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

Transposition

Chapter 10

Eyes kept flicking back and forth between most of the diners around Shirou's dining table, from the food on the table to the blonde girl and then to each other. Conversation was stilled, partly due to the fact that they were eating, and also out of a measure of…awe, at the rate Saber was eating.

It wasn't so much that Saber was hogging the food, as she neither stopped others from getting servings of their own or taking overly large servings herself. And neither did she seem to rush eating one serving so as to get more afterward, taking time to chew her food well before swallowing.

And yet, despite that, she was eating at a surprisingly fast pace, and coupled with her politely helping herself to Rin's cooking…

"Um…Rin-chan…" Taiga hesitantly asked. "How many servings of rice has Saber had?"

"Four…" Rin answered blankly, and then blinked as Saber held out her rice bowl.

"Another serving, please." Saber politely prompted as Rin stared at the bowl.

"Y-yeah…" Rin managed to say, before lowering her rice bowl to the table. And then taking Saber's rice bowl filled it up with rice from the rice cooker beside her, and handed it back to the blonde.

"Thank you." Saber said with a nod, taking the bowl and resuming to eat.

"Um…" Taiga leaned over to Shirou who glanced at her curiously. "Is there something I need to know? I mean, we talked things over with her last night and managed to come to an understanding so…"

"Well to be honest I'm not really sure what you mean." Shirou answered with an uncertain laugh. "I guess she just had a big appetite and we didn't notice until now. And speaking of which, Fuji-nee you might want to hurry."

"What are you talking about? It's not even remotely close…"

"I didn't mean the time." Shirou interrupted lightly, and pointed his chopsticks at the table. Taiga followed the chopsticks' direction, and began to stammer out incoherently as she saw the near-empty bowls and platters on the table. While it wasn't like she hadn't been able to eat anything, she had yet to eat her fill either.

And as if on cue, Saber finished her fifth bowl, and setting it on the table laid her chopsticks crosswise over the bowl. "Thanks you for the meal." She said politely.

"NO!" Taiga wailed as she grabbed a near-empty bowl and began scooping out what was left onto her rice. "NO! NO! NO! There's no natto left! That's the source of my power…"

Ignoring the older woman's wailing, Rin glanced at Shirou and raised an eyebrow. The redhead blinked, and then glancing at the stoic and cool blonde sitting next to him turned back to Rin with a weak smile.

The violet-haired girl just rolled her eyes.

Over half an hour later, having finished cleaning up (and a despondent Taiga having gone on ahead), Rin and Shirou were putting their shoes on to go to school when Rin noticed someone approaching. With Shirou seemingly oblivious to his surroundings, Rin sighed and taking hold of his shoulder, half-forcibly turned the surprised Shirou to face the newcomer.

"Wha…!" he burst out as he saw Saber standing there looking expectant, and after a few moments Shirou pulled himself together. "Um, can I help you?"

"Shirou, can I speak with you for a moment?" Saber asked.

"Um, sure."

"In private, please."

Shirou stared, and then glancing at his shoes, sighed. "Alright, alright," he said, exasperatedly taking off his shoes and following Saber further into the house, not noticing Rin's eyes boring into their backs.

Once they were out of earshot, Saber stopped walking and turned to face Shirou. "Shirou," she began, speaking in a soft voice. "I'm sure you know that unlike most Servants I cannot enter astral form."

"Yes, I know." Shirou said with a nod. "I also know it's at least partly my fault, so sorry."

Saber looked taken aback for a moment. "There's no need for that, Shirou, but thank you." She said. "In any case, this should be addressed now. With me unable to enter astral form, I cannot remain by your side during your day-to-day activities without drawing undue attention and inconveniencing yourself. Given that is the case, I must ask you: the moment you sense danger, please, use a command spell and summon me to your side."

Shirou blinked, and then glanced down at the trio of tattoos that made up his command spells. After a moment he looked back up at Saber and sighed. "I understand." He said. "I'd rather not have to use these, but I'd rather be dead even less."

Saber nodded in agreement, and Shirou smiled at her. "Aside from that though," he said. "You're really fine with the alliance with Tohsaka? I'm going to have to give her an answer today."

Saber nodded. "As I said yesterday afternoon," she began. "It would certainly benefit us to have an ally, and she seems trustworthy."

Shirou nodded back. "Alright then," he said. "If there's nothing more then I'll be going. You'll be fine by yourself, right?"

Saber nodded again. "Yes," she said. "Take care, Shirou."

Shirou nodded, and turning returned to the foyer to put his shoes on before leaving with Rin, and leaving Saber alone in the house for the day.

Sakura purposefully strode down Homurahara's corridors, slipping through the knots and currents of students along the way, and exchanging greetings with friends and acquaintances along the way. Reaching her destination, she knocked once on the frame of the open door and drew the attention of those inside.

One student, sitting on the front row, half-turned in his seat to give a loud call to one of his classmates in the back. "Hey Saito!" he said. "Your star player is here."

Kikuchi Saito, Captain of the Track and Field Team glanced in Sakura's direction, and after some more words with his girlfriend made his way over to where Sakura was. "Good morning," Kikuchi began. "Can I help you?"

"Good morning to you too." Sakura said with a nod. "Actually, I just came to tell you I can't attend practice this afternoon."

Kikuchi raised an eyebrow. "And why not?" he asked. "I mean, if you have a good reason of course it's fine, but you know…"

The older boy trailed off, making a vague gesture with his hands. "Yeah, I get what you mean." Sakura said with a nod. "And I do have a good reason. Part of my house's roof caved-in recently, and I need to arrange for repairs and everything else that comes with it. And I've got to do it this afternoon."

"Your…house's roof…caved-in…what?" Kikuchi skeptically said. "Seriously?"

"It's an old house!" Sakura protested. "Built shortly after World War II if I remember right, after the original house got burned down during the war."

"She's probably telling the truth, Kikuchi!" Ritsuko Akiyama, Kikuchi's girlfriend, loudly said. "Way too outrageous to be a lie, and Tohsaka is an old family, isn't it?"

"Old enough," Sakura said, giving the older girl a thankful wave of a hand, which Ritsuko acknowledged with a nod.

Kikuchi sighed and nodded. "Alright, alright," he said. "I'll take your word for it. And it's not like you've deliberately skipped out on practice before, or taken advantage of my trust, so alright. Good luck with what you have to do, and sorry about the house."

"Thanks," Sakura said with a nod, and taking a step back. "I'll make it up to you guys, don't worry."

"I'm sure you will." Kikuchi said with a nod and a smile. "Off you go, then."

"Right," Sakura said, turning and walking away. "See you."

Kikuchi nodded and headed back into his classroom, while Sakura strode off to head to hers. "Liar," an amused Archer playfully accused her telepathically.

"Okay, the part about having to arrange repairs this afternoon is a lie." Sakura admitted. "Everything else is true: the caved-in roof, the fact that the house is old, the original one burned down, yadda-yadda-yadda. It's not like I could tell him I'm moving in with Emiya-sempai."

"…even assuming Saber approves of your alliance," Archer dryly began. "What makes you so sure Emiya will let you move in anyway?"

"First of all, sempai is too nice to say no." Sakura said with a mischievous smile.

"…right…and…?"

Sakura paused, coming to a halt outside of an window to stare at the sky beyond. Moments later and a bird flew in, circled around the corridor a few times, and landing on Sakura's head tapped her crown a few times. And then it flew off, the familiar carrying the message to Shirou asking him to join Sakura for lunch on the roof later.

"…one reason I asked for this alliance is because my Archer as he is right now can't really protect me much less fight his battles if another Servant shows up and attacks." Sakura said to Shirou. "The latter aside, Saber won't be able to help me out even if we're her allies if I'm attacked and she's across town."

"Hmm…" Shirou hummed as he sat on a rooftop bench opposite to Sakura. As asked this morning, he'd joined her for lunch on the roof, telling her before they started on their meals that Saber had agreed to their alliance. Sakura had been pleased, and then after they'd finished their lunches had dropped her bombshell of asking to be allowed to move in into Shirou's house.

Needless to say, Shirou did not see this coming.

"I guess that's a good point to make." He finally said. "I won't be much of an ally if I or Saber can't cover for you when you need us."

Sakura nodded, and smiled. "In any case," she said. "I don't plan on being deadweight. Apart from helping you get your magecraft up to speed, I'm willing to do my share of the housework: cleaning, washing dishes, and even cooking. I won't wash your clothes, but I'm willing to reimburse you for the soap and…"

"Alright, alright," Shirou interrupted with a laugh. "You can stay over until your house is fixed or the war ends, whichever comes first, I have plenty of room. And normally I'd say as a guest you won't have to do anything of what you just said, but since you're offering I suppose I can't stop you if you want to help around the house. Except reimbursement: accepting money from a friend who's staying over out of need seems really shifty to me."

Sakura laughed too, rubbing the back of her head. "Yeah, I guess I got carried away there, didn't I?" she admitted. "At the very least though, let me contribute to the groceries if and when needed."

Shirou sighed and nodded. "It still feels like taking money," he said. "But, if you're buying food for the house, I can't say no. Never say no when people offer food."

Sakura nodded in agreement. "Well said," she remarked. "Moving on, um…that is…"

"Hmm?" Shirou hummed questioningly. "What is it?"

"Well, we never really discussed how long we'd stay allies." Sakura said uncomfortably. "Looking back over our talks about this, in hindsight I pretty much implied it'd be only until Archer was patched up, after which we'd be enemies again."

Shirou didn't say anything, though he did look troubled. "But," Sakura continued, lowering her face. "To turn on you after you let me stay at your house, and had your Servant protect me as well…it doesn't seem right."

Shirou stayed silent and troubled for a few more moments, and then he smiled. "No, it isn't." he said. "You're a good person, Tohsaka."

Sakura looked up in surprise, and then blushed slightly and lowered her face yet again when Shirou smiled wider at her. "Then, how about this?" he said. "We stay as allies until the war ends, and when it does, we'll have Saber and Archer settle things fairly between them."

Sakura silently stared at Shirou in surprise at his offered solution, the boy just smiling earnestly at her, and after several moments Sakura giggled and nodded. "Yes, that sounds good." She admitted before frowning. "But, what about us? Either way, one of us has to give up their wish and…"

"I don't mind."

"Huh?"

Shirou smiled at Sakura. "My wish…" he said softly. "Yes, my wish…it's not something I want the Grail to grant me. It's pointless you see, if I don't make it happen myself."

Sakura just stared at Shirou in surprise at that, the older boy looking away into the distance with a faint smile that seemed to hint at the determination to go as far as he needed to make his dream come true. After a few moments, Sakura sighed and nodded. "I get it." She said with a faint smile of her own. "You're a much more admirable person than I am."

"Huh?" Shirou asked, glancing at her in surprise. "Thanks, I think, but I'm not really that great."

"That's very modest of you." Sakura said, before briefly looking away and hesitating. "Hey…"

"What is it?"

"I um…that is…I wouldn't mind, you know, if you called me by my first name. So…"

Sakura trailed off uncomfortably, unable to meet Shirou's curious gaze. "Well, if you say so, Sakura." Shirou eventually said. "Thanks though, usually only friends are supposed to call each other by first name, right?"

"Yes," Sakura said, still unable to meet Shirou's gaze before sighing and finally meeting his eyes. "I guess this makes us friends, doesn't it?"

Shirou nodded his agreement, and Sakura beamed. "Alright," she said, getting up and stretching her limbs did a cartwheel once to her and Shirou's surprise.

I just feel…really, really light all of a sudden.

Holding her hands behind her back, she turned back to Shirou. "Now, Let's talk about strategy." She said.

"Heavy talk, huh?" Shirou said. "Alright, what do you have in mind?"

"As allies, we both have five other Servants to defeat." Sakura said. "And of those five, I think we should focus on Caster at present."

"Caster?" Shirou echoed. "Why?"

"I told you before, right?" Sakura responded. "Servants need prana to exist in this world, usually supplied by the Masters."

"Yes, you did."

"But that's not the only way Servants can obtain prana to sustain themselves and use their abilities." Sakura said darkly. "I'm sure you've heard about the gas leaks around the city, haven't you?"

"Yes…no way!" Shirou snarled, leaping to his feet. "Those…Caster's behind them?"

"Yes." Sakura confirmed, and causing Shirou to clench his fists angrily. "Servants, in this case, Caster, can gain additional prana by draining people of their life forces. Thankfully, no one's been killed so far, which is why Kirei hasn't done anything. The rules only prohibit the killing of those uninvolved in the war, so…"

"That's a loophole, and you know it." Shirou snapped.

"Of course I do." Sakura said with a nod. "But Kirei's hands are tied in this. He's the Overseer, and he above all others, has to follow the rules. After all, if the Overseer doesn't set an example, then who will?"

Shirou growled unhappily but nodded his agreement after a few moments. "But even then," he finally said. "We can't just let Caster keep going at this. If I remember right, at least a hundred people have already been hospitalized from those 'gas leaks', and while no one's died yet, I'm sure it's only a matter of time before someone eventually does die."

"I think so too." Sakura agreed with a nod. "That's why I think we should focus on Caster first. Of course, we still have to find their hideout, and Caster being Caster I doubt familiars will be enough to find them. With that said, I'm working on a spell which I hope, can trace Caster's flow of prana back to their hideout. It still needs some more work, and I'm working on it as much as I can, but…"

Sakura trailed off, but Shirou nodded in understanding. "Please finish as soon as you can." He said. "We need to put a stop to Caster…damn it…innocent people…damn it…"

"I know how you feel." Sakura said after a moment, stepping forward to place a hand on Shiou's shoulder. "And I understand. But, we can't rush this."

"I know." Shirou said with a deep breath. "I know, but even so…"

He trailed off, and Sakura nodded. "After Caster," she continued. "I say we focus on Lancer."

"Lancer?" Shirou echoed after a moment, remembering the spandex-clad, blue-haired man with the red spear. Phantom pain tugged at his chest, and Shirou suppressed the urge to rub it. "Why him in particular?"

"For one thing, it'd eliminate the only…relative overall equal to our Servants." Sakura said. "Lancer, Saber, and Archer: these three are called the three Servant Knights, thanks to their overall superior performance compared to the other classes. With Lancer defeated, with Saber and Archer together we'll have an overall advantage in terms of Servants."

"I see, so that's how it is." Shirou said. "And? I guess there's another reason."

Sakura briefly hesitated, and then sighed uncomfortably. "Do you know about the family that was murdered in their home a few days ago?" she asked.

Shirou did, and the realization that struck him nearly boiled his temper over. "Lancer did that?" he snarled, and he grit his teeth and clenched his fists as Sakura nodded in agreement.

"I'm sorry," Sakura began. "I…"

"You don't need to apologize." Shirou interrupted before taking a deep breath. "You didn't do anything wrong. And more importantly, what's Kirei done about it?"

"Unfortunately, while Kirei's done what he can, Lancer and his Master still remain in the contest."

"What?" Shirou said, outraged. "But, they broke the rules! They attacked and killed people who weren't part of the war! So why…?"

"Breaking the rules once doesn't automatically mean disqualification." Sakura said unhappily. "And there's also the degree in which they were broken to consider. And I imagine, politics may come into play."

"Politics?" Shirou echoed in confusion.

"As the Overseer Kirei is the Church's representative. As in he speaks for his organization in this matter. So…"

Sakura trailed off, while Shirou snarled wordlessly and looked away. He paced a few steps back and forth, and then running a hand through his hair took a deep breath. "Alright," he began. "Alright, I understand Kotomine's position. But, we're not limited the same way he is, are we?"

Sakura smiled wolfishly, and Shirou smiled to match. "Caster and Lancer…we'll deal with them and keep them from hurting or killing more people than they already have." Shirou said, and Sakura nodded in agreement. "And after that…"

"After that," Sakura interrupted. "We'll see."

Shirou glanced curiously at her, and Sakura tilted her head. "Let's not look too far ahead," she said. "Or we might miss things nearby."

"Good point," Shirou agreed with a nod before giving a sigh and shaking his head. "Really, the day was shaping so well, and now…"

Shirou trailed off, and Sakura nodded in agreement, the light feeling from earlier now completely gone. As they stood in silence on the roof, the warning bells rang, and sharing a glance between them began packing up their lunch things in silence.

"One last thing though," Shirou said as Sakura released the bounded field and they prepared to head back down. "About you moving in, Fuji-nee might prove…troublesome."

"Fujimura-sensei, you mean?"

"Yes."

"Hmm," Sakura hummed in thought for a few moments, and then nodded. "Right, I've got it. Just leave it to me."

Night was beginning to fall when Saber sensed a Servant approaching Shirou's house, and causing the blonde's eyes to snap open. It took only a moment to realize the non-belligerent air of the approaching Servant, and another moment to recognize it as Archer.

Getting up, Saber fixed her bed – having slept most of the day away to conserve prana – before heading to greet Shirou and his guests on arrival. "Hello, Saber." Sakura cheerfully greeted the blonde Saber arrived at the foyer.

"Hello, Miss Tohsaka, wasn't it?" Saber asked, and Sakura nodded. Saber then turned to Shirou curiously. "Shirou, has something happened?"

"Yes, well, not really, or rather nothing bad happened…" Shirou fumbled before coughing. "Sakura will be staying over now that we're allies. Also, we've come to an agreement: we'll be allies until the end of the war, at which point Archer and you should settle things fairly between yourselves."

"I see." Saber said with a nod, noticing the chest and the trolley bag sitting on the floor next to Shirou and Sakura. "The conditions of the alliance agreement are just: I approve."

Sakura grinned. "In that case," she said before giving a perfectly-angled bow. "I look forward to working with you."

"Likewise, Miss Tohsaka." Saber said, returning the bow. As Sakura straightened, she looked at an open spot behind her, and made way.

"Archer," she said, and the tall and tan Servant materialized. "We're allies now, so, care to give your greetings?"

Archer glanced at Sakura with a hint of exasperation, and then giving a faint smile extended a hand to Saber. "Servant Saber," he said. "Servant Archer; I'm pleased to meet you. Though we'll have to settle things between us in the future, for the sake of my Master, I'll be sure to fulfill my obligations as an ally until that time comes."

"I expect nothing less." Saber said, taking the offered hand and shaking. "Both of you, and of myself, whether as allies, and when the time comes to settle things."

Archer smiled wider and nodded, and after Saber released his hand Archer turned to Sakura. "Sakura," he said. "I'll return to astral form to conserve prana, but if you don't mind I'll take up a station on the roof. I might not be able to fight, but my eyesight's as good as ever. If an enemy approaches, then I'll be able to give advance warning well ahead of time."

Sakura nodded, and with a nod of his own Archer returned to astral form. "Now then," Sakura said glancing to Shirou who nodded.

"Right," he said, slipping on a pair of slippers as Sakura did the same. "Follow me, I'll take you to your room."

"Sorry for the trouble." Sakura said as she followed Shirou into the house, and prompting him to laugh.

"Don't worry," he said. "It's no trouble at all."

"What?"

Sakura blinked as Shirou stared at her. "I said I'd cook dinner tonight, as thanks for letting me stay over." She said. "Besides, I'm sure it'd make Fujimura-sensei more accepting of me staying over if she sees from the start I'm not just taking advantage of you."

Shirou made some uncomfortable noises. "Well," he began, awkwardly rubbing the back of his head. "I…don't have any real…problems with it, and I'm sure you're right about Fuji-nee, but…"

"But…?"

Shirou couldn't quite answer, though Sakura caught some mumbling about forgetting about one thing or another. "What were you planning on cooking anyway?" he finally asked.

"Not sure," Sakura said, stepping into the kitchen and grabbing an apron put it on (all the while missing a worried expression on Shirou's face at her taking that particular apron). "Depends on what you have…maybe I should have passed by the grocery...too late by now though…let's see…I think I can…"

The sound of another girl announcing her arrival drew their attention, and closing the refrigerator Sakura headed out of the kitchen to the front of the house, Shirou following and still with a worried expression on his face. "That didn't sound like Fujimura-sensei," she said softly as she made her way to the foyer. "Who…oh."

Full grocery bags fell to the floor in shock as Rin stared at Sakura. "You!" she said in recognition. "What are you doing here?"

Shit, I forgot she was sempai's housekeeper. Matou magus and most likely Master as well aside…how likely is it she'd be territorial?

We'll know soon enough, Sakura.

Quiet, Archer.

Yes, yes.

Sakura laughed awkwardly. "Well, you see um," she began. "Emiya-sempai and I have come to an understanding, and well…"

"An understanding?" Rin echoed, wide-eyed before narrowing her eyes at a very uncomfortable-looking Shirou. And then blinking, she zeroed in on Sakura again. "...that apron..."

Sakura glanced down at herself. "The apron?" she echoed. "What about…it?"

Shit…it's probably hers, isn't it?

Rin didn't reply, instead opting to pick up her grocery bags before walking past and between Shirou and Sakura with cold dignity. "Emiya-kun," Rin said in notes of icy calm. "I'll be borrowing your kitchen. And, Tohsaka-san, I'd be very thankful if you returned my apron. I'll be needing it in the kitchen, after all."

Shirou and Sakura stared after the other girl left, and Shirou palmed his face. "Territorial, isn't she?" Sakura observed, and Shirou nodded with a groan. Sighing, Sakura removed the apron, and folding it glanced at Shirou. "Well, I better return this, shouldn't I?"

"I'll do it." Shirou said wearily, and taking the apron. "I'm sure she'll calm down eventually, but until then it's probably best you keep your distance. Still, I never expected she'd react like this, maybe with concern but nothing like this. What's with her?"

Sakura hummed to herself, but before she could answer one way or another the doors opened behind them again. "Shirou, I'm home!" Taiga cheerfully and loudly said before noticing Shirou and more importantly Sakura standing in the foyer together. "Tohsaka-san? What are you doing here?"

Shirou glanced at Sakura, who glanced back. After a moment, Shirou sighed and turned to the expectant Taiga. "Yeah, about that," he began nervously. "Sakura, that is, Tohsaka-san, will be um, staying over for a while."

"…WHAT?"

A/N

Sakura's moved in, and Rin's not happy. Don't worry, Rin won't give up without a fight unlike canon Sakura did outside of Heaven's Feel. Tokiomi's wish of having the sisters fighting each other will come true, though whether it ends as he wanted it one way or another remains to be seen.