Chapter 2

Shiro stepped out of the church with conviction in his heart. In thanks for saving her life, Tohsaka had explained the Holy Grail War to him as best she could, and then brought him to a church to learn more. Kotomine the priest had explained the rest and offered Shiro a way out. One he decided not to take. If this was a war, he would protect those unable to protect themselves.

The servant Shiro had apparently summoned joined him. "Saber," he spoke her class name, "I'm a really unreliable master. I'll be depending on you." Hypocritical yes, but also a heartfelt apology. The woman smiled, approving of the sentiment.

"This is where we part ways." Tohsaka broke in. "We'll be enemies next time we meet-" She had planned a rather well prepared speech, but stopped when Shiro raised his hand like some sort of grade-schooler.

Hand still raised, Shiro spoke with as much tact as he could, "Ummm… Didn't Saber kill your servant? Why would we still be enemies?" Tohsaka seemed like a nice person, he really didn't want to fight her.

Mouth pursing, Tohsaka turned away, "M-moron, my servant didn't die." Yet as she thought, she too remembered him being split in two; though the memory was hazy.

"I'm not dead yet." Archer spoke, materializing. He did look a little worse for the wear, but in fighting shape. The remnants of his pride would not allow him to be dismissed as dead. I'll just go for a walk, he thought, that'll show them.

Before Archer could prove his health, another voice joined the group. "Hello, Onii-chan." Sweet, with a hidden edge, the voice set Tohsaka's hair on edge. The girl that stood at the end of the road curtsied to the group. "I am Ilyasviel von Einzbern, but you can call me Ilya, Onii-chan."

Not sensing the danger, Shiro stepped forward, worried for a girl to be out so late. "Shiro." Tohsaka's stern voice warned him. "That girl is another master." Another master? This little girl?

Before Shiro could speak up, Ilya confirmed it. "That's right, and there is something I'm looking forward to more than the grail. Taking Onni-chan's life." She said it so easily that Shiro was at a loss for words. Did he know this girl? Had he wronged her? As his thoughts did summersaults, the girl bent her knees and reached to the ground. There, previously hidden by her skirt, stood a white rabbit. With careful love she began to pet the bunny.

"Shiro!" Pure, unadulterated fear filled Saber's voice. Stepping in front of him, she held out an invisible sword. "Stay back, that monster is not a foe we can hope to defeat." Shiro, Rin and Archer all turned to the sword maiden.

"What, behind the rabbit?" Archer was the fist to recover.

Rounding on Archer, Saber nearly shouted as her composure broke. "It is the rabbit you fool!" The fearful sweat on Saber's brow glistened in the moonlight.

Archer was not impressed. "Are you an idiot?" He looked again at the passively smiling Master and her rabbit. "It's just a rabbit." He gestured his hand to what was probably the most unimposing thing he had ever seen.

Saber shook her head, "That rabbit has a mean streak a mile long! It's the most ill-tempered, vile-" She stopped at the three blank glares she was getting. Raising one free hand, she curled her fingers in front of her mouth for effect. "He's got big, sharp, pointy teeth."

Rin had had enough, "You're a loon. Archer, kill the rabbit. Watch out for the girl, she is an Einzbern after all." Rin shook her head, And to think I wanted a Saber.

Despite Saber's warning, Archer conjured his swords and strode toward the rabbit. "Right then, time to die rabbit." Wounded he may be, but to be afraid of a Rabbit? Really, that woman had even less pride than himself.

Ilya's passive smile grew devious. "Berserker, kill them." Like a bolt of white lightning, the rabbit lunged. Faster than any man could raise his defense, it found Archer's neck and bit his head clean off.

"Jesus Christ!" Rin shouted as the head of her servant went flying. The shock on Archer's face mirroring Rin's own. Like a puppet with its strings cut, Archer's body crumple to the floor.

Saber, still shaking in her greaves, was quick to interject. "I warned you! I warned you! But nooooo, no one listens." Sadly, she didn't have time for any more I told you so's as the rabbit charged. "Shiro, run away!" Her command issued, Saber made to lay down her life for her master. She was one of the few that had fought this beast and lived to tell the tale. Sadly, she had no holy hand grenade to save her this time. The best she could do was hold it off as long as possible. Strike after strike was easily dodged by the rampaging beast, yet each one served its purpose. Each strike drove the beast away from her neck and bought Shiro a little more time. Then, as one more strike was evaded, Saber saw her end. Rebounding on the ground, the rabbit lanced toward her neck.

Yet death did not come for Saber, she was shoved to the side as Shiro collided with her body. Blood spewed from his neck as the rabbit grazed him, tearing a fist sized chunk from his neck. Saber's eyes met Shiro's. Shiro was smiling. I saved someone.

Even as Shiro left consciousness in Saber's disbelieving arms, the rabbit turned on them once more. "Berserker." Ilya's voice stopped the rabbit. "Let's go home." Her voice was sour with annoyed regret. Obedient to its master's word, the rabbit turned and hopped after her.