Disclaimer: I do not own the Fate franchise it belongs to Kinoko Nasu and Type-Moon.

Transposition

Chapter 7

Berserker's roar thundered through the air, followed by the clattering sound of steel striking a hard surface. Sparks flew from Berserker's axe as it clashed against Saber's invisible sword, and then after a moment disengaged, the towering Servant raising it back before bringing it down for another strike.

Saber again parried, turning the crude and jagged weapon aside, and then jumped back to avoid the backswing. Berserker pressed the initiative, lumbering forward with wide, powerful sweeps that visibly displaced the air behind and around them. Saber didn't bother to block however, preferring to dance around and back away from the blows.

And then, slipping under one of the swings charged forward, and swinging struck at Berserker's torso. No good: sparks flew as the invisible sword skidded harmlessly against the giant's skin, Berserker jumping back to open up the space before bringing down his sword with a roar.

It struck the ground, punching deep into the concrete and ripping a crack through the road ahead towards Saber. Violently-displaced earth erupted upwards from the crack, Saber waiting until the last moment to jump up and away, avoiding taking any hits from the sharp and powerful, blade-like displaced air running above the crack.

Berserker had seemingly predicted her actions however, Saber narrowly missing one of his swings as she jumped atop an electric post. From there she leaped up the road, from one post to another. As she did so, she glanced to the side, and noted a growling Berserker catching up, before he swung at her with a roar.

It missed, severed electrical cables sparking harmlessly in the air or against Berserker's skin, as Saber jumped away in time, across the street to atop another electric post and then down to a crouch in front of Illyasviel. As Saber rose, she locked eyes with the little girl who narrowed her eyes and glared at the Servant, as though daring Saber to strike her down.

Whether she would have or not was academic however, as with a roar Berserker charged in swinging. While she managed to dodge the first swing, the follow up had to be blocked, sending her flying back down the street. Flipping back a couple of times with a hand, she finally landed in a crouch, and then clutched at the upper part of her chest.

Shirou's eyes widened at the sight. "That's…!" he said, remembering Lancer's spear earlier stabbing through that exact spot. And he also remembered what Saber had said to him about it only looking healed.

He made to run forward, only to be held in place by a hand on his shoulder. "What do you think you're doing?" Sakura asked.

"Isn't it obvious?" Shirou shot back, and shaking himself free. "Saber needs help! So I'm going to help!"

"Are you serious?" Sakura asked, aghast. "You can't just jump into the middle of a battle between Servants! That's suicide!"

"We can't just leave her on her own!" Shirou shouted. "She's still hurt from her fight with Lancer earlier! And now she's up against that…Berserker!"

Sakura didn't reply at once, turning instead to look at the battlefield. She gritted her teeth at the sight of Saber trying to recover while Berserker glowered protectively on the other side of the battlefield, standing protectively in front of his Master. "Damn it," she thought. "Just how much damage did Saber take from her match with Lancer, that even though it's not showing on the surface, she's struggling against Berserker? I mean…well, yes, it's Berserker, which tend to have the highest raw strength among Servants, but still…"

Sakura closed her eyes. "Anything you can do, Archer?" she asked.

"I wish I could," the reply came. "But Saber's hurt me pretty bad. In this fight, I'd be more hindrance than help."

"Damn it…depending on how much of a handicap Saber's under, at this rate…!"

Sakura's thoughts were cut off as Illyasviel giggled, stepping out from behind Berserker. "It's pointless, Tohsaka-san." She said. "No matter what you or onii-chan think or do, it won't matter."

"What?" Shirou asked while Sakura narrowed her eyes.

"What's that supposed to mean?" she demanded, and Illyasviel giggled.

"Well you see," she began. "Saber's just no match for my Berserker. After all, he's the greatest hero of Greece, Heracles. You've heard of him, haven't you?"

"Heracles?" Sakura echoed in horror, Shirou likewise gasping in horrified recognition.

Illyasviel giggled again. "So you have heard of him!" she said. "If so, then you know how this is going to end. Now, finish it, Berserker!"

"Saber!" Shirou shouted.

"Master, stay back!" Saber shouted as she stood, and holding her sword with both hands charged to meet Berserker.

Thunder boomed as Saber and Berserker's weapons met with sufficient force to violently displace the surrounding air, and then disengaging began exchanging blows one after another. But while Saber was initially able to hold her ground, Berserker was quickly able to take the initiative, and force Saber to struggle purely on defense.

"Tohsaka!" Shirou demanded. "We have to do something!"

"Easier said than done!" Sakura snarled. "None of the spells I can use at this distance will work…assuming any of them could work, that is!"

"But even so…!"

"I know!" Sakura said, gritting her teeth. "Well, there is something I can do, but even just thinking about it leaves a poor taste in the mouth."

"What's that?"

"That's…"

A short shout of pain and a triumphant roar cut through the air, and Shirou turned back to the battlefield, his eyes going wide at the sight that met him. "Saber!" he shouted, seeing his Servant fly through the air, blood splattering behind her she landed near-helplessly on the ground nearby.

Illyasviel giggled at the sight, and Berserker made to follow up. And he would have, had Sakura not raised her right hand, crest flashing over the arm, and folding all but her index finger back fired a high-speed stream of dark-colored projectiles at Berserker's Master.

Illyasviel's laughter was abruptly cut off in surprise, and Berserker quickly put himself between her and Sakura, thus buying Saber some time. The dark-colored projectiles splattered harmlessly against his torso, and after a few moments Sakura ceased fire and dropping her hand, glared impotently at Berserker.

"Saber!" Shirou shouted, taking a step forward, only for Saber to stop him with a raised hand, before forcing herself up to her feet, using her sword as a cane to help her stand. It was a sight Shirou would never forget, and would have reflected on some more, seeing her badly wounded and bleeding heavily, but Illyasviel spoke again, stepping out from behind Berserker. Only this time, there was grudging respect behind her voice.

"It seems I underestimated you, Sakura." Illyasviel said, sounding less like a child and more like someone twice as old as she appeared. "I didn't think you'd actually have what it takes to shoot a child."

"Child, eh?" Sakura shot back. "That may be so, but you're also a Master! And someone set on killing us! Like hell I'm letting you take out the only thing standing between me and sempai and that monstrous Berserker of yours!"

"Well said," Illyasviel said with a vicious smile. "Though, you've only managed to buy yourself several moments at best. If only Saber hadn't cut down that Archer of yours…isn't it sad, Sakura?"

"How the hell…?"

Illyasviel scoffed, and then turned to Berserker. "Finish it, Berserker!" she ordered. "Kill Saber before she finishes regenerating!"

With a loud roar, Berserker charged forward, quickly closing the distance in but a few moments, axe rising to crush Saber before she could recover. "Damn you!" Sakura snarled, tensing as though to jump forward, gems glowing between her fingers, while Illyasviel hungrily looked on with murderous anticipation.

Desperation and anticipation alike would turn to shock as blood fountained in the night, and a boy's scream of agony pierced the air.

Somehow, Shirou had moved with superhuman speed, reaching Saber moments before Berserker could, and shoving her aside, was sent flying, nearly ripped in two by Berserker's axe. "SEMPAI!" Sakura screamed, rushing to the bloody boy and dropping down beside him. "No, no, no! You can't die like this, not like this! Damn it!"

Saber stared in shock at her Master's body, and then turned to glare at Illyasviel.

"Why?" the little girl asked softly. "Why would he…?"

Sakura glared up at the sound of her voice, and getting to her feet stood protectively over Shirou's body, the same gems from before glowing between her fingers. Illyasviel blinked, and then with an expression of annoyance on her face turned and began to walk away. "Enough, I'm bored!" she said. "Berserker, let's go home!"

Berserker snarled his acknowledgement before fading into astral form, and then pausing, Illyasviel turned her head to glance at Sakura. She made to speak, but narrowing her eyes, seemingly thought better of it and resuming her walk vanished into the night.

Sakura made a frustrated sound, and then glanced down at Shirou's bloody body.

"Sempai…"

Rin opened her eyes and swore softly.

"What's wrong?" Shinji asked beside her.

"Tohsaka…and Emiya-kun…" Rin said, covering her eyes with an arm. "They faced off against Einzbern and Berserker."

There were shuffling sounds from under the sheets as Shinji rolled onto a prone position, and propping himself up on his arms, faced Rin. "From your reaction," he began. "It sounds like the battle could have gone better."

Rin snorted, and lifting her arm regarded Shinji with her violet eyes. "That's an understatement." She finally said. "Emiya-kun's badly hurt: that stupid, kindhearted idiot actually took Berserker's blow to save his Servant. As a result, Berserker's axe cut into his side and from the amount of blood, it's deep."

Rin closed her eyes, and began swearing again. Shinji stayed silent, not speaking until Rin had finished swearing, and even then he waited for several moments longer before speaking up. "Will he be alright?" he finally asked.

Rin opened her eyes. "If he will," she said. "It'll be because Tohsaka would help him out, and save his life…for the second time. Damn it…"

Shinji again fell silent, as Rin covered her eyes with an arm. "Can she do it?" he eventually asked.

Rin didn't answer at once. "Yes," she eventually answered. "She can do it."

Shinji lazily drew a circle on the bed with a finger for a few moments, and then sighed. "So," he began. "What do we – you – plan to do about this?"

"I don't know." Rin said, still keeping her eyes covered. "Rider's still recovering, but it's slower than expected. It seems Lancer's spear's curse is interfering with recovery. If worse comes to worst, then I might have to spend a command spell to fully heal her. But even then…"

Rin trailed off with a sigh, and uncovering her eyes shook her head. "I don't know if she can beat Berserker as a Rider." She said. "Normally at least: with her Noble Phantasm, she probably can."

Shinji said nothing, but after a moment nodded. Rin glanced at him with narrowed eyes, and after a long moment lunged forward with a hungry snarl.

Pushing him down on his side of the bed, she pressed her lips against his, their tongues struggling against each other, Shinji wrapping his arms around his sister while her free hand worked him back up. Pulling herself free, Rin grinned down at him once she felt him ready to go once again.

"Get back to work, brother." She hissed, before impaling herself with a satisfied yet hungry gasp.

Shinji groaned, and did as asked.

"When I was young, I dreamed of becoming a Hero of Justice."

Dressed in yukata and holding watermelon slices, father and son sat on the veranda, looking out over the yard in the midsummer night, the stars sparkling in a clear sky. The boy glanced at his father in surprise at what the older man had said, and was struck by the sad smile and expression on his face.

"You sound like you've given up." He finally said.

The man didn't answer for a while. And then lowering his face from the stars, the man gave his answer. "Saving someone means not saving someone else." He said, before glancing at the boy, still with that sad smile on his face.

The boy met his father's gaze for a few moments, and then smiling, turned away to look back out at the stars. "Is that so?" he asked. "But, you're an adult, and adults usually give up on their dreams. That's why, for your sake, I'll make your dream come true, and become a Hero of Justice in your place."

The man smiled ever so wider, and also looked back out at the stars. And then lowering his face, the man slowly closed his eyes. "I see." He said softly. "I'm glad to hear that."

He didn't say anything more, and after a few moments, the boy glanced curiously at his father. He stared at the sad yet peaceful smile on his father's face, and at the way he just sat there. And then after a few moments, the boy found himself blinking back his tears.

He knew that his father would never open his eyes again.

Shirou gasped awake, morning light filtering through the paper and wood of his room. For a couple of moments, he just lay there in his futon, and then fidgeting at the stiffness of his body forced himself to sit up.

Rubbing at his side to chase the stiffness away, he glanced down curiously at the strange texture. Pulling his shirt up, he blinked at the bandages wrapped tightly around him. About the same time, memories…from the previous night, began filtering through.

The fight at school between Lancer and…Archer, wasn't it…

…getting stabbed by Lancer after being noticed…

…coming home after being healed by a helpful stranger…

…fighting Lancer's attempts to finish the job off…

…summoning and meeting Saber…

…Saber's fight with Lancer, seeing her get stabbed, and meeting Sakura Tohsaka afterward…

…going to Kotomine Church and learning about the Holy Grail War…

…and then…the fight…the fight between Berserker and Saber…

Shirou winced at the memory, clutching at his side as he remembered the utter agony of nearly getting ripped in half before being sent flying. "But," he thought at the same time. "Did I…was Saber…is she safe? What about Tohsaka? And…who brought me home, and patched me up? Was it them? Or…?"

Shaking his head to clear it, Shirou got up and after stretching his sore and stiff muscles, went off to go looking for Saber. If he was alive here and now, she had to be too, right? Wouldn't that Einzbern girl and her Berserker have killed them otherwise? Given the way the battle went, Shirou strongly suspected that the little girl was not the merciful type. If it weren't for the fact that she was a Master and thus a magus herself, he'd have found it disturbing.

But, with magi being what they were…

…grim resignation was all he could feel about the matter.

Shirou didn't go looking for Saber at once, despite his thoughts after waking up. He went to freshen up first, and then scoured the house. The guest rooms were empty. There was no one in the kitchens, much less the adjoining dining room/living room. His own workshop was empty.

The same went for every other room in the house, except for the one he checked last. Shirou blinked after opening the door, finding himself staring, mesmerized even, by the sight that met him.

Sakura went through her katas, breathing normally if heavily, smoothly moving from one stance to another while punching and jabbing her elbows and knees at the air. They were abrupt, powerful blows, which Shirou quickly concluded could at least stagger or daze, or at worst, cause critical damage. Some parts of the form he saw could pry guards open, followed up by powerful blows that would hammer at an enemy's torso.

And yet for all the brutality of the form, Shirou could not describe it as anything less than an art. A martial art true, but it was art nevertheless. It wasn't about winning, or breaking or killing an enemy, at least not completely.

Being able to perform the form, to conserve effort and achieve maximum effect at minimum waste, to do it right as opposed to just doing it…

Shirou smiled at the sight, recalling how he himself had mastered archery to the best of his ability, in order to help him focus his magecraft. Somehow, he just knew that this was the same: Sakura, or maybe even her family, used martial arts to help them focus or advance their magecraft.

Deciding against disturbing her, Shirou quietly closed the door, and standing to one side, waited for Sakura to finish. If she noticed him, she didn't let it show, instead focusing on her kata practice.

Like at the track yesterday afternoon, Shirou found himself drawn to her face. She wasn't smiling right now, but this close…the expression on her face…

…it was like her smile while she running on the track yesterday, as though nothing else mattered except the here and now. The future was a problem for the future, and the past…

…well, Shirou didn't know. But, if he was right, and Sakura really did live for the present, then…

I don't really know, what to think about that.

But, it isn't bad. At least, I don't think it is.

There's something to just being able to be at your own pace that can't be wrong. Not by itself.

And if this is what Tohsaka is like when she's just herself, then it's not bad.

Smiling some more to himself, Shirou closed his eyes briefly, and opened them in time to see Sakura finish her katas, stepping back into a solid stance that gave the impression of unyielding immovability and of a predator ready to pounce. Shirou blinked, and then sensing it was over, applauded softly. "That was great." He said.

Sakura blinked, and glancing in his direction stepped out of her stance with a small laugh and an embarrassed expression on her face. "Not really," she said, walking closer. "I'm good, but not that good."

"No," Shirou said. "I can't do anything like that, but I have watched Kung Fu movies before, and I can tell, you're good."

"Kung Fu movies aren't really the best examples to have," Sakura said, coming to a halt a couple of steps from Shirou. "But thanks."

"You're welcome." Shirou said with a nod. Silence fell between the two of them, neither able to find out what to say, though once again Shirou found himself regarding the younger girl in front of him.

Like yesterday, even covered in sweat did nothing to take away from Sakura's appearance, in fact this close Shirou would have to say it just seemed to fit, considering how athletic her build and how outgoing her character was. And he could tell the former, even if he hadn't known she was with the Track and Field Team, just from her toned and fit form.

Nothing wrong with an athlete being sweaty…it's just right.

Sakura leaned forward, unintentionally giving Shirou a close look into her cleavage. "Sempai," she said. "Are you alright? You've been looking rather…strangely, at me, for the past few moments."

Shirou blinked, and with a small laugh held out his hands. "No, it's nothing." He said, glancing to the side and blinking again as he caught side of Saber, sitting demurely in a corner with her eyes closed as she sat in the Sun coming in from the windows. Surprisingly, she wasn't wearing the armored dress from last night, but a modest, long-sleeved and collared blouse of white with a blue ribbon tied around her neck, over a modest, knee-length skirt of blue and black knee socks.

"Hmm?" Sakura said, following Shirou's line of sight. "Ah yes, Saber. Sorry if I went too far, but I thought that maybe she'd want or need something more comfortable to wear. So after I brought you back home, I ran off to my place and gave her some of my clothes."

"Oh I see." Shirou said, turning back to Sakura. "No, it's alright, and thanks. It's not like there are women's clothes in this house, I live alone, after all."

Sakura laughed shortly, Shirou joining in. "Guess not," Sakura said.

"Anyway," Shirou continued. "You said you brought me home last night, so I guess you also patched me up. If so, then thanks."

Sakura blinked, and then smiling nodded. And then she tapped Shirou on the forehead, causing him to stagger back a step. "You nearly got yourself killed saving Saber." Sakura admonished with a chiding smile and tone. "To be honest I don't really know what to think about such insane, suicidal, but chivalrous bravery, but…I guess that's just like you."

Shirou rubbed at his forehead with a slight pout, and then smiling weakly, rubbed the back of his head. "Sorry," he said. "Well not really, I just…I don't know. But when I saw her covered in blood like that, and Berserker going for the kill, I just…"

Shirou trailed off, again glancing at Saber, who still sat silent and with her eyes closed. Sakura followed Shirou's line of sight again, and then with a sigh gave him a friendly pat on an arm. "Don't apologize," she said. "Just because it's stupid and suicidal, it doesn't mean it was wrong. I could even say it's admirable, that you had the courage and the heart to pull it off."

There was something in her tone of voice that Shirou couldn't place, and he turned to look at her, his eyes widening slightly at the wistful, bitter expression on her face. "I can't say the same for myself, you see." Sakura finished softly, almost as though she was talking to herself.

Shirou blinked, not knowing what to say, and then briefly closing her eyes Sakura sighed, the bitter and wistful expression vanishing as though it was never there in the first place. Opening her eyes, she glanced back at Shirou. "You're welcome," she finally said, and Shirou returned her smile. "Though, we'll have to talk about that…maybe…but later."

"About what?" Shirou asked, confused. Sakura just shrugged.

"More importantly," she began. "What do you plan to do from here on out? Just like you said with Kirei last night, are you really going to fight in this war to keep someone who can't be trusted with it from gaining the Grail?"

"I am." Shirou said with a nod and absolute conviction.

Sakura stared into Shirou's eyes for a long moment, Shirou meeting her gaze without flinching, and then she sighed, and smiled and nodded at Shirou.

"Well," Sakura said. "It's a good enough reason to fight, I can't deny that. And it's certainly better than fighting for wishes, which are selfish things in themselves."

Shirou blinked and nodded. "That they are." He said. For a moment, he wondered whether or not he could ask about her own wish, but decided against it. They weren't so close that he could ask what was clearly such a private question.

"Well then," Sakura said, stepping forward to open the dojo door. "I guess I'll be going."

"Go?" Shirou echoed, following Sakura out. "Go where?"

"Home, of course." Sakura said. "I have to get ready for school, and so do you, I'm sure."

Shirou briefly looked away in thought, and then shrugged. "Yeah, we do." He said, and Sakura shrugged.

"Well then, I'll be going on ahead."

"Yeah, but wait for a bit, I'll show you out myself." Shirou said, glancing back into the dojo. He glanced at Saber in the distance, and after a moment she opened her eyes and regarded Shirou across the room. After another moment, and she nodded, in what Shirou understood as 'we'll talk later'. Shirou nodded back, and as Saber settled back down and closed her eyes, Shirou walked through and closed the dojo doors before quickly going through the house to the front, where Sakura had just finished putting her shoes back on.

"Here you go." Shirou said, taking her sports jacket off a nearby stand and helping her put it on.

"Thanks." Sakura said with a nod and a smile, and Shirou returned them as well.

Opening the door, Sakura stepped through, and then a couple of steps out turned to look at Shirou again. "What's wrong?" Shirou asked. "Did you forget something?"

Sakura didn't answer at once, though after a few moments she briefly closed her eyes and shook her head. "No," she said. "It's just that…I don't want to be your enemy…but, I have to think about it first."

Shirou looked confused at first, and then smiled and nodded. "Well, take your time." He said. "If it helps, I don't want to be your enemy either."

The two of them stared at each other for another moment, and then Sakura nodded. "Well then," she said. "See you at school, sempai."

"Yeah, see you at school."

Rin was walking down a road, humming cheerfully to herself, walking at a relaxed pace despite the two heavy bags of fresh groceries she carried in both her hands. Last night had been a mixed bag, but at the very least she felt refreshed and heading over to Shirou's place always made her feel good.

Though, just in case, she'd told Rider to stay at a safe distance, and to stay in astral form. No need to provoke Shirou's Servant, not when she could still think up a plan to get him on her side, despite Sakura's head start.

Yes, maybe things weren't as…

Sakura jogged past, looking quite cheerful herself despite being all sweaty from her exercise. And more than that…she seemed…really…happy…

…almost like…

Could it be? Did they…?

Sakura noticed her from the corner of her eyes, and about facing, jogged backward to a halt. "Good morning, Matou-sempai." Sakura politely greeted her.

"Good morning, Tohsaka-san." Rin said with a small smile. "Might I ask what you're doing here so early?"

"Jogging, as you can see." Sakura said, declining to return the question, given how obvious what Rin was doing. It was an open secret that she was Shirou's part-time housekeeper, a tacit and informal arrangement the school accepted so long as Taiga Fujimura held final responsibility as Shirou's guardian.

And with the groceries Rin was carrying…

Rin nodded, and Sakura nodded back, the latter turning to resume her jog away. Behind her, Rin narrowed her eyes, and after a moment, resumed walking to Shirou's house, her good mood ruined.

"Damn her," Rin thought darkly. "Sinking her talons so quickly and so deep. But…"

The thought trailed off, vanishing along with the jealous anger and resentment, leaving behind only sadness, and bitter resignation.

"Isn't it better this way?" Rin thought to herself. "What chance do I have…and he certainly deserves someone as pure and beautiful as her…not someone like me…not me…never me…not this defiled and filthy woman. It's enough, that I can be friends with him, can dream of him, and be happy for him. That's all I can do."

Rin sighed, and shook her head. She didn't cry though. She never could. Not anymore.

She'd run out of tears long ago.

A/N

Yes! Finally, the last station of the canon is past! From here on out, it's open water!

Shirou being unfazed by Sakura opening fire on Illya: first of all, it didn't hit, so it doesn't really matter. Second…if she was just an ordinary little girl, he'd have raised a fuss. Thing is…she's a Master and a magus, and for all his faults, Shirou doesn't extend them to magi willing and capable of killing each other if necessary (such as say, a psychotic little girl telling her Servant to kill his Servant and likely them too afterwards). Canonically Shirou did threaten to kill (and would likely have killed) Shinji when he initially refused to shut down the Blood Fort.