Author's Note: I have a request. I need some reviews as an indication of how I am doing. I apologize for short chapters and only monthly updates but my workload at the moment is pretty high and I'm doing the best I can.

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"It would appear that we have failed," stated Souichirou with a disinterested tone all the while cleaning his glasses with a cloth.

Caster on the other hand cannot help but smile. "Tohsaka Rin is far more powerful than I had at first given her credit for. With her magical circuits and her natural ability I should have no problem summoning the grail."

He slides his glasses on his nose and into place surveying the cluttered grounds. "And what shall we do about this inconvenience?"

"Do not worry yourself over that, my master. I shall take care of the dead, and when the living awaken they will have no recollection of these events."

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(Archer's POV)

This is the second time that I've sat by awaiting for Rin to return to consciousness. The second time that she has managed to save my life; however, would she be so willing if she knew the truth about me? The truth being that I was summoned with the intent to kill my former self? And that I have no intention of assisting her with obtaining the grail?

I sigh in frustration. The plan was to betray Rin early on; that's why I played the role of the sarcastic and disobedient servant with no memories of his past, trying to dissuade her of any alliance with Emiya Shirou. Everything has gone wrong since she saved me from Berserker's final blow. I considered betraying her after that incident, but I'll admit it was only a passing thought.

I try to think about my past…not all of it was bad before I took that disastrous road that led me to being a hero of justice, but the injustice of it all was just too much and that's what tainted my ideals. I spent so much time trying to save everyone and the reality was that for every person that was saved one needed to die.

Her chest rises slowly, she breathes steadily and my eyes linger on her peaceful face. Rin's entire life has been built around the goal of obtaining the grail. Her family was torn apart over the previous one and she still harbors resentment toward Kirei for not protecting her father. This hot tempered, passionate and overly stubborn girl is who I want to save. Even if it means that one must die to create balance. If I succeed, I can save her and watch her obtain her goal; but in doing so I will make sure that I erase my former self's existence. The grail can grant any wish to both the master and the servant; to obtain my goal without having to betray her at all. Can I truly be that patient? I will try…for her sake…

I should probably make tea. If I know Rin, she'll scold me for not being more considerate and anticipating that she would need a fresh pot upon waking.

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"Like this father?"

I see myself as a child with my father during one of our lessons. I always wanted his approval and was so happy when he would nod. Sakura was always more like our mother, doting and cheerful. I, on the other hand, was more like father; I worked hard in my lessons, knowing that my family's honor was to be upheld. I wanted to become stronger so that I could make him proud…

During these lessons I tried to ignore the dark figure behind us; Kirei, he was a nuisance even then, always lurking and seeking my father's approval. Why did he always have to come to our lessons? I wanted father to teach me a spell that could transport Kirei to a deserted island.

It was a dangerous time back then. The grail war was going on and it wasn't safe to leave my house anymore. Not that that stopped me from doing what I wanted of course.

I realize, as I watch my former self smile and seek my father's approval, that I never noticed before how sad he looked before taking a rare moment to pat my head. My father wasn't an openly loving man, and I once overhead my mother asking him if he ever did love Sakura or myself…but I know that he did…in his own special way. Being the daughter of a mage isn't an easy life, but it was the one that I was born into.

Everything I am is because of that man…

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(Rin's POV)

I slowly open my eyes to a bright light daring to seep through the sides of the drapes in my room. Its morning and I'm lying in my bed. I place a hand over my eyes and think about what I can remember.

I was at the temple with Shirou, Saber and Archer…we were caught off guard by both Caster and Assassin. I used a spell…

My memory of my childhood makes me smile. A spell that I perfected after my desire to move Kirei. I can't believe it worked…Caster's strength was so overpowering; I've never felt like that before. It took everything I had to not succumb to the power.

Where are Shirou and Saber?

I reach over and take hold of the phone on my night stand and dial the number to the Emiya residence. I sigh upon hearing Sakura's cheerful voice answer the phone.

"Good morning Sakura, this is Rin. May I please speak to Emiya-kun?"

I hear her voice falter. Sakura has always loved Shirou, it must be confusing for her to know that I am now a part of his life, even if it is not in the way that she thinks.

Soon Shirou's voice is heard at the other end of the line. "Tohsaka? How are you?"

I smile, he sounds sincere, "I'm fine. How are you and Saber? Do you need me to heal any of your injuries?"

"Oh no," he sounds embarrassed; "We're fine. I'm sore but Saber managed to patch me up."

I think about this for a moment, but ascertain that this is an area that Saber could handle. If it were anything domestic I would have had to rush over.

"Good," I reply, sitting up in bed, and playing with the cord with my free hand, "Emiya-kun, I think that we need to focus on this alliance of ours. We both have a similar goal and have met two formidable opponents. If you're in agreement, I believe it would be best to come up with a strategy in order to deal with Assassin and Caster."

"I agree. Especially since Caster has use of you."

I pause for a moment, "Caster has use of me?"

"Didn't Archer tell you?"

"No," I admit, "I called you shortly after I woke. I haven't spoken to Archer yet."

"Apparently," he begins to explain, and I hear Sakura's cheery voice announcing that breakfast is ready, "Okay, thanks Sakura. I'll be right there."

He needn't yell into the receiver…but I suppose it can't be helped.

"Still there Tohsaka?"

Albeit a little hard of hearing, "Yes, you were saying?"

"Assassin told Archer that once he was defeated then he would take you to his master, and that you wouldn't be any use to them if you were dead."

"What use could Caster have of me?" I ponder out loud then stop, my fingers stop playing with the cord, "Emiya-kun, I'll call you back. I need to check something."

"Oh, sure Tohsaka."

I don't bother to say goodbye before putting down the phone and getting out of bed. It's hard to move quickly with this damn kimono still on but I manage and head toward the library. Father always told me that an object was best hidden in plain sight.

I go to the shelf and take hold of the cloaked spell book that my father gave to me before flipping through the pages. I know that I've read about this somewhere before, it was a long time ago when I was young, but…

My eyes linger on a page and I feel almost certain that I know what's happening. I'm so deep in thought that I don't hear my servant enter, only when a tray of tea is set before me do I take notice that I'm not alone.

"Find something of interest?"

"I'm afraid so…"

Archer raises an eyebrow in question and I continue, "I know exactly what Caster hopes to gain and why she needs me."

Archer frowns, "I see you spoke to the kid."

"Yes, just a few minutes ago," I confirm, "But if I'm right then we have a problem." I hold the book out and point to the spell as Archer moves closer looking over my shoulder.

"A summoning spell?"

"Not just any summoning spell…a spell to summon the Holy Grail."

His arm reaches over my shoulder and his finger traces the words on the page. It's impossible to turn my head to gage his expression due to the close proximity.

"How can you summon the grail?" He ponders, "It's not supposed to appear until the victor has been decided."

"True; however," I follow up on his statement, "if you have the right vessel or tool, then you can force the grail to appear." I point to a section on the page.

"Rin, this is—

"Exactly. A magus can be sacrificed to summon the grail. The moment it happens though the grail is tainted and controlling it is nearly impossible."

"So Caster's plan is—

I've taken to interrupting him, "To utilize a mage's magical circuits in order to summon the grail."

I close the book and we stand in silence for a moment. I turn my head and find that my cheek brushes against his. What an idiot, of course his face would be that close, to make up for the difference in our heights he needed to lean in order to see the pages. Still the close proximity is strange, Archer's cheek is warm when he's in his physical form, and I can feel my face growing warmer.

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(Archer's POV)

I push my feelings at the moment aside and straighten. The color in Rin's face has risen but I pretend not to notice.

"Since we know what Caster's plan is we have the upper hand," I start the conversation once more; it wasn't my intention to make Rin uncomfortable.

She takes my lead and places the book back on the shelf, before turning to face me she says, "If I were Caster my first move would be to be rid of you. She probably believes that without you I will be vulnerable for an attack. However she will also need to immobilize my magic in order to capture me."

"Assassin is bound to the temple; we should stay away from that area as it will be easier for Caster to spread a barrier in that part of town," I deduct, standing with my arms crossed, leaning against a nearby wall, "And if I were Caster I would realize that after your display at the temple, that you were anything but vulnerable."

I do agree with Rin's train of thought though; Caster will look for a way to disarm me quickly. If I am to win the grail, I'll need to focus more on defeating the servants than defeating my former self. Things really have changed…

"Thank you," Rin accepts my compliment but her eyes are narrowed in thought, "From now on our actions must be well planned if we hope to survive this war. All of the players have gathered but we still don't know who Lancer's master is, and Illyasviel will not sit around and wait forever."

She sighs and I watch as she takes this opportunity to have a seat in her favorite chair and to start preparing her tea.

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(Rin's POV)

It's been a few days since we started patrolling the city at night. Shirou and Saber have taken to watching the school side of the city, leaving Archer and myself the industrial area. If I were Lancer's master I would be running reconnaissance since it would appear that each master and servant now has his or her own agenda. Lancer's master must know that the only thing in his or her favor is that we do not know their identity. It would be nice if we had been given that luxury, but perhaps it's better. Our nightly outings allow us to scout the area and to take in anything out of place. I haven't detected a barrier, not since Shinji's at the school.

We decide to head back when a figure in gold catches my eye. At first I blink, my eyes aren't nearly as good as Archer's.

"Archer do you—

He silences me with a gesture and I know that his eyes are narrowed in on the figure. But as suddenly as it has appeared it's gone. I turn to my servant and we both exchange the same thought.

"Another servant?"

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