The Golden-Eyed Archer

by Em6erPhoenix

What if Avalon had a bit more of an effect on Shirou as it saved his life in the Fuyuki Fire? What if Kiritsugu never fell into despair? The small ripples of change lead Zelretch to sit back with a bowl of popcorn and soda as he watches Shirou try to navigate his way to becoming a Hero of Justice without falling into the same trap as his father or a certain CG EMIYA.

5. Masters and Maids

Chapter 5

If there was one fact that everyone within the Clock Tower knew it was that, outside of the chambers where the Democratic and Aristocratic factions debated laws, Lorelei Barthemeloi always got her way. It was a fundamental truth like the sky was blue or the sun always rises in the East. So when "The Queen" Lady Barthomeloi decided to award the backwater, failure of a magus, mage killer a Orange Rank- the award of a magus who has achieved something unique and extraordinary- every noble in the vicinity just tightened their lips into a fake smile and agreed with her decision. Even if they all wanted to grab her shoulders and shake her for doing something stupid. Though they would never even dream of doing such a thing to the woman who could slaughter them all easier than a human stepping on an ant.

Shirou didn't know how to feel about it. He wasn't looking for a reward when he helped slay the Apostle Ancestor and he certainly wasn't expecting Lorelei of all people to support him. Though whether this meant good things to come in his future he couldn't say. Lorelei likely had a plan in place and this was just furthering her goal. Perhaps it was the knowledge that he had recreated a divine noble phantasm to kill the Apostle?

The ceremony also didn't follow the usual procedure by being cut short and as such left most of the nobles in the Clock Tower feeling like he cheated to get the reward and acted as if the ribbon was entirely unofficial to continue showing their destain in front of him…so long as Lorelei wasn't there with him, then of course he would be greeted as his title demands.

So Shirou was granted the title Fake Noble behind his back. Shirou didn't care what a bunch of puffed up, self important, ignorant fools thought of him either though, so it all leveled out in the end. All Shirou did know was that the future was likely about to get more complicated because of Lorelei's "impulsive" decision. 'Still,' Shirou thought, 'the ribbon looked more Gold than Orange. In fact,' he held the ribbon right next to his eyes in front of a mirror, 'they are an exact match. What do you want from me, Queen of Clock Tower?' he wondered.

—O—

Shirou wiped the sweat from his brow after an exhausting workout in his backyard as he laid panting on the ground. He may have overdone it that morning; he spent the last two hours after waking up practicing the sword techniques by the King of Knights while holding her favorite sword in his hands, Caliburn, the sword that chooses kings. Her sword techniques are beautiful, each swing born from years of training that made her a top contender for the strongest Saber servant in existence. Lacking a magic core, he would never match her strength or prolonged use of Mana Burst. Even with as much Od he had, it was like a candle to her might. He could maybe use it ten times before finding himself completely run dry of Od.

Arturia Pendragon on the other hand was gifted a magic core by her mentor Merlin after the death of a dragon. It was said that comparing a magic circuit to a core was like a single machine to an entire factory. Even the Barthomeloi fall short, their's being the equivalent to a single production line, certainly more than the average, but nothing can compare to the core of a beast that embodies the meaning of Phantasmal Beasts. Dragons could destroy entire cities just by breathing too hard. It was theorized that it was not just the decline of the Age of the Gods that lessened the amount of Mana in the world, but actually the dragons leaving to the Reverse Side of the world. Their bodies are just giant producers of mana that is slowly released into the atmosphere.

For once Shirou had a quiet morning without any visitors wanting to steal breakfast or help assist in the kitchen. It also made Shirou realize that while it is nice to sometimes have some time to himself, he missed the joy the others brought into the home. Taiga's loudness, Sakura's bright smile, and Luvia's adorable giggles that were often at his expense were what made him feel like he wasn't just a machine. A machine that walked across countless battlefields leaving a trail of destruction and bodies in his wake-.

Shirou gripped his head as a flash of EMIYA surfaced. He pushed the influence down even as his food threatened to expel itself from his stomach as he saw images of men, women, and children slaughtered. He clamped a hand over his mouth. Ever since confronting the Ancestor the resonance was cropping up more and more. His appetite was ruined so he stored the leftovers on his plate in the fridge and left the kitchen to get ready for the day.

He stared in the mirror to see nearly half of his hair had changed to white locks. There was an old saying that 'the body matches the soul.' While he was fortunate enough to survive his battle against the dead apostle with minimal injuries, his body still was feeling the repercussions of fully integrating with the class card. When he was training with Zelretch he had been able to create a mental 'barrier' that separated the two of them from merging. However Rita's mystic eyes eliminated his thought processes and as such both he and EMIYA were one entity for a few moments until Ceil disrupted the magic flow.

"You will never become a hero, Shirou Emiya."

"It isn't wrong to help others. If I am to fulfill his dream, then it doesn't matter what stands in my way."

"Arrogant. That's a fool's answer. You are so blinded by your ideals you fail to see the truth right in front of you."

The conversation of another lifetime, another world, another Shirou Emiya who never abandoned his path of becoming a hero even after seeing what a potential future awaited him. EMIYA remembered why he wanted to become a hero in the first place. It was not just his father's tearful face driving him forward, the desire to feel exactly as he did in saving someone, no it was because the dream of becoming a hero of justice who could save everyone was beautiful.

Shirou rested his forehead against the mirror as memories not his own circled. How many times did EMIYA try to kill his past self only to end in failure? Once by a Shadow. Another defending his master against the fearsome, berserker demigod claiming six of his lives before inevitably dying against Greece's strongest hero. Then against his own ideals being thrown in his face by a red haired boy with more guts than intelligence or skill. EMIYA could have killed him at any time, but he wanted to break that ideal. Instead he found himself swept away as Shirou's ideals collided with his own and found himself wanting because he gave up. That was the one thing the two could never accept about the other.

EMIYA still wanted to save others, but how could Shirou not see that the one person EMIYA wanted to save was Shirou himself? He wanted to prevent Shirou from becoming him. To not fall into the pit he dug himself, to not bind himself to a goddess that forced him to kill and spit in the very face of his ideals?

He put his head under the faucet to wash his face and wished that the other memories could be washed away as easily as the sweat and dirt coating his skin. Shirou agreed with that red haired alternate version of himself that he would never give up, but Shirou was different from the other boy. He would not allow himself to only think of others. Kiritsugu asked him to live. To live the life that he could not.

It was maddening being stuck between the ideals so similar and finding them both wanting. Shirou would forge his own path then. If EMIYA could accept that his dream was not wrong, and his other self could accept that it was okay to not be able to save everyone but still retain the drive to save those in front of him, then maybe Shirou can find a path that lets him live a life 'worth living.' To be a hero, to find love, and to live!

With his resolve strengthened, Shirou finished readying himself for school which would begin in…shit. He was almost late. His memory relapse must have taken longer than he thought. Shirou ran out the door at breakneck speed and pumped his legs as fast as he could to reach the school entrance, change his shoes, run up the stairs, slide to his classroom door, fix his clothes and hair, and then allowed himself to step through the doorway as everyone followed his movements to his seat. Just as Shirou sat down, Taiga, in her typical erratic movements, burst through the doorway with a shout of, "Good morning!" and a smile that displayed her cheerful nature to the class.

"I have two important announcements to make!" Taiga said loudly. "Our principal has accepted a job offer overseas in the same town as his dying relative, so starting today their replacement will be joining us. Please be on your best behavior when meeting them. I heard they will be making their rounds sometime today just to see everyone in classes. They have asked us, if they come in during lessons, to ignore them and continue with the class."

"Do you know who they are?" A girl asked from the front of the room.

"The only name I've heard of is their family name, Aozaki. Apparently they have been working alongside our principal for the last month in preparation for the transfer." Taiga said.

Shirou felt his face whiten. 'That family? Was it The Blue or her sister? More importantly, why were they here? Preparing for the Grail War? But why choose such a public position?' Shirou thought.

"The more pleasant news is that your class suggestion for a fundraiser was a success! Make sure you have your costumes and assigned supplies ready!"

The class, especially the females, cheered loudly in excitement. Two weeks ago an announcement went out that every class would have to work together in a fundraiser of their choice to bring in revenue for the lacking funds for certain clubs. To make it more interesting, whichever class makes the largest profit will win an additional bonus to their final grade at the end of the semester. While Shirou wasn't concerned with his grades, he did see the opportunity for what it was. Also since he was in the Archery Club, the fundraiser would be a nice chance to update certain equipment that needed replacing. While Shirou discretely chipped in by fixing their gear long after it was due to be trashed, there was a limit to even his capabilities without revealing the existence of magecraft.

Their class had decided on creating an outdoor restaurant. The materials were easily available or minimalistic. All they would need to set it up were a few tents to block the elements and some classmates offered a few extra tables they had at their house. The class was divided into smaller teams like making decorations, providing costumes, buying/deciding on foods and recipes, and one that retrieved the necessary supplies to cook, grill, and heat the food and drinks.

Rin took charge of her team to tackle the decorations while Luvia bulldozed her way to buying everyone their costumes. Luvia went around the room and asked just about everyone questions on their preferred style and sizes for their costumes as well as a few whispers he couldn't catch that sent not a few of them into blushing messes that slowly heightened the dread Shirou felt for this fundraiser. After helping his small group to make a good list of meals for the menu, he found himself being dragged alongside Luvia to a local tailor to 'model' the right look for the costume.

So Shirou found himself on a platform trying on a large collection of shirts, pants, jackets, vests, and ties while Luvia 'measured' the lengths with her hands trailing his body. Shirou felt his breath hitch a couple times as her hand trailed a little too lowly over his stomach as her breath tickled the back of his neck. Shirou looked into the mirror to find himself wearing black slacks, a white shirt, and a black vest and tie. He was dressed like a rich butler. The embodiment of their restaurant was a 'maid cafe' because they thought it would draw more of a crowd instead of a regular cafe or restaurant theme.

"How do I look?" Shirou asked, deferring to her superior knowledge in fashion. Shirou couldn't help but feel slightly exposed as her golden-brown eyes roved over him. She leaned into his back and whispered in his ear, "It's perfect. They won't be able to keep their eyes off you." Shirou felt every muscle in his back clench as her breasts rubbed against him to reach his higher stature. His tongue felt dry as he focused on the blonde in the glass.

"Before we leave, can you please try on something else for me?"

"I thought you said the costume was perfect?" Shirou asked, confused but agreeing nonetheless.

"It isn't for the fundraiser," she said, smirking coyly. She only laughed as he looked even more befuddled at her non-answer. "Come on," she said, waving a hanger covered by a black bag, hiding her choice beneath. Shirou was tempted to sigh at her antics but could only find amusement bubbling up from within himself.

He disappeared into another changing room with the bag and ignored the pout that he wouldn't change in the same room as her…despite the fact that he had refused to do so for the last dozen outfits that were a similar look to the final selection. He removed the bag to find a black suit jacket and a silver vest. He quickly exchanged the items and tied the first button on the suit before exiting the changing room. Luvia had taken a seat on one of the waiting chairs and was comfortably leaning in the chair, however the moment he walked out it looked like she touched a livewire with how quickly she sat up in her seat. She grinned in approval at the cut of the suit.

'She really did have an eye for detail,' Shirou mused, before turning in a slow circle after Luvia motioned with her finger. Luvia wrapped her arms around his chest in a hug.

"You make it too easy for me, Shero, leaving yourself all exposed. What if I was an enemy?"

"You'll never hurt me," Shirou said confidently. Luvia couldn't maintain eye contact with him in the mirror, turning her head to the side as her hair shifted to block her eyes.

"What makes you so sure?" she whispered.

"I can tell that you're an amazing person," he said softly.

"...be careful now, if you keep that up you might have girls falling for you." There was a vulnerability in her words that wasn't there before even as her shining eyes glowed with new joy. She grabbed his tie and straightened it slightly before taking a step back to look over his clothes again. She nodded again in approval.

"This is perfect too."

"What is it for? Why did you want me to try this on?"

"Hmm? Oh! It's for our date next week," Luvia said.

"Oh, it's for our date," Shirou nodded before her words registered and he shouted, "Wait WHAT!"

"You agreed! You can't take it back now. What kind of gentleman would stand up a lady? Especially on their first date?" Luvia suggestively winked. Shirou gaped as words completely failed him. When did he agree to this? No, more importantly, when did she decide that this was a good idea? He didn't think she liked him in that way and didn't want to presume anything. Where was he supposed to take her? What did she want to do? How was he supposed to know what-

"Shero?" Luvia asked, breaking him out of his spiraling descent of unanswered questions he couldn't even begin to find the answers to.

"You aren't thinking of backing out are you?" She asked, genuinely hurt. "It's fine if you don't want to go," she said, completely changing her tune. "I shouldn't have pressured you, that was rude of me and-"

This time it was Shirou who cut in saying, "No. I'll go. It would be wrong of me to back out now. It's just…I've never been on a date before either. I-I don't know what I'm supposed to do."

Luvia's lips twitched as she smothered a laugh at how the normally confident boy devolved into a nervous mess when confronted with a date. It was as adorable as it was funny.

"You are thinking too much. A date is just about spending a good time with someone you care about. Leave everything else out of it, that can come later. Don't worry and just be yourself."

"Just be myself? How could I be someone else? If you mean my disguise bracelet-"

Luvia burst out laughing at how Shirou misinterpreted what she meant.

"What's so funny?" Shirou asked, but his question only sent her into another round of giggles.

"That's- that's not what I meant at all!" she gasped out between her laughs. "Nevermind. Just do me a favor, don't ask for dating advice from any of your guy friends between now and our date."

"What, why? Luvia?" Shirou asked, but she just smiled and walked out of the door.

"Why are people so hard to understand?" Shirou asked no one. Shirou jumped as a voice spoke up from behind, "That is one of life's greater mysteries."

"Master Zelretch," Shirou said, dispelling the knife from his sleeve upon seeing his teacher. "Don't take this the wrong way, but why are you here?"

Zelretch smiled and said, "I am calling a meeting in a month; a few of your friends and your new teacher will be joining us."

"Oh, is that all?" Shirou asked carefully, waiting for the other shoe to drop.

"It will be about the changes going on within the grail." And there it is.

"Changes?" Shirou asked.

"I won't say anything more until everyone else arrives. Meet up at Kotomine's church."

"Isn't it a bit ironic that a vampire is asking to meet at a church?" Shirou asked.

"It'll certainly get their panties in a bunch! But that's just part of the fun!" Shirou shook his head at his master's antics.

"It is the only neutral ground in Fuyuki," Zelretch elaborated. "So unless you want to offer up one of your father's safe houses as a temporary base, the church is the best bet."

"Alright, I'll be there," Shirou confirmed. Zelretch tilted his head to see out into the store.

"Keep her safe, will you? I think she would make a lovely addition as your fellow apprentice one day." Zelretch used his 'sword' to vanish in a burst of light that made Shirou's head spin, from both the irregular colors that weren't something a normal person can or should see and from the weapon in the shape of a sword, but was most certainly not a sword. It was the first weapon Shirou had a lot of difficulty adding to Unlimited Blade Works. The Jeweled Sword was more of a wand or vessel for the 2nd magic than a true 'sword.' When Shirou stared at it, it felt more like he was taking a picture with an HD camera from another photo taken by an old camera. It didn't matter how much he trained or improved to try and clear the new image. If the original quality photo was shit, at the end of the day you are still going to have a grainy photograph.

"Of course," Shirou promised him, despite the room being empty, he knew his master had heard him.

Shirou decided that enough time had passed so he slipped back into his school clothes and folded both his costume and suit to be purchased. He found out Luvia had already bought his suit as she slipped her card back into her bag with a smug smirk and wrapped her arms around him.

"I'll bring the rest of the order to your school tomorrow!" Shouted the owner's daughter from the back office just before they left the shop. The two said their thanks and departed back to the school to meet up with their classmates to finish the last preparations.

The various captains all unanimously decided that all club activities were being put on hold until the event was over. The school grounds were a complete zoo as the various classes and grades rushed to finish their preparations. The fundraiser would not officially start until two days from now, but that wasn't stopping everyone from rushing as if it was to begin in ten minutes. To get the maximum number of customers, the teachers all decided to stagger the grades opening days. With the first years opening in two days, the second years, Shirou's age group, starting the next day, and the seniors starting the day after.

Luvia regretfully departed to speak to Taiga about her task being accomplished and anything else she could do before opening day, leaving Shirou to wander the school grounds. While officially club activities were put on hold, that didn't mean the students were forbidden from practicing. Shirou stopped outside the gate to the track and field where he saw a few more dedicated students finishing up their last rounds on a high jump bar and on the other side of the track a couple sprinters practicing their launch off the starter blocks.

Shirou took in a deep breath as he watched the scene as a sense of normalcy. Somehow he felt as if whatever Zelretch was about to reveal would shatter the peace and comfort he had in Fuyuki. Whenever he had a mission it was always far away. It allowed Shirou to have a false sense of security in that the dangers existed outside of his home town. That no matter how dangerous things got, there was still a safe haven waiting for him. He really should have known better. His luck wasn't that good.

As the high jump bar cleared of students, Shirou couldn't stop himself from walking onto the track to try it himself. He couldn't fathom the urge that overcame him. Perhaps it was the effort the other students held as they so desperately flung themselves at the bar? Or maybe it was the triumphant looks they held when they finally managed to clear it, when their friends would jump on them to share their congratulations and joy? Regardless of the reason, after he had switched to his gym clothes, Shirou had to see, to experience, what the other boys had felt.

Shirou set the bar to the level the other boys had jumped and tried mimicking their moves: the arced run, the turn and jump, the arch of their spines as they flew in the air. Shirou cleared the first jump.

Frowning, Shirou raised the bar to the next level. The additional two inches proved to be a difficulty as he jumped and failed, but this too was cleared. Shirou felt none of the joy the other students felt in clearing the bar. Shirou frowned again.

'Should I set it higher?'

Raising the bar two more levels, Shirou looked at the measurement on the side of the bar. 5'10". Shirou closed his eyes and ran. He pumped his arms and felt the rush of wind through his hair and knew exactly when and how to jump. He arched his back…and hit the bar. Again and again he jumped and hit the bar. As he continuously failed to reach the mark, suddenly Shirou understood why the other students felt so happy, it was the struggle. Their failure made their success all the more worthwhile. Was this what he was missing? No. That wasn't quite it. He felt he was close to the answer but it slipped from his grasp.

Unknown to Shirou, his efforts were being observed by a certain Tohsaka heiress on a hill overlooking the track. She watched as he refused to give up until he finally surpassed his limit and instead of shouting joyously, Shirou instead just raised the bar and continued jumping. He was a man who was never satisfied with his limits and sought to break them, she thought. A fond smile crept up her features in the setting sun. Rin continued on to her home where an awaiting Wizard Marshall sat in her living room. Unlike Shirou, she took his surprise visit a lot worse, shooting a barrage of Gandr curses his way before he calmly told her of the meeting happening later in the month.

—O—

Touko Aozaki slumped over in her office. She knew becoming a principle would be a leap in professions, but she did enjoy the challenge it presented. It also helped in giving her a reason to call out to the other magi within the school and no one would think twice. Edelfelt and Tohsaka's epically known fight left a permanent impression upon the school district that she could easily exploit should the need arise. Emiya was known to be helpful around the school in fixing various appliances, so it wouldn't be strange if rumor spread she had questions regarding something he had worked on for monetary reasons. Matou was usually seen trailing Emiya, so it was simple to catch her along with the boy.

She groaned into her desk. Unfortunately, despite the simplicity in dealing with her Moonlit students, the meddling vampire who infiltrated her office and left a few minutes ago made her question the simplicity of the upcoming Grail War. It was supposed to be simple, the Mage's Association agreed for her to be their representative in exchange for some of her research to be added to the available library. While most magi religiously hoarded their magic from the rest of the world, Touko understood her own was likely to be unpopular due to the fact that it wouldn't further their search for attaining passage to the Root.

Touko removed her head from the only free space on her desk and looked at the stack of papers she had been avoiding piled almost a foot high full of forms for authorization and payments.

'Wasn't the board supposed to take care of some of this?' She whined internally. Her expression was pitiful as dark circles underlined her eyes displaying how long she had been at work but the pile of papers seemingly never depleted. She sighed and went on to the next stack.

'Only three more hours,' she promised herself. 'Then I can go home and work on something more interesting.' Her face brightened at the thought of working in her workshop and the next evolution of a combat doll she could possess. It should be completed just in time for the war.

—O—

Shirou was starting to feel like a piece of meat. He felt his classmates eyes trailing him the entire day as he helped take orders from customers and occasionally helped the backlog of orders in the kitchen. Why couldn't he stay in the kitchen? The location of sweet and heavenly smells where he can destress from the ails of life. Is it too much to ask? Unfortunately Shirou was being ordered to remain in the front as 'self advertising!' If he didn't know better, he would say that he was being punished. Luckily Shirou had a secret weapon to deploy that should weaken Taiga's resolve as the restaurant's manager and chaperone; he wouldn't cook for her anymore. Shirou nodded proudly. It was foolproof…wait. What if this means she tries to cook at his house and destroys his kitchen? Then he couldn't cook at all! Shirou shuddered in horror at the thought of not cooking for the weeks it would take to replace his kitchen appliances. He could go one day without cooking if it meant stopping that travesty from occurring. It was still a bitter pill to swallow though when his classmates were bringing out such low quality or mediocre food.

'Why couldn't Sakura or Luvia be behind the stove?'

Sakura was in her own class due to her age, but Luvia was out in the front acting as her own self advertisement…much to the delight of any hot-blooded teenager. Shirou understood where they were coming from. Luvia was dressed in a blue and white french maid uniform that certainly emphasized her assets. Her hair was pulled back in her usual blue ribbon in drills and she wore one of those cute white headbands to complete the look. Once you add the slightly too short skirt, daring plunge in her blouse, and matching blue high heels that added a nice curve to her stature, you can probably imagine why many of the teens quietly excused themselves to the bathroom for a few minutes and sloshed water on their faces at the sink.

However her most attractive feature had to be her smile and eyes. They acted as a window to how much she was enjoying herself. Her eyes glittered in the light and Shirou had to catch himself from time to time that he was focusing on her instead of the customers. Shirou hardened himself.

'That is unacceptable,' he swore at himself. When he puts his focus into something, he must give one hundred percent effort towards achieving that goal. Anything less is a slap in the face to himself, his father, and the people he's helping. With his attention now on the customers orders, he ignored his classmates' eyes, both those assisting with the restaurant and visiting or buying food.

It was because of this greater focus that he never saw Luvia coyly smirking to herself. She had seen his eyes on her and subtly exposed some more skin to him to see his reaction. She could see hints of…something…in his eyes before his mind of steel clamped down and his body performed automatically. It was enough to reassure herself of her plan for the night. With her fears waylaid, Luvia rushed to greet the next customer at the door before that gorilla Tohsaka, sending a smug look her way and led their newest customers to their seats with a bright smile stuck on her face.

She had seen Rin eyeing Shirou like the rest of their classmates and swore she wouldn't even get a chance to touch him, going so far as to trip and 'accidentally' spill food on her. The flat chested shrimp promised vengeance and Luvia spent the next few hours dodging spills and discrete spells. Luvia wouldn't let some family secret's stealing skank steal Shirou from her! She had to do something more.

Luvia cut Rin off from whatever customer came to the door first and made sure to smirk in her face whenever she passed. Judging by Rin's twitching forehead, she was succeeding. Luvia: 1. Rin: 0.

Shirou wiped some nonexistent sweat from his brow as the evening neared. He had been taking orders without a break for nearly eight hours but that hardly deterred him. His workouts were much more exhausting. However the gesture was soothing and helped reinvigorate him mentally to help with the last hour of his shift. Half of the class took the morning and afternoon while the other half signed up for the evening shift.

"Are you feeling hungry?" Luvia asked, striding up behind him.

"Yes. I didn't get the chance for a break. What were you thinking?" Shirou asked.

"I just brought in some chicken cutlets from the store. How about we make chicken katsu ramen?"

"Hmm, we could do that…or we could make teppanyaki." Luvia groaned in contentment. She loved teppanyaki.

"You have yourself a deal," she said, winking saucily, causing Shirou to snort in good humor. "When our shifts are over I'll bring the car around and we can head home together." Shirou nodded in agreement. At the risk of sounding sappy, he couldn't help but like the sound of those words, "home together." There was a fluttering warmth in his stomach that he didn't know the source of. Passing it off as just a sensation of hunger Shirou went back to the task of cleaning the front eating area as much as possible before the next shift arrives. He nearly sighed in relief when they finally arrived a half hour later and the two merrily made their way out the back to the awaiting vehicle.

Shirou sat down beside Luvia who took the chance to curl up beside him. He noticed that lately she had become needy for contact. Shirou figured she was missing her family back in Finland as she only had her butler and maids for company and was seeking comfort. He was always willing to help people, and if this was something she felt she needed, Shirou wouldn't stop her advances. That wasn't to say that Shirou minded the contact either. In fact, Shirou glanced down to see Luvia burying her face into his shoulder and gulped, it was quite pleasant.

Shirou turned to look out the window and saw the passing lights and people heading home after a long day's work. Thousands of people unaware of the coming chaos. And they never would. Shirou promised to himself that he would never let another disaster like the Fuyuki Fire happen again. He had done his research for a weapon that could quench even the mightiest of forest fires and finally found one. It was a conceptual bow altered into a physical weapon centered on the faith of God, imbued with the flood of Noah. The bow, once fired, summoned a torrential rain that he could alter, both the range or downpour intensity of the storm. It was quite amusing to Shirou that he kept using weapons of the Abrahamic faith when he considered himself an atheist.

In his distracted state, Luvia took the chance to move her grip from around his right arm to his side and molded herself into him. He was warm. Every time Luvia held herself like this there was a feeling of bliss, like all the troubles of the world were suddenly separated from reality. Luvia was drunk on the resonating energy of Avalon as its tranquil magic power echoed from his skin. A man forged for war but searched for an ever distant utopia. Luvia pinched herself briefly to refocus. She had a plan for the night and she couldn't let herself get distracted.

Luvia's family limo pulled into the driveway out front and the two joyfully departed for the kitchen. Luvia set herself into pulling out the ingredients while Shirou started preparing the vegetables. Luvia thinly sliced the chicken to the desirable thickness and layed the pieces into an oil coated skillet. Once Shirou finished chopping the veggies, he got to work on creating a sauce that caramelized and enhanced the flavor of the chicken. As he worked in his favorite element, he couldn't help but note the continued closeness the blonde maid maintained with him. A finger brushing his arm here, a hand rubbing his chest as she reached for seasoning there. After every brief contact Luvia would look into his eyes and smile, something that stirred a niggling sensation inside him. A hunger that certainly wasn't for food.

Luvia finished searing the chicken and transferred the food to a platter for distribution just in time for Shirou to finish the sauce. Observant golden eyes took in all of the necessary intel for the exact moment the food should be moved or altered for the optimal flavor, furthered by the initial use of reinforcement on all of the ingredients to strengthen the nutritional value and enhance the final result of a food that is incomparable to even the highest class of chefs. A five star chef would weep at a single sample of said meal. Luvia didn't care. She would burn the world if it meant she could keep him at her side to keep this food to herself.

They brought their food to a small dining table meant for an intimate space. Luvia coquettishly brought up a bite of food for Shirou to eat and waited for him to take the first bite. Her gaze burned him into eating quickly and he nodded in approval. It was up to his standards. Shirou took a piece of chicken for Luvia to try and returned the favor however her reaction was far different than his own. She moaned at the taste, an erotic sound that shot straight to his core igniting instincts he didn't know he had. Shirou watched as she savored the flavor in her mouth before she swallowed and he tracked how her throat moved before shifting his gaze to meet hers. Shirou's breath hitched at the fervor in her own.

"Beautiful," Shirou unwittingly said aloud, causing her to flush before she smiled her most radiant beam he had the pleasure to witness yet. They engaged each other in light conversation as they fed each other their meals, but soon Shirou felt a sensation trailing up his leg and settled on his crotch. It was her foot, he realized. Shirou saw her grin turn absolutely seductive as she rubbed her foot even while maintaining her polite conversation. Shirou clenched his jaw to restrain himself from shouting.

"What are you doing?" he gasped, grabbing hold of her foot and doing everything he could to stop the surging feeling in his chest and prevent himself from doing something stupid.

"Don't play coy with me Shero," Luvia teased. "I saw you watching me all day. You couldn't keep your eyes off me." She ignored his stuttered denial as she scrutinized his face. Luva retrieved her foot and slipped her heel back on before circling around the table and sitting on his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck as she searched his eyes for an answer.

"The only real question is why you haven't done anything despite all the time I've spent at your house. I waited and waited hoping you'd realize, but you never did. I asked the other girls in our class if they'd support my suggestion, and they all contacted everyone else in our grade to pass on the fundraiser idea to the principal."

"Why?" Shirou asked. Luvia sighed like his answer hurt her before she closed her eyes and took a leap of faith. Her eyes focused on his lips and lowered her head to meet his own, pressing softly, hesitantly, allowing him to pull back if he desired, but he did not. Emboldened, Luvia deepened the kiss as if she wanted to steal the air from his lungs and finally felt Shirou's hands settle on her lower back. When the desire for air became too great, Luvia at last pulled back and the two heaved as their thundering hearts beat. Their eyes met again and it was like all restraint fled their bodies at once.

Shirou grabbed her around the waist and lifted her off his lap, carrying her to the wall and she hit it with a thud, but she paid it no mind in favor of moving her lips to his neck, nibbling greedily before her tongue soothed any pain he might have felt. Shirou wasn't idle, keeping one hand under her ass to support her weight against the wall while his other hand roamed the rest of her body. Her sides, her back, briefly rubbing her breasts before he tightly gripped the back of her hair and met Luvia in another frenzied kiss. Shirou groaned into her mouth as her hands snuck under his shirt and raked down his chest.

She snuck a leg behind his own to unbalance him and reversed their positions, clamping her hands around his wrists as she sank her teeth into his other ear, biting softly before moving back down to his neck. Shirou allowed her to do what she desired, but soon enough he wanted to return the favor and overpowered her grip. Before he could grab her though, Luvia stepped back and sported a sultry smile that could outperform any temptress. She grabbed his hands and directed them to her waist as she turned around and started leading him up the stairs. Shirou watched as her ass sashayed obscenely, giving him a glimpse of what's to come.

[LEMON ALERT…enjoy you pervs]

Luvia slammed her bedroom door open and Shirou clung to her desperately as they fell back on her bed continuing their make out, shoving his tongue into her mouth with great desire. He tasted their sinfully delicious dinner and a hint of…her. Shirou explored her smooth thighs, his hand creeping up beneath her skirt and finally touching the bare ass that has been haunting him. Luvia groaned as his hands dug into her muscles. She would have to ask him for a massage one of these days. It would certainly segway into a repeat if this continued going as well as it was.

Luvia ripped Shirou's shirt off and straddled his waist. Her hands scouted the feeling of corded muscle after years of swinging a sword and shooting a bow. She let her hands idly trail as she kissed down his neck until she met his nipples. She swirled her tongue around them both before she continued to his abs. Luvia groaned as she licked the powerful muscles, noticing her corset being undone. Shirou threw the garment away and all that was left was a white blouse hiding his prize away from his eyes. Shirou slowly took off the shirt and briefly stopped to kiss her again before leaning back to get a full view of the blonde's gorgeous, heavy breasts. There was nearly no sag despite her large size, and her pink tipped nipples were hardened nubs proudly standing out for his observation and praise.

He captured one of the nubs with a hard suck as if he were a babe seeking milk and relished in the escaped moan from her lips. He let his other hand grope and squeeze her neglected breast, pinching until she cried out in pain and swapped breasts with his mouth to soothe the new ache. The pain sent an electrical current through her nerves and up her spine as Luvia cried out in ecstacy. Shirou flipped her to her back and started his exploration down.

Luvia had a well toned stomach from years of martial arts training and exercise, but there was still somehow a softness that gave way beneath his hands as his lips brushed her midriff. Shirou grunted in annoyance that her skirt was in the way and carefully but no less speedy removed her dress. Shirou saw she was still wearing her heels and tights but decided to leave them on. All that remained was her thin panties that were damn near a thong in terms of decency. A small wet mark betrayed her arousal as Shirou's hands gripped the edge of her last piece of clothing hiding her nether regions. Shirou looked at her for confirmation, and after a heady nod, Shirou stripped away the cloth and salivated at the sight before him. All of his breath was forced from his lungs as he stared at the wondrous pink feast before him.

Shirou shivered as arousal overcame him and he lunged for the inflamed folds filled with her blood. He buried his tongue into the fountain of her essence and Luvia shouted, wrapping her legs around his head to prevent him from escaping, but Shirou had no intention of leaving. He dove deeper searching for more of her arousal and backed out to give her clit some attention, swirling his tongue until it stood out and wrapped his lips in a careful seal and tugged sending her closer to her edge. Shirou spent a few minutes attending to the spot before burying his mouth once more at her lower lips. Luvia groaned in disappointment at him leaving her clit but gasped as a finger slid inside her mons and twisted in time with his tongue.

Luvia gripped his hair to direct him back to her clit, but Shirou would have none of it, ignoring her desire to fill the raving hunger inside of him. He slowly added a second finger and Luvia's strong folds tightened around the new digit, slightly hampering his progress. Shirou waited for her walls to relax before he moved again and his calloused fingers made Luvia throw back her head and gasp. Her right hand played with her breast while her other moved to tightly grip the sheet, nearly tearing it in her lustful delirium.

"Shero!" She cried, desperate for relief, for more, for him. "Please! Please," she chanted as he worked until finally Shirou moved his mouth back to her clit and sucked hard finally granting Luvia her release. She opened her mouth in a silent scream, arching her back as her hips bucked wildly into his mouth for more pleasure and her nails raked the mattress. Luvia collapsed to the bed with her hair in disarray as she shook in the afterglow of enjoyment. Shirou trailed back up her body and Luvia had the chance to get a taste of herself for the first time. She sighed as her heart wildly beat in her chest and breathed slowly to calm herself. Shirou entertained himself as he kissed and licked his way around her breasts and neck until she was ready.

"Shero, you just earned yourself something special," Luvia breathed provocatively in his ear. "I am going to blow your mind." Luvia winced at her unintentional pun, but nevertheless placed herself back on top of her lover. Golden eyes followed her every move, aching for her touch and more of her. Luvia felt she was going to drown in his desire and hungry gaze. She slinked backward on hands and knees until she was at his waist. She tugged his slacks off and carelessly threw them to the floor, beyond caring of any damages to his clothes…besides that would just allow her to force him to come with her for more clothes shopping trips.

Luvia's desire was palpable as she cradled his length in her hands. Shirou was at a respectable seven inches and she showed her appreciation for his size as she nuzzled his member with her cheek. Her tongue probed the fleshy appendage like a newly flavored lollipop she wasn't sure about the taste of. There wasn't much flavor at all, she decided, other than the brief residue of sweat and the aroma of soap he used that morning. With her fear waylaid, Luvia wrapped her lips around his mushroom shaped head and softly sucked, her tongue sliding around as she listened to where he made the most noises. The underside near the head had Shirou hitch his breath and Luvia focused her attention there for a minute before curiosity had her plunging deeper.

She had read about sex and had even practiced with a few toys, but nothing could prepare her for the heat she felt from his penis nor the pulsations in it that echoed his heartbeat. The warmth threw her off as she took his length further and further into her mouth and delighted in the sounds of Shirou gutturally moaning her name. She wanted, nay needed to hear him do that again. She fought off her gag reflex the best she could and slowly throated his dick. She choked once and had to retreat, searching Shirou's gaze for any sign of annoyance at her failure, but he was too busy groaning at her tongue's attention.

Her hands came into play then as her left started cradling his sack, ever so softly squeezing and then fondling his balls while her right hand stroked the unattended length. Luvia continued to try and reach his base. She cursed at herself before deciding to say, 'screw it!' in her mind and forced herself to deep throat him all the way. Her throat tightened and quialed at the intrusion, her instincts screaming at her to back away but Luvia would not fail this time. Her pride wouldn't let her fail at pleasing the man who brought her such happiness and euphoria.

Shirou moaned and allowed his hands to brush her hair, throwing it all to the back before he gripped it in a thick ponytail. He dropped it a moment later in surprise as she hilted herself to his base and gave a slightly rougher squeeze in her pained focus. Shirou cried out in the hazed mix of pain and pleasure and felt the feeling of his balls churning. He willed himself to hold out to lengthen his pleasure as Luvia started bobbing her head. His hand found her head once again for purchase as he lost himself in the rapture of her actions.

"Fuck," Shirou groaned, looking down at his lover, wearing a sultry and joyful smile.

'Yes. Shero. This is what I can give you. Everything that I own, everything that I am, is yours…as long as you do the same, I will never leave your side. So, give me everything,' Luvia thought, raising her head to his slit and forcing her tongue into the hole. It threw Shirou over the edge as he shouted, "Luvia," and released a mouthful of sperm for her to taste. It wasn't disgusting or bitter, but Luvia wouldn't call it pleasant. However the knowledge that it was her that brought Shirou such joy made it easier to swallow the seed. Luvia pumped his member to get the last of his cum before releasing the seal her mouth created around the head with a lewd pop. Her tongue searched for any remnants still in her mouth before swallowing the rest of his seed.

'Fuck, I thought she couldn't get any hotter,' Shirou groaned internally at the sexy sight. If his penis had softened at all before her erotic display than she certainly reflamed his arousal.

Shirou tugged her up from her armpits and his fingers once again entered her folds to test how wet she was. She was completely soaked. Apparently her servicing him made her drenched. Shirou could get behind that fact, storing that tidbit away for the guided his member to her entrance and waited for her confirmation again before he lowered Luvia onto himself.

'Tight. It was so incredibly tight,' Shirou hissed, settling her weight onto his thighs. Luvia moaned at the feeling of being filled. This was so much better than one of her toys. She rocked her hips as she lay her hands on his chest pushing herself up and down, her powerful and meaty thighs flexing as she danced on his lap.

"Shero, you're amazing," she said, thrusting harder. Shirou gripped her ass cheek in one hand, giving an appreciative grope, and clutched her "thicc" thigh in the other, making sure to give both equal attention. Luvia vocalized her approval and eyed the ceiling as she bounced with the wonderful feeling spreading from her core to the rest of her body. She couldn't get enough of this. Shirou sat up to take one of her luscious breasts back into his mouth as he bit and nibbled on the tit flesh before leaving a hickey around her nipple. Luvia wrapped her arms around his neck and doubled their pace, throwing the two further into ecstasy.

Shirou rolled to be on top and grasped her hand in his own, entwining their fingers and animalistic instinct made him bite her exposed throat and jaw. Luvia looked into his eyes and saw a slight change. There was a reptilian slit that replaced his pupil…his gaze like that of a dragon eyeing its treasure. And she was the centerpiece of his hoard. Her thighs clenched as her body reacted to her thoughts, sending her over the edge and squirting around his length. Shirou didn't stop even as he felt like howling from the tight heat clamping onto his dick like it was trying to stop him from leaving her passage. He didn't last more than two minutes as he shuddered and came in her sensitive pussy.

Shirou heaved as he pulled out and collapsed on the bed beside her, wrapping an arm around her side and pulling her head to rest in the cleft of his shoulder. Luvia held a debauched smile that he couldn't help but mimic.

"That- that was amazing," Shirou panted, sending Luvia into a small chuckle.

"Yes it was," she agreed, stroking his pectoral with a hand absentmindedly. Once the two caught their breath, Luvia decided to inquire into Shirou's preferences.

"Do you prefer being top or bottom?" she asked. Shirou had to think for a moment and said, "Top. But I am open to trying things." Luvia hummed with a pleased smile adorning her lips.

"I like both. What do you think about…toys," she whispered huskily, sending a shiver down his spine.

"Like handcuffs?" Shirou asked innocently. Her smile turned down right predatory.

"Kinky, I love it, but no." She pulled a plastic wand and strapon out from her bedside drawer. Shirou paled, knowing what she intended.

"No," he firmly denied, giving her an unimpressed glare. Luvia pouted but smirked a moment later and said, "Fine, spoilsport, I'll ask again on my birthday. What about roleplay?" she asked after storing the toys away. Shirou pretended to not hear her muttered future plans for his sanity.

"What, like cosplay?" She nodded saying, "It adds a new element of fun."

"I don't see why not," Shirou mused. Her smile returned to being sinful and Shirou felt his blood surging to his sex. Luvia reached over the bed to retrieve her discarded skirt and maid headband and tantalizingly slowly pulled them on. Her show reawakened his lust and he was back to full mast. If that wasn't enough, Luvia threw him over the breaking point as she moaned huskily, "Master. Please, won't you punish your maid? I've been such a bad girl."

The words were like something out of a bad porno, but it didn't matter. Luvia was sexy enough on a normal day, dressed so scantily and posed with her ass on display and her eyes heatedly pleading with a playful glint demanded him to worship her. He just managed to shove a pillow under her hips before he flipped her skirt up and sank himself back into her with relish.

[LEMON END]

The two continued their debauchery well into the early morning before even his stamina flagged and the two sank into the cushions. They had explored each other's fantasies throughout the night and asked more about their future preferences.

Shirou cradled her cheek and wiped a tear away from her eyes. She placed her hand over his own and smiled to alleviate his fears that she was upset or regretting her decision for the night.

"I love you, Shero," she freely admitted, though a flush was still on her cheeks even after all they had done that night. Shirou pulled back in surprise, his eyes widening and revealing his shock. Luvia scrutinized his reaction and smiled a little wider.

"You don't have to say anything. I know it's sudden and we haven't even gone on a real date yet," she rambled. "But we have known each other for years and-" Shirou cut her off as he latched her lips into an intense snog. Luvia felt her mind blank as her toes curled and forgot what she was saying.

Shirou didn't know if he could say he loved her. He felt a warmth and contentment when he laid beside her, that he couldn't deny. But was that love? Kiritsugu wasn't exactly clear on what it meant. The few books he read on the subject described the feeling as if they would do anything for their loved one, but Shirou felt like that described quite a few people. Taiga-nee and Raiga Fujimura, Sakura, his archery club captain Ayako Mitsuzuri, even the elderly couple at Copenhagen he occasionally visited for a couple hours if he wasn't busy to help out for extra cash. They were all people he wouldn't hesitate to help out because they proved they were hard working people who would offer a hand to others in need. They were people he had to protect. Luvia was at the top of the list though, his mind supplied. In the end, Shirou put the train of thought off for later once he could make a decision.

They fell asleep a few minutes later from their collective exhaustion and Shirou tightly spooned her to his chest. He buried his head into her blonde locks and breathed in her scent. His breath tickled the back of her neck but Luvia was too tired to care and secretly liked how close he was holding her. She smiled one last time before her eyes fluttered shut in her post coital contentment.

Shirou yawned as he stretched the next morning. It took a few moments for his mind to reboot as to why he was sharing a bed with someone before he flushed as the previous night's images surfaced in his mind. Her re-dressing in just the maid's skirt and headband while crying out, "Master!" in complete rapture brought a smile to his face. He wondered if their date in a few days would end similarly. He hoped it would, he thought as he picked the previous day's clothes off the floor. While lacking in a change of clothes, he could at least take a shower to clean the stench of sex off.

Luvia groaned at the lack of warmth on her back as she buried herself into the bedcovers. The morning light was pouring in through the window and Luvia ducked her dead under a pillow for protection. She wanted to sleep. Everything hurts! She was used to exhausting workouts with her martial arts teachers, but they were totally different muscles and movements. Her core was especially tender from the five…six rounds they lasted. Their physical capabilities, unspent lust, and them being magi combined to last far longer than normal humans. But because they were still subjected to the bodies of normal people she was suffering the price for it now. Luvia groaned and cast a basic healing spell from a jewel she always held on her person, stuck in her shirt pocket for emergencies.

Shirou walked out of the bathroom in his shirt and slacks with the confidence of a certain Babalonian, golden haired, ruby eyed king. He offered her a kiss before saying, "I have to head back to get my school clothes. I'll see you in a few hours."

Luvia nodded in agreement before collapsing back into her pile of pillows. A few minutes after Shirou left the property Luvia's personal maid, a brown haired slip of a girl named Erica barged into her room with no regard for politeness. She grabbed the pillow Luvia was using to cover her face and threw it off the bed.

"It is time to get up, Lady Luvia," Erica said firmly, her respect for her apparent despite her rough actions. Luvia glared at her in irritation. She was comfy, why did she have to ruin it? Erica returned her stare with an unimpressed look that made Luvia feel a third her age regardless of the fact that Erica was only two years older than her. Luvia sighed in defeat and got out from under the covers, shamelessly displaying her body to her friend and attendant. Normally that wouldn't be a problem, Erica had spent several years serving and dressing her, but Luvia forgot just what activities she had gotten up to the previous night. Hickeys and scratch marks were covering her nearly head to toe. Erica's cough of amusement suddenly had her flushing and she raced for the bathroom to clean herself.

Erica set out a long sleeved, high collared shirt to hide any evidence of her night and asked her Mistress, "Is it wise to interact so brazenly with him, My Lady? You haven't forgotten your parent's orders have you?"

Luvia didn't answer as she soaked in the rushing water. No, she hadn't forgotten. Her mission was to either eliminate Emiya Shirou or gain him as an ally. Everything in her wanted it to be the second but knowing her isolationist sister, she was likely to try and kill him for whatever bounty exists by an angered noble who was screwed by his father. The sins of the father are often the burden of the son.

Their parents desired Shirou's mystic code. The ability to destroy magic circuits was more than a trump card, it was an iron fist that no magi in the current age could conceivably defend themselves against. At first Luvia's parents had doubted it existed, but Shirou was forced to use it on a mission gone bad sometime last year against a heretic magus. The body's destroyed circuits were reported in the Clock Tower and the information was quickly circulated so everyone knew. The Magus Killer had returned.

Luvia huffed at the title. Despite his work, Luvia knew he hated killing. She could see it in the smile he wore whenever he helped someone in need. He craved helping others. It was like an addiction. But it was also something she admired about him. His endless desire to help others. She only prayed he learned to take some time for himself. She smirked as she remembered last night. At the very least it could be a start.

'Everything that I own, everything that I am, is yours…as long as you do the same, I will never leave your side. So, give me everything,' she recalled thinking. She blushed a bit at her thoughts. How embarrassing, at least she didn't say it out loud. But a thought nagged her. His eyes. There was a reptilian slit in his eyes as he gazed down at her in love and hunger as they shagged. She shivered at the heat in his gaze. It was as hot as a dragon's breath, seeping into her pores.

Luvia knew that someday she would have to choose between her sister and the man she has fallen for. She really didn't want to be forced into that situation, so she would have to reach out to her sister before the war started. Perhaps a quick visit home was due. It had been a while since she had seen her family anyway. A thought panged her. Sometimes Shirou felt more like family than her own.

"I would burn the world if it meant I could keep him at my side to keep his amazing food to myself," she joked, but really, she would probably burn it again to just keep him at her side. Shirou was the first person to truly see her for who she really is. She didn't want to lose that. And he would be a good match for marriage with his high quality circuits should her parents question her motives.

After she finished getting ready for the day, she departed to school and unfortunately ran into her rival Rin. Despite her initial annoyance though, a wicked, smug smirk crossed her face and she quietly sang a few bars of the song "I Just Had Sex" just loud enough for Tohsaka to hear. Judging by her grinding teeth and clenched fists, Luvia deduced Rin knew who she was talking about. Rin wouldn't give her the satisfaction though and power walked faster. Luvia chuckled to herself as they walked through the school's front entrance. Luvia: 2, Rin: 0.

—O—

A few days later Shirou had told Taiga that he wouldn't be home for dinner that night and then started getting ready for his date. After both a shower and a bath Shirou finally confirmed he was clean from his workout earlier in the day. He didn't want to make a bad impression on Luvia or her reputation in town, so he went all out in ensuring he was as clean and pleasant smelling as possible. Shirou had gone to Raiga Fujimura to ask a few questions about what he should do on a date. After explaining the circumstances that no, he didn't know the location or food choices, and no he didn't know Luvia's plans for the evening after dinner, Raiga could not assist much more than repeating what Luvia said. To be himself…well his best self. There is a difference. So with a sigh of resignation Shirou finished preparing his suit and combing his hair. He looked at the clock and found the minute hand hadn't moved much.

'Why am I so nervous? I know her. I'm friends with her! Why is this bothering me so much?'

Shirou did not understand his feelings because he didn't have anything to compare them to. A man can not hate if he has never understood loss. A man can not love if the opportunity has never been offered. Shirou understood hate because Angra Mainyu had stolen the lives of hundreds of people, including his father, but love was something that escaped him. What was it? Shirou had moments of warmth with Kiritsugu, but it wasn't the same feeling as Luvia. Shirou always knew what to say to his father, they were so alike after all, but Luvia…somehow she made him feel stupid, but in a good way?

Shirou looked at the clock again. Only seven minutes passed and he still had another hour to go. Shirou debated turning on the TV for his favorite cooking show. That could pass the time. With his decision made, Shirou pressed the power button and laid back on the sofa to calm himself. Instead he found a commercial promoting maid services. Shirou briefly thought back to the way Luvia had-

Shirou shook himself away from the thought. He was here to relax, not stress himself further. He switched the channel and found a bunch of blonde models in various swimwear that sort of looked like Luvia. Shirou quickly changed the channel. An artist was mixing paint.

'Finally. Something normal.' Shirou choked on his spit when the camera changed to a near nude blonde modeling for the artist. Shirou turned the TV off and closed his eyes.

"Fuuuuuck meeee. I hate my life," he groaned.

Unknown to Shirou, Zelretch was laughing his ass off as he rigged the channels to his TV. Zelretch grabbed a handful of popcorn and threw it back in his mouth as he kicked his feet up on a stool.

"Gods, I love my life!" Zelretch said loudly while a sentient, blue magic wand with a bright yellow star in the center flew in the air over his shoulder in quiet amusement of her creator's shenanigans.

"So this is the boy you have taken such an interest in Master Zelretch? He doesn't look like much."

"Now, now, Sapphire. He is much more than meets the eye. You just have to look a little…deeper."

The Kaleidostick looked at the magical observation device with her creator where the redhead at last was walking out the door to the waiting limo. She still didn't see it. Not yet.

The chauffeur opened the back door for Shirou to enter and his breath caught in his throat. Luvia was…stunning. There was absolutely no other word that came to mind for the gorgeous blonde dramatically displayed for him to see. She stuck to her favorite color of blue but it was a darker shade. She wore a plunging gown that framed her assets very well and extended to her ankles. She was wearing white opera length gloves and a sharp set of matching blue heels. The gown was tightly fitted and showed she wasn't just blessed with a nice top but a slim waist as well. Shirou gulped as he climbed in beside her.

Luvia was smirking like a Cheshire cat and basked in the attention. Seeing him react so strongly to her sent a pleasurable thrill like none other. Luvia allowed there to be just enough space to be called decent but still within intimate space. She didn't want him to think she was some floozy despite their intense actions earlier in the week.

"Are you looking forward to tonight?" Luvia asked, leaning in slightly in interest. Shirou smiled and simply answered, "More than anything." It was enough for them both.

"That's excellent. Tell me, have you ever gone dancing?" Shirou twitched.

"I can't say that I have ever had the opportunity, but, I'm willing to learn. If you don't mind, would you lead in the beginning?"

The smile that lit Luvia's face could have powered the entirety of Tokyo if it had been harnessed. Maybe this evening won't be so bad after all, Shirou thought. He just had to answer honestly and try to make a decent conversation. As she said, the rest will come later.

Their night ended smoothly without any incidents over fine dining and awkward dancing steps, but Shirou showed he was a good student and his knowledge of swordsmanship helped him know how Luvia moved her hips and feet to ensure he didn't break any toes. After an hour of dancing from the traditional steps, Luvia dragged her date to the attached restaurant for their food.

It was more expensive than Shirou would ever dream of paying for regularly, but he acknowledged it might be worth the cost when he took his first bite. It gave him all kinds of ideas on how to improve his own foods and Luvia called it a win judging by the light that entered his eyes. Shirou insisted on paying the bill after she had bought his suit and Luvia reluctantly relented, taking a secret joy that a boy was so willing to pay for her meal even if she did come from money. It was the principle of the thing. It meant he wanted to provide, care, and cherish her.

Luvia showed her appreciation on the ride home by sticking her tongue down his throat and Shirou followed her back to her room. That night they didn't have a repeat performance of their tryst, but Shirou did enjoy falling asleep with his head on her chest as he took in her comforting heartbeat. The sound and warmth lulled him to sleep faster than anything had before and Shirou woke up contently without remembering any of his dreams. It meant he hadn't dreamt of that night. He could get used to this. He never wanted to leave if it meant not being haunted by the flames of the Fourth War.

The morning meant it was time for his exercises, so he stopped a maid walking down the hallway and asked where he should go to workout. She led him down to a fully furnished gym that looked like it belonged in a public club instead of a single resident owner, but Shirou was nonetheless glad for it. Before he finished with his first set of stretches, Luvia joined him in the room with a set of yoga pants and a crop top. Did everything she wear have to be so hot? And blue?

The smile she sent him did nothing for his continued clarity of mind, especially since she asked if he wouldn't mind assisting her in helping her stretch. Luvia showed exactly how flexible her legs were and Shirou forced himself to continue the exercises lest his mind descend any further into the gutter. Her hands constantly brushing him were downright unfair though! It didn't even look like she was trying to touch him though so he had to remain polite!

Or at least that was what he thought until she had finished her routine for the day and gave him a saucy wink before leaving the gym with a flamboyant sway of the hips that kept his attention glued to her. Once she left SHirou slapped himself in the face and got to work on his own routine for the day. He couldn't let his hormones stop him from completing his strength training, it would be a crime. Still, he couldn't stop the back of his mind conjuring up images of Luvia in various states of dress throughout the rest of the morning. Fuck… she was going to be the death of him.

—O—

The month passed relatively quickly with Shirou meeting Luvia in various restaurants and parlors for more casual dates that teenagers their age would usually frequent. Luvia just wanted her first one to be that extra special kind where she could say, "this is the type of boy I fell in love with." Their other dates more often than not also explored what their hidden or not so hidden fantasies were.

When they weren't discussing their agendas for the bedroom, Shirou was given the chance to learn just how intelligent Luvia actually was in regards to magecraft. They discussed ideas of how Shirou had taken down certain mages in his hunts while Luvia offered suggestions of what he could have done differently. While they weren't all conceivable, it did push him to think of a few ideas that may prove useful.

Finally the day of the meeting between masters had arrived. Shirou cast a wary glance as he approached Fuyuki's church, he trusted Kotomine even less than the distance he could throw him…which was actually pretty far now that he thought about it. He didn't trust him at all, that was more accurate. He was working his sixth sense overtime in his detection skills and refused to drop his Structural Grasp in the hopes of spotting any traps. Either Kotomine truly didn't have anything covering the church, whether out of arrogance or lack of skill, or Kotomine was actually a better magus than his father had given him credit for. It is always unnerving for entry to another magi's abode to be visually open. There should at least be an alarm or something to warn them of an approaching magus but there was nothing.

Shirou entered the church door to find the room already occupied by a couple of his classmates who were either conversing quietly, in the case of Aozaki and Sakura, or willfully ignoring each other such as Rin and Luvia. Curiously, a white haired girl who looked a little familiar to Shirou was sitting in one of the church pews swinging her legs lazily and bobbing her head like she was hearing a symphony as she hummed quietly to herself. However the moment he caught her eyes, the girl stilled and a dark glare settled on her face.

'Odd,' Shirou thought. 'I don't think I've done anything to piss her off before. Was she related to someone Dad or I killed?'

His missions had been picking up over the last year. The entire Moonlit World was turning to chaos before his eyes. They were all clamoring over each other for a meaningless title or crown to be overthrown the next week. It wasn't just the Grail War either, old families and their people were on the move. Isolationist magi were coming out of the woodworks. It was like the entire world was holding its breath and Shirou didn't know what to do to stop the inevitable fallout.

Shirou spotted Kotomine talking to Shinji, who insisted on coming with Sakura because he was the "true Matou heir" about the summoning process when he heard the church doors opening behind him. Two more familiar faces stunned him and it took a moment to reboot his thoughts.

"Bazett? Ceil? What are you doing here?" Shirou asked.

"I was asked to be the second representative for the Mage's Association," Bazett said.

"You are the last person I expected to desire the Holy Grail. You have always gone after everything in life with your own two hands."

"Family reasons," Bazett said, shrugging apologetically. "Besides there was one other factor that made it difficult to refuse."

"Zelretch," Shirou guessed with a frown. Zelretch was being rather active as of late. For someone who claims to be more of an observer, it was particularly strange he was using his authority to bulldoze his way through many traditions and rules. The three founding families of the Heavens Feel Ritual were always automatically selected, as well as three magi from the association or invited from one of the founding families. The last position is left open as a wild card, to discourage even teams or alliances and progress the war lest it become a stalemate and thus further the likelihood of exposing the existence of magecraft.

"I was ordered to come as a second mediator," Ceil offered her reason for coming to the meeting.

'A second mediator?' Shirou thought, 'Why would they do that? Unless they (rightly so) don't trust Kotomine after the end of the Fourth War and wanted someone from a different sect of the church to observe him and possibly act as a second source of information to keep the church updated about the happenings of the war.'

"Good, you are all here!" Zelretch voiced loudly, startling some of them out of their conversations. "Now we can get started."

With a flick of his wrist Zelretch made a few of the church pews rearrange themselves to form a triangle facing inward for them to all sit close to one another.

'Forcing quarreling magi to sit next to one another? Sure, nothing can go wrong there,' Shirou thought cynically.

Zelretch sat steepling his fingers before he dropped a bomb on them all.

"Last week Darnic Yggdmillennia infiltrated Ryuudou temple and forced the Grail to disperse command seals to his clan," he said gravely.

"What?" Rin shouted what they were all thinking. "How could he do that?"

"Darnic has been studying the grail for years. Besides, he used a backdoor function of the grail to give him the command seals just like the original creators did after selecting who to participate in the First War."

"So what," Luvia asked, "We lost before it has even begun?"

"No," Zelretch revealed his shining fangs. "There is another function created in the grail in case someone were to ever do just this. An additional seven servants can be summoned if the original seven magi were to cooperate."

"Fourteen servants," Shirou breathed. "This is going to be a disaster. How the hell are we supposed to keep this war a secret with fourteen servants?"

Ceil decided to cut in saying, "That is why I am here. A neutral party who doesn't desire the grail may summon a servant to act as an overseer."

"A Ruler-class servant," Zelretch confirmed.

"Great, fifteen. This is getting better and better by the minute," Shirou grouched. Zelretch's eyes glimmered like he'd just been told an inner joke and fought down a grin.

'Only fifteen, my boy? Your luck isn't that good,' he amusedly thought.

"Fifteen servants are going to suck Fuyuki's leyline dry," Rin said, folding her left arm across her chest to grab her right elbow and touching her chin with her other hand.

"Normally you would be right," Zelretch said. "But you forgot something. What happened to the previous war's servants?"

"What do you mean?" Illya asked with narrowed eyes. As a member of the Einzbern family, it pained her to not know something in relation to the grail.

"Every war the servants are killed and the vessels are contained in the grail awaiting for a wish to be used. Four wars have passed and the wish has yet to be fulfilled. Does the mana just disperse back into the environment? No. The grail is greedy, it sucks in any and all available mana when the opportunity presents itself to further the chance of the winner attaining a path to the Akashic Records. The sixty years between wars was supposed to give the leylines enough time to recover and refill the grail after it has been used, but it has not been used. Why do you think only ten years will have passed since the last war and the start of the next one?"

"So we still have a year to prepare?" Shirou asked, a touch of relief echoing his question.

"The grail will reach its maximum in eighteen months by the current speed of absorption from the leyline. That is when the Yggdmillennia clan, or the Black Faction, will summon their servants. So without further ado, stick out your right hands!" Zelretch shouted, pulling back his sleeve showing 21 command seals.

There was an awkward pause as they stuck out their hands and they noticed there were eight arms reaching out. Both of the Matou siblings were wanting to be masters. Zelretch passed out the command seals except for the last three as the two siblings silently glared at each other. Sakura was acting unusually stubborn and Shinji couldn't let that go quietly.

"What do you think you're doing, Sakura? Grandfather made me the Matou heir. I am supposed to be the master!"

The others in the room watched awkwardly that they were witnessing such an argument or amusedly in both Zelretch and Illya's case. They were huge fans of drama.

"I think you are forgetting who has the family crest, nii-san," Sakura refuted, much to her older brother's rage. It would always burn him to hear that he was incapable of performing magecraft, and to make it worse it was Sakura who was saying it to him. To HIM! The useless slut of a girl who, no matter what he did or how much he abused her, would continue to submit to him. Shinji's fury bubbled and exploded out of him.

"You bitch!" Shinji tried to slap her but instead found his arm grabbed in an iron grasp. Fingers of 'steel' tightened around his arm and Shinji cried out to see Shirou Emiya, the school's brownie, glaring at him with piercing eyes. Shinji would never admit it, to himself or anyone else, but he was a coward. For him to see the boy he looked down on and insulted in school who never refuted anything he said to his face or behind his back was a shock.

'What is this? Why is everyone ganging up on me today? First Sakura, now you!' Shinji complained. 'You should know how to treat your betters!'

"Apologize," Shirou said, tightening his grip even more, causing Shinji to wince. But the blue haired boy's pride wouldn't allow him to back down against someone he saw as inferior.

"I'm not going to apologize to her! She isn't-"

"I said 'apologize!'" Shirou growled, clamping down on his arm.

"Ow! You're going to break my arm," Shinji whined, but Shirou did not relent. Sakura was someone he cared about. It didn't matter if it was coming from her brother, Shirou would do whatever he could to help his friends. When he saw that Shinji wasn't going to say anything, Shirou clenched his hand and a crack emanated from Shinji's wrist as he broke Matou's ulna bone. Shinji screamed in pain and fell to his knees as Shirou glared down at him with a surge of killing intent.

Shinji felt a shadow of fear overcome him and scrambled backwards the moment Shirou let go, sliding himself across the floor while cradling his arm to his chest. The moment his back hit the wall, Shinji shoved open the church doors with his elbow while keeping his focus on Shirou's golden eyes that looked like they were glowing as they tracked his movements like a snake trailing prey. Shinji turned and ran the moment he was out the door. Shirou quirked his lips at the sight, sending Rin into a stutter as she pointed at his 'sadistic' smirk in shock before he turned to smile benignly at Sakura.

"I am sorry, Sakura. I know he's your brother and you might get in trouble because of me. If you can, tell your grandfather it was my fault and I'll take care of it."

Sakura shook her head and smiled back. "It's fine, sempai. You have done more than enough to help me. Thank you for saving me."

'Thank you for saving me,' echoed in his head. He had saved another person. He saved someone.

Luvia coughed and gave him a pointed stare. Shirou realized how close he had gotten to Sakura in his daze. Their proximity could only be described as intimate. Shirou turned away and did his own cough to dispel his awkwardness and embarrassment.

"Right, now that that's over with, we can move on," Ceil said, bringing the meeting back to task. Zelretch passed out the last three seals to Sakura and said, "As you can see, all of the seals are colored red. You seven are now the Red Faction in this Great Holy Grail War. First you must work together to defeat the Black Faction, and then you may fight amongst yourselves for the grail. Make sure to gather a suitable catalyst in time. I can not officially help you any longer." Zelretch stood up and nodded to everyone, but not before saying, "Kotomine, don't forget to pass your command seals to Ms. Ceil."

He vanished through a portal before the (fake) priest could say a word, but not before catching Shirou's eye and a message was forced into his skull. Shirou just nodded once and then the ten magi left not long after with nothing to hold them there. They would be allies only in the most loose terms. They would be forced to hold their most powerful trump cards back against the Black Faction because once their servants' identities were exposed their allies would be able to exploit their weaknesses.

Shirou reckoned if there was ever a competent master who had Assassin they would be able to win the war easily. Their presence concealment skill was highly underrated. Masters would never be capable of detecting them before their throats were already slit. All the assassin would have to do is wait for the masters to order their servant to fight and they could conceivably kill at least four, perhaps five other servants just by eliminating their mana source while they remain distracted. The last servant would stick to their master, but by then they should know their opponents weaknesses.

As long as Assassin continued to press his attack against the last master, the servant wouldn't be able to go all out without risking his master's life. Then Assassin would just have to continuously retreat back into the shadows and reactivate Presence Concealment and restart the game of hide and seek. Both the master and servant would become stressed from the constant threat to his life without knowing just when or how he would attack.

Shirou followed his master's order to meet him in his workshop. Zelretch was casually sitting on a couch that hadn't been in there before sipping a glass of blood with a content look on his face.

"As I told you all, I can not officially help you anymore. So, with that in mind, would you like me to send you somewhere you can prepare yourself to strengthen yourself enough to survive the Grail War? After all, it won't be me helping you improve but simply me sending my apprentice on a trip for materials. Even the stingiest magi couldn't create a logical argument that would hold up against that excuse."

"Where would you be sending me and for how long?" Shirou asked.

"So you agree? Good."

"I didn't-"

"To another world where the Age of the Gods hasn't ended yet…for six months."

Shirou stared flatly at his master in disbelief.

"You aren't giving me a choice in this, are you?" he sighed. Zelretch stared at him without a sense of pity or remorse.

"I have invested a lot of time into your education. I would like to see you meet my expectations. This is the only way I can see you reaching my standards. If you truly do not wish to go… I will not force you. But do keep in mind that one of your friends will perish if you do not."

Shirou hardened his gaze and agreed immediately. He would not let his friends die if he had even the slightest chance of saving them.

"Then I bid you farewell. Keep that necklace on at all times if you don't wish to miss your return date. It would be a shame if you missed more than six months because I had to come and get you personally."

Shirou nodded as Zelretch placed a small gold necklace no larger than one would typically see with a cross and stepped back into his circle. Then Zelretch threw his to-go bag at him and Shirou went flying backwards from the impact into an awaiting portal behind him.

-O-

[AN: Hope you enjoyed it! Please write a review on what you thought. That was my first attempt at ever writing a sex scene, so I hope it wasn't terrible, but what do I know? Have a nice week!]