn't care at this point.
It is pretty good, but far below what her standards is and she smirked to herself.
"Wait till tonight, Emiya Shirou…"
..
..
..
..
Breakfast was a slow and quiet affair, the only noise coming from Lancer or Shirou as they helped Saber to get more rice or to chat about the weather.
That is, until Fujimura Taiga came crashing into the room with a broad smile asking for food along the way.
"Good Morning Shirou, I want breakfast."
Holding her hand out for a bowl, Shirou handed it to her without complain and she said good morning to Rin along the way.
"Ah, Good morning Tohsaka."
"Good morning Fujimura Sensei."
"Mm."
She seemed satisfied and dug in, eating the rice and the fish with relish when suddenly-
..
..
..
"DON'T GOOD MORNING MEE!"
..
..
..
She screeched and stood up, nearly upsetting the table when Saber pressed down hard to prevent the dishes from falling off. She was still occupied eating and Rin had to wonder if Saber knew her by now.
Lancer on the other hand was just laughing to himself, suppressing the laughter by covering his mouth while Fujimura Taiga just grabbed Shirou by the collar and shook him.
"WHY IS TOHSAKA HERE!"
"Ah well, due to various different reasons she will be staying here for a while."
He managed to say while being shaken and as she tossed him down to the ground, she turned to glare at Rin.
"Tohsaka, is what he said true?"
"Yes Sensei, my house is under renovations and seeing I have a relative coming to visit… I am in a pinch."
She gestured to Lancer who just waved hello with a grin, keeping his mouth shut for once.
..
..
"And staying in a hotel is so expensive… and.."
She was suddenly surprised at Lancer telling her to feign sickness telepathically and she coughed, clutching her stomach in pain.
"And I'm feeling under the weather… "
She left her sentence unfinished with a glint in her eyes and after a moment, Fujimura Taiga did not disappoint her and she sighed.
"Iina? It is tough on you too, huh, Tohsaka? I get it, I get it… It's better to rely on someone you know to help you through a crisis."
She beamed and patted Shirou's back as if proud of him.
"Neh Shirou? It's good to offer help to Tohsaka, but I didn't know you two knew each other…"
She frowned, but then shrugged as if it did not matter to her, turning instead to Lancer and to Saber.
..
..
"Ah, Saber-chan, good morning! So you are Tohsaka's relative?"
"Yes Madam, my name is Lancer."
He bowed to him and Rin rolled her eyes, if he was going to hit on her…
"My fiancé, Rin is a little under the weather, she is expecting you see."
The air froze and although Taiga and Shirou looked dumbstruck, Saber was just looking at him in surprise while chewing, Rin took action and jumped in the air, drop-kicking him in the chest and sending him flying out towards the yard again.
"WHO'S EXPECTING YOU IDIOT!"
..
..
..
..
After the chaos that was Rin killing Lancer, Taiga trying to pull her off telling it's bad for her body, Shirou just looking at them in shock and Saber finishing most of breakfast, Rin had Lancer knelt down in front of Taiga-sensei and apologize for the joke.
..
..
"yeah, I was joking, only joking. What I'd give to have a woman like her as my fiancé."
He winked at Rin, who was not amused and just kicked him in the back again as he winced. Shirou, who was getting ready for school with Saber, was not present but she was sure she'll burn up more if he was present.
"Ow ow, violent as always, Rin~"
He laughed in a casual manner while she just dragged a hand down her face, wondering how in the world she got in this mess. Fujimura-sensei, after realizing it was a joke and lecturing Lancer, she winked at Rin as she stood up, ready to go and whispered to her.
"He is a good man with a good heart, you can accept him, Tohsaka."
"EHHH!"
Rin flushed crimson and before she can reply, Fujimura-sensei left, smiling at Lancer who sent her off.
"Ah a woman shouldn't work so hard, Men should do the work."
He quipped, winking at her and she laughed back, slamming a fist playfully against his shoulder, causing him to look surprised at the amount of force she had as she left.
"That's cute, Lancer-san. But should you be hitting on someone with Tohsaka around?"
"Aye, that's bad, but I'll flirt with the rules if it's you."
..
..
Rin twitched, unsure what to say to Lancer as Shirou and Saber appeared behind her back, ready to leave and she nodded to them too.
They had worked out a plan last night. Lancer would follow Shirou in spirit form while Rin and Saber guard the house or just look for clues on the masters. They will meet each other after school ended.
It is a big test of trust between them and surprisingly Lancer had agreed to it.
..
..
"Ah it'll be interesting to me too~"
..
..
Rin did not know what he meant by that but after thinking and sleeping on it, she didn't want to know. She could only pray that Lancer follow her orders and she hissed to him, stepping on his foot as he sent Fujimura-sensei out.
"Follow his orders, Lancer."
"Eh? Follow the boy? Sure sure, I'll do that."
He grinned and petted Shirou on his back who just smiled sheepishly at the two girls who sent them off.
"Feel free to call me at any time, Master."
"Ah, use Lancer in whatever way you see fit, Shirou! He could use some discipline!"
Shirou had fixed that Fujimura-sensei wouldn't come to visit for a few days, that would certainly be of help and she would conceal that she was staying here. She did not know how he did it, but she was sure it was something embarrassing as Lancer was involved in it.
She would know what they said later on when they return. Right now, her priority was to wash her face and to be presentable.
"Saber, let us go shopping later on. I am cooking dinner so let's pick something you like."
..
..
..
..
Dressed casually, Rin walked coolly down the street with Saber in tow. She knew Shirou was good in cooking Japanese food so Chinese is going to be her choice to bring down Emiya Shirou. The thought of seeing him defeated by her cooking made her smile with delight that she almost lost Saber, who was looking at the stalls with interest, especially one with Taiyaki and as she turned around, she hurried back to her as she was being chatted up by the shopkeeper.
..
..
"Ah, Tohsaka!"
The shopkeeper waved to her as she approached, fascinated by Saber and Saber well… she was fascinated by the Taiyaki, causing Rin to sigh and smile at the same time.
"Does Saber want one?"
"Oh, Saber-san eh? Is she a foreigner?"
"Yes, she is visiting us."
She avoided in making small talk as there is a crowd gathering around them and the shopkeeper nodded after packing a couple of them for Rin.
"Here you go, and an extra one just for you, Saber-san."
"Erm, thank you very much."
She bowed politely before being dragged away by Rin, who headed straight to get some more ingredients while Saber just followed obediently.
..
…
..
"Rin."
"Yes Saber?"
Rin asked thoughtfully as she contemplated in choosing the baby bok choy or the normal one and as she picked at it, Saber came up to beside her and asked softly.
"Do you trust Lancer, Rin."
"Mm, I do."
She answered without thinking and Saber fell silent for a few moments as she checked the leaves, decided which was good and moved on to the next ingredient, some fish fillets and Saber asked again.
"Why, Rin… you barely knew Lancer. Wouldn't it be best if we concentrate in getting Archer back?"
Rin paused and she turned back to Saber and Saber couldn't help be a little nervous at the glare on her face.
"Saber, I understand that Lancer was the one who killed Shirou and injured you. But Lancer was our enemy. He right now is my servant. As a Servant under the command seal, you would understand that, Saber."
Rin snapped back at her and she nodded to herself but still clutched her hand.
..
..
"Rin, are you not afraid of betrayal? I… have experienced it, I know the pain, so Rin, let me help you."
Saber pleaded with Rin, worried for her mental state. Even if outwardly she is fine, she might be broken inside. She was concerned that Rin might snap in times of stress or when meeting Archer again. But she needn't had worried as Rin smiled back, a genuine determined and one filled with courage and hope back to her.
"I'm not. Lancer saved my life. Without him, I should be dead. Yes, he saved himself with me but without him using all his powers to save me, I should and would be dead."
Rin smiled, clutching her left arm. She had thought she would dislike this servant. He was rude, arrogant, insensitive and a flirt. But when she thought about it, clearly and slowly, she was certain that what Lancer did, it was to make things easier for her.
He tried to cheer her up with his ridiculous words and he knew she was tired after him using up most of her mana to save her, thus him always keeping watch over as well.
..
..
All those small tiny gestures made her sure that Lancer would not betray her.
"And he promised to serve me and save me. That is the word of Cú Chulainn… he wouldn't break that."
Saber listened to Rin and at the end of it, she nodded and looked towards her, gripping her shoulder tighter as well.
"I see. My worries were unfounded. But Rin, if Archer to appear as an enemy, what will you do?"
"Prove to him that I'm not a worthless mage… and then I'll kill Kirei with my bare hands."
Rin replied darkly and Saber trembled a little, this is one side of Rin she did not wish to meet, ever.
