A/N: Ah, after how many weeks, another chapter for this has graced upon this series once again! But then with all the pressure from my Master's course, and the fact that I am about to get my final interview within the coming days, I don't know if I should be happy with it or not.

Whatever the situation may be, I pray to Jesus to lead me to the right path, and let me claim the position that I am applying for. All glory goes to God.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Credits go to Hiro Mashima for Fairy Tail, and Kinoko Nasu, and the TYPE MOON franchise for Fate/stay night.

Chapter 11: Essence of Danger

Day 2: Morning

As Shirou is now washing the dishes, he now heard slender steps approach to his location. He is thankful that he has Reinforcement for that. If he did not enhance his hearing range at that time using Magecraft, he might be spooked at what that person does next.

"Senpai?" The soft and slender voice now reached the young man's ears, and he turned around to see the plum – haired lady almost fidgeting while standing up. He then smiled awkwardly at the proximity that they have together. But then, it can be a given since the kitchen's space can only be occupied by one person.

"Ah, Sakura, what are you doing here?" That turned out to be a dumb question for the boy, but since he really didn't know what Sakura is doing here at this time, he thinks that Sakura can forgive him for it.

"A…ano…I really wanted to help you here." Sakura's voice is almost trembling in nervousness as she replied. "It looks like…your dishes have doubled. Is it because of Fujimura – sensei?"

Shirou's mind is now about to explode like a fresh pumpkin as he tries to find an explanation for the dishes that he has at the sink, but is then unable to find one. "Ah, well, you see…"

He is then surprised as Sakura shook her head lightly with her eyes closed. Shirou now berated himself mentally as he failed to explain what looks like it can be made a simple excuse to him to his friend. He then casted a side glance to no one in embarrassment.

"I see." Sakura replied happily. "Can I help you by giving the first rinse to the dishes first before you wash them?"

Shirou can only nod as he thinks that it is the only compensation that he can give to her. Sakura then passed by Shirou's side meekly. He did not notice that Sakura has a sad smile over her face in that split second.

"Thank you very much." Sakura replied as she now quietly made her way to the second sink. One by one she now rinses the dishes that were used delicately with her hands and a piece of cloth.

Since the day that Shirou summoned Saber, this is the only thing that Sakura has on her mind.

NO. NO. NO. NO. NO.

PLEASE SAY THAT IT'S NOT YOU, SENPAI. PLEASE SAY THAT YOU WILL NOT JOIN IN THE GRAIL WAR. I ALREADY RELINQUISHED CONTROL OF RIDER TO MY BROTHER IN ORDER TO BE WITH YOU.

WHY?/KILL.

WHY?/DESIRE.

WHY?/LUST.

WHY?/DIE.

WHY?/DESTROY.

WHY?/CONSUME.

WHY?/INCINERATE.

WHY?/BURN.

WHY?/SACRIFICE.

MOVEKILLMOVEKILLMOVEKILLMOVEKILLMOVEKILLMOVEKILLMOVEKILLMOVEKILLMOVEKILLMOVEKILLMOVEKILLMOVEKILLMOVEKILLMOVEKILLMOVEKILLMOVEKILLMOVEKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILLKILL!

Her Crest Worms are now acting up wildly, sending Sakura almost suffocating from the ravishing need of the worms to devour prana even when she is now at rest. At the same time, the uncomfortable feeling that she did not want to feel is now resurfacing again to bother her.

That feeling is lust. For her, it is a dirty feeling. For Magecraft, it serves as a boost to their fuel reserves in mana. No matter how much she tried to deny that feeling, the unquenchable fire of lust is still there. For once, she thanked her training regimen for letting her have control over her carnal desires. Or else, she may have drained of her Senpai's drive a thousand times over.

She now walked gently so as for her Crest Worms to not act up wildly while she is having a conversation with the one she loves.

"A…ano…I really wanted to help you here." Why have you joined the Grail War?

"It looks like…your dishes have doubled. Is it because of Fujimura – sensei?" Of all classes, why Saber?

"Ah, well, you see…"

As Shirou is about to explain the circumstances, Sakura's lips are now trying to say what is on her mind. But then, her lips and her voice chose a wrong time not to move.

I know of the class that you summoned from day one, Senpai. Please don't deny it, and just tell me the truth so that I can be freed from my misery.

When she found out that her Senpai doesn't have any explanations for it, she now shook her head lightly as if she now understands Shirou's situation. She then saw Shirou casting a side glance in disappointment.

"I see." I understand that you have a hard time explaining it to me, Senpai, since you do not see me as a Magus. But next time, please don't tell me any more lies. I have only one more question before I will do this.

"Can I help you by giving the first rinse to the dishes first before you wash them?" Since Saber is a girl, do you love her?

As Shirou nodded, Sakura can only have a sad smile on her face. She can only wait for the day that her Senpai will notice her. Meanwhile, she will do what she does best: to love her Senpai from a distance, and hope for that day.

"Thank you very much." Now I know what to do. Thank you for giving me the courage to do the deed, Senpai.

As she now rinses the dishes one by one, the Crest Worms inside her body have now become calm and composed. Good thing she is now wearing an apron, for it has disguised the after effects of the worms rampaging in her body earlier like there is no tomorrow.

At the almost shoddy Japanese styled house that they live in as of now, a serene lady with eyes of metallic gold sipped her tea calmly. There is a Grail War going on, yet she is still relaxed and composed. After all, how will she participate in a Grail War which has women and children participating in it? She can make an exception to the snow haired lady who has Berserker as her Servant, since that Servant can beat the living lights out of them as she pleases, but it doesn't mean that she has to treat everyone as her enemy. After all, the Grail War and the Grail itself are her enemies. She has seen the horror of those who are desperately clinging on to the Throne of Heroes just to have their wishes granted by that Grail.

She now finished her cup when the fox lady now entered.

"Mirajane – san is now awake." The fox lady stated dull and flat. "Also, I think she wants to tell you something."

"Thank you very much." Assassin replied.

"If you ever need me, please do not hesitate to call upon me." The fox lady now returned to her abode, which is a Bounded Field designed for the preservation of her existence.

Every time she comes out of her abode, she feels that she is now slowly disappearing from this world. They don't have much time. Although she wanted them to call on Emiya Shirou right now, it seems that she has to wait patiently, as she saw that there is no contact between them for the past days that came and went.

"Assassin – san?" Mirajane now called out to her as the woman in the black robe adorned with golden borders at the edges of her cloak turned her head around.

"Yes, Mirajane – san, what is it?" She thinks that now is the time to make a second contact with the boy and his Servant. It is really crucial for her as two Servants disappeared in a day, and another Servant has been summoned. She thought that her Master will now have a plan of action.

However, her Master has other plans.

"I am thinking of buying you clothes to have your own disguise." Mirajane chirped happily. "After all, I still have my magical energy in you, so I think that is more than enough to last two or three weeks in the Grail War."

She doesn't like the idea of a Grail War lasting three weeks, given that two Servants now died in a day. But she might have to change her clothes if she wanted to become inconspicuous just in case shifting to spirit form just can't cut it.

But then again, she has Presence Concealment, so it is impossible for her to be recognized, unless…

Ah, right. No point in overanalyzing anymore. She has made her point. Her Master is the winner in this. Modern clothes combined with Presence Concealment can be a very dangerous combination if it is used correctly.

"I agree, but please let me choose my clothes." Assassin replied stoically. Getting modern clothes is not so bad after all. But then she is genuinely surprised at what Mirajane did next.

"Then it's settled. Let's go!" Mirajane held her hand, to which Assassin is slightly surprised. As Mirajane held her hand, Assassin now have flashbacks of her childhood, where her fellow playmate held her hand as they waded across the oases and deserts of the Middle East.

Whatever you do, never let go of my hand, ********

It has been so long since she has that memory resurface to her mind. Now that she thought about it, she cannot remember her first name. But that is not important as of now. What is important for her is the present. She can worry about it only after her mission to this world is complete.

Mirajane now reminisced as they strolled around Fuyuki stores neatly lined up along as though those are pieces of art not meant to be touched. Every structural detail of every store can be considered as a work of art right down to the bases. It made her remember the really simple Fiore stalls while she does her shopping with Elfman and Lisanna.

As she looked at her wallet, she deduced that it is more than enough to last for more than two weeks in Fuyuki before they have to find a job to compensate for it. Although she took a glance earlier in the room that the fox lady has a surprising amount of stash for a house that looks abandoned.

As she is contemplating on those things, she now saw that Assassin's eyes are now fixated on something. She is not moving from that place as though she has seen something amazing. Mirajane then decided to walk to the place where Assassin stood.

Have you seen something, Assassin – san? That day earlier, before she went to sleep, Assassin formally introduced her to Shared Perception, as she unconsciously used it a day earlier after her conversation with the ominous teenager.

Yes, Mirajane – san. She replied in a voice of someone trying to contain her excitement of it being her first set of modern clothes. But I'm afraid that you will not like it.

Come on, it can't be that bad. Let me take a look. Mirajane acquiesced as she now saw what Assassin is talking about from the fragile glass panel on one of the stalls.

It is a white closed neck blouse with a white ribbon lazily wrapping around the neckline. Over that blouse is a simple ebony suit designed for women, and accompanying that combination is a pair of black flat slacks designed for women. Good thing she is not in Fairy Tail as of now. For that combination can send everyone in Fairy Tail reaching out for the light at the sheer nosebleed that they have.

I must say that you have a really good taste for modern clothes, Assassin – san. Mirajane complimented happily, to which Assassin's stoic demeanor is almost destroyed by her almost flustering at the compliment.

Th – thank you very much, Mirajane – san.

You're most welcome. Mirajane chirped. Now, let's go get our clothes at this shop.

She will forever remember this day as the day where a Servant is now dressed in modern clothes. People are now looking at the distant beauty that is the pale – skinned lady with sharp golden eyes as if she is trying to pierce someone with that gaze. Her youthful appearance is accentuated more by the braids that she have.

Earlier, she wanted her hair to be kept as it is, but Mirajane insisted on having her change her hairstyle. Since Mirajane insisted for it to be so, she has no choice but to accept her request. Her long wavy raven – colored hair has now turned in two simple braids, something which men will drool for because of her youthful outlook.

It is really good to experiment on something that they never tried before, especially when it comes to combining modern utilities with a Servant that is most suited for said objects.

"Once again, you have my thanks, Mirajane – san." Assassin quipped as she now genuinely admired her own clothes. Those clothes felt just right for her body. Although it might be constricting for her Noble Phantasm that is at her back as of now…

Keyword being might. She is surprised that her Noble Phantasm that is at her back is not really sticking out like a sore thumb after all. If anything, it is as though she never had that Noble Phantasm at all in the first place.

She now sighed in relief as her Noble Phantasms found it fitting to blend in with the surroundings. Her abilities as a Hassan is now manifesting in her body as she now walked calmly among the waves of people. Mirajane now smiled at the developments as she saw Assassin calmly made her way through the crowd.

You're most welcome, Assassin – san.

Day 2: Afternoon

Emiya Shirou now waved goodbye to his classmates after the last period of class. Winter is now fast approaching, and even now, students are wearing scarves of all kinds just to keep themselves away from the winter winds.

He then brought out a scarf of his own. He wrapped it around his neck, and started making his way downstairs to the school grounds when someone found it fitting to shoot something akin to a pistol shot aimed at him. Thanks to his honed reflexes in countless kendo practices with his guardian, along with practicing Magecraft, he now dodged on instinct, although it now grazed his face. He turned around to see who did it, and he can only have his mouth wide open.

"Wh…Wha…" Words cannot describe what he sees as he turned around to see the school idol having a small jewel on her left hand and her right hand now assuming a firing gun. The school idol just laughed flatly.

"You are too careless to not even bring your Servant her e to school, Emiya – kun." She scathingly stated as her Magic Circuits on her right arm made a whirring sound. The Circuits now glowed with an ominous neon green light.

"There is no reason to bring her here in the first place, Tohsaka." Shirou reasoned out sternly. "The Grail War does not start until night time comes and the people are out of sight."

She then laughed at the implication, to which the man still sternly stares at her.

"Well then, let me ask you, Emiya – kun." Rin now posited a question that even she knows Emiya Shirou can understand. "Which of the requirements that you have stated have I now fulfilled?"

At first, he doesn't understand what the student brought up from nobility is talking about, but then as he looked around him, the school does not have people as of now. Even the faculty of the school left the place, and they are the only ones in the school. He has his eyes widened at the implication, to which the lady now fired a second shot before he can say anything. There is no time to think, so he must do what he does best.

"Trace, On!" At once, a Magic Circuit appeared from his right arm, the spark tracing its way to his body. He then chanted the reinforcing spell as fast as his mind can chant it.

Reinforcing visual acuity to 70 percent. Reinforcing hearing range to a three meter distance. Reinforcing muscles, bones, tendons and joints of legs to maximum output.

He now dodged the shot by a hair's breadth, but he saw the corridor destroyed as though a gunshot is fired in it. There is no time to be amazed, as Rin now followed it up with a dozen spells of those gunshots, and his only objective is to run as fast as he possibly can.

I really hate running away.

As he ran, he caught a whiff of that smell once again along the corridors where he ran. This is really a wrong time to crave for candy, honey, or even molasses, especially if someone is really on to you chasing you like you were her prey. Good thing a situation gave way to slow her down and give him an opportunity.

As he jumped down the stairs, the Tohsaka heiress used Reinforcement. Her Magic Circuits in her legs lit up and she used the prana distributed in her legs to Reinforce her legs. She landed down safely as she jumped from the stairs too, but then Shirou made an offhand comment as he ran away.

"Tohsaka – san, I deeply apologize, but something is showing." Shirou shouted as he left. At first she doesn't know what he is talking about, but then she saw the wind blowing under her skirt in that split second as an after effect. She then promptly shouted in embarrassment.

"Kyaaa!" She then brought down her skirt to proper form in a split second. She then huffed at the fact that she is distracted by the most mundane of events to ever happen in her life. If there are onlookers, they might have seen her image being broken with that response.

Meanwhile, Shirou kept running, until he found a classroom devoid of people, and there he hid for a few good minutes. He is still panting from the spell's usage. Good thing he did not falter in his physical training, since it mitigated the after effects of the spell's usage. Ignoring the sweet smell enticing his nostrils once again, he now looked around for some items that may serve as a weapon, and from there he grabbed a metal stick. He then closed his eyes and concentrated on its form.

"Trace, On." One of his Magic Circuits on his right arm sparked and gave off a neon green light. He then concentrated on the composition of it and tried to Reinforce the gaps within that stick.

"Judging the concept of creation. Hypothesizing the basic structure. Reinforcing elements to thirty percent."

Performing Reinforcement is not as easy as it looks. He can't afford to make one single mistake upon hypothesizing its structure. One wrong percentage and he will break his only chance at defeating the one who attempts to take his life. Upon guessing the percentage correctly, he then did the same for the wide table that he is hiding in right now.

He then heard a loud commotion from the room where he is hiding, and it is then that he heard shots fired at his barricade.

Come on, really?

He now pushed the table as the lady in red proceeded to kick it out of her way and fired a Gandr shot once again. Shirou took it as an opportunity to escape just as she fired another shot. The shot is already fired as she saw Shirou escape her clutches. She now sighed as she fell right for his distraction.

Well, Emiya – kun got his first taste of the Holy Grail War. She thought as she now saw Shirou escape. But the next time that he appears in front of me without people or Servants, I will make sure to finish him off then and there.

That's the first time that you took a liking to your prey, Rin. Archer quipped while he is still in his spirit form. I must say that the boy is far more knowledgeable than what he lets on.

Rin ignored Archer's comment on "liking her prey" as she replied through Shared Perception. Considering that he investigated the Ryuudou Temple with Saber that day, it says much. But then again, he really lets his guard down.

Maybe. Archer quipped in a frowning manner.

Is there something wrong? Rin asked with a slight hint of concern in her voice.

It's nothing. Archer replied. For the meantime, I must advice you to stay home as of this moment. You need to replenish mana for the next days to come.

Ah, right, you still have that wound during your skirmish with Saber. Rin mentally smacked herself in the face for forgetting it. It's a good thing you reminded me of it. Now, let us go home, Ar…

She is then cut off as she sensed something wrong with the school. Her vision now gets wobbly as she tried to walk. She then held on to the nearest solid wall that she can find.

Wh – what is this feeling?

I don't know, Rin, but our best bet is to get out of here as quickly as possible. Archer suggested.

You're…right. Let's… get out of here. Rin agreed as she wobbled her way outside the school corridors.

Meanwhile, Shirou kept running, not realizing that he is now almost outside of the school grounds. He then stopped upon realizing it, and he now tried to catch his breath.

Suddenly, he heard a rustling sound. He tried to catch the source of it through his ears, but it is as though there are multiple persons running towards him. In the midst of those sounds, an ominous laugh belonging to a teenager reverberated around that place.

"Do you like this place, Emiya?"

Shirou tried to find the source through Reinforcing his hearing range, but unfortunately, he cannot pinpoint the exact location of that voice. He then resorted to a cliché, to which he knew that that person will not really appear by that kind of line, but a part of him hopes that someone will really appear.

"Show yourself!" Shirou shouted as he held his stick tightly.

"Why will I show myself to someone like you?" The voice arrogantly replied as a form of him closed the book that looks more like a grimoire of some sorts. "Instead, I will introduce to you my Servant."

The multiple shadows running around merged in one entity, in the appearance of a tall and gorgeous looking woman who is now in a crouched position. Her long hair swayed softly in the gentle wind as she appeared in front of him. In her hands are two spikes connected together by a really long chain. Shirou still held his weapon shakily as the lady showed her face with a device of some kind covering her eyes.

"I introduce to you my Servant, Rider." The voice proudly proclaimed as the Servant now prepared for anything that her Master orders. "Show me your prowess, Servant."

As Shirou reinforced his eyes to dodge anything that the Servant can do against him, he is absolutely surprised at the speed that this Servant has. It may even be compared to what the female Assassin did last time as she fended both Saber and Archer. But unlike the female Assassin's graceful movements that define her very profession, Rider's swiftness can be compared to a snake waiting for the right moment to strike.

As their faces meet, Rider mumbled something that almost shook Shirou for a moment. Before he even knew it, his neck is now tied by the chains surrounding it, and he gasped for breath as he tried to take the chains off. He is then hanged in a tree as the lady jumped in midair, letting Shirou see her beauty in its deathly elegance. She then slammed the spikes to the ground to let Shirou's body hang in midair.

Shirou tried to break free from the chains surrounding his neck with his stick, but he is unsuccessful as his hands are now weak. The voice now laughed as he said this:

"You are a fool to not bring your Servant along with you, Emiya. This will be the death of you."

As soon as the voice said this, he now heard footsteps approaching really fast at the direction where Shirou is right now. He then heard a loud blast, freeing Shirou from the chains that bound his neck. Shirou fell to the ground as soon as the chains are now out of his neck. As soon as he heard this, he now shouted at Rider.

"Rider, let's retreat for now." The voice shouted as his voice now dissipates. The lady now called Rider picked up her spikes and her chain calmly. Shirou weakly stood up as he now said this.

"Who…are you?" Shirou hoarsely asked the mysterious lady that attacked him.

"Who I am is of no importance." Rider replied. "But if you want to find out more, you may feel free to come at the house of the Matous this evening, the one where Matou Shinji resides. He can answer your questions."

"Sh…Shinji?" Shirou stated in disbelief. "Wait, why…"

Before he can ever ask his question, the lady now disappeared from his sight. He now sighed as he saw her leave the place without even answering his question. He then heard running noises, and it is then that he heard a loud shout unbefitting for a Magus heiress.

"Emiya – kun!" She stopped and she is still panting from the adrenaline. Upon seeing the boy still fine, she dusted herself as soon as she finished catching her breath.

You really make me worry even in the smallest things like these. Rin quipped in her thoughts as she saw the boy still up on his feet. Archer can't help it but slide in a smart remark.

I told you the idiot will be alright. Archer quipped, to which he earned a meaningful look from Rin to which the expression looks like this:

One more remark coming from you and I will turn you into useless meat.

Archer wisely held his tongue as he saw that look coming from Rin. Even though he is an Archer, his Independent Action did not help much when it comes to Rin's silent wrath.

A/N: Chapter is finished once again, so please rate and review. I can't really think of a dialogue insert for Caster and her interactions with Rider, Archer and Saber yet in my other fanfic, so please bear with me. T.T

And it looks like I'm really favoring Rin and Sakura more in this story than Saber. T.T

But I think it can be given since as I am writing this, I am more hyped of Unlimited Blade Works and Heaven's Feel route by ufotable.

I really laughed my insides when I saw the post on Beast's Lair under the thread "What TYPE MOON Characters will NEVER say?"

To quote:

Rin and Sakura: So, Saber, no hard feelings?

Saber: I'm going to kill you.

I will also edit this if I have the time.