Author's Note: if you've previously read this story (and remember it after almost a year's hiatus!), you will notice that this chapter has been entirely rewritten. I started out with only a vague sense of where I wanted to go beyond "hey, wouldn't Rin and a female version of Gil have some interesting sparks?" Then in worrying about plot and tension, I managed to forget the point entirely - entertainment.
Fortunately my excellent friend (and co-author, now that I've suckered him into it) Pallan Minerva encouraged me to refresh, with an eye on what's most important for this sort of story - character interactions, and Gil being her delightfully impossible self. Please find below a brand new chapter 2, now with 100% more Rin questioning every shred of her sanity.
Apologies also to everyone who commented on the previous version, given they will look odd now that the chapter's been swapped out and the tone changed. Please know they were very appreciated!
Rin looked down upon the glittering lights of Fuyuki, and she knew it was hers.
As Second Owner, she knew her city and its people like the sigils on her back of her hand, those she had worked a lifetime to earn. Under her watch, there would be no disasters like the fire, no needless loss of life. She had the most powerful servant and a foolproof plan. Now she just needed to inform one of the other.
She whirled around, the wind dramatically catching the hem of her crimson jacket.
"Archer, this is where we—mmprhhh!"
Hastily she pulled the twintail from her mouth, where the wind had blown it. Thankfully her servant seemed not to have noticed.
"This is where we take our first step," she continued. "All of Fuyuki is our battleground, so I need you to learn its layout. I want you to be able to provide covering fire from any position."
She pointed imperiously towards familiar landmarks, silhouetted in the darkness.
"That's the Ryuudou Temple. With its leyline conference, it's sure to be a hotspot. Over there are the docks. Perfect for a quiet engagement." She pivoted to face the south side of the city. "And that's the old Kotomine Church. If a stray arrow happens to land on it, well... I won't be too sad."
Smirking, she turned back to her Servant. "Come on, King of Heroes. Do you have enough weapons in stock to handle all that?"
The smirk slowly dissolved as Archer leaned against a defunct air conditioner and considered her nails.
"Ahem. Am I boring you, Archer?" she hissed, hands on hips.
Archer favored her with a glance. "Frankly, yes."
Rin sputtered. "May I remind you that we're fighting in a War, Archer. To the death, against six other heroes from legend and lore. Don't you think we need to prepare at least a little bit?"
"No need." The Heroic Spirit had already turned her eyes back to her nails. "The Grail is already mine, and these interlopers are mere insects in my garden. I will swat them when their buzzing grows too loud. For now, I wish to continue enjoying the flowers."
Rin's stomach tightened as she took in her Servant. A form fitting leather motorcycle suit encased her long sculpted legs. That was bad enough, but it paled compared to the open zipper of her tight jacket, pulled down all the way to just below her navel. The amount of toned muscle rippling under creamy skin made Rin's mouth dry.
Stop looking. Control, dignity. You're the Master here, Rin.
The knowing gleam in Archer's eye threatened to shatter all that.
"And those clothes!" She forced herself to meet her Servant's gaze. "We're supposed to be going incognito! You might as well be wearing a neon sign: 'I'm a Servant, please come kill me!'"
Though to be fair, it was a little late for that given the madness Archer had put her through in the last day alone. First a midnight joyride on a stolen motorcycle ("All things belong to the king by right of existence!" the blonde's easy declaration still needled Rin's spine), where her reckless driving made Rin pray for a quick death. Then a skyscraper restaurant the next city over where the woman snootily dismissed all the breakfast entrées, as if the five-star chef was a mere busboy. Then she'd exploded onto the shopping arcades, strutting about like a goddamned supermodel.
There was no hiding or cloaking this woman. Every other Master and Servant must have learned all they needed and more about her Servant, down to her three measurements!
"They can try," sneered Archer. "Perhaps one of them will amuse me before I bring them to heel."
It was a very nice heel, sleek but practical leather boots that— no, Rin! Not the time!
"You haven't even seen them yet!" hissed Rin. "We could be going up against Karna! King Arthur! Maybe even Solomon! How can you be so… so arrogant!"
"Arrogance is confidence unearned," said Archer dismissively. "I speak nothing but the truth."
Ten years, Rin inwardly seethed. Ten years of preparation and sacrifice. Ten years of Christmas alone and keeping 'friends' at arms-length. Her fists clenched at her sides. I'm not going to let some Goldilocks ruin everything I worked for with her delusions of grandeur!
"Behold, little mage." Archer's condescending voice ripped Rin from her resentment. "The enemy batters your gates."
Rin pursed her lips. "What the hell are you talking about?"
Archer nodded her head toward the street below, even though she was standing a good fifteen feet from the edge. Rin grumbled and walked to the precipice.
Waving a hand, she called back, "I don't see any—wait, what?"
A familiar shock of red hair caught her eye before an earnest face tilted back to face the moon. No, not the moon. Somehow Shirou Emiya was looking her straight in the eye.
Impossible, unless…
The thought melted away when he smiled and waved. Her hand was halfway up in response before she jerked it back down. Rin averted her gaze, only to catch a shadow skulking down the street. Even from this distance, she could see black armor glinting under moonlight.
"Dammit! Emiya, look out!"
Rin frantically pointed out the figure following him. Emiya gave her a puzzled smile, then obligingly turned to follow her gesture. His face turned pale as the enemy Servant lunged for him.
"Archer!" yelled Rin as the enemy tucked him under one powerful arm. "Come on! We need to get down there!"
She whirled around to find her Servant staring up at the sky.
"Humanity's light has finally flooded her out," she said. "A fitting end for such a vain goddess."
Emiya could die while Archer's babbling nonsense!
Snarling, Rin grabbed her sleeve and pulled hard. "Now, Archer!"
Archer's pensive look gave way to a smirk. "Oh? And what would you have me do, Master?" she purred.
Was that a come-on? Rin shook her head. Focus.
"You're an Archer, aren't you?" she demanded, pointing at the vanishing figure. "Then shoot him!" Rin paused, her eyes widening. "Wait, no, you might hit Emiya—"
"Hmph! You dare doubt the king?" Archer raised an elegant eyebrow as she strode to the edge. "You may beg forgiveness after I pin this vermin."
One of those golden portals opened behind the Servant's shoulder. A spear shot from it and streaked across the sky in a flash of silver. With hawk-like precision, it impaled the enemy straight through the calf.
The figure stumbled for a moment, and Rin almost cheered. Then it hauled itself back up and kept going. The last thing Rin saw before it turned a street corner was Emiya struggling to push himself out of its grip.
Archer frowned. "The vermin is hardier than I expected." Her lips curled up. "Hm. This may be interesting after all."
Rin stomped her foot. "Archer, please!"
She would worry about dignity later.
A hand descended to pat Rin on the head. She snapped her head up to find Archer smiling at her.
"Perhaps you may yet make a suitable handmaiden."
"You—!"
Another portal opened right in front of her, and dropped a silk carpet at her feet. Rin didn't know much about carpets, but she could tell by the silk brocade that this one would buy everything in her manor and more.
Rin almost choked on her frustration. "What is this supposed to—" she began.
Archer stepped onto the carpet. It floated up about a foot in the air, and Rin's mouth snapped shut.
"Well?" said Archer pointedly. "Were you not the one crying haste?"
She could lecture later. Rin joined her Servant on the flying carpet (there really was no other word for it) and took a firm hold of the golden woman's waist.
Archer shot her an amused look.
"What?" snapped Rin. "It's not like this has any other grip. And knowing what you did with the motorcycle, this is going to fly like a bat out of hell."
Her brain distantly noted the toned abdomen felt really nice under her fingers too, but she shut it down hard. Emiya was in danger.
Archer's smirk widened. Then with an imperious wave of her hand, they were off.
The sudden acceleration hit as hard as Rin had expected. Luckily by now, she had plenty of experience forcing her pounding heart back down her throat. Wind roared in her ears as Archer directed the carpet to follow the enemy's trail.
At their speed, it didn't take long. A few stomach-churning dips and dives above the rooftop maze of Shintou's alleys brought the black knight in view. Emiya had given up on slipping loose of that fearsome grip; he was now clubbing the midnight helm with his fists. The Servant gave no reaction other than a faint flare in the cold blue light spilling from his visor.
Gritting her teeth, Rin reached for the gems sewn into the hem of her jacket. "We can't risk hitting Emiya, so we have no choice but a frontal assault. You can handle that, right?"
"Who do you think you are addressing, mongrel? Bear witness to the King's might."
Spinning golden portals opened in the air above the enemy. Emiya—and only Emiya—had just the time to gape before a shower of golden swords fell to pierce the ground in front of the knight's feet.
The enemy Servant came to an abrupt stop, helm craning up to look at them. The blue glow of his visor brightened with fury.
"Wench!" The deep voice shivered with cold anger, barely shackled by iron bonds. "Can you not keep your claws off of anything?"
"You stomp about in my garden and dare to ask why I take what is mine?" Archer raised a single golden eyebrow. "Cur like you should be slaughtered, but you amuse me. I will take my time with you."
Moving like a spilled shadow, the knight put Emiya down on the sidewalk. "Stay down. I'll be back for you."
"Uh, thanks?"
Cold fire burned in the knight's hand, then materialized into a great sword. The serrated edges looked as vicious as its owner's growl when he lunged up at Archer with terrifying speed.
Reinforcing her limbs, Rin threw herself down from the carpet as black fire clashed on golden blades. She would only be in Archer's way, and there was Emiya to shove along. The boy definitely needed a push, from the way he stared up open-mouthed at the warring Servants.
"Did that guy give you brain damage!?" she yelled as she ran over. "Move!"
"T-Tohsaka?" Emiya stuttered. "What are you—"
"Less talking, more running!" She used her reinforced limb to pull him up and start dragging him away.
To her irritation, the boy dug his heels in. To her surprise, he actually managed to hold his ground against her pulling. "No. That thing is dangerous, isn't it?"
"Yes! That's exactly why we need to—what are you doing?"
Emiya grabbed the lid off a nearby garbage can. "We can't just let it run loose in the city! Who knows who it might hurt?"
"Us, for a start!" hissed Rin. "Are you trying to get yourself killed?!"
He only gritted his teeth in response, tightening his hold on the lid. Rin was about to yank harder on his sleeve when a small pulse of magic hit her senses. It was emanating from the boy's arm and flowing into the metal.
Did Emiya just…? No, I'm just tired and seeing things. There's no way.
Emiya (suicidally) boldly stepped in front of Rin to shield her from the deadly dance of the fighting Servants. Both had dropped to the ground now, shredding concrete under foot with each dash and strike. Swords flew from the golden portals spinning over Archer's shoulders, only to be deflected on living chains that blurred all around the knight's armor.
"You are no warrior," she said as the golden blades faded away. "Chains are not the warrior's choice. How intriguing."
Emiya drew his arm back. Rin winced. The idiot couldn't possibly—
The knight's snarl tore through the gloom. "Warrior, soldier, traitor, it's all the same to me! So long as my king—!"
The lid bounced off the enemy's helm with a loud clang. There was a pause, then the knight pivoted to face the boy.
"What is the meaning of this, squire?" he asked coldly. Even hidden behind his visor, Rin could feel the pressure of his gaze boring into Emiya.
Her classmate felt it too, from the way he flinched. But he rallied round, balling his hands into fists. "If you're some kind of serial kidnapper, I'm going to stop you—right here, right now!"
Rin slammed her face into her palm. Did he really just...?
Uproarious laughter rang in the alleyway. "Interesting, interesting!" smirked Archer. "Who knew this era had such a prize collection of fools?" She waved a dismissive hand at the knight. "It would be a pity to end you so soon, while you may still prove entertaining."
Frustration prickled up Rin's spine. "Archer, you aren't seriously going to spare him?"
"To snuff out a flame before it becomes a fire is to rob yourself of the joy of its warmth, little mage," said the golden king.
"Oh, so you'd rather wait until it burns down your house?" yelled Rin, then pointed down the alley. "Look, he's getting away!"
But Archer paid no attention to the retreating enemy. Her crimson eyes were roaming over Emiya's face, a smirk tugging at her lips. Not that there seemed to be a single moment that the woman wasn't smirking, but this one felt particularly annoying.
Rin briefly massaged her temples. I'm the Master. I have to take control of the situation.
That decided, she puffed out her chest and whirled on the boy they'd just rescued. "Emiya, it's dangerous out here. Go straight home and don't come out after dark anymore."
"Not happening." He shook his head.
"Listen here you—" Rin felt a wave of nausea pass over her. Oh god, I think the mana exhaustion is hitting me. Not sleeping for nearly 48 hours can't help either. She swayed on her feet and wiped at her eyes, but managed enough energy to glare at Emiya.
"I'll deal with you later," she growled, then strode… okay, stumbled down the alley. "Come on, Archer, we're done here. Take me home."
"The charm of your insolence is wearing thin, little mage. But I will excuse it for now." Rin felt her eyes widen as Archer picked up in a princess carry. The blonde looked behind her with a curious look in her eyes before smirking down at her Master, and no, Rin did not shiver as that red gaze pierced through her.
"Wait—!"
She didn't hear the rest of what Emiya had to say, as Archer leapt away in such a fashion that she felt weightless. Or... was that just dizziness getting to her?
The distance back to the Tohsaka manor was more than half the city, but Rin only remembered it as a blur. Distantly she registered stumbling in through a window and taking a few steps on familiar russet carpet. A soft shuffle of silk underneath her exhausted body, and the world faded to black.
—-
Rin opened bleary eyes to rays of sunlight filtering through the gaps in her drawn curtains. Cursing, she rolled over and pressed the pillow over her head. A few more minutes' sleep wouldn't go amiss.
Wait, sunlight. Damn it, that means I've overslept.
Always a danger for Rin, but in the past she'd managed to make it to school on time. She had an image to maintain.
I'm sure I can come up with something. Some urgent chore I needed to do. The teachers trust me enough to turn a blind eye to an hour or two.
Nodding to herself, she rubbed her face and sat up. She frowned at the wrinkled red sweater and skirt she still wore. Falling asleep in her clothes was neither elegant nor dignified, and she swore not to let it happen again.
Then she glanced at the alarm clock and choked.
4:00 pm! How can it possibly be that late!?
She grabbed the clock and shook it, as if she could set it back by force of will. Alas, the hands of the clock only quietly ticked forward.
Ugh. Missing school two days in a row, right about when the War is scheduled to start. I'd better hope none of the enemy Masters are tracking school attendance, or that's going to stick out like a red flag. She sighed and pushed herself out of bed, putting on her slippers. What's done is done. Might as well make the best of it.
First step was a long shower. No, make that a bath. She deserved a bit of pampering after the hell last night put her through.
The sweet smelling herbs she added to the bathwater were not just soothing for her mind, they helped balance the flow of her circuits as well. That helped justify lingering in the warm water, trailing her hand lazily through the foam. It certainly had nothing to do with the lavender shampoo that always gave her hair that extra bit of shine. Archer wasn't in the house anyway.
Once she had spent some time in front of the vanity, brushing her hair for presentation (and maybe a bit of comfort) and applying makeup, she finally felt human again. Padding down the hallway, she found herself pausing before the living room. Glancing in, she saw four bottles of her father's best wine opened on the table alongside a stack of books. Rin recognized a few of her tomes setting out the local leylines, but others were new. She didn't know the language printed on their spines.
Archer sure has made herself comfortable with my belongings, she scowled as she stomped down towards the kitchen.
When were you going to drink that wine anyway, Rin? Isn't it better that someone enjoy it?
Pushing the treacherous thought aside, she headed to the kitchen for an invigorating cup of tea and a late lunch (or early dinner, depending on perspective—though the dying sunlight spoke volumes). The kettle whistled merrily on the stove as she slumped over her table and looked about.
Archer was nowhere to be seen. It wasn't terribly surprising—Rin might as well have tried caging a lioness—but it was still annoying. While the War was supposed to be conducted in strict secrecy and she was in her home base, it wasn't a guarantee against particularly reckless Servants. And that black brute from last night struck Rin as reckless indeed.
And Archer makes things more lively. Rin quashed that away in favour of letting the familiar solitude settle over her shoulders.
The phone rang. Rin glanced at it and grimaced.
Right. I didn't have a chance to tell Kirei I summoned my Servant. Great, now that fake priest is going to lecture me about abiding by rules. As if he enforces them for anything but an excuse to give that snake smile of his.
The ringing subsided for a moment, then the red light of the voicemail machine Kirei 'gifted' her came on.
Let him wait. He's far too used to running my life.
Smiling, she picked up her cup and took a luxuriously slow sip.
The phone rang again.
"Dammit!" Setting the tea down on the table so hard the saucer rattled, Rin stalked over and yanked the phone off its holder. "Listen here, you fake priest. I'll call you when I'm good and ready and not a second before, so you can take your stupid holy book and shove it up your—"
"Uh, Tohsaka, it's me, Emiya."
Fuck.
"Good evening, Emiya," she said with reflexive sweetness, despite knowing the image of the school idol had just shattered like glass. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"Err... listen, about last night. Who was that guy in black, and the woman you left with?" His frown was almost audible over the line. "What on earth is going on, Tohsaka?"
Stupid, stupid! Why didn't I just wipe his memory then and there? Ugh, right, I could have messed it up. Okay. I can do this.
"Well... you know, I think it'd be easier if I could explain in person," she said, picking up her tea to sip at it.
"Oh, that'd be great!" Shirou replied. "Because something weird happened last night after I left you guys. This albino girl approached me and called me 'onii-chan' and said I was going to die if I didn't summon something. Do you know what she's talking about?"
She spat out her tea.
"Albino girl," she repeated carefully as she wiped the table.
"Yeah. Long white hair, eyes like red jewels… do you know her?"
"Einzbern…" she murmured before catching herself. "You're at home? Stay right there, Emiya! I'll be right over!"
"Wait, I still don't—"
Rin slammed the phone down and raced for the entryway. Throwing on her coat, she mentally reached out along the silver thread of mana connecting her to her Servant.
Archer, where are you? We need to head over to Emiya's. Right now.
'Hoh? Have you finally decided to claim what's yours?'
Rin felt her cheeks flush.
No, he's in danger, again! I'm the Second Owner, it's my responsibility to take care of him—and this whole city. I'll wipe his memory after we get there and make sure the coast is clear, just get over here!
'Hmm.' Rin did not like the lack of decisive response coming from her Servant. 'This mongrel has been slobbering on me for long enough. Await me with another bottle of wine. I will be there shortly.'
Fine, whatever, just be quick!
She hoped the lack of response was a good sign. She hesitated on the threshold of her front door, then hurried back and grabbed one of the unopened bottles from the cellar. One of the better ones.
It didn't hurt to bribe Archer into a good mood.
Rin was outside and halfway towards the gates when her gaze strayed towards the hand holding her bag, and the red sigils on the back.
Wait, I have command seals! She ground her teeth. Why have I been begging and wheedling with Archer, when I can just order her?
The slamming of the gates echoed in the evening air.
We'll just see about that. Next time I see her, I'll use a seal to show I mean business. Her jaw tightened as she looked down the road. I'd rather keep them for battle, but it's worth spending one to stop more whimsical mayhem.
The rumble of a familiar engine was fast approaching. Rin had spent some harrowing hours riding atop it only last night, but it was a comfort now.
"Finally!" said Rin, not wanting to think about how much road the motorcycle had eaten up in the last few minutes. "And just to make things clear…"
Raising her hand, Rin smirked and met her Servant's eyes. Pools of brilliant crimson gleamed back at her, the color of the very best wine… what had she been thinking about, again? It danced on the tip of her mind, before Rin shook it away and took her seat behind Archer. They had an idiot to save.
Once again sliding her arms around Archer's waist—there were other grips on the motorcycle, but thankfully the Servant didn't question it—Rin gave a quick set of directions. She'd expected to give more, but the woman had apparently found the time to memorize most of the city's layout while Rin was sleeping. It would have been impressive had it not been so irritating.
What may have been minutes later, they drove along the stone wall of the Emiya compound (Rin had happened by this street a few times in the past, purely on other business) and came to a squealing halt. Archer gracefully walked off of the motorcycle while it was still coming to a stop, and Rin hastily found the stand and pushed it down to hold the bike in place.
She was just stumbling off when she heard the first sounds of battle. Clanging steel and the sharp trill of cruel laughter burned in her ears.
Archer, please hurry!
Rin meant to crash in through the front door, but that proved impossible. All that remained was a smouldering hole where it should have been, the surrounding wood dripping ash and smoke.
Oh no, no no no! Biting her lip to the blood, Rin charged through. Don't let him be dead. What would I tell Sakura?
She followed the sound of clashing weapons down the blackened hall. The paper screens had been consumed to ash, the floors so damaged they creaked under her every step.
What—or who—could have done this?
No time to wonder about it, she was about to find out. Drawing a fistful of gems from her pocket, Rin ran out into the courtyard.
Two armored figures were locked in merciless melee in the middle of the gravel path. A wraith clad in fire and shadows, ash-gray hair billowing in the fierce wind, bore down on her prey. Green eyes flashed from a face radiant despite the soot streaked across the lady knight's skin and armor, but Rin could see that the latter warrior was weakening under the onslaught. Their swords—wait, there was only a single sword grinding on empty air—
"Go on, preux chevalier!" sneered the wraith, eyes burning a cruel gold. "Beg to your god for mercy! Il ne te sauveras point!"
The other Servant only gritted her teeth and held on. Her heels were sunk deep into the earth, and sliding back inch by inch. Soon her defenses would collapse under the pressure.
Rin might have been content to let it happen, if not for the pale figure of Emiya crouched in the shadow of a ruined shed. The knight was protecting him. For what reason, Rin didn't have time to guess. It was enough to choose a side.
Archer! Help—she paused—no, attack the one that's on fire!
'Once more, you presume to command your King.' Rin could hear the derisive tone over their bond. 'Luckily for you, our goals are aligned. All this ash is disagreeable to stroll through.'
By now, Rin knew her Servant had an arsenal of blades at her command. So of course the impossible woman chose to use none of them. Under the magus' horrified eyes, the golden king sauntered over to the flaming wraith and caught her by the collar of the scorched cloak, as she might scruff a disobedient puppy.
"Cease this vandalism at once," Archer said, to the other Servant's growing rage. "You know not upon whose grounds you tread."
"Maudite pute!" snarled the wraith as she attempted to tear off Archer's grip. "Do you think I care? Fuck off, and maybe I'll burn you to cinders last!"
Out of the corner of her eye, Rin saw the silver knight take advantage of her opponent's distraction to find her feet again. The fair face set in a scowl as gauntleted fists closed around thin air.
"Hmph. No matter how hard it barks, a dirty pup cannot escape its fate." A large silver decanter emerged from a spinning portal above them. "The King's will is absolute."
She snapped her fingers. The decanter dipped to pour shining water directly on the wraith's head. The flames were momentarily doused as an angry squawk rent the air.
Clapping a hand over her mouth, Rin struggled to muffle a laughing fit. A bad idea, but she couldn't help it. Not when the wraith's face twisted in pure indignity. The armor hissed with steam as fire sprang anew, boiling off the liquid.
"Bordel de merde... you've really stoked my hatred now." The devil smiled with all the promise of hell.
A shadow shuffled out from the shed, and Rin spotted Shirou slowly making his way over to the Servants. She would have screamed in rage if it hadn't been for the Einzbern Master, still unseen.
"Avenger, let's go," her voice, high and maliciously sweet, echoed from all directions. "Two on one isn't fun."
"Hoh?" Archer intoned. "Well, I suppose marring such an adorable mutt would be a waste." She let go of Avenger none-too-gently, and the other Servant drew her blade as she landed.
"Burn!" the other Servant yelled. The sword burst into flames as she attempted to slice Archer, who simply moved back a few steps next to Saber. Fire caressed the air beside her, but she seemed no worse for wear.
"To defile the King's mercy like this..." Archer shook her head. "Be grateful you have such a fair appearance." She turned to the side and took a close look at Shirou's Servant for the first time. "Hm. A face that is shared by another. How peculiar."
Recognition flashed in the other's green eyes. She shied back like a startled horse, before her mouth twisted in loathing.
"Avenger!" cried the Einzbern Master. Avenger spat on the scorched grass.
"The next time we meet, I'll see you burnt to ash." She faded away soon after.
"See, little mage?" Smirking, Archer pivoted towards Rin, her suit without a scratch. "Such is the—"
"Draw your blade, King of Heroes!" The silver knight's clear voice held a hard edge of iron. "We settle this here and now!"
She charged at Archer, forcing the latter to sidestep a great gush of wind that sprang from the dirtied gauntlets. The knight instantly whirled on her heel and struck again. Although Rin couldn't see her blade, she could see the difference between this warrior and the black brute from last evening. She flowed like water, as if her attacks were a natural extension of her body. Even Archer pressed her lips tight as she called a blade of her own to parry.
Reluctantly, Rin raised a topaz to dispel the winds dancing with each strike of the invisible blade. She didn't have many to spare, but she'd declared Archer her partner. She had to follow through.
She was just drawing back her arm when Emiya, the impossible idiot, threw himself directly in between the two warriors. Raising his arms, he faced down the silver knight.
"Stop, Saber!" he said. "She helped us!"
"She is the enemy, Master!" yelled the knight. "Why are you protecting her? Stand aside!"
"Why are you attacking her?!" he countered. Before Saber could reply, Archer burst into laughter. Saber set her lips in a grim line and moved around Emiya, pointing her invisible blade at the other Servant. He moved with her, allowing no openings.
"Boy," Archer said after a few moments, "are you mad? Do you mean to protect someone your Servant opposes?"
"I don't want to fight if we don't have to," he replied, still carefully staring at Saber. "You must have saved us for a reason."
Archer chuckled once again. "You are quite interesting indeed. Come here."
"Huh?" Shirou turned to the side to face Archer, who promptly took his chin in her hand and—
Rin's mind came to a screeching halt as Archer captured Shirou's lips in a searing kiss. Her mouth moved aggressively over his, conquering him with lips and tongue and clearly enjoying every moment of it.
The silence seemed to stretch on for an eternity, broken only by the golden Servant's pleased hum when she eventually broke away. Her hand lingered fondly on the boy's cheek.
"Archer!" screamed Saber as she lunged forward, attempting to shoulder check her Master to push him away from the other Servant. Archer quickly jumped back with a laugh.
"Delightful, delightful!" the blonde said with a grin. "Yes, you have quite the taste about you. My handmaiden has chosen wisely."
Archer turned to her, causing Saber to spin in the same direction, pointing her invisible blade. "Show yourself, mage!"
Rin took a deep breath and stepped out into the moonlight. "I'm not here to fight you."
"Tohsaka?" Emiya said as he massaged his face—she could see red marks on his lips—"Thank goodness you're here. I've had the craziest night."
Rin sighed. "Yeah, well, it's about to get a whole lot worse. Let's get..."
She would have completed the sentence, but the state of his house was in such disrepair that she instinctively cringed. One of the rafters fell inwards, and the roof soon followed. Rin was proud of her spellwork, but it would take all her circuits' output and more to fix a disaster of this scale.
"...okay, maybe it's better if we reconvene at my house," she said. "Come on. We have a lot to talk about."