Title: No One Will Be Watching Us
Rating: PG-13 The not-worksafe Archer/Rin love version can be found at any of the places listed below.
Characters: Archer x Rin
Word Count: 12,354
Warning/s: Heaven's Feel spoilers, less this time around though.
Summary: But Rider was looking and didn't miss it.
Dedication: For misheard, the loveliest waifu a girl could ever have to sweep off into the sunset on a white stallion named Starsong.sparkles
A/N: Done for the 30lemons challenge theme #2. The Audience. More (really long-ass) notes to follow after the fic.
Fate/stay night © TYPE-MOON / Kadokawa Shoten / Studio DEEN.
Cross-posted to fsn fiction, 30 lemons and my writing lj.
Rider sat calmly at the low dining table, not really affected by the tension in the air. It was easy to see the still-fuming Fujimura Taiga's anger was merely a byproduct of extreme concern for her young charge. Rider had confidence in the fake identities Rin had put together for herself and Archer, and the background that had been decided upon for them. Considering the mysterious kind of man Emiya Kiritsugu had been, two distant cousins coming to visit his adopted son for an unknown duration was fairly plausible. Even taking lack of resemblance into account…
At that last thought, Rider's gaze slid over to her 'cousin'. Archer looked composed enough, but the stiff set of his jaw and the slight furrowing of his eyebrows gave him away to the perceptive viewer. He actually looked...nervous, she decided. One of the things that would never change about "Emiya Shirou" was a tendency to be automatically cowed by Fujimura Taiga, even if he was doing a good job of hiding it.
The girl by his side may have had something to do with that. The way Rin's thigh occasionally brushed his was subtle, and the lessening of tension about him subtler still. But Rider was looking and didn't miss it.
That did worry her, far more than any concerned guardian raising a fuss. Rider valued the life she had now-peace, no men forcing themselves upon her, happiness for Sakura. Always Sakura.
But she knew how very fragile that happiness was. That sometimes, Sakura still woke in the dead of night crying, until Shirou soothed her back to sleep. It was slowly happening less frequently with the passage of time, but what she had seen happen between Sakura's sister and her Servant that night could easily smash the delicate peace Rider had fought so hard for.
Of course it really all hinged on Sakura's reaction, Rider mused to herself, listening to the teacher fiercely interrogate Shirou with half an ear. But she wasn't so sure it would be a positive one she was willing to tell her Master just yet.
It was pretty unbelievable to began with. Rider hadn't taken Archer or Rin to be the kind to have that kind of a relationship, but she couldn't deny what she had seen with her own eyes, three nights ago when the pair had last stayed over at the Emiya home...
Three Nights Ago...
Rider shut her copy of Pride and Prejudice with a pleased sigh. Reading was such a...pleasure for her, a respite from the world made from paper and ink.
The moon had been brilliant enough at the southern end of the house that Rider had read with simply its light for illumination. The brisk night air and the warmth of the sake she had been drinking on the engawa balanced nicely together. Absently, Rider downed the rest of her cup before lying lazily on her back, the upper half of her body falling into the hallway.
The panel door to the room Rin used whenever she and Archer spent the night was ajar. Frowning, Rider wondered if she should go over and shut it. It was then her eyes adjusted to the dimness, bringing the realization that Rin wasn't alone.
Mouth opening in shock, Rider watched mutely as Archer slowly untied the indigo-colored sash of Rin's sleeping yukata. The white robe slipped down her body to reveal completely bare skin so pale in contrast to the darkness of her Servant. The white-haired man bent his head down, pressing light kisses against her neck as his hands moved down Rin's naked back and freed her from the confines of the summer kimono, leaving it to pool on the tatami mats.
Only Rin's open response to Archer's touch kept Rider from releasing her Mystic Eyes and killing him where he stood. Rider hadn't been so lulled by peace she had forgotten Shinji, or ever would. But Rin looked...pleased, pleased and perfectly confident in her actions as she wrapped her arms around Archer's neck to nip his lip before drawing him in for a deep kiss.
Rider kept watching, unable to tear her masked gaze away. Rin urgently tugged at Archer's already-loosened navy-blue yukata, pressing biting kisses against toned bronze skin. He breathed in sharply, battle-calloused fingers tangling in long, sable locks before lifting her chin up for another kiss. As one, they drifted down to the futon, Archer's yukata falling aside in the process.
They moved fluidly together, partners in a dance of the oldest and most intimate sort. There was no hesitation or uncertainty in either of their actions, Archer teasing Rin's nipple with his tongue, Rin digging her nails into his back with a soft gasp and a rolling of her hips. It would only take the slightest glance out the door on either of their parts to see her, but they didn't seem to be aware of anything but each other.
Some unspoken signal passed between the pair when blue eyes met gray. The rustling of the sheets was the only sound in the room as Rin wrapped slender, toned legs around Archer's waist, color warming her face as he slowly entered her. Though Archer performed his actions with care, it didn't escape Rider's attention that Rin didn't seem surprised or unused to the sensation of being penetrated. Clearly, this was far from the first time they had been together.
Archer was still but for the hand gently brushing Rin's face, waiting for her to adjust herself. The look on his face as he held himself above her was gentler than Rider had ever seen coming from the abrasive Servant, yet there was more than a bit of what she could only describe as painful longing. And that confused Rider more than anything else she had witnessed tonight.
What more could he possibly want?
The sounds of coupling hung in the cool night air, moans and thrusts and whispered names. Rin's gasp at a deep thrust of Archer's hips, the hiss Archer let out when Rin's nails dug hard enough in his back to draw blood. They moved in perfect time with each other, his hard, steady thrusting only making her writhe more in need.
Entranced, Rider stared for what felt like a small eternity as sweaty bodies glided against each other, moving fast and firm until Rin rasped Archer's name, back arcing and body shuddering in release. The man followed her soon after, muffling her name with the desperate kiss he pressed against her collarbone. Both lay still for a long moment to catch their breath, before Archer carefully slid out of Rin. Gently, he pulled her into his arms like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Despite all this, there was still a...pained...tilt to Archer's mouth, one that Rider doubted he'd ever let anyone see willingly. Especially Rin.
There was some murmuring, too soft for Rider to catch before quiet filled the guestroom, both occupants apparently drifting off to sleep. With a moment's concentration, Rider went into her incorporeal form-the only means of completely avoiding senses as finely tuned as Archer's, now that he wasn't distracted.
As a ghost, she drifted through the walls until she reached her own quarters, curling up on the bed with confusion and worry twisting at her stomach. What was going on, exactly? For Sakura's sake, she had to find out.
"-so Archer-san and Rider-san are both distant cousins of Kiritsugu's visiting from Europe for a time, and they're staying with you." Taiga summarized, interrupting Rider's thoughts. The teacher looked calmer, but not totally appeased by any means. "I have to say, I don't see much resemblance."
"I'm adopted." Archer deadpanned, clearly over the bulk of his anxiety over meeting Taiga again. "Only Rider is staying here, though. I have lodgings elsewhere."
That was a mistake. Sensing weakness like a shark catching blood in the water, Taiga zoomed in on his last words. "Oh, where are you staying, Archer-san? After all, Shirou has plenty of room here, even with Sakura-chan and Rider-san."
"I prefer having space to myself, so I'm more to the south of Fuyuki." Archer replied, his smooth tone almost hiding the tension in his jaw.
"Ah, staying around the southern part of Miyama-chou?" Taiga continued relentlessly. "Why, Tohsaka-san lives...there...too..." Rider could practically see the woman's eyes flare up as she went in for the kill. "You seemed to be acting awfully informal with her when I got here." Her smile grew large and it had to be said, tiger-like, as she turned the full force of her stare on both Archer and Rin. "Well, Tohsaka-san? Is Archer-san staying with you?"
Caught off guard, Rin gave a start. "Well…yes, but there were unusual circumsta-"
Taiga practically glowed with her righteous aura as she pounded her fist on the dining table. "Tohsaka-san! As your teacher and a concerned adult, I can't allow this! There aren't any circumstances in which it's appropriate for a seventeen year old girl to live alone with a older man she isn't related to! You wouldn't want to risk anything inappropriate happening, would you?"
"It's way too late for that," Four people thought simultaneously.
"Fujimura-sensei, I appreciate your concern," Rin began weakly, looking uncharacteristically flustered. If Rider hadn't known what was happening between Master and Servant, she would have found Rin's lack of an assured response surprising. "But really, it's fine."
"How can it be fine? What sort of circumstances lead to such a situation? The logical thing would be for Archer-san to stay with Shirou, since they're related and he has the space." Taiga whirled on Archer, leaving Rin to scramble for a believable response. "And you, Archer-san! Surely you know how suspicious such a thing looks?"
Seeing the two quickest thinkers of their group incapacitated, Rider held her hands together nervously. Something had to be done, and fast. They simply couldn't afford to be noticed, not so soon after the near-cataclysmic events of Heaven's Feel. All someone needed to do would be to connect the recent arrival of two complete strangers to the Fuyuki area with the disappearances caused by the Shadow to bring disaster upon them all.
She'd just have to hope Archer and Rin would remember that as well after what she was about to pull.
"I see there is no hiding this from you, Fujimura-san." Rider spoke up, drawing the attention of the entire room. Immensely uncomfortable with the scrutiny, the lavender-haired eirei forced herself to press on. It was, after all, for Sakura. "...The truth is, ten years ago a contract agreement was made between the Emiya and Tohsaka families. That agreement was the main reason my cousin and I were summoned to Fuyuki," Quickly, Rider cast a glance Archer's way, praying he'd catch her meaning and lose that utterly terrifying expression he was currently sporting, "But Rin is still in high school, so we were trying to keep the matter private..."
Silence heavier than lead filled the room as Taiga pondered this information with a serious face. Rider tried to take comfort in the fact that nothing she said was untrue-even if there was a huge difference between the Emiya and Tohsaka participation in the last two Grail Wars, and the conclusion she was hoping Taiga would make on her own. Beside her, Sakura and Shirou wore identical looks of shocked confusion, while Archer and Rin were united in their clear desire to get Rider's reasoning from her with a healthy side of violence.
Abruptly, Taiga nodded, beaming as she tapped her fist onto her open palm. "Ah, I see, I see! Why, Tohsaka-san, you should have been clearer in the first place." The teacher chirped, laughing lightheartedly as she added, "It's okay if you're engaged, after all! I know Archer-san's a bit older than you, but it's nothing to be ashamed of."
"Engaged?" Rin echoed, going red with what Taiga took to be a blush of maidenly modesty, and what everyone else knew to be a combination of seething rage and embarrassment.
"Yes, it all makes sense when you think about it!" Taiga said brightly. "You were being so vague about it because you value your privacy. Why, this even explains why you rejected all those boys at school! I thought that was awfully mysterious, since Tohsaka-san's a healthy girl, and so popular."
"W-what? I only met Archer a month ago!" Rin stammered, redness deepening. "Anyway, whatever agreements my family made, I'm still too young to be thinking about getting married."
Taiga nodded in a sage manner that was detracted in effect some by her cheery grin. "Well, you never know what the future holds, Tohsaka-san." She turned to Archer, whose expression could have been carved from stone for all its mobility. "Ah, Archer-san, you should still be careful, though! You should at least wait until Tohsaka-san graduates."
Archer choked quietly, his composure cracking like glass. The teacher frowned in thought, studying him thoroughly. "I mean, I suppose you two could get married now, since Tohsaka-san's old enough, but waiting until she's finished her schooling would be in better taste." Taiga's frown deepened as she added, "You know, Archer-san, now that I take a look at you…you're very familiar to me. Have you been to Fuyuki before?"
The white-haired man froze as his eyes widened slightly, before hastily replying. "Ah...yes. Many, many years ago. But it's been a long time since then."
"Hmmm?" Taiga drawled, eyeing Archer closely until a sunny smile broke out on her face. "Welcome back, then."
A small but sincere smile made its way across Archer's face before disappearing as quickly as it came. "Thank you. It's good to be back." To Rider's surprise, he actually looked like he meant it.
Tension gone, the participants of the Fifth Grail War gave mental sighs of relief as one...until a sudden grumbling noise made itself known.
Fujimura Taiga blushed, scratching her head in embarrassment.
"Ano, Shirou...how about dinner?"
It was in an extremely puzzled state of mind Rin stood at the steps leading up to the Emiya home the next afternoon. After the delicious meal Archer had cooked since Shirou was still a bit ill, Rider had come up to the young magus while she was alone. With some hesitance, she had requested her company for going to the local library. There had been an urgency about the eirei that Rin didn't normally associate with book-borrowing, so clearly something more was going on.
That worried her. Rider wouldn't have gone through such effort for something unimportant. At least the fact she had felt it could wait until the next day meant that it wasn't an emergency.
The sound of someone heading down the steps shook Rin out of her thoughts. With her usual grace, Rider stepped next to Rin.
"Shall we go, Rin?" Rider asked, giving the younger woman a small smile. Rin smiled back, but didn't miss the nervous flicker in Rider's exotic eyes.
"Sure. It's not a long walk from here, and compared to the past few days it's really nice out."
That flicker showed once more in Rider's eyes, but Rin let it pass without comment, the journey to Fuyuki's stately library all but silent. Once the two women arrived, the awkwardness dissipated briefly as Rider looked around the fine old building with the air of someone experiencing a religious epiphany. The anxiety in her expression melted into pure bliss, and it was all Rin could do to keep her still long enough to get her a library card. Once the slim piece of plastic had been placed in Rider's hand, the lavender-haired eirei drifted away to the stacks, aware only of the books. Within minutes, she had a neat pile of eight already stacked up on a nearby table.
Well, she's finally relaxed some. Rin thought, bemused. I just wish it would last.
Unnoticed by either woman, the air above the book pile wavered and tore like a heat-induced mirage, so quickly that even one looking for it might have missed it.
Eight books became nine. The tear sealed up once more.
"Next time we'll have to bring a cart." Rin commented as she and Rider walked through Fuyuki's shopping district. Rider nodded in agreement, her own incredible strength being the only thing to keep her from staggering while carrying the box full of books. "Will you even be able to read all of those in just two weeks?"
"Without a doubt." Rider said confidently, before flushing slightly. "Besides, I've already read all the books Shirou has."
"Well, he's more of a hands on type of guy, so I don't think he had too many in the first place." Rin smirked, her face growing serious a moment later. "Anyway Rider, as diverting as going to the library with you was I know you asked me to come for more than just that."
Rider studied the discreet 'Help Wanted' sign in the antique store window with all the focus and concentration of a theologian presented with the Dead Sea Scrolls for the first time. The effort she put into avoiding Rin's gaze was truly incredible.
"Rider..." Rin enunciated, deceptively sweet voice not doing much to conceal her growing ire.
With cheeks burning red Rider slowly turned to face Rin, looking immensely embarrassed.
"May...may we go to a cafe for this, Rin? On the street isn't quite the place to discuss a private matter."
Ten minutes later, the pair were seated in a quiet corner of a small cafe. Idly, Rin stirred her cup of black tea as she studied Rider, who looked like she'd rather be anywhere but with her. Exhaling deeply, the eirei steeled herself up for whatever she was so reluctant to talk to Rin about, taking a quick sip of her iced coffee before beginning.
"These past few weeks owe most of their ease to you, Rin. Without your efforts, Archer and I would have had a much more difficult time assimilating into modern society, especially considering how important proper documentation is these days."
Rin wordlessly added a bit more cream to her tea, waiting for Rider to get to the heart of the matter. At least now she was certain it wasn't something dangerous. Definitely embarrassing, though. Why else would Rider find it so difficult to be straightforward? Just whatever the cause happened to be, something that Rider found pressing enough to overcome her own shyness to talk to Rin about, was worrying.
Rider anxiously downed more of her drink, continuing. "Although I suppose coming from this era himself Archer would naturally acclimate far more easily than myself." Her calm voice grew subtly more pointed. "He looks like he's doing very well with the unexpected turn his life has taken."
The sable-haired girl shrugged, bringing her cup to her lips and sipping her beverage. "Archer's adaptability is one of his greatest strengths. I'm not surprised that it was a smooth transition. It helped that he wasn't resistant to his new existence." Rin set her cup down, evenly meeting Rider's penetrating gaze.
"Yes." Rider noted softly. "I do not know him well, but it is not difficult to tell how independent Archer is; that if he does not agree with something he will rebel against it with all his might." The eirei tilted her head slightly, expression serious. "Although you seem to have the ability to circumvent that. He is...not good at saying no to you."
Rin didn't so much as bat a lash. "Your point being?"
Rider's face was as stoic as Rin's, and about as stiff. The Heroic Spirit's own determination made all the difference between them. "That four nights ago, I accidentally saw Archer being very good at acceding to your wishes indeed."
Raising her tea once more, Rin dampened a throat gone suddenly dry. With more care than usual, she returned the cup to the saucer. "And how much did you see, Rider?"
The eirei flushed, some of her self-control vanishing if not her will. "I assure you, I did not set out to look. Take more care when closing your door, Rin." Rider bit her lip, frowning. "If you two are lovers, you shouldn't hide it from Sakura."
Rin relaxed a bit, seeing why Rider had taken it upon herself to confront her. The magus really should have known. Always for Sakura's sake, first and foremost. "Archer and I aren't lovers. We're just friends with an...arrangement."
Rider coughed as some iced coffee went down her throat the wrong way, wiping her mouth with her napkin. "Friends with a what?"
"An arrangement. Look, it was my idea, not his." Despite her best efforts, a hint of red rose to Rin's cheeks. "I...I was having trouble, and Archer made me feel better. So I offered that we'd continue for the time being, and he agreed."
"...'He agreed'? Just like that?" Rider repeated.
"Well, yes...wait a second." Rin said, eyes narrowing. "How much did you see, anyway?"
"...That doesn't really matter." Rider replied, flinching from Rin's glare. "What does is what sort of impact this will have on Sakura. You know I wouldn't have called you on for anything less."
"You saw everything, didn't you?" Anger clamped down some, Rin leaned back against her seat as she let out a sigh. "Look, Rider...we both love Sakura. I'd never do anything to hurt her, ever."
"At least, not on purpose." Rider quietly responded, words stinging worse than any physical blow. "You don't think meaningless sex with Archer won't bother her?"
Rin flinched. "I deserved that. But you're wrong. If all I wanted was sex, I'd just find some stranger and go to a love hotel. Archer makes me feel like I'm not so...alone." She frowned a little, refilling her cup just to do something with her hands. "Not that I couldn't give it up any time I liked."
To her annoyance, a tiny smirk rose on Rider's face. "Of course."
"You don't believe me." Rin scowled, heat rushing to her face.
The fallen Divine Spirit didn't blink, slim fingers toying with her straw. "Well, you did look like you were really enjoying yourself. Or rather, you were really enjoying Archer."
Rin gaped as she was thrown by the unusually off-color comment, Rider continuing with an arch look. "I doubt you'd keep going back to him if he was unskilled. Given how the floorboards creak so much more at night whenever you two are over, he obviously isn't lacking in the bedroom."
"You've...you've heard us before?" Rin asked, redness intensifying.
"I thought it was simply the age of the house rather than an external cause." Rider shrugged. "Given Archer's rather...acerbic attitude, it never even crossed my mind that you two were the cause."
Rin frowned, her anger rising. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"When you think of people to go to for comfort, Archer doesn't exactly top the list." Rider responded, slightly taken aback by Rin's reaction. "And in my experience, men with his type of personality aren't always considerate-"
"Don't ever say that about him again." Rin cut in frostily, blue eyes cold as ice. "Archer's never done anything to me I didn't ask him to do." A distinctly satisfied, feminine smile curved her lips. "As for consideration...let's just say he's extremely good at seeing to my needs."
The flustered look that flashed across Rider's face before her mask of composure returned was almost worth the awkwardness of the past few minutes. Seeing an opening, Rin struck mercilessly.
"Actually, since you did bring it up, Archer does this amazing thing with his-"
"That's something you can keep between the two of you." Rider interjected hastily, a little red in spite of her calm. The lavender-haired eirei quickly breathed in and out to center herself before giving Rin a serious look. "Rin, what you do and who you do it with is your business, but…there's really nothing there? You don't have feelings for Archer beyond the purely physical?"
"I understand your concern, Rider, but I told you the truth. Archer and I are simply friends…well, there really isn't a good word to describe our relationship. Partners, maybe. He's someone I rely on and trust before anyone else, and I'd like to think it's the same for him. But we aren't lovers in a romantic sense, and that's for the best. I wouldn't be any good at it, and he deserves better than that." Rin slowly answered, brushing off Rider's doubting look.
"If you say so, Rin." Rider said after a long pause, downing the rest of her coffee. "But you do owe it to Sakura to give her some idea of what's going on. She has that right, but more to the point if she happens to see you two, she won't think Archer is taking liberties."
"I will." Rin promised, digging out a few bills for the check as both women stood up, Rider easily lifting her heavy box of books. "Just give me a little time to think of a good way to tell her. Going up to her and saying 'Hey Sakura, Archer and I are having sex, and it's really good and he isn't forcing me or anything!' kind of lacks something in subtlety and tact."
Rider coughed violently in response, one of her books falling from the box to the sidewalk with the force. "Definitely not."
"It does have the virtue of being completely unmistakable." Chuckling a little, Rin bent down to pick the dropped tome up, idly studying the spine as she put it back in the box. "Bunraku: A Japanese Performing Tradition? You certainly have eclectic interests, Rider. I never took you for having interest in puppetry."
"Actually, I'm not sure how that one got there." Rider commented, blinking in confusion. "I must have grabbed it by accident."
The magus didn't respond as her eyes stared directly at the book, her focus clearly somewhere else.
"Rin? Is everything alright?" Rider asked hesitantly. The younger women started a bit as she snapped back to the present.
"It's…it's nothing." Rin replied, still frowning a bit in contemplation. "For a second, I just thought I felt something strange." Breathing slowly out, Rin smiled at Rider. "Let's go back to Shirou's house. I'm going to need to get started on dinner soon anyway."
"Certainly. I too have things I must do tonight." Rider said, with a look Rin would have taken more note of had she not been so distracted. At least a certain someone wouldn't have been so annoyed later if she had.
Archer's eyes flew open as he woke from the dream, his skin on fire and heart racing. He wasn't too sure what the hell had just happened, at least other than creamyfleshpinklipswarmthsoftnessSaberRinRinRinRinRin, but someone was behind it. Someone who'd be lucky to escape with their life and any of their limbs once he got a hold of them-
"Ah, you're awake." Rin's voice sounded by his ear as she nibbled delicately on his earlobe, her soft breasts pressed firmly against his bare back where she lay draped against him. "Your thrashing woke me up, so I was worried for a minute." Cool, slim fingers danced down his abdomen, sliding into his pants to teasingly caress his hardness. "But between this and your moaning...it must have been quite a nice dream. So I thought it'd be quite mean to wake you up."
She squeezed gently, eliciting a hiss from him, while she glanced at her bedside clock. "A little past five...that's more than enough time." Her tone took on a distinctly mischievous tone as her hand started to move faster. "You see, Archer, even though dreams can be amazing...reality has certain advantages, hmm?"
His breathing picking up, all Archer could do was nod in agreement and throw himself upon Rin's tender mercy. Investigation- and bloody revenge by extension-could wait until she had gone off to school.
In terms of investigation, Master and Servant had differing degrees of luck. But then again, Archer had a fairly good idea of the dream-culprit from the beginning, while Rin was flying blind in her research on replacement bodies. That he'd figured out the true identity of the dream Saber while Rin had hit a block in her studies was unsurprising.
But knowledge and the ability to actually act on that knowledge were two different things.
Archer knew Rider was responsible. Very few people were even aware of his continued existence in this world, and only two of them had the skills to perform such a level of dream manipulation magecraft.
No, even Rin could probably not manage as flawless an illusion as the one that had been worked upon his subconscious last night. Which left Rider by default.
Which in turn begged the question why she would even do such a thing in the first place. Archer really had no idea why the lavender-haired Servant would give him a dream that would be any man's fantasy come to life, giving attention to two beautiful girls. He doubted it was a random act of kindness-they weren't on that friendly terms.
His presence at the Emiya home gave him ample time to observe Rider, at least. The rain of two nights ago had damaged the roof enough to require repair-and as Emiya was still weak from his cold, the task of restoration had fallen upon Archer's shoulders.
The hole was easy enough to fix. Less simple was reading anything in Rider's actions or face. She had been with him the entire time providing assistance, yet he had been unable to detect anything out of the ordinary in her behavior other than a slightly more watchful than usual expression. Sighing irately as he hammered the last nail into place, Archer fingered the tiny bite marks on his neck that he had only noticed after Rin had left for school.
"Do you need something else, Archer?" Rider called up from the courtyard, composed as always.
Archer was silent as he placed the hammer back in the toolbox, leaping down from the roof to land in front of the eirei. He didn't bother to hide the tense aggression of his stance as he met her strange eyes without flinching.
"Yes, I do. I want to know what the hell you were thinking when you gave me that dream last night. Don't bother denying it was you. You're the only person around here who could even do something that intricate."
Rider didn't so much as blink as she met his stare in turn, her poise not lessening in the slightest. "Shouldn't why I did it be obvious to you?"
His spine stiffened at that, a muscle clenching in his jaw. "No, it isn't obvious. What you did would have to make sense for that to happen."
The lavender-haired Servant actually looked surprised, her eyes widening behind wire frames as she started slightly. "Rin didn't-"
"I don't really care about why you did it, Rider." Archer interrupted, glaring at her unreservedly. "But mind your own damn business, and stay out of my head...and Rin's. Or the next time you try it, our confrontation won't be limited to talking."
To his irritation, Rider didn't look the least bit wary. If anything, she looked...amused. "There's no need for that, Archer. I've gotten what I wanted now." With a fluid movement, she picked up the toolbox and headed towards the house. The sounds of Shirou and the others returning from school could be heard even from outside, and in spite of himself his black mood lifted slightly just hearing Rin speaking light-heartedly to Sakura.
Then her words hit him.
"Wait...what did you get out of that, Rider?"
The sounds of cutlery and clinking dishware filled the room as they all ate dinner, exquisitely prepared by Sakura. It was a testament to her skill in the kitchen that even simple dishes like niku-jaga were flavorful and delicious. Despite her best efforts to restrain herself, Rin was already on her second helping of the simmered beef and potato dish...and a few more pieces of vegetable tempura...and another bowl of shiro-miso...
Damn, that's another thirty minutes of kata for me. Why do I have to know so many people who cook well? Mm...but I can't say it isn't worth it... Rin thought, popping a piece of eggplant tempura in her mouth to let the complex, deep flavor dance across her tongue.
"Sakura-chan, seconds please!" Taiga sang out, holding out her tiger-mascot decorated bowl cheerfully. Smiling, Sakura expertly ladled more miso soup into it before passing it back to the teacher who began to make quick work of the dish.
"Shouldn't that be 'fifths please', Fuji-nee?" Shirou quipped, setting his chopsticks down as he finished his own serving. He clapped his hands together and bowed his head before smiling at Sakura tenderly. "Thanks for the meal, Sakura. You've really outdone yourself."
The violet-haired girl blushed, smoothing her skirt out modestly. "You're welcome, sempai. Besides, Archer-san did such a wonderful job with dinner the other night that I'm honor bound to do my best too."
Rin's eyes flicked to where Archer sat beside her, leisurely sipping his green tea as he had already eaten his fill. "Hn. Coq au vin isn't something to be that impressed over. Most French dishes look harder to cook than they actually are."
"Ah, but it was really delicious, Archer-san." Taiga said, pouring herself some more tea before finishing off the last of her rice. "I never thought I'd meet a man who could cook even better than Shirou."
Rider cleared her throat, hastily reaching for the rice paddle. "Give me your bowl and I'll give you more, Taiga-san."
Distracted from her previous thought, Taiga beamed happily as she was handed her sixth bowl of steamed rice. "Thank you, Rider-san." She began to eat appreciatively, chopsticks nimbly gathering the sticky grains of rice. The bowl was empty again soon enough, making a hollow ceramic clink as Taiga set it back down. The teacher quietly rested her chin in her hand as she gazed at the rest of the table with an unusually contemplative expression.
"Fujimura-sensei?" Rin said, setting her chopsticks on their rest as a physical vow not to eat more. "You look quite serious."
"Mmm...I was just thinking how much better the food tastes with lots of people at the table. It's only been a short time, but it already feels right to be taking meals with Tohsaka-san and the others." Taiga mused, smiling nostalgically. "It's just a shame Saber-chan and Ilya couldn't be here too-"
With a loud cracking noise the empty teapot shattered on the floor, Sakura's shaking hands hovering over the broken pieces. "I-I'm sorry, sempai...I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to-I'm sorry-"
Gently, Shirou clasped Sakura's smaller hands in his own, holding tight. "It's alright, Sakura. Everything is fine."
Shirou's simple assurances did more than anything else could have, a bit of color returning to Sakura's white face. The red-head carefully studied her hands, frowning at the small cut on her finger. "Let's go put a bandage on that."
He helped Sakura up, the two going to the where the first aid kit was kept. There was an awkward silence as Archer gathered the broken shards together to toss them in the wastebasket.
"I guess Sakura-chan is still sensitive about Matou-kun's disappearance." Taiga said, for once aware of the emotional undercurrent even if the source was wrong. "She wouldn't react like that normally." Her brown eyes widened as she sat straight up. "Ilya and Saber-chan didn't disappear too, did they?"
"No." Archer answered stoically. "They had to return to where they came from."
"Oh, I see." Taiga sighed, her stance relaxing. "I'm sorry it had to be so soon. I think we all could have had lots of fun together. Saber-chan always looks so serious, it'd be nice to see her smile."
Archer went oddly quiet, eyes hazy with memories. Throwing away the last shard, he straightened to turn to Taiga.
"Saber only had a short time here, but...even if her face didn't show it, she found her days enjoyable." He slowly said, expression distant. "So in a way, she was smiling."
"Ehh? Archer-san, do you know Saber-chan?" Taiga asked, eyes wide.
Archer sat down easily, finishing his tea before answering her. "A long time ago, and only for a short time. It wasn't even until recently that I saw her again, but she hadn't changed."
"Hmm." The teacher said, looking reflective. "It sounds like you know her well even if you weren't acquainted for long."
"Not as well as I believed." Archer responded after a long pause, his expression pained enough that even Taiga noticed. The tension was palpable, drawn and tightly wound as a strung violin. Unable to take it anymore, Rin began to gather the dirty dishes, stacking them in neat piles to take back to the kitchen.
"With her finger cut, it'll probably hurt to wash the dishes. Besides, Sakura cooked dinner so it's not fair for her to clean up too." Rin said, standing with as many dishes she could securely carry. To her relief, Archer followed her lead to take what she could not and clear the rest of the table.
"That's right, that's right." Taiga replied, making an approving nod. "Tohsaka-san, you're a good girl after all."
"Hey, what do you mean 'after all', Fujimura-sensei?" Rin asked, smiling only in the sense that her mouth was turned up and her teeth were showing. "As an educator, please elaborate for me."
Taiga grinned brightly, tiny beads of nervous sweat gathering at her forehead. "Why don't I wipe down the table while you two are washing the dishes?"
"Oh no, Fujimura-sensei, I simply have to hear your answer first-"
"Cleaning--cleaning--! Making surfaces shine!"
"Sensei!"
Archer and Rin slowly walked back to the Tohsaka manor, the streets deserted despite it still being relatively early in the evening. It seemed it would take more than a mere month for Fuyuki to forget the mass disappearances caused by the Shadow under Zouken's orders. Keenly aware of this as she was, there was something bothering Rin more.
Even if it was something she shouldn't be bothered by. It wasn't like she and Archer were really involved, or that his past was any of her business. But still, it clouded her thoughts until she could hold back no longer.
"Archer, earlier tonight..." Rin started, hesitating as he glanced down at her.
"What of it, Rin?"
Flushing, she looked away from him. "When you were talking about Saber. You sounded like you were..." Rin stopped, fumbling for the right word. "Really fond of her."
"I loved her." Archer said, voice calm and straightforward. Rin swallowed, clenching her hands tightly on the handle of her book bag. "Or at least I thought I did."
A long time ago. So long even he would never really be sure just how much time had passed since then. It was a chance meeting, a few seconds long at the most.
A memory he had cherished even in the deepest level of a hell littered with corpses and blood.
Silver armor.
Jewel-like green eyes.
Golden hair shining in the moonlight.
"I ask of you, are you my Master?"
The meaning had changed as he had changed. But even now, that moment was something he would hold in the depths of his heart.
Archer shook himself out of his memories, not ignorant of the death-grip Rin had on her bag. "But it was more like I loved what she stood for more than Saber herself. To me...she was everything I had ever dreamed of being. Someone who helped others. Justice incarnate. A hero." He laughed humorlessly, running his hand through his hair as he looked up at a moon eerily similar to the one of his memories.
"And I adored that. I was so blinded by it I didn't see its flaws until it was too late. In that respect I had done her the same disservice as her subjects, seeing her more as a thing than a person. But that came too late as well. My feelings for her got as twisted around as my feelings about my ideals simply because the two were incontrovertibly entwined. Saber didn't set me on my path, but all she was only strengthened my resolve and that's why I grew to resent her for it." Archer fell silent as they kept walking together, until the feeling of soft skin against his hand startled him into looking down. To his surprise, Rin held his hand in her own despite her red face. She squeezed it gently before letting go after a second's hesitation, much to his regret.
"I'm sorry, Archer. That reality didn't live up to your dreams."
"It didn't, but I brought most of it on myself for being a naive moron. My ideal was flawed from the start because it forgot to take into account that people are flawed too. When all you see is the ugliest side of humanity over and over again, it can warp a saint."
By now they had reached the gate of her home, Archer automatically reaching for the set of keys he had been given upon moving in to unlock it for her. They walked up the brick path to the solid oak of the front door, Rin unlocking it herself. Pulling out her key, her slender hand rested on the doorknob. Even in the shadows, he could see her face had an expression of deep thought upon it.
"Archer." Rin finally said, tilting her head to look up at him. "The reality was flawed, and your means were flawed too. But I believe you had something right. I think your desire to save people from suffering is still beautiful." Without another word she opened the door, leaving him to stare at her retreating back.
Letting out a long breath, Archer closed the door. Just when he thought he had Rin figured out, she'd hit him with another surprise. He supposed he deserved nothing less for underestimating her like that. Distantly, he heard the sound of Rin climbing the stairs, opening and closing the door to her room to change out of her uniform.
"Maybe is it beautiful in that way, Rin. But I'd forsake it in a second for you." Archer murmured to himself, warmed by her words as much as he was pained by the fact he knew she couldn't hear his own.
The stately clock in the manor hallway sounded midnight, but the lights in Rin's library burned bright as ever.
And to no reward. Her head throbbing gently but persistently, Rin looked at the research scattered across the dark wood table with bleary eyes. A mishmash of rough notes, old tomes from the library, and more recent essays from the brightest minds at the Clock Tower in England, it all lay before her as a testament to her own failure. Her own personal ruins of Ozymandias, constantly taunting her as a hurdle she had yet to surpass despite her belief she could do so.
"'Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair', indeed." Rin quoted in frustration, rubbing her sore neck. Sighing, Rin reached for what was currently the most useful of the texts at her disposal. De Alchimia opuscula complura veterum philosopher read the weathered gold text against the faded green leather of the cover. Though there was no actual date on the book, Rin guessed it to be at least five hundred years old, judging from the style of binding and the late Gothic woodcut prints. Translated from the original Latin, the book had several secrets of the founding principles of alchemy within its fragile pages...including the manufacture of homunculi.
The greatest surprise of all was that the book wasn't actually hers. Shirou, of all people, had lent it to her. What a valuable magical text that could only be the property of the Einzberns was doing with Emiya Kiritsugu's things was a mystery, but one she didn't have time to parse out now. It had proven to be invaluable, and that was what truly mattered.
Even as a means to tell her that making a homunculi body that naturally aged was beyond her capabilities and resources. Such a task would be difficult for even masters of the Alchemic arts like the Einzberns, and Rin wasn't an expert in the field. Feeling the sheer hopelessness of the situation, Rin began to carefully leaf through the book for what felt like the millionth time on the off-chance she had simply missed something helpful, even something as small as a single word.
Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
Rin leaned back in her chair, feeling her head ache. She was well on her way to a full-blown migraine when a rustling noise forced her eyes open. A single folded piece of paper was drifting down to the floor, evidently jostled loose from the text. Panicking at the thought of damaging such a valuable book inadvertently, Rin made a grab for it. Catching the paper which upon touch proved not nearly as old as the grimoire itself, Rin calmed down.
Curiosity roused, Rin studied it. It was quite thin, folded into a neat square. For her not to have noticed it before, it must have been tucked into the De Alchimia quite perfectly. She unfolded it with care, revealing a sketch of a woman done in charcoal.
"Ilya...?" Rin asked herself, surprised for a second before she noted the woman in the drawing looked older than the petite Master of Berserker. About her mid-twenties, and with far longer hair and bangs similar to Rider's. But still, the resemblance was uncanny. She could tell just by looking whoever drew the woman was untrained as an artist, but still...there was a great feeling of love for the subject. And at the same time, regret.
There was no title, no signature on the piece. Nothing but a woman with a beautiful smile. Rin gazed at it for a second longer before refolding it and placing the drawing back in the book. Somehow, it felt too much like violating the sanctity of the dead to look at it.
The large, warm hand suddenly on her shoulder cleared the musings from her mind.
"You're still at it?" Archer asked, already dressed for bed as his jaw tightened in disapproval.
"This is too important to stop just because it's late-" Rin began, telling herself her heart was only beating like that because he had startled her.
"Rin, you look exhausted." He said, tilting her chin up to study her face. "You won't get anywhere like that."
She wasn't blushing, really. Not even a little. "But..."
"If you haven't gotten it by now, I doubt a solution will come in the next hour or so." Archer pointed out, letting her go. "And you'll be more productive for the rest, mental and physical."
Automatically Rin covered her mouth as a tiny yawn escaped her, blush reddening at his knowing smirk. "Fine, fine, you win."
"It had to happen sometime." Archer said, tone a perfect deadpan. He watched her lethargic movements for a minute before lifting her into his arms and walking out of the library.
"H-hey, I'm going Archer! You don't need to carry me." Rin said, voice rising in half-hearted protest.
"I know, but it was just too sad to watch you struggle to move. Anyway, I was afraid if I left you to your own devices you'd fall asleep on the stairs."
Rin scowled slightly, resting her head against his shoulder as he mounted the stairs leading to her bedroom. As if his pointing it out had released her exhaustion in one great flood, she could already feel herself shutting down. "That was only one time." But really, she was too drowsy to get her temper worked up...and Archer was so nice and warm...
Hazily, she watched Archer open the door to deposit her gently on the bed. Slowly, Rin pulled aside the sheets to settle herself comfortably on the bed. Not a moment too soon, she was practically asleep on her feet as it was.
Archer covered her completely, tucking her in with his usual precision. Task finished, he turned his back to make his way out of the room.
"Hey...Archer..." Rin said, voice barely above a sleepy whisper. "When are you coming to bed?"
He froze in shock, feeling his heart twist in his chest. While he had certainly spent the night in her bed before, it had never been without having sex beforehand. For her to ask him to stay..."What do mean, Rin?"
"It means what it means." Rin yawned again, stretching herself out. "I...can't sleep when...you aren't there."
His heart twisted once more before he nodded, reaching to turn the light off before sliding in next to her. She moved to spoon against him, her back to his chest. "I'm right here, Rin."
"...Better..." Rin murmured, a satisfied smile crossing her face before she slipped fully into sleep. Sighing, Archer kissed the back of her neck, breathing in the scent of her skin before giving into sleep himself.
The next morning found Rin in the library once more. As usual, Archer had woken up before her and taken the liberty of tidying her mess. Why this irritated her when he had done such a good job was strange, but...
No, it wasn't strange. Rin hadn't intended to keep on depending on Archer like that, but once more she had left him to take care of things. Annoyed, she shook her head as she skimmed the shelves of her library aimlessly. Ending things with him would be that much harder if he kept taking care of her so much. After all, this thing between them wasn't meant to last.
...Right?
Rin made an aggravated noise, ignoring the churning feeling in her stomach at the thought of not having Archer around any more. She turned her focus on the stacks, not really looking for anything in particular.
One of the spines caught her eye. Mildly surprised, Rin pulled out the copy of Bunraku: A Japanese Performing Tradition to study it. Even taking into account the generous size of the library, seeing it in her home was unexpected considering puppetry wasn't a subject of interest to anyone in her family. The edition she held was a later one than the version Rider had mysteriously acquired, but something more than that tugged at her brain for attention. Just what she wasn't sure, but the instincts that had seen her through the hardest Holy Grail War of them all were definitely nudging her consciousness.
The book was important, somehow. The one Rider borrowed hadn't gotten there on its own, that much was obvious. It was a hint to the problem of replacement bodies for Archer and Shirou. Logically, the best means of divining that hint lay between comparing her copy of the book to the one the Servant possessed. Which only left one problem beyond finding the hint itself.
Just who was trying to help her?
It seemed unlikely, but it could possibly be...
A approving smile, like an old professor pleasantly surprised by a long-time student. Gleaming crimson eyes offsetting an otherwise grandfatherly appearance, elegantly clad in dark clothes with a walking cane.
"Well, well. To think in just two hundred years, the family of my least-promising pupil has already reached the Second. I congratulate you, girl. I hope this will not be the last I hear of you."
Kishua Zelretch Schweinorg. Number Four of the Twenty Seven Dead Apostle Ancestors. Master of the Second Magic, Operation of Parallel Worlds. An ally of humanity despite his vampiric nature.
Was it him? He seemed to take some interest in her reproducing his artifact, despite its inferiority to the original version. Of course, it would be difficult to match up to a Magic artifact capable of pushing back the Moon into place by sheer force, but tracing even a lesser version of the Housekiken wasn't a feat to take lightly.
"Hmph. Knowing his reputation, this is a test rather than a hint." Rin said to herself. Nonetheless, she tucked the book in her school bag for comparison to Rider's copy later.
That night, Rin found herself once again in the room she used whenever she stayed at Shirou's home, the two copies of Bunraku side by side in front of her. She smoothed down the front of her sleeping yukata in frustration, having found no discernable difference between the first edition belonging to Rider and the second edition belonging to her.
Still, it was possible another look would help. Once more she flipped both books open, doing a side by side comparison. Trying for patience, Rin carefully studied the books one page at a time. There had to be some minute but important difference. There had been only a few months between the publication of the first edition and the second edition run. To release a second version so soon, there must be some vital reason…like something to hide.
Rin found it on her fourth search through the books. She had been right, it really was the smallest of differences. But through all her examinations, it was the only one she had been able to find. It was at the very back of Rider's book, just one name in long list of sources.
Tohko
Written in hiragana so she couldn't even see the kanji. Not even a last name given to narrow the list down. As a hint or a test, it was a pretty damn small one. But it was something, at least. If only she knew where to start, or why Tohko's name had been removed from subsequent editions of Bunraku. The book itself was only ten years old, so there was a good chance Tohko was still alive-
"You've been glaring at those books for the past ten minutes." Archer broke her train of thought, kneeling behind her on the futon to wrap his arms around her waist and pull her against him. "It's an intimidating look to be sure, but I don't think they're going to crack that easily."
"Idiot. This is for your sake, so don't act so relaxed. Aren't you worried at all?" Rin retorted even as she relaxed, strangely soothed by the rise and fall of his chest.
"I believe in your skill and intelligence, Rin. Someone like you who doesn't know the meaning of defeat will always find a way."
Her cheeks flushed as she looked down, her heart pounding. "I-idiot."
He only chuckled, nuzzling the tender crook of her neck. Her face flushed as he nipped sensitive skin, a long moment passing before the haze in her mind cleared enough for her to check something important.
"A-archer...Archer, is the door shut?"
He paused in the midst of working her yukata sash, distracted in the middle of trying to figure out the complicated knot. "What?"
Rin blushed, her expression begging him not to ask for an explanation. "Is the door shut all the way?"
Archer slowly raised an eyebrow at her before craning his neck around to check.
"Yes. Yes, it is."
As usual after they finished making love, Rin curled against him, though oddly enough she remained with her back to him and her face turned away. Almost like she was trying to hide, she pulled the kakebuton up to practically cover her face. Rin shifted to glance at him for a second, her flushed cheeks heating up even more, before turning to look away again. In a voice too quiet and muffled by the comforter to make out, she said something.
"Rin?"
"...too much." She mumbled, voice barely more intelligible than before.
"Too much what?" Archer asked, worry tensing his stomach up.
"I-I liked it too much." Rin admitted, blushing so deeply she looked feverish. Once more, she pulled the kakebuton up far enough only her eyes were visible.
Archer blinked, both at her confession and unusual if sweet display of shyness. "And that's a problem?"
"It's just..." Rin began awkwardly, fingers curling into the soft comforter. "It was so...I feel like it was naughty of me to like it that much, e-especially that way." Her voice trailed off as her eyes flicked to him. "I don't want to be someone who ends up with weird tastes in the bedroom..."
Unruffled, Archer raised a brow at her, fingers tracing the nape of her neck. "Oh? You think that was deviant?" He caught sight of her mortified expression and sighed a little, easing up on her. "Rin, there's nothing strange about your preferences. Considering your personality, it fits."
Rin turned to scowl at him, fighting spirit obviously riled up. "Hey, what's that supposed to mean?!"
He patted her head with a hint of faux-condescending attitude, tone set at a soothing pitch. "You're the type who doesn't go out of her way to seek conflict, but once one does start you love to fight. It's just your competitive spirit, so naturally it's reflected in a lot of what you do."
"Hmph." But her frown disappeared, her face less cross. "I guess I can accept that."
"Good, because I have a question of my own." Archer said, moving his hand to rest over her heart. "Why were you really trying so hard to keep quiet earlier?"
Under his fingers, he could feel her heartbeat pick up as her shoulders stiffened. "Well, Rin?"
She fidgeted with the kakebuton, fingers tracing the pattern of the fabric. "Archer, R-rider is right across the hall from me...a-and it's not like the walls here are that thick."
His eyes narrowed at that, the pieces falling together in his mind. "She knows, doesn't she?"
Rin's heart, having slowed down some, started to pound again. "It's alright, I explained things to her so she doesn't have the wrong idea about us. But I promised her I'd talk to Sakura so she doesn't get upset."
Archer exhaled, his breath stirring the silky strands of hair falling over her neck. "She has a point. But I'm still going to kill her for being a damn voyeur."
The next morning was bright and sunny, a true sign of winter going to its rest to allow the rebirth of springtime. Although it was still only early March, the air was perfect and temperate and flowers were close to budding. It was only fitting that breakfast was a light, simple affair, traditional Japanese breakfast dishes arranged aesthetically on the table.
"It's strange for it to be this nice out already, even for Fuyuki." Shirou commented, making quick work of his grilled fish. "If it gets much warmer, we'll be wearing our summer uniforms before April rolls around."
Sakura smoothed out her black skirt, smiling at Shirou. "Maybe, sempai. But it's just perfect out right now. Hanami might even be a week or two earlier than usual this year."
Rin made a noise of agreement, her mind still in its early morning haze. Slowly, she drained the last of her tea in an attempt to get the magic of caffeine to bring her to full alertness.
"Sakura, what is hanami?" Rider asked curiously, helping herself to another tamagoyaki while pretending to miss Archer's measuring look with some degree of success.
"Oh, I guess we never did explain it to you Rider." Sakura said, scratching her cheek in embarrassment. "It's what the Japanese do in the spring, go have a picnic under the newly bloomed cherry trees and admire the blossoms. The season for doing it is very short, so it's important to do it as soon as possible."
Rider smiled slightly, her expression gentle in a way that was exclusively for Sakura. "That sounds lovely. I'm looking forward to it."
"We'll all go together." Shirou said, reaching over to squeeze Sakura's hand. A pretty flush rose to her cheeks even as her fingers tangled with his. "After all, we promised we would."
"Hn. Just be careful with the alcohol." Archer said, sipping at the last of his miso. "Fu...Taiga thinks her limit is about five bottles higher than it actually is."
Shirou winced, as if recalling some particularly embarrassing memory before nodding firmly in agreement. "I'll work something out with Neko-san beforehand. She and Fuji-nee have been friends since high school, so she knows how to get around her. One of my bosses at Copenhagen." He clarified in response to Rider's questioning look.
Rin blinked, the tea starting to take effect. "Where is Fujimura-sensei, anyway? Usually she's here even before breakfast is being cooked."
Sakura's eyes widened at that, a worried look crossing her face. "You're right, Nee-san. It's not like her to miss breakfast."
"Maybe she overslept." Shirou said, though he was starting to look concerned himself. "You know how she is, putting off grading till the last minute."
"Still..." Sakura began, clearly anxious. "I'll go put Nee-san and Archer-san's things in the washing machine. If she hasn't arrived by then, I'll go call her."
"That sounds good, Sakura-" Shirou said before frowning. "Wait, why would you need to wash Tohsaka's stuff already? And Archer's? They only borrowed them just last night."
Sakura froze, blushing. All conversation ceased as everyone turned to look at her.
"Sakura?" Shirou asked again, expression confused. His sherry-brown gaze flicked from Sakura, to a equally red Rin, to Archer who was completely immobile, then back to Sakura again. Slowly, something akin to horrified disbelief started to seep into his eyes. "No way..."
"W-well, sempai, it's really Nee-san's business what she does-" Sakura stammered out, her cheeks flaming.
"You knew?!" Rider burst out, jaw dropping. "For how long?"
Sakura was still red, but her mouth set into an eerily Rin-like tilt. "Somehow, I didn't think Archer-san was sneaking into Nee-san's room every time they came over because he wanted to have, say, an invigorating discussion on thaumaturgy."
Archer twitched, Rin buried her red face in her hands, and Shirou looked like he was torn between wanting to kill Archer, wanting to die himself, and having a massive migraine.
"B-but he...I..." Shirou tried to get out, face growing more crimson than his hair as he made an obvious effort not to look at Rin. "I can't even begin to list what's wrong about that." Needing reassurance, he held Sakura's hand for strength.
"Hey!" Rin said, glaring at him as she slammed her hand down on the table. "I'm giving you three seconds to take that back, Emiya-kun-"
"Come on, Tohsaka!" Shirou shot back, face burning as he focused on a spot six centimeters to the left of her head. "I can't imagine Sakura's sister and an alternate version of myself doing...doing..." He shook his head, unable to continue without dying of embarrassment.
"You shouldn't be imagining anything about Rin, period-" Archer glared at the younger man before a frantic knocking had them all looking towards the front hall. Distantly, a somewhat familiar female voice could be heard.
"Emiya! Emiya, come quickly!"
Rin blinked, the voice registering with her first. "Ayako? What is she doing here?"
Shirou reached the door first, swiftly unlocking it. "Mitsuzuri, what is-Fuji-nee!"
The Archery Club captain stood at the front door in jogging sweats, the teacher supported against her shoulder. To say Taiga didn't look well was an understatement; her face was flushed and sweaty, her breathing ragged. In an instant Archer easily lifted her limp form into his arms, deep concern flashing in his eyes despite his stoic face.
"I was on my morning run as usual." Ayako explained as Sakura lay a cool towel across Taiga's forehead. "And I found her collapsed at the foot of the steps. I knew this was your place, Emiya, so I brought her up here." Her gaze flicked to Rin, Archer, and Rider, but her concern over her teacher and club advisor clearly took priority over any questions she had.
"Thank you, Mitsuzuri." Shirou said, bowing. "If you hadn't been by, we wouldn't have found her until we left for school."
"It's no problem." Ayako replied with a shrug. "But it's odd for Fujimura-sensei to take sick like that when she's always so energetic." Suddenly her amber eyes widened as a thought struck. "Matou, isn't Takeuchi still out with mono?"
Sakura paused, biting her lip. "Takeuchi Takashi-kun? Yes, he is. He hasn't been to club in two weeks..."
"And she got it from him." Rin followed that line of thought, studying Taiga carefully. "She's the Archery Club coach, so it makes sense."
"She and Nasu-kun did the home visit together, and he's been out sick too." Sakura added, dipping the cloth in cold water before reapplying it. Reacting to the soothing temperature, Taiga stirred before opening her eyes blearily.
"Nngh...S...shirou?" The teacher asked, voice weak and breathy.
"Fuji-nee, how are you feeling?" Shirou asked, holding her hand.
"Tired...sore..." Taiga said, words coming out hoarse. She accepted the glass of cool water Sakura passed her, drinking it gratefully with some support from Shirou. "It's been like this for almost a week, but I thought it was just a cold."
"We think it's mono, sensei." Rin said, already dialing on the phone for an ambulance. "You should probably go to the hospital."
To her surprise, Taiga grabbed at her wrist with a sluggish movement. "Wait, Tohsaka-san...I can't yet, not until my classes are taken care of."
"Fujimura-sensei, your health should be your first priority." Sakura told her in a gentle but firm tone. "I'm sure the school will be able to find a substitute if we call them now."
"Sakura-chan...that still leaves the Archery Club." Taiga protested, clearly exhausted with only her own determination keeping her going. "The tournament is just in four weeks, and if I'm out that whole time..."
Ayako started, brow knitting. "That's true. A lot of the first years need more training than just Matou and I can provide, especially since Emiya isn't coming back." She shook her head, her shoulders slumping. "I guess there's just nothing to be done about it. Any decent kyudo coach is going to already be occupied with other teams this time of year."
There was a pause as Rin and Sakura both turned to look at Archer, one with an assessing gaze, the other with eyes filled with tentative hope.
"No." Archer said flatly, arms crossing in clear refusal. "Not for heaven or hell or-"
"Archer, I can think of one very good reason for you to do Ayako a favor and coach." Rin interrupted with a sweet smile, mouthing the words 'cut you off' just out of Ayako's line of vision. "Besides, you don't really have anything better to do."
"Archer-san, is it?" Ayako asked, tilting her head thoughtfully. "You practice kyudo? If Rin thinks you're good enough..."
"He is, trust me." Rin said dryly. All eyes were on Archer, a muscle in his cheek ticking in response. He wasn't sure what was worse, the looks of hope from Ayako, Sakura, and Taiga, or the more threatening expressions sported by Rin, Shirou, and Rider.
"...Goddammit." Archer swore, looking away in defeat. Rin smirked just a bit before dialing once more for the ambulance, giving the address and situation with a concise explanation. After hanging up, she handed Shirou the phone to dial the school and inform them of the problem.
"It looks like we'll all be skipping today." Rin commented with a sigh, before giving Ayako a challenging look. "Want to assess Archer's skill now?"
"May as well." Her friend responded, trying subtly to scoot away from Rider who was sitting somewhat closer than normal personal boundaries allowed. The besotted expression didn't seem to help any. "Emiya, you still have the range set up, right?"
"Yes, Mitsuzuri. I'd set it up for you, but the ambulance is going to be here soon and I need to go with Fuji-nee." The red-head said, Sakura nodding in agreement.
"I can handle it." Archer grunted, looking irritated as he left the room, Ayako trailing behind him. Rin stood to follow, making it a few steps out to the hallway before Rider grabbed her arm.
"Rider, what-"
"Rin." Rider said, glasses shining under the hallway lights. "Ayako...Ayako...does she have a boyfriend?"
Rin's jaw dropped as she stared at the taller woman. "No, but why does that matter to you?"
Rider merely giggled in response, before moving to catch up with Ayako outside. Rin rubbed her temples, feeling a headache of her own come on.
"The Grail War's over...aren't things supposed to be getting less weird now?" Yet somehow...she didn't mind.
Even if her instincts told her the insanity had only just begun.
Author's Notes: Every time I think a chapter of this fic couldn't take longer to write...headdesks I'm proven wrong. But with blood, sweat, tears, and lots of doujinshi and fic (for, ahem, 'inspiration'), I finally got this out.
Continuing with the Across The Universe soundtrack inspiration, naturally "Why Don't We Do It In The Road" would fit for a 30 lemons theme involving voyeurism. Rather convenient considering there are only two different lines to the entire song. Once more, this was long enough for me to divide into an "A-Side" and "B-Side".
Less in depth TYPE-MOON stuff this time around, but there were quite a few hints that are going to be relevant in the future. If you read carefully enough, this should be obvious. Bonus points to whomever catches the TM founders references.
One thing I will reveal, since not everyone is familiar with Fate/Zero-the woman in the drawing Rin found, for those who couldn't piece it together from the description, is Irisviel Von Einzbern. She was Kiritsugu's wife, Ilya's mother, and the chosen vessel of the Holy Grail in the Fourth Grail War. She originally owned the Emiya house, so that some of her belongings were left there and kept quite carefully by Kiritsugu until he died isn't surprising. Hence why mage-dunce Shirou would have a very rare and valuable book on alchemy (based on a real 16-th century book, actually).
Not much more to discuss here. Obviously, the plot is progressing and we're going to see some advancements in the whole "Shirou and Archer" bodies area, as well as the gradual assimilation of the eirei into modern times.
And now...Character Analysis! Wait, don't leave-
Archer: He's making some headway with Rin. Very, very, very slowly, but it's something. I think he got a bit frustrated with her, hence his...slightly aggressive actions when they were together. Well, Rider worked him up too, but they both liked it and they're finally trying new things so it's all good. Besides, Rin roping him into archery coaching is clear retribution. Not that he isn't well suited for it, and there will be some surprising benefits from it next chapter. As for his feelings for Saber...I think Archer explained this well enough himself. He loved what she stood for more than Saber herself, and in the end it was another stone on his path to ruin. As for the relationship he had with Rin during his lifetime...well, more about that will be revealed later on too.
Rin: Still in denial. This is going to last some time too, even if she's starting to weaken slightly. Archer has her number, though. Rin does enjoy conflict of equals, and is she ever going to give Archer his payback soon. And he's going to love it, the masochist. I'm glad I got a chance to show more of her intelligence with magic-Rin's damn talented, and she's only going to get better.
Rider: Seeing them is what she was so damn embarrassed about last chapter, although it turns out she got worried for nothing. As for her, uh, instant like for Ayako...my take is Rider has always had a stronger preference for women over men, given her unsavory experiences with them in general. Shirou's the only decent one she's ever met, so he's an exception, but for the most part she's all about girls, baby. And considering how she drools over Ayako in Hollow, I think canon agrees with me. Mitsuzuri, you aren't going to know what hit you.
Sakura: SHE KNEW BEFORE ANYONE THEY WERE DOING IT. This is why she rules. We're starting to see Sakura grow stronger (although she's always been strong) even if that kind of mental scarring isn't going to heal overnight. And she actually makes me like Shirou, a miracle in its own right.
Shirou: He's growing stronger too, and he and Sakura are really in love. Poor guy is REALLY traumatized by the thought of Archer and Rin making sweet, sweet love...and I've only just begun to bring the torment. XDDD Muahahahaha. Seriously, he must get the worst existential headaches. Good thing he has Sakura to cuddle.
Fuji-nee: Out sick with mono. She's going to be out of it for about a month, so we get Archer filling in for her for about that long...But she's strong, so she'll bounce back. Besides, she's warmed to Rin, so it's her responsibility to look out for the young'uns under her care. God help Archer if she ever finds out how often he and Rin have sex, though.
Ayako: We're going to see more Mitsuzuri from now on. Ronpaia doujinshi have STRONGLY influenced my take on the Rider/Ayako (stalking) relationship. Needless to say, fun for us and kind of weird for her. Give in, Ayako! Rider is just too persistent! There's no escaping her with your mere mortal abilities!