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?

32. Chapter 32

An Opportunity of Fate part 32

Ayako

Ayako stood in front of the Fujimura Estate working up the courage to knock on the door. It was funny. Had she been here to attack or do something crazy, she wouldn't feel like this. It would be simple, probably dangerous, but simple.

She was here to ask a favor of Raiga Fujimura in the name of Medusa Kuingorugan. How the local oyabun was supposed to help find where Ilya had been taken, Ayako really didn't know. But that was why she was here, to ask for his help.

She felt at the small purse that held the gift Medusa planned to buy the help with. How she had gotten the gold, Ayako didn't know. But she did know that the vial that accompanied it was even more valuable.

One of the harder parts of this was that she had to act human. Once this had come easily, it had been what she was. No longer. It had taken an hour to learn to pull in her Presence. Disguising her eyes had taken a little longer.

They were her old brown now. At least to anyone without unusual levels of perceptiveness or training. She was a little worried about mirrors though. Issei had said that mirrors could disrupt many illusions, could it do the same here? Ayako couldn't tell, because the illusion didn't work on her. When she looked into the mirror her eyes were a metallic gold.

Worse still she didn't know what she was. Sure she was Youkai, she understood that. But what kind? Were there other weaknesses that she was currently unaware of? Could she be certain she wouldn't react strangely to situations now? Was she safe to be around, or was she now a monster?

Ayako didn't know. And that scared her.

Oddly as her worries and fears began to grow, so too did a desire to be bold, to not worry about it and just do what had been asked of her. The fact that she might do something odd or horrific excited her. As did the knowledge that years ago the Fujimura had help hunt down her kind. Heart of Courage had been made to resist Youkai after all, as had Taiga's Honor of Duty.

What other treasures might the Fujimuras be hiding? She felt her eyes light up in excitement.

She needed to calm down and….

Mr. Ayase opened the door, "So, kid, are you going to just stand there or were you going to knock?"

Ayako took a deep breath and said, "I have a proposal to make to Raiga Fujimura."

Mr. Ayase laughed, "This is good. What exactly does the daughter of Jin Mitsuzuri want of the local oyabun of the Yakuza?"

Ayako could feel her control slip a little, "I am not here on behalf of my father."

Mr. Ayase's eyes tightened, "Your friends would have done better to have come themselves. You are not in good standing with Mr. Fujimura. Not after what you did to Taiga."

Ayako had to smile. Toying with Taiga had been fun. She had been careful not to directly hurt her, but after a while Ayako had been forced to take the woman's sword from her. Why she had driven the blade into a stone, Ayako didn't know. She only knew she wouldn't be able to retrieve it.

The blade wasn't hers. It would require someone with either great internal power, or someone with an immense sense of duty to pull it out. Just as her blade drew power from her courage, Honor of Duty drew strength from its wielder's honor and sense of duty.

Poor Taiga would never recover it.

"I didn't kill her. I could have. But I didn't. That didn't stop her from trying to kill me." She looked, "I don't know how much you know about the hidden world, but Taiga is not meant for it. Her sword skills are impressive, and I hope for her to teach me one day. But her mind is too open to manipulation."

"I see." Mr. Ayase glared at her, "That blade was a family heirloom. You will return it."

"No. She lost the right to carry it the moment the compulsion began to fade and yet she continued her efforts to kill me." Ayako looked down. "At the time I was human. I was not a legal target. It is hard to explain, but it asked me to take it from her."

Mr. Ayase was silent for a moment, "I will talk to Mr. Fujimura. Wait here."

Ayako stood there and closed her eyes. And felt the world. She could feel every single snowflake falling near her. She could hear and feel the sighing of the wind through the trees. She knew then that if she wanted to she could make small alterations. Each would be tiny, but done right they could cascade into a large effect. She could make the snow cease, or given enough time, whip it into a blizzard.

For now she was merely content to feel the snow as it fell. It was so pure and free.

Mr. Ayase returned, "He will speak with you. If this is in regards to the Moonlit world, be cautious. Most of our men do not know of such things."

Ayako nodded and followed him into the estate. The snow continued to fall, but the whole landscape felt different. Sculpted. Human. All of it had been carefully structured to fit the land, to emulate aspects of the wild, and yet remain contained and controlled.

And human. The spirit of Alaya lay heavily on Gaia in this place.

She had to wonder. If she analyzed Emiya's house, would it feel the same? Her friends were just as human. Only somehow it didn't feel as cloying. She didn't fully understand what she was feeling, but then she was young. If she survived, she was certain she would understand it in time.

She could hear a few hushed conversations as she walked through the main house. Mostly gossip or self-aggrandizing embellishments of their personal lives. Ayako rolled her eyes. But there was one conversation she thought worth paying attention to. Because she recognized Raiga's voice.

"I still say we should contact him. None of my men will be of any use to you. Mr. Ayase has some knowledge, but no power."

An old woman's voice retorted, "What of Taiga? Has she spent all that time training for nothing? I can handle the supernatural aspects of what we might find up at the Temple, it is physical aid I need. Historically it has been your clan that has provided such support in the Mion River valley."

Raiga's voice was soft, "My family is not what it once was."

"You were the one who turned to crime. You turned your back on your legacy." There was an angry sigh, "Taiga was your family's only true hope."

"Taiga lost her blade in a fight. She doesn't even speak of it. The poor girl's will was broken. Even if she had the blade, even if she recovered it, I don't think she could bring herself to return to the field." Raiga's voice turned harsh, "And even if she did wish to, I don't believe I would allow it."

"Then what do you expect me to do? I can't go up to the Temple alone. Your men, even your second, wouldn't last a minute against what we might face there." There was a bit of angry grumbling followed by her continuing, "That damn War. It wiped out a whole generation, and the following generation was too busy rebuilding to recover what was lost. To think we would descend this low."

"Emiya."

"What?"

"If you want a warrior of the old style, Emiya is your man. He is a little young, but he shows great potential."

"Never! That boy is a traitor to his people." Her voice dripped with contempt, "You think I would stoop low enough to accept help from a Western Magus?"

"And you wonder why you have diminished? Keeping traditions alive is one thing, but you can't live in the past! My family tried and we paid for it. Besides, you remember who his parents were."

"I don't care that he is family! He is nothing more than a pawn of the Tohsaka, those damn thieving bastards." There was a brief moment of silence, "Look, I am grateful that you have watched over him. I am glad he is alive and doing well, but my honor will not allow me to…."

Mr. Ayase rapped at the door. "I have Miss MItsuzuri here."

How Ayako wished that name was still rightfully hers! But there was no need to correct him; it would be too complicated to explain.

Raiga quietly told the old woman, "We will continue this conversation." Louder he called, "Come in."

Mr. Ayase slid the door open and gestured Ayako to enter. Raiga was seated on a raised platform, in a recreation of a traditional reception hall. There were four glassy eyed guards that stood at the ready nearby.

Ayako looked at them. Hypnotized. Their reactions were likely not impaired, but they would remember nothing of what happened in here. She did not see the woman Raiga had been talking to. She bowed to Raiga, "If I may speak?"

Raiga's face was impassive as he made a gesture for her to continue.

Ayako kept her face impassive as she began to deliver her message, "I come to you to ask a favor in the name of my master, Medusa Kuingorugan."

Raiga's eyes tightened, but again he gestured for her to continue.

"One of our companions has been kidnapped. Kiritsugu's daughter, Ilyasviel von Einsbern. It is likely she will need to be smuggled out of the country as she will resist. It is possible that she is on the way to London as we speak. But any leads would be appreciated."

Raiga still said nothing.

"As a token of her esteem, my master has instructed to give you these." She lifted out the two gold bars. "You may keep them irrespective of your decision to aid her." She handed them to a stunned Mr. Ayase. She reached into a different pocket and produced a small vial of liquid, "For her payment of your services, she will offer this. This elixir will remove the aches and pains you suffer from, and provide an increase of vitality. The witch who is hiding will attest to its power."

"What is to stop me from simply taking it?"

Ayako felt a smirk form. A sudden almost sexual thrill shot through her. She could scent the sudden possibility of violence, of the risk of pain and the chance of death. Life was a gamble and she was a willing player. "I almost hope you try."

Raiga chuckled, "Do you honestly think that your father's position can protect you here? You hurt my granddaughter and that is not something I can let pass. Moreover you have stolen an artifact that has been passed down for generations in my family."

Ayako could feel her control slipping. It was hard to not lash out with her Presence, to see him bend to the force of her will. "Your granddaughter tried to kill me. She lost the right to wield the Honor of Duty when she continued to attack me after the Siren's call had worn off. Her rage and pride overwhelming her limited sense. By the Balance, I could have killed her and been justified. But despite our differences, she is my friend and my teacher." She felt her smile broaden, "But do not think my regard extends to you or your goons. If you attack me, I may very well kill the lot of you."

Raiga waved to his guards, "Subdue her. But do not harm her; she will make a useful hostage."

Heart of Courage did not appear. There was no need. These men were hopelessly slow and would have been even without the first stage enhancement woven into her outfit. Within moments three of them were down, one of them flung through a few walls.

The other, a Korean, was very, very good, his skill compensating somewhat for her speed and strength. His mistake was pulling a knife and attempting to stab her.

She simply grabbed the knife hand and crushed it. The knife slipped from his now worthless hand, and Ayako could taste his pain and fear, could feel his hopeless defiance as she pulled him closer.

Close enough to kiss. It would take so very little to open a tiny hole on his neck, to taste his hearts blood and feast on his life. But doing so would be wrong, so she consoled herself with a kiss that withdrew a bit of his prana.

Ayako whispered into his ear, "Thank you for your sacrifice." And let the unconscious body slide to the floor. He would recover in a day or two.

She heard a commotion behind her and turned to see who it was.

Mr. Ayase stood, pistol pointed at Ayako. "What are you?"

Ayako let her control slip, letting him see her true self. "I am Youkai."

Stoic Mr. Ayase took a step back, "Dearest Ancestors."

A few more men entered their eyes wide and frightened. Ayako's Presence had been unleashed. These days very few humans faced entities such as her, and they were not prepared.

Ayako could feel the comforting weight of Courage in her hand, "Please don't make me hurt you."

An old woman's voice called out, "Everyone,

STOP

Ayako could feel a heavy pressure on her body. It was hard to turn slightly to see the woman who had cast a spell on all of them. She was wearing a very expensive traditional style kimono. Her hair was white and her eyes a pleasing golden-brown. And she radiated power. Not the same sort of power that RIn or Sakura had, closer to the softer magic Issei wielded. But she was much stronger, and much less appealing.

This woman didn't bargain with Spirits, she commanded them. Ayako felt her lips curl slightly with contempt.

The woman continued, "If you attack it, it will likely kill everyone inside this building."

Ayako burst out, "For crying out loud, can't you see I am a girl? Is it that hard to use feminine pronouns?"

"Silence, Youkai." She turned to face Raiga, "I will bind it. It may be that I can even exorcise it and save the girl it is possessing."

"Are you sure that is wise. Won't her master become upset? Moreover, I know this girl's friends, and they will likely be quite displeased."

"A monster like that doesn't have friends. As for her master, well we will come to some sort of agreement later. I might even return it, if the sorcerer agrees to not let something like this roam free."

Ayako shook her head slowly, "Okay, now you are just being insulting. Why don't we all just calm down and talk this through like normal people."

"You are not a person, Youkai. I will bind you to my service and render you safe." The woman began to chant in an ancient Japanese dialect. One similar to the one Issei had read out of that ancient manuscript to purify Ayako only a few days ago.

Ayako knew then that she would not be able to resist. The woman's magic and will was too strong. She struggled against the force that kept all of the people in this room bound. She could only hope that someone from outside the boundary would intervene and break the spell. Something as simple as an attack, or directed hostile intent would be enough.

But while she could control the probability of things in the natural world, humans had agency and she could not interfere with them. Ayako could only affect the natural order of things.

The woman was halfway through her spell, and Ayako could already feel the chains beginning to bind her spirit. Soon she would be little more than a puppet for the woman's will.

'Think, Ayako, think.' What did her grandfather always say? 'In anything high stakes, if the rules guarantee you will lose. Adjust the rules to allow your victory.'

Ayako raised her gaze and met the woman's eyes. And Ayako knew her. She was the one Issei termed Grandmother. The one who had sent him on his quest to kill Shinji and to gain control of Medusa. The witch, who had led to Ayako's own destruction, had led to Issei sacrificing so much for Ayako only to save the ashen remnants of her soul.

Ayako was suddenly filled with rage and hate. She could feel cries of fear from behind her. The other men who had rushed to aid their oyabun. That was a problem to be dealt with later. The witch in front of her was her problem now. And Ayako's Presence simply wasn't strong enough to affect her.

But Ayako knew the woman. She was old, very old. Older than any human should normally be. Her magic was staving off her death, and likely could for years to come. But while she could slow the damage, the woman couldn't completely stop it.

And she had a heart condition.

Possible.

Probable.

Certain.

Ayako could not affect the woman's will; her power didn't work that way. She could only affect the natural order, could only increase the likelihood of something improbable to happen. But the woman's body was part of the natural order, despite being tinged with a tiny bit of Alaya's force.

But then so was Ayako. Grandmother clutched at her chest as she suffered a sudden and severe heart attack. Ayako would have induced strokes as well, but the woman's main issue was her heart.

Grandmother gasped a few more words, desperately trying to complete her binding. But while her will was strong, her body was weak. And her breath became too short to forcefully chant. The woman slumped to the ground, her eyes still meeting Ayako's. But now her eyes were full of pain and despair.

The woman's spells shattered.

Behind her Ayako could hear the men who had rushed to aid Raiga running for safety. All except Mr. Ayase.

"Stop this Miss Mitsu…, no stop this Ayako. You are both guests here."

Ayako met Mr. Ayase's eyes, "She tried to bind me!"

"And you have reduced her to a dying woman. You aren't a murderer, Ayako. Do you truly wish to kill her?"

Ayako's eyes flared, "YES! You have no idea what that witch has done to me and my Issei. I want her dead! If I could kill her again I would. If I could torture her soul, like mine and my lover's has been, I would!"

Mr. Ayase quietly said, "She is a guest, as are you. Are you willing to break hospitality further than it already has by murdering her?"

Ayako screamed in rage, shaking the room, raising her hands to the heavens. She took a deep breath and through gritted teeth said, "Go to her room. Bring the silver bag. It should have medicine in it. She has suffered from this before."

Mr. Ayase smiled softly at her and nodded, "I will do as you say, Lady Ayako." And he left.

Raiga was calmly watching her. "I accept your master's terms. I would appreciate it if you help my guest, however."

Ayako glared at him and walked over to Grandmother, "I HATE you. Know that I wish for your death. But… They are right, we are guests here. I swear by the Balance and by my Name that I will bring no harm to you, save you bring harm to me or mine. Swear the same, and I will save you."

The woman gasped feebly on the floor, "By my Power, and by my Name… I swear to bring no harm to you or yours, save you bring harm to me or mine."

Ayako growled angrily as she felt the Balance shift and accept their oaths. She quickly hit the woman in the sternum.

Improbable

Unlikely

Possible

Probable

Certain

And the woman's heart began to beat once more. She gasped and coughed and sat up. Grandmother was still weak, but she would recover. The medicine Mr. Ayase would fetch would assure that.

"Lady Ayako….."

Ayako turned to Raiga, "Just Ayako. Nothing more."

Raiga smiled and nodded, "Ayako, I would like to hire your services for a task."

"I will not betray my master, nor bring harm to my friends."

"That will not be an issue."

Ayako thought for a moment, this task had been the only one she had been given for the day. With the truce with Gilgamesh in force, only Lancer and Assassin remained as threats. Both of them were in need of recovery according to Medusa and so she had most of the day off. Issei was busy, so she had nothing better to do. But it would cost Raiga. "I will not do this for free."

Raiga smiled, "Let the bargaining begin…."

-End Part-

Shirou Emiya-

Shirou stared at the room he had occasionally used when his training sessions with Rin had run long. Rin was such a night owl; they could easily find themselves working deep into the night. It happened most often when he had been assisting her, his own studies were considerably more basic.

She trusted him. Completely. How had he missed how much she had loved him to allow him to know so much that went into her mysteries? It wasn't like he could use any of it, but it was still a risk.

Knowing how a mystery worked was the first step to unravelling it. It made her vulnerable to him. And Rin was not a trusting woman.

How many other small hints had there been? How much of her teasing and 'experiments' had been her attempts to safely show her affection. One that he doubted she had wanted to admit to herself.

Not that he had noticed. He hadn't even noticed Sakura's love for him until recently when events had forced him to realize how important they were to him.

Sakura….. That was an entirely different situation. What was he going to do about her? He still loved her, still cherished those faded memories of the dream they had shared.

Rin had told him that they planned to share him. But how was that going to work? How could he possibly….

Shirou's cellphone rang. He eagerly answered it. Anything, even bad news, would be a welcome distraction. It was Gretchen.

"Mr. Emiya, I have news of Ilya."

Shirou took a deep breath and slowly released it. Had Gretchen found where his sister had been taken this quickly? The homunculus had made some audacious claims about her capabilities, and if she had located Ilya they were more than justified. "Have you found her?"

"Not exactly. I do know this; she is not headed to London. The team that was supposed to take her to Tokyo has vanished. The airport they were supposed to use is now a crime scene." Gretchen paused for a moment, "There has been no word from the media, and the police are keeping it quiet. There is little doubt that there is supernatural involvement."

"Give me the location and I will head there now!"

"That would be unwise. The police are already there and Ilya isn't. I will keep you informed of any developments."

Shirou was silent.

"Please be patient. In action you are excellent. Most Enforcers would find a single Combat Homunculus a daunting challenge, you took on several and won. But you are still young, Shirou. Rash. Impatient. Impetuous. Let me or Medusa find her first, then we will direct you to where your skills will be most useful." She laughed ruefully, "I for one am nearly useless in a fight."

Shirou closed his eyes and held the phone tightly; it took an act of will not to crush it. "I just want her to be safe."

"We WILL save her. Irisviel was my friend. I help raise little Ilya. And when she…." Gretchen sighed.

Shirou opened his eyes, "Gretchen, You didn't fully answer me about what Victor told me. Was it true?"

"It is complicated. Much too complicated to discuss over the phone."

"Please, I have been thinking about it all morning. Did my sister die?"

There was a pause and Gretchen's voice became hard, "Does it matter? Will you abandon her to her fate?"

"No." He sighed, "I suppose it doesn't really matter. But Victor sounded so convincing. And there was the other Ilya clone…."

"You are holding a banquet tonight, right?"

"Yes. They were all supposed to be there. Ilya and her maids."

"Most of the story I will tell you and your companions tonight. Hopefully Ilya at least will attend." There was a weary sigh, "It is complicated. Victor didn't lie to you. But it is not so cut and dry. If I hear anything else I will call."

Shirou just grunted an accent, lost in thought. His whole world had changed dramatically these last few days. Rin. Sakura. Ilya. So many changes.

"Don't do anything stupid." And Gretchen hung up.

Shirou stared at the phone. Was he that bad? Rin had lectured him between bouts of love-making about how his actions the last few days had been idiotic.

Shirou didn't have a death wish. Really. All he wanted to do was protect his loved ones. And save everyone.

He just hadn't realized how hard it would be.

Rin's voice called out, "Shirou! Get in here."

Shirou shook his head and went to see what his girlfriend wanted. He walked into the room without knocking, as the door was open.

And Rin was changing. She was bare to the waist, a bra and blouse set neatly to her side on the bed. She was pulling on a set of dark stocking when she saw him. Her face went a solid red, "Shirou…." She grabbed the blouse to cover herself, "What the hell do you think you are doing?"

Shirou could feel his own face flush. It had not been that long ago that he had held her. Had run his hands along her slim body. He could remember the taste of her skin, her little gasps of pleasure when he had caressed her small but sensitive breasts.

"Well? Do you have an explanation why you just barged in?"

Shirou just gazed at her, a tiny smile forming.

"What are you smiling at? Grrr…. If only my Magic Circuit wasn't acting up…."

Words spilled out of his mouth. "You're so lovely, Rin."

The words weren't planned at all. But if CG Pendragon had given him combat instincts, eight dream years with Sakura helped him here.

Rin looked down, the blush intensifying. "Shi, Shirou, w,we don't have t,time for this. And without healing magic, I'm too sore, so turn around. The cab will be here any moment!"

Shirou turned around, "Cab?"

Amidst a rustling of clothes Rin said, "Ilya called. She wants us to meet her at your place."

Shirou turned to face Rin in shock, "Ilya is at my house?"

Rin shook her head, "No. She is on her way from Ryudou Temple. Assassin is at the Temple and…" Their eyes met. She smiled for a moment, her eyes roaming his body. She the frowned and tossed a pillow at Shirou's head, "Did I tell you I was finished?"

Shirou allowed the pillow to hit him and turned around again.

"Hey, on second thought, can you finish buttoning me up?"

"You're not going to hit me?"

"No. We're in a hurry so get over here!"

Shirou complied. "You're sure it was Ilya?" He finished the last couple buttons.

Rin turn around and kissed him. After an all too brief moment they parted and she said, "Yes." She smiled up at him, "Now go downstairs. I need to grab a few things."

Shirou turned to leave. He quickly dialed a number, "Gretchen? I have some good news…"

End Scene-

Issei Ryudou-

Issei haltingly got out of the car. When Jin Mitsuzuri had said they had had a lot to do, Issei had never expected that he would be doing this. He had called Professor Furino for advice, but he had been busy dealing with a ghost in Okinawa.

He didn't really know who else to call. His friends would undoubtedly help him, but Issei didn't want them to get involved with the local police. Western Magi tended to keep a low profile, and from what Ayako told him, would mind wipe those who knew too much.

That or kill them. Whatever worked best. The Magic Association was serious about maintaining the masquerade they had managed to build up over the years.

Issei was safe. He was the son of a local priest and the apprentice of a crackpot local professor. Plus he was Japanese. The Association had a low opinion of Eastern style Magi, assuming they admitted that they existed at all.

To be honest, from the little he knew about the local Japanese style Magi, the feeling was mutual. And they also happily hid from the rest of the world.

Which was why despite the fact he had very little power or training he was going to deal with a major supernatural event. Or well maybe not major. But large enough.

An airport had been attacked by something. The current line the police were running with was that it was some obscure religious sect committing an act of terrorism. Similar to the one that had happened at a bar down town last night. Or for all Issei knew, the medical center they had rescued Rin, Ayako, and Shirou from.

Issei knew better. Although what had destroyed the bar, he had no clue. But given the last few days, it wouldn't surprise him that Servants or Magi were involved. How the Church or the Association was going to cover all this up, Issei didn't know.

All he knew is that Ayako's father expected him to see if something strange had happened here.

Mr. Mitsuzuri was talking with a couple of officers. A group of ambulances were struggling through the slightly icy roads as they carried all the still sleeping people who had been caught in the terminal building when whatever happened happened.

Everyone outside the building had been torn to pieces. The planes had been damaged. The hangers as well. There had been fires, but for some reason the snow had put them all out.

That was another oddity. While the snow fall in Fuyuki proper had been steady, it hadn't been severe. Once you entered the property line, there were snow drifts nearly a meter high.

The moment he walked across that border, pendulum swinging, Issei knew. This had not been natural. Something… cold… had been brought here.

And it hadn't left.

Issei quietly turned around and walked back off the property line. He walked up to Mr. MItsuzuri, "Sir, you need to evacuate the airport."

One of the officers looked at Issei, "What is this kid doing here?"

Mr. Mitsuzuri paused for a moment and said, "He is filling in for Doctor Furino."

The officer's eyes widened, "This is going to be one of THOSE cases." He raised his hand up to Issei, "I don't want to get involved." He looked up at his boss, "Let me know what you need us to do. Just, well."

Jin Mitsuzuri just nodded and watched as his officers left the airport. "What is it Issei? What happened here?"

Issei rubbed his forehead and adjusted his glasses. "Winter came."

Mr. Mitsuzuri frowned, "I am sorry?"

Issei sighed and said, "An Elemental embodiment of Winter was summoned here. I don't know all of what happened, but it is still there. Watching us." He looked back at the airport, "Fortunately it was summoned to a specific place, I don't think it can wander from it, or it likely already would have."

"What do we do about it."

Issei took a deep breath and thought out loud, "Normally something like this, something foreign won't stay too long. It won't be comfortable here and so it will try to leave as soon as it can. Also it will start to consume all the local prana and if it overstayed it could starve itself to death." Another deep breath, "Unfortunately there are two problems to the idea of waiting it out. One, we are in Fuyuki City and there is a lot of ambient mana due to all the ley lines and nodes here. If I remember right, there is one not too far from here, so mana depletion will take a while. Worse, it's an embodiment of winter. It is cold and snowing, a wintery scene. It might be a while before it gets uncomfortable enough to leave on its own."

"Issei, we can't just wait until a nice sunny day to recover this airport. The media coverage alone would be ridiculous."

Issei sighed again, "It's worse than that. If it is as strong as I fear it is, then it could affect the weather to keep it wintry for some time. It might be able to hold out until early spring before the weather finally kicked it out. It would also affect Fuyuki's weather as well. Make the winter here harsher until it left." He shrugged, "For all I know this snow storm could be something it caused."

Jin looked at the airport, "I wish Eiko were here."

Issei sighed and quietly wished for Ayako.

Jin turned to Issei, "Okay, so if it won't leave on its own, what do we do?"

"We have two options. One, force it to leave. That isn't something I can do. Not with something this powerful. I will try to get a hold of my friends, they might know how to get it to leave." Another deep breath. Calm. Focus. He ran through a meditation exercise and continued, "What I can do is ask it to leave."

He began to walk into the airport once more. In one hand he held up his phone to make some calls. In the other he spun his pendulum. He ignored Mr. Mitsuzuri's demands to return.

None of his friends were available, but he left them messages. Hopefully this problem would be resolved by the time they got back to him.

Hopefully, he was alive for them to return his call.

As he walked through the heavy snow, pendulum guiding him, he had to wonder what exactly he was thinking. He wasn't a hero like Shirou or his Ayako. He wasn't blindingly fast or ridiculously strong. He didn't have the magic might that both Sakura and Rin possessed.

What had possessed him to do something so stupid?

"I think I have been hanging out with Shirou too much," he muttered to himself.

Issei continued to walk deeper into the airport, searching for the Elemental that had destroyed it.

End Scene-

Interlude-

Hiro Mitsuzuri stared at his hands. It had been hard to get to this restaurant in this miserable weather. But the woman had known too much about him.

And she had information he desperately wanted.

He was a little concerned at the what the price for it might be, but he had spent the last decade desperately trying to find any evidence of what had caused that damn fire all those years ago. He wasn't going to let it go simply because of a little snow or the fact that his joints hurt in the cold.

He had braved far worse for information much less important.

Still he was shocked by the woman who appeared suddenly and sat across from him. She was a Westerner, a bit tall, and unbelievably beautiful. Her lavender hair flowed past her waist. There was something wrong about her eyes. They were an odd sort of gray and… there was something wrong about them.

He could almost pick it out, but not quite. It was like the feeling he had when he could almost remember something, he could almost make out what was wrong with her eyes. Was it the glasses?

No.

That wasn't it.

She spoke, her voice soft and sultry, "So, Mr. Mitsuzuri. My name is Medusa Kuingorugan and I have a proposal for you."

Her eyes. The pupils. They were not round.

They were square.

He wanted to tremble. He wanted to bolt to the door.

The woman across from his wasn't human.

He closed his eyes for a moment, 'I am Mitsuzuri!' he thought to himself. He would not let fear sway him. If this creature, this inhuman being, had the information he needed, what did it matter what it was. In fact it would explain a great many things.

He would just have to be REALLY careful about the details of their agreement. "I am very interested in the information you have for me. But I must ask, have you eaten? I am not so impatient as to demand answers immediately, and to be honest I am a bit hungry myself. Not to mention, the food here is quite good."

Her smile was slight and somehow familiar. His granddaughter smiled like that. How odd.

"I would be delighted to. Do you have any suggestions?"

And so he engaged in small talk, doing his best to figure just who or what he was talking to.

In the end it wouldn't matter. If she had the answers he needed he would do as she asked. He simply hoped the price was not too high.

-End Part

A/N-

Well here goes another part. Hope you folks enjoy. Let me know what you think.

Next step, the battle of Ryudou Temple.

As an aside, it should be noted that the Grail War has completely broken down at this point in the story. Two Servants are dead. Three are on one side. One is on the fence, and only Assassin is trying to win. This oddly enough has actually increased the amount of civilian casualties. I can only imagine how much work covering all this up is going to be. All made worse by the increasing likelihood of a Magic Association Civil War. (Wouldn't that be fun?) Until next time,