An Opportunity of Fate Part 5
CG Emiya-
Emiya watched as Rin silently ate with Issei, Taiga, Kiritsugu, and Shirou. She was quiet and polite, still in her public shell. He watched as Ayako took Sakura into the market and treated her to ice cream. The stoic Ayako he knew hadn't settled down yet. The exuberance she hid from most people remained open to display. And Sakura hadn't been fully crushed by her family.
He shook his head, "So many changes."
Alaya looked fondly at the scenes before them. "Yes. I think we can leave these seeds to grow. I do not quite know what they will grow into, but unless you have further plans I do believe we are done here." She looked at him in askance.
"You don't know how this will turn out?"
She shook her head, "Do not make me into more than I am. I am the Will of Mankind, not the Root of Everything. Both I and Gaia make mistakes." She sighed, "Still while we are done with the most likely Masters in the war, do you have any plans for the others?"
"The masters of Assassin, Caster, and Lancer? I do not believe I met any of the original ones. Can I influence their choice?"
"Make no assumptions on who will be summoned. Roland, the owner of the horn you gave Rin, will be either Rider or Saber. Someone else will get Archer. That will change things. The only other certain things are that Ilya will summon Heracles unless someone else summons him first. And that Arturia will be the one to answer Shirou's call. Avalon will always call to the wielder of the Sword of Promised Victory."
Archer nodded to himself, "So Rin will summon Rider. That matched with Saber… A formidable pairing."
"Yes but the others… Bazette for instance. She is strong and could be useful…. But she trusts Kotomine Kirei too much. And that won't be easy to change. Rupert Abernathy, the one who typically summons Caster, is a hubristic idiot who will waste his Command Spells and be killed by Medea if she is the one who is summoned. The one who summons Assassin is always a wild card. It is often Zouken Matou, but only if he believes he can win. All of these are bad for your mission. But know that if you change them, you can't be sure of what you will get instead. Think on it before you make any decisions." And for a time Alaya left him to his thoughts.
CG Emiya had a lot of things to think about.
-Scene Break—
Rin Tohsaka-
Rin hid her dismay as she watched Kiritsugu slowly entered her study. How had he aged so much in just two years?
The curse. The damn curse that came from 'winning' the Grail War. Rin shuddered. Thank God she wouldn't have to worry about it for more than fifty years. What she would do then, she wasn't sure. But there had to be a way to stop the war. She had to do something. It was her territory after all.
She said quietly, "Is there nothing I can do to help you?" She had tried her magic. Had even researched what she could. The Tohsaka had never been all that interested in healing magic. Sure she had some books on it, the basics. And she had some tiny ability with it. But the damage to Kiritsugu was so pervasive, so deep.
Kiritsugu sighed and smiled sadly, "Sorry Princess. I have consulted with all the experts it has been safe for me to talk to. This curse is so heavy some of them will not even see me. They are afraid of what could happen to them if they deal with it."
"Damn cowards."
Kiritsugu shook his head. "This curse on me… It is partly composed of the Third Magic and energy from Heroes from the Ages. It is beyond the magi of the day, whether Western or Eastern." He laughed painfully, "I have come to the conclusion that it probably can only be healed by a master of the Third Magic."
"Heaven's Feel? That is insane. How could anyone use that, that corrupt Grail?" RIn sat back. It was still there, recharging. Maybe if they could find the real Grail, find the actual core of it…. Even then, without the lives of the Servants to power up the Grail it would be no use.
Unless there was another way to get enough power for it. RIn closed her eyes and thought deeply.
"Rin? I know that look. Whatever you are thinking is probably highly dangerous and most likely illegal."
Rin said jauntily, "Like you are one to talk about that, oh dear Magus Killer." There had to be a way. She was certain that she had seen something, something her father had told her so very long ago. Some project that had been given to her family by her family's sponsor to the Magic Association so many years ago….
"I left that life behind years ago. And now I wish I had done so much earlier. Maybe, maybe if I had just run away with my wife and daughter…." Kiritsugu said softly.
"And how many countless others would have died back here in Fuyuki? If I hadn't seen proof that the Grail had been corrupted, if I hadn't seen what it had done to you and had done to the Park…. I would have tried to summon the Grail. Even if I could see the blackness surrounding it, the draw of the Root of Everything is too strong. I know my father wouldn't have stopped. He would have chosen to wish upon it, even while cursed. Where would we be then?" She opened her eyes to glare at Kiritsugu.
He merely had his eyes closed, his face serene. But it was a mask. Rin could see through it.
Rin knew a great deal about masks. Young as she was, she had had to learn. "Whether you want to admit it or not, Kiritsugu, you were a hero. Flawed, sure. I can see why Shirou worships you." She looked away, "I don't want to be a hero. I will be a magus. Like my father before me." She turned to face Kiritsugu, "He was always a hero to me, after all."
Kiritsugu sighed, "You and Shirou. So determined to be what may very well destroy you." He chuckled softly, "Sometimes I wonder if he will force you to be a hero and you to make him a magus."
Rin just looked at the cursed man with sorrow and pity in her eyes. "I will teach him what I can to keep him from killing himself. And more if he can learn. I seriously doubt that I will ever be a heroine. As a magus and a Second Owner of Fuyuki City, my job is to carry forward research and to do what must be done to protect the existence of magic and the citizens here from it."
"You will not be alone in that, RIn. As long as you keep your promise to do the last item on that list, Shirou will be there to help you. Assuming he doesn't get himself killed first. Do your best to keep him from doing so and he will do his best to help you." Kiritsugu looked down at his hands and said softly, "Just please don't become like most modern magi. Don't forget that normal people's lives have value. Don't see everyone you meet as pawn in some elaborate game. The advantages may be tempting but the regrets will last a lifetime."
"Was my father like that?" Rin asked.
Kiritsugu did not reply.
Rin looked down at her hands. She knew her father had loved her. Had loved both of his daughters and his wife. But reading his notes, reading his journal…. Some of the things he had done, some of his actions…. Cold. So very cold.
Rin had to ask herself, could she be like that? Could she honestly do all that her father had done just in the name of power?
The answer scared her. Because she was afraid it was yes. That she could and would do whatever she thought necessary to secure her own place in the world of the magi. She did have her pride and the need to preserve and honor the Tohsaka lineage.
But for her it all came down to one action that she could never stop questioning. All her father's actions, even though some of them had failed, had often been masterful works of manipulation. She hoped she had inherited at least a modicum of that skill from him. She would need it. Still that single nagging question, one that she could never forget in Kiritsugu's presence.
Tokiomi had been by far the better magus, even if not the better killer, but she was wondering who had been the better man.
Sakura. It all came down to what her father had done to her sister. Kiritsugu had told her of Zouken, told her who and what he was. It wasn't like she hadn't really known. There were books and journal entries that could have told her the same.
Kiritsugu spoke up. "I know you love your father. And you should remember him, should remember all the good times you had. But I will never understand his actions regarding your sister. Never." He reached into his pants and retrieved a well-worn picture. He stared at it, his face solemn.
Rin knew what it was. A picture of his wife and daughter. She reached across the table, "I am doing everything I can. I don't know if I can get a message to her, but I will try. She has to know how much you love her."
"Thank you." He looked back up at her. "What are you going to do about Sakura?"
Rin looked down at her hands. "I don't know. If Zouken is as powerful as you say, if…." She shook her head and for the first time in a while she felt her eyes burn. "Can I have a few moments?"
Kiritsugu stood stiffly, "You are not alone RIn. Remember that. We will stand beside you." And he slowly left the room.
"Thank you. Shirou is upstairs. I, I just need a few moments," Rin said, voice thick with emotion.
When she heard the door shut she burst into tears.
Rin didn't know for sure what was happening to her sister. The sister she had all but abandoned to her fate. But she was afraid she knew. Had known that something was wrong.
The girl's hair had changed color for Heaven's sake! And Rin had ignored it! Rin was a magus, and knew such things could mean nothing or it could mean a major change had been wrought upon her sister. And she had ignored it and had simply abandoned her sister to her fate.
How could she save her sister when any overt action would probably be considered an act of war against a nearly unkillable monster?
Rin rocked back and forth in her chair and did something she hadn't truly done in years. She prayed for guidance. And cried.
-Scene break—
Shirou Emiya
Shirou massaged his bruised thumb. He stared at the offending hammer. Why was he up here doing routine maintenance when he was supposed to be learning magic?
Shirou tossed the hammer aside. Right. He was supposed to be increasing his familiarity with his magic circuit. And if he was going to be creating baubles with Gradiation Air he might as well do something useful.
Was there ever a moment Rin wasn't scheming?
Issei would occasionally talk about her in a hushed voice, telling Shirou the things she had done to help him with the School Council. He found her useful to be sure, but he constantly warned Shirou about falling under her influence.
"Trace on." He connected the circuit. So much less painful than what he had once thought he needed to do. Still not comfortable, but much less painful. "Sorry Issei. Much too late now."
Shirou shuddered,. What would she be having him do next? He really didn't want to know.
But he should be grateful. She was teaching him some magic after all. Just one more set of lessons to become a hero of justice.
Another hammer appeared in his hand. He looked it over, making sure there were no defects and that it would be capable of doing the job. He nodded. It would work.
"Trace off." The circuit depowered. He was getting stronger. He could definitely feel it. He might even be able to successfully reinforce something. He looked around the room.
No. He didn't want to break anything of Tohsaka's. She would definitely make him pay for it. Both with cash and with blood, sweat and tears. Lots and lots of tears.
Shirou shuddered again. How could the rest of the school think she was so sweet? How could they not see the manipulative monster in their midst?
No he would practice Reinforcement at home. It would be safer.
He looked back at the project he was working on. All this work to put a towel bar up in one of the guest bathrooms. At least she didn't have him create the nails he was using.
She only allowed it because they would dissolve and ruin his work. Still Shirou had appreciated it.
He had never expected that his magus training would be so mundane.
"Shirou? Where are you son?" Kiritsugu called.
"Second floor guest bathroom." His father was already here? He would need to hurry and finish. He didn't want to miss his own party. He scanned the wall one more time to make sure the nail would be placed right. And he hammered it in.
A few moments passed while Shirou continued his work.
The tap of a cane on the door was what it took to get Shirou's attention. He looked over. "Sorry, just trying to finish."
Kiritsugu chuckled, "So, Princess has you doing home repair? I thought she was supposed to be teaching you magic today."
Shirou sighed deeply, "Apparently I need to learn to multitask too. She is having me do all this without tools."
Kiritsugu was still smiling, "Ah, Projection then. Let me guess, building up your affinity for your magic circuit?"
Shirou just glared at his father. "We never did anything like this when you were teaching me."
"Well, I did say I was a bad teacher. Of magecraft." KIritsugu leaned against the wall and lit a cigarette. "And I have never hid my disapproval of your need to learn it."
"Does Rin know you are smoking inside her house?"
"Considering I have been cursed by the Third Magic, a thirteen year old, no matter her potential doesn't worry me." Kiritsugu said lightly.
"Not funny Dad. And we are talking about Rin. You wouldn't catch any of the fallout. I would. So please?"
"The youth of today, whatever shall become of this poor cruel world?"
"They will say that we can do a better job than our cranky old parents ever could?" He finished the last nail and started to hang the bar on the brackets he had set.
Kiritsugu said softly, "I hope you don't have to." Another deep sigh, "So, Taiga tells me you have gotten into archery."
Shirou took a moment to finish making sure the bar was tightly set. He let all the tools he had made disappear. "Yeah, it is soothing. I like it."
"She said she was impressed. That you are a natural. Unlike your swordsmanship."
Shirou winced. He had always known Taiga was good at Kendo. But these last couple years he had been learning it firsthand. And his father had told her not to take it easy on him.
His lessons basically consisted of being beaten half to death with a shinai, trying to learn how to slow if not stop his insanely energetic teacher. "That woman is not human."
"No, she is just good. Shirou, if you plan on being a hero, you have to be able to defend yourself. And since you are the world's poorest marksman…."
Shirou checked the bathroom to make sure he hadn't left any stray nails or debris. "I am sorry Dad, but guns just feel cold and unnatural to me. I have studied them you know. The pistol you gave me. I understand it, how it works, how all the parts work together." He shrugged. "For whatever reason I just don't like them."
"I will never understand magi and I am one. Sort of. Or was one rather." He shook his head, "So archery…."
Shirou shrugged uncomfortably under his father's gaze. "It is calming. I can't explain it, but just going through the steps. Concentrating on the target, feeling the target…. I don't know Dad. I know it's silly since I haven't learned how to shoot that well with a pistol. It, well I find it soothing."
"Taiga was so impressed she is setting up a target at the house so you can practice. She also said you would be willing to show me how good you are tonight."
"She said what? Dad!" Shirou walked over to his father, "Tell me you aren't going to make me shoot a target in front of my guests at my birthday party."
Kiritsugu ruffled his son's hair, "No one is going to be there this early. Besides Taiga was really excited about this. And considering the fiasco teaching you how to shoot was, I am curious to see you shoot a bow."
Shirou looked at how tired his father looked. The man should be lying about and resting. Not running around on errands for Tohsaka.
'He is doing this for me. For my dreams of being a hero. Working through all the pain.' Shirou placed his hand on his father's arm. "Let's go home Dad. I will show you what I have learned."
"You are a good kid, Shirou."
Then why did he feel so guilty? Shirou said roughly, "Come on, let's go."
Rin joined their party and they left for the Emiya estate.
-Scene Break—
Issei Ryuudo-
Issei sat quietly outside of his father's office. Today had been very strange. He had been subjected to a variety of physical and mental tests.
He did hope that his father would let him go to Emiya's party. Emiya was one of the few people Issei felt truly comfortable with. If only the boy didn't hang out with that Tohsaka witch.
There was something inherently wrong about her. Something completely false. She always seemed so sweet on the surface, but she was so efficient with the way she dealt with people. It was like she could just look at them and see their weaknesses.
It wasn't natural. She wasn't natural.
Issei had to watch every single action she took, had to analyze everything she said. Every suggestion she gave him worked so very well, and yet he had to wonder. Was she manipulating him too?
Issei wasn't sure. That just made him even more wary of her. He probably should think of a way to get her off the Student Council, but she was so very useful. More she didn't seem to want to be the President at all. She had instead propelled him to the top a few years before he probably would have made it himself.
He simply didn't understand. Still the two of them together did indeed help the student body. And if he wasn't loved he was respected. Somehow Tohsaka was both.
Issei shook his head. Thinking about Tohsaka on a day like today was wasting his time. He closed his eyes and began a series of breathing exercises to clear his mind. After a few moments he opened his eyes and sighed.
Much better.
The door opened and the stranger who had performed all the tests bowed to his father as he left his father's office. "Thank you for calling me. I will need to conduct some research and I will be back."
Issei stood. "Father? May I go now?"
His father turned to him and smiled sternly. "You have done well today, son. It has been many years since any of our number has shown the potential you have. Go with Doctor Furino. He will drive you to your friend's house. Answer any questions he may have."
"Yes, father." He bowed slightly to his father and then to Doctor Furino, "I will be in your care. And I thank you for the ride."
"Come, I have a few questions to ask you." The Doctor was silent as they walked down the many steps to the road and his car.
Issei simply followed him. What exactly had his father meant, and who was this man?
Both of them climbed into the car and Issei gave the directions.
The Doctor nodded. Then the silence was broken, "So I hear you had an odd scenario happen to you a few years ago."
Issei frowned. "I suppose."
"I hear from your father you have kept in contact with those you experienced it with?"
"They are classmates of mine. I am friends with Emiya. Tohsaka is more an… acquaintance? A colleague? Both of us belong to the student council." Issei shrugged. "At the time it happened it seemed odd, but now I have come to believe that I was perhaps over reacting."
"I see. Tohsaka is the girl who was involved? A Rin Tohsaka?"
"Yes." Why was he asking all these questions.
The Doctor took a deep breath. "A Tohsaka. But they are influenced by the west. Could their line have been contaminated at some point…" He paused for a moment, "Issei, the statement that I read said that the girl's eyes were glowing faintly. That she was acting strange, that the surrounding environment felt tainted."
"The Memorial Park. Yes. It is tainted. I have been back there only once to see if what I felt was true." Issei shivered. "Something very wrong happened there."
The Doctor pulled over to the side of the road. "Can you take me to this park? Or better yet, to the location you both found the girl?"
"Yes." Issei gave him directions. The car was silent as the Doctor drove them to the Park.
It was abandoned as always. Issei hesitated a moment before stepping foot onto the Park's grounds. He noticed with interest that the Doctor did the same. And the frown on the man's face told Issei that he felt it too.
Issei led them to the small spot Tohsaka had somehow called them to. It was still noticeable even after all these years.
It was the only spot in the Park where the plants seemed healthy. There were even a few flowers blooming there.
The Docter burst into activity. He took out a pendant and waved it around for a few moments. He wrote down a few notes. "So this girl, her eyes were glowing? Here in this circle?"
Issei frowned, "I thought so. They were still glowing when Emiya carried her out. Or so I thought at the time."
"So were they glowing red or gold?" The Doctor asked as he measured the size of the circle.
Issei shook his head. "Blue."
The Doctor stopped. "Blue? Are you sure?"
"Well Tohsaka's eyes are normally an aqua blue, but these seemed brighter. More intense." He frowned again, "They seemed to be glowing."
"This is unexpected. Blue. From a Tohsaka." Another pause. "She wasn't chanting anything? There were no runes or sigils? Any drawings of any kind?"
"No. Just. Well before Emiya and I entered the park, there was." Issei closed his eyes and remembered. He did not see the smile that crossed his lips at the memory. "It was beautiful. Like a note of golden purity."
"So there was a sound?"
Issei shook his head and remembered, "I can't explain it. It was a musical note, but I don't remember hearing it." He opened his eyes, "I remember feeling it. It called to me, asking me to come to it's aid." Issei sighed, "When we got to the Park's edge, I didn't want to go on. But Emiya…. Emiya always helps people. He never asks for anything. He is brave and good. Perhaps a bit reckless, but good." Issei opened his eyes. "I was not so brave. But still I followed him. And Rin was laying there, hurt somehow. Emiya asked me to fetch some help and I got as far as the road when I ran into his father."
"I see, so the two of you saved the girl." The Doctor frowned again, "This boy. Did he react to this place at all?"
"Yes he said the place was cursed from the fire that struck here five years ago."
The Doctor nodded and took out a couple of sheets of paper. He said a quick and quiet Shinto prayer and stepped into the circle waving the pendant as he entered. The Doctor then laughed. "Very unexpected. I never expected to see evidence of Western Kami here in Japan." He smiled, "This was not done by human hands, through human hands maybe. Fascinating."
"I am glad I could be of some service." Issei bowed politely.
The Doctor simply smiled at him. "Your friend, this Emiya. He said this land is cursed. He is right. I do not know the cause, but you can feel it. So too I suspect that most people can feel it, even given how weak the average person's spiritual awareness is these days. And whatever that girl did…. It burned away the darkness from this tiny spot. I want you to keep an eye on both of them for me."
"Excuse me?"
"The world is a bigger place than you likely believe Issei. When I say this place is cursed, I mean it. It is literally cursed. And it is vehemently anti-human."
Issei recoiled at the man's words. But he could not deny it. Standing where he was, he could feel the land's hatred for him. It grudgingly let the grass grow and the trees to stand.
The Doctor continued, "Most people no longer truly believe, not in our technological society." He sighed, "We have forgotten them. But they have not forgotten us. Not all of them are hostile, but many are. And too few of us remain to stop them. I do not know if you will have the ability to join us, but you have potential. I would have you continue your training at the Temple. Maintain your friendship with those two and search for other worthy souls if you can find them."
"Sir?"
"Something is coming, my dear Issei, and I do not know if I will be here to face it. If I had the time, I would stay here and teach you fully, but there are too many things for me to do already. I have left some materials with your father. Study them well. I will return as I can to aid you in understanding. Feel free to contact me as you can. I will respond as I am able. Come; let me take you to your friend's party. You are likely late already, and I apologize." He left the circle and began walking back to the car, wincing as he went.
Issei followed him, "But sir, I don't understand."
The Doctor did not stop, but he said clearly, "I know that, Issei. I can only hope that someday you do. Just be ready and remain vigiliant."
Both of them were silent on the short trip to the Emiya estate. Issei watched as the Doctor drove off. And he turned to join the party.
-Scene Break—
Ayako Mitsuzuri-
Ayako thought her father would have a stroke when he realized who the father of Emiya was. Watching him twitch slightly at the name was sort of funny. When she mentioned that RIn Tohsaka was going to be there he had twitched again.
Now that was interesting. What exactly did her father know about the school's ace that she didn't? And how could she get that information?
And the look on his face when he was talking to Sakura about her family was priceless. Somehow her father hadn't connected the dots that Sakura Matou was one of 'those' Matous. The girl had been a fixture about their house for the last couple years. Ayako was determined to get her out of that shell, to get her from being that mousy little girl always being picked on.
It had worked. A little. She wasn't picked on as much anymore. Outside of herself, her brother Shinji dissuaded a few punks. But it was Emiya who really kept the bullies away.
That boy had a death wish. It didn't matter how many people were ganging up on someone, or even who that someone was, it could just as easily be someone he despised, and he would be there helping them. He was insane.
Ayako liked him.
He never gave up, kept fighting long after he was beat. He had actually won a few fights by simply outlasting his opponents, even when he had plainly lost the fight on a physical basis.
Even that had been changing. Lately he had begun to actually win the fights, even when outnumbered.
Of course, after Ayako had met Taiga she had learned why. Taiga was… intense. And athletic in the extreme. Shirou's training in Kendo was… harsh. And he was learning knife fighting and hand to hand combat.
And archery. Damn him. Why had he had to choose to be so damn good at archery too?
He had spent a few weeks looking like an idiot novice when, bang he had some sort of epiphany. After that he hit the target every time. Trying to distract him, to throw off his aim was pointless. It simply didn't work. The level of focus was amazing.
Watching Shirou shoot was almost zen.
She almost pitied the bullies he faced in the future. Almost. The rest of her was simply going to laugh herself silly watching the nut crush the opposition.
And if he needed a hand, she was more than willing to help him.
"Come on, Sakura, we need to hurry." Ayako called out to her friend.
Sakura followed behind her, "I hope he likes my present."
"I am sure he will." Ayako looked at her friend. She was a year younger and already a little more developed than Ayako herself. It should probably bother her, but it didn't.
Sakura had a crush on Shirou. Perhaps she thought it hidden, and there was no way Shirou had noticed it. The boy was dense about some things. But Ayako had.
It was kind of cute.
They chatted about simple things. Television shows, movies, clothing. Nothing important. As they got closer, Sakura became increasingly quiet.
The poor girl was nervous. So very cute to watch. And with Shirou so clueless it just made it even more entertaining.
They knocked at the door and were greeted by the Demon Tiger of the Emiya household. Well technically she was a Fujimura, but considering that she spent most of her time here instead of her home next door, she might as well be considered a resident. Taiga Fujimura was more than a little hyperactive; well she could be surprisingly lazy at times. It was hard to tell which side of her was going to come out. And the woman could be fierce.
Just ask Shirou. He could show you the scars.
And for the life of you NEVER call her Tiger. She would kill you and eat you and spit out your bones. Or simply make you wish she had. Fierce.
Ayako smiled and bowed slightly, "I would like to see Emiya if you please?"
Taiga smiled, "Come on in you too. The party still hasn't started. The caterers will be here shortly. We can't have Shirou cooking on his birthday and I am not allowed in the kitchen. Issei is helping me with the decorations. But if you want to see Shirou, he and his father are outside in the courtyard."
Sakura softly said, "I would like to speak with him first, if that is okay?"
Taiga beamed a smile down on Sakura, "Right over there. I will see you both shortly."
Ayako and Sakura entered and walked to where Emiya and his father were waiting. Only Tohsaka was also there and they were watching as Emiya strung a small bow. Both of them stood there and watched.
Tohsaka cried out, "Come on, Shirou. Show us what you can do!"
Shirou only glared back at Tohsaka and sighed. He looked grumpy and annoyed until he took the arrow and prepared to shoot.
And his face became serene. Almost enlightened.
Ayako tilted her head slightly and watched his technique. She could see him getting used to the bow, it was obviously not one he had used before. But in a moment she could see he was comfortable with it. The arrow was loosed.
Bullseye.
Naturally. What else would he hit? This was Shirou Emiya. She shook her head. The man was a natural archer. There was no doubt about it.
Tohsaka shrugged and said, "Okay. Impressive I guess."
Ayako glared at the girl. Didn't she realize just how hard it was to do that? Even though Emiya made it look easy, it wasn't. It took practice and skill to do that on a regular basis.
Kiritsugu added his piece, "Effective. But I still maintain that guns are much faster. What would you do if you were faced with multiple targets."
Shirou looked back at his father, a mix of pride and annoyance that even his father wasn't impressed. He turned back and took another arrow from the quiver. And shot.
And shot and shot and shot and shot and shot. So very fast. Too fast. There was no way even someone like Emiya could do this.
But he had. All six of the arrows were neatly bunched around the first arrow. Emiya looked back with an eyebrow raised at his father.
Kiritsugu nodded, "That is impressive. Very impressive. I take back my statement. And will only add that you were born in the wrong century." He shook his head with surprise.
Tohsaka's mouth was simply wide open and speechless. She looked at the target and then at Emiya. Her eyes were wide and a finger was wavering between the target and Emiya.
Ayako smiled. 'That will teach you.' She looked down at Sakura. Her eyes were wide as well. With infatuation and almost hero worship. "Go to him, Sakura."
Sakura nodded and rushed Emiya, "That was so cool, Shirou."
Kiritsugu looked at Ayako, "So the guests have started to arrive. Go get yourself cleaned up Shirou. You don't want to miss your own party."
Emiya nodded and Sakura took one look back at Ayako.
Ayako waved her on, and Sakura followed Emiya. Both of them talking. Go Sakura, good luck.
Tohsaka had closed her mouth and her look was strange as she watched Sakura follow Emiya. Was Tohsaka under Emiya's spell too? Well if so, it would be good if the ace of their class had the occasional bump on the road of life.
Kiritsugu slowly walked back into the house. Tohsaka just stood there still looking at where Sakura and Emiya had gone.
Ayako had one minor thing she wanted to check. One minor discrepancy that she had noticed while Emiya was shooting. Had her eyes deceived her?
She walked over to where Emiya had left the bow and quiver of arrows. Looking at its size it could hold perhaps twenty arrows. Maybe a little more, maybe a little less.
She looked at the target. It had seven arrows sticking out of it.
The quiver still had eighteen.
That had been the discrepancy. She hadn't seen Emiya's hand go back for another arrow. They had seemed to appear in his hand, knocked at the bow. That was why he could shoot so fast. A few less needed movements.
She shivered. Because what she had just witnessed was impossible. She looked over at Tohsaka, only to find her gaze returned. Tohsaka was giving her a measured look.
Ayako said calmly, "Shall we go in?"
Tohsaka nodded but said nothing.
Both of them quietly walked into the party.
But Ayako had seen that. It was impossible but she had seen it.
How had Emiya done it? Did he have some sort of magical ability with bows?
That was impossible. Right? People couldn't do that in this day and age.
She didn't recall it until later that night, when she had gone home and was preparing to sleep. The comment Emiya's father had made. That he had been born in the wrong century.
It took a long time for her to find sleep.
-Author's note.
And another large chapter. Maybe this story will simply have longer than normal chapters from me. Not sure. I will try to get the next chapter out faster, but no guarantees. Seven to ten days is likely going to be the norm.
Hope you folks enjoy.