Black vs. White (II)

It was a bright summer morning above Hinata City.

Haruka arrived at the tea house early as usual. Her shop was very modest and saw very little traffic but having few customers didn't mean she could skip on the preparations, otherwise she would have even less clientele.

She unlocked the door and stepped inside, immediately noticing that something was amiss.

Any building that had been sealed off overnight would have a very distinct smell from the crisp morning air outside.

Today, it didn't.

It was easily explained by having left a window open the previous night, except Haruka knew she hadn't. She was a very meticulous person who had learned to never overlook any detail.

Somebody had broken in. Somebody who could very well be still inside.

Haruka lowered her stance in preparation. There were only two places an intruder could possibly hide. On the floor behind the counter, or in the closet where she kept her cleaning supplies.

A quick glance behind the counter revealed that no one was there. The supply closet it was then.

With silent steps she slid forward, without making the slightest noise. The wooden floor did make even the tiniest noise at her passing, her presence did not disturb the air in the least.

It was almost like she wasn't there at all.

With a placid look in her eyes, she reached the closet. At that distance she could hear a faint breathing sound coming from inside.

She grabbed the door with one hand and steadied her other fist before throwing it open.

"I've got you!" she shouted as soon as she caught a glimpse of pair of eyes. Her fist flew before she recognized him and decked him right in the face.

Thud!

"Oww! Haruka-san! Please don't hit me!" a known redhead moaned.

"...Shirou?" she blinked, fist still buried in his face. "What the hell are you doing in my closet?"

"What does it look like? I'm hiding, obviously."

"I can see that, you dolt. What I mean to say is why?"

"It's... it's a really long story."

The previous day

"So, you're the biological daughter of the man who adopted Shirou?" Kitsune asked over tea. "Funny, your name never came up in conversation. I was under the impression that Shirou lived alone after your father passed away."

Illyasviel nodded. "That's understandable. I have been living with my maternal grandparents in Europe most of my life. Shirou and I have only met a few years ago."

"That's very odd. Couldn't your relatives take Shirou in with you?"

"That's a very long story, Miss Konno," she replied before taking a sip of tea. Somehow, even though they were drinking from identical cups the one being used by Illyasviel looked more elegant by virtue of being held by her dainty hands.

"Yeah, I thought it would be," the fox acknowledged, scratching her head. "So why didn't they?"

"Kitsune!" Naru reprimanded. "Please forgive her. She doesn't know how to get a hint."

"It's nothing," she replied with a faint smile. "I have long since become accustomed in dealing with uneducated commoners."

"Commoner?" Kitsune bristled.

"In any event, to make a long story short, dad had a falling out with my mother's family over business-related matters and upon her passing they got exclusive custody over me. Shortly afterwards dad adopted Shirou but when he succumbed to his illness a few years later my grandparents didn't want to have anything to do with him. Thus, his custody went to a close friend of dad instead."

"That's so sad," Shinobu moaned.

"Sounds like the setting of TV-drama," Kitsune commented, eyes slightly open and shining with interest.

"What about the supposed betrothal then?" Kanako asked.

"Oh, that's even simpler. I fell in love with him shortly after I met him, so I decided to become his bride."

"Illya," Shirou sighed. "I've already explained it several times. Marriage requires consent."

"I know, dummy," she laughed at his silliness. "That's why I consented for the both of us."

"That's not how consent works at all," he protested in a resigned tone.

"You always get stuck on minor details, Onii-chan. You should focus on the important stuff instead."

"Such as?" he asked.

"The fact that you went ahead and got yourself another sister without my permission."

"That's my line!" Kanako declared, slamming her hand on the table. "Onii-sama! How could you do something like that!"

"Wait. How is any of it my fault?" he asked in bewilderment, at which both sister gave him a look of resignation.

"Onii-sama has no need for another sister," Kanako pressed on turning to Illyasviel. "Or another betrothed for that matter."

"Hm? What do you mean by that?" Illya asked with a voice that promised danger.

"Of course, Onii-sama has already agreed to marry me long before he even met you."

Illya slowly turned her head to look at Shirou, daring him to explain himself.

"Actually," he denied. "I agreed to getting to know you and then see if we wanted to get through with that childhood promise."

"That's hardly any better, Onii-chan," Illya reprimanded. "You should turn down offers like that more strongly. Some people just don't understand a polite refusal when they hear it."

"You are one to talk," Kanako accused. "It's clear that Onii-sama was trying to get away from you all along."

"Is that so?" Illya giggled. "I thought you were the one who didn't see him in almost twenty years."

"That couldn't be helped!"

"Indeed, some things cannot. Such as being a second-rate would-be usurper."

"I have no intention of hearing that from you, impostor," Kanako shot back.

"I'm afraid you'll have to hear it as long as you pollute the air with your presence, faker."

The two contenders glared at each across other while the air between them crackled with unshed energy. It was only a matter of moments before either one leapt over the table and tackled the other one to the ground in an epic catfight.

"Well, no matter. It's not like I could lose to the likes of you anyway. There is no point getting riled over it," Illya decided.

"What?" Kanako hissed. "You are five, no, ten years too early to say something like that you brat!"

"Brat?" Illya asked, smiling but with a twitching eyebrow. "Appearances can be deceitful, you know?"

It was Kanako's turn to smile. "If it looks like a washboard, chances are that it is a washboard."

There was a sharp intake of breath from the people around the table. Kanako had spoken forbidden words. It was tantamount to a declaration of war.

The black-haired sister wasn't all too endowed herself, but she was still far ahead from Illyasviel in the size department.

"Do you believe you have any chance of charming Onii-chan with your crass methods just because you are a little bit rounder? True love will never be defeated by breasts."

"Ah, but true love and breasts together will prevail against anything, big… or small."

Something… cracked loudly. It was Illya's smile.

The glare between the two intensified.

"I'll accept your challenge then," Illya decided. "Let's see who can snatch away Onii-chan's heart first."

"Such a challenge… I would never refuse it and I would never lose it either." Kanako replied.

"Bold words. Let's see you back them up with facts."

Both turned towards Shirou… only to find him gone. For a moment his silhouette blinked intermittently on the chair he used to be sitting upon before vanishing for good.

"That did not happen," Naru decided for the sake of her sanity. "I did not see that just now."

"Tch," both sisters sneered as one. "You can run, but you can't hide, Onii-chan/sama."

It was so that the Holy Shirou Hunt had begun in earnest.

"So, is that how you came to hide into my supply closet?" Haruka asked.

"What? No," Shirou replied shaking his head. His hands were shaking badly. They had moved from the closet to the shop proper, where Haruka had poured him a cup of tea to calm his nerves.

"Well then. What happened next?

Shirou knew he had to make himself scarce. When Illya wanted something, she went after it and she would not stop regardless of what was in the way.

Every Master had been touched, changed by their Servant, and Illya was no different in that regard. Under all her elegance and poise beat the heart of a true Berserker.

He would have stayed if he thought someone would get hurt, but Illya could scarcely hurt a kitten these days. Not that she would have even if she could. Illya had her pride. The only one risking anything, namely his sanity, was Shirou himself. Once he removed himself from the equation everything would be fine.

He would go out for a couple of hours, giving Illya and Kanako time to get to know themselves. Without his presence acting as a catalyst of madness they would be fine.

He knew this from experience. Illya had been like that with everyone, from Rider to Sakura and Rin. However, she warmed up to them very quickly in the end.

What Shirou failed to understand was that none of the three aforementioned women ever claimed to be his sister. They never truly intruded upon Illya's theretofore unchallenged domain.

This time around it wasn't going be so simple as in the past.

"So… you went back later?" Haruka inquired.

"Yeah, just as I expected things had calmed down considerably. Illya and Kanako were clearing keeping away from each other and giving me the stink eye, but I could live with that."

"Hm-m," Haruka hummed in agreement. "So, you thought you were in the clear."

"Yes… dinner was a little bit tense, so I decided that taking everyone for a stroll would have been a good idea."

"Everyone? Not just Illya and Kanako?"

"Absolutely not! I wouldn't have the two of them around with just me. I took Motoko, Shinobu and Kitsune with us. Naru stayed behind because she had to study, and I don't think she wanted to be dragged into anything that might have happened."

"And what did happen Shirou?"

"Nothing! Nothing happened at all. Illya and Kanako didn't exchange a word but everything went fine. It was… it was a nice evening," he said on the verge of tears.

"And… and then what?"

"We... returned to the dorm and I personally accompanied both Illya and Kanako back to their rooms before turning in for the night myself. Then I stayed up a little more to read before falling asleep."

"O...kay," Haruka said hesitantly. "How does it get from there to my supply closet?"

"I… I woke up this morning."

Differently from usual, Shirou woke up extremely slowly.

With his dreams being, more often than not, a flashback of that infernal day; sleeping was never something he was overly attached to. He had learned to function on as little as four hours of rest every night, regardless of how hard he worked himself during the day.

Therefore, he was more than little surprised at himself when he felt the compulsion to not open his eyes and just keep on sleeping. Alas, his exposure to the Magi community taught him to be wary of unusual compulsions otherwise he might have slumbered on.

Using all of his willpower he forced himself to open his eyes and he found himself staring to the now familiar ceiling of his room at the Hinata-sou. So far there was nothing out of the ordinary, except that he felt unnaturally warm and heavy.

His first worry was the he had been struck by a spell but as he went through the events from the previous day he felt a chill went down his spine.

It couldn't be. They wouldn't!

He slowly looked down his body, noticing that his futon looked unusually stuffed. With a trembling hand he lifted the cover to take a peek underneath, but the light he accidentally shed underneath caused the pair of intruders to stir and wake. Two sets of eyes, one black and the other red turned up to look at him.

"Mwha… Good morning, Onii-chan/sama."

There was just one reaction that a man like Emiya Shirou found acceptable in those circumstances and he did not hesitate in the slightest in putting it into practice.

Shinobu got up bright and early as she was accustomed to. She loved getting up when everything was quiet save for the chirping of birds. There was something simply magical about the inn at dawn.

She took care of the laundry first thing, then while the washing machine went through a cycle she would get started on breakfast.

Emiya-san would usually be there before she did. At first, they took turns but as they came to know each other better, they found out that they worked together very smoothly.

Those were some of Shinobu's favorite moments, during which she didn't feel awkward or shy around him. She always felt somewhat inferior to the other girls at the Hinata-sou, not to mention the other women in Emiya-san's life. In the kitchen though, he was entirely hers.

She understood very well why so many were attracted to a man such as him, but it never failed to shock her when they expressed it where she could hear it.

Seeing how he was unusually late she decided to go to his room and wake him. He deserved all the rest he could get in her opinion, but she knew that he would be upset if he overslept. Besides… she did enjoy the idea of waking him up in the morning… every morning.

It would be the perfect way to start a day.

However, just as she was about to come up to his room an unearthly sound shook the entire building

"GYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

The door to his room exploded in a shower of wooden splinters and rice paper shreds as Emiya Shirou himself came barreling through it with a terrified expression on his face.

"E-Emiya-san?" she stuttered out in shock.

However, he paid her no attention whatsoever. Instead he run past her like a man with the hounds of hell at his heels. Shinobu watched him go without understanding what could have scared him in such a way.

At least she didn't until two more figures run past her on both sides, causing her face to turn beet red and her jaw to drop.

"Wait, Onii-chan/sama!"

Kanako and Illyasviel ran after him, both wearing scandalous nightwear in black and white respectively. It was the kind of apparel that did nothing to conceal anything, either by length or by opacity.

It was little wonder then, that when he reached the end of the corridor, Emiya-san decided to jump headfirst through the window without bothering to open it, much like he had done with the door of his room.

He rolled on the ground outside and resumed his run without breaking stride, disappearing in the thick forest that surrounded the dormitory. His two pursuers stopped at the window having lost sight of their quarry and possibly not having lost all decency yet.

"This is all your fault. You scared him away, you hussy," both women accused each other in unison. Their synchronicity served only to make them glare at each other even harder than they already did.

Meanwhile, the other tenants woken by the ruckus converged upon the scene wearing expression afflicted by different degrees of sleepiness.

A quick look to the state of the building as well as the clothing of the two women explained the situation better than words ever could.

The force holding back the tears pooling at the corner of Shinobu's eyes finally capitulated and she broke down crying in shock.

"W-W-Waaaaaah!"

Conversely Kitsune fell on her knees laughing raucously.

"Mwahahahahahahahahah! Oh, god. My sides. Mwahahahah! Make it-ahahaha! Make it stop! Mwahahaha!"

So much for a perfect way to start the morning.

"So, after getting out of there I needed a place where I could hide, and I came here."

From behind him, Haruka put a comforting hand on Shirou's shoulders, but in doing so she transmitted the mirthful trembling of her own shoulders, which she had tried to conceal by moving behind him.

"THIS IS NOT FUNNY!" Shirou bellowed.

"Mwahahaahah!" Haruka answered. His outburst was the straw that broke the camel back.

"Haruka-san! Stop laughing!"

But Haruka couldn't contain her laughter. In fact, she doubled over and started pounding the floor with her fist.

Shirou could do nothing but sit there and grumble on his own, while Haruka laughed her ass off at his expenses.

"Done yet?" he asked after a few minutes, when Haruka started wheezing.

"Ha! Yeah... Sorry about that. It's just that - pfft - the picture of a grown man running from two scantily clad girls is too funny. It's even worse because it's you."

"Why would it be worse?" he asked.

"You are joking, right? I saw you lay down the law with an iron fist when you first arrived here. You dueled Motoko and caught her sword barehanded. You fought her entire clan to bring her back and you didn't so much as flinch when Seta punched you, but a little bit of exposed skin on a woman sends you running for the hills."

"It wasn't a little bit, damn it. And it wasn't just any woman either. It was my sisters'. Both of my sisters'. What the hell was I supposed to do?"

"Hey, I'm not judging. You did the right thing in getting out of there. It's still funny as hell though."

"That's very helpful. Thank you, Haruka-san," he said sarcastically.

"You're welcome," she replied with the same tone. "But seriously, no matter the situation there always only three options. Advance, wait and retreat. Waiting clearly isn't going to work out so choose whether you want to advance or retreat."

"It's very easy to say that."

"You know how it is. Nothing's impossible so long as you don't actually have to do it," Haruka joked. "However, it is really like that. You either keep running or you face them head on. You did it before, so you can do it again now."

"I suppose there is really no other option."

"No, there isn't."

"I see. Thank you for the insight, Haruka-san."

"Don't mention it," she waved off.

"Alright, then. I'd better go back there and fix this mess before they regroup for a second wave."

"You probably should," Haruka agreed. "Oh, by the way, Shirou..."

"Hm? What is it?"

"You're going to pay for the window your broke to get inside."

"I... of course Haruka-san."

It was so that Shirou marched towards his next challenge with a heavy heart and a slightly lighter wallet.

"Since when did this place became the setting of a sitcom?" Naru asked sitting at the table while holding her head with both hands.

"It's always been," Kitsune replied next to her, having just recovered from her bout of laughter. "Then it turned into a romcom when Shirou arrived."

"It's not funny, Kitsune," Naru glared.

"You're right. It's not. It's frigging hilarious!"

Motoko let out an unusual sigh. "It's not nice laughing about other people's misfortunes, Mitsune."

"Then they should suffer them where I can't see them," she rebuffed mirthfully.

"How crass," Illyasviel reprimanded, sitting down at the table. "It is no business of yours anyway."

She was dressed again in proper clothing. A white sundress that reached to her mid-thighs and left her arms exposed.

On the opposite side, Kanako wore something similar though in black. The quality of dress was by no means inferior to Illyasviel's, which had been made by one of the most renown tailors in Europe.

It seemed that Kanako had no intention of losing regardless of the battlefield.

"That's not something you of all people have any right to say, thief," the Black Sister accused.

"In what kind of world does a thief get to call other people thieves?" Illya accused back.

"Alright! Enough! Both of you!" Naru stood and slammed both hands on the table, making the empty plates rattle. "I don't care about any of this business and I don't want to see it happen in here. This is a dormitory. A female dormitory not a… a… house of pleasure."

"I agree with Narusegawa on this," Motoko joined in. "I will not interfere with Sensei's business, but there are rules in this place. Abide by them. Besides, even Sensei is uncomfortable with your shameful behavior. You are both his sisters even if only by adoption!"

Illyasviel sighed. "I suppose I can't expect strangers to understand the bond between Onii-chan and myself. No matter, I will simply have him take me out for the evening."

"Not so fast, usurper. I won't let you get anywhere near Onii-sama alone."

"I would like to see you try," Illyasviel challenged, however, before Kanako could fire back, another voice cut in.

"That will be enough of that."

"Onii-chan/sama!"

The two sisters rushed towards him but stopped in their tracks seeing his expression.

At the table, even the other women froze like deer in the headlights. The entire room was filled by an oppressive atmosphere that made it hard to breathe.

"Kanako, Illya," he called out slowly.

"Y-yes!" both women yelped, involuntarily snapping at attention.

"I've been far too lax with you both and that mistake is solely my own, however," he paused for dramatic effect. "From here onward there shall be no more shenanigans, no more indecent behaviors. You will both act like the young ladies I know you can be or you will pack your bags and return home immediately. There won't be further warnings or reminders. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes!" they both exclaimed. Even the girls at the table nodded vigorously.

"Good. Then go finish your breakfast and let's meet later. We're going to have some fun in town. I'll go fix the door and window I broke earlier in the meantime."

He then marched past them and into the next room without paying anyone further attention.

Only when he was out everyone could relax.

"Woah," Kitsune exclaimed fanning her face. "I haven't seen Shirou that serious in a long time."

"Truly," Motoko agreed. "I almost forgot he could be so intimidating."

"Yeah," Naru pitched in. Actually, Shirou had been angrier at them over their behavior when he first arrived at the inn, but back then they didn't really know him or what he was capable of.

Now that they knew him a little better none of them wanted him angry at them. Even though they knew he wouldn't hurt anyone, he was still pretty damn scary.

Meanwhile the two sisters could only look at each other, mulling over the words neither one wanted to say. It was Kanako who found the courage to speak first.

"Truce?" she offered.

"I can't see any other option at this point," she agreed sticking out her hand. "This doesn't mean our challenge is over yet."

"Of course," Kanako agreed, shaking hands with her counterpart. "I won't lose to you or anyone else."

After that, they returned to the table and finished their breakfast like nothing had happened.

Shirou was in the middle of fixing the door to his room when Kitsune approached. She sat with her legs crossed a bit distanced from him as to not get in the way of his work.

"So, Shirou," she eventually said after he didn't do anything to acknowledge her presence.

"Hmm?"

"Is there anyone who doesn't want to jump your bones?"

Shirou's hammer missed the nail and hit the door frame instead. He turned his head, favoring Kitsune with a thoroughly unimpressed glance.

"I would really appreciate if you didn't bring up such topics."

Kitsune laughed. "You got to be the most low-key man I've ever met."

"I will take that as a compliment," he replied, resuming his work.

"You should. It was," Kitsune agreed. "Yet for someone who doesn't seek acknowledgment you seem to be getting a whole lot of it regardless."

"You know how they say, people tend to meet their fate on the path they took to avoid it."

"Mwahahah! Well, that's a fact if I have ever heard one, though, Shirou, you should probably listen to your own counsel."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I dunno what's up with you but it seems to me that you are going at great lengths to avoid getting close to anyone, even though a lot of people are trying their hardest to get closer to you."

"Illya's and Kanako's infatuation with me is a passing thing," he sighed.

"Pfft! You clearly don't know women as much as you think you do. Besides, who said anything about them? Couldn't I be talking about myself?"

There was dull crunch as Shirou's hammer collided with his thumb. However, he did not make a single noise of complaint, rather turning towards Kitsune with an unamused look on his face.

"I'm really, really not in the mood for these type of jokes."

"Tch! Even though I was just kidding you could have at least pretended to be a little flattered, you jerk!"

Shirou snorted showing amusement for the first time that day.

"You're a beautiful woman, and you know it Kitsune. You don't need me to validate you."

Kitsune grumbled, crossing her arms over her chest. She wasn't flustered in the least.

"I'm not flattered hearing you say that so detachedly, you know. One day I might just decide to make you mean it."

"Please don't," he deadpanned. "My life is already complicated as it is."

"Most men would give an arm and a leg to be in your place."

"Yes, well, there has never been a shortage of fools," he mumbled, causing Kitsune to cackle.

"I'll make a comedian out of you someday. Now then, I should probably let you work."

"Thank you," he replied noncommittally. "For cheering me up too."

"Eh! Don't mention it," she said as she stood up. "You know, I like to think we've become sort of friends in the past months. If you've got anything you need to talk about feel free to knock on my door anytime."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"Bring booze when you do drop by," she said as a way of farewell.

"Of course," he agreed with a smirk. "Far from me to think otherwise."

He resumed his work in a far better mood than when he started it.

His swollen thumb did hurt like hell though.

XXX

AN: Welp! There's no end in sight for Shirou's troubles. At least he managed to lay down the law a little bit. Still, this is just the beginning.

Anyhow, this is it for this time.

Don't forget to read and review.

Also, if you are in the mood to support me, you can do so at "pa treon [dotCOM] / neoalfa"