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?

31. Chapter 31

An Opportunity of Fate part 31

Sakura Matou-

Sakura Matou knew the moment that she woke that something had changed inside the Emiya Estate. She closed her eyes and infused a bit of prana into a few nearby shadows.

It was a spell that was inscribed in her, but not one she used often. It infused a piece of her essence into a shadow and allowed her to use it as a familiar. Zouken had used insects, but for her shadows worked better.

They were tiny things, of very little power or stature. But they were also nearly impossible to see. Had she been outside of Emiya's it was likely that they would be turned away, even though she had the keys to his bounded fields. Like most bounded fields, weak spirits and familiars were often excluded. The stronger the field, the more power a familiar would need to bypass it.

That wasn't a worry for her. She was merely observing what was going on inside the estate. All of the yakuza were gone. Caster and Saber were doing something in Shirou's shed. Her weak familiar could not see into the circle that Caster was using for some ritual.

Caster felt strange to her, and Saber was weak. But he was still present and that meant that Rin had somehow survived. She felt a tiny bit of dismay at that, followed by a wave of guilt.

She sighed and sent her familiars searching the estate for her sister. And found her.

In the arms of Shirou.

Both of them were sleeping now, but it was fairly obvious what they had been doing.

Sakura sat up, her body sticky from all the dried blood and other substances. She looked around, the ruined futon sticking to her slightly. Bits of her body littered the room. The futon was soaked through with her blood to the point that it would take more magic to fix it than would be practical.

Her family had money. It would be easy to replace.

She looked at her new pale skin and examined her body looking for signs that her true nature now showed. That the corruption that was in her would be evident, obvious enough that Sister and Shirou would spurn her.

They didn't really need her after all. She needed them.

But there were no blemishes. She needed to clean up, but she still looked normal. All of her hair was a pure white now, but that was little surprise. She would need a mirror to check her eyes, but they were most likely still the brilliant crimson that they had shifted to.

None of this would be too hard to hide. A few simple illusions, a bit of shadow manipulation for the hair, and she would look close to normal. There had always been a small latent effect that had prevented people from noticing how strange her eyes were. Just a tiny bit of work.

She stood up, wincing at the mess and smell surrounding her. It was more than just the futon that would have to be replaced.

Her familiars found Ayako cleaning the bathroom.

Sakura shuddered. If Shirou's room was badly fouled up, how horrific was the bathroom? She had pressed Shirou for details and he had given them to her, albeit reluctantly. Most of her flesh had melted, some of it sloughing off into the soaking tub.

Ayako was cleaning up bits of Sakura. Sakura shuddered. She couldn't let her sempai do that alone!

There was also something wrong with Ayako. It was hard to tell exactly what it was. She was Inverted, there was little doubt. But it was something more than that. Something horrific had happened to her friend.

Her jaw tightened. Whoever had hurt her would pay. Sakura was no longer harmless. Not anymore. And she was more than willing to fight for her friends. The time for passivity was over.

Sakura shook her head. It was strange. All of her personalities were awake and aware and pushing her forward. It was strange.

But it felt pleasant.

She stretched and sent her familiars to make sure that a path to the bathroom was clear. She wanted to talk with Ayako alone. Confide with her oldest friend about the whole Shirou affair. Maybe cry on the girl's shoulder.

Sakura hated this situation. Hated that she couldn't just have Shirou to herself.

But it was for the best, even if she did need someone to….

The worms were gone. Her body was silent, at peace. The constant cravings, the never ending low level lust she had always felt…. Gone.

That didn't mean she still didn't want Shirou and that letting her sister have him for a while wasn't going to be exceedingly hard. But maybe, just maybe, it would be bearable.

Assuming there were no other physical changes brought about by the absence of those demonic worms.

Sakura shook her head and wrapped herself in shadow, walking quickly toward the bathroom. The bathroom door was locked.

Which was impossible. Very few of the doors in Sempai's house actually had locks. And yet for some reason the door would not open. It was like the door was jammed.

A quick whispered spell detected no magic involved. It was like it had spontaneously decided to stick. How was that even possible?

Sakura knocked on the door. "Ayako? Are you in there?"

"Eh? Sakura?" There was a pause, "You know, you probably don't want to come in here."

"I already know about the mess." She took a deep breath and continued, "I need to talk to you." Through her familiars she watched a variety of emotions pass across Ayako's face.

There was something wrong with her. Something very, very wrong. First there were the eyes. Ayako's eyes were a normal pleasing brown. Quite expressive, which along with her trademark smirk were usually the only hints that her normal calm and even delivery meant more than what she said.

They were not a metallic gold color. Nor do they convey a sense of movement, which was odd. Nothing seemed to be moving, but looking at them there was a strange sensation of movement… weird.

And then there was her presence. If Sakura didn't know her, if Ayako were not her best friend, Sakura would likely close the door and walk away. Swiftly. All while praying to her ancestors and any kami willing to listen that it didn't notice her.

Ayako's voice was soft, "You don't have to fear me, Sakura. No matter what has happened to us, you are my friend." She smiled softly, so different from her usual smirk, "I like the eyes. They look almost like Rin's. It's different from your usual lavender color, but it is still pretty. You might want to dye your hair though. It looks nice, particularly with the dark dress you are wearing, but people might talk in school."

Sakura's voice was pained, "What, what happened to you?" Sakura remembered a couple of days ago when Ayako had been attacked by that Youkai. Her spirit had been damaged. Whatever Issei had done had healed the wound, but it had still left a mark.

That creature had taken a bite out of Ayako. In the intervening time, someone had taken more than a bite out of her. They had made a meal of her. The Ayako in front of her was almost entirely gone.

And underneath the tattered remnants of her friend a powerful elemental lurked, wearing her friend like set of ragged clothing. Ayako just stood there, eyes sad.

Sakura felt a wave of rage and revulsion pass through her, "What did you do to her? What did you do to Ayako? Speak to me, Spirit, or I will destroy you!"

The being that had been Ayako looked down. "I was unable to save her. Only through Issei was I able to save as much of her as I could. If he hadn't done whatever it was he did, I would never have woken in time. I would be gone."

"Well, not entirely gone." A voice, Caster said from behind Sakura. How had she snuck up on her? She moved so she could keep both 'Ayako' and Caster in sight.

"Merely under new management," Caster continued.

Sakura asked Caster, "What are you doing here. Why didn't my Command Spells return? What have you done!"

Caster sighed and adjusted her glasses, "I have done a fair bit since you last saw me. Some of it quite horrific." She looked over at Ayako. "I wish I could say that I am truly sorry for what I did. It was monstrous, but it did increase my chances of survival."

'Ayako' closed her eyes, "I understand, and I should hate you. But I can't. Not only have I sworn to protect you, but…." Ayako opened her eyes, shiny with unshed tears, her mouth twisted into a sarcastic smirk. "To harm you now would be to harm myself." She lifted one hand beckoning to Caster, "Is it wrong to want her back? To be whole again?"

Sakura could feel the blood drain from her face. First she looked at 'Ayako' then at Caster. Shaking she cast a quick spell to test them both, to determine what she was actually looking at. 'Ayako's' body was mostly human, but her spirit was that of an Elemental. And her soul, for she did have one, was what she had perceived before, the tattered remnants of her Ayako. A glance at Caster told her much the opposite. The body was a Projection of sorts, fashioned oddly. The entire spirit of Caster was not there, there were if anything four spirits occupying the same space. Two of them vestigial remnants, long since absorbed by the main spirit, the other was a human soul.

Ayako's soul.

Sakura was about to lash out, to destroy the creature that had hurt her friend. Hurt the one that had pulled her out of her shell, one of the few she knew she could trust.

It didn't matter that it was the Servant of the Staff, that Caster could probably easily destroy her. Sakura didn't care. Her friend had been hurt, had been nearly destroyed.

She was not about to let this pass!

The next thing she knew, she was soaking in the now clean tub in Emiya's bathroom. She shook her head to clear out the cobwebs. What kind of spell had Caster thrown at her? Most subtle spells were disrupted by an active Circuit, and hers had been going full bore at the time she had been knocked out.

She rubbed the back of her head. Maybe she had hit her? But why just knock her unconscious? It didn't make any sense.

Sakura turned to the source of tuneless singing over in the corner. 'Ayako.' Apparently the Elemental occupying her had as little talent with music as the real Ayako had. She was wearing her Kyudo outfit for some reason.

It smirked at her, "Glad to see you're awake. I tried to soften my blow as much as I could; I even caught you before you hit the ground." She looked away, "I hope you don't mind that I washed you, but honestly you needed it."

"You hit me."

Ayako smirked sadly, "Yes. I can't let you harm Medusa. I have sworn my service to her for the remainder of the Grail War."

"Why? I know that most of my friend is gone, I can hear that." Sakura closed her eyes, "What do I call you?"

"Ayako isn't truly my name; Medusa took that as she took the rest. But I like that name, it feels comfortable. You can call me that." She looked away, "As to why I am loyal to Medusa, well, what do you know of the Balance?"

"The Balance?" Sakura could hear the capitalized letters. One of the problems with her current magic was that her ability was currently beyond her knowledge. She could do things, but she didn't always understand the underlying principles.

Sakura frowned. Rin would know, but Sakura didn't, even if her magic was based more on spiritual manipulation that Rin's was. Rin simply had a better magical education.

Ayako smiled softly, "You would likely think of it as a form of equivalent exchange. It is the underlying principles that dictate the interactions of spirits. Everything has a cost. Acting against your nature has consequences." She looked away again, "Medusa trapped me with it. I foolishly bet that I could free Issei and the track girls, who are very much alive by the way." She closed her eyes, "Failing that cost me a life debt, something much more serious than I ever thought."

"A life debt?"

Ayako turned to face Sakura, "I was given a choice. I could become her sworn blade for the War. I could become her lover for the remainder of our lives." She closed her eyes, "Or I could dedicate my soul and sacrifice it to her. She tricked me into accepting the last. We were, well let's just leave it at that." She smirked a little, "I should have died. I was as much a part of Ayako as the rest of her. But I was sleeping, I did not agree to the terms. And while the rest of me was taken, I remained."

Sakura just stared at the remnant of her friend. Ayako was still there, it was faint, but her friend, her friend still lived!

Ayako continued, "It was at that point that I had the choice, to soldier on or to fade away into nothingness." Ayako's face paled and she was shaking slightly. Her sword appeared sheathed in her hands, and she rubbed the hilt reassuringly. "I pray to every transcendent being that you never experience that, to be a being that no longer is tied to the world. That no longer is Named. But you know me; I was willing to push the boundaries to survive. I was willing to become a Demon, to pull my reason for existence from the dreams and nightmares of those around me. Luckily she Named me first." There was a brief pause before she continued, "I learned something about myself Sakura. To exist, to be, I was willing to go to any extreme. I was willing to become a monster simply to exist. May you never face such a cruel choice."

Sakura looked down herself. She sighed deeply, "I already have. Inside of me, part of my very being is connected to an entity called Angra Mainyu." She looked up and met Ayako's eyes. "It is the source of the curse on the park; it is the shadow on the Grail. And I am part of it. I, I am a monster Ayako. I am trying, trying really hard to be good. To help my friends and protect my city." She took a deep breath and got out of the tub, "But if I must, if I need to be evil to save Sempai, to save Sister…. I will."

Ayako carried a towel over to Sakura, "Well then. Let us be monsters together."

Sakura dried herself off, her eyes closed, listening to the pulsing essence that was her friend now. "I will do what I must to save you as well. You are my friend, and I won't accept what has happened to you." She glared at Ayako, "So tell me why I can't destroy Caster?"

Ayako smirked, "It is the Balance. I told you about the choice I was forced into. She accepted my sacrifice, she took my soul. But I didn't die. I didn't disappear. And she could not refuse my offer to serve as her sword for the duration of the conflict. As long as I do so, even if I fall, what she has done is against the Balance. She will have a debt to me, one the weight of my very soul. And unless she wishes to become distorted by the debt, she will have to repay it." Her smirk broadened, "Somehow."

Sakura's jaw dropped.

Ayako chuckled, "Oh, there is more. She NEEDS me to live, just as much as I need her. If I die, she can never repay that debt. And as long as we both live there are two Ayako's. Her soul still calls out to what remains in me. And while I will never fully recover, my soul resonates with hers. And knowledge that was taken from me returns. So please, please don't hurt her. She may possess me forever, so too will I possess her."

Sakura reached out and hugged her friend, "Somehow, somehow we will get through this."

Ayako just held her.

But Sakura had to wonder. This War had cost them so much. Had Shirou or Rin had to face as high a price as she and her friend? And what of Issei or Ilya?

'I will bend and break the world to save them. They have saved me, now I have to save them. No matter the cost. We will survive.'

End Scene-

Issei Ryudou-

Issei sat back, with his eyes closed as Gretchen drove him and the Track girls to Ayako's home. Jin MItsuzuri would be waiting for them there. It was his hope that Mr. Mitsuzuri would be able to use his contacts and allow the Track girls to go home.

Hopefully without causing too much of a scandal.

He looked into the back seat and saw all three of them quiet, holding hands. They all looked nervous. "This is what you want, isn't it?"

The three looked among themselves and nodded. Kane was the one to speak, "Issei, you have to realize how much has changed for all of us. Our vision of the world is completely changed and there is much we will now have to hide from everyone."

Gretchen cleared her throat, "I can still erase those memories. It might be wiser in the long run. The knowledge that you have now is dangerous. To yourselves and to others."

Kaede defiantly stated, "We EARNED these memories. There are things I might wish to forget, but they make me who I am. And despite the fear and pain those memories might bring, I, I…." She looked away.

Yukika softly said, "Remember, Ryudou, for me and you it has been a few days. For them, well it has been years. All of us will likely be tainted by our experiences, is it not best that we at least get what we paid for?"

Kaede reached over and hugged Yukika, Kane looked on fondly.

Issei nodded, "If ever you need anything, or want to talk about it, I will be there for you."

Yukika smiled, "Medusa promised to look out for us. We will be fine."

Issei nodded looked over at Gretchen, "I'll be back in a few minutes." He got out of the car and stopped.

Issei had been here before, dragged by Sakura and Ayako. In truth he had been here more often than he had the Matou mansion. But he had never really looked at the place.

Had he simply been careless? Or had the experiences he'd had the last few days truly changed him that much?

It was a temple…..

No, that was wrong. Temples were built by humans and this was not a human thing. It was Eiko's place.

Suddenly the fact that the homunculi kept referring to Ayako as 'Lady' became very evident. Eiko ruled this neighborhood. Oh, it wasn't political, wasn't human at all. Issei doubted most people could sense it; probably even most Magi wouldn't see it. This wasn't magecraft, there was no distortion. This was natural.

"Genius Loci," Issei was shivering. It wasn't just the yard, or the garden behind. It was the entire neighborhood. But it was focused here, at Ayako's house. If he had time, Issei could likely pinpoint the exact center, probably a tiny shrine in the manicured garden in the backyard.

Issei swallowed. Someday he would give Ayako a place to call hers. Someplace where her Elemental nature would be at home and at rest, somewhere she would be at peace.

He continued walking up the path to the house, clearing his mind on how to deal with Ayako's father.

He was probably not going to be happy with issei.

Issei had one hand ready to knock when the door opened.

Jin MItsuzuri stood there staring at him for a moment before looking over at the car. He was tall and wearing a conservative business suit. And he looked very tired. "So it is true," A small sad smile crossed his face. "You did find them. Come in, we need to talk for a couple of moments before I have you get them." He turned away and walked into the house, "I also have some paperwork for you to fill out."

Issei followed, removing his shoes at the door, "Paperwork?"

"Yes. Once you fill them out, you will be an unofficial consultant to the Fuyuki Police Department. I have discussed this with your Professor Furino who we have used a few times in the past. Unofficially of course. No one believes in that superstitious nonsense anymore."

Issei followed Mr. Mitsuzuri deeper into the house, to his private den. Scattered around the room were a variety of protective ofuda. Only the one he had given Ayako for her father was actually working. Issei adjusted it slightly to increase its effectiveness. He frowned at the placement of a few mirrors. "Did you hire a geomancer to place these? If so the man should be fired."

"Hmm." Mr. Mitsuzuri sat down at his desk. It was an odd mix of both clutter and order. He moved a small stack of papers to the side. "No actually I did it myself." He frowned, "Is it that bad?"

Issei thought for a moment, "Honestly I would have to examine the whole house to truly know, and I am not really an expert yet. But they seem a bit misplaced." He pulled out his pendant and began to swing it around. After a moment he nodded, "Well as near as I can tell, and mind you I would need to study the prana flows through the whole house, I don't think this will cause anything bad. But it might be squandering some of the positive flow. Assuming I survive this week, I'll do a full survey." He looked over at Mr. Mitsuzuri, "Um, assuming you want me to."

Mr. Mitsuzuri sighed, "Assuming you survive this week…. I never wanted this for my daughter Issei. And do not assume I am happy with you. Both of you are too young."

"Sir, I…"

Mr. MItsuzuri raised a hand, "Issei, you have been friends with my daughter for some time. I know you. Eiko speaks highly of you, she at the very least approves of your relationship. She even sent a missive to her mother." Mr. Mitsuzuri shivered slightly. "I am not happy with it. But according to Eiko, Ayako was Inverted. That changes things."

Issei swallowed, "Yes."

Mr. Mitsuzuri closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead, "In a moment, you and I are going to get to work. I am going to have you bring in the girls and have some officers arrive to examine them. They will probably need to go to the hospital for an in depth examination, but with luck should be home by the end of the day. But I am going to ask you a couple of questions first. And I want you to answer truthfully. At this point I don't need all the details, but I want you to be honest with me."

"Yes, sir."

Mr. Mitsuzuri's eyes remained closed. "First, I presume those girls were traumatized. And I hope you have a cover story for why they were missing. Something horrible but mundane probably. But Issei, what actually happened to them?"

Issei sighed. How honest should he be here? Knowing too much could be dangerous not only for Mr. Mitsuzuri but also for the girls as well.

No. He wasn't going to start his relationship with the man who would likely be his father in law someday with a set of lies. "They were ritually sacrificed."

"What?"

Issei smiled sadly, "They got better. But you are right, it traumatized them. The details don't really matter. It is better you don't know."

"I see." Mr. Mitsuzuri nodded to himself and opened his eyes, staring directly at Issei, "Right," He cleared his throat. "At least you are honest. Eiko said you would be." He took a deep breath. "My second question is harder. Did my daughter rape you?"

Issei shot up, shaking with anger. How could he ask that? His Ayako would never….

Mr. Mitsuzuri remained calm, "Issei, this is not a question that warms a father's heart. Many don't think such a thing is possible. But while rare, it does happen. And with Ayako Inverted…" He sighed, "Issei, I love my wife. Even with all the troubles we have had, I have never regretted marrying her. Never. But I will be honest. There are times when Eiko scares me. If she really wanted something, I don't think I could stop her. I don't know if anyone could." He looked down, "I suspect Ayako would be much the same…. Look, I hate this. But I have to know. I highly doubt you started it. Even if you did initiate the encounter, if she didn't agree she would have BROKEN you. I know that Eiko is incredibly strong when she Inverts, and she insists Ayako is stronger."

Issei decided to swallow his anger and answer honestly, "I wasn't ready. But I was willing." He looked down, "I love your daughter, sir." He raised his eyes to meet Mr. Mitsuzuri, "I told Mrs. Mitsuzuri that I would take responsibility. And I will."

Mr. Mitsuzuri, "Good to hear. Now go bring in those girls. We have a lot to do today."

Issei looked at the man for a moment and turned to leave. He was certain this wasn't over. But for now… For now this would be enough.

-End Scene—

Arturia Pendragon-

Arturia sat quietly in the Emiya dojo. She was examining her life, trying desperately to find where everything had gone wrong. She knew that hardening her heart and being detached from her people had been a mistake. And yet looking back she couldn't see how she could have done things different.

She closed her eyes, drinking in the silence.

The sound of footsteps disturbed her. They were soft but not particularly stealthy.

Sakura.

"Arturia, breakfast is ready."

Arturia stood and looked at the girl. Today her eyes were blue, with a tiny hint of lavender. She had a soft smile as always, but her eyes were withdrawn and downcast. She looked resigned to something, but determined to keep a smile.

Arturia nodded and stood. It was funny how much Sakura reminded her of Morgan. Arturia could remember the few times she had seen her half-sister before she had drawn Caliburn. Merlin had introduced her, and it was Arturia's hunch that he had hoped for Morgan to eventually become his successor as Court Wizard. Of course at that time Arturia didn't even know she would have a Court Wizard, she simply knew she wanted to be a knight.

Morgan on the other hand, loved magic. While she lacked Arturia's Dragoncore and its immense power, she had considerable talent and skill. More than Sakura really, that part of her half-sister was more like Rin. But Morgan had been sweet and quiet and gentle.

And it had all been a mask. What had happened to her sister? Why had she grown to hate Arturia so? Assuming something as mundane as hate could be ascribed to someone with such facile emotions. Morgan was called le Fey for a reason. At some point Merlin had introduced her to the Bright Court and Morgan had found a home among the inhuman and mercurial beings there.

Was it the mask that Sakura wore that reminded her of Morgan? Or did it run deeper, to the emergent other personalities she had seen in the girl? Or was it simply the dangerous magic the girl held barely constrained?

Arturia followed Sakura to the dining room, where the others were waiting. Shirou and Rin were sitting together. Very close. Very, very close. As they began breakfast, Arturia watched as the two kept staring at each other, kept touching each other.

Arturia looked over at Sakura, who was watching her for some reason. Arturia quirked and eyebrow and nodded in the direction of Rin and Shirou.

Sakura nodded softly.

Lovers. Rin and Shirou were lovers.

It shouldn't hurt. But it did. There was no reason, no reason at all she should feel this way. She had no right to. Who was she anyway? A person out of time, a legend called back to serve at the whim of a magus to fight for a tainted Grail.

Even if Shirou returned her feelings, heck even if he acknowledged them, she was only going to be here a brief moment. A week more maybe, maybe less. She was a transient factor in his life, and there was no hope for more. A week or more of this impossible dream and she would go back to her real body and die.

Besides Rin would be good for Shirou. She would keep him from needless heroics, and he would curb some of her more ruthless instincts. They were a pretty couple.

And none of it mattered. It had been a long while since she had felt like this. As then, she allowed none of it to show on her face. She carefully had a second helping. They would know she was rattled or affected if she did not maintain her previous actions. Even if the food, delicious as always, tasted like dust.

No one spoke, save the occasional soft comment between Shirou and Rin. For all those two noticed, Ayako, Sakura, and herself might as well not even been there. Arturia wondered where the others were, but she didn't speak. She was afraid that she might let something slip in her tone or choice of words.

So she was quiet. She had spent so much of her life quietly watching others. When had she felt last like this? Was it Gwen's betrayal? Arturia had tried so hard to please her wife. She had done things she had found distasteful, if pleasurable. She had even let Merlin change her into a man so that she could get Gwen pregnant.

Gwen had never been the same after her miscarriage. Had that been when Gwen had fallen for Lancelot? Although it had been hard for her to believe it, even as proof began to mount. Lancelot hadn't been the most social of men. And Gwen hadn't really ever cared for the male sex. The idea that the two of them would betray her like that…. It simply hadn't occurred to her.

It was then her reign had begun to fall apart. Some had suspected that Arturia, despite her anger would be merciful to two of the small group of people Arturia had actually been close to.

But Arturia was the Law. And no matter her feelings, she had to carry it out. Stopping Lancelot from leaving had been impossible. The man had always been the best fighter Arturia had ever seen, better even than Gawain. Better even than herself.

Arturia's heart clenched again. Gawain. How long had it been since she had thought of him in any terms other than her heir? Once she had loved him. Once she had nearly slept with him after the horrors of Badon Hill. Both of them had needed release, both of them secretly carrying a flame for the other.

For Gawain was one of the few who had known who she was. No matter how hard she needed to keep it a secret there were those who simply had to know, who had to be trusted. He was one.

And they had loved each other.

Oh it had never descended into bad poetry or song. A few touches there, a few actions beyond the necessary. They had both known it would never work. Yet after Badon Hill, after that horrible slaughter, after a little too much wine, they had held each other. And they had begun to kiss, to remove the barriers that stood between them.

But Arturia was the bearer of Avalon. And the wine had worn off quickly. So she had stopped them from progressing further. No matter what she had wanted, no matter what her body had screamed it had wanted, she stopped them.

They never spoke of it again. After that day Gawain was always careful with her, always flirting and carrying on with every other woman whom he met. He accrued quite a reputation in time, in a sense deflecting suspicion from Arturia.

It had hurt to watch him. Until it had become a dull pain that had never gone away. Just one more thing to give up for the good of her nation. Would things have been better or worse had she caved, had she let her selfish desire win?

Hadn't that been the crux of Iskander's argument against her? That she had always stood alone, detached. That she hadn't let her passions drive her? And hadn't her calm stoic demeanor eventually alienated so many of her subjects? All respecting her but afraid that they might be the next necessary sacrifice for the greater good.

Somewhere in her past lay the key, the reason why another would be more fit than she to be king. There was very little left for her. She would do what she could to destroy this Grail for Shirou and she would go back to her time to die.

She no longer thought the World would ever allow her to gain her wish. Each scenario seemed doomed to failure, set to allow her to see her dream come to fruition only to pull it away again. Her country was destroyed, her people would soon be subjected to an invasion, and there was nothing she could do to stop it.

Arturia stood, "Is there anything you have planned today Master?"

Shirou looked away from Rin, "Um, please call me Shirou. I thought we were past that."

Arturia let a faint, but false smile flicker on her face, "Yes, Shirou. Is there anything we will be doing today? I, I feel the need for a long bath."

Shirou looked at Rin. Rin spoke up, "Shirou and I will be going to my house to pick up some materials, you can stay here, I suppose. Roland will be with us. And I doubt anyone will attack us in daylight."

Duty dictated that she demand to go with them. But after losing Ilya, after seeing Shirou so obviously smitten with Rin…. "Are we doing nothing for Ilya?"

Shirou softly spoke, "She is on the way to London now. Gretchen was going to look into some contacts of hers to locate her." He looked down, "Until the War is over, and we can leave to fetch her, there is nothing we can do."

Ayako cleared her throat, "I might be able to do something in that regard. Medusa wants me to see if Raiga's contacts can track her, if only indirectly. He and a small number of his men are aware of the Moonlit world after all."

Sakura asked Arturia, "Since Sempai and Sister are going to be busy, will you help me later? We are still having a large dinner in Ilya's honor tonight. Even if she isn't here, we should remember her. Afterwards we will share the information we might have uncovered regarding her capture. Plus, there are still a few Servants out there. If we can, we should contact them and inform them of the true reality of the Grail War."

Shirou looked at Sakura, a mixture of sadness and guilt marring his face, "Arturia, can you protect Sakura today? We will have Roland if any of the other Servants attack."

Sakura stood, "I am not helpless Sempai."

Rin looked at her sister, "We know you aren't, but it would make us feel better." She exchanged a glance with Shirou, who nodded. "We have lost too much in this war already."

Sakura nodded and looked over at Arturia, "Will that be acceptable. I just need to do some shopping later. That should allow you to get a good soak in."

"Shirou. It is my duty to protect you."

Shirou opened his mouth and closed it as Rin put a finger to his lips. Rin turned back to Arturia, "I think I can speak for the both of us, protecting Sakura is protecting Shirou." She turned back and fondly smiled at Shirou, "If she gets hurt he might…. Overreact."

Shirou just looked away, a small blush on his face.

Arturia sighed. Of course he would. When his house had been attacked he had killed all the attackers. When Ilya had been captured he had personally and alone attacked a group of Einzbern homunculi and attendant mercenaries. There was a touch of Lancelot in him, Arturia feared. "I will do as you say. Please call on me and I will be at your side in moments. I am much faster in this war." She shook her head in a mix of mock and very real annoyance, "You are a most troublesome Master, Shirou."

Sakura said quietly, probably too quiet for anyone save Arturia and likely Ayako to hear, "But we love him anyway." She looked over at Arturia, "We have a few hours. Enjoy your bath. I have some bath salts and oils if you want to try them."

"Perhaps." Arturia got up and walked to the porch. Shirou truly was a troublesome Master.

But she loved him anyway. On this she agreed with Sakura. She closed her eyes and felt the pain in her heart, the knowledge that once again she would not have what she desired.

Such was her life. Merlin had warned her of the cost of drawing Caliburn. But it had been her duty. If she could save her people she had to do what she could, no matter the personal cost.

She just wished she had known how much it would hurt.

End Scene-

Ilyasviel von Einzbern-

Ilya opened her eyes to the sight of her old bedroom in the Einzbern Castle. She sighed and closed her eyes. After all she had done, she had failed. Of course, if she were in Einzbern Castle, she hadn't failed completely.

She wasn't being prepped for experimentation in London. Things could be worse.

Ilya looked around the room and found that someone was standing in front of the fireplace, warming her hands in the fire. The room was cold, of course. The Einzbern did not believe in central heating and basic reinforcement techniques were standard ways of dealing with the cold.

A lifetime of dealing with the cold did not breed out a desire for warmth, not even for homunculi.

The homunculus was not in any uniform that she had ever seen. She was wearing a burgundy blouse and white skirt. Ilya jumped when she spoke.

"It is good to see that you are finally awake."

The voice was familiar, although Ilya couldn't quite place it. Not among the living. The homunculus turned to face her, a broad smile and bright red eyes.

Impossible.

Simply impossible.

"Mama?"

"Ilya," Irisviel von Einzbern said as she rushed to Ilya's side and embraced her. "It is so good to see you! You've gotten so big." She backed away and with a smile caressed on of Ilya's breasts. "And you've developed. Kiri was so afraid you'd never mature. You are out of that damn castle now. Tell me have you met any boys you like? Can I expect grandkids?"

Ilya wriggled out of her mother's grip. She pulled back slightly to gaze at her mother's face. If she grew to look like her mother, she would be truly lucky. But then her hair wasn't a pure white, nor her eyes a bright red.

Then again, if what Victor had said was true, she wasn't even really Ilyasviel. Just a copy.

And Irisviel von Einzbern was dead.

"What is wrong, Ilya?"

Ilya could not stop the tears. She had missed her mother so much. But this could not be her. The dead could not return. Even the returning heroes were just copies that had been stored at the Throne of Heroes, the real people who had forged those legends were long since gone. "W-who are you? Why are you using my mother's form?"

Irisviel frowned, "It's me, Mama. Don't you remember me?"

"My mother is dead." She looked down, "Then again, I am not the real Ilyasviel. She is dead too."

Ilya felt her head cupped and forced to look at her mother's now serious face, "It doesn't matter what adjustments they made to your body. You are my daughter. As for me…." She looked off into space, "It is complicated. My physical form is dead and gone, yes. But my spirit is trapped in the fabric of the Grail."

Ilya gasped. That was not impossible. Ilya herself knew a few tricks to delay death, although without a complex matrix like a human brain it was impossible to preserve the soul. All you had after that was a wraith, an echo of the real person.

But the Grail…. That could well be capable of it. "So I am trapped here too?"

"No. You are merely visiting. I,I took the opportunity you provided when you called on Justeaze." She caressed Ilya's cheek, "You did more than access an old memory, Ilya. She, she heard you." Irisviel shuddered, "I have never seen her so ANGRY before. And you are so strong, baby. I wouldn't have been able to channel her…." She shuddered again, "What you did was very dangerous. She is ridiculously powerful and knows little in the way of restraint. They don't give the title Wizard-Marshall to just anyone."

"I didn't want to die. Being a lab rat in London would be worse."

Irisviel was quiet for a moment, "You have opened a door that can't be closed." She looked away for a moment, "At least you were polite about it. The other girl just barged right in, didn't pay any attention to us." She shrugged, "I am not sure she could perceive us." She shook her head, "Not important. You have to stop this ritual." Irisviel closed her eyes as if pained, "If you can't you must make sure any conduit to the Grail is sealed."

"Sealed?"

Irisviel held her close again, "I don't want you to die, but to save the world; you and all the conduits may have to die. It won't take all of the Servants to open one. If HE wants to truly be free, the conduit would have to have most of the Servant's power. Even a tiny open conduit will be enough for HIM to touch the world, if briefly." She was silent for a moment, "I wasn't able to stop HIM, Ilya. He tormented my Kiri. His last vision of me was my cursing him. Only Saber's Excalibur was enough to close it.

"Ilya, Justeaze will fulfill any wish. As long as the Grail has the power. It requires a conduit to manifest, but once it has the power the wish will be granted."

"Mama?"

Irisviel looked her in the eyes, "Ilya, people do not realize that the Grail WORKS. It really works and grants wishes. Each of the first three Wars had wishes granted. None of the opened a route to Akasha or initiated Heaven's Feel, but wishes WERE granted. It wasn't until the Third War that anyone truly grasped how they worked. It didn't have to be a Magus giving the wish. Just someone near a conduit to the real Grail. In the Third War, the conduit was damaged. No wish could get to the empowered Grail…. Except one of the Servants was close enough to human for his wish to be granted. And he wanted to destroy mankind. In the Fourth War no wish was granted. That allowed enough power to activate the Ritual early. And Ilya, HIS wish was granted, it simply hasn't manifested. Any activated conduit would do. Be your father's daughter and save the world! Go with my love."

Ilya reached out to her…. And woke up. "Mama!"

"Good you are awake. I have breakfast." Souichirou Kuzuki stated from the door.

Ilya sat up, still in the plain white dress she had escaped in. It had just been a dream, but it had felt so real….

And unlike a normal dream it wasn't fading. She remembered it clearly. She could still feel the warmth of her mother's embrace. The real world seemed cold and empty.

But in the back of her mind, in the tiny hole she had ripped to access the Winter Lady, she could still feel her faintly. Her mother had warned her she had opened a door she could not shut. A tiny pinhole conduit to the Grail. Ilya shuddered.

Kuzuki simply set the table and waited quietly for her. A part of her was surprised he was still here. A different part was wondering why he wasn't asking a million questions, because in his place she would be. No, he just calmly sat there waiting for him to join her. It was only her insight into micro-expressions gained by inferring emotions to the mostly emotionless homunculi that she could see the worry and perhaps a touch of guilt in his expression.

Ilya smiled slightly, she could work with that. She rolled out of bed and walked gingerly to the table. "After breakfast, if you have any questions, feel free to ask. I am sorry I dragged you into this, but I didn't really have much of a choice. Only you or my brother would have come to rescue me."

Kuzuki simply nodded his face almost expressionless. "I may have a question or two. Come and eat."

Ilya walked over to comply. Everyone has their own routine before eating. Some dig right in. Some play with their food. Others say prayers. Ilya von Einzbern was an alchemist from a family of alchemists. It was not unknown for fellow family members to play pranks. To add a little something to the food of a rival.

Nothing fatal of course, that would cause trouble. But something embarrassing, or something potential dangerous could be given just as a warning. So Ilya's little ritual involved scanning her food for toxins and magical enchantment. The spell was quick, not needing even an aria. Of course, she had been using it since she was a child. Or at least her memories had her using it since she was a child.

Which was why she smashed the bowl in front of her off the table. She immediately knocked the chopsticks from Kuzuki's hands. "Did you have any of this? Did you taste it before you came in? I need to know."

He shook his head slowly, one eyebrow slightly raised.

"Please tell me this dish was made for us. That no one else is eating this."

Kuzuki said, "This is what was being served for lunch. Those who were not fasting have likely already finished eating."

Ilya closed her eyes. It was a variant of the Golden Fleece drug. It would allow for a remote connection for the Servant to drain the person's spiritual energy. Likely not as concentrated, so the drain would likely be slower. "Was there anyone you didn't recognize here? This is your home, right?"

"There was a woman. She will likely cause trouble because of her beauty. She will be a distraction to many of the monks."

Ilya opened her eyes, "Unbearably beautiful, almost inhuman? Long lavender hair and a blindfold?"

Kuzuki frowned slightly, "She was very pretty, but her hair was more of a bluish blonde. No blindfold, but her eyes struck me as mischievous. Similar to some of my students trying to pull a prank."

Not Caster then. But who could it be? Memories of Sella wondering if Medea was behind the drug in the city. But Medea should be a caster, it was her legends. She was a sorceress and mistress of betrayal. Known for her skill in herbs and potions, using them to aid Jason on his trip back home.

Ilya was shaking. "Medea. It is Medea. Not as Caster." She unsteadily rose. "We need to leave. If I had supplies, maybe I could make an antidote. But ask skilled as you are, you couldn't stand up to a Servant. Even one as weak as Assassin, not without enhancement. And to do that, I would also need supplies. We need to go."

"Shouldn't we warn someone?"

Ilya shook her head, "We can't let her know we know. If anyone has eaten that dish, it is too late for them. I might be able to cure, them but not here." She paused a moment, "Emiya's. I have some supplies there. Plus with his and Rin's Servant we should be able to retake the Temple. There is no way Assassin would try to stand against both Saber and Rider. Hurry, it is their only hope."

She rushed to the door, startled by the falling snow. Well she had always done well in the snow. She just wished she had heavier clothing. Nothing to help that now.

She looked back, Kuzuki was grabbing a coat and a blanket. He handed the blanket to Ilya, "It isn't much."

She smiled up at him, noting the warring emotions that likely would be hidden from most. "Let's go."

-End Scene-

Rin Tohsaka-

Rin sighed as she entered her home. As much as she loved Emiya, there just was something special about having her own place. The falling snow had made the trip harder, but watching a couple of small kids playing in the snow had made it worth it.

In her mind's eye she had seen a couple of flame haired, blue eyed children playing with a pair of lavender haired girls. Odd since Sakura's air was now white.

But that was irrelevant. She would have children. They would be Shirou's. And the odds of their having half-siblings were very high. She would love her sister's children as she did her own. Which only showed how far she was gone from her usual calculating self.

It didn't matter. She would teach them how to fight, and Sakura how to bake. All three of them were good cooks, so they would share that. But Mrs. Mitsuzuri's tutelage had made Sakura the superior baker.

Plus the idea of an heir with her magic and ambition mixed with Shirou's sheer determination would make an indomitable magus.

"You can set me down Roland."

Her Servant complied. "You do know he's only a little ways behind us."

Rin tossed her head, "Shirou is much too much a gentleman to start something in my home."

"So, you don't think he'll be planning something to get you back for you commanding me to toss him in that snowbank? Was winning that snowball fight that important to you?"

Rin held herself with dignity, "He might. But if I play it right he will do something I will secretly enjoy." She smiled.

Roland just stared at her shaking her head. "The sad thing is you might just be right. You can be a little scary, princess."

"Thank you."

She discarded her shoes and walked deeper into her home. It felt so empty being here by herself. It was one of the reasons she spent so much time at Emiya's. Either Sakura or Taiga was almost always there, not to mention Shirou. Ayako was often with Sakura, Issei with Shirou. His home had become their gathering space.

His home was open and inviting, unlike her house's more stuff albeit refined atmosphere. She liked all the old furniture, but there were times when she wondered if she could modernize the place a little. She was loath to part with the money though. It had been so hard to get her funds transferred to the accounts Kiritsugu had set up for her.

For the first time in decades the Tohsaka fortune was actually growing, if slowly.

Rin sighed, no she should wait. She might need that money later. Gem magic was not cheap.

She absently wandered into her room. She still hadn't moved all of her stuff into the master bedroom, despite changing its furniture. It had been an expense, but there was no way she could feel comfortable sleeping in the bed she was likely conceived in.

Despite the new furniture, including a really comfortable bed, she still didn't usually sleep in there. It was too big for one person. It was lonely. Her own room was smaller. More personal.

She looked around her room once more, taking in furniture, the pillows, the line of stuffed animals.

Maybe it was time for her to grow up. She took a deep breath and held her hand to her heart. Medusa was uncertain if it had been as badly designed as the rest of the Ilya clone. If it too would give out in a month or so.

She needed to make this time count. Medusa said she could likely heal her, up to and including replacing her heart. Doing it now would be a mistake as it was causing some changes in her magic circuits.

Which should be impossible. But it was happening. Even now she could only fully control two of her forty circuits. Assuming she still had forty after this was all said and done. The thought of being a second class magus rankled a bit, but she would survive.

With Shirou at her side, she would survive anything.

She walked over to her dresser and pulled off two of her most precious possessions. A picture of herself and Sakura when they were children, back when Sakura was official a Tohsaka. Before she had been taken away. The other was a picture of Shirou and Kiritsugu. She smiled at both of them.

They were her most important people. She remembered her father, but between Kotomine and Kiritsugu, the two men had been much more influential. Her mother had been a lovely woman, but for so much of Rin's life, the woman had been broken mentally. Still certain that her husband was alive, still living in the past.

Despite her current problems, despite the war, it was time to move forward and claim another part of her heritage, if only a small one. She walked confidently to the master bedroom and set the two pictures in a place of honor on the dresser in what would be her new room.

She looked around at the mostly unused furniture. It still felt empty. Lonely.

"Tohsaka? Where are you?" Shirou's shout echoed through the upper floor. For some reason he sounded a little annoyed. He was probably cold too.

"I am over here." She smiled and added, "Emiya-kun."

Shirou came stomping into her room, he gazed over at her. His annoyed look faded into one of concern. "Rin? Are you okay?"

She smiled at him. He was still covered in bits of snow, and he had to be freezing with the wet clothing. But he was hers, and he was so beautiful. She felt as a tear slipped down her cheek as she examined her lover.

"What is wrong?" Shirou walked over and wiped one of the tears away, "Was it something I did?"

Poor, stupid, clueless Shirou. Of course he had done something. He had been the one who bridged the gap between herself and Sakura. He had been the one who had held their little group together, the one who helped her. Guarded her, cleaned up after her, loved her. Without him, her life would be so empty.

And she might not even know it. She would probably have soldiered on, always alone. She might have been content, might even have been happy with the state of affairs, not knowing she could have so much more.

There was so much she wanted to say, so much she needed to say. But right now the words wouldn't come. They were one of her strongest weapons, one of her greatest assets, and she couldn't say a word.

So she pulled him close and kissed him. If she couldn't say anything, she could at least show him through action what she wanted to say. She wasn't up for anything too extensive, she was still sore from this morning. But she wanted him to know he was loved.

After a few moments of making out she pulled away. She looked up at Shirou, "I have added something we need to do. I need to check the wards and get some supplies yes, but I have something else for you to do."

He sighed and pulled away, "Household maintenance. Do we have time for this?"

She clasped her hands in front of her and looked up at him with a smile, "Please Shirou, it is really important to me."

"Fine, what do you need me to do?"

"I need you to bring all of my stuff from my bedroom into here, the master bedroom."

"Today?"

"Today. And Shirou. I want you to bring the stuff you have stored in that guest room and bring it in here too."

"What?"

Rin could feel one of her insincere smiles forming, "Do you regret what we did this morning?"

His face flushed, "Um, no, but…."

"And you said you would take responsibility, right?"

"Of course!"

"Fine, then from now on, when you sleep here, it will be in this room. With me." She raised her hand to her lips to keep from laughing as Shirou spluttered. After a deep breath she put on a winsome smile and asked those deadly words, "Please? For me?"

Shirou closed his eyes, his face still completely red, "I am not going to win am I?"

"No." She cupped one of his cheeks, "But I don't think this counts as loss, do you?"

He opened his eyes and looked at her for a moment. And nodded. "I love you Rin."

Rin tossed her hair back and smiled at him, "I know."

Shirou just nodded to himself and left to get changed. And move into his girlfriend's room.

Saber materialized, "So when is the wedding."

Without thinking Rin said, "Probably a little after Graduation. I wish you could be there to see it."

Roland chuckled, "Does he know about it yet?"

"If he hasn't figured it out by now, he will. I'll probably have Sakura help him with the ring."

Roland looked at her seriously, "Isn't a little cruel? Your sister loves him too."

"She has this all planned out. Shirou and I will marry. And I will turn a blind eye, no, more than that, I will condone her affair with him. Both of us plan on having kids. Both of us have pegged Shirou as the father."

"One big happy family?" Roland shook his head, "And you think this will work?"

She looked at him seriously, "We will make it work. I am not going to lose either of them. Do you understand? I am willing to do anything for them! Anything!"

"Even share the love of your life?"

Rin noticed her clenched fists and that her Crest was burning on her arm. She took a deep breath and calmed down. "Yes. Even that." She left the room to go check on her Bounded Fields, leaving Roland behind.

End Part-

A/N-

Another transition chapter, the next will likely is one as well, although there might be a bit more action. To me the motivation of the characters is as important as anything else. And extreme actions often require extreme motivation.

Hopefully you folks enjoy. If you have any questions or comments let me know.

p.s. At some point I really need a beta. If anyone is interested, please pm me.