So. I totally forgot to actually write this chapter.

So I had to write it in the last four days and maaan my inspiration hated me. But I like how it turned out in the end.

Hold up

to support, to impede

Shirou considered himself to be somebody who was prepared for most situations. His status as the Paladin required him to be the first and last line of defense, the one who caught onto danger and defeated it before the kingdom fell, or, if had already gone too far, be the one who rebuilt the castle. It was a paradox in and of itself, especially since in the last years he had felt more and more like one of the Vatican's replaceable pawns.

Of course, he'd always been just an asset, but his skill set had made him a valuable one.

Perhaps he had become too bold with his demands, too sharp with his accusations, too harsh with his questions. He wouldn't know until he finally passed his title down and well, Shirou honestly doubted he would be aware enough then to know for what reasons precisely the Order had been displeased with him.

As long as his problems didn't reflect on Rin and Yukio, he didn't care either way. His whole life was built on lies, deceit and schemes; he had pissed off a lot of people, and frankly speaking had grown tired of trying to figure out why exactly whoever was annoyed with him.

He'd considered it more important to focus his attention on other matters, such as his students. He enjoyed teaching classes and watching clumsy teenagers grow into strong adults and he prided himself on the fact that his former students always came out as the strongest and, more importantly, alive.

Even if the second years could get on his nerves pretty severely.

"Alright, everybody settle down," Shirou said, arms crossed over his chest. He'd been trying to get them to finish their task for five minutes now but they were all distracted by upcoming tests and wouldn't focus at all. "And turn off that phone!"

Silence followed his words before one brave student finally raised their hand. "Uuh, sensei, I think that's your phone…"

The phone rang another time, and indeed, it was his phone disturbing the lesson.

"You're right. I apologize," Shirou replied and searched for his phone in his bag.

Seldom somebody called him on his private phone, no wonder he didn't recognize the tune immediately. He frowned upon seeing who was calling him.

"Rin?" He asked, confused that his eldest was breaking his silence so suddenly. Weeks of receiving the silent treatment or a few snappy comments and now this.

"… Dad?"

That definitely was his son's voice, but there was nothing of Rin's usual confidence in his ton. Nevermind that he shouldn't be calling Shirou right now anyway. Rin was supposed to be working another two hours at least. It wasn't even close to midday and his lunch break.

"Rin, is everything alri-"

But Rin interrupted him before Shirou could finish his sentence.

"Dad, you have to come! Please! There's something wrong with Shiemi, she just fainted and she reeks of demon and she'd hurting and- and Ich weiß nicht, was ich machen soll! Papa, ich brauche Hilfe!" [I don't know what I should do! Papa, I need help!]

Rin sounded like he was close to, if not already, having a panic attack.

"Rin, atme ganz langsam. Tief ein und aus." [Rin, breathe slowly. Breathe in and out deeply.]

He was already holding onto the right key, throwing in a "class dismissed" while he tried to calm his son. By now Rin was babbling, seemingly only half aware of everything he let Shirou know.

He used the key on the classroom door and passed through the gateway, the phone connection fluctuating for a split second. The Moriyama house stood as impressive as always and Shirou wasted no time entering the shop and passing through it in the living area, following Rin's instruction to the living room.

Shiemi was lying on the sofa with a soft dark green washcloth covering her forehead, which only made her look even paler. Rin was sitting on the ground across from her, the grasp on his phone so tight that his knuckles were white. Shiemi's mother was standing next to her daughter, holding a cup from which light blue steam ascended.

"Papa!" Rin called and jumped up as soon as he saw him. "You have to help her, Shiemi-"

"Will be alright," he assured his son and ruffled Rin through his dark hair.

"Moriyama-san, how long has your daughter been having these cramps?"

"For a few months now… Since my mother's death. She and Shiemi were so close since I was absent so often. I've been treating Shiemi with yarrow tea against the cramps and a variation of saintpaulia for purification. God, this is all my fault, isn't it? I should have called an exorcist sooner."

Shirou shook his head.

"Don't blame yourself for a demon's actions."

Moriyama clenched her free hand into a fist.

"So it really is a demon's doing?"

"Yes, though it isn't strong yet. Can I examine her legs?"

"Please, if it will help heal her."

Shirou gently pulled the bandages off Shiemi's legs, revealing scarring that looked similar to a tree's roots and appeared to be crawling up her legs until her calves. They were still faint and not too big given how bad he knew those could become, but they'd definitely leave scars once the demon's energy would leave her.

"I'd suggest taking her to the hospital. She needs to get away from the garden and built up shields that the demon, probably a delkap, has been tearing down. Shiemi isn't fully possessed yet, so continued treatment with holy water, yarrow and saintpaulia should get rid of the demon easily."

"Really?" Rin spoke up. "She'll be alright again?"

Shirou stood up again, ignoring how his back cracked, and nodded.

"Three weeks, maybe four and she'll be completely healthy and free of any residual energy. Delkaps are usually friendly but weak little buggers and can't possess somebody if they didn't get a person's consent first. Shiemi must have accidentally given her agreement," Shirou explained.

It wasn't too unusual. Demons were deceitful and smart enough to choose the right words to trick somebody into giving in. Shiemi's connection to her garden and therefore to the demons residing within it must be quite strong. Some basic exorcist training could help her… But that was a question for another time.

"We can ask her once she wakes up again. Let's get her to the hospital first though."

For now he had to help a girl get back on her feet.

Writer's ramblings:

Saintpaulia is an actual plant! It's sooo pretty too. Not used against demons though ;)
So yeah, it always kinda annoyed me that Shiemi's mom who sells stuff for exorcists, couldn't help her own daughter. SO this is my attempt at an explanation for it.
And I think Shirou, while of course staying on track with what's up with the Order, is also tired of it all.
By the way, anyone interested in reading bonus stuff about the second & third year exorcists?

Thanks for reading!