"Another woman has been found dead and mutilated in Fuyuki City. The victim was also a prostitute like the other three found in the last two weeks."

Shinji looked up from the TV to Sakura who seemed to be going out. "Hey, be careful out there."

She smiled. "I will be brother."

He nodded and returned to the TV which continued to speak about the serial killer.

...

Sakura stepped outside the gates of her home and looked to her left. She could see a guy, a redhead, talking to a blonde woman dressed in all black. It took her a moment to recognize them, but when she did, she was filled with happiness.

"Sempai!" she cried and ran to them.

She threw her arms around Shirou, hugging him.

"Hey," Shirou said, hugging her back. "How are you Sakura?"

She smiled into his chest before pulling away. "Good. How are you treating Rin?"

He rubbed the back of his head, smiling. "You know, she loves my cooking. I think that's the only reason she keeps me around."

Saber jabbed him in the ribs softly and he laughed. "Yeah, okay. No, we're doing really good Sakura."

"That's good," she replied. "And how are you Saber?"

"Excellent," she said. "Thank you for asking."

"Would you like to come inside," Sakura asked, gesturing to her house. "To catch up."

Shirou nodded. "Why not? But we won't be able to stay long. I'm on an errand to pick up food. Rin will go ballistic if she's kept without food for a while."

They entered the Matou residence and Shirou asked, "Where's Shinji?"

"Right here," a voice responded.

Shirou turned to see his old friend leaning against the wall, a slight frown on his face.

"Hey," Shirou said. "I was wondering if I could talk to you for a couple minutes."

He nodded. "Why not."

"I'll go make some tea for all of us," Sakura announced and left, dragging Saber behind her.

Shinji went to sit on the couch facing the TV while Shirou sat in an armchair.

He leaned forwards. "Are you okay Shinji? You don't look well."

Shinji sighed as he leaned back against the couch. "You can tell too huh. Sakura's been nagging me about it for a while."

"She cares about you," Shirou said, defending her.

"I know she does," Shinji responded, which surprised Shirou.

He looked at Shirou. "Surprised?"

"Why would I be?" Shirou insisted unconvincingly.

Shinji nodded. "It's fine. I can see why you would think that. I was a huge jerk back then wasn't I?"

Shirou was speechless.

Shinji half-smiled at Shirou. "No need to be surprised. Everyone knew didn't they?"

"Uh," Shirou didn't really know what to say.

Shinji stared at his hand. "I've been trying to be better Shirou. Ever since..."

A frightful expression appeared on his face for a moment before he shook it away. "Ever since the whole me being the Grail business."

"You healed well," Shirou remarked.

Shinji gave him a sad look. "Maybe physically yes, but psychologically, I don't know. But it did help me reflect on my life choices."

He looked like he was struggling to say something, then he spoke. "I'm sorry Shirou. For everything."

"You don't need to apologize," Shirou said firmly. "I don't need it."

He nodded. "I know. But I needed to get that off of my chest for a while now."

He held up his hand. "The Grail also left me with something else."

His sleeve rolled down to reveal a bit of his arm, where faint lines of blue were starting to form.

Shirou leaned closer. "Your magic circuits."

He nodded. "Yep. Bonding with the Grail forced them open. I can do magic now, albeit very little."

"But that's good," Shirou said. "Right?"

Shinji sighed. "I guess. Though it's been draining me for a while now. I guess that's why I look sick to everyone."

He then looked at Shirou. "Why are you back in Fuyuki?"

Shirou shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Well, you see..."

Sakura chose that moment to reappear, holding a tray of tea, with Saber behind her.

"You two getting along?" she asked cheerfully.

Shirou nodded. "So Sakura, how's everything been going lately?"

She sat next to her brother while Saber stood next to Shirou's chair. "It's been good. I got a job at this restaurant down in the city."

Shirou smiled. "That's wonderful."

He smirked. "Is that why you hung around me all the time? So you could steal my cooking secrets?"

Sakura blushed. "No, that's..."

Shirou laughed. "I'm just kidding Sakura. If you're cooking like I do, you must get a lot of tips."

Sakura giggled nervously. "Yeah, I suppose I do."

Shirou turned back to Shinji. "What about you? You have a job?"

Shinji nodded. "It's just a side thing."

"That's because he's going to college," Sakura said, putting a hand on his shoulder. "I'm so proud of him."

Shirou laughed and Saber smiled while Shinji looked away, trying to hide his embarrassment.

"That's really good Shinji," Shirou said. "Good for you."

Saber nudged her Master. "We should be going Shirou."

He nodded and stood. "Thank you for having us."

"Oh no," Sakura said, standing as well. "It was our pleasure sempai."

As they left the room, Shinji said, "Shirou?"

Shirou turned back to him. "Yes?"

"Why are you back in Fuyuki City?" he asked, folding his hands.

Shirou looked to see that Sakura was out of earshot, then said, "The Sixth Holy Grail War."

Shinji nodded and leaned back into the couch and didn't say another word.

Shirou left, only to have Sakura hold up a couple bags to him. "For you."

He looked inside the bags to see food. "But,"

"Take it," Sakura said. "It'll save you a shopping trip. You must be tired."

Shirou smiled. "Thanks Sakura. I owe you one."

He and Saber started to head back home while Sakura turned right to head down the opposite way.

...

Shinji closed the door to his room and sat on his bed. He looked at his left hand which he had been careful not to reveal to Emiya. Faint command symbols were starting to form there and he didn't know if he was relieved or worried.

...

"So how were the Matous?" Rin asked Shirou as he cooked dinner.

"Sakura's doing well," he replied. "She's gotten a job down in the city. Oh, and Shinji's been doing a lot better. He seems to have gotten over who he used to be."

"Good for him," Rin said unconvincingly.

Shirou looked back at her. "He has changed Rin. Just give him the benefit of the doubt."

"Oh all right," she sighed.

Saber stood from where she sat at the table. "Master, I-"

Caster appeared next to her, his staff pointed at the entrance hall. "Someone's coming. As well as a servant."

"Lord El-Melloi?" Rin asked, standing as well.

Caster shook his head as Saber's clothes turned into her armor. "Different."

They heard the door slam open and a voice yelled, "Shirou!?"

Shirou sighed. "It's just Fujimura."

Saber's clothes turned back to normal, but she kept her guard up as Rin ordered Caster to turn back into spirit form.

Taiga bounded into the room. "Shirou! I knew I smelled your wonderful cooking!"

She slammed into him, hugging him, before bouncing back. "When's dinner?"

Shirou sighed again and he had a feeling a lot more sighs would be needed. "No hi Shirou, how have you been Shirou, it's been forever Shirou."

Taiga waved her hand. "That can come later."

"Now c'mon," she whined. "I'm starving."

A woman with long blonde hair in a blue suit walked into the room, looking windswept.

"Oh, right," Taiga said. "This is Jeanne. I was going to let her stay here since she has nowhere else to go, but if you're here-"

"No, that's alright," Shirou said. "She can stay here. I can prepare a room for her."

He then looked at Rin. "I mean, if that's alright with you that is."

Rin, who had been studying Jeanne curiously, looked back at Shirou. "It's fine. In fact,"

She stood, brushing her skirt down. "I can help her with a room while you finish the food."

Jeanne stood there awkwardly. "Really, if I'm going to be a bother, I shouldn't-"

"Nonsense," Rin said, grabbing her hand and pulled her along after her. "Your room will just be over here."

They left the room and Taiga turned on the TV that sat in the corner still. A news channel appeared.

"Oh yeah," Taiga said, sitting down next to Saber, staring at the screen. "Did you here about the killer?"

Shirou turned back to her. "Killer?"

She nodded. "Four woman dead in the last two weeks. All prostitutes. In my opinion, whoever-"

"Yeah yeah," Shirou said, tuning Fujimura out as he went back to tending to the food.

In reality, he was thinking. "Last time there were murders like this it happened during the Holy Grail Wars. What if a servant is doing this?"

...

Rin brought Jeanne into one of the guest bedrooms before shutting the door.

She turned to Jeanne. "Alright, who are you? You're not entirely human, but you're also not really a servant either."

Jeanne straightened. "I am of the Ruler class, Jeanne d'Arc. I was sent here to Fuyuki City by the Grail in order to make sure the war goes smoothly."

Caster materialized next to his Master. "Hmm, she is correct."

Rin glanced at him. "What do you mean?"

He studied Jeanne for a moment before answering. "Servants of the Ruler class sometimes pop up in a Grail War to make sure the rules are followed. Though only if the Grail thinks it necessary."

Jeanne nodded. "That's right. And considering what happened the last two times, a Ruler is definitely needed."

Rin nodded slowly. "So you're not an enemy servant?"

"That is correct," Jeanne said. "Unless you or that other Master attempt to disobey the rules of the Holy Grail Wars."

Rin pursed her lips. "Alright then."

She reopened the door. "I'll be right back. There's a futon in a closet somewhere in this house."

She left and Caster leaned on his staff, studying her again.

"What?" Jeanne asked, slightly uncomfortable at his gaze.

"Being a Ruler class," he said. "Could you make pants out of thin air?"

Jeanne was dumbfounded. "Pants?"

"Ah, never mind," Caster waved his hand. "Just a thought."

...

"So how have you two lovebirds been doing?" Taiga asked through a mouthful of rice.

Rin went red as Shirou coughed uncomfortably. "Pretty good Fujimura."

She smiled. "Wonderful. So, when should I expect grand kids?"

Rin choked on her food as Shirou groaned. "Taiga, we're only dating. Besides, grand kids? You're not even my mother."

Taiga waved her spoon at Shirou. "I am your legal guardian young man."

"What have you been doing these past four years?" Saber asked Taiga, steering the conversation away from the young couple.

"Oh you know," she said. "Ever since Shirou left, I had to start making my own food, since Sakura tended to stay at her house mostly. But, I now have my own guys making my food for me now."

"What?" Shirou asked.

"Yeah," Taiga said happily. "Grandfather has gotten me a higher position in his organization. It gives me all sorts of benefits. Though their cooking isn't as great as yours Shirou."

She turned to Jeanne who's been silently eating. "So where are you from Jeanne?"

"France," she replied. "Though it's been a while since I've been there."

"Been travelling?" Taiga asked, then immediately turned back to Shirou and Rin. "By the way, weren't you two supposed to start travelling?"

"We are," Shirou said. "But we're going to stay here in Fuyuki for a bit before we start."

Taiga nodded, then began stuffing food into her mouth as fast as she could. Once she swallowed, she stood. "Well, I need to get going. Grandfather demands that I at least get some work done, despite working at the school. See ya!"

"Bye Taiga," Shirou said before she disappeared.

"Well," he said. "She's the same as ever."

Rin coughed. "That's an understatement."

Shirou turned to Jeanne. "So who exactly are you?"

"Jeanne d'Arc," she said, swallowing some rice. "I am of the Ruler class, summoned by the Grail to make sure the rules of the war are followed."

Shirou shared a glance with Rin and Saber. They all knew what that meant. Saber quietly gripped a fist, already too aware of what might await them in the future. If they were to attempt to destroy the Grail, Jeanne d'Arc would try to stop them.

"That's great," Shirou said to Jeanne, though it was forced. His mission in this war was to destroy the Grail and he couldn't allow her to stop him.

...

Shinji stepped back from the summoning circle, glancing back up at the house. The lights were all out, so that must mean Sakura was asleep.

He looked down at his hand, where the command seals were clearer now, slightly illuminated by the moon. "I will bring honor to the Matous. I will win the Holy Grail War."

He shot out his hand. "For the elements silver and iron..."

...

Zouken watched Shinji from the shadow of a tree, a wide grin on his old, gray face. "Well well. Looks like you're finally taking responsibility as a Matou. Maybe you have a chance. We'll see. We'll see."

His body dispersed into a thousand bugs as they flew back into the darkness.

...

The woman slumped against the wall, her lifeless eyes wide in shock and fear. A little girl stood over her body as she began cutting into the woman expertly, going for the organs.

A teenage girl, Riku, knelt next to the little girl. "What exactly is your reason for going after prostitutes? I'm not complaining, my own mother was one. I'm just curious."

The little girl spoke in a cute voice, that of a child's, which seemed to make her even creepier, especially with the knife cutting in her hand. "They hurt us."

Riku looked confused. "Me?"

"No," the little girl said, still slicing up the woman. "Yes. They hurt us."

"Huh," Riku said, glancing at the now mutilated corpse. "Neat."

You know, I am mostly coming up with this stuff on the top of my head and it seems to be going alright. Though, most of that is up to you readers. Anyway, That's it for this chapter. Toodles