Chapter 7 – The way home
(Published: 08.11.12- Beta: Sperance )

Threat.

That term alone encompassed the woman known as Rider in Kitsune's perspective.

Where had this woman come out from? A fashion magazine?

Kitsune was by no stretch of the imagination an unattractive woman, but that 'Rider' causally sitting at the kitchen table was enough to make her feel inadequate about her appearance.

There was also something familiar about her, something that made the resident fox feel threatened by her presence. She had the feeling she had seen her before, but couldn't for the life of her recall where or when.

It was probably just an impression, she concluded. Fact remained that this total babe was invading her turf without a care. That wouldn't do. She might not be at her level in appearance alone, but she had experience and an outgoing personality that could definitely charm any man.

She had to be careful, though, and not act rashly. She didn't know what Shirou's relationship with Rider was and any maneuver could potentially backfire. Still, she could use the situation to find out more about her manager.

"So, Rider-san," she began as she approached the chair where she was seated, "have you and Shirou-kun known each other for long?

"You could say that," she replied cheerfully."Shirou and I have been friends for a few years now."

Oh? Were they really just friends or was she purposely downplaying their relationship?

"You aren't Japanese, are you?" Kitsune observed. "Where are you from? The States? Did you meet Shirou-kun in one of his travels?"

"No and no. I'm from Greece but I met Shirou a few years ago when I came to Japan for a personal matter. It shouldn't have taken more than two weeks, but then I met him and never wanted to leave again."

H-how bold of her to say something like that so casually…

"Rider...," the manager said with a warning tone. Both women ignored him completely.

"So, you two must be pretty close. Say, how was he when he was younger?"

"Well, he was still in high school when we first met, so he was a little brash and hotheaded, but even back then he was the gentlest soul around. We didn't exactly meet under the best circumstances but even then he still helped me out a lot."

"Helped out with what?"

"Oh, this and that. Nothing important, really."

"I see," she replied, obviously not fooled by her dismissal on the importance of Shirou's help, but new better than to force the issue. "So you've been staying in Hinata City all this time? Funny, I frequent many places in town but never once heard about a foreigner that looked like you, and trust me, men would talk about that."

"Oh no, you got it all wrong. I just happened to have business here in Hinata at the same time as he did. I usually live at Shirou's place in Fuyuki."

"Rider..."

"Wait, wait, wait! So you are one of the girls who live with him?" Rider nodded. "Seriously?"

Well, crap. That was a major setback. When Shirou had said that he lived with four women Kitsune had imagined four, plain looking girls, not a foreigner that looked like she had just walked out of a fashion magazine. What kind of chance did she have of overcoming four years under the same roof with him, while being less attractive than her?

With effort, that's how. Just because they lived in the same place didn't necessarily mean anything. No matter how she looked, if Rider hadn't put the moves on him, then she could still turn his head around.

"Exactly," Rider continued, "Shirou graciously offered me a place to say when my permanence in this country became indefinite."

"Eh, that must have been odd, living with a guy all that time being just friends. You know, without having a relationship. Then again, Shirou-kun is pretty harmless."

"Absolutely," Rider confirmed with a smile. "Shirou would never touch a woman without an open invitation from her."

"I know, right?"

They both shared a laugh while Shinobu served the juice. Rider took a sip and then smiled.

"Then again, Shirou was never one to lack that sort of invitations."

KA-CLANG!

Shinobu's empty tray clattered loudly on the ground. Kitsune imagined that her own jaw would have made a similar sound if it wasn't hinged to the rest of her face.

This woman… Had this woman just openly admitted that they did… did….? Or was she just implying that Shirou had an active sexual life?

"Enough with the jokes, Rider," Shirou cut in. "Seriously, that's enough."

Shirou's voice had nothing of the usual joviality. It wasn't angry or annoyed but it was clear that he didn't like the way the conversation was going.

"Sigh. You're just too serious sometimes, Shirou. You should learn to have some fun every once in a while."

"Not at the expense of my tenants, I won't," he retorted picking up the tray. "Besides, I would rather not divulge the details of my private life to everyone in hearing range."

"Right," Rider said without a trace of guilt, tapping her lips with her index finger. "You were never one to kiss and tell. Sorry, I forgot."

"I'm sure you did," Shirou commented on Rider's excuse sarcastically and more than a little resignedly. "I'm going to take my stuff. I'll be back in a minute."

"Sure," she replied happily as she stood.

The following movement happened too fast for anyone to react.

Shinobu was frozen on the spot, her brain caught in a thousand different thoughts.

Emiya-san was a man, an adult and an attractive one at that. It wasn't unusual that he had a lover, right? After all he admitted himself that he had someone he had been in love at some point.

Was this Rider the person in question? She definitely had the look down squat. No arguing with that. Yet Emiya-san looked rather uncomfortable around her.

Could it be that she was really the woman for whom he had travelled the world, only to have his feelings rebuffed when he came back?

And now that he had finally started a new life away from her, she came to claim him back.

No. For the life of her, Shinobu wouldn't allow such a thing. Emiya-san was too much of a gentle soul for her to permit such a treachery to continue. She would save him from this shrew of a woman no matter what.

Yes, that was all good and fine, but how was she going to do that?

As she contemplated this, the unthinkable happened.

Shirou only had time to widen his eyes in surprise when Rider's hand shoot out and grabbed him for the collar of his shirt, pulling him forward. Had he realized his intention a fraction of second earlier he could have twisted his way out of her grasp, but right now, the only thing he could do was prepare himself to deal with the consequences.

Rider mouth clamped on his and he barely registered the sharp intake of breath from the other two witnesses. There was no chance for him to struggle as Rider let him go a moment later, her mission fully accomplished.

"I'll wait for you outside with the bike," she said as she turned around to leave. She practically purred the following sentence. "Don't make me wait too long."

Despite knowing it was just a ruse to upset the others, Shirou couldn't help but gulping loudly as she left with an extra sway to her hips.

Looking at his sides, Shirou grumbled and ruffled his hair. "Well then, I'd better get my stuff," he said as she left for his room.

Five minutes later he passed through the kitchen again on his way out, and the situation was pretty much the same.

Petrifaction.

It could only be described as such. Both Shinobu and Mitsune were standing with their mouth agape and eye wide. The coloration of both their body and clothes was a dull gray and Shirou could swear he could see some cracks forming here and there.

He sighed again. Things should get back to normal on its own, so he might as well take this chance to leave while they were still out for the count.

"I'll be back by tomorrow evening," he said saluting the duo. "Take care of yourselves in my absence."

Without looking back he sprinted out of the building and down the set of stairs that led to the main road. He definitely didn't want to be around his tenants right now. That would be too embarrassing.

"That was fast," Rider chuckled as she half sat on the bike.

"You're a devil, Rider," Shirou said, sounding again more resigned than angry. He was way too much used to the gorgon's antics.

"Yup," Rider confirmed. "Making fun of Shirou is the best form of entertainment, after all."

"Right," he grumbled. "How could I forget? Never mind that. Let's just go. The sooner we are back in Fuyuki the better."

"Hm-Hm," Rider agreed. "Do you miss Sakura that much?"

"Yeah. I didn't have much time to talk with her before this whole mess started. A couple of days to catch up sounds good."

"Yes, Sakura would definitely like that. Let's go, Shirou."

"Rider," Shirou sighed. "I'm driving."

"Mou, Shirou," Rider pouted. "This is a bike, not a car. You ride it, not drive it."

"You know perfectly well what I mean, Rider. I take the front."

"Shirou is a big meanie," she fake cried, but she left him the front place nonetheless.

"I don't mean to question your motorbike riding skills," duh, "but I still blame this white hair on the last time I rode behind you. I don't plan to lose any more years of my life."

"That's a bit harsh, Shirou."

"Think what you like, but I'm not riding behind you even if my life depends on it."

And with that final decision they both left in direction of their hometown.

"That shameless woman," Kitsune raged as soon as her mind snapped out of her funk. Shinobu was still petrified, though. "Coming to my house, stealing my spotlight and my prey. If it's a challenge she's looking for that's exactly what she'll get. Shinobu!"

"Y-Y-Yes?!" said girl asked, breaking the mind-freezing.

"Operation 'Snatch Shirou away from the snake-woman' is officially on the go. Are you going to assist me?"

A fire ignited in the younger girl's eye as she realized the meaning behind Kitsune's words.

"Yes, Kitsune-senpai! Let's save Emiya-san."

Well, Kitsune didn't exactly know what Shirou had to be saved from in Shinobu's perspective, but so long as the girl was willing to help she was fine with it.

"Perfect, then. Information gathering is the first step. Let's check his room for anything important."

"B-but," she stuttered, already losing her motivation, "isn't that what Emiya-san prohibited us to do?"

"It's not the same thing," she shook her head. "This is for his well-being."

And her pride. No way would she allow anyone to brazenly stroll in her turf and steal away both her role as seductress and her target in one go.

Three fouls in one sitting wasn't something she could overlook. Extreme countermeasures were needed. She would seduce Shirou into a puddle and he wouldn't even remember knowing a Rider in the first place.

Mitsune Konno was on the warpath. Everyone would better watch out.

Fuyuki City

The familiar outline of his hometown was getting closer by the minute.

'How nostalgic.'

He had been away for a long time, and upon his return he didn't have time to look at the scenery. It frankly didn't hold a candle to Hinata City, but it was the place he grew up in, the place where he met the most important people in his life so far.

The place where he had fought the hardest for his ideals.

The place where he had fallen in love.

The place where he had lost that love.

The place where he had found a family again.

So many things had been lost and so many had been gained. No matter how far away he went, this particular place would always hold a special place in his heart.

Perhaps sensing his emotions, Rider tightened her hold on his waist a little more.

The bike took them through familiar streets and crossroads, and in the blink of an eye they were back in their neighborhood and the sturdy gates of the Emiya household welcomed them as if they had never left.

They dismounted and removed their helmets, tranquilly pushing the bike inside the walls.

It was good to be back.

"We're home!" they both announced as they stepped inside the silent building.

Rushed footsteps could be heard going their way and a moment later the figure of a purple haired girl stood in the entranceway.

Sakura.

The years had been kind with her. In the aftermath of the Holy Grail War, Sakura had learned to deal with her nightmares and it showed on her face. Her already generous figure had reached the beauty of adulthood, shaping a woman that could be described as breathtaking, both in appearance and character.

"SenpaI!" she cried as she ran to welcome him. She stopped just a few steps short of hugging him, her usual shyness coming into play. Shirou too had his arms open wide until he realized what he was about to do and promptly closed them.

"Jeez, you two," Rider sighed. "There's nothing wrong with hugging each other, you know."

Shirou snorted. It was true that in the year following the war they all had gotten pretty close to each other but for the next four years he had scarcely been home. Was it wrong for him to assume that things had changed between them?

Apparently, it was, because he soon found Sakura's arms around him, crushing his body in a hug that almost broke his ribs. Time and distance apparently weren't enough to dull certain bonds. Especially not those forged in the flames of war, despair and everything that followed.

"I'm home Sakura," he said, finally returning the embrace.

"Welcome home, Senpai."

They remained like that for a minute that seemed to stretch for an eternity. Until Rider coughed loudly in discomfort.

Sakura laughed. "Welcome home, Rider," she greeted as she released Shirou. "Why didn't you tell me you were coming back?"

"We wanted it to be a surprise," Rider explained. "Poor Shirou wanted to return so bad that he got up before dawn."

"Rider," Shirou sighed, "will you ever stop teasing me?"

"Hmm," she pondered, "no."

"Thought so."

"Ah, don't just stand there Senpai. Come on in. Make yourself…," she smiled, "make yourself at home."

"Thanks, Sakura. I will. I have a lot of things to tell you about."

An hour later

Shirou explained the details of his current living and working arrangement to his longtime friend. She already knew the gist of it, but Shirou took the chance to explain the details.

To say that Sakura wasn't happy that he would spend the better part of the year under the same roof with several beautiful girls would be a gross understatement, but in the end it was the best solution, as it wrapped into one living, working and reconnecting with his family.

"Hmm," Sakura pouted, "Senpai always ends up surrounded by young, good looking girls. Is he doing it on purpose?"

"Hm," Rider agreed, "I thought so too. Shirou is such a womanizer."

"O-oi, you two," Shirou sweat-dropped, "I'm sitting right here. Don't talk about me as if I wasn't present."

"There is this one girl," Rider continued ignoring him, "that definitely has a crush on him. I'm sure he hasn't even realized it."

"Rider, what are you talking about?"

"I suppose that would be the case," Sakura conceded. "Senpai doesn't notice that kind of things until they hit him square in the face."

"Yeah, she's a bit young for his tastes, anyway," Rider observed, "Unless Illya actually managed to convert him to the wonders of loli, as she promised she would."

"Wait, Illya said what?"

"Oh, no. Senpai would never fall that low. He's already dating three women at the same time. If he goes any farther than that, he would really become the scum of the world."

"Oi, oi, oi. Sakura. That's a bit too much."

"I wouldn't worry about that," Rider explained. "The real enemy is this vixen who has set her eyes on him. I'm telling you, Sakura, she definitely wants a piece of him."

"Would you please stop ignoring me?"

"I don't like the sound of that," Sakura frowned, and the shadows in the room seemed to become a little darker and a strange mark began crawling its way up her neck. "Perhaps I should have a word with this girl."

"No!" Shirou and Rider shouted all of a sudden. That was definitely a situation to avoid.

"Aw. Too bad," she smiled. "Jokes aside, Senpai, are you sure you're going to be alright?"

"Yes. As far as I can tell there's nothing to be worried about. Besides actually getting along with the tenants, I mean, but that's a work in progress. Given a bit of time things should be fine."

Looking at him smiling, Sakura and Rider sighed at the same time. Yup, no way Shirou wouldn't manage to get along with a group of girls, given enough time. In fact, they actually feared that by the end of his permanence in Hinata, they would have to pry them off him with a crowbar.

Well, either that or having to save him from them as they tried to beat his selfless idiocy out of him. He was both that adorable and that insufferable at the same time. He could drive a sane person crazy or a crazy person sane.

There wasn't much to do about that, though. Emiya Shirou wasn't an existence that one could simply meet and then be done with it.

Suddenly, the sound of the front door opening startled them out of their conversation. Hurried footsteps could be heard coming closer, and Shirou had the feeling that a wild beast had just entered his home.

"Sakura," Taiga shouted pulling the door open, "I saw the bike in front of the house and… and… Shirou?"

Shirou stood, watching the woman who had been his sister in all but blood since he was a kid stare at him with watery eyes.

"Shirouuuuuuu~" she ran at him with tears in her eyes and jumped in his embrace, throwing her own arms around his neck…

… and then promptly kneed him in the stomach, with all the strength provided by her toned legs and the forward momentum from her run.

"GWHOARGH!" Shirou protested as he doubled over, falling on the floor with eyes bulging out of his head.

"You bastard," Taiga growled stomping on his fallen form. "On top of messing around with three maidens' hearts, you disappear abroad for years and when you come back you don't even greet your nee-san before leaving again? I didn't raise you to be such a heartless bastard!"

"Ghghgh!" Shirou agreed, clutching his stomach. Or perhaps he wasn't agreeing at all. It was hard to tell, what with his eyes going white and his mouth beginning to foam.

"F-Fujimura-sensei," Sakura intervened, "perhaps that's a bit too harsh."

"Not at all, Sakura-chan," Taiga objected with a smile while she kept kicking him. "I need to beat the sleaziness out of him while I have the chance."

"Scary," Rider said quietly while keeping her distance from the enraged teacher. No way would she put herself between her and Shirou. Besides, the redhead actually deserved at least some of that, and it wasn't like he would suffer permanent damage or something.

In fact….

"Cut it out, Fuji-nee!" Shirou roared finally jumping back on his feet. The suddenness of his movement reversed their position and Taiga found herself sitting on the floor looking up at him.

"Weee" she wept, "Shirou is so violent. Where did I go wrong with him?"

"You're one to talk," he huffed, apparently no worse for wear. "We haven't seen each other in months and the first thing you do is kick me? It's a wonder why I didn't grow up to be as violent as you."

"Mou, Shirou is a meanie."

The redhead sighed and ruffled his hair. There was no way he could ever win against her.

"I'm glad to see you've been fine, Fuji-nee," he finally settled to say.

"Eh-eh," the woman laughed jumping back on her feet, immediately striking a pose with her hands on her hips and her nose stuck up in the air. Her ability to switch between moods was out of this world. "Even without Shirou, the amazing Fujimura Taiga would never lose a beat. What, did you think I would be lost without you?"

"…. No, I would never think that of you, Fuji-nee."

"Oi, what was that moment of pause you had just there?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," he said looking everywhere but at her.

She angrily raised her shaking fist. It was all the warning he had, and he capitalized it to its fullest by turning around and bolting out of the room.

"Shirou, come back here and take your punishment like man!"

Sakura and Rider shared a heartfelt laugh as they watched the older woman chase the redhead running in circle in the garden.

It was good to be home.

That evening

Unpacking his stuff from London and repacking what he needed to take with him to Hinata took less than he expected. With that out of the way, Shirou took the chance to cook for his family, much to Taiga's delight.

The quiet atmosphere on his house was reminiscent of the days a few months after from the War, when everyone finally managed to find a new balance in their lives. Only Rin and Illya were missing to make the group complete, but there was no way around that.

Considering everyone's schedules it was pretty hard to have everyone in the same place unless planned a long time in advance. In all likelihood that wouldn't happen at least until winter and that was only if nothing urgent came by at the Einzbern estate or at the Clock Tower.

Of course, since they all began living together, Shirou had never deluded himself that things would just continue like that. Tohsaka wanted to study in London under the tutelage of the Wizard Marshal, and Shirou had Illya's problem to take care of in addition to his promise to Saber.

Saber…

He brought a hand to his chest in remembrance. Even if the feeling of warmth that they brought to him was a constant reminder of his accomplishments, Shirou still had a hard time believing what had happened in England. Yet, he had tangible proof of that meeting right there inside him.

Still he had a lot of unanswered questions. The true meaning behind the whole encounter was still a mystery to him.

Or was it?

"Senpai?" Sakura called entering the kitchen. "Do you need a hand washing the dishes?

"Ah. No you don't need to trouble yourself with this Sakura."

"It's no trouble at all Senpai. I'd love to help."

She grabbed a towel and began drying the plates while Shirou continued his task.

They worked in comfortable silence like a well-oiled machine. Old habits kicked in easily and after a few minutes all the dishes were almost completely washed. Everything went without a hitch until in the process of passing a plate to the other, their hands together.

They stared at each other as if the unexpected contact took them by surprise in entirely new manner.

Sakura smiled and grabbed his hand firmly, drawing circle on its back with her thumb. As response he drew her closer and circled her waist with his arm. She offered no resistance and they remained like that for a minute before returning to their task.

Not a word was exchanged the entire time.

Hinata Inn

"We can't tell anyone," Kitsune hissed at Shinobu.

"Why, Kitsune-san? What's wrong with telling Naru-senpai and Motoko-senpai about Emiya-san's girlfriend?"

"Tsk, tsk," she chided. "You're too naïve, Shinobu-chan. Naru and Motoko don't like Shirou-kun all that much. In fact they would do anything to get rid of him. What if they convinced that woman that Shirou shouldn't stay here with so many girls? She looked like the bossy type."

Shinobu gasped. "You mean to say that she would force him to leave?"

"Hm," Kitsune nodded. "Jealousy is a powerful motivator. We must be subtle with this. The less people know about our plan the better."

"I understand. I'll keep it to myself."

"Good girl."

The gears in Kitsune's head had kept turning the entire day. Shirou's room was pretty much empty. No personal belongings except for a few changes of clothes. It wasn't surprising seeing how he moved there on an extremely short notice, but she still hoped to find something that would reveal something more about the new manager.

Character-wise, it was pretty clear that he was an overall nice person but not someone you could mess with easily, yet they knew too little about him to determine which his real predisposition was.

Their search was fruitless, but Kitsune wouldn't certainly give up so easily, not when her pride was at stake.

Recruiting Shinobu to her cause was the most first important step to reach her goals. It was painfully obvious that the younger girl had a crush on Shirou, which wasn't surprising considering her lack of interaction with any boy outside of school and with the manager's level of kindness and attractiveness.

In different circumstances Kitsune could have regarded Shinobu as competition, but she was still a minor and lacked any kind of confidence to make Shirou's head turn. However she was also one of the only girls who had still to tick Shirou off, so she could get closer without him being suspicious.

She would be her Trojan horse in her quest to conquer Shirou. She managed to refrain from crackling evilly, just a moment before Naru opened the door to the kitchen and gazed upon the duo with suspicion in her eyes.

"What are you two plotting about?" She asked cocking an eyebrow.

"Plotting? Whatever do you mean Naru-chan. Me and lil' Shinobu here are just having a talk between women."

Shinobu nodded frantically in confirmation but didn't dare look Naru in the eyes.

"Right," Naru drawled. "Shinobu, would you mind leaving the two of us alone for a moment?"

"No problem Senpai," she answered and scampered off, happy to have avoided a confrontation.

"What's this about Naru?" Kitsune asked when the door was closed again.

"I should ask you that, Kitsune, but I don't need to. You're planning to do something with the manager, right?"

"Whatever gave you that impression?"

"I've known since forever Kitsune. I can read it on your face when you're plotting something."

"Fine," she sighed. "What if I am?"

"I can't tell you what to do or not to do, but if you can accept advice from an old friend you'd better give up on that idea."

"What? You never had any problem before when I swindled other men. What's the deal now?"

"Motoko and I talked earlier. We don't like the new manager."

"That's surprising news, now," Kitsune chuckled.

"I'm serious, Kitsune. He gives us a bad vibe. There's something about him that unsettles me."

"More than usual?"

"Yes. It's not just because he's man. I have this feeling that he's hiding something big. Call it a woman's intuition if you will."

"Hmm…" Kitsune pondered. "Tell you what. I'm not in any hurry to put my hands on him. Let's see how this forced cohabitation goes before jumping to conclusions, okay? Besides I know exactly how to deal with dangerous men."

"I'm just worried about you, Kits. And Shinobu-chan too. Don't go dragging her in one of you convoluted schemes. "

"Ah ah ah, come on. I'm not going to put little Shin-chan in danger, okay? Besides, I have the feeling that our new manager is not that bad. We just need to learn how to handle him."

"And I'm guessing you know exactly how to go about that, right?"

"Well, you do know me, after all."

They both laughed.

"Fine," Naru conceded. "But if I ever catch wind of him doing something improper under this roof I'll beat him to a pulp. Got that?"

"Aww. You're so sweet Naru-chan."

"Quit teasing me!" Naru protested.

"Now, what fun would there in that?"

Emiya household

Later that night the foursome sat on the veranda, drinking sake at Taiga insistence.

"This is not fair, Shirou!" The tiger spirited woman cried. "Losing your purity with somebody else besides your nee-san is cruel."

To her dismay Shirou had already acclimated himself with alcohol while abroad, stealing from her the chance of taking his 'first time' for herself.

"Fuji-nee," he sighed. "Please don't say out loud things that could be easily misunderstood."

"Besides," Rider snickered, "you're a few years too hhhmp—"

"That goes for you too Rider," Shirou reprieved as he placed a hand in front of her mouth.

The gorgon mock glared at him but relented her teasing, not so much for Shirou's sake but because of the glare Sakura was directing at her.

It wasn't like she wanted to be reminded that she hadn't been his first.

"Anyway," the teacher continued. "Let's have a toast to Shirou being back in Japan indeterminately. Kanpai!"

They toasted and drunk and again, sharing sake and stories from the months past. For all her bravado Taiga was the first who fell under the sweet claim of alcohol induced sleep, leaving the younger trio to bask in the summer breeze.

Shirou's hand found Sakura's again, but this time it was no accident. Perhaps it was the influence of the alcohol, perhaps it was the long time spent in faraway lands, but the need for contact with his kohai was almost like a physical pull.

Reading the mood Rider took one last sip of sake before standing up.

"I'll bring Taiga's home before her grandfather's men come looking for her," she declared scoping up the limp form of said woman with ease. She wobbled a little and Shirou worried that she would trip and fall, but she immediately steadied her pace and disappeared without another word leaving the still drinking couple behind.

After a few more minutes spent by looking at the sky Shirou finally let go his hold on Sakura's hand and stood.

"I should go to bed as well. Tomorrow I plan to settle some business in town before leaving again. Perhaps we can have lunch outside for a change. Just the two of us."

"I'd like that Senpai," Sakura nodded with a smile as she mimicked his actions.

Shirou walked her all the way to her room, even if his own was closer.

"Well then, goodnight Sakura," he said as she opened the door to her room.

"… Goodnight Senpai."

He was about to turn and leave when something pulled him back.

Holding his hand with both her own, Sakura stared into his eyes without speaking a word. They remained like that for a moment, listing to each other increasing heartbeat where their hands were joined. Finally as if he had shredded the last remnants of uncertainty, Shirou took a step forward and walked inside, closing the door behind him.

xXx

Everything that Sakura wasn't in life, she was in intimacy.

Confident, aggressive, demanding, possessive.

She held nothing back. She gave everything and took everything back, with interests.

Not that Shirou minded in the slightest. He matched her passion and needs with his own, desperately clinging to her presence as much as she did with him.

Damaged goods, that's what they were. So deeply broken that being completely repaired just wasn't possible. Certain wounds healed but never truly faded.

People like him, made of those scars a way of life.
People like her needed them as a reminder that they were no longer alone.

Reaching out to each other like crutches.
Seeking each other's warmth to confirm that in spite of everything, they were still alive.

Drowning every fear, every doubt and every nightmare in the sweet nectar of physical and emotional closeness.

Replacing their tears and sobs with beads of sweat and moans of pleasure, they gave each other the comfort and affection they needed, until thirst and hunger were sated completely, at least for a while.

"Senpai," she moaned again while his body pressed over and inside her.

"Sakura," he replied as wrapped herself tighter around him in every possible way.

Their bodies shook as one under the blissful pleasure of mutual release.

He didn't mind her nails digging into his back with enough strength to draw blood, as much as she didn't pay any mind to the weight of his body lay entirely upon hers.

Their remained like that for a time. Completely spent but still connected in a way that went deeper than just mere physical contact.

Slowly her hold on him turned into a tender hug, while their breath steadied to a normal pace.

"I missed you," they said at the same time, only to stare at each other incredulously and then bursting into barely contained laughter.

"I'm glad that you came back," she confessed wiping a tear of mirth from her eye.

"I'm glad to be back," he admitted.

"Are you going to stay in Japan this time?" She asked snuggling into his chest.

"For a while, yes. I don't exclude the possibility of making a few trips abroad, especially since we are all so spread out, but no matter how far I go this place will always be home."

"You're still going to live elsewhere," she pouted without too much conviction.

"It's only just about an hour away, you know. You can come and visit anytime, and I'll do the same every time I'll have a chance."

"Promise?"

"Of course," he nodded.

"Pinky promise?" She asked sticking out the aforementioned finger. He chuckled but wrapped his own finger around hers nonetheless.

"Pinky promise," he agreed.

"I'm happy that you haven't changed that much Senpai," she admitted. "I was scared that you would be different since you stayed away for so long."

"Hm," he acquiesced. "Things out there are uglier than I thought they would. I can understand why Archer became who he was but… I don't think I could ever become like him. Not while consciously knowing what's at the end of that path. And especially not while I have somewhere to return to."

"That's a relief," she admitted, closing her eyes.

Shirou watched her breath becoming slower and slower, until it was obvious she had fallen asleep.

Without a word he pulled up the blanket and covered them both, before settling himself for a night of dreamless sleep.

The following morning passed in a blur of activity and Shirou didn't have time to go into town until late.

Walking down the road with a package under his arm, the red haired Magus reminisced the first time he went down the particular road and all the thing that followed.

It was a very different situation back then and there was a very different person waiting for him.

No, wait. She wasn't all that different from her predecessor, character wise. In fact he would have been hard pressed in finding two people who resembled each other more than them.

Thrice damned DNA.

He didn't look forward to that encounter, but he had to return the thing he borrowed five year before. If that meant an unpleasant meeting the so be it.

With that in mind he walked up the hill until the white building was in sight.

Kotomine's church. Now that was a place he would have gladly avoided for the rest of his life. Even though the resident priest had changed, and the tortured souls in the basement had been freed, he couldn't help but reminisce the chill that he felt when he first visited.

Pushing the creaking door open he stepped inside the church, empty as it usually was.

At the altar, a single woman was kneeling in front of the holy cross obviously in prayer.

It was oddly disturbing how she took her churchly duties seriously while having a mean streak worthy of her deceased father.

The father that he had personally killed, by the way.

As if sensing his presence, the nun stood and turned toward him.

"Welcome in the house of God, Emiya Shirou," she greeted with a smile that was all too reminiscent of her father. " I admit I didn't foresee your arrival."

"It was sort of a spur of the moment to be honest. How have you been, Ortensia-san?"

"By grace of the Almighty, remarkably well. This city is remarkably calm without the tainted Grail, save for the occasional spirit that wanders here attracted by the leyline."

"That's a relief. This place has seen enough deaths as it is. Hopefully with the Grail gone there won't be any problems that you and Sakura can't handle."

"You don't have to worry about such things. As the Church representative in charge of this area I will not allow any harm to befall its people. However…"

"… What?"

"Now that such a womanizer is back in town I should perhaps worry about the purity of every female around here."

Everything about her amused expression and posture was similar to her late father, minus the obvious malice that Kotomine Kirei seemed to exude every time he twisted the metaphorical knife in the equally metaphorical wound.

"Eurgh," Shirou replied with a blush, fully getting to what she was referring to. He always kept his relationship under wrap, but Caren was a receptive individual and, much like her deceased parent, absolutely capable of finding and exploiting every possible fault in the persons in front of her. At least he didn't give her any more material to tease him with by protesting or denying.

"Pleasantries aside," she said returning to a more serious mood, "I'm curious about your presence here. The house of God is certainly open to everyone, but I was under the impression that you nurtured a particular dislike for this location."

"Can't argue with that. Normally I wouldn't set foot here if I could help it, but today I had to return something that I borrowed long ago."

He passed her the box he held under his arm. She opened it to reveal a neatly folded red cloth. Immediately her eyes flew to his arm.

"I thought that a complete healing was impossible," she said pensively.

"You know what's my policy about impossible things. Besides I'm not sure that healed would be the proper word. Let's just say that we reached a balance, for a lack of better terms. Call it the compromise of two idiots if you'd like."

"That sounds like a remarkably good definition. Even then, you were under no obligation to return this Shroud. It's still a priceless artifact that could have served you well in a number of ways and… I see. You sympathized with it, didn't you?"

"Even if cloths are not my specialization, after wearing it almost constantly for more than four years it would have been impossible for me not to. Even I am not that talentless," he admitted with a sheepish grin.

"I understand. Then I'll gracefully accept it back on behalf of the Church. I'm sure I will find a proper use for it at some point."

"I don't doubt you will. Now, that technically conclude my business here but..."

"Yes?"

"Well, since I'll be leaving again tomorrow morning I was thinking of throwing a small feast over at my house. There's going to be just a few people but we'd like to have you for dinner, if you don't mind."

"My, this is unexpected. Are you perhaps trying to add me to your collection? I'll have you known that I will not fall for the temptations of your cuisine, Emiya Shirou."

"Fine, tease me as much as you like. See if I care," he scoffed. "Anyway, my offer still stands. Dinner will start at eight o'clock."

"I'll be there," she finally conceded. "Perhaps my presence will help alleviate the demons of lust that infest that den of debauchery."

"Argh!" he said as he left. "You really are insufferable when you want to."

She just offered the faintest of smirk as response. Truly birds of a feather…

That dinner was rather loud event, courtesy of Taiga, no doubt. The nearly thirty year old teacher threw up a fuss over Shirou leaving again, and expressed her displeasure with an impromptu wrestling match at the expenses of the redhead's joints. That evening Shirou discovered the his limbs could stretch and bend far more than he ever thought, although he was fairly sure that had he not been the fast healer that he was, he would have remained paralyzed at least for a few days.

Then again, that was probably Taiga's way to convince him to remain a little longer. Bedridden, mind you, but still there. Though luck for her that wasn't the case.

By the end of the night, Caren and Taiga returned to their respective places, the former thanking for the food, the latter muttering about the food she wasn't going to eat in the coming months.

Only the trio composed by Shirou , Sakura and Rider remained at that point and they all immediately went to clean the table and wash the dishes, before they all retired for the night.

The next morning he would have to say his goodbyes and return to Hinata city. Even knowing that he would miss his family he was rather excited about setting up his first proper workshop. One where he could explore the full extent of his abilities without fearing the eyes of the Association. With the added value of the leyline he had an immense amount of Mana to draw upon, thus making his researches less taxiing on his personal reserves.

Looking forward to the months to come, Emiya Shirou fell asleep dreaming of swords.

Author Notes:

I've been working on this chapter for a while, and the only thing I can say about it, it's that it show my immaturity as an author and the major flaw of this story: being born without an actual plot. I've been tempted to start from scratch (if not abandon it altogether) but ultimately decided not to.

I've been divided about showing Shirou visit in Fuyuki because I had the impression that I was overloading the story with the FSN side, while it's technically taking place in the LH universe. In any case this will be the last full immersion in the FSN portion and from now on LH will rule the entirety of story for a long while.

There's going to be some action in the next chapter, as the personal problem of one of the tenants begins to involve Shirou. Not too much ass kicking, but the plot will begin to take shape.

Thanks for reading.

Bye.