I wrote an rewrote this chapter a lot.

Anyone still here?

..my wish ...

Atalanta paused in mid step as she turned her head. Strange. Scanning her surroundings, she didn't see anything or anyone. She could have swore she heard something. Waiting for a moment more just in case, she shrugged and raised her arms over her head for a slow stretch. Her eyes involuntarily closing as she took a long breath.

...is only one..

The fragrance of pine and fir filled her lungs, helping her entire being to calm just a little. It wasn't just the trees, it was the smell of damp dirt, the sweet aroma of flowers, the tart smell of distant fruit orchards and the noise of the animals that made her reminiscent. She breathed in the magic that danced in the air. Growing up, the forest she had been raised always had the scent of Artemis. The scent of the Gods. Power and oppression. She would know it anywhere. But the magic in this place? It was familiar but it was nothing like what she had grown up with. Being back in such a familiar place reminded her of happier times in her childhood. Though it had been certainly tumultuous and ultimately ended in tragedy, it didn't mean there hadn't been nice even wonderful moments.

.. that is...

And it would have been enough, to enjoy whatever this was if not for that knot that kept trying to form in her stomach. It was hard though. With every step, she felt lighter. More at peace. As she kept wandering through the plentiful and lush forest, Atalanta felt her worries trying to slip away. Or at least they tried too when she attempted to concentrate on them. But it was getting harder. Harder to remember anything else but feeling the sun on her skin and the wind in her hair. It was calling to her. Beckoning her. Whispering to her.

..for children..

Atalanta tried to focus on..before. Where she had been before this. Filled with...other adventurers? No, that wasn't quite right. Filled with other hunters? That wasn't right either. Fighting the urge to just let the thoughts go, Atalanta yelped as she stumbled over a tree root. She gritted her teeth as her hands broke her fall. Taking a moment to collect herself, she sat back on her heels as she examined her hands for injury. Nothing. Her hands were still clean and unbroken. Her brow furrowed as she frowned at the tree root she had tripped over. She raised an eyebrow at a black ribbon lay crumpled next it to on the ground. Strange. In a forest and lush as this- for surely it was out of place here.

..everywhere..

Atalanta took a moment trying to remember what she had been thinking a moment before. Atalanta ran a hand through her hair in frustration. Pushing herself up to the feet, she started to walk again. Her feet carrying her away. She had only made it a small distance before she found herself back at the tree root picking up the ribbon she had disregarded a few moments ago. She ran her fingers over the smooth material. It felt familiar and maybe even warm? It was as if it was on the tip of her tongue, something at the very edge of her conscious that seemed to be missing.

..to be blessed.

"Atalanta!" came a distant voice.

Startled, she looked up and around her. Lost in her thoughts, she had somehow walked out of of the denser parts of the forest and into a small marketplace- not unlike those she had seen in her youth. She wondered how lost in her thoughts she had been or if the forest had really been much smaller than she had thought. Surely, she had tried to run and see its reach, hadn't she? Slightly more anxious at not remembering, she found herself rubbing the ribbon in her fingers as she tried to recall. It was only then, she had realized that the towns person, a woman, dressed in attire that had been popular when she had been young had been talking to her. Friendly. As if though, she was supposed to know who was. But then again, she did have an air of familiarity about her. It was only then that she caught the the tail end of the women's words.

"...what?" Atalanta whispered. Her green eyes wide and in shock. If the woman noticed, she did not let on. Smiling and gesturing to the ribbon that was in Atalanta's hand.

"..Rin? Did she lose her ribbon again? I swear, your daughter must get into as much trouble as my son! Always running about!" The woman chuckled as she threw a wink at Atalanta. "In a few years, I'm sure he'll be the one chasing her though!"

While the woman chattered on, the world had come crashing on Atalanta. Everything had come rushing back to her. She had been in Chaldea. A girl misplaced in time. Her blue eyes. Her hand in hers. Tucking her into bed. Rin's laughter, her anger, her sorrow, her happiness, her frustrations. The rush of overwhelming magic of a spell washing over her. And then, being here. Where ever this was. Her hand gripped Rin's ribbon in her hand tightly. But what this was- she had an inkling.

"...Where did you say.." Atalanta tried not to choke on the words "..my daughter was?" as she interrupted the woman. Not seeming surprised at the sudden interruption she smiled and pointed off in the distance.

"Paying respects to the goddess of course!"

Running off before the woman could speak anymore, Atalanta's mind was racing.

What had she done?

How was it possible?

This wasn't how it was supposed to...

Sprinting up the stairs, Atalanta forced herself to not answer her last thought. Deep down in the depths of her heart and mind; she knew better. Magic never goes the way you expect it too. Physically compelling herself to breathe as she practically stumbled into the temple. Large bonfires adorned the great hall as she scanned for a certain black haired child among the praying individuals. Many girls were pledged to the service of the goddess but she wouldn't have done that. Not to Rin. Not in any dreams, nightmare or wish. Rushing forward her hands reached out at the sight of familiar dark haired blue eyed girl. Rin's eyes were wide as she looked up at Atalanta.

"Rin.." Atalanta asked gently as she hugged the girl to her. "..What did you do?"

Those soul piercing blue eyes looked up at her with a confused expression.

"...I didn't plan on all this. It wasn't supposed to be like this. I just wanted to see!" Her blue eyes drifted to the ribbon that was in Atalanta's hand. "...But..isn't this what you want?" Rin titled her head as Atalanta tried to form words. "...Isn't this your wish?"

Because the fact is; it was. Or at least just a little bit. Deep down somewhere in the deepest reaches of her very soul- hadn't she wanted to save Rin? But more than that. Rin deserved a better life. Better than what she had grown up with and better than what she'd return too. Rin had been a balm to her empty heart when she had appeared. She had been what Atalanta's subconscious had wanted. Something that been been missing. And she was selfish, she knew. Rin didn't belong to her. It was probably why she had felt her troubles try to melt away here. Now it made more sense, while the magic was very Rin- everything else had been from Atalanta. From the forest to the town. Whatever magic Rin had done, it had tried to soothe all her pain and sorrow. To entice her to this world that she kept locked in her heart. Adapting itself to her whims and wants. A life for them. Together. Far away from Holy Grail Wars and destiny.

"...It's nice.." Rin said as she reached for the ribbon that Atalanta was clutching in her hand and gave her a sad smile "...but it's not mine."

That was a long chapter for me! I hope I did well at it!

I don't want to give too much away but clearly(hopefully) wish fulfillment going on here. And OH..Rin that last line- isn't Atalanta's wish good enough? Jeez man.