Disclaimer: I don't own Fate or anything. I'm just taking them out for drinks on Saturdays

"Sooooooo... Saber-chan's back!" Taiga laughed, poking him lightly. The class had broken for lunch, though Taiga had remained to antagonize Shirou.

Shirou grumbled. Of course that's what Taiga would think. She never knew anything of Saber's origins. She came into his life magically and left the same way. As far as she knew, this look-a-like could be no one but Saber. "Fuji-nee..." he began, unsure of what to say. "I don't think... I don't think she's Saber."

"Of course she is!" Taiga laughed. "Who else could that be? Looks like Saber to me."

Shirou sighed, not quit sure how to respond.

"Don't you worry, Shirou! I understand" she said excitedly, "Your big sister Fuji won't interfere! Now that she's back you can both make up and get together again at your own speed!" She stuck her tongue out at him, and then bolted out the door.

"Hey!" Shirou protested, but Taiga was already gone. "That's... That's just great."

He sat quietly at his desk for a few moments, not sure what to do or how he should proceed. Should he ignore this new development and go on with his life? Talk to her perhaps? Part of him was over joyed to see his love again. Another part was terrified, tortured by her visage, freezing him indecision. He had said goodbye to Saber, accepting that they would part there, and that would be perhaps the last time he saw he saw her in his life. Perhaps the last time in forever.

She didn't even notice him, or appear to know him. If he were to talk to her, what would he do? Go up to her and say, "Excuse, but do you happen to be King Arthur? You see, you look a lot like her, and we fought a magic war together once..." Bah. It was ridiculous.

"So?" a voice questioned, knocking him out of his reverie. Rin pulled up beside him, opening her bento on his desk.

Shirou looked around. 'Arturia' didn't appear to be around. "She looks like her!" he hissed.

"Yes. She does, doesn't, she?" Rin replied coyly. "So what are you going to do?"

He sat, squirming in his seat. "I don't know."

Rin frowned. "I'll tell you what you're going to do," she began.

Shirou raised his eyebrow, piqued with curiosity. When Rin got like this... "And what's that?" he chuckled.

Rin glared. "You're going to sieze this-- This second chance! You're going to seize it by the horns. You're going to have your cake, and you're going to eat it."

"I'm going to eat cake?" he responded coyly.

"It's an expression!" she snapped. "I don't think this a coincidence, Shirou."

Shirou frowned. "...I don't think this person, if she is Saber, I don't think she knows me."

"Hmph. Well, start over then," replied Rin. "Don't pass this up. Do you think Ilya will get the chance to see Berserker again? That I will see Archer again? Don't pass this."

Shirou sighed. "Alright... Alright. I just need to think about this."


Oh my god. Oh my god. He still needed to think about it, and there she was! He had stopped for groceries on his way home from school, and there Saber, Arturia, or whoever she really was, just a head of him in line at the cashier.

Watching Saber shopping, paying, and hefting groceries away was as bizarre as watching her sit in class. She was wearing her school uniform, which Shirou still thought looked horribly out of place on her. Such modern things, while not beyond her understanding, were certainly outside of Saber's element when he knew her. Whoever this person was, if it was Saber at all, was part of the the same time he was.

She didn't seem to notice him at all as he watched her pay for groceries. Nor did she notice him as she gripped two huge paper grocery bugs underneath each arm, both brimming with food. She seemed to be struggling, though was managing with a bit of grace. He kept watching her as he finished paying for his own groceries.

As he neared closer, leaving with a small bag tucked under his arm, suddenly, the girl began to topple. One of the paper grocery bags slipped from her arm. Shirou's hands shot out to grab the bag, but not fast enough to stop most of the food from spilling to the floor. Immediately, both leaned down and began picking them up

"Oh, thank you..." she began, noticing another pair of hands helping her stuff groceries back into her bag. She looked up at him, peering at him hard as if trying to place him. "...I apologize. I recognize you as a classmate, but I do not know your name. "

"Uh... Emiya Shirou, Pendraig-san," he offered awkwardly. He picked up one of the dropped items and examined what he was putting into the bag... Lots of canned goods and instant food. Saber never could cook well, he absentmindedly reminded himself.

"Ah. Yes. Thank you for the assistance, Emiya-san," she said, offering him a weak smile.

"Do you need any help carrying them?" he offered, as he placed the last parcel of food back to the bag. Smooth, Shirou, smooth, he chided himself. Speaking to her, this Arturia, he felt that old spark light up. He didn't want to part with her right here.

"I can manage on my own," she huffed lightly, gathering both huge bags in her arms again. Then, quickly, she added with a small smile, "...Thank you, Emiya-san."

She turned to leave, awkwardly tried to open the door with her arms full. Shirou watched as she began to wobble once more. This time, she clutched both bags tightly under arms... It looked like she had a firm hold of them this time, and would manage just fine... Until she started rocking backwards... Shirou watched slightly in horror as she began to tip. He moved to grab her, but she was too far away this time.

CRASH.

Shirou stood frozen at the mess on the floor. Both bags of groceries had emptied to the floor, and Arturia had fallen as well, inclined slightly by her arms.

She rocked herself up slightly so she no longer laying. Observing the mess, she uttered a small laugh. "...Perhaps..." she began, hesitantly. "Perhaps I will reconsider your offer of assistance."

A small smiled crossed her face, and he allowed one of his own to blossom as well. He offered his hand to help her up, and she accepted. His smile become brighter, and he wasn't feeling quite as awkward anymore.


Seemed like a good spot to end it. I hope I managed a good Saber vibe with Arturia there. A modern Saber is a difficult thing to imagine, without making her too different. You'll see more the next chapter.

Please review. I realize the Fate section isn't as popular as the Ranma one, but I like to know what people think. I generally assume no news in bad news. So please review :)

Next up: The Walk Home.