Being a mage meant you had to hone your skills no matter the task at hand. You never knew what life would throw at you. That's what Illya took to heart. She always did her best to be prepared for any sort of challenge or adversity that came her way. That was the like of a magus. One drought with horror and death. Illya always smirked to herself. She honestly doubted anyone could ever beat her at her own game.
"UNO."
Illya threw up her hands in anger as she glared at her little brother, "Come on! That's four games in a row. How are you this good?"
Shirou smiled up from the UNO cards they were playing with, "Luck, I guess."
"Well stop it," Illya glared at him, which really wasn't that intimidating. "I'm your older sister. I'm supposed to be cleverer than you so stop winning."
Shirou chuckled and then moved his hand over his head and past the air over hers. This caused her to pout harder, growing red in anger. "I think I'm the bigger brother in this situation so what I say goes."
Illya shook her fists in pure anger, "Gah! That's not how it works, you stupid brother! I'm older and wiser so I know how things should go down. Respect your elders!"
Shirou chuckled but relented from his teasing. It was always fun to mess with his sister but that was because she was so easy to tease. Her puffy cheeks reminded him of a chipmunk. He almost wanted to pinch them but he liked having fingers. So he relented from that thought. He let his parents do that.
"It's hard to do that when you're so short," Shirou said as he put a flat hand to his chest to note her height. She angrily blushed as she pouted, "Are you sure I'm not the older sibling here?"
"Height means nothing!" Illya pointed an accusing finger at him, "You're just freakishly tall for your age!"
"I think I'm about average," Shirou shrugged.
Illya threw up her arms in anger, "Ugh, why did I have to have you as a brother?"
"Oh you know you love me," Shirou said with a charming smile.
"...You're lucky I do," Illya pouted even more. Her arms were crossed, "I will crush you in the next game and then you'll see who truly is the older sibling."
"I'm counting on it," Shirou gave her a thumb's up.
"Grrrr," Illya growled, "Stop that. Stop being so cheerful. I'd say you're being condescending but you're so earnest in being nice. Just be mean for once!"
"Well I don't think I have a mean bone in my body," Shirou said with a shrug, "So I can't do that. Besides," he patted her head, "I could never be mean to my lil sis."
Illya swatted the hand away with an embarrassed blush, "Fine. Then I'll be mean for the both of us. Which means I'll do double the gloating when I win."
"Heyo~" A voice shouted into the room, disrupting whatever conversation they were having. Shirou felt a swift kiss on his cheek before a pretty woman's face appeared in his vision, "How's my best guy doing?"
This was Ayako, the captain of the archery club. Her neck length brown hair framed itself perfectly around her face that Shirou couldn't help but stare. A smile started to spread across his face as he saw her. He was incredibly lucky to have someone like her in his life.
"A little better now that you're here," Shirou said.
"Awww, you say the sweetest things~" Ayako giggled as she sat beside him.
"UGH!" Illya threw up her hands, "Do you have to be so… sickenly sweet every time? I feel like I'm going to throw up."
"Oh don't be like that," Ayako said as she hugged Shirou, "One day you'll understand how we feel. Until the the day you grow up, you'll just have to watch us."
"I'm already grown up," Illya said, "I'm older than you."
Ayako patted her chest which made Illya fume even more. She could see who won in that department, "You could have fooled me~"
"Girls," Shirou held up his hands, "Let's just get along."
"Yeah," Ayako nodded before looking over to Illya, "So how's my cute little sister in law doing."
"I'm not your sister in law!" Illya shook her fist, blushing.
"Yet~" Ayako giggled and kissed Shirou's cheek. He blushed profusely after that. The thought of Ayako in a wedding dress… was enticing. "But I really hope you're doing well, Illya."
"Everything's going alright," Illya said, calming down. "Honestly I feel more bored than anything when going to class. I'm three steps ahead of everyone, sometimes even the teacher."
"It must be a pain to be a genius," Ayako said.
"Oh it is," Illya smirked, "But I have to live with it."
"Hello everyone~" Zora shouted as she ran into the apartment. Thankfully she was in her human form given Ayako was there. Artoria was right behind her, "How are- Oh Ayako! Nice to see you here."
"Nice to see you too," Ayako said with a wave of her hand.
"I hope you didn't come over to play some hanky panky with my boyie woyie," Zora said as pinched her son's cheek.
Shirou blushed in embarrassment as Ayako giggled, "Mom, stop that."
"I'm just looking out for you is all," Zora put a hand on her forehead dramatically, "I'm too young to be a grandmother."
"Oh don't worry," Ayako said, "You won't have to worry about that… yet~" She gave Shirou a teasing grin which made him blush even harder.
Zora laughed, "Ah Shirou, you picked a winner."
"I think it's best we stop teasing him so," Artoria spoke up with a pleased grin, "I don't want him to burn to ash from all blushing."
Shirou put his hands over his face and groaned. Ayako patted his back to try and sooth him but that didn't help at all. The women in his life were… troublesome but he cared for them deeply. Was this karma for him teasing his sister? Given her smirk at his embarrassment, possibly.
Kirei hated everything about this moment. He hated being away from his new creations with his servant. They were just about to get good. The screams of that homeless man were delightful until he was interrupted. He hated having to deal with the Mage Association members. Truly they were nothing more than a gaggle of hypocritical assholes that the world would be better without. That was saying something given who Kirei truly was. Now what he truly hated the most about this situation?
The mage before him wouldn't stop smoking. Smoking didn't bother him per se but having to breath in so many fumes was infuriating. Almost as maddening as how long the mage was taking to take his puffs. Kirei just knew the mage was doing it on purpose to test his nerves.
"I am sorry your trip was so eventful," Kirei said to the mage, "I will do my best to ensure such an event won't happen again."
The mage took another puff. Again, Kirei was annoyed. He could easily kill this mage. He had already tried that with his monster but that apparently didn't work. It seemed it wasn't strong enough to go against three servants. He should have known the El Mellois' would have strengthened his numbers before coming here. No matter. He had learned enough about his enemy to gauge his threat level. Now he wouldn't make the same mistake again.
El Melloi II glanced at the door. Kirei knew that three servants and two capable masters laid behind it. He also knew that a Miss Luvia would be arriving soon. Apparently she preferred air travel compared to boats. Which meant his little force was four servants strong. An annoying alliance. He wasn't sure he could best four servants at his own servant's current level. He needed more time.
"Hopefully you can do that," El Melloi II said, gazing intently at him. He pulled away his cigar, "We want the Holy Grail War to be a secret. I'd hate to see its cover being blown by a rambunctious master who loves his pet monsters."
"I will make sure that the rest of the masters know not to be so brazen in the future," Kirei nodded. This would allow him to keep tabs on the more outgoing master/servant duos.
"Wonderful," El Melloi II nodded and stood up, "Our place should be in order, correct?"
"It should be to your liking," Kirei said, "You should find your stay in Fuyuki to be enjoyable."
"Outside of the whole war debacle of course," El Melloi II pointed out, "Oh by the way, do you have a suspect yet?"
Kirei quirked an eyebrow, "I have only just been informed about your attack. I can't pass judgment so easily."
"I would think passing judgment would be right up your alley," El Melloi II took another puff of his cigar, "You are the overseer of this war. Surely you must know of someone who could have created such a beast."
"I do not know," Kirei said. Inwardly, he was tensing up.
"A pity," El Melloi II sighed, "Then I shall investigate myself. I'll share the results when I find something."
"You do that," Kirei said as he watched the mage leave. He scowled once the door was closed. It would seem El Melloi would be one of the first people he'll kill in the war. Better to nip a problem in the bud before it could go anywhere. That mage was too smart for his own good.
'Master,' Foreigner spoke to him, 'Another servant and master have arrived.'
'What?' Kirei said back to him as he had the urge to stand up. Unfortunately he was still bound to his wheelchair. He quickly went to the door to open only to find the one person he didn't want to see.
She was a beautiful girl. Almost a woman now. He long flowing white hair made her angelic. Just like her mother. This was Caren Hortensia.
"Hello Father," Caren spoke.
His daughter. He groaned.
Kirei turned his wheelchair and gestured inside, "I was not expecting to see the Church's representative so soon. I almost thought they would trust me alone with this venture."
"They almost did," Caren said, taking a seat. "That was before I manifested a strong servant. Since they, I have been given instructions to aid you in the war."
"I would assume you have no wish for the grail," Kirei said as he moved to face his estranged daughter, "So your servant-"
"Will help me win the Holy Grail War," she finished for him. When she saw his eyes widen, she smirked. "I have been given instructions: If the candidates are unworthy, I am to squash them and take the grail for myself. Only a person of the church should choose who gets the wish granting cup after all."
"Of course," Kirei said. This was wonderful, he sarcastically thought to himself. Now he not only had to contend with mage in the line of Sherlock Holmes but now his unruly daughter. It seemed like fate was trying to screw with him.
"How arrogant," another voice spoke up, causing Kirei to groan. "All that lies on the Earth is my treasure, not yours. I was alive and well long before your god ever cared to show his face."
Caren narrowed her eyes, "Kirei, who is-"
A handsome blonde man walked out from the shadows of the corner, "I am Ruler. I am known only to those that I wish to know me. So you and your servant would never have picked up my presence. Getting back on topic, yes. The Holy Grail is mine and only I get to choose who gets to wield it."
"It is up to the Church and-"
"It is up to me," Ruler narrowed his eyes, "If you wish to push me, I will gladly take you out of the competition right here and now. I can assure you, it would be a messy affair."
Caren narrowed his eyes, "I cannot trust a servant to choose who gets such an important item."
"Then fight and win it," Ruler grinned, "Prove your strength to me. I will expect nothing less then your best."
Caren was silent for a moment, "If you truly believe you are the judge of this war, how are you going to conduct it?"
"The summonings aren't complete," Ruler sighed, "At this rate, it'll take a week, if not two, for everyone to summon their servant. That is far too long for me. Tonight shall be the start. I will summon everyone here and then the war will commence. All your remaining questions will be answered then."
Caren was silent for another moment, "Very well." She stood up, "I expect you to explain yourself then. As well as yourself, Kirei Kotomine. We were not informed of a Ruler's summoning."
"I did not know of him until recently," Kirei said, "I was going to tell you when you arrived."
"If your words are indeed true," Caren said, "Then tonight should go well. Until then, take care Father." With that said, she left the building.
Kirei groaned. Two people he hated back to back. Just wonderful.
Ruler laughed, "Don't be so glum, Kirei. You will no doubt go far in the coming war."
Kirei looked up at him, "Why do you say that?"
Ruler's grin turned into a smirk, "I have my own plans for the competition. Tonight shall be the start of a truly great war. I'll be enjoying every second of it."
Firstly, I'm sorry this took so long to get out. Life's been... hectic for me. I know it's short but I hope you enjoyed it. I can't wait to read your feedback.
Also yes, Ayako will be Shirou's love interest. I find her underrated honestly and also yes, it'll just be those two together. No additions to that ship in this story.
As you'll notice, I'm upping the war. I did plan to have things happen over time but I decided to speed up the process. So the war should start sooner rather then later. Hopefully that choice will pay off.
Until next time, take care.