A/N: Ah sorry everyone I've been so busy I forgot to update. Thanks for sticking with this story and all reviews are appreciated. This chapter is the beginning of what I plan to be the major story arc so yeah.

To Shirou, life had become a blur of studying, kendo practice and helping out around the school. As he couldn't cope with Aurora's bossiness and demanding attitude, Shirou had been forced to stop visiting the archery clube. To say that he did so easily would have been miles from the truth.

"WHAT!" hissed Ayako. "We've been training so hard for our competitions and now you're telling me we're going to lose our advisor?"

"I'm so sorry Ayako," said Shirou. "But I really am too busy."

"Yeah right!" snorted Ayako. "Busy flirting with the transfer chick! How can you say you're too busy, huh? Aren't you still in the kendo club?"

"Well yes but they only have eight members, including me. They need me more than you do, Ayako."

"I won't accept it!" Ayako was glaring daggers at him. "I have to win the tournament this year Shirou, it's our last year!"

Attracted by the commotion, Sakura peered around a corner to listen in to the argument.

It had been…challenging, but Shirou did not regret his decision to leave, as being in the archery club would occasionally remind him of his jaded, cynical future self EMIYA whom he had met during the Grail War. What had been really hard to deal with was Sakura's disappointment.

"Shirou-kun," Sakura approached him after he left the kendo club. "Can I walk home with you?"

"Oh? Sure, if Ayako doesn't mind.." Shirou sighed at the memory of Ayako storming off in a huff. Oh how exam stress made monsters out of people..

"She'll be shooting targets inside all afternoon," smiled Sakura. "Don't worry Shirou I don't think you did the wrong thing."

"Haha really? Ayako doesn't seem to think so."

"W-well.." she stuttered. "It really is up to senpai what club he wants to be in."

Knowing he'd regret it, Shirou inquired "But how do you feel about me leaving, Sakura?"

Sakura froze, and an unusual expression settled on her face. "Um.. I do wish that senpai could stay, but senpai has exams and all, so it's understandable."

Shirou shuffled uncomfortably. "Yeah.. Sorry Sakura."

The two strolled along the peaceful suburban avenues without saying a word. Sakura appeared perfectly collected on the outside, but on the inside, she was a mess of anxiety and curiosity rolled into one unusual emotion. Biting her lip and bracing herself for the outcome, Sakura asked

"Um, senpai isn't in the club just for Prendergast-senpai right?"

"Wha-wha!" Shirou stumbled. "No way! That was just Ayako saying stupid things. Don't worry Sakura."

"Oh, yes.."

Even as Shirou tried to talk and joke with Sakura as he had always done before, he had the distinct feeling that what he had told her was a lie: he did not just attend kendo practice out of interest but for the sight of soft golden hair, a stern mouth and fierce green eyes.

The humdrum of people muttering under their breaths so as to not attract the attention of the teacher filled Shirou's ears. To Shirou, however, all the meaningless chatter faded away when Aurora took her seat in front of him. She had her hair in a bun that day, and Shirou bit his lip to avoid the memories of his loyal Servant from overwhelming his subconscious. She shook her head to deter a troublesome fly buzzing around her head and Shirou was temporarily reminded of how Saber would stalwartly do so whenever she disagreed with him.

"Knock it off." He told himself. She's not Saber. The voice lying unbidden within his mind attempted to retort but was stopped by the arrival of Taiga.

"Morning everyone!" she cried, rushing into the classroom. "Sorry I'm late!"

Shirou smirked and the rest of the class sighed in resignation. Same as always…

"..And so I will be handing out notes for your excursion." With that, every student in the room sat bolt upright, Taiga's words commanding their undivided attention. Saber's brows knitted together.

'Excursion?' she thought. 'What's that?'

Taiga grinned. "You guys are seniors after all. So us teachers have decided to give you all a treat." She paused, reveling in every moment she was the centre of attention.

"You're going to Kyoto!"

Rin strode up and down the length of her bedroom, reading off a long list of items while Saki packed her bags. Saber sat awkwardly on her friend's bed, interested in what kinds of stuff should be brought on an "excursion".

"...My slippers, my yukata, my red cardigan, my tea set, a box of black tea bags, chai tea bags, triangular tea bags.." Rin paused and glanced upwards. "That's all I think." Saber, amused looked at Saki and said

"Um Rin, perhaps you've packed too many of your belongings."

"Nonsense!" cried Rin but immediately changed her mind when she saw her poor butler struggling to fit everything in her luggage, even resorting to sitting on her bags so he could zip them up. They both sweatdropped at the sight and Rin shooed her butler out so she could enlarge the bag's storage space with magic. Flopping down on her bed with a relaxed sigh, Rin beckoned for Saber to move closer, which she obeyed. Leveling with the former king, Rin sat back up and grinned wickedly. Saber sweatdropped at that look – it normally meant trouble.

"Listen up." Rin commanded. "This trip is an opportunity to get closer to Shirou. Thus it will require planning and strategy."

Saber sweatdropped. "You make it sound so much like a war council."

Rin frowned "But I'm sure by now you've realized that romance is a battle in itself. I mean look at Sakura!"

Saber was silent. After Shirou had told Ayako that he would not be rejoining the archery club and had become increasingly popular in the kendo club, Sakura had been going out of her way to spend time with Shirou, walking with him to and from school, talking to him and even asking him to tutor her in several subjects. Taking Saber's silence as agreement, Rin nodded sagely.

"See? But she is not going to Kyoto. You are. Therefore you need to capitalize on this. Find every excuse to spend time with him and act..like yourself."

"Right." Saber agreed. Slightly embarrassed but curious, she spoke up. "Rin why are you so intent on helping me? You don't have to do anything."

Rin cast her gaze downwards. Although she would never admit it, she had been secretly jealous of Shirou and Saber's relationship, whether it was because she herself had never been in a relationship or she had had feelings for Shirou was unclear even to her. Realising her silence was unnerving Saber, she replied with a shrug to disguise her confusion

"Living vicariously through you two, I suppose. Also it isn't every day that a legendary warrior reincarnates into my time and tries to seek romance with a friend."

Content with the answer, Saber leaned back onto Rin's pillows and watched a couple of birds on a tree outside. Eager to break the awkward silence, Rin pulled herself up and smiled.

"Want me to help you pack?"

Saber vowed she would never forget the afternoons she spent with the blue eyed girl.

Lining up to board the bus, Shirou turned around when he heard Sakura call his name.

"Shirou-kun!" she cried, running up alongside him. Stopping to catch her breath, she smiled sweetly at the older boy. "Enjoy your trip!"

Shirou laughed. "Thanks Sakura. Sorry you'll have to walk to school alone for a few days. See ya!" with that, Shirou climbed the stairs onto the bus and began looking for a seat. Unfortunately for Shirou, whilst he had been chatting with Sakura, his classmates had occupied many of the seats and he saw Issei sitting with another guy. Sighing in resignation, Shirou sat in an unoccupied aisle seat and jumped when he heard a voice beside him.

"Looking forward to this trip, Shirou?"

"Yah!" he yelped and realized the voice had come from Aurora, who was sitting next to the window. "S-sorry I didn't notice you there." He apologized, hoping she couldn't hear his drum-like heartbeat.

"It's fine." She answered, a cool calm mask hiding a blush. The bus pulled out of the school and set out, and the students yelled and whooped with delight.

"We're going to Kyoto!"

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Saber reclined in her seat, resplendent as the king she had once been. With nothing but the rumble of the bus wheels over gravel to entertain her, the past half hour had been incredibly boring. She and Shirou were sitting on the edges of their seats, as far away from each other as was possible. From time to time the pair would steal glances at each other and then bashfully look away. Due to both their shyness, neither of them were willing to make the first move and the implications rapidly spreading through their class that they were a couple did little to quell their anxiousness. Finally, able to withstand the tangible tension any longer, Shirou spoke to her.

"Um hey buchou." He said. "Excited about Kyoto?"

"Eh?" Saber took a moment to realize he was talking to her. "Y-yes. It seems as though we will have an enjoyable experience."

Chuckling lightly, Shirou said "There's no need to be so formal, buchou."

Saber blushed and looked at her hands crossed in her lap. As she had assumed the mantle of the king, her manners needed to be nothing short of perfect, and an austere façade was also required so her people would take her seriously. Mustering all the courage in her small frame Saber replied, "Oh um..yeah. Therefore there is no need to call me buchou outside practice, Shirou."

Shirou tried to hold back his laughter and said, "You know, you're Japanese is really good but there's a lot you don't know in terms of culture."

Saber felt a flicker of annoyance. "Are you calling me uncultured?" she demanded to know.

Shirou grinned. "Depends how you wanna take it bu-I mean Aurora."

"You really shouldn't give people the wrong impression." patronized Saber, looking away so he couldn't see her blush.

'What am I doing?' she thought furiously. 'I'm behaving like some lovesick girl.' but she listened to Shirou as he laughed. "I didn't mean to offend you but if you like I could teach you some useful cultural phrases. Would you like that?"

Saber was about to decline out of embarrassment but remembered Rin's advice about the trip being an opportunity.

"I'd would, very much."

A/N: Well now you've read it, please review! If I could get forty or so I'll post the next chapter cuz I've already got it on my computer. Yes, I'm evil mwhaha now review~