Chapter 4: Reconsideration

The Emiya household awakens to an attractive smell sweeping in from the kitchen to the rest of the estate. The home only containing four residents, the last to rise happens to be a blonde. Her nose is the first to wake and the rest of the body follows. Rising from white blankets to a dim room of white walls and brown wooden supports, the lone body floats with the scent as its reel, pulling it away from blissful sleep. Away from the dim room into bright hallways, the still-dreaming blonde warrior continues to float by, her toes barely registering the cold floor. A step into the Emiya dinning room reveals one of the other occupants of the estate, a brown-haired teen who appears to be reading intently into a worn-brown journal before him on the table. He is scribbling rapidly and chances the occasional glance of towards the courtyard. Sounds of a metal clinking and clanking float from the kitchen and is the source of the scent the had brought the blonde warrior here.

"Good morning Saber-san, take a seat. Emiya-kun should be done in a moment." the brown-haired Ikari says as he continues to scribble into his journal. Saber took her seat across from the magus and maintained a firm kneeling position and sat upon her heels. Ikari glanced up towards the girl before him, no longer was she entombed in her silver armor or blue dress, now she wore a simple white blouse and an average length blue skirt. It all removed the presence of a warrior and replaced by a foreign sweetheart.

Appearances can be deceiving.

"Food's ready. Ikari-kun, mind setting the table?" a chipper voice from the kitchen calls out. Ikari sets down his journal down and walks into the kitchen. Moments later, he returns with a handful of plates and bowls alongside utensils. Sets them upon the table and retrieves the small rice cooker from the kitchen and sets it beside himself as he takes his seat once more. The younger red-headed magus soon appears from the sweet-smelling sanctuary bearing a pot full of enjoyable consumables. A slight pause as the red-haired chef took in the appearance of Saber before he set down the food and took the end seat between both Saber and Ikari.

"This smells great Emiya-kun. Itadakimasu!" Ikari says with much gusto. His chopsticks part with a snap.

"Arigato Ikari-kun. Tell me how it is, uh. Saber-san. Itadakimasu" Shirou says with slightly less gusto than his cousin, his eyes still upon the blonde figure.

Saber takes a filled bowl of rice from Ikari and takes some meat from the big pot. There was a good moment of silence as the three dug into their meal.

"...Its good.." It was so soft, neither of the magus caught it. She began to munch down in much more vigor.

Breakfast was nice.

"Tadaima"

"TADAIMA SHIROU! IKARI!"

The three residents froze, well actually only two as the other one paused a moment before digging in more. The two glance towards one another and a mutual agreement was made. Shirou stood up and made his way toward the foyer. Ikari whispered a silent prayer to himself and stood up. He shot his hands toward Saber, scooping her up into his arms, and dashed out of the room. The girl was in so much food frenzy, all she could do was continue eating out of the bowl in hand. Ikari dashed through the hallways and slipped into Shirou's room. He slid open the door leading into Saber's room and plopped the still eating girl down on her futon. Her only reaction to this nonsense was to put forward her hand with the bowl, it was empty.

"You want a refill?" The boy asks as he tries to bring his breath to normal intervals. A nod is all he receives. He gracefully takes the bowl and steps out of the room. Shortly after, he hears a squawk from the room and turns to see an agitated Saber standing before him.

"Why have you taken me back to my room? And have touched me without my consent?! What do yo-ah" A finger presses against her lips as Ikari then turns and his free hand glows slightly pointed towards the door. The room glowed into a slight hue before it subsided. He removed his hand and was given a very deathly glare. "A bounded field to silence the sounds from this room." His eyes match the warrior's only to recoil back as hers seem to level at a devil's rage. "Silence? You are not thinking of doing anything untoward, are you?!" Her small frame bristling.

Ikari's forehead begins to moisten as the pores open slightly. Perhaps he could choose his words more carefully.

"Now Saber, we just need to hide you from mundanes. They are not going to react well to your presence, so for the meantime, you're going to stay out of sight." The blonde's rage did not simmer one bit

"Why is it that you and my master tolerate mundanes trespassing upon this property? Should we not be rid of them?"

"We can't. They are of importance to us. Just for now, let us keep the war behind us while they are here. Which means you stay out of sight."

"...Very well. I still require more sustenance."

"I'll get it right away, my king"

Saber's eyes widen as the magus before her spins on his heels and leaves the room.

"...King..."

"Shirou-chan! More rice!" The ever constant cry from the tiger of Fuyuki greets Ikari as he returns to the dinning room. Sakura was in the seat that was once occupied by Saber scant seconds earlier. so far none of the girls took notice of some food already eaten. Shirou returns from the kitchen with more food for the hungry tiger woman. Said woman begins to dig through the food with as much vigor as any starved beast. Sakura began her usual pace which would interrupt the tiger at intervals with conversation. Shirou manages some small talk with Sakura about cooking recipes whereas Ikari and Taiga began another debate about his father's work.

"Eroges are not art. Only of few of them count!" Ikari states as he pops a scoop full of rice into his awaiting mouth.

"They are all art! Its the art of love!" Counters the tiger woman before him. Her constant defense of the field of work Ikari's father partakes in was consistent with her devouring of food, often resulting in bits of rice and the such flying about. Amusing.

The two would have gone at it had Ikari not recalled that deep within the estate, a spirit hungers. He had to cut his debate short. Only one way to do so with the adamant tiger.

"Alright, Tai-chan. You know if you keep this up, Shirou is going to finish all of the food." The woman squawked as her eyes graze over the food and just so happens that Shirou was helping himself to another portion of food.

The young boy never had a chance as the woman shrieked.

Ikari took the moment to make his escape with a good sized bowl of rice and meat.

Shirou caught the movement and before he could ask, a sharp yelp escaped his lips. He quickly retracted his wounded hand from the serving bowl to see that Taiga had struck his fingers with her chopsticks. A furious expression upon her face. He could only freeze under that gaze.

"Shirou-chan! I am HUNGRY! Don't take all of the food!"

Shirou began to wither underneath his nee-chan's gaze, he turns to Sakura in hopes of a way out. Sadly, She found it more interesting to help herself to another helping of rice. With nothing to stem the tide of the oncoming wrath, Shirou can only brace himself.

Shortly after his brush with hell, Shirou and Ikari, who returned just after the punishment, see both Sakura and Taiga off as they attend to their respective duties. Shirou and Ikari then make their way into the shed to continue Shirou's lessons, stopping by Shirou's room only to collect Saber, who still appears to be in a sour mood.

"Today, I'm going to start on another ability. One that you appear to have some skill in Emiya-kun." Ikari starts as Shirou sits crossed-legged in the center of his workshop/shed. Ikari is leaning his back upon a support beam with his foot propped against the wood. His left arm folded across his chest, his right elbow is propped up by his left hand, and he holds up one finger. Saber is near the entrance to the shed, kneeling and resting against the walls, her eyes closed. She was still except for the slight rise of her chest with each breath. "What would this ability be, Ikari-kun?" Shirou asks.

"Magic sensory. One which we both share ability in." Ikari's free hand begins to trace symbols in the air and shortly with the flick of the wrist, a fire sprout from his palm. "Using magecraft creates a displacement upon the world, the magus's actions are unnatural by standard laws so it leaves behind a trace different than others." He closes his hand and extinguishes the flames. A trail of smoke puffs out of his hand. "What mundanes would see is the just the smoke, what we as magic users will perceive is a trace or a hint to something more." He continues as he raises his hand once more. "Most would call it a sixth sense, but in actuality you are just using one of your five senses to interpret prana usage. Sight, smell, taste, touch, or sound are ways how you can interpret prana discharge." Shirou raises his brows before nodding his head. "For today, we will see which one you possess. For myself, sight is my sensor." He points towards his own eyes before a light emanates from his free hand, it takes form into a knife and the light dies down. A generic knife with a grey blade and black handle remains in the elder magus' hand and he throws it at the ground in front of Shirou, it sinks an inch into the floor.

"Now you can test either of your senses on this blade, tell me what element I added to it."

Shirou's eyes run over the steel surface, his irises set on finding anything off about the blade. He couldn't find anything that would standout upon the surface of the blade or within with structural analysis. Deciding that his sensory wasn't with his eyes and that nothing seems off with the feeling of the weapon, touch was off the list as well. Opting out of running his tasting morsel over a sharpened edge, Shirou brought the bland knife just under his nose, and took a quick whiff despite his inner thoughts dictating how silly the action is.

The reaction was instantaneous

Shirou's head flew back as his eyes began to roll inward. His body began to teeter backward, Saber's form leaps to her feet, but continues no further for Ikari's hand raises and he grasps onto Shirou's shoulder. The red haired boy steadies and his eyes roll back into place; a smirk also falls upon his lips.

"Well, can you tell me what I did?" The only answer he got was a shake of the head; which still brought upon a smile. "Didn't expect you to, at least you have the potential. More so than, lets say, runes?"

Shirou frowns and watches the knife fade from his eyes as Ikari releases the od that held the blade together. The sword withers into dust and flutters away, Ikari offers a hand and helps Shirou up to his feet. Their previous weeks have run along in similar fashions compared to this one, whether it being rune studies, sword fighting, or cooking. They still don't know which of the two is better.

With Saber in tow, the three made their way back into the Emiya estate, and two watch as Shirou readies himself in the foyer. There was, however, an argument in play. "Master, I must insist that I accompany you. You would be presenting yourself as a target to the other competitors." "I'll be alright Saber. There will be plenty of normal people about in our school. I don't believe anyone is going to risk exposure like that." "Servant Assassin only needs a moments respite to end you" "I'll be alright Saber." "Master"

Ikari watches the bicker between the two with a slight smirk on his face, 'At long last, its not me with the problem with women'. He steps forward, both individuals pause to look at the tallest of them. "Shirou will be alright Saber-san. Guinevre will no doubt keep him from harm, it will take quite alot to bypass her." Saber's eyes snap towards Shirou, a white ferret then pops out from the boys collar, eliciting a snicker from the boy. The blonde's eyes widen as they narrow upon the creature's form and lock with it's own red irises. "Have faith Saber. Your master is in good hands." Guinevre slithers back within the redhead's clothes. Ikari nods at the boy who then begins to take his leave. Saber watches the boy take off before she turns toward the sole male of the house.

"Who ar-" She starts, "You recognize Guinevre. You should recall that she was his familiar." Saber stares at the boy for long period of time. "So how can I serve my good king Arturia?"

The knight king's eyes widen as the magus in front of her continues to smile at her.

"There are few people in the world that jiji would worship. None more so than King Arturia herself; he had been very vivid in his tales of your image." Ikari watches the information sinks into the blond. His grandfather had been very descriptive of the one individual who has been his inspiration and sole figure for his loyalty. Ikari would be hard-pressed not to recognize the king of knights before him after having been drilled stories and legends all about her, though this did get him a moments of embarrassment for voicing this at a public school.

"He still lives? How is that possible?" Saber asks, "He was a student of magic taught by Merlin." Ikari says as if that was all that needed to be said. "True as that maybe, but even Merlin has-" "If what Jiji recalls, Merlin disappeared thanks to his own experiments into the first or fifth sorcery. I believe Balthasar still walks this plane, I hear he started a magic shop." Ikari had asked his grandfather on what of Melchior and Casper, the other two students of Merlin, but the old man was sullen about them. "A magic shop?" The blonde inquires, "Indeed, he is apparently searching for Merlin's possible descendant or rebirth. I'm suspecting the former according to what Jiji has been saying about the mischievous old wizard." Ikari responds.

Saber continues to stare, wide-eyed, at the boy as he continues to ramble on about old wizards and their tendencies to have their fun at other's expenses. What troubles her the most, however is the knowledge that one of her most loyal warriors continues to exist to this day. This boy, Ikari Kazehara, identifies himself as the grandson of the blademaster of her time; an individual known by many in her kingdom as Icarus Windrum. This blademaster, who forges his own blades, worshipped the very ground she walked and was a very zealous warrior, one who earned her trust higher than those who seat at the round table.

"...still hate that Zelretch feels obliged to use me to see what dimensions are like first hand. That last one has made me nervous around furries." Ikari's voice was aloof as he returns his attention to the silent king.

"Perhaps I should allow this information to seep in and mellow. I am going to take a walk and see what I can make of this city and its changes." Ikari says as he leaves the spirit of the sword alone in the dinning room.

"Fuyuki still feels like a normal city, if one discounts the gap-filled past." Ikari mutters to himself as he walks down one of the many streets that make up the city. People of varying features and sizes pass by him with no lingering glances, Ikari was never one to use a charm to dissuade mundanes from seeing him. 'Charms still give off slight signs to those who keep a watchful eye. Now if I were a player in a game of magical life or death, where would I set up a stronghold?' The magus soon comes to an intersection where a car speeds by dangerously close to the sidewalk. A swift grab and pull saves a young woman as Ikari pulls the woman, who is fiddling with her phone, back from the road.

"Careful there, wouldn't want to have an incident." Ikari says as he checks the girl over. No injuries and only appears startled. Rather than make the scene all more attracting, Ikari steps off to the side only to see a mountain in the distance. "Oh right, Ryuudou temple has a leyline right under it. A good spot as any to start."

Within minutes of walking and avoiding vehicles of worrisome speeds, Ikari finds himself at a Tori arch at the bottom of a dizzying amount of stone steps. 'Ever wonder why monks never appear to be too fat. This is thy answer.' With that on his mind, a journey begins to the top of the stairs. Upon approaching the mountain, Ikari's sense have been highlighting various sources of energy throughout the area, not unusual for a place of prayer and worship. What did stand out was at the top of the stairs.

Ikari had made his way up the leaves-covered steps and stood before a fairly well-sized gateway to the temple grounds. The air felt nice and the sun gleams through the trees, brightening up the entrance. Ikari felt, however the hampering sense of being observed and looked towards to the side of the gate. There appeared to be nothing, but that quickly changed as a wisp of smoke-like blob came into view. The wisp soon took form of human shape; fairly tall about Ikari's height, but maybe a head taller. A light violet kimono covers the body with a darker purple hayori settling over, another mixture of blue and purple hakama covers the legs and nearly covers the feet, which are white with socks and bear only simple wooden slippers. A head bearing long blue-violet hair pulled into a long high ponytail and faded blue eyes, said head bore a bemused smirk most likely directed at Ikari.

"Either you are naturally attracted to that which is unnatural or you are here for purposes that this garden of zen probably doesn't provide?" The man says with curiosity. "Had you not taken that lingering gaze, I would've suspected nothing of you." He continues. Ikari raises his eyebrows before relaxing his posture. "I would believe it is safe to assume you are a heroic spirit?" The man in violet closed his eyes and gave a rather careless shrug. "What I am is up for you to find out, though it does beg another question. What is it to you?" The spirit's responds back. Ikari stands at the opposite end of the gate, leaning against the frame as he tries to get a feel about the aura of the man in front of him. "Just curious on why a spirit lingers at this particular location, Ryuudou temple isn't quite that old. Sengoku era? Or perhaps alittle after?" The purple man's attire casually dictated he was of at least low noble status if not a true samurai, however the personality gave off a wanderer's vibe so a ronin wasn't out of the question. The warrior gave no sign to say if Ikari was right or wrong, but one could suppose the silence itself was the answer.

"So I can only assume if I were to attempt to enter this place, you would have to kill me?" Ikari asks and receives a nod as his answer. "My master appears to be well settled in. I am only tasked to guard this gate. A fun task for this servant indeed." The man says as he also rests against the gate, opposite of the brown haired boy. "So Gatekeeper, I would assume you would have a master of significant prana and ability. How else would he be able to keep spirit-aware monks unaware of himself and you." It was more a statement than a question, Ikari didn't need an answer. The warrior made no motion to give an answer and Ikari looks toward the main hall of the temple. An uneasy feeling rolled over him as he looked on.

"I'll take my leave then." Ikari says as he takes a step towards the stairs.

After stepping down a few good steps, Ikari turns his head to look back up at the gate, seeing the violet ronin stand at the top before he slowly fades away; leaving nothing to show as if he were ever there.

"So, very good chances there are two servants on this mountain. At least it isn't that damned priest claiming this place." Ikari mutters to himself as he turns back to get down the steps.

The day was pretty much the same as any other day at school for Shirou, had it not be for the very strange scent that had permeated into the boys nose the moment he walked into the school yard entrance. It was a foul stench, but wasn't overwhelming, and it held a strong odor of iron or rather blood. It stopped the boy mid-step and he took a moment to take in the assault on his sense. 'What is this? It's almost nauseating.' runs through the boy's thoughts as he continues his stride into the school grounds. "It appears to be a boundary field, Shriou-san. It isn't feeding off of any leylines and it isn't active. Perhaps one of these "masters" of this war of yours is the cause." The soft voice of Guinevre floats from within Shirou's uniform.

"Why would someone do this?" he asks, "The better question would be, who?" Guinevre answer. "To make a fort of this size and strength means that the school is perhaps someone's stronghold." The ferret continues. Shirou recomposed himself as he continues further into the school grounds, hoping nothing bad would happen.

"Shirou-san, the barrier doesn't seem to be at the ready. It feels that the source of this spell isn't quite at strength to trigger." Guinevre muses, "I'd give it a day or so given the rate of prana it is gathering." Shirou let out a breath, 'That means theres still time to remove it.' "For now, lets get to class. We will deal with the barrier at lunch." "As you wish, Shirou-san."

The classes throughout the day went without any hassle. The only two things seem to be amiss today, two students are missing; Shinji Matou and Mitsuzuri Ayako. Shirou thought nothing of it. Rather, Shirou couldn't think much of it as a much more pressing matter came about during lunch.

"Ohayo, Emiya-kun."

A simply soft and polite voice drifted into Shirou's ears, but they seemed to stab into his spine like glacial stalactites. The red-headed boy turned his head to see the twin-tailed school idol approach him, with a smirk on her lips no less.

"Yo, Emiya-kun." She says

"O-ohayo, Tohsaka-san" Shirou replies

With just that, Shirou could feel the jealousy and envy off of the males throughout his class room. A simple interaction and people want to kill him, go figure.

"Do you have plans for lunch, Emiya-kun?"

"Not exactly, I hav-"

"Good, let's go then." The idol interrupts as she grasps the boy's wrist. She pulls him out of his seat and out of the class room. The boy barely having time to grab his bentou(s).

.

.

"Did Tohsaka-sama just ask Emiya-san for lunch?" A random student asks. Silence was his/her answer.

The Homurahara school idol and it's "fake janitor" stood upon its fenced rooftop. The idol stands before a fence, holding on to it with one hand and gazing out toward the hillside. The other rested his back against the fence whilst sitting down, he was glancing towards the idol and the floor in front of him.

"Uh. T-Tohsaka-san. Any reas-" Shirou starts

"You know that theres a war about, but you don't bring your servant along for safety?!" Rin interrupts as she scolds the boy. " There's a servant out there that specializes in killing masters! How stupid are you?" She continues to berate the boy.

"Ne-Tohsaka-san, it's during the day, there are people around. No one would risk exposure like that- right?" Tohsaka pursed her lips, Emiya did have point. That didn't mean he was completely right.

"What about right now? There's no one up here with us Emiya-kun." She turns to him and spreads out her arms. True to her word, the roof was without a soul and only the faintest of sounds came from the windows several floors down that happen to be open. Shirou maintains his smile.

"It's a good thing that Tohsaka-san is a good person isn't it then?"

"Grk!"

Tohsaka could only be surprised, the honest to goodness boy in front of her would not put her in bad light. If she were to contrast what he said, it would be a large stain on her appearance(even if only she knew) so with a huff, the girl crossed her arms and turned away from the boy.

"I was attacked last night."

Shirou's eyes widen, he made to stand up, but a Rin waved him off.

"As you can see, I'm alright. Archer, despite his injuries, was able to distract the enemy for us to escape."

Shirou's eyes soften but still looked at Rin.

"Servant Berserker. He was definitely far too powerful. Too powerful for us."

"Perhaps, you could use some help?"

Rin smirks "A pleasant offer Emiya-kun. With your Saber and my Archer, perhaps we can beat that behemoth." She turns to the boy, "Well then Emiya-kun. I suppose I could use an alliance until servant Berserker is destroy." Her hand extends out towards the boy.

Shirou smiles and stands to shake Rin's hand, only to have the white fire ferret pop out of his sleeve. This action caused the Tohsaka to jump back with a squeal.

"W-w-w-what is that!" Rin squeaks.

"Ah, this is-" "Guinevre, fire ferret familiar of Ikari. Before Shirou can agree to this alliance of yours, Ikari wishes for the three of you to discuss its terms." Guinevre interrupts the red head as she rests in the palm of his extended hand. Rin could only look incredulously at the ferret before her. A snort from behind her shakes her out of her stupor and the girl recomposed herself. "That really shouldn't be necessary, I believe Kazehara-kun isn't a participant of the grail war." Rin heard a sound from the ferret which seemed strangely like a snort. "If Shirou-sama is included, Ikari will be involved. Participant or not."

"Very w-well then. We shall discuss this at your residence Emiya-kun." Tohsaka Rin crossed her arms across her chest as she puffed haughtily at the ferret.

Shirou could only shrug his shoulders.

"Shirou. Is there a reason you have an enemy master present?" The spirit of the sword and once king of knights words are cold and sharp, her invisible blade held pointedly(one would guess) at the twin-tailed magus that is Rin Tohsaka. Normally, Saber's voice would have stopped Shirou dead, but something seemed off about the boy.

"Saber. Is Ikari-san here?" He asks, one would note that it was laced with hope.

"No, he is performing his usual walks into town. I fail to see what he has to-"

Shirou didn't pay the king anymore heed as he steps past her deftly towards his sanctuary. It has seemed he finally has his kitchen back to himself. The servant could only glare as the boy disappeared into the dining room. Rin could only raise an eyebrow at the interaction before both girls stepped into the dining room.

Shirou was in a delightful mood as he strove about in his kitchen, materials and spices being piled together into a potentially great tasting creation.

"Ne, Emiya-kun seems to be in his own little world." Rin comments as she takes a seat at the low table. Saber follows suite.

Minutes later, loud noises could be heard from the entrance, one of which could identified as high pitched laughter. Also possibly squealing.

"Ikari-kun, you can't just comment on girls like that. They'll take it the wrong way!" A voice Shirou could identify as Fuji-nee scolds the brunette boy as the purple haired Sakura only giggled. "What?! I'm just being honest. How was I suppose to know my words would be taken as flirting." Ikari pleads against the woman. Taiga had been laughing quite hard if the tears at the edges of her eyes were clues. "Ikari-kun, You were giving Saeguesa-san streamless comments and innuendos. Hardly being a blunt or honest person for that." Sakura chides the older boy. Ikari seemed to have the good nature to turn his head away sheepishly.

The three newcomers stop as they step into the dining room.

"Ah, Ohayo Fujimura-sensei, Kazehara-san, Matou-san. You're just in time for Shirou to start up dinner." Rin's voice draws a long pause. A helpless smirk could be seen on Ikari's features as he strodes over to take a seat next to Saber. Fujimura and Sakura still remain at the entrance, frozen expressions upon their faces. The room was quiet save for the clatter of metal and food in the kitchen.

The silence remained for minutes afterwards.

Soon its time came at an end.

"Ikari-san, would you mind helping me set the tabl-" The red headed chef stopped cold in the in between of the dining room and kitchen. The plates in his hand rattled slightly as fear shot into his spine.

Dinner was an interesting meal.

Promptly after Fujimura's outburst(put mildly) the six dug into their meals with vigor and Shirou instantly felt better noting his cousin's reaction to the food. Ikari believed Shirou had indeed improve from the last time they prepared a meal together and was making good progress in western style food. He noticed Rin whispering to herself, but paid no mind to it, though he did catch a 'not as good as me' amongst her words. The meal would have been quite normal, had it not been the strange sight of Saber eating.

Ikari has seen some heavy eaters and some speed eaters, sometimes people that are both. He has ,yet, to meet one at the level of Saber's caliber. Even eating isn't the right word for it, possibly assimilating would work as the food would simply disappear into her feeding hole. It startled him to a point as was Shirou also.

"Ikari-kun, I know you've told me before, but what does your job actually entail?" Ikari smiles as he gulps down what left he had. "Simple really, I am a negotiator for an entertainment firm. Officially I'm suppose to be a manager of public affairs, but the higher ups thought I was pretty good at persuasion if you will." "Ah seems like a dream job if you get to have the number of vacations you've been having." "Not exactly vacations, Tai-chan. Most of the time I've been on the job when I come by here, just little breaks here and there." "Ooooh! Meet any big stars?" "No, I mainly deal with some television network heads so I can discuss whether or not they will show any of my companies programs."

The two continue to talk abit as the others continue to eat.

Within moments, the food Shirou prepared was gone and a content sigh from the consumers notified that the meal was enjoyed.

"Now that was a very good meal. Delicious cooking Shirou-kun." Fujimura says as she leans back to pat her belly. Ikari nods in agreement as he sips some tea. However, the boy chef only knew that this was the calm before the storm.

"So tell me..." The pause caused Shirou to stiffen as Taiga's eyes fell upon both Rin and Saber. "What brings you here again, Saber-san?" The blonde servant's eyes lock with the tiger's with much ferocity. "I am a friend of Kiritsugu and Ikari-san from England. I was a partner of the former and a good friend of Ikari's grandfather." Taiga received a nod from Ikari which slightly lessens the woman's attitude. "I happen to chance upon Shirou and he offered his home as a place to stay rather than have me search for a hotel." Shirou nods his head rapidly, hoping that his guardian would buy the story. "Shirou does tend to be very helpful to others, even strangers, Tai-chan. Most would that is an endearing trait of his." Ikari says as he takes another slurp of his warm beverage. "Then again, his nature might get him into complicated situations aswell." Shirou could only drop his head.

"Then how about yourself Tohsaka-san." Taiga was willing to accept Saber for the moment, but the school's idol is another matter. "What brings you here?" All heads(excluding the subject) turned toward the twin-tailed girl. Tohsaka puts down her tea and places her hands upon her lap.

"My home is currently under renovation due to an incident and rather than have myself also staying at a hotel, Emiya-kun had been so kind as to offer his home in place of a hotel." The school idol's face was stoic yet held a appreciative appeal to it. Once again, Taiga was challenged with the fact that her charge is such a kind soul. "Be that as it may, there is still the fact that two girls and two boys-" A cough drew Taiga's and everyone else's attention to Ikari. "Twenty five here Tai-chan." The woman snorts before continuing. "Girls and boys shouldn't be under the same roof!"

"I trust Emiya-kun to be most kind and respectful, wouldn't you agree Fujimura-sensei?" Rin's soft delivery sets the older woman back, "I also trust Shirou to be nothing, but courteous" with Saber's backing, the tiger could do nothing but concede her defeat. "Yes...Shirou is the most kind and helpful boy there is..." Taiga's eyes fall upon Ikari. "Very well then. If anything were to happen, It will be Ikari-kun's responsibility!" Her statement alittle louder than should be. The brown- haired boy froze.

"Hai, I leave myself in your care, Ikari-san." says Rin.

"Take care of me aswell, Ikari" states Saber.

"Look after me also, Ikari-kun." Shirou places the final nail as Ikari bites back a hiss towards his beloved cousin.

'Bastard. Leave me to face Tai-chan's fury when you guys foul up. Hell hath no fury like the Tiger of Fuyuki on a warpath.' Ikari thought as he withered under the beaming stare of Fujimura Taiga.

Sakura and Taiga left the Emiya estate, Ikari noticed that Sakura was alittle more hesitant to leave, but not many can resist Taiga's urges. It hasn't escaped Ikari's notice of the purple-haired girl's obvious attraction toward his oblivious cousin, but to let the subject of her affections know isn't a thought he entertained. After all, that would just be telling and theres no fun in that.

Rin had explained to Ikari the incident regarding the night prior and the reasons behind the alliance. The young man no doubt surprised by the apparently the sheer power her attacker had, but Rin had not gotten away from the situation without learning a few things. Her attacker was the servant with the class of Berserker and the name of its(Rin had stated that it was male, but it was too monstrous to classify as a he) master, Illyasviel von Einzbern. According to Ikari's own knowledge along with Tohsaka's, Shirou learned that the Einzberns are one of the founding mage families of the Holy Grail War and also have come to summon a very strong servant according to Tohsaka's experience. Despite Rin's tale, Saber remains quite confident that she could best this Berserker, her claims bringing a sense of calm to the red-head, but also a strong sense of worry.

To add on to his worry, Ikari does, once more, something he didn't expect.

"You really do suck as a magus, Emiya-kun. No wonder you have your cousin here to protect you. God knows how you happen to summon Saber though." Shirou could only sigh as once again, the better magus of the three(still in debate) of them ridicules his ability. "Its a simple spell, to cast a ball of fire." Rin continues, Shirou bit back the need to groan. At least the girl agreed to Ikari's terms, even if it was to make up for his lack in ability to teach magecraft.

As the two teens dive into their antics in the dinning room, Ikari stands on the veranda just outside conversing with Saber with the occasional comment tossed towards the roof. Onlookers wouldn't notice this, but a man in red stood upon the Emiya estate, his eyes looking on in the distance. "Ne, Saber. Don't be so overly cautious, Tohsaka-san is our ally. Her servant won't do anything untoward your master." Ikari says, Saber was sitting upon the edge of the veranda her eyes flowing from Ikari towards the creature in her hands. "It has been quite some time hasn't it, Guinevre?" Her voice soft as she uses one of her hands to caress the ferret's fur. The creature purred, "Far too long, A-Saber. I guess I should get use to that being your name." "I'm afraid so, Guinevre." "Tis, however, a fitting name. Better that than a lancer."

"Hey, I resent that Guin." Ikari barks as he glares at the white ferret.

"Ikari, you seem far too accepting of the events so far. Your goal isn't just to keep Shirou safe, especially since you've accepted Tohsaka's offer." Saber says as she continues to pet the ferret. Tohsaka was an enemy master, someone they would have to fight. Even if they allied with one another, it would come to a time where they would have to be at each other's throats. "There are more things I'm worried about, besides I got a good feeling about Tohsaka-san." Ikari says as he checks himself over and then picks up his jacket from beside Saber.

"I'm going to go out. Perhaps I can learn more about other servants?"

Ikari steps back into the dining room, sidestepping both Shirou and Rin, and slips on his shoes in the foyer.

He made about twenty steps out of the estate.

"Kazehara-kun."

Ikari turns to see Rin a few paces behind him. She was still in her school uniform and had her hands to her side. Her blue eyes pierced into his own, a small frown upon her lips. Her feet was shoulder width apart and had her chin close to her chest. She looked like someone who needed a favor.

"Kazehara-kun, what do you know of the Matou family?" Her voice was aloof.

"Unique family, associate founders of the Holy Grail, and insect-like magic crest. Currently has no heir, with the last one capable, Kariya, being a casualty of the last Heaven's Feel. I would guess that their current line has no one of capable circuits." Ikari's voice was matter-of-fact.

"Yes, but did you know about the conn-"

"The relationship between the Makiri and Tohsaka? Yes, and I also know of Sakura being the sacrificial lamb." Rin's eyes widen. "I've had my suspicions since I've met her and it was tonight that confirmed it. Her reactions to your presence and vice versa were pretty tell-tale."

"I see... I need to ask yo-"

"I won't bring any harm to your sister, Tohsaka-san. Not something I'd want to do anyway." Rin's expression softens. "Too cute to try and fight anywho." This brought a small chuckle from the twin-tailed magus.

"I need you to take her away from the Matou." Despite Ikari's jibe, Rin steeled herself. "Can you save Sakura from them?"

"That's alot to ask of me. I still have to deal wit-"

"Shirou will have me as his ally. I already accepted your terms to teach him more about magecraft." Her voice trembles slightly "Please, Ikari-kun. Save Sakura."

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"Alright then. I will, Rin."

A/N

Well, that took a long time to update. No excuses besides general games(AC3, HALO4, FC3, Hitman) and movies that delay me. Been watching clips of carnival phantasm and trying to get my comp to accept Tsukihime. Trying to get DayZ on my comp and spent a good amount of time fighting in Chivalry. No excuses.

I rushed through the final quarter of this chapter so I apologize for both the delay and utter crappyness of this chappy. Enjoy what you can and leave what cha want.

Hopefully the next chapter doesn't take as long