An Opportunity of Fate

by PML7

Counter Guardian Emiya is given an offer he cannot refuse. He must somehow save Fuyuki City from the ravages of the Fifth Grail War without being allowed to participate himself! Can he influence his younger self and his friends from his youth enough to save the world before Emiya has to use a Counter Force against the Grail, destroying Fuyuki City and the surrounding area?

4. Chapter 4

An Opportunity of Fate Part 4

CG Emiya-

Emiya shook his head, "All those changes, just because she picked up a horn?"

"A very special horn. Hush now, the day isn't over."

-Kiritsugu Emiya—

Once long ago, the world had seemed fairly simple to Kiritsugu. There was the mission. Saving people by eliminating those who needed to die. Making the world a better place through careful application of death.

He had always hoped there would be a better way, had even gone into the Grail Wars to find it. Only to find more loss and pain, and in the end death. Death for his wife, death for his dreams, death for himself, albeit prolonged.

Only two things made continued life worth the pain, the thought of seeing his daughter again, and Shirou. And his last trip had made him finally realize that there was no hope of seeing Ilyasviel again. He had simply lost too much of his old abilities. Once he might have been able to sneak in and see her, perhaps even liberate her and bring her here to Fuyuki to live in peace.

No longer.

His eyes lingered on the red vial of medicine he had been given three years ago. It was to be taken only when the pain had grown too great for him. To be used only when he had finally completely given up. His final release, a death more gentle than he had ever imagined he would attain. It would sooth the pain, even give him a little energy for a tiny while, before snuffing out his life within a day.

He had never thought that he might consider it for anything other than his own personal use. But the girl…. Rin Tohsaka, daughter of Tokiomi Tohsaka and Second Owner of Fuyuki. Personal apprentice to Kotomine Kirei.

She was a threat to himself and Shirou. Not just because she was the Second Owner of Fuyuki, and had the right to deal with trespassing Magi, but also because of her connection to that bastard Kirei.

How had Kirei survived? Kiritsugu wasn't sure. But he had known of it for some time. He simply didn't have the strength to do anything about it. He was too weak now.

Too weak to save his daughter, and too weak to protect Shirou.

It would be better if Kotomine never knew of the boy. That he did not know of his continued existence. It would be safer if the girl died. And she was vulnerable. This drug would waken her, sooth her pains. She would share dinner, her last, with them. She would go home.

And she would die.

It would be relatively painless, her muscles and nervous system slowly shutting down. Modern medicine would suspect nothing. Nor would conventional magical test show the toxin. He had spent a good deal of money to buy the best.

But could he do that to the boy? To have the one he saved die like that? Kiritsugu had only saved one person, he could imagine how it would have felt if Shirou had died.

Surely it wasn't the same?

Kiritsugu had seen the boy's eyes as he carried the girl in his arms. There had been a joy in them Kiritsugu had rarely seen. He knew there was something wrong with the boy, how could there not be after what poor Shirou had experienced?

How would it affect the boy?

That was what was holding him up from doing the safe and pragmatic thing. From killing Rin. Because Kiritsugu also had some medicine that could easily save her.

Or he could simply not give her anything and leave it in the hands of fate.

But he had promised the boy.

Once it had all been so simple. When had it all gotten so complicated?

-Sakura Matou—

Sakura had hurried after she had heard the call. Rin was in trouble. She was conflicted about it. For while they had been sisters, was their still truly a connection? They hadn't really talked to each other in years. It was always awkward between them, always strained.

Easier by far to pretend there had never been a connection there. To pretend that she really had been born a Matou. That call, that glorious note had woken something in her. A need to make sure Rin was okay. Their clans were allies after all.

Yes. Allies. That was why she cared.

A quick shower and an even quicker lunch for Shinji followed. She made herself a sandwich, tolf Shinji she was off to buy groceries for dinner, and she left.

Shinji ignored her the whole time Just kept watching the television as she brought him his lunch. Why couldn't he be more reliable like his friends? Sakura sighed and left.

She didn't usually use her magic. It scared her. Not only the fact she could do things, that the magic was being written into her, but also that it allowed her to see and feel things that weren't real. She could feel the edges of where light met shadow, where what was real began to blur into what was not.

Worse she could sense her own body and feel the steadily growing corruption as the worms inscribed the spells and rituals that were the legacy of the Matou. One day she would be like her grandfather, powerful and nearly unkillable, but also inhuman and foul.

That would be many years from now. But still, how could she look normal people in the eye when she was slowly becoming a monster? A rotting creature that had obscene worms coursing through it? Could they see it? Could they tell what she was? What she was becoming?

Sakura took a deep breath and looked around. She had crossed the bridge and was now near the Memorial Park. Where the Fire had been. She looked at the sickly grass that made up the park. Did people honestly go in there of their own free will? Couldn't they see it was accursed.

Sakura shivered. Not merely because she could see that that land was accursed, but also because a tiny bit of her recognized it. It called to her.

Rin had been in there. She wasn't there now, but Sakura would never understand what had happened if she didn't look herself. So gathering her strength she walked into the park.

She was conflicted as she walked through the park to the spot where she knew her sister had done something. She could feel echoes of it throughout the park. At the edge of her mind she could hear voices. Some pleading to her for salvation, others crying out in fear.

And then she stopped. For in a tiny patch of ground, the darkness had been pushed back, seared away. There was a feeling of ethereal light.

This was what called to her. This unreal unnatural light. It was as sharp as the shadows and yet it called to her. She stood there and basked in its radiance, feeling both elated and repelled by it.

Rin had done this. There was a Rin-ness to the energy that filled this tiny gap. Sakura had to smile. That sense of her sister was fading and Sakura was glad she had hurried, that she had been there to sense it. For just a brief moment she felt the years roll back. To when only Rin had been learning magecraft. To when Rin would secretly show Sakura what she had learned.

Sakura had only been slightly jealous of her sister. Because it had sounded difficult and hard and painful. But with her latent gifts she could sense the wonder of it. Those senses were much stronger now. And she knew very well the pain and difficulty of magic.

Sakura could only hope that Rin didn't have to suffer the humiliation and degradation she did.

She sighed. She should go. Lingering here was pointless, and she could still feel echoes of Rin's distress. She still might need help. But Sakura really didn't feel like walking back through that shadowed park. Nor did she know where Rin could have gone….

Except there were footprints that lead away from the circle she was in. Towards a nearby street. They were odd and weak, but somehow the darkness, the taint wasn't as strong in them. As if something resistant to the darkness had been standing there and had recovered her sister.

Sakura hopped from foot print to foot print. The stride wasn't all that great. Probably not an adult, although possibly a smaller woman. It didn't feel female though. A boy, probably a little older than her. But strong. Strong and… warm. Compassionate. Sakura felt her cheeks warm.

Why couldn't someone like that arrive and save her? Why did Rin get all the good things?

Sakura felt a moment of dizziness take her and she fell. She lay in the soft grass and for just a moment she let her self-pity play out. Why? What had she done in former life to deserve this? She lay there and listened to the cries from those who had died in the fire echo through her.

It could have been worse. She had been alive during that fire. Simply in a different place. But she could have been here. She could already be dead. And while her life was unpleasant she was still alive.

'I am still alive.'

"Hey, kid. Are you okay?"

Sakura looked up and saw a girl, perhaps a little older than her. She had dark hair and eyes and a slightly sardonic smirk as she looked down at Sakura.

The smile turned into a frown, "Hey did someone do something to you? I mean it's a beautiful day and you're crying! Never let them see you are hurt, kid. It only feeds them when they see they have beaten you down. If you can't thrash them back and have to take a thrashing yourself, do it with a smile. It'll drive them nuts." The girl helped Sakura to her feet.

Sakura stood up. Why was this girl here? Why was she helping her? "Um, thank you very much. My name is Sakura Matou." She bowed slightly.

"Matou? Tell me you aren't related to Shinji Matou by chance?" A look of disdain crossed her face.

"Yes, he is my brother." Sakura looked down. Why didn't this girl like her brother?

The girl sighed heavily, "Well I guess I can't really hold it against you, not since you look like you've had such a rough day. The name is Mitsuduri, Ayako Mitsuduri. So what happened?"

"Nothing. I just tripped."

"Huh. Don't want to tell me huh? Well that is okay. Today is a special day and I am feeling magnanimous. How about you celebrate with me and I treat you to some ice cream?" Ayako's smile twisted back to a sardonic grin. She reached out and started pulling Sakura behind her.

Sakura softly said, "Why?"

Ayako looked back, "Why am I being so pushy? Well you look like you need a friend right now, and I have had a great day. Damn it was a pleasure to finally hit a bullseye! And not once but twice? Although that second one was tough. But I will get better. I will improve until I am the best at everything!" She laughed, "Oh, who am I kidding. That probably won't happen. But I will try! Never let anyone say a Mitsuduri backed away from a challenge!"

Sakura was silent, watching Ayako wave one hand enthusiastically in the air. The other was leading Sakura along. Sakura followed. Truth was she really didn't know where Rin could be now. The path had ended at the street. And while she did need to pick up some groceries for dinner, she still had some time before she needed to head home.

And she didn't really feel like going home yet.

There was a pause and Ayako stopped, "And so the silence reigns as you begin to believe I am a crazy person. You can go if you wish. I don't mean to be so pushy, it's just..." She looked back towards the park, "Earlier today I felt something. It was, well it was strange. And I wasn't really ready for it, you know? Like someone needed help and I wasn't able to help them." She shook her head.

Sakura stiffened. This girl had heard Rin's call? How? As far as she could see the girl was completely unmagical. She nodded slightly to herself. It had called others. But why this girl? Maybe she should find out. Going along with her was a good idea. "But why me? Why help me?"

Ayako looked at Sakura like she had just grown a third eye, "Why wouldn't I help you? You my friend, looked like a junior in need, and I your senior must help you. Come on, there is some ice cream with our names on it. My treat." Ayako moved toward the market area.

Sakura didn't even notice the small smile on her face as she followed.

-Shirou Emiya—

Shirou watched Rin's eyes move rapidly under her eyelids as she slept. What was she dreaming about? What had happened to her? And why wouldn't she let that horn go from her grasp?

He pulled away as she started to mutter something in a foreign language and began to writhe as if in pain. "Dad?"

Where was his father? He had said he was mixing something for Rin, but he should have been finished by now. Issei and Taiga had been sent to get groceries for dinner. But they wouldn't be gone for long. His father had to do his magic stuff before they returned.

Shirou stood. He would have to practice more. There had to be a way to get better than what he was. Because at the moment he was a total failure. He could usually make a circuit, but often he could do nothing with it. Even when it worked he could usually only make minor projections. Basically useless baubles and empty shells of other objects. His father had tried to explain reinforcement, but typically all Shirou did was cause an over flow and destroy the object.

Shirou was an abject failure as a magus. Of course he was just ten, but still he should be able to do more than he could now. He hadn't really improved at all since he had finally convinced his father to show him how to make a circuit.

Persuading him to teach Shirou more was useless. His father only wanted to play when he was home. That or lay about. His father was not the most industrious of men.

Kiritsugu entered the room. He was holding a red vial and his face was grim. "I will take care of this son."

Shirou didn't move. Something wasn't right. "Dad, what is wrong?"

Kiritsugu's face moved to smile, "Don't worry son, she will be awake in just a few minutes. And neither you or her will know that anything was ever wrong with her."

Something was wrong. For that smile didn't affect his eyes at all. The smile was empty, devoid of life. And he held the red vial. A vial he had warned Shirou about.

Poison. His father held poison in his hands. And was about to give it to a helpless Rin.

Shirou stood up, "No Dad, I won't let you. I won't let you kill her."

"Son it is for the best. She will seem fine, just let me…." His face seemed serene now, calm. But still the eyes were empty of life.

Shirou would not let him past. Once his father had been a strong man, but his illness had weakened him. Fighting him felt wrong, but letting him hurt Rin would be worse. "You are a hero! Why would you do this? Why would you try to kill someone innocent?"

There was a fire inside of Kiritsugu's eyes now, and anger that his son was defying him. "What makes you think that girl is innocent? And even if she were, my hands are CRIMSON with the blood of innocents! That is what it means to be a hero! You can never save everyone, never. All too often the innocent die as well."

"No. I don't accept that. There is always a way. A way to save everyone." He kept blocking his father. He would not let him get to Rin.

"Don't you think I tried? I lost everyone, Shirou! Everyone I loved I lost. Often at my own hands." The life seemed to go out of him, "Did you know I killed my own father? He had been experimenting with time and Dead Apostles. He caused the deaths of everyone on the island I grew up on. He had to die. And I killed him."

"Dad…"

"The woman who raised me? Dead at my hands. Killed because saving her would risk the lives of other innocents. Sacrificed for the greater good." Kiritsugu shrank in on himself and sank to the floor.

Shirou stood there watching him, unsure of what to do.

"My friends. My lovers. All too often sacrificed for the greater good. That is what it means, Shirou. That is why I always try to persuade you from your course. It leads to only pain and sorrow. Not only for you. But for all whom you love and all who love you."

For the first time in his life, Shirou watched as Kiritsugu broke down before him. The man put his hands in his face and wept.

But his voice thick with emotion, and distorted by sobs, Kiritsugu kept talking. "Oh, Irisviel!"

Shirou moved and held his father.

After a moment, Kiritsugu wiped his eyes. "Sorry son. This trip…. What it taught me really took a lot out of me."

Shirou held on to his father, "I am sorry." What had happened on his trip? How had it affected his father so? He had always seemed to be a playful and happy man.

Kiritsugu took a deep look at Shirou, "Did I ever tell you about Irisviel? Or why I go on these trips?"

"No sir." Shirou scratched his head, "I think you have mentioned the name before. But not more than that."

Kiritsugu smiled sadly, "She was my wife. And I loved her." He reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. And from inside the wallet he pulled out a picture. The scene was set in some winter wonderland. Kiritsugu was holding a small child on his shoulders and a beautiful white haired woman was at his side. Kiritsugu rubbed the spot where the little girl was on his shoulder, "She is Ilyasviel, my daughter. I worked for Irisviel's father and he believes I have betrayed him. And he won't let me see my daughter."

"I am sorry." Shirou looked at them, "She is beautiful."

"Yes. In the end, my ideals, my need to save the world lead me to kill even the one I loved the most. And to lose my precious daughter forever." He gave a bitter laugh, "And even then, after betraying everyone who trusted me, I still only saved most of the world. Innocents still suffered." He ruffled Shirou's hair. "You suffered."

"Dad?"

"I wasn't solely responsible for the fire that destroyed your home, but I was involved. I was partly responsible. Being a hero is much like being a mage. It is not a good thing." He closed his eyes, "Sometimes it is a necessary thing, but it is not a good thing."

Shirou stood up, "I will find a way. I will find a way where you did not. I will be a hero!"

Kiritsugu sighed, "And if you fail?"

Shirou shook his head, "Then I fail and another will take my place, I am sure. But someone someday will succeed. This much I promise."

Kiritsugu laughed, simply tilted his head back and roared.

Shirou looked at his father with worry. Was something wrong with him still?

Kiritsugu calmed down and looked at Shirou, his eyes full of life again. His grin was a little sarcastic, but his voice was clear, "Well then hero, will you make me a promise?"

"Yes."

Kiritsugu's eyes bored into him, "Promise me you won't just protect the whole world. That you will protect your family and friends and loved ones FIRST. Promise me."

Shirou shook his head in confusion, "Isn't it the same thing? Won't I be saving them if I save the world?"

Kiritsugu smiled sadly, "You will find, as I did, that often it is easy to save the world, easier to say the least, by sacrificing something you care for. Either by letting it go, or by directly sacrificing it. I want you to promise me, that if you are going to try to be a hero despite my wishes, that you will protect your friends and family. That you will not simply abandon them to save others. That you will honor the bonds they give you and the bonds you gave to them."

Shirou thought about it for a second. He wasn't really sure he understood what his father was asking him. He certainly didn't see how the two contradicted each other. How saving others could possibly conflict with saving those he loved. But if it made his father happy, he would promise. "I solemnly promise to do so, Father."

Kiritsugu took a deep breath, "Very well then. Things will change. If I haven't been able to dissuade you, and obviously ignoring it has had no effect…." He nodded to himself and handed Shirou the red vial, "Then things will have to change. If you can't be stopped in this insane endeavor, I must do what I can to prepare you for it."

"Dad?"

"Go into my room and grab the blue bottle laying on my dresser. It will have what your princess needs." He smiled at Shirou.

"She is not my princess!"

Kiritsugu's smile deepened, "We shall see."

Shirou walked out of the room shaking his head. His father was such a troublesome man!

-Rin Tohsaka—

Rin watched as Shirou left. Had the older man really meant to poison her?

Kiritsugu spoke out, "You can open your eyes, girl. I know you are awake."

Rin tried to sit up but was too weak. She turned her head to take in the elder man. "Were you not just trying to kill me a few moments ago?"

"Yes. But I won't break my promise to my son. Not unless you attack me or mine. You are safe here." He moved closer to her, "Since I wasn't allowed to kill you, I would like to ally with you."

"Excuse me? Are you insane?" She tried to pull away from him. The grip she still had on the horn slipped slightly and she unconsciously gripped it tighter rather than move away.

Kiritsugu smiled, "I can help you. And you owe my family." His lips twisted in an odd smile, "In a sense you owe Shirou for saving you twice. Once from whatever spell you are under that we are about to break, and secondly from death at my hands. Equivalent exchange. Isn't that what you magi pride yourselves on?"

"I am sorry, I don't aid dying assassins." Rin said coldly. This man… Emiya.

Her blood went cold. She knew who was in front of her now. Kiritsugu Emiya. The Magus Killer.

And she was as weak as a new born kitten.

"I am not asking for assistance for myself. I am asking for my son. He is the one that saved you after all, not me."

"He isn't the one asking me. Until he does, why should I care?"

Kiritsugu smiled fondly, "Well, you are a precocious one aren't you?"

"You know who I am. You know you are trespassing. By my rights…." Rin began.

"Which mean nothing at the moment. You are dying. You know this. I know this. Heck, even Shirou knows this. And it will be slow. The wrong sort of prana filling your body. But I have the cure. My son is fetching it now. Isn't that worth any sense of obligation from you?"

Rin shook her head slightly, "You said it yourself. For that matter Shirou would save me anyway."

Kiritsugu shook one finger, "But aren't you curious as to WHY you are sick?"

Rin stopped and stared at Kiritsugu. How could he know what was wrong with her? That false priest had given her the stupid horn in the first place. He was an executer searching for things like this horn and he had missed it. How could one dying mage whose fame came from killing people, not from research know anything about it.

The man's grin grew larger, "I know what you are thinking. But I spent years living with the Einzberns. I had lots of spare time. Reading helped fill it. I have come across those runes before."

"What are they?"

"Do we have a deal? I give you information and assistance and you help my son? All I want you to do is to teach him enough so he doesn't kill himself. My magic…. Is failing."

She looked at him closely again, and watched as the darkness kept eating at him. "What is wrong with you?" she paused a moment before continuing, "And why is it killing you and not Shirou? He is scorched by what ever happened to you, but… I don't understand what I am seeing. My eyes feel so strange."

"Do we have a deal?"

Rin nodded. This could be good. To have someone she could actually talk to about all of this. She didn't really want to admit it, but she was lonely. That false priest didn't count as company.

"What do you know of the end of the Fourth Grail War?"

"You were in it?"

"Yes. I am sure your father has notes on me."

That was true. When she got home, if she got home, she would look through them again. If the old man was true to his word, this could actually be very beneficial to her. Her gaze sharpened, "Did you kill him?"

Kiritsugu scratched the back of his head, "No. I will admit it wasn't lack of trying. But someone had beaten me to him first. If you are wondering who breached your house's defenses, it was indeed me. But all I found was a lot of blood. I have guesses and a little proof who may have done it, but nothing completely definite. I can discuss this with you later, if that is fine?"

Rin nodded. She sighed with relief. She wouldn't have to worry about that anyway. Not unless she found other proof to the contrary.

"Dad?" Shirou came running in with the blue vial. "Rin! You are awake. Are you feeling better?"

Kiritsugu smiled, "Just give the princess the medicine and everything will be fine."

Shirou handed her the vial. He smiled genuinely at her, "I am glad you are going to be okay."

Rin nodded her head slightly, "Thank you Shirou. For saving me." She drank the contents. Little point in not doing so. If they wanted her dead they could easily kill her. Shirou seemed too honest to have set up what she had seen between the father and son.

Sweet and innocent. And a potential magus. Someone her age she could talk to. And most likely control.

She smiled. A perfect pawn.

Kiritsugu said, "Shirou, I want you to watch for Taiga and Issei. Miss Tohsaka and I will be discussing business. Keep them occupied and get dinner started."

"Yes sir." Shirou looked at his father again curiously and then again at Rin. He smiled at her. "Good bye."

Rin shook her head, "He is a good kid."

Kiritsugu smiled as if amused by something, "Yes. Yes he is. Now where was I?"

Rin already was feeling a little better. She was still weak, but she could feel as her circuits were finally settling down. She stretched her tight muscles slightly. Better. "You were going to tell me about the horn and why it had such an effect on me."

"Well first, it affected you because of your non-human heritage."

Rin sat up straight, "My WHAT?"

Kiritsugu nodded, "Don't worry, it is almost certainly extremely diluted by now. The last of that race supposedly died out nearly two millennia ago. The Ljosan Alfar died with their masters in the final battle of the Northern Gods. But there is little doubt that you share their blood. Your family is Christian; you probably have at least a little Northern European in you. That faint bloodline, mixed in with your magic let you use it. And live. Congratulations on that by the way. I do recommend you prepare yourself better, do some research and the like before trying it again."

Rin knew her grandmother had been Northern European. It wasn't something she usually ever brought up, sort of a dark secret of her family. She had never really looked into it as her grandmother had been dead by the time she was born, but that had obviously been a mistake. She cleared her throat, "So I am not, not human?"

"Miss Tohsaka, most people have traces like this from the distant past. Spirits, whether divine, natural, or even infernal like sex as much as people do. I seriously doubt that you gained this tiny touch of bloodline through anything more than a distant liaison. As I said, most people probably have something like this if you go far back enough. You just happen to be a magus, probably powerful, who happened to find a relic that related to it." He gave her a tight smile, "It is telling that you blew that horn in that spot. Against dark magic, even if only its residue. Can you read the runes?"

Rin softly said, "Yes."

"Then obviously it is yours now. Think of it as another family heirloom. But I would be cautious. People had greater access to prana back then. Next time you might not be so lucky."

"And my eyes?" The odd visions were already fading. She could no longer see the darkness that was killing KIritsugu.

Kiritsugu shrugged, "If you want to access that bit of bloodline, do some research and devise an aria for it. I don't know what else to tell you."

There was a loud cry, "SHIROU! KIRITSUGU! We are back!"

Kiritsugu tilted his head, "And Taiga has returned. We can talk more later. I wil give you a little space to get yourself back together. But a word of warning, Taiga is a little… excessive in personality. She means well, but." He shrugged and left.

Rin just lay there for a little while. She really did feel better.

But she had a lot to think about. A very great deal.

-Author's Note—

Okay, so another monster chapter for me. Seriously I don't usually write such long chapters. Well I certainly hope you folks enjoy it.

As for Rin's background, don't expect it to matter much. It will have an effect on the plot, but mostly it is why she can use the horn and others can't. And yes she will research it and find out if it was ever held by a hero. (It was- Roland in case you're curious. And no, he never knew. But Maugris did, it is why good old Roland got the horn. In my story anyway. Durandal has a different background, one that I will also be playing with.)

Let me know if you have any questions or comments.