Story time; I got a job that has me work grave yard shift, and it has thrown my entire life schedule in disarray. Work from 4am til noon, go to class (although for the past I haven't due to being too exhausted), sleep and do it all over again. -_-; I need a different job but this one pays well, so beggars can't be choosers. God bless Spring Break, though, amirite?

-::fate/INVERSION::-

-:Chapter VI – Awakening:-

"Just what do you think you're doing, mongrel?"

Cu Chulainn was baffled at the statement. One minute he was about to kill the punk kid, and the next, spheres are light were surrounding him and the kid.

Actually, "spheres of light" weren't quite the proper term, as the next thing he knew, weapons were being fired out of them. He barely managed to reflect most of them, taking three projectiles in his dominant shoulder, right knee, and left hip. Shit, he thought as he stumbled back. The brat was standing up straight, his shoulders broad, an unearthly aura just rolling off him in waves. The sheer power he was emitting was unbelievable, like some kind of god staring down at him.

Cu Chulainn sneered. While he hated the idea of retreating, he wasn't expecting this sort of reaction. He knew next to nothing about this kid he had chosen to attack, merely taking him as an unfortunate witness. Now, however, it was apparent this kid was at least some kind of magus, one he was ill equipped to face at the moment.

Cu Chulainn swore under his breath as he jerked out the weapon that had been embedded into his shoulder. He felt the power of a Command Seal overcoming him, carrying out one order.

"Retreat now, Lancer."

Grinding his teeth, he felt his limbs pulling himself away from the boy and the strange light surrounding him. His master, although dishonorable and cowardly, made the right move, while at the same time preserving Cu Chulainn's own honor. An order was an order, no matter how much he loathed it, and one fueled by a Command Seal was one he could not turn a blind eye too.

You win this round, kid, he thought as he dematerialized into the cold winter air. But next time, I ain't pulling back.

Shirou didn't know how long he had been out of it, and he wasn't quite sure he was completely "in," either. It was like his consciousness was drifting in and out of focus, yet his body was still moving without his influence.

The pain from his chest wound, however, was certainly still there. He had coughed up blood earlier, that much he remembered before blacking out. And then what? He couldn't remember. He was slipping in and out of control—

Something was making him move? His will to live? He didn't know. His posture was straight, not at all showing the pain his body was in. His strides were smooth, not missing a step despite Shirou's inability to focus and remain aware.

How was his body doing that? He didn't know, and it seemed that whatever was making him move seemed confused as well. Strange, he found it, but when his body drew in a ragged breath, he realized—no, remembered, that he had taken a serious, if not lethal blow to his chest.

Hospital, he thought, I need to get to a hospital.

He willed his mind to gain control of his legs, begging them to move faster. He needed to get to the hospital before he blacked out again. He didn't want to die, he didn't want to—

"I don't want to die!"

Was that childlike voice coming from him? He didn't know, he didn't even care, as his legs continued to move without him. Down the stairs, he felt his body move. His vision came into focus upon reaching the door. A figure was standing there.

Who was it? He couldn't tell. As he tried to push through the invisible wall that seemed to prevent him control of his body, his physical legs suddenly gave out, tumbling down the last flight of stairs onto the floor. It hurt, oh god it hurt. And it seemed like the pain was all it took to jolt him in the forefront, much to his chagrin. Of all times for him to regain control, it had to be in his most vulnerable.

Ah, and there went his sensations again. He was blacking out again, only barely able to keep his eyes open for a moment to look up just in time to see a figure looming over him. And then he was submerged again.

Rin paused in the doorway, her heart racing. It couldn't be, she thought, not wanting to believe what her eyes were showing her. But there he was, somehow still alive, standing tall and proud, like a king arriving home victorious from battle. His eyes, strangely a red color instead of yellow, stared at her for a moment, as if he was accessing her carefully like a predator would with his prey.

The cold, foreign look in his eyes was enough to keep her frozen in place, had she not been so desperate to ensure Emiya's survival. And just like that, his legs gave out as he took a step downward, stumbling down the remaining stairs before rolling onto the floor face up.

Rin let out a gasp and bolted towards him, her senses coming back. Upon coming to his body, she reprehended herself for being so focused on his eyes. He was bleeding badly from a wound dealt to his chest, most likely from Lancer.

Placing her hand on his throat, she felt for a pulse, finding it barely throbbing against her fingers. Dipping down, she held out her other hand over his mouth, finding a weak breath on her palm. His heart was still beating, and he was still breathing, however weak. Which meant there was still a way to save him if she acted quickly.

Pulling her hands away, she fumbled through her coat's packets. She needed a large amount of mana to repair the damage on his chest, but all the gems she was finding were inadequate, even combined. Just when she felt all hope was lost, she felt the large pendant around her neck sway under her shirt. She sucked in sharp breath, pulling the chain and pendant in tow out with shaking hands. Calm down, Rin, calm down, she told herself as she forced her hands to cease their quaking.

Holding the gem in front of her, she realized the power remaining was enough, just barely. But using it here, and now, would mean she would be wasting a vast amount of mana that she would probably need later in the war. There would be no turning back once she uses but—

There was no way to revive Emiya should he die here. And there would be no forgiving herself for letting this boy die, not when his life held such life for her dear sister…

Shaking her head, her eyes narrowed in concentration, holding up the gem. It wouldn't be wasted, even if it saved a life.

"We should probably take him to a hospital." Archer's voice broke through the dead silence. Rin jumped a little, not expecting him to be back so early. After Rin had noticed Lancer fleeing, she ordered Archer to follow him in hopes of finding Lancer's master while she raced to find Emiya.

"He'll live," she replied simply. "There's no need to drag this out."

"Uh-huh…" Archer materialized, a platinum eyebrow arched in suspicion. Casting fiery eyes down at the boy's form, he spoke again. "Last I remember, normal people aren't as versatile as mages. Besides, taking him to a public place would hold off Lancer's attack for a bit."

"What makes you say that?" she asked, standing up. She finally tore her gaze from the slowly rising chest of the boy. "All witnesses must be killed. That's the rule. How is putting him in a public place going to keep him from being targeted?"

Archer shrugged nonchalantly. "It won't, at least for long. The moment he's alone, he's going to be attacked again. But judging from Lancer's behavior, he's not going to march into an area full of normal human beings and start attacking. At the very least, we can buy your friend some time."

"He's not a friend," Rin corrected, glancing at Emiya. She furrowed her brow, considering her Servant's words. There was certainly some truth to it. After all, while it was a rule to kill a witness, it was also a rule not involve the vast public in the War either. A battle of mages was to remain a battle of mages. "Still, what you say is accurate. Alright, you take him."

"Me?" Archer cracked a smile. "Won't I stand out?"

"I am very much aware you possess modern day clothes, Archer," Rin replied sharply. "Plus, it would be safer to leave him in your hands. The hospital may be public, but the streets at this hour can be empty. Which means Lancer may try and attack again."

Archer chuckled, before placing a hand on his sculpted chest and bowing slightly. "As my Master orders, then."