Second Night (2)

"Ah, your domestic skills have only increased in their proficiency, Shirou-kun. Truly, you would make for a most splendid stay at home father. Oh, my mistake, you have already embarked upon that path."

Illya tried her level best not to give the white-haired hussy the satisfaction of a response...and failed horrendously, attacking her admittedly delicious stir fry as if it it had committed grievous crimes against her person.

"Allow me to correct you on something, Hortensia-san...I am without a doubt much older than you and Onii-chan is my younger brother, not my Papa."

Instead of retracting her statement Caren simply brought a hand to her cheek, feigning pity as she stated, "Oh my, you say Shirou-kun is your younger sibling but you refer to him as 'Onii-chan'? You will have to forgive my mistaking your age, seeing as how you have a grasp of language and cultural nuance fitting for your appearance."

The edge of the dining table creaked under Illya's killing grip as she maintained a pleasant smile, mentally running through the various ways she could go about murdering the girl in as most a humiliating way as possible.

Choking to death on her own tongue seemed a fitting demise…

"Caren?"

"Yes, Shirou-kun?"

"Shut up."

Illya almost-in a fit of cosmic karma-choked on her own sensory organ at the cold and hostile words from her brother, bewildered at how the new arrival evoked such a response from him.

"Such hostile words towards a woman of God? Shirou-kun, I expected better of you, especially when you grew up with such aspiring role models to take after."

Said boy's glare would have cut to the quick had it carried a physical tinge to it, Illya realizing yet again how little she knew of her step-sibling's past and mannerisms. There was history here that she was still a stranger to.

"Mommy, do the Mister and Other Mommy not like each other?"

Illya switched her attention to the Matou and her irregular Servant, the latter enthusiastically demolishing plate after plate of food with an expression of blissful delight.

"Yes, Jack. Shirou-sama and Caren-sama do indeed dislike each other. They are also very close because they dislike each other."

"...That's confusing, Mommy."

"That is because they are confused people, Jack."

"We can hear you."

The simultaneous response from both of the arguing duo caused them to briefly glare at the other before falling silent, Illya feeling very much like an outsider. One moment they were arguing, then acting like they were friends and then back to arguing? She needed context.

"Onii-chan says he knew you from a young age, Matou. Is that true? And the Einzberns were unaware of your clan head's demise, how did that happen?"

She ignored the odd looks Caren and Shirou sent her as Sakura calmly explained, "I was originally born a Tohsaka, Einzbern-sama. But my sister was the one chosen to inherit the family teachings and my father gifted me to the Matous, who were struggling to produce a proper heir."

Her expression turned thoughtful as Illya listened intently.

"I was given to a pit of Crest Worms when I was...five? Six? No matter, I spent most of my time within that pit and having my body shaped to be a key part of the Matou's plans. But one day Shirou-sama stumbled upon me during one of those rare reprieves I had from the pit, taking me back to his home where I met both his and Caren-sama's fathers. Kirei Kotomine and Kiritsugu Emiya did not approve of what Zouken Matou was hoping to achieve with my body and moved to eliminate him and all other members of my 'family'. They succeeded. Afterwards I joined Shirou-sama and Caren-sama for a time in his tutelage before being sent to the Church alongside Caren-sama in preparation for this day, due to my unique condition."

Illya tried to digest everything she had just been told, slowly asking, "Your 'condition'?"

"Yes, I was implanted with the remains of the Holy Grail from the fourth war, no doubt to act as a second vessel. Those fragments have been largely removed, only a few left so that I may receive insight into the location and actions of the artifact, draw on its powers in a limited fashion."

The Homunculus, in an increasingly familiar gesture, rubbed the bridge of her nose...except this time her hand was trembling.

Crest Worms, a second Grail vessel...what madness had gripped the Holy Grail War, that so much insanity seemed to spring up around it? Why were so many suffering and dying for a wish that would only beget more suffering?

Her crimson eyes locked on Sakura's apathetic ones, feeling a wince she had no control over cross her features.

Yes, her childhood after the fourth Grail War had been anything but pleasant...but at least she had never been subjected to that level of brutality.

Crest Worms...a child had more or less been raped and tortured on a daily basis, all for the sake of some twisted hope to win the War.

And what of her brother? Molded to be a weapon to atone for the crimes of her Papa, who had sought out the damn thing in the first place.

Illya had never really cared about the war. The entire premise of achieving victory for the Einzberns had just been a convenient excuse for her true goal, to track down her remaining family and do with them what she pleased. That desire had been flipped on its head when instead of a clueless young man she found a tool wearing Human skin, her Papa's last attempt to save her life.

She had promised to live-and she was by no means averse to that idea-but now? Hearing of all that happened to others just like her, whose lives were ruined by those with a callousness and desire for glory...she was angry.

Destroying the Grail was now personal. The Einzberns had caused this disaster in their hubris by trying to circumnavigate the rules they themselves had laid down? Well, she would be the one to end it.

Illya snapped herself out of her ruminations as Shirou asked, "Who are the rest of the Masters in this war?"

"There is Rin Tohsaka who we believe has summoned Archer. Then there is Bazett Fraga Mcremitz, an Enforcer who is Master of Lancer. Luviagelita Edelfelt, with Servant Saber under her command. They seem to have forgone their summoning of a dual Servant this war, as opposed to the third one. No doubt their failure has left something of a bad taste."

Illya scowled, knowing that while Berserker was incredibly powerful and practically unbeatable...A Lancer and Enforcer with one of the remaining Knight classes on their side would be a tricky proposition regardless of Herakles being one of the strongest Heroic Spirits ever.

"Atrium Galliasta...ahh, may the Lord take pity on such a foolish soul..."

Despite her dislike of the pale-haired girl the albino couldn't resist asking, "Why, what happened to him?"

"He was killed by his Servant, Caster, who subsequently disappeared as well. It seems one Heroic Spirit has already been sent to the Grail, not the best of starts if we wish to avert another incident like ten years ago."

Illya scowled, realizing she hadn't even noticed such an occurrence, given the mad rush of events in the past hours.

"As for the Master of Rider...well, we aren't entirely sure who they are. They have made no attempts to contact us and we know nothing other than Rider was indeed summoned and still exists."

"...How informative."

The Homunculus's sarcastic comment went unremarked upon, Shirou obviously lost in thought as Sakura and Jack continued to eat at their respective paces, seemingly unconcerned with the happenings around them.

"Berserker, what does it say about us that we're the probably the most normal ones out of everyone present?"

She received only a mental shrug in response.

"Alright, if that's everything then we can...Caren?"

Noticing Shirou's shift in tone Illya realized the Church girl was sweating slightly, skin alarmingly pale...and had a growing dark splotch on her side.

Her step-sibling was at the girl's side in an instant, eyes narrowed as he asked the Matou, "You just came from a Daemon hunt, correct?"

"Yes, we were contacted on short notice to arrive in Fuyuki."

Clicking his tongue in irritation Shirou scooped up the girl in a bridal carry, her consciousness clearly slipping as she made no protest, head weakly lolling over his arm.

"I'll be back in a moment. Illya? Can you put the dishes by the sink when everyone is done? I'll clean them later."

"Eh? Oh, um, certainly, Onii-chan. Do you-"

She didn't even get to finish her question as he was swiftly striding out of the room, leaving her alone with the other Master and Servant.

"...What was that about?"


"So forceful, Shirou-kun...planning to take advantage of a defenseless girl as she lays immobile? The Lord does not forgive acts of sinful lust and neither does the Shroud of Magdalene-"

"Stop wasting your breath. You need as much as you can spare, given how much you're bleeding."

Having set Caren down in one of the spare guest rooms on a spare futon Shirou had quickly removed her clothing...and the inundated bandages that wrapped her body, crimson leaking through in such quantities that he was admittedly amazed she was even conscious.

Normally she was good about taking care of herself after a Daemon hunt, lest the injuries caused by her sympathetic connection to hosts of the creatures exacerbate and cripple her...but evidently this time had proven to be an exception.

"Congratulations, idiot. I think you managed to completely deteriorate the left side of your abdomen, never mind the other cuts or lacerations."

A weak smile was sent his way by the feverish woman.

"Ah, it's always comforting to know that only I can draw your ire so, Shirou-kun. Truly, a beast of a man to belittle a devout noun such as myself so fearlessly-cough!"

Bloody spittle decorated her lips as Shirou rolled his eyes, grumbling, "If I didn't know any better I'd say you enjoy this..."

"I do enjoy performing the Lord's work-"

Shirou placed a hand over her mouth, removing the last of her bandages and leaving the young woman as naked as the day she was born...blood included.

"Again, stop talking. Relax and let me concentrate."

Closing his eyes, letting out a calm and collected breath the young man murmured, "Trace on," before holding his hands out as if to grasp some invisible object, the magic circuits laced across his body glowing with increasing intensity as the ambient heat in the room seemed to jump slightly-

-and with a quiet, subdued breeze of calming air golden light suffused the room, taking on the form of an ornate sheath that practically radiated power and the concept of 'sanctuary'.

Avalon, the sheath of Excalibur and gateway to the land of Fairies.

"Here. It won't last long but it should get you back on your feet. I'll need you able to perform your duties as Overseer, not just lay about uselessly."

Softly placing King Arthur's sheath on Caren's chest and wrapping her arms around it, followed by a blanket to preserve her modesty Shirou wiped away the sweat that beaded his forehead, the strain of manifesting Avalon meaning he wouldn't be battle ready for the rest of the night, so steep was the Phantasm's cost. He made to leave the room-

-and was halted as a weak but unyielding grip encircled his wrist, Caren's now fluttering eyes fighting to stay open as Avalon's power began to gradually restore her health.

"I should hate you, you know. Father spent more time with you than he ever did with me, having a hand in your development at every step of the way while I was never so much as acknowledged by him. Isn't that sad? To wish to be loved by a man who's affection would have had him smiling every time my abilities ripped apart my body, tore open my innards and scarred my flesh..."

Shirou levelly met her gaze, replying, "And I should hate you. I do not need to indulge in annoyance, anger or exasperation...and yet you inspire those within me for no reason I can discern. I hate that you remind me I'm still Human."

The pair continued to neutrally glare at the other...before both relaxed, the young woman even going so far as to smile slightly.

"How reassuring. Surely, the Lord works in mysterious ways, that we would so often cross paths."

"Once every few years is enough."

Returning her hand to her side and brushing aside a stray lock of hair he huffed out a breath.

"Now rest, dammit."

Not allowing her a chance to respond he quickly left the room, shutting the door behind him as only the faintest of light seeped through, Avalon still working its mysterious craft.

"...I'll never understand that girl."


"So...what you were saying earlier...about the, erm...sex stuff?"

"Ah, when I spoke of Shirou-sama ejaculating inside me and having anal intercourse with Caren-sama?"

Blushing scarlet at Sakura's blunt words Illya hurriedly gathered the dishes and took them to the sink-ignoring the Servant's crushed expression as she did so-while replying, "W-well yes! What did you and that corrupting witch do to my Onii-chan?"

Affixing the Matou with a withering glare she was merely met with a cocked head and innocent expression, the purple-haired young woman explaining, "The Crest Worms had begun to alter my body during that time. They would devour my energies and cause me to enter a state of lust, desiring a tantric ritual that would restore lost power. During my brief time with Shirou-sama and Caren-sama they would often aid me with their energies."

Illya was about to ask how that worked when she continued with, "Shirou-sama was not very...creative at first. It was Caren-sama who insisted that he become more aware of a maiden's feelings and instructed him on how to properly engage in mutually enjoyable intercourse. She used her ass to do so, since she professed to be a loyal member of the Lord's personage and desired to keep her virginity. Einzbern-san, are you all right? You're quite red."

Almost crushing a plate in her grip Illya wasn't sure whether she was more embarrassed by the words or furious.

While she was stuck studying, practicing and being put through very invasive and painful surgeries...her brother had been having sex?! With two people?!

That...that...that!

"Illya? Is something wrong?"

"EEP!"

Jumping halfway to the ceiling as Shirou was suddenly standing right behind her the Homunculus quickly shouted, "N-no, nothing is wrong!"

She felt her body take on a pleasant warmth as she gazed up into her step-sibling's amber eyes, searching hers for any sign of worry or stress.

That warmth compelled her to reach forward, ignoring the fact that she was fairly certain Shirou wouldn't have a clue what she was doing-

"Mommy, is the short girl sick? She's really red."

"No, Jack. She is just horny, that's why her skin is the color of lust and passion."

"Oh, ok!"

Illya was very tempted to have Berserker start smashing things as she ground her teeth together with an audible creaking noise.

But in typical Shirou fashion he ignored the grumbling of his albino sibling, affixing Sakura with one of his mechanical stares which she returned.

"You want something out this war yourself, don't you? Caren's asleep, you can speak freely."

"Yes, Shirou-sama. If it does not interfere with your own desires..."

A spark of life, a hint of anger colored what had been lifeless purple orbs.

"I would like the opportunity to kill my sister."