If there was a a point in time where Naruto was more confused then he was at this moment, he couldn't remember it. One moment, he's eating delicious ramen, the next he's getting dragged across the Hyuuga compound, literally at times, on a search for Hinata's sister. After Hinata mentioned her little sister, Art—er, 'Arturia' as he now knew her—had demanded that she take her to her right then. Why Naruto had to come along, he was sure he didn't know. Regardless, once they arrived at Hinata's place—a very clean, old fashioned style home— they were told by Hinata's father that his middle child wasn't there.

Arturia was not swayed and, like a general in an army, she ordered both Naruto and Hinata to spread out and find her. Naruto and Hinata, like obedient soldiers, both nodded and began asking around. Hinata because the sense of urgency in Arturia's voice worried her. Naruto because he was afraid of what she'd do to him if he refused. She had persuaded him to join her in a sparring match a couple times with wooden sticks for swords. He limped away every time covered in whelps and bruises. A fact that was only more humiliating in his mind now that the he knew he was beat by a girl.

Kiba and Sasuke can never know, he thought grimly. Frankly, it was still hard for him to believe.

He was currently headed back to the compound's entrance to meet up with the other two, hoping they had found out something. He sure hadn't. Not that he didn't try, it was just that every time he would attempt to ask someone, he was either chased off or ignored completely; as if he wasn't even there. Hell, if it weren't for the frowns on everyone's faces, he might have believed he was invisible. As he strode up to their designated meeting spot, he noticed Arturia was already there, Hinata still absent. Arturia spotted him and marched up to the blonde.

"What did you learn?" She asked, as if the answer to her question were a life or death matter and not just wild goose chase.

"Ah—er..." Naruto, though he didn't know why this girl was so important to her, was reluctant to deliver the bad news. He didn't have a lot of friends and so he was reluctant to let one of them down. "Nothing. Sorry."

Arturia gave a frustrated grunt in response and Naruto laughed nervously when, behind Arturia, he saw Hinata running toward them. Arturia followed his gaze and her steps lightened with new fervor as she turned to meet her new friend. Hinata stopped a few feet in front of her and bet over to catch her breath. Despite her impatience, Arturia made no move to rush Hinata. Instead allowing her the time needed to recuperate. After confirming that Hinata was okay, she asked what she had learned.

"Rin-chan has been in the hospital since this morning," Hinata finally breathed out but before she could elaborate, she felt two hands on her shoulders, startling her.

"What happened?" Arturia's voice was deadly calm.

"S-she's n-not hurt," she sputtered. "Apparently, her f-f-friend Sh-Shirou collapsed and—"

She didn't get to finish as Arturia had already stormed off in the direction of Konoha's medical facility with even more purpose than before, leaving her confused and alone with Naruto.

"Man, what's gotten into her, ya know?" Naruto strolled over resting his hand behind his head.

Oh. I'm alone.. with Naruto, she realized, face steaming.

"Oi! Hinata! You sick or something?"

Hinata was broken from her stupor when a hand touched her forehead.

"You do feel a bit warm.."

She promptly fainted, leaving behind a very frantic Naruto.

—

"—in the middle of the street! What were you thinking! Honestly! You have no pride, Shirou."

"Haa, sorry, Rin. I didn't mean to worry you."

The reaction of those witnessing this situation were varied. Sasuke was shocked to silence. The nerve of this girl had gradually wore away at every nerve he had in the short time they had been in the same room and his anger at her words was matched only by the anger aimed at his brother for not even trying to defend himself. The annoying girl's accusations were absurd. Yet Shirou made no attempt to refute in anything she said and actually apologized. So Sasuke remained silent, conflicted.

Mikoto, on the other hand, was not even bothering to hide her amusement. The two children bickered like an old married couple yet they were both of them barely four feet tall. The funny sight playing out before her aside, she took notice of the genuine friendship and care that the young Hyuuga held for her son that was barely masked; as if the act she put on to hide it was only maintained for continuity's sake. On top of that, Mikoto was an Uchiha and wife to the clan head, but she was also a mother. That part of her made her look past clan views between the Hyuuga and the Uchiha. She knew the two continue too look out for each other.

Itachi had finally reached a verdict on Rin Hyuuga. He still a few lingering suspicions on their association but at the very least, from what he could see now, he knew she had no ill intentions. Her worry was evident, thinly veiled behind an arrogant mask. He was surprised, and further relieved of his worries when she turned to the three of them—Sasuke, their mother, and himself— and bowed.

"I know this may seem very strange to you," she said. "Shirou and I met a couples years ago and, us being the children of the respective heads of our clans and those clans being rivals, decided to keep our friendship a secret so that we wouldn't be separated. I'm sorry I didn't explain sooner."

She kept her head bowed in respect, waiting for a response. She didn't have to wait long as her answer came in the form of laughter. Specifically, Itachi's.

"Rin Hyuuga," He said after calming himself, his smile still remained. "Be a good friend to my little brother."

"Hmm. Let's let these two talk," Mikoto said. "It was a pleasure meeting you, Rin. Please take care of my son. Let's go, Sasuke."

"But—!" Sasuke exclaimed. "I still don't trust her."

"Come along, Sasuke," Itachi spoke gently. "I'll help you with your shuriken techniques."

That seemed to placate Sasuke's anger for the time being and his mood momentarily lightened. As they exited the room, Sasuke turned back once more to see Rin sticking out her tongue at him before the door closed. His hatred for that devilish girl just solidified.

—

"Did you really have to taunt him? You were doing so good, too..."

"And what's that supposed to mean?" She glared at him through half-closed eyes, her face in an exaggerated pout as she sat on the foot of his hospital bed swinging her feet. "Never mind. That's not important. Now, what do you remember?"

"Everything but the last bit, basically," his reply was grim. "The three of us left London for some reason. When I try to remember why, my head starts to hurt and the information seems... incomplete? It's like watching an old movie on damaged film. There are parts missing and what's there is warped too much to make any sense."

"An apt description as any, I suppose," she sighed. "Same as me then. Do you know what happened to Saber?"

"I haven't seen her but if the two of us are here, it's not too far-fetched to think she could be, too," Shirou put a hand to his chin in thought.

A gentle knock on the door interrupted his inner debate and he gave Rin a questioning look.

"I hope you don't expect me to answer that?" She looked at him playfully.

"No, I got it," he sighed as he stood up, stretching his legs with each step. When he opened the door he was greeted by a familiar set of green eyes. Rin walked up behind him and peered over his shoulder curiously before breaking out in a grin at the new arrival.

"Shirou, Rin," Arturia beamed back the two. "It does my heart good to see the two of you safe."

AN: A couple things to say before we move forward. This will be the last 'short chapter.' Think of everything up to this point as the opening sequence, if this were a movie. That's why I've formatted the first four chapters the way I have. A way to introduce each character and their own situation, drop a few hints, and, essentially, give those characters the first step on the path ahead of them. This is also the end of the fast updates. Now that I've set my pieces up, my chapters are going to be longer and therefore take longer. Last bit of information is just clarifying this is based off of the UBW "good end" route. Those three are that pairing and every other pairing will be canon.

But enough bullshit. Here's Fate/Shallow Ember.