All the World's Grudges

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(Rin)

While Rin was not a "morning person," she was nevertheless awake enough to be hungry by the time Kuro came around looking to call her for breakfast. Passing Kojirou who was inexplicably standing in the corridor, she realized that they were the last ones there.

It was at this point more than a little crowded around the table, which while a bit large for four, was currently set out for six. It would have been even worse if Rider had not taken off on some excuse, seeing how giant she was at the moment.

She did wonder though, about how deep the house's pantry ran, one thing which was cause for curiosity given how its residents basically doubled overnight. It was a small mystery that she could still uncover... or rather that she prompted Kuro to uncover.

"Taiga," was the answer to Kuro's inquiry. "You wouldn't believe how much she can go through."

Sakura was nodding vigorously from her place next to Shirou, having taken advantage of the situation to practically place their chairs on top of one another. By the way, Kuro was on his other side, having stolen it given that Sasaku was currently busy cooking. Not that it's surprising, given that he and Sakura were probably busy last night.

Well, they had to make up for earlier... Rin was still quite discomfited at the memory of being trapped in Sakura's room with them the first time around - while she pretended to be unconscious when Sasaku moved her, she doubted a Servant would be fooled by that.

"Hmm," said Kojirou, as a small bowl of miso soup finally broke his disapproval streak with the otherwise non-Japanese fare. "I suppose with this you'd at least get a passing grade as a wife." He glanced at Sasaku who was pouring tea. English, not Japanese, one of the first things he tasted and found unappealing.

Caster just looked amused and replied with her usual soft-but-audible tone "Well I already knew that," moments before Kuro spoke up, shattering the moment with, "But Shirou-nii made that."

Someone laughed. Rin was somewhat surprised to identify the source as Sakura. "I wasn't going to have her do everything," he said seriously, which caused her to fall silent for some reason.

"That's right, Sasaku can't cook Japanese food," Kuro added suddenly as though remembering something. "Wait, did you cook everything yesterday as well?"

"You realize that I can right?" was all that the Caster said, completely ignoring the second question. Sakura, though, caught it, much to Rin's consternation. "What happened yesterday?"

Shirou shrugged and simply replied for his Servant, "I wasn't in shape to. Well, you can ask Rin for the story later on..."

Putting two and two together, Sakura's brief glare at the culprit made her shiver momentarily. She probably didn't care much about Shirou's Servant, but he himself was a very different matter. Though, there was also something else, but she couldn't tell what.

"Enough of that," Sasaku muttered to herself, though it was unlikely to have been addressed to the cup of coffee she had just finished. "We have more important things to do. Yes, you too nii-san," she added as Shirou started to frown.

"Hmm, a Masters' meeting?" Rin asked, remembering Kuro's mention of the night's Servant meeting. Though the little Archer had not said so, it was clear there had been more than just planning the defense of Emiya's house.

"Not that, she's teaching us," Sakura said. Dropping a bombshell, or perhaps only for Rin since everyone else seemed either in the knew or didn't grasp the significance of it.

"Uh, what?" was all she automatically while busy thinking.

"Mag-" Sakura started, but Sasaku abruptly cut in with a deliberately airy, "The nature of consciousness and reality. If you behave yourself, I'll take Sakura's opinion on letting you sit in next time."

"What about mine?" Shirou asked, though it was hard to tell if he was amused or annoyed. "I already have that," Sasaku replied as she directed the group towards his room. So probably the former.

By that point though, she was actually coming to a conclusion about what Sakura had said earlier. Damn it.

(A little while later, at the courtyard)

Dismissed. Not out of caution or even anger, which were both understandable enough, but like dealing with a pet that might get in the way. Sakura's pet.

Even Shirou, she grumbled, though it was what Sakura had practically bragged about, her of all people, that really got to the brooding magus. "Just because he's fucking her on the side?" she moaned in frustration to no one in particular.

"I might be misunderstanding the modern conventions," Kojirou said suddenly appearing next to her while sipping tea. Can Sabers even get ((Presence Concealment))? "But are you saying the boy already had another wife? That's quite something."

"What? No."

There was silence for about half a minute. Kojirou seemed to be pondering something, or perhaps just getting ready for another sparring round with Kuro.

"So what's your angle in this?" Rin said, figuring that he might answer or not, but she'd definitely get nothing if it required him to speak first. "You clearly don't like either of them."

He laughed, though less in amusement than a distraction for thinking time, most likely. "Since you've decided to be open about it, I'll follow: don't bother trying to get me to betray my Master."

"I was doing nothing of the sort," she retorted. This seemed to disappoint him, because he thinks I'm sloppily trying to cover up she realized. "Look, you know that I'm literally incapable of doing anything like that, right?"

"Hmm?" This seemed to be news to him.

"I'm in the same boat as you, only that it's Sakura who holds my leash."

Kojirou just blinked and looked thoughtful. "I'm only bound by my word to defend this place," he replied after a moment. "If you thought that Caster had used a Command Spell on me, that would be a different issue."

I suppose that makes sense of their interactions Rin thought. "Then I guess between the two of us, the Servant is freer than the Master," she muttered bitterly.

"You know, Sasaku said to be careful of you," Kojirou volunteered. As though that's supposed to be comforting.

"I'm less of a threat to her than you are, since I couldn't even think of backstabbing someone if I wanted to. Which I know I probably should, and that's the worst part of it,"

"Is it that subtle?" he muttered, "Or perhaps that weak?"

"What do you mean by that?" she asked wearily as Kuro showed up, rearing to go.

"Would you mind showing me that move again?" Kuro asked, referring to his triple slash technique from yesterday. To think he'd show that off. He already knew about Kuro's and was wary of me, but he used it anyway.

"If you'll do the same" Kojirou replied. Both sides were probably thinking about how to add aspects of the other's techniques to their own. Kuro glanced at Rin who simply nodded. She had, after all, her own reasons for wanting to witness both of those in action again.

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(Medusa)

A short distance away from the sparring warriors, Medusa rested against the tree occupying a corner of the courtyard with a couple of books. Though the owner of the house had some encyclopedias, the pair of tomes she was holding were most likely from Tohsaka's library given their content - some introductory information on Bounded Fields.

Come to think of it, the fact that she could openly walk around outside the house proper was due to one of those, or rather just "that one" which Caster seemed to use for everything. Apparently she had misjudged it earlier - was it only about twelve hours ago we were enemies?

That said, the books were her recommendation, because of the fact that Medusa's Bloodfort Andromeda acted much like a Bounded Field, though on the level of a Noble Phantasm of course. Honestly, she did have Divinity, so picking up magecraft shouldn't be impossible for her.

Especially since, if Sasaku could reverse the odd, and quite unwelcome despite the power boost, change to her form, and was also able to get Kojirou and Kuro's records into the Throne, she might be able to perform other changes and make them "permanent".

Though she hadn't promised any such thing, that in a way made it seem more certain. Magi didn't have the best track record when it came to carelessly making promises.

"Er, hello." Medusa looked up, thankful for the convenience of Gilgamesh's glasses. Not only was being able to read and look about normally quite a novel experience, her Mystic Eyes had, if anything, gotten even more powerful. So much so that containing her previous ones would be praiseworthy enough, making it was a bit surprising that they hadn't simply broken the moment her current eyes had tried looking through them.

Though, if it came from the King of Heroes, it might be some form of the earliest Mystic Eye Killers, so perhaps it was at the level of a Noble Phantasm? Oh right, Kuro was still standing there looking at her. Medusa closed her book and set it down carefully. The thing was of course warded against most forms of mundane damage, but books should be handled with respect. Especially if they were on loan.

"What is it?" she asked, trying to keep a casual and friendly tone. For some reason, while the serious Kojirou didn't seem too upset over having his sword wrecked well he deserved worse than that, the more lighthearted Kuro had only taken a brief glance at her and immediately taken an intense dislike to what she saw.

"I just wanted to say... thanks for joining us," Kuro replied nervously. Maybe it was more fear than hate? Ah, perhaps she knows about ... her (Gorgon). That would explain a lot.

"Don't misunderstand," the Archer added, unsure how to continue when Medusa simply remained silent. "If it had gone downhill, I would have to side with you, just so we're clear on that."

"I see." Was all she said in response. Opting for silence was generally an underrated option, valuable as it was.

"Out of curiosity," Kuro muttered while watching her warily, "Don't you have anything you want that the Grail would be useful for? Otherwise why did you decide to join in a War for it?" Ah, it's that.

Honestly, it was odd how quickly everyone else had accepted her non-interest, but then again, Caster and Saber were on the same track as it were, and Sasaku had also asked for nothing. It's like she didn't care much, probably because for her the real prize was the whole Grail System, at which point she could get everything anyway.

"Only if you can keep this between us." She hadn't even told Sakura, let alone Shinji. But perhaps it was because of Sakura's state which made most things seem petty and unimportant. Kuro nodded, so she continued. "I want to return to my younger self."

"Oh, not the one I was summoned in," she quickly clarified, seeing doubt entering Kuro's expression. "But before that."

"So, you want to be somewhere around... say, Sakura?"

"Er well, I think my eldest sister would be a little under Sasaku, and my older sister a bit under that. I suppose that means I rightfully would be closer to you."

Kuro thought about this for a moment. "Ah right, Stheno and Euryale, the 'perfect idols'. Hmm, ancient Greeks had excellent taste." For some reason she looked extremely satisfied with this conclusion, somewhat to Medusa's annoyance.

"What about you? They didn't age, but you're actually about twelve, how did you become a Heroic Spirit?" This was not just changing the topic, Medusa was more than a little curious. Not just the one in front of her, or the one in the house, even the King of Heroes was summoned in his youth. It was as though the Grail was encouraging her to realize that wish of hers.

"I'm not," Kuro said finally. "If Kojirou is apparently someone who 'became' a fictional character, as proven by some details about his Noble Phantasm and weapon, then maybe I'm the reverse. Someone else 'became' me instead. I should be little more than some sealed away memories, but maybe like Sasaku, that was enough to become my own person." She seemed satisfied with that. "Yes, my own person. That must be why I also got my own name too."

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(Kojirou)

Enjoying some tea which Rin had brewed at least it's better than English tea, let alone coffee he noticed the magus was deep in thought, a contrast with her many earlier questions.

"Did you find your answer?" he asked after a while, thinking of what he had managed to learn about her Servant's technique. Though throwing the paired swords didn't seem required for the teleportation - he could block them without preventing the effect - it seemed likely the ability was linked to the combination Noble Phantasm.

If he 'multiplied' a cut into three swords, she 'divided' space into nothing, and even changed her facing.

"Sort of," Rin said with a grudging tone, interrupting his musings on footwork and swordsmanship. "I guess you showed me that I fell for a master manipulator." That last more than a little bitter.

"Huh?" he replied in confusion. It took him a while to realize she had actually been thinking about Caster, rather than how to cut three ways at once. "You were thinking about that girl the whole time?"

Rin frowned. "I guess that means you don't see it either. Listen, she acts - maybe she is - really easily bullied, but if anything she wants people to underestimate her. She's definitely up to something big and-" she paused as though remembering something critical. "You know about it."

"And you don't," he jabbed back amidst rising irritation. Just because you got cau- wait, Caster wasn't even involved in that.

His tea-companion of the moment was muttering into her cup, "She's not just some little girl, she's... why is it so hard to keep that in mind?"

What's this breakdown all about? Having finished his drink, Kojirou placed the cup on the tea-serving tray and picked up his Kuro-copied sword.

(Rin)

It must be some subtle effect of the Bounded Field she realized. "Don't you think it's odd that she hasn't shown any Noble Phantasm, but does have this odd Field? It wouldn't be surprising if, like Rider's, that spell itself is her Noble Phantasm.

Rather irritatingly, he simply shook his head dismissively. "Caster - ((Territory Creation)) is a standard class Skill. You've only just realized that Servants are on a massive step above humans, even magi?"

"It's not just that," she insisted. "Why wouldn't a Caster's Field work on you? You're both on the same level, so a magus Servant should be able to..."

"((Magic Resistance))" Kojirou shrugged as Kuro wandered back over. "Anyway, S..Shirou is asking for your advice on something. He's in his room."

Rin frowned, figuring that it was more likely that Sasaku wanted her for something. Then again, what did it matter?"

"Yeah, tell her I'm on my way."

When the door to Shirou's room opened, Rin was confused by the sight of Shirou sitting on the room's one chair, while Sakura sat on his bed cuddling his Servant. For some reason, the two humans were blushing, which Sasaku studiously ignored.

This looks more like babysitting rather than teaching anything.

Shirou noticed her first (well Sasaku probably knew even before Rin touched the door) and got up from his seat. "Since you handled breakfast, I'll take care of lunch," he said, quickly making for the door.

"Well I'm sure Saber will appreciate that," she quipped, getting a satisfying twitch out of Shirou as he left.

Eying the chair, she sat down without having to be prompted. So much for Shirou wanting to ask me. "So, what did you want to know?" she asked, directing the question to the girl Sakura had her arms around.

The casual reply belied its implications: "What can you tell me about transferring magic crests? You have the Tohsaka family one, right?" Rin froze. Don't tell me that...

"It's quite a risky process at the best of times," she replied delicately. Sakura was idly playing with Sasaku's hair, but her unconvinced expression seemed threatening.

Rin's mind was rapidly putting pieces together. If Zouken is still around and running Matou, then he probably didn't pass its crest to Sakura... but wait... she hoped that they wouldn't realize she was suddenly sweating.

Sakura could take mine.

"You seem to misunderstand," Sasaku said, though it didn't seem to be case at all. "I'm not asking you to perform it, just give me information so I can."

"It's more like surgery than any other ritual," Rin muttered. "I don't even know how it works since Kirei did it and obviously I was not conscious for the procedure..."

"What," Sakura said sharply, "So he ripped it out of... your father's corpse and jammed it in you?" Wait, she didn't tell Caster that we're... huh?

"Yes, and I'll use it to kill him," she said bitterly.

"Well, that's about what I was expecting, to be honest," Sasaku concluded, holding still as Sakura fiddled with a dark green hair ribbon. "Do you still want to try it?"

"What are you planning to do?" Rin asked dully, after preparing herself for the worst.

"I'm considering transferring some of my magic circuits to Sakura and Shirou."

"What."

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Notes:
There'll be some explanation of what Kojirou was getting at, though for obvious reasons it won't be him explaining it to Rin.

If you check, there's apparently an actual historical move/technique called Swallow Reversal. It isn't three cuts though - supposedly one cut downwards then one upwards, like a bird flicking it's tail - apparently able to cut birds, Kojirou says you need to cut from three different angles to accomplish this. Kojirou already explained about his sword being different too.

It's a rather amusing parallel how Kojirou "cuts really fast" (actually has three swords out in the same instance) while Kuro could say she simply "moves really fast" (actually teleports).
As for if they can combine those techniques or combo together or something else, have a go with your imagination :)

At least you can "certainly" get Medusa and Euryale in FGO (they're both 3-star rarity). So they can meet, and well Stheno, heh... you know how gatcha RNGs are.