Author's Notes:
Chapter 2 re-done...this is actually fun to go back and edit past work and make it ten times better.
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Rin! Rin, wake up!
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"Saber, don't be crazy I couldn't just run after Tohsaka and leave you in the middle of the woods!" argued Shiro. He was currently pacing in the room of the house where Rin's instructions had led them to.
"Shiro, I was not suggesting that you go after Rin," informed Saber who was currently occupying a chair, her breathing labored, "It would have been better if you had taken the opportunity to escape then force us into hiding. I am not accustomed to running away from a fight."
"Saber," Shiro was trying to reason with his servant, "You're in no condition to fight. We have to find Tohsaka and—
"We will do no such thing," the servant corrected her master, "You will get out of this forest immediately. I will make sure that Berserker does not follow. If I should sense Rin then I will—
"If, Saber?" The master was starting to lose his temper, "How can you be so damn calm?" He questioned, his fists clenching in response as his fixed his narrowed eyes at his infuriating servant.
"It brings me no pleasure knowing that Rin may be dead," informed Saber with an aristocratic tone as her gaze shifted away from her master's intense stare, "I should not have asked her to assist me in finding you. But we must be realistic Shiro—
"She's not dead!"
The finality in his voice caused Saber's eyes to widen a fraction. Her composure faltered briefly as he continued.
"There's no way Tohsaka is dead, she's too damn stubborn to die," he stated with such conviction that not even a smile played on his lips.
"Shiro…"
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Rin!
The young magus began to stir. If only the voice that interrupted her peace would be subdued, if only it would give her just a few more minutes…
Master!
The girl's eyelids began to flutter and lifted in fright, blue eyes widened at the feeling of a gentle hand over her mouth. Her hand automatically seized the wrist near her mouth as her servant appeared before her eyes.
Oh God! I'm so sorry Archer, I fell asleep! Illyasviel has she—
Archer slowly lowered his hand and silently shook his head. His gaze moved to her hand which still seized his wrist. She was frightened; his master had never shown fear before. He gently loosened her fingers from his wrist and acknowledged her fear.
You were exhausted, Rin. You do not need to apologize for that. No Illyasviel and Berserker have not found us as of yet. I had drifted off myself, so I can hardly reprimand you for your actions.
He looked better than when she had fallen asleep. Rin could sense that his mana was at a strong level but she was certain that they would need Saber's aid if they were going to confront Berserker again. She could only hope that Shiro had actually done what he was told for once, while she was certain that Saber would have her hands full until they reached the pair.
Archer, how are you feeling?
Was that a smile on his face?
I'm fine, thanks to you. I was definitely lucky to be drawn by such a master as you, Rin.
Save the flattery, Archer. We need to get to Shiro and Saber as soon as possible. I think that the best plan will be to try and avoid Illyasviel entirely.
That won't be easy.
The master glared at her servant in frustration with the expression "Thank you Captain Obvious" coming to mind. She slowly stood, concentrating entirely on masking her presence, knowing that Archer had already erased his.
Let's go…
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"Shiro if you insist that Rin is still alive," Saber noticed that gleam appearing in her master's eyes once more and decided to tread carefully with her words, "then we shall do as Rin advised. We will stay here until she returns. However, if she has not returned by morning we will have to escape this forest. Does that sound reasonable?"
His fist clenched and unclenched at his side, but somewhere deep inside he knew that what Saber was saying was true. He couldn't risk meeting up with Berserker, not with Saber in her current condition, and he wouldn't abandon his hope that Rin would find them.
Saber's gaze stayed on her master's back as he stood peering out the window of the room, the moon's light pouring in to create an eerie glow.
Shiro I pray that you are correct. Rin is a truly gifted magus; however, I cannot be as fool hearty as you to believe that she would have reached Archer before his demise. We will wait until daybreak and then we will escape. I admit I do need time to heal.
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At first Rin wasn't sure what the best course of action would be. For them to run deeper into the woods, praying that Berserker and Illyasviel would not catch them or tread cautiously allowing more time to reach their destination. She fingered the remaining jewels in her pocket.
Don't worry, Rin. I will not disappoint you again. If we do meet up with Berserker once more I will allow for your escape.
The magus continued to run alongside of her companion. Fatigue was evident on her features, but flying would be too risky. Surely their whereabouts would be detected and neither master nor servant was at full capacity. But his words struck a chord.
I thought I told you before that without you I cannot win the holy grail. I'm not going to sacrifice you, Archer. We're going to figure a way out of this. You told me that the Archer Class specializes in independent operations, well; you just gained yourself a master who will not easily give up her servant. Before I had no choice but to think of Saber and Shiro, now, I'm thinking as a magus first. I'm sorry that I—
Rin…
He continued to run by her side, she was brave and he truly was lucky to have been drawn by her. But he would not let her die in vain.
As a servant I cannot continue without a master. And as your servant, I do not wish to continue with any master other than you.
Rin felt a blush appear on her face. Archer must have sensed her discomfort for he quickly elaborated.
A new master can force a servant to form a pact once the previous master has been defeated; I merely meant that in this war, you are the only master that I wish to serve.
They were only words, she knew that, but for some reason they made her realize how right she was for risking everything to save her servant. They were going to need to get stronger in order to win this war and in order to do that they were going to have to get out of this forest alive with Saber and Shiro in tow.
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With every passing hour, the pair was beginning to grow more restless. Saber realized that the outcome looked less hopeful, while Shiro maintained his position at the window.
"Shiro, it will be dawn within only another few hours," informed Saber as she sat quietly in the chair she had occupied since their arrival, "we should have a strategy before we leave."
"You're right," replied her master as he turned from the window, "Illya will be hard to avoid once its daylight."
Saber let out a sigh of relief. Shiro was starting to make sense again. She would truly miss Rin's company but the odds were stacked greatly against her and there couldn't have been any way for Archer to defeat Berserker alone. Her master's ideals were unrealistic but she respected them nonetheless. It was always good to have hope, she wouldn't shatter his faith before dawn.
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A dense fog had infiltrated the forest. It made it difficult for Rin to see, luckily for her Archer's sight was incredible. She ran blindly; however, his guiding arm would lightly touch her back in intervals as they ran. Rin could feel her own fatigue yet she continued to push herself. She could sleep once they returned home and put up a stronger barrier; Illyasviel would not chance attacking them within the city.
She hardly noticed the change in the terrain until her foot gave out from under her and she fell forward. Archer spun around to find his master had fallen to the ground on her hands and knees.
Rin, are you alright?
I'm fine.
Come on, Master.
She looked upward to find his hand extended waiting to assist her. The magus placed her right hand within his and allowed for herself to be lifted from the ground. She gazed into dark eyes and smiled.
Thanks Archer.
Do you need me to guide you?
He motioned toward their clasped hands with genuine sincerity. It was strange to see this side of him; normally he was such a genuine smart ass, that sincerity was a new route.
I'll be fine. I got distracted, it won't happen again.
Her gaze followed his as he held the back of her hand, examining her palm and the scraped skin. Was this Archer's true nature? Her head was spinning from the day's events; she realized that neither she nor her servant knew his true identity or so he said. She always was given the impression that Archer was a loner, maybe something in his life had caused him to become cold, maybe…but there wasn't time for that now.
It's alright. We can't be bothered with minor things like this. There's much more at stake. Come on…
She allowed for him to guide her toward the house where her memory served it to be.
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They had a strategy prepared and had decided to remain silent, to reserve energy until dawn. Shiro sat near the windowsill staring out into the night.
This is all my fault. If I had just listened to Tohsaka and Saber to begin with then I wouldn't have fallen into Illya's trap. I can't believe that Rin went back for Archer; I just never thought of her as being that kind of a person. But then again, I guess I don't really know her at all…I completely misjudged her. Damn, why did I have to be so stupid?
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Rin!
The alarm was evident as he took hold of her waist without hesitation and lifted her into the tree tops. They waited silently, Rin with her back pressed against the trunk of the tall oak, and Archer crouched before her to take in the sight of their enemies who would soon reveal themselves.
"Berserker, do you sense them?"
It was Illyasviel as she walked into view accompanied by Berserker. Rin found herself holding her breath, they couldn't go another round with those two, not just yet. Illyasviel looked annoyed.
"They couldn't have gone far," she informed with her childlike voice, but behind the voice and her innocent exterior lay a killer, "I would have known if they had gotten out of this forest. After all it's an Einzbern barrier, they can mask their presences all they want but we'll find them all in the end," her smile was lethal, "and then I'll enjoy killing them for ruining my fun, especially Rin."
Rin could feel anger at the sight of Berserker who appeared to be fully recovered and of his master who reminded Rin of a predator. They needed to somehow distance themselves long enough to reach Shiro and Saber before the outcome of Illya reaching them could become reality.
Archer, when its safe, we have to move. We'll have to chance being seen if it means reaching Shiro and Saber before Illyaviel. I know you object to us getting involved with another master and his servant, but we need this alliance to remain until we take down Berserker.
I understand, Rin. With an opponent like Berserker out of the way we will be able to focus on our own objectives.
Once safe, the pair jumped from the tree branch using the wind's current to guide them. Archer's arm went around his master's waist as he lifted them higher, using the tree tops to shield them from view.
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It's almost dawn. We should prepare for departure. Shiro I'm sorry, but our survival is now imperative.
Saber stood to announce their departure when a presence caught her attention. Shiro quickly moved away from the window after catching Saber's movement.
"Shiro," whispered Saber, she would fight to protect her master at all costs.
Shiro was crouched behind the door, scanning the room for something to reinforce as footsteps approached from the outside. Saber had concealed herself in the darkness of the room, her back pressed against the wall as the door slowly opened.
A flurry of movement ensued. Saber launched forward in response to Shiro leaping out with a metal pipe toward the newcomers. The sound of metal deflecting metal rang out through the room and when the moonlight poured in through the open doorway all movement ceased as suddenly as it had begun.
Saber had somehow managed to summon her invisible sword, the hilt held tightly in her grasp as she panted, having stopped in mid swing. And the pipe that Shiro held had parried a blow as it rested in between twin blades.
"Rin," Saber stated breathlessly, her eyes surveying the scene, "And Archer!" she exclaimed in her disbelief.
Shiro's eyes had widened in response as he found himself stopped by the servant wielding the twin blades, their metal shining in the moonlight.
"Archer?" he too was startled at the sight before him, "And—
As if on cue, Rin peeked around her shield, and servant, Archer. She smiled and asked with all the sarcasm she could muster, "You were expecting someone else?"