This chapter will mainly revolve around Illya. About her settling in her new life with her new family after being rescued from the Einzbern.

Illyasviel (formerly von Einzbern) was relatively silent on the way home. She hasn't said a word unless spoken to, and when spoken to, her answers were short and blunt. Neither Kiritsugu nor Damian knew what to make of it. They expected her to be excited, ask about her new home and family, or at least endlessly repeat: are we there yet?

Instead, her behavior was the very opposite. Polite, reserved, and somewhat shy. Kiritsugu, the eternally conflicted pessimist that he is, was worried that her mother's death was affecting her, that maybe she hadn't completely forgiven him for letting her Irisviel die and taken so long to come back to her. Damian figured that she was overwhelmed and needed time to process.

The truth was must simpler than what they had imagined. She hadn't said a word because she didn't know what to say. She hadn't shown much emotion because she didn't know what to feel. After the fourth holy grail war, her grandfather told her that Kiritsugu betrayed the Einzbern, that he abandoned his family, and that he was never coming back. She couldn't believe it at first. She didn't want to consider it, but after waiting for months for him to come back, she couldn't help but wonder if he had abandoned her.

She spent the last few months depressed and alone. No one would talk to her unless they wanted something from her, and her grandfather made it clear what her role would be. Either becoming the vessel for the Einzbern's victory or defeat at the hands of another master. Neither option meant anything to her since she'd die either way.

After her father finally returned and told her the truth, she experienced a roller coaster of intense emotions. At first, she was indescribably happy and relieved to know her father never left her. She was excited to find out she had not one but two brothers now, and she won't have to be alone anymore. When Atch tried to kill them, that happiness quickly turned into unbridled rage. She hated her grandfather for lying to her, for keeping her Papa away from her. She blamed him, the founding families, and their stupid war and their stupid cup for tearing her family apart. And finally, she felt content and vindicated after watching the Einzbern Castle, which caused her and her family nothing but suffering, falling apart like a house of cards.

Now, she doesn't know what to think or feel. The course of her life had changed entirely in a day. Just a couple of hours ago, she had resigned herself to die alone in the next war in ten years. Now, her father has come back, and she'll have a new family and maybe live a long, happy life. She's half-convinced that this is all a dream but refuses to pinch herself for fear she might wake up.

Once they arrived at the Emiya household, Kiritsugu led everyone inside with Illya clinging tightly to his arm.

"Were home!"

"Kiri-kun! Welcome back! You won't believe what happened in my last kendo mat…."

Taiga rushed to the door once she heard Kiritsugu's arrival, eager to regal him about everything that happened when he was away on his business trip, only to freeze in place at the sight of a short, pale white-haired girl clinging to Kiritsugu.

As the two girls blankly stared at each other, a thousand possible scenarios went through Taiga's head that could explain why Kiritsugu brought home a little girl that didn't resemble him in the least. Each is more ridiculous than the last.

'Where does Kiri-Kun keep finding these kids? First Shirou and that little demon and now this girl too? Is he opening an orphanage or something? Is that what his business trip was about? Wait. Now that I think about it, I don't know what he does on his business trips. I don't even know what he does for a living! How is he even paying for this house?! Oh god! Is he a Kidnapper or something? Do I have a crush on an international super-villain!?'

Before Taiga could devolve into panic from her delusions, the youngest Emiya's timely intervention prevented the worst from happening.

"Dad, Damian. Welcome back. You won't believe what happened at Taiga's… who's this?"

"This is my daughter. Illyasviel" Kiritsugu replied

Shirou and Taiga's eyes widen with shock, staring at Kiritsugu and Illya back and forth. An awkward silence ensued until Taiga finally broke out of her stupor.

"She's actually your daughter!?" Out of the thousands of explanations that taiga thought of, that girl being his daughter seemed the least likely in her mind.

"Well yeah." Damian chimed in, "They got um… complicated circumstances that force her to stay with her distant relatives for a while. It's resolved now, and Illya's going to stay with us from now on."

"So, that's what your business trip was about? Jeez, you should have told us sooner, Kiri-Kun. You almost give me a heart attack." Taiga sighed in relief.

"It's rude to talk about someone when they're right in front of you, Fuji-nee." Shirou scolded her before he approached Illya with a warm smile.

"Hi, I'm Shirou Emiya. Dad adopted me a while ago, so I guess that makes you my little sister. It's nice to meet you, Illya."

This causes Illya to blush and look downwards while fiddling with her skirt.

"N… nice to meet you too," Illya replied, barely louder than a whisper.

A couple of hours later, Shirou had cooked dinner for the rest of the family. Illya was nervous at first, but she quickly warmed up to everyone between Shirou's masterful culinary skills, Taiga's endless, slightly invasive questions about her mother, and her father's presence. Everyone enjoyed the dinner immensely, and much to Shirou's relief, Damian and Taiga didn't fight over the food for the umpteen time.

It's been a few weeks since Illya moved into the Emiya household. The next holy grail war that will start again in ten years bothered Kiritsugu to no end. He had no way to stop the war before it started. He won't be around to see it, but he decides to put those concerns aside for the moment and do his best to help his daughter settle in her new life. After everything his daughter has been through, she deserved to have some semblance of a peaceful life, at least for a while.

Fortunately, the kids were doing just fine in that regard. They had been getting along well and playing together often. Shirou had always been kind and considerate to Illya, and Damian had been teaching them both magecraft, making her warm up to them quickly. He considered mentoring them himself decided against it. After attending some of Damian's lessons, he realized that Damian was a much better teacher than he could ever be. Kiritsugu was happy and relieved to see the three kids getting along so well.

"Papa, we're going to the park. You want to come too?" Illya asks as she and her brothers get ready to leave.

Kiritsugu would love to spend more time with them. But he couldn't stop thinking about the holy grail war. He needed to plan as much as possible to make sure his children survived the fifth holy grail war, and he didn't want to spoil the mood.

"I'd love to Illya but have work to do, so you go on ahead without me. Damian. Shirou. I'm counting on you two to keep your sister safe."

"Yeah, don't worry. We'll protect her no matter what." Shirou reassure him

"I know you will." Kiritsugu ruffles his hair, "make sure to come back before dark."

"Ok"

After a ten-minute walk to the park, the three kids went to play all sorts of games together. More accurately, Shirou and Illya played together while Damian chaperoned most of the time. He liked spending time with Shirou and Illya, but he was still a twenty-six-year-old man in a child's body. Playing tag, hide, and seek or duck, duck, whatever wasn't his idea of fun.

On the other hand, Illya was having the time of her life. Having a loving family to play with was more than she could have wished for when she was still in that cold castle. When she was 'it,' Illya looked everywhere in the park but couldn't find her brothers. Just when she was about to give up, she heard the odd sound coming from an alleyway next to her. As she got closer and listened more intently, the noises sounded more and more like boys laughing and a girl whimpering.

After quietly sneaking around the corner of the alley, Illya saw the scene. Three boys surrounded a small purple-haired girl slightly shorter than she is. They were taking turns shoving her and pulling her hair. This made Illya really mad. If Shirou were here instead of her, he would charge in without thinking and fight all three of them at once. But Illyasviel is not like Shirou.

She took a deep breath and approached the three bullies.

"Now, what do we have here? Are three boys bullying a poor defenseless girl? How barbaric," Illya says with cold, calculating eyes and a warm smile.

"Huh? Who the heck are you?" one of the boys turns to her.

"I'm Illyasviel von Ein… Emiya. Right. Illyasviel von Emiya. It's a pleasure to meet you," Illya lightly bows while lifting the hems of her skirt. "I think the game you were playing was too rough on her, and she doesn't look like she wants to play anymore. I can call my parents to play with you instead if you want. They're close enough to hear me if I shout." She says with a mischievous smile.

"You!" the boys snarled. It was an obvious threat. And her saying it and a sweet innocent tone somehow made her sound even more threatening.

"Whatever," one scoffed. "they're not even worth it, guys. Let's go."

And with that, the bullies made their strategic retreat, which was basically running away but manlier in Illya's eyes.

Illya sighed in relief. She didn't know what she would do if they called her bluff. She could use her mystic eye of binding on one of them but not three. She crouches next to the girl.

"Are you okay?"

The girl's eyes rolled up to meet Illya's, making her flinch in shock. Illya knew that look in the girl's eyes. It's the look on someone who's all but dead inside, someone who doesn't even remember what happiness felt like, someone who lost all hope and resigned themselves to being nothing more than a disposable tool. She saw the exact same eyes every time she looked in a mirror when she was still trapped in Einzbern Castle.

"I…I'm fine…umm…thank you," the girl shyly replied as she got up.

"Okay g…good…umm," Illya studders, "My name is Illyasviel von Emiya. But you can call me Illya. What's your name?"

"I…My name is Matou Sakura" she blushed, unable to look her in the eye.

For a few seconds, that seemed like long awkward hours. They just stood there in an awkward staring contest without saying anything. Illya kept staring at her making Sakura blush and shyly look away.

"Umm…I need to go home," Sakura suddenly said, "Grandfather doesn't like it when I'm late."

At those words, Illya unfreezes and grabs her arm before she even has the time to turn around.

"Come home with me. My Onii-chan will make dinner for us, and it'll be delicious. Promise."

"I can't," Sakura tried to protest.

But Illya pretended not to have heard her and dragged her along. Though, it's not so much a drag since Sakura put up no resistance whatsoever. Illya wasn't sure what came over her. She was essentially kidnapping her, and she knew it. And yet, as soon as she saw her eyes, she knew she just knew that she couldn't leave her alone. She wouldn't leave her alone.

"Shirou, Damian. This is my new best friend. Matou Sakura. She'll be coming home with us to eat dinner!" Illya proudly exclaimed once she found her brothers. Leaving Sakura blushing, Shirou happy for her, and Damian utterly stunned.

'Seriously? When did that happen?' he thought as he looked at Illya and Sakura back and forth.

"It's nice to meet you, Matou-san. My name is Emiya Shirou. please take care of my sister." Shirou took the initiative and offered her a handshake.

"n…nice to meet you too." Sakura shyly returns the handshake. "But umm… I need to…."

"Come on! Let's go home! Shirou, since we have a guest for dinner, you have cooked us something extra tasty this time" Illya cut her short and dragged her along with Shirou before Sakura could escape.

"Okay! Okay. You don't need to drag me, Illya. I can walk on my own." Shirou protested while Damian dazedly followed, contemplating how much his presence and action had already changed the visual novel's course.

Emiya Household

"Papa! Were home! And I brought a friend!" Illya cheered as she entered the house, still holding Sakura's hand with Shirou and Damian in tow.

"Welcome back, Illya. How was your-," Kiritsugu barely held back a grimace when he saw Sakura.

"Who's your friend Illya?" he asks cautiously while pointing at the girl.

"Go on. Introduce yourself. He looks scary, but he's really sweet on the inside," Illya whispered to Sakura while gently patting her back.

"M…My name is Matou Sakura. Please take care of me." She introduces herself with nearly tangible discomfort.

"I see… it's nice to meet you, Matou-San. I'm Emiya Kiritsugu, Illya's father." He introduced himself, then turned to Illya. "Illya, how did you meet her exactly.

"I saved her from bullies and invited her to dinner, and now we're best friends!" Illya puffs up her chest with pride.

"You should have called me when something like that happens, Illya. You could have gotten hurt," Shirou scolded her.

"No, you would have gotten hurt because you would have tried to fight all of them at once. I didn't get hurt because I just threatened to call my parents and made them run away." Illya shot back. She met him a few weeks ago, yet she can already read him like a book. She knows that even if he can't win, he'd rather be the one getting beat up instead of her.

"But still."

As Shirou and Illya argued, Kiritsugu looked suspiciously at Damian for a moment, who could only shrug. He clearly didn't want the Matou heir here, but he didn't have the heart to kick her out. Not with Illya, so happy to have her here.

"Alright, alright. Sakura can stay for dinner, but you and Damian have to make sure she gets home safely after."

"Sure, Sakura, do you mind giving us a hand in making dinner?" Illya asks.

Sakura looked around like a bunny surrounded by wolves before slowly nodding and following Illya to the kitchen. The warmth and kindness that Illya showed her felt utterly alien to her. She didn't know what to say or do, so she'd just go along with whatever this strange girl wanted until she let her go home.

Damian watches with blank amazement as Illya teaches Sakura how to cut carrots by standing behind her and guiding her hand around the blade.

'I knew I would end up causing a big change in the timeline by training Shirou and saving Illya but not like this. Illya and Sakura? How the hell did that happen?'

"I'm Home!" Taiga, as usual, burst through the door in walk-in like she owns the place.

"For the umpteen time, it's not your house. Find another poor and defenseless family to leech out of." Damian sneered.

"Silence, demon! Shirou-Kun, what for dinner tonight," Taiga replied as she sat next to the dinner table against Illya and Sakura.

"Fried rice with soy sauce and diced vegetables. We have a guest for dinner this time, so please, please don't fight with Damian again." Shirou begged while setting the table.

"He's the one who always starts the-. Wait. We have guests?" Taiga looks before her, just now noticing the cute little purple-haired girl sitting next to Illya.

"Why, Illya, aren't you going to introduce me to your adorable little friend?"

"Didn't Dad tell you, Taiga? She is Dad's other secret daughter from his fifth wife," Damian said with a mischievous grin, making Kiritsugu nearly choke on his food.

"WHAT!?" Taiga looks at Kiritsugu as if he had just betrayed her.

"She is!?" Shirou asks incredulously, completely missing the joke.

"Taiga, calm down, please. They're obviously just joking." Kiritsugu desperately tried to appease her wrath.

"Papa! Shame on you! You're hurting my little sister's feelings. Right, Sakura?" Illya plays along and rebukes her father while holding Sakura's hand.

"I…Umm… Yes?" Sakura had no idea what they were talking about was a little scared. So, she just tried to go along with whatever they were saying.

"Kiritsugu," Taiga growled at him.

It was the first time that Kiritsugu faced someone who could look so threatening while wielding chopsticks. Origin bullets and Innate time control were nothing against the Tiger of Fuyuki.

By the end of dinner, Kiritsugu managed to convince Taiga that Sakura wasn't his child, and he wasn't an unfaithful scumbag, but the damage to Taiga's impression of him was done. She still occasionally gave him the stink eye. Needless to say, Taiga has gotten over her crush on Kiritsugu. It certainly didn't help that his children were laughing at his expense the whole time.

"So, umm… will you be taking me home now?" Sakura spoke in a timid after dinner. She seems eager to leave. Or, more accurately, to not be absent from home for too long.

"How about you stay over for the night instead," Illya replied.

"Eh? But…I" Sakura stammered

"Illya, her parents are probably worried about her. You should let her go home. You can always play together next time." Kirisugu grabbed her shoulder.

"Oh, fine! But I'm walking her home too!"

After Damian, Illya, and Sakura leave the Emiya household, they go down the hill from their neighborhood then go up the hill to Sakura's residential district.

"Thank you for taking me home. G-goodnight," Sakura meekly says once they reach her manor.

"You welcome Sakura, goodnight," Damian replies

"Before you go, do you mind if I gave you a hug?" Illya ask

"Eh?"

Before Sakura could protest, Illya wrapped her in the biggest hug she could give her. She gently rubbed her left hand on her back while patting her head with her right. She tried to imitate the hug Kiritsugu gave her months ago after he crashed into her room in Einzbern castle, flabbergasting Sakura and Damian.

"You don't have to hold back, you know. You feel lonely, don't you."

"W-what?" Sakura just stood there in shock without saying a word. She has no idea what to say or how to react. What she was experiencing was utterly alien to her.

"It's okay, Sakura. I know what it's like to be alone. It makes you feel that you're not wanted. That you don't deserve to be loved. That your life has no meaning, and you'll never be anything but a disposable tool. It's the worst feeling imaginable. I know that for a fact."

Sakura's eyes widen. No one had ever said something like that to her before. She was so overwhelmed that she didn't even notice her heart pounding out of her chest.

"But that's not true at all, Sakura. You are a nice person, even if you don't think so."

She lets go of Sakura after noticing a fierce blush on her face.

"Bye, Sakura. It was nice to meet you. Let's play again sometime."

Illya gave one last beaming smile before leaving with Damian, earning another blush from the purple-haired girl.

For a moment that seemed like forever, Sakura just stayed there, in front of the entrance of her house, dazedly watching the silver-haired girl walking away. She said that she was alone too. That she understands that pain. A warm, tingling sensation erupted in her chest. For the first time she could remember, she didn't feel alone anymore.

Sakura knew she had to meet her again. For that feeling was too precious to let go.

Personally, I always felt that Illya and Sakura should've had a closer relationship. NOT necessarily romantic, but closer. They're a lot alike. They were both used and abused by their grandparents, and both intended to be sacrificed for the grail and their families' ambition.