Chapter 3

"Ah, that's the car." Tadao lifted his old hat. "And that's my niece driving it." Rin's eyes drifted to see a fashionable young woman in her thirties pulling up in front of the main entrance. She couldn't pay attention for long; her focus was on Tadao's hat, oddly enough. The item was something he'd kept in good faith for more years than the count of her age, and she knew well why he did - it was a gift from his late wife.

Was it strange that she knew such a detail? Is it normal for a mistress to know her butler more personally? Such were the thoughts she mused. Considering the number years Tadao'd served the Tohsaka family, she would say it wasn't surprising.

Tadao was not wearing his usual suit and tie. His today was casual, made of faded khaki. Instead of a crisp black waistcoat, her butler was wearing a soft-wool cardigan. He held a small leather suitcase him his hand that seemed terribly light. Perhaps there was nothing he could have brought with him.

This was the side of him Rin had never seen before. The sight of him not being formal, not being her usual diligent butler was strange. He was just an old man. His face was peaceful.

He will never go back to being her butler again.

But…

Tadao turned and smiled gently at Rin. "This seems to be farewell-"

Rin leapt up and circled her arms around his neck. If Tadao was taken aback by her sudden gesture, he did not show it.

"You will always be my Ojii-san," She whispered. It sounded vulnerable, she realised. But it came from her heart, so why care. "No matter what happens, no matter what anyone says, you'll always, always be my Ojii-san." She lightly pushed herself away from him to look at his eyes. Those old eyes were, the way his face wrinkled every time he smiled, every gesture was soft with love and sadness and pride.

Rin felt tears in her eyes. Squeezing them, she let those tiny drops fell on to his suit. "No matter where I am, you will always be my grandfather."

Tadao gazed at the fierce young girl in front of him and was reminded of when he first saw her as an even younger girl. She hadn't been shy then. She wasn't shy now. Even if she had grown in wisdom, she still was the child he knew.

Tadao stroke fondly her hair. Rin leaned into her Ojii-san's hands - so thin and aged and delicate they seemed that the wind could blow it away as easily as they could skeletons of leaves. But the kindness and love in his voice reassured her that he was with her still.

"My brave girl, I am so proud of the person you've become. But from now on, I'm afraid you will have to face many hardships from which I can no longer shelter you." He whispered tenderly, which made Rin ached with sadness and attachment. "But believe in your path as I shall believe in you; for it is as you said, though we're not related by blood, you are indeed my dearest family. Thank you for letting me serve you, Ojou-sama."

Rin smiled joyously at his words and nodded with vigour. "Just you see, Ojii-san. I'll become the greatest noblewoman in this country. I'll surely make you proud." She bravely declared.

"More than anything though," Tadao said. "I wish for you to live your life and be happy. Don't lose sight of what's most important, my dear."

"I won't."

Tadao picked up his suitcase, which he'd carefully put down. Together, the two descended the great entrance and stood before the yellow-painted car of Tadao's niece.

"Goodbye, my dear girl. I'll come visit you, once I settled down. Try not to enjoy it too much when I'm not there." He said very seriously.

"Don't you worry about me now." Rin patted his shoulder and even laughed. "Geez, go and enjoy your retirement already!"

Thank you for everything. I wish you could've stayed.

"Don't be too reckless now!" The closing door muffled his voice, but Rin could hear him clearly.

As the car's engine chugged to life and slowly drove away, Rin's light footsteps gained pace. She ran after it despite herself to wave at Tadao one last time. Through the tiny window, Rin could see Tadao having a heart attack when he saw her do that. Well, she supposed she did run out on the road on her own after all.

Rin didn't care. It was empty anyway. But she did stop and stand in the large gate of rich ornate design in front of the mansion. Only when the small yellow car had turned and disappeared from her sight did Rin drop her hand slowly. The enthusiasm seemed to have been sucked out of it, for it hung joyously by her side.

She stood still for a while, staring after the car's ghost.

With heavy feet she somehow made her way back to the building. She halted in front of the main entrance, where a few seconds ago Tadao still stood. Solemnly, she glanced up. Beyond the roof was the sky – flawless and beautiful and inviting. A perfect blue that was utterly beyond her, no matter how she reached.

The wind was rising around her, and the trees shook sorrowfully in its midst. The leaves where only a week ago was green now donned the signs of the season. In the garden pond the swans would be gone and the water utterly still.

Finally, before her was her home. This large towering building was an architecture marvel - meticulous and impressive at every turn. But it was little more than a decorated prison, one she must return but could not leave.

So be it, if that was her fate.

Rin took in a deep breath before bracing the marble steps, walking as proud as any queen, as any lonesome warrior. The doors shut behind her and thus shut out the world.

.

.

The next few days were strangely quiet to Rin. She'd be coming home, walking when she'd take a moment to stop in front of the mansion and breathe in the sight of the house that should be home. Absolutely nothing about it had changed since Tadao was gone. Its sturdiness must have endured longer than the life of any living man, or any amount of time man forgot to count.

At the moment though, the ancient building seemed to reflect the state of Rin's heart. It was as dignified as ever, but there was no laugh in it. There was only silence that sometimes echoed of loneliness, but most other times did not echo anything at all.

In the days following Tadao's departure Rin found more time for herself and to reflect her life than anytime before. It was more painful at first, but slowly the wish for companionship buried itself deep in her heart. And Rin became by the day more convinced of her independence, that she truly did not need anyone in the world, nor in her life.

A/N:

Oh Rin :((( I feel so bad for her.

No Archer in this chapter, which honestly isn't fair. I love writing him because you can never predict what he'll do. Not writing a chapter with him in it feels weird!

I know it's been at least two weeks since my last update. Everyone's been giving me such support. It makes me so guilty and I can only say I'm sorry. Exams have kept me coming home so tired and I have my personal statement to finish :(( Anywhoo, I hope y'all not too mad at me for not having Archer in this lil chappie. (It's my alter ego speaking. Don't listen to him!)