Disclaimer: Don't own anything related to Type-Moon or the Nasuverse.

A/N: Oct-Nov are always busy months for me. I've very happy when I have free time to write though. Anyway, here's the new chapter I enjoyed writing. Actually had it for a while, and I told myself I wouldn't post it until I got new chapters for NLSC and AON up, but I gave in. Hope you all enjoy reading it.

Smiling Respite

He dreamt of two things: A boy and a mountain that was his playground.

It was a place where he could always laugh and smile.

His best friends were the animals who lived on the mountain. He would wrestle with the bears, climb trees with the monkeys, and jump and run around with the rabbits. There was a village at the mountain's foot where he would play with the children, whom he considered to be his followers. They considered him their leader, and were happy about it.

Both the children and the animals were his friends. He spoke the languages of both. Such was one of his gifts. He could understand both.

He was also gifted with great strength. It was why he considered the mountain, and even the world, a playground of sorts. And even though he had strength, he was gentle. He was rough with his followers, but he would never hurt them. He was kind to the mothers, and he was coddled for it. He would compete with the animals of the mountain, but he would protect them from the beasts that would do them harm.

He looked human, but he was so different at the same time. It was strange. The boy should've been seen as a monster. He should have been feared for the beast that he was. People should have been afraid of him. Some were. But many were won over by his brash confidence, his warm presence, and his joyful laughter.

Wild and arrogant.

Firm and righteous.

Strong, yet gentle.

He was a legend among the children and he basked in their reverence of him. But at the end of the day, after he was finished playing around, he would return home to the mountain where she was waiting for him.

Everyday when he arrived back home, he would embrace his mother and happily tell him about his day, his laughter filling up the small house in which they lived.

Kariya groaned as his consciousness slowly came back to him. He felt uncomfortable, but that was probably due to the way he was sitting. He groggily righted himself as he sat up and leaned back against the bench he had been sitting on.

The man turned to look up and found himself in the park he had often taken Rin and Sakura to play at. How had he gotten here? The last thing he remembered was the pain from the Crest Worms in his body and using his Command Seal to…!

Kariya's eyes widened as the memories of last night rushed back to him. He brought his right hand up and confirmed that he had only two Command Seals left. Berserker's battle had taken too much of a toll on his body, and he had passed out shortly after using his Command Seal to try calming the Servant down. Did Berserker take him here? Where was his Servant anyway…?

Kariya's brow furrowed as he tried to make sense of the strangely vivid dream he had. It had been unlike anything he remembered dreaming about before. It was like he'd been floating… watching as someone else's life played out in front of his eyes. He couldn't remember everything about the dream, but he remembers sounds. Like someone laughing…

Wait, why could he still hear that?

Kariya finally took notice of the group of children playing around on the grass not too far away from him. He blinked in confusion when he recognized a taller figure laughing with the children.

"Berserker…?"

Yep, that was definitely his Servant playing with that group of kids. Kariya thought it was strange to see the man fooling around like he was but at the same time the Servant's presence just fit the picture in some weird way. The kids looked like they were having fun too, and Kariya found himself smiling at the scene.

Berserker's turned away from the kids he was playing with and smiled brightly when he noticed that his Master had finally woken up. The man excused himself, apologizing to the children who frowned and pouted in response to Berserker's departure in the middle of their game. Berserker smiled widely as he approached his Master on the bench.

"Feeling better?"

"Ah… somewhat." Kariya allowed, a bit surprised by the concern his Servant seemed to be showing him all of a sudden. "How… what happened last night…?"

Taking a seat next to his Master, Berserker began to recount the events of last night after Kariya had passed out. Apparently the Servant had carried him throughout the city all last night trying to find a place for them to stay. Berserker had remembered Kariya saying that he didn't want to stay in his house because of Zouken, and the man was grateful Berserker hadn't taken him back to the house despite everything. He was surprised the Servant had even remembered his mentioning it. After a fruitless search Berserker had come across the park just before daybreak. No one else had been around at the time, so Berserker had just dumped him on the bench and went about entertaining himself on the playground as he waited for Kariya to wake up. Kariya wondered when the kids had shown up and if they had invited Berserker to play or if the Servant had imposed on the game himself. Somehow, he suspected the latter…

"What's with you passing out like that anyway?" Berserker complained. "I coulda taken out at least one of the Servants. You're such a spoilsport, Master."

Kariya felt his hackles rise at the condescending tone Berserker was talking to him with. It should be obvious to anyone who caught a glimpse at his face or heard his wracking coughs that he was not in good condition and that there was clearly something wrong with him but his childish Servant couldn't seem to get that. Kariya was frustrated because of his Servant's insensitivity and the disrespect he had shown towards him ever since his summoning. Not only that, but he had already been forced to give up one of his Command Seals. Kariya did not need his Servant's complaints right now. Even so, he didn't have the energy to argue with him.

"…But I guess I used up too much of your prana, huh? I get that you're sick and all, but I still feel disappointed, y'know…"

Kariya's good eye widened at the complete shift in tone and attitude. He glanced at his Servant with a surprised expression. So maybe he understood, after all?

"Just hurry up and get better, 'kay? It must be pretty bad if you're coughing blood, but I don't want your sickness spoiling the rest of the War for me, got it?"

Kariya sighed. Okay, so maybe he didn't quite get it.

"I can't help it," Kariya said as he rubbed his forehead tiredly. He still felt exhausted. "My body… it'll be like this for the entire War."

"What~?" Berserker whined like a child who had his favorite toy confiscated. "And you became my Master with a sickness like that? You suck~! I want a better Master~!"

Kariya grumbled to himself as his Servant whined. Ironically, what made him strong enough to become a Master was what also made him possibly the weakest and most frail magus in the War. The only real benefit he felt the implanted Crest Worms in his body gave him was his status as a Master. Kariya glanced at his two remaining Command Seals and sighed.

"Yeah… it's because of these damn worms that I even became a Master…" Kariya grumbled bitterly.

The worms and his father's training…

"What was that?"

"Nothing." Kariya sighed, deciding there was no use trying to explain things to Berserker again. "We'll wait until night falls before hunting for the other Servants. And hopefully my body's condition won't be too much of a problem next time…"

Berserker stared at his downcast Master for a few moments before grinning and patting the man on the back.

"Well, so long as you don't faint on me again!" Berserker said. "We'll get another chance at 'em. I'll just use some of my own prana instead of taking all of yours next time. I can't put too much burden on a guy that's sick, I guess."

"…You're being awfully considerate all of a sudden." Kariya noted.

"It's only 'cause you're sick. Otherwise I wouldn't be so lenient with you." Berserker said with puffed cheeks as he turned away.

Kariya found himself chuckling a bit at that. The gesture reminded him of how Rin would act whenever she got embarrassed.

The man relaxed a bit and leaned back on the bench. He found himself staring at the group on kids as they kicked around a soccer ball. It was a three versus three game with the trees serving as goal posts. Two girls and a boy on one team with three boys on the other. Even though it was early in the morning the kids seemed so energetic. Kariya was a little amazed by that. He remembered that when he was a kid it had been some sort of mission for him wake up before the sun rose. However, once he hit his teens he savored every bit of sleep he could get and that continued into adulthood. He wondered if those kids would be the same way when they got older. Kariya smiled softly as he watched one of the boys score a goal… He could tell they were having fun.

"Heh…"

Kariya turned towards his Servant when he heard him laugh. Berserker was also watching the kids with a bright smile on his face.

"They're fun to watch, huh?" Berserker grinned.

Kariya wasn't sure if that had been a question or not, but he nodded regardless. Some adults might've found the sight annoying or not something worth paying attention to, but Kariya liked watching children laugh and play. Just watching and listening to them was uplifting in a strange way. He supposed playing with Rin and Sakura was the reason for that since before they came into his life he couldn't really say that he liked or disliked kids. Rin and Sakura had become the daughters he had always wished he had, and Aoi-

Kariya chuckled dryly as he shook his head at his own thoughts. It wasn't the first time he had thought something like that. Imagining himself replacing Tokiomi and becoming more than just a friend of the family. What would Aoi or the girls think if they knew about his selfish thoughts?

But he couldn't help himself, thinking about things like that. And the more he thought about it, the more depressed and angry he felt. He felt depressed because he could never be a true family with Aoi, Rin and Sakura. He was angry that he had been born a Matou. But most of all he was depressed that Sakura had been given to his grandfather and was forced to suffer because of his family's corrupt magecraft and even angrier that her own father gave her up willingly…

"But it won't be like that for long." Kariya thought to himself. "With Berserker, I'll win the Holy Grail War. Once I do, Sakura will be able to return to her real family. Things can go back to normal. She'll be able to smile and laugh and play again, just like those kids over there."

Even if Sakura wasn't his daughter, and he could never really be apart of her family, her happiness was worth all the suffering he went through. The same went for Aoi and Rin too.

"Um… excuse me?"

The Matou broke out of his thoughts when he saw one of the girls from the group of children standing in front of the bench. The girl was shyly smiling at the Servant that sat beside him.

"What's up?" Berserker asked, grinning as he leaned forward towards the kid. "Did you want something?"

Kariya noticed the girl was glancing at him with an uncomfortable look on her face. The man's eyes widened as he turned away, hiding the ugly side of his face from the girl's view. The girl turned back towards Berserker as she shuffled her feet.

"No, well, actually…" The girl stammered shyly before she was interrupted by several voices behind her.

"Come play with us!"

The other children were beckoning to the golden haired Servant with excited smiles on their faces. The girl smiled a bit and gestured to her friends.

"The game was more fun when you were playing with us." The girl said. "So if it doesn't bother you…"

"Alright!" Berserker shouted as he stood up, making the girl and Kariya jump at the suddenness of the action and the volume of his voice. The man pointed towards the group of kids with a challenging smirk on his face. "You guys are going down!"

Kariya blinked when Berserker suddenly turned towards him a stuck his tongue out at him.

"Playing with them is way more fun that talking with you anyway."

And after that rude comment, Berserker charged onto the grassy field with the girl following him back to her group of friends.

Kariya watched in slight amazement as Berserker kicked around the ball, immediately turning the game from three versus three to him versus everyone else. The children laughed and shouted as they chased him around, trying to steal the ball back from him. Kariya shook his head slightly and tiredly leaned back against the bench. Not all of the fatigue from last night was gone, and Kariya needed to conserve his strength in preparation for the next battle. For now, he would take some time to relax…

Kariya pulled his hood over his head and leaned back against the bench, closing his eyes as he listened to the children and Berserker laugh.

His sleep was dreamless this time.

Manaka trembled with excitement as she watched her Servant tentatively take a sip of the tea she had prepared for the two of them. Her eyes roamed over his form, taking great pleasure in the way he looked in modern clothes. She would have to thank her father again for lending some to him. The girl could barely contain herself as she watched him, her prince in tangible form right in front of her eyes. Even if she had already convinced herself that his being with her wasn't just some dream anymore it didn't make the experience any less surreal.

Even if she was only looking, it was wonderful.

"The tea you made will go to waste if you spend all your time staring at me." Saber said gently as he set his cup down. "I don't think I can drink it all myself."

Manaka's cheeks flushed as she giggled to herself. "Can't I appreciate the sight? All my life I've dreamt of meeting you, thinking it was never possible. But then I found out about the Holy Grail War, and about Heroic Spirits…!" The girl squirmed around in her seat as she expressed her thrill. "And we were brought together!"

Saber chuckled to himself as he watched his Master sigh happily. The amount of attention she gave him had been a bit unnerving at first, but he was starting to get used to it. Though, he was still a little embarrassed by the girl's reverence of him.

"And understand that this is a big deal for me," Manaka smiled as him, gesturing at the table to stress her point. "I'm having tea with King Arthur himself, dressed in modern clothes no less! My prince, brought back from the dead as my Servant! And the best part?"

Manaka's eyes narrowed as an expression of bliss crossed over her features.

"I have you all. To. My. Self~!"

Saber gave a withering sigh as he glanced out the window of the manor. Their little tea party was set right in front of the window, allowing the afternoon light to filter through and bask them in its warm radiance. Saber looked past the forest trees towards the outline of Fuyuki City.

"I find this era fascinating." Saber said suddenly as he gazed out the window. "Everything looks so different when I compare it to my own time."

"Even if the Grail does give you remedial knowledge of the modern era, experiencing it with your own eyes must be interesting regardless." Manaka agreed, seeing things from Saber's perspective. The girl smiled at her Servant. "We'll have to go out sometime soon so I can give you a proper tour of the city. You only had a sampling of what a modern city has to offer last night when Tou-san took you out and even then you spent most of your time fighting with the other Servants rather than sightseeing. Wouldn't it be a waste if you didn't take the chance to explore?"

"Would we be going out for my benefit, or for yours?" Saber asked, arching an eyebrow at his Master.

Manaka beamed at him. "Both!"

Saber chuckled in amusement. "Of course."

The Master and Servant pair lapsed into silence after that, content with each other's company and with the quiet atmosphere they found themselves in. Saber reflected on his own thoughts about the Servants and the War while Manaka continued to bask in her hero's presence. A few minutes later, Saber decided to break the silence.

"I wonder what the other Servants wish from the Holy Grail." Saber wondered aloud.

"Does it really matter?" Manaka asked, delicately arching an eyebrow. Her tone was dismissive. "I don't see why you would care. Won't you end up with the Grail?"

"Of course." Saber cut in with a harsh tone, as if the notion of any other Servant obtaining the Grail offended him. The Servant calmed down quickly and reclined in his chair. "But still, I can't help but wonder. The Grail's miracle brought myself and the other six back from ages past to compete for the chance of having our deepest desires granted. We exist to fight and kill each other over the artifact that brought us here, to bring about another miracle beyond just giving us our forms. And I believe there is some significance to our being chosen."

Manaka giggled at that. "I believe you would be correct."

"So you agree then?" Saber smiled. "Only those with a desire for the Grail have been chosen. However, to be chosen one's desire must be stronger than anyone else. Their conviction and determination should not be able to be measured. I believe the Servants in this War were chosen because they have the strongest wishes. And even though I feel my desire is the strongest, I find myself curious about the wishes of my fellow Servants and their desires. How strong must their reasons be for them to be chosen out of all the heroes on the Thrones of Heroes?"

Saber thought back to his encounter with the Servants last night. The reserved, mysterious individuals like Archer and Lancer despite all appearances must have grand wishes if they themselves were summoned by the Grail, right? He could only imagine what Rider and Berserker, both boisterous Servants, thought of wishing for if they ever claimed the Grail. Assassin would not get the chance now that he was gone, but what of the unknown Caster? Surely, each of their wishes must be beyond comprehension…

"Well, I wouldn't go as far to agree with that."

Saber glanced up from his cup at his Master spoke. His features were marred with slight surprise.

"What do you mean?"

"Humanity is selfish and petty. In every era, no matter the person, humanity has been full of insignificant wishes. It didn't matter if you were a king or a peasant. Everyone had at least one inconsequential, selfish desire deep inside themselves that they wished to grant somehow. It is because of these wishes that the Grail even came to exist. It was created to grant the petty desires of the petty individuals who gave birth to it. As this is true, why shouldn't the Grail be selfish and petty as well?"

"I… I'm not sure I understand what you're saying." Saber frowned, startled by what his Master was saying.

Manaka gave him another bright smile as she took a sip of tea from her cup. She gazed up him with half-lidded blue eyes that pierced into his own.

"Is it not arrogant to think that your desire is greater or above the desire of another?" Manaka asked. "What seems insignificant to one may hold great significance to another. The wish you believe to be grand is nothing to another. It is a contradiction that makes every one wish worthless in the eyes of everyone but the wish maker. Not only that, but humanity is fickle. You may find your greatest wish is radically different than what is once was a year ago, or even a few days ago. How many can honestly claim that they wished for the same thing throughout their whole lives? That is why it is rare for any one wish to be truly significant. If someone else finds value in the same desire, if it becomes more than just someone's selfishness, then maybe… maybe it becomes something significant. Or perhaps if a wish is pursed ceaselessly and endlessly without ever changing, I believe that is significant as well. Being chosen by the Grail… I agree that there is significance in that, but a reason?"

Manaka giggled mirthfully to herself.

"Why should the reason for being chosen be something of grandeur? I believe the Grail is selfish and petty, just like its creators. It was created for the sake of granting humanity's petty wishes because it is incapable of doing anything else. Even if people don't know it themselves, the Grail is aware of their deepest wish. It knows what humanity wants. And that's what is so interesting about the Grail."

Manaka gave a serene smile as she held up her right hand, showing Saber her three Command Seals.

"It wants to grant the wishes of the selfish. It wants to grant all of humanity's wishes." Manaka smiled. "Otherwise, I don't think you would have become my Servant. Rather, I wouldn't have been able to become a Master if that wasn't true. Or so I believe."

Saber sat in silence for a few moments, running over his Master's words in his mind. Manaka continued to sip her tea, watching her Servant and awaiting his response. How would he react to something like that?

She hoped he wouldn't hate her for saying something like that.

"…You think the Grail has a will of its own?"

"I think it's possible." Manaka replied. "I'm not really sure myself, but… if it was created for the sake of granting wishes, couldn't that be called a will? A desire of the wishing machine to grant the desires of those who would wish upon it?"

"…That is an interesting way to look at the Grail." Saber said finally. "And if that's true, then that's quite tragic."

"Isn't it?" Manaka smiled.

"Yes. I suppose everyone has a wish of their own that they want granted, and only a few of us were selected for the opportunity. It is sad that we over thousands of others have the chance to get a wish but…" Saber continued more quietly. "Sadder than that is the fact that the majority of humanity wishes with ill intentions. It's as you say, humanity is selfish and petty. I suppose that in itself would be the Grail's flaw. I suppose it wouldn't discriminate against the wishes made, and it can only grant one. But…"

Saber's fists clenched on top of the table and his expression hardened.

"I will win the War. I need to, so that my wish will be granted." Saber said determinedly. "Even if I myself am selfish for wanting my wish granted above all others, the wish itself is not just a selfish desire. It is for my people. To prevent the tragedy that befell them…"

Saber whispered that last part. He took a deep breath before looking to Manaka.

"Would you help me grant that wish, Master?" Saber asked. "Would you help me grant my wish?"

Manaka smiled and took her Servant's hand in her own.

"Of course." Manaka beamed at him. "I have no use for the Grail. After all, my wish has already been granted."

Saber blinked. "What wish was that?"

"Why, to meet you of course." Manaka replied with flushed cheeks. "Sitting here, just being with you… all my desires have already been granted, Saber."

Manaka kept herself from squealing in teenage delight when she saw her Servant's cheeks flush.

Kiritsugu stepped out into the dark hallway, lighting a cigarette as he thought about their plans for the night. He and Maiya had spent the majority of the day going over their notes and monitoring the city with their familiars. It was still an early stage in the game, and their first moves would dictate whether or not they would have an advantage or disadvantage in the War. Should they make the first strike, or wait for another Master and Servant pair to move first?

Waver Velvet was just a child, but his Servant was the most troublesome. He doubted anything Archer had could hurt it, and they still couldn't find any signs of Caster so they couldn't make a plan to fight the unknown Servant. Berserker and Rider were powerful opponents, and Kiritsugu did not like the idea of going after either of them unless he could take out their Masters first. Kariya seemed like an easy enough target, but Kayneth was one of the most dangerous Masters in the War. Then there was Saber and his unknown Master… he wondered if it was possible for Archer to fight Saber if he tried. Sabers were close range fighters and Archer's long distance attacks may help him gain the advantage in a fight if it was in an open area…

...Going after any of the known Servants was risky since Kiritsugu knew almost nothing about his own Servant's abilities. The fact that he could apparently use swords as arrows was no clue to any legend he knew of. He'd honestly prefer waiting until the other competitors attacked each other and knock off the other Masters and Servants when they were fatigued. But if none of the other contestants made a move, he didn't want it to be an idle night…

"Maybe we should go after Kayneth like we originally planned…" Kiritsugu muttered thoughtfully to himself. "If I can take him out while Rider is distracted…"

"Why not Kotomine Kirei?"

Kiritsugu didn't respond to the man who had addressed him. Instead, he took long drag off of his cigarette before turning and walking down the hallway.

"Are you really that scared of him?"

Kiritsugu stopped.

Archer smirked to himself as he pushed himself off of the window plane he'd been leaning against. In stark contrast to the chaos that went on last night, he had spent a relatively calm day being dragged around the city by Irisviel who had not had her fill of exploring the city. They had returned to the castle just after the sun had set, with Irisviel heading off to bed while Archer had gone into spirit form so he could eavesdrop on his Master and his assistant while they discussed how they would tackle the second night of the War. Archer had hidden his presence because Kiritsugu seemed to be trying his best to keep him out of the loop, but he was not going to accept that. Not from him.

"It just stood out to me. What Irisviel said that night, I mean." Archer continued. Moonlight filtered through the windows, though his father stood in a shadow that hid everything but his back from view. "She claimed that he was the Master you were worried about most. Why is that?"

"What does it matter?" Kiritsugu replied.

"I'm just surprised how uncomfortable he makes you. You seemed so fixated on him even though he lost his Servant. You even made it sound like you didn't really think Assassin was dead. Not only that, but you're suspicious of anyone who even associates with that priest. I'd almost say that you seem a little obsessed."

"I'm not obsessed." Kiritsugu cut in sharply. "There's just…"

He paused. What point was there in telling his Servant about this? There was no need to tell him…

Archer frowned when the man stopped talking. Honestly, getting information out of Kiritsugu was like pulling teeth. Why wouldn't he talk to him? Still, Archer wouldn't be deterred.

"I also noticed that you've got way more information on him than any other Master." Archer said. "You've got simple, but detailed profiles on all the Masters in the War but you've researched everything there is to know about that priest. Where he grew up, his family, what he studied, the missions the church has given him, his wife, his daughter, the list goes on. What is so significant about Kotomine Kirei?"

Kiritsugu was silent still. Archer's eyes narrowed.

"I want an answer, Kiritsugu."

For a few moments, Kiritsugu was quiet. Just as Archer opened his mouth Kiritsugu finally answered him.

"I don't understand him."

Archer raised an eyebrow.

"What don't you understand about him?"

"Everything." Kiritsugu replied. Archer could hear the frustration in his tone. "Kotomine Kirei has lived his whole life without purpose. He excels in everything that he does, yet he has no attachment to anything. He's a man without passion or drive, yet he's participating in the Holy Grail War. There is no reason to his actions. It's senseless the way he lives and yet…"

Kiritsugu could not accurately describe what he felt about what he didn't understand. And that was just it. He didn't understand Kotomine Kirei.

"I don't understand him." Kiritsugu repeated.

Archer stared at the man. That information wasn't a whole lot to go on and to him it still didn't explain why Kiritsugu was so wary about that priest. He supposed that his time as an executor must've made him a fierce fighter, but Archer would have thought that Kayneth's resources and magic would rank as a higher threat. Why did it matter whether or not Kirei had a reason for participating? From the evidence he and Maiya had gathered wouldn't his reason for participating in the War be to help his teacher, Tokiomi Tohsaka, who hadn't been selected as a Master?

Kiritsugu was afraid of Kirei because he couldn't understand him. Archer couldn't understand Kiritsugu's fear because, while Kirei's life was certainly erratic and strange, it shouldn't have been something anyone would obsess about. Even still, he felt that there was more to this issue than Kiritsugu was making it seem. The true reason he was afraid of Kirei wasn't because he couldn't understand him, but because of something else… but Archer couldn't put his finger on it. It was annoying too. He should've been able to understand Kiritsugu much easier than this. He should be able to understand the man who had raised him and passed down his dreams to him.

"If you see him as such a big threat, then why not take care of him?"

Kiritsugu turned his head when Archer gave the question that was also a suggestion. It sounded so simple when someone else said it out loud…

"Honestly, I don't know why you're so fixated on that priest." Archer said, folding his arms. "But if he's dangerous like you think he is, just go kill him. You're the infamous Magus Killer. You shouldn't have too much killing a priest, right? Even if he used to be an executor."

"He's already lost his Servant and is protected by the church." Kiritsugu replied. "I can't attack him on neutral grounds."

"And you've always followed the rules before?" Archer asked, arching an eyebrow at him. "Besides, you said you suspected that Assassin isn't really gone. Plus there's the fact that other priest showed up after Kirei had apparently lost his Servant. I actually think it's suspicious too. And it Tokiomi really was working with his student because of the fact he wasn't chosen as a Master, would he have let Kirei's Servant get knocked off like that? He hasn't left his manor since the War started, and wouldn't Tokiomi make sure Kirei was more cautious right off the bat?"

Archer's argument was logical and Kiritsugu couldn't deny anything he was saying. What was holding him back? He had seen many horrible things even in his earliest years, so why couldn't he confront the man known as Kotomine Kirei?

"If this is a problem, we should take care of it." Archer went on, stepping forward as he said so. "Find a way to lure him out of the church. Provoke him somehow. Maybe we can verify if Assassin is really gone or not."

Kiritsugu turned to face Archer. The Servant smirked at his Master.

"And even if that priest is more than meets the eye, I can take care of him just fine." Archer smirked. "Well, Master? How are you going to deal with this?"

Kiritsugu gave the man an impassive look before giving a quiet sigh. Act or remain idle. Go after the priest or wait and see if he would eventually come after him.

After quietly debating with himself, the Magus Killer made his decision.

In one of the backrooms of the church, Kirei reclined on a couch as he went over the information Assassin had gathered in his mind for the umpteenth time. He really had nothing else to do in the church. He was unable to help his father with anything and that was a shame since Kirei would have at least had a way to pass the time if he was allowed to aid his father. He was also envious of Sancraid, his fellow priest not bound by the same constraints he was and could come and go as he pleased. The man would pop in occasionally, mostly to discuss recent events with Risei, but other than that he was absent for most of the time. He was bored. He was restless. He was tired of waiting around.

"…How odd." Kirei mumbled to himself.

He had been content to go about and do as he was told before all of this. He had always been a follower, receiving the orders he was given and carrying them out efficiently and effectively in order to fill the void in his heart. Wash away the emptiness. Find the answer he sought by seeking out others. He had no orders but to stay within the church and wait until Tokiomi gave him orders to move.

He felt disappointment. Would the Grail War be no different than how he had been living his life before…?

"I'm hungry."

Kirei was brought out of his thoughts and glanced at his daughter, who stood in front of him with an impassive look on her face. Kirei's eyebrows went up when he noticed the shadow trailing shyly behind Caren.

"Is that so?" Kirei replied to his daughter and stood up from the couch he sat on. "Well then, let's get you something to eat. What would you like?"

"Curry." Caren replied as she followed after her father, tugging along the small Assassin standing behind her.

The church was very accommodating despite appearances. Other than the main chapel, it sported a basement, a living room, a couple beds and a small kitchen. Kirei got to work cooking while Caren made Assassin sit at the table nearby. Caren moved over next to him and took out another pot so she could start cooking the rice. The white haired girl handed him the spices as she went about the kitchen.

The Kotomine family liked their food spicy, after all.

Eventually, the dish was prepared. It wasn't much of a dinner, a late one at that, but it was satisfactory. Kirei Kotomine was also a surprisingly capable cook. He joined Caren and Assassin at the table, placing his own curry dish in front of him. Even if he had done nothing but sit on a couch for most of the day he was felt quite famished. Kirei gave Caren a curious look when he noticed two plates of curry in her hands.

"Eating for two?" Kirei asked.

"No." Caren shook her head in the negative. "The Lord smiles upon those who show good will to their fellow man. That's what grandfather says, at least." The girl placed the extra plate of curry in front of Assassin, who turned her white mask towards Caren in surprise. "Though I don't know if Servants would be considered our fellow man…"

"Ah… um…" The Servant stammered quietly, looking fretful even with the white mask covering her features. "Servant don't really need to eat, so…"

"It's rude to cover your face at the dinner table." Caren replied, ignoring the Servant's protests. "Take off the mask."

As Kirei silently wondered where his daughter had gotten her sharp tongue, he turned towards the child facet of the Servant he had summoned. Slowly, the girl tentatively lifted her hands to her face and removed the white mask that obscured her features from the world.

Matching the childish appearance she had been given, her facial features were that of a young girl. Dark eyes, dark hair, dark skin… like the rest of the Assassins she was just like a shadow if it had been given features and form. But what set her apart from her divided selves was that she did not have any defining traits to show for. The other Assassins, just by appearance, Kirei could tell that they all specialized in something. It was the Servant's Noble Phantasm, Zabaniya - Dellusional Illusion, that allowed Assassin to divide itself into so many different persons. But each one was different, possessed a unique talent, as evidenced by their body shape and the way they stood. This Assassin… this child clad in a dark cloak had no muscles or trained body. Why was that…?

"Why are you different from the other Assassins?" Kirei asked. It was rare that he was curious enough about something to consider asking a question. And he had to admit that he was little curious about his own Servant…

"It's just how I am." Assassin replied, her face expressionless. "Our skill, Expert of Many Specializations, is based on our many personalities and skills. Thanks to our Noble Phantasm, we can use this skill to its ultimate effectiveness. Dividing our body so that all of the skills we acquired in life can be put to use whenever needed…"

"So then one Assassin could specialize in observation while another is made for fighting? And would your personalities match the skill most suited for the skill given?" Kirei asked. Assassin nodded. "So then what do your represent? What is your skill?"

"Innocence and Illusion." Assassin replied. "After all, who would think that a child is a threat? A wolf in sheep's clothing. The least likely killer. One of the many shadows of Assassin."

Kirei understood now. The girl was the picture of innocence, but a Servant trained to kill. An illusion.

"Or you could be the cute aspect of Assassin." Caren smirked.

While remaining expressionless, the Servant's face flushed and ducked her head shyly at Caren's words. The girl gestured to the spoon and pointed to the plate in front of her.

"Eat it quickly. Curry loses its flavor if you don't eat it fast." Caren told her.

Assassin obeyed, picking up the spoon and scooping a mouthful of curry into her mouth. Kirei blinked as the Servant's features seemed to light up.

"It's good…" The Servant whispered, sounding like she was in awe. "I've never had anything like this before…"

Kirei watched as Assassin dove into the meal, shoving curry into her mouth at an alarmingly fast pace. Caren followed suit, stuffing the still steaming curry and rice into her cheeks. Kirei watched the scene silently marveling at how similar his daughter and Servant seemed in that moment.

Well, what his daughter said held true. Curry was no good if you let it sit for too long. Kirei picked up his own spoon and scooped up some curry, pausing when the spoon was halfway to his mouth when he noticed the shadows distort and take form next to him.

"Kirei-sama."

One of the hardened, older looking facets of Assassin stepped into the light. This part of Assassin was a tall woman with her indigo hair tied back in a ponytail. She crossed an arm over her breast and bowed to her Master.

"What is it you have to report?" Kirei sighed, setting his spoon down for the moment.

"We have an intruder. He is in the forest not far from church." The Assassin reported. "We thought you would be interested to know before we took action against him."

"I see." Kirei nodded, standing up from his seat. "Do you have someone watching him now?"

"Yes."

Kirei nodded again, closing his eyes to see which Master or Servant had wandered into the forest.

His eyes shot open when he caught a glimpse of the individual through the eyes of his Servant.

"Kirei-kun?"

Sancraid poked his head into the living quarters of the church's backrooms. His eyes scanned the room, unable to find his fellow priest anywhere. All he found were two little girls playing Cat's Cradle on the couch. Kirei's daughter and one of the facets of Assassin.

"Caren-chan," Sancraid smiled warmly as he stepped into the room. "Do you know where I can find your father? Risei-san said he was back here."

"He went out." Caren replied shortly, not taking her attention off the game as Assassin stretched the string around her fingers.

"He what…?" Sancraid paused, seemingly surprised by what the girl said. "But Risei-san said…"

"If he's not here, then grandfather was wrong." Caren said. Sancraid almost felt insulted the way she said it. "Assassin noticed someone in the forest so he left to take care of it."

"He left just for that? But Assassin could've taken care of it. Even if it was a Servant Kirei-kun shouldn't have felt the need to go himself…" Sancraid muttered. "Who did Assassin see in the forest…?"

Kirei rushed through the forest. The scenery of trees and foliage was a blur as he ran as fast as his feet would carry him. He was just ahead. If he hadn't moved from that spot then who awaited him up ahead was…!

The priest came out into a clearing surrounded by the forest trees. The moon shined down on him from above, illuminating Kirei and the figure that stood just a few meters away. Kirei spoke the name that came to his lips, almost sounding desperate when he spoke the man's name.

"Emiya Kiritsugu!"

The man turned to answer, speaking the priest's name in monotone.

"Kotomine Kirei."

Kirei did not react when he saw the gun in the Magus Killer's hand. He didn't flinch when he noticed it was pointed in his direction. All he wanted to do was ask the questions that were raging and bouncing around inside his mind, desiring to be voiced.

Anything Kirei might have said was silenced by the gunshot that rang throughout the forest.

Wise Up!

Class: Assassin
Master: Kirei Kotomine
True Name: Hassan-I-Sabbah
Gender: N/A
Alignment: Lawful Evil

Strength: C
Endurance: D
Agility: A
Prana: C
Luck: E
Noble Phantasm: B

Class Abilities:
Presence Concealment: A+ / Hides one's presence as a Servant. Once its presence is hidden, it is almost impossible to find this Servant. However, the rank of the ability will drop substantially when the Servant is attacking.

Skills:
Librarian of Stored Knowledge: C / Memory processing distributed among multiple personalities. With this skill, knowledge and information percieved in the past can be clearly recalled.
Expert of Many Specializations: A+ / The different uses of specialized skills by switching between multiple personalities. A total of 32 differnt skills ranging from tactics, academia, espionage, assassination, swindling, rhetoric and others can be used with proficiency of Rank B or above.

Noble Phantasm:
Zabaniya - Dellusional Illusion: B+ / Although being a single entity, due to the possession of a divided soul, the Servant can divide its spiritual potential, and materialize as many Servants. The largest possible number is 80 persons, but there is a risk of this Servant losing its sense of self.

(No change from Fate/Zero. Taken right from the damn stat sheet)

A/N: Okay, now comes the part where I deviate from canon and actually start throwing my own original twists and ideas in here and pray people will enjoy the ride. The second night of the War has begun, and it'll get a lot different from here on out. Some things might be similiar, but we'll be seeing the big differences very soon. Thanks for reading and I encourage everyone to tell me what they thought of the chapter. Have a good one.

Kiiam