Chapter 4: Questions
Shirou tilted his head, taking in the sight of the unexpected servant standing before him. She was a striking figure, towering over him with an imposing presence. Her wide, toothy grin hinted at a fierce determination, and the attire she wore spoke of a warrior's spirit.
She donned a combination of black pants, boots, and a flowing red skirt, accentuated by a large katana strapped to her hip. Her hands were clad in black fingerless gloves, with red wrappings trailing up her arms. A black-sleeved bodysuit adorned her frame, emblazoned with a golden sun symbol on her chest. Atop her head sat a hat adorned with a prominent golden sun ornament, and her wild ponytail cascaded down, its tips tinged with red. But it was her piercing red eyes that held Shirou's attention, a fiery gaze tempered with a hint of calculation beneath the confidence.
"Well, this is a variable I should have accounted for," Kiritsugu's voice echoed in Shirou's mind, a note of acknowledgment coloring his tone. Indeed, this unforeseen turn of events had caught them off guard.
The initial plan, unable to risk removing the Sheath of Avalon from Shirou, had been to rely on its influence to summon the King of Knights, or another entity related to Arthur in some capacity. Yet here stood a servant who defied their expectations, a testament to the unpredictable nature of the Holy Grail War.
With a furrowed brow, Shirou pondered their next move. Despite the deviation from their strategy, there was an underlying sense of intrigue in facing this new challenge head-on. Adjusting his stance, he met the servant's intense gaze with a resolve of his own, ready to confront whatever fate had in store.
"My my, how interesting, me a saber? His servant let out a laugh "Uwahaha! What a riveting fate! So you are my master, well then no matter, very well! Behold your eyes, the Demon king of the Sixth Heaven, Oda Nobunaga lives, engrave this image into your very soul!"
Shirou couldn't help but feel a mixture of surprise and curiosity at the servant's boisterous declaration. This wasn't the typical introduction he had anticipated, but there was an undeniable energy in her presence that intrigued him.
"A Saber-class servant with the spirit of Oda Nobunaga," Kiritsugu's voice echoed once more, this time with a hint of caution. The historical figure known for her prowess on the battlefield, now standing before him as a servant, added another layer of complexity to their already intricate situation. He should have known the Spirit of Vengeance would have interfered with the summoning, it had already made its displeasure being restrained and held back by the Sheath of Avalon, the Holy object keeping it from spreading further across Shirous soul.
It had used a last burst of energy to hijack the summoning, calling a servant that was most likely something similar to it in some way shape, or form, but no matter he had just had to hope the servant summoned was at least just as useful as the King of Knights.
Despite the initial shock, Shirou found himself drawn to the charisma radiating from his servant. There was a raw energy to her presence, that he couldn't deny, it may be no King Arthur, but he'll take what he can get, he just had to learn how to work with this.
"I may not have summoned you by choice, but I accept the responsibility of being your Master," Shirou replied, his voice steady despite the uncertainty lingering in his heart. "I'm Emiya, Emiya Shirou and let's work together Saber"
The servant wrapped her arm around her master's shoulder to his surprise. A smirk tugged at the corners of Nobunaga's lips, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Uwahahaha! A Master with some backbone, I like it! Very well, Emiya Shirou, let us carve our names into the annals of history with the blaze of our combined strength!"
Shirou couldn't help but be swept up in the servant's infectious enthusiasm a slight smile on his face. Despite the unforeseen circumstances, her charisma made it easy to trust her words, but as this was happening Kiritisugu was silent. The Magus Killer was analyzing this servant, she was loud and boisterous, which was already a detriment at first glance.
Although from history Oda Nobunaga was known to be the man who had united Japan in the Sengoku period, a feat that required cunning strategy and unwavering determination. Perhaps, despite her unconventional demeanor, Nobunaga could prove to be a valuable ally in the battles to come, though, unlike the King of Knights, this servant may be more opposed to following orders, especially with her own strong personality and ambitions.
Kiritsugus's mind buzzed with thoughts as he contemplated the implications of Shirous new partnership with Saber, or rather, Oda Nobunaga. While her unconventional nature and vibrant personality were undeniably intriguing, he couldn't ignore the potential challenges they might face working together.
Nobunaga's reputation as a fierce warrior and brilliant tactician preceded her, but her unyielding spirit and independence could prove to be both a boon and a hindrance on the battlefield. Unlike the loyal and steadfast King of Knights, Artoria who despite his actions to her only started mistrusting him near the end of the war before finally cursing him near the end, Saber's loyalty might lie more with her ambitions than with Shirous's commands.
'Too many variables left up to chance,' the Magus Killer thought to himself, this was becoming a pain Kiritsugu preferred it when he had control over the entire board, every option laid out to him, and picking and choosing to get the desired outcome.
Shirou could sense Kiritsugu's apprehension, his mentor's silence speaking volumes. This unforeseen turn of events had undoubtedly complicated their already precarious situation. But He couldn't afford to dwell on uncertainties or what-ifs.
"Alright Saber, now let's-" Shirou stopped himself as he felt the simple bounded field he had set around the house had been set off, someone else was here and he could tell his servant had felt it too"Saber, go into spirit form, please"
His servant merely seemed to roll her eyes "Come, master, whoever it is, I can deal with it with ease"
Shirou shook his head. "I'd rather not take any unnecessary risks, not until we know who or what we're dealing with." He motioned for Saber to comply, his tone firm yet cautious. Reluctantly, Saber nodded, dissolving into ethereal particles as she complied with Shirou's command. Shirou, meanwhile, moved toward the source of the disturbance, his senses on high alert.
As Shirou exited the room to attend to his mysterious task, Ayako found herself alone in the living room, grappling with the weight of what he had just disclosed. Magic, a deadly game of conflicting desires, and Shirou, unwittingly entangled in its perilous web.
An exasperated sigh escaped her lips. "Typical. Just my luck to stumble into something like this."
She lay on the floor, thoughts swirling. Why did she get involved? Why not just walk away, pretend none of this existed? "Because I can't bear to see him hurt," she admitted quietly to herself. Deep in contemplation, Ayako's mind raced through strategies to aid Shirou. She couldn't abandon him, despite his probable protests of self-sufficiency. This wasn't a mere after-school chore; his life was at stake.
"This isn't just fixing after-school gadgets," she mused, grappling with her determination to intervene despite feeling powerless. "Damn it, Emiya! Why do you always find yourself in these messes?"
Midst her inner turmoil, the doorbell shattered the silence. Startled, Ayako sprung up, her mind racing through possibilities. Who could be visiting at this ungodly hour? Was it Sakura? She often frequented Emiya's home, their morning routine now a memory. With cautious steps, Ayako approached the door, Shirou's warning echoing in her mind.
What if it was one of those magi? Fear tightened its grip, yet she summoned courage, peering through the peephole. Relief flooded her as she recognized familiar pigtails – just Tohsaka. But why here, at this hour? Ayako unlocked the door, her curiosity piqued.
As it swung open, Tohsaka's surprise mirrored Ayako's own.
"Mitsuzuri! What brings you to Emiya's doorstep?" Ayako arched an eyebrow, arms crossed defensively at the other girl
"I could ask you the same, Tohsaka visiting Emiya at this hour, late after school?" Her eyes narrowed in suspicion, a slightly teasing smirk on her face
Tohsaka raised an eyebrow, a hint of intrigue dancing in her eyes. "Touché, Mitsuzuri. I suppose curiosity got the best of me." She paused, her gaze flickering to the dimly lit interior of the house before returning to Ayako. "And you?"
Ayako's lips quirked in a half-smile, her demeanor softening slightly. "Just checking in on a friend," she replied, a note of sincerity coloring her words.
Tohsaka's expression shifted to that of mischief, a subtle smirk on her face "I see," she murmured, her tone tinged with a hint of playfulness. "Well, are you sure it's just a visit Mitsuzuri?" The young heiress crossed her arms across her chest leaning closer to the other girl. "
You have been spending an interesting amount of time with Emiya recently, care to explain?"
Ayako's cheeks flushed slightly at Tohsaka's playful insinuation, but she maintained her composure, offering a nonchalant shrug, accompanied by an eye roll. "Oh, you know how it is. Just helping out where I can," she replied, her tone casual despite the subtle blush on her cheeks.
Tohsaka's smirk widened into a knowing grin. "Of course, just helping out," she echoed, her gaze lingering on Ayako with a mixture of amusement and curiosity.
Ayako shifted uncomfortably under Tohsaka's scrutiny, suddenly feeling more exposed than she had anticipated, she was too tense, she needed to relax, it was just Rin not some psycho mage. "Anyway," she interjected hastily, eager to change the subject, "what brings you here at this hour, Tohsaka? Not that I mind the company, but it's a bit unexpected."
Tohsaka chuckled softly, her demeanor lightening as she followed Ayako's lead in shifting the conversation. "Well, truth be told, I needed to discuss something with Emiya. It couldn't wait until morning," she explained, a hint of seriousness underlying her words.
Ayako nodded in understanding, her curiosity piqued. "Is everything alright?" she asked, concern coloring her tone.
Tohsaka hesitated for a moment before offering a reassuring smile. "Nothing too serious, just some matters regarding our... shared interests," she replied cryptically, her gaze not entirely focused on Ayako, as the other girl seemed to glance around searching for something before focusing back on Ayako "welp I'll be on my way Mitsuzuri, just make sure you stay safe after walking back from Emiyas place, or is he going to walk you back~?"
At the other girls teasing Ayako rolled her eyes, of course now that Rin knew that she and Shirou were close friends, yeah friends that's all they were, she was never going to let her hear the end of it at school. Which is going to be a pain, she might actually take an evil mage over Tohasaka and her constant teasing.
"Yeah sure, just so you know it's nothing like that, we're just friends."
Rin chuckled at Ayako's retort, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Of course, Mitsuzuri. I won't pry... for now," she teased, her playful tone laced with a hint of amusement.
Ayako rolled her eyes, unable to suppress a small smile at Tohsaka's antics, honestly grateful it was her behind the door and not some servant, or mage "Thanks for the concern, Tohsaka. And for the unexpected visit," she said sincerely, a warmth in her voice.
Tohsaka nodded, her smirk softening into a smile. "Anytime, Mitsuzuri. Take care of yourself," she replied, turning to leave, before suddenly stopping and looking back "Hey, can I tell you something?"
Ayako tilted her head, curiosity piqued by Tohsaka's sudden change in demeanor. "Of course, what is it?" she asked, her tone gentle.
Tohsaka hesitated for a moment as if weighing her words carefully, before taking a deep breath, a resolute look on her face "Sorry about this" Ayako was confused about what was she apologizing for, and that's when she saw a slight glow on the other girls fingertips and the realization hits her. Ayako didn't know what to do but she knew that she had to get to Shirou
"Schlafenszeit"
But before she could even run back to the living room, as a sudden drowsiness overtook her, her vision was darkening; it was harder to keep her eyes open all the strength in her limbs seemed to disappear as it got harder to stand up. Ayako's heart pounded in her chest as the world blurred around her, her limbs heavy and unresponsive. Panic surged through her veins as she struggled to stay conscious, to fight against the overwhelming tide of drowsiness that threatened to engulf her.
With each passing moment, the darkness crept closer, wrapping its tendrils around her mind. Desperation clawed at her thoughts as she fought to cling to consciousness, to break free from the spell that held her captive.
But it was futile.
As her eyelids grew heavy, sealing her vision in darkness, Ayako's last coherent thought was of Shirou, hoping that he would be all right. And then, mercifully, oblivion claimed her, and she slipped into unconsciousness, the echoes of Tohsaka's betrayal ringing in her ears.
Rin let out a sigh as she saw Ayako falling, Archer exiting spirit form to catch the girl; preventing her from landing on her face. To say Rin felt bad for betraying one of the few friends she had would be an understatement. Ayako had been nothing but kind to her, and now, she had been forced to incapacitate her. But Rin knew she had no choice; It was for her safety, civilians shouldn't be involved in a grail war.
"That was pretty cold-blooded master, backstabbing her like that"
Rin's shoulders tensed at Archer's comment, guilt gnawing at her conscience. She couldn't deny the truth in his words; what she had done was indeed a betrayal, a necessary evil in the harsh world of magecraft.
"I know," she murmured, her voice heavy with regret. "But I had to protect her. She's safer unconscious than caught up in this mess."
Rin saw the servant's gaze softened, a rare display of empathy crossing his features. "I understand, master. You did what you had to do, it's a kindness to have her remain ignorant"
Rin nodded, though the weight of her actions still hung heavily upon her. She couldn't shake the image of Ayako's unconscious form from her mind, nor the sound of her own voice apologizing before casting the sleep spell.
"I'll make it up to her somehow," Rin vowed, remorse shining in her eyes. "But for now, we need to focus on the task at hand. The Grail War waits for no one."
Her servant nodded, and they made their way into Shirou's home, Archer carrying Ayako inside before placing her down gently on the tatami mat floor. They had come here for one purpose and one purpose only to figure out what was going on with Emiya exactly. Not only did Rin not realize there was another magus living in her own territory, but he was not only competent but powerful.
The girl bit her thumb, her mind racing with possibilities and uncertainties. She needed answers, and she needed them fast. As she prepared to delve into the mysteries surrounding Shirou Emiya, Rin couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt for involving Ayako in this dangerous world of magic. Maybe it was due to his bloodline, she had heard of certain magus families being able to put up a fight against phantasmal beasts, and healing wounds that would normally prove fatal, but one does not walk off taking a cursed spear to the heart, bursting into flames and being able to fight and force a servant to retreat is something the average magus, could do, he's hiding something.
"And that rubs me the wrong way" the girl muttered to no one in particular biting a bit harder on her nail. Seriously he acts all chummy with her, slipping under her radar, who does he think he is? Trying to pull one over her, in her own territory no less!
"When I get my hands on him I swear" Rin's thoughts churned with a mix of frustration and determination as she mulled over the situation. She couldn't shake the feeling of being duped by Shirou, someone who had managed to slip under her radar despite her years of training and expertise in magecraft. Archer rolled his eyes at his master's action, it was like a younger sibling finding out they'd been fooled by their older one.
Archer watched his master's agitation with a mixture of amusement and concern. "Easy there, master. Getting worked up won't solve anything," he remarked, his voice calm yet tinged with a hint of amusement.
Rin shot him a glare, her irritation evident. "I know that, Archer," she retorted, her tone clipped. "But it's infuriating. How could I have missed something so significant?"
The servant shrugged nonchalantly, his expression unreadable. "Maybe he's just good at hiding things," he suggested, though there was a note of skepticism in his voice. "Or perhaps there's more to him than meets the eye."
Rin's lips twisted into a scowl as she considered Archer's words. "Either way, I won't rest until I uncover the truth," she vowed, her determination unwavering. "I refuse to be outmaneuvered by some amateur magus."
Rin's resolve hardened as she focused on the task at hand, her mind buzzing with plans and strategies. She couldn't afford to dwell on her mistakes; she needed to stay sharp if she wanted to navigate the treacherous waters of the Holy Grail War.
With a determined nod, Rin began her investigation, scouring Shirou's home for any clues that might shed light on his true identity and intentions. Every corner was scrutinized, and what did she find? Nothing, it was a simple Japanese-style home, there weren't any protection runes of any kind, no traces of recent magical activity, nothing to indicate Shirou's involvement in the Grail War. Rin's frustration grew with each passing moment, her earlier confidence wavering, the only thing that even gave the faintest thing of him being a magus was the simple bounded field that surrounded the home, which of course with all her skill and expertise she had easily disabled, of course.
Archer watched his master's frustration with a mixture of concern and amusement. "Perhaps we should consider another approach, master," he suggested, his voice calm and measured.
Rin sighed, running a hand through her hair in frustration. "You're right, Archer. We need to approach this from a different angle," she conceded, her mind racing with possibilities. "Let's start by questioning Emiya directly. Maybe he'll slip up and reveal something incriminating."
As the master-servant duo agreed on their plan, they heard approaching footsteps from the hallway, signaling Shirou's return. Rin's heart quickened with anticipation as she prepared to confront him, her mind already formulating the questions she would ask, Archer went into spirit form, disappearing from view so they would have the advantage of the element of surprise
Shirou entered the living room, a curious expression on his face as he noticed Rin waiting for him. "Tohsaka? What are you doing here?" he asked, his tone tinged with surprise before he glanced towards the unconscious Ayako lying on the ground, his eyes narrowed. "What did you do to Mitsuzuri?"
"She's fine, just asleep" Rin's gaze hardened as she met Shirou's scrutinizing look, her resolve steeling. "We need to talk, Emiya," she stated firmly, her tone brooking no argument.
Shirou's expression remained unreadable as he approached, a wary tension hanging in the air. "About what?" he questioned, though there was a subtle undercurrent of defensiveness in his voice.
Rin didn't mince words. "About the Holy Grail War," she replied bluntly, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. "And your involvement in it."
Shirou's eyes flickered with a brief flash of surprise before a mask of stoicism settled over his features. "I don't know what you're talking about, Tohsaka," he insisted, though there was a flicker of uncertainty in his voice.
Rin wasn't convinced, her gaze piercing through his facade. "Don't play dumb with me, Emiya. I know more than you think," she asserted, her voice steely.
He crossed his arms, and the tension in the room was palpable "Let's say I was involved in what you're thinking Tohsaka, what reason would I have to trust you?"
Rin met Shirou's challenging gaze with unwavering determination, her own resolve unshaken by his defiance. "Trust is earned, Emiya," she countered, her voice firm. "And right now, you're standing on thin ice."
Shirou's expression remained guarded, though a flicker of uncertainty betrayed his facade. "And what do you propose we do about it, Tohsaka?" he inquired, a note of wariness coloring his words.
Rin didn't hesitate, her mind already formulating a plan. "We cooperate," she stated bluntly, her tone leaving no room for argument. "You tell me everything you know about the Holy Grail War, and in return, I'll consider sparing you from further investigation."
Shirou's jaw tensed, his gaze narrowing as he weighed his options. "And if I refuse?" he challenged, though there was a hint of resignation in his voice.
Rin's lips curved into a sardonic smile, her eyes flashing with confidence. "Then we do this the hard way," she replied, her tone unwavering, he was most likely tired from his scrap with Lancer, if he wasn't he probably would have continued the fight and kept the servant from escaping. Even if he wasn't she still had Archer, even if that didn't work, if she knew Emiya even a little, he wouldn't want Ayako to get caught in the crossfire. Sure it was wrong to use her own friend like this, but it was a gamble, and in the world of magecraft, you used any advantage you had.
As Rin was confident she held the advantage over her classmate, Shirou remained calm, his eyes looking around the room before he winced slightly and turned back to face her. "So I'm guessing you have your servant close by, explains the confidence" Shirou rubbed the back of his head letting out a sigh before narrowing his eyes at Rin "I'd rather not have to fight you Tohsaka"
Rin's smirk widened at Shirou's acknowledgment of Archer's presence, confirming her suspicions. "Very astute, Emiya," she remarked, her tone laced with a hint of amusement. "But you're right, let's avoid unnecessary conflict."
She took a step closer, her gaze unwavering. "So, are you going to cooperate?" she pressed, her voice firm yet tinged with a note of urgency. "Or do we need to take more drastic measures?"
Despite her holding the obvious advantage over him, he didn't seem to be fazed, instead, he kept that stoic look on his face. Shirou's expression remained inscrutable, his gaze meeting Rin's with unwavering resolve. And that got her thinking, why was he so confident, did he have the strength to take on her and Archer? Who was she kidding, he probably did considering how he seemed to fight Lancer on equal footing and even got the hero on the back foot.
"Or, he could have summoned his own servant already" The gruff calculating voice of Archer rung in her mind, that was a possibility, she had to remind herself that this wasn't just Shirou Emiya, the boy who was a part of the Archery club and who stayed after school to repair the appliances. She was standing face to face with another magus of unknown skill and resources. Rin's eyes narrowed as she considered Archer's words. If Shirou had indeed summoned his own servant, it would complicate matters significantly. She couldn't afford to underestimate him, not when so much was at stake.
"You seem awfully confident, Emiya," Rin remarked, her tone measured. "Do you have something up your sleeve?"
"I'll cooperate," he stated evenly, his voice calm. "But only if you agree to certain conditions."
Rin's eyebrows lifted in surprise, intrigued by his proposal. "Conditions?" she echoed, her curiosity piqued. "What kind of conditions?"
"You make your servant come out of hiding"
Ayako lay unconscious on the tatami mat floor, unaware of the tense exchange between Shirou and Rin. As the two continued their standoff, the atmosphere in the room grew increasingly charged, the weight of unspoken threats hanging in the air.
Rin's eyes narrowed, a flicker of suspicion crossing her features. "And why would I do that?" she countered, her tone sharp.
Shirou's expression remained neutral, though there was a glint of determination in his eyes. "Because it's only fair," he replied evenly. "You want answers from me, I want to know who I'm dealing with."
Rin hesitated, weighing her options. She knew revealing Archer would give her a significant advantage, but it would also expose her own vulnerability. After a moment of contemplation, she nodded, a steely resolve in her gaze.
"Very well," she acquiesced."But let's make one thing clear: if you make any hostile moves, I won't hesitate to defend myself."
Shirou nodded in agreement, a flicker of understanding passing between them. "Understood," he replied, his tone solemn.
"Archer, reveal yourself." With a sigh, Rin closed her eyes, focusing her mana as she called forth Archer from his hiding place. The air shimmered with magic as the servant materialized beside her, his presence a reassuring presence at her side.
Archer's eyes scanned the room, his gaze lingering on Shirou with a mixture of curiosity and wariness. "So, this is the infamous Emiya," he remarked, his voice cool and composed "Smarter than you look"
Shirou's expression remained impassive as he met Archer's gaze he winced slightly for some reason he felt his skin crawl looking at him, but his demeanor was calm yet guarded. "And you must be Tohsaka's servant," he replied evenly, his tone measured. The tension was high as Rin had a slight smirk, she
"How boring, all this standing around is killing me," a boisterous voice rang out as Saber materialized right behind Rin.
Both Rin and Shirou tensed at the unexpected appearance of Saber, their gazes snapping to the new arrival. Rin's hand instinctively went to her pendant, ready to call upon her own servant if necessary, while Rin shifted into a defensive stance, her eyes narrowing as he assessed the situation.
Saber grinned, her eyes gleaming with mischief as she surveyed the room. "Well, well, looks like the party's getting interesting," she remarked, her tone teasing.
Rin's lips tightened into a thin line, her mind racing with possibilities. Saber's sudden appearance added another layer of complexity to an already tense situation, and Rin knew she couldn't afford to let her guard down.
"Who are you?" Rin demanded, her voice sharp as she locked eyes with the enigmatic servant.
Saber chuckled, a wicked gleam in her eyes as she met Rin's gaze head-on. "Me? I'm just here to have a little fun," she replied cryptically, her tone dripping with amusement.
Rins eyes narrowed as she studied Saber, moving closer to Archer a Gandr prepped on her finger, and Archer materializing Kanshou and Byakuya in his hands. She couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to her than met the eye, and she wasn't about to let her guard down in her presence.
Rin's gaze flickered between Shirou and Saber, a sense of unease settling in the pit of her stomach. She couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Shirou and his servant than met the eye, and she knew she needed to tread carefully, she had lost her advantage. To her annoyance, her intuition was proving to be correct once again. But now, she was in a delicate position, caught between two unknown variables: Shirou and Saber. She couldn't afford to let her guard down, not when the stakes were so high.
Shirou's gaze remained steady as he met Rin's scrutiny, his expression unreadable. Despite his calm demeanor, Rin couldn't shake the feeling that he was hiding something, something big. She had to tread carefully; one wrong move could spell disaster.
"What are your intentions, Emiya?" Rin asked, her tone sharp with suspicion. "Why are you involved in the Holy Grail War?"
Shirou remained calm "Same as you Tohsaka, but you're the one who entered the home of what you assumed was an enemy magus isn't that a bit hypocritical?" he countered, his tone measured. "What right do you have to break into my home, at this hour."
Rin's eyes narrowed, a flicker of uncertainty crossing her features. "I... I had my reasons," she replied, her voice trailing off as she struggled to find the right words. "Besides, Fyuki is under my jurisdiction, and you're a magus who has been living under my nose this entire time, so I have every right to be here."
Saber smirked "Well then, so you entered uncharted territory and didn't expect to find resistance? That's quite naive of you, girl," she remarked, her tone teasing yet pointed.
Rin's jaw tensed at Saber's jab, her frustration mounting. She hadn't expected Shirou to be involved in the Holy Grail War, much less have a powerful servant by his side. It was a miscalculation on her part, one that could have dire consequences if she didn't tread carefully.
'Master, I suggest that we leave' Archer's voice rung out in her mind "I could fight off Saber to make our escape, but from what her Master has shown I'd rather not have to defend you on two fronts
Her servant had a point, but she had to stand her ground if she couldn't even trust herself to deal with this situation, how could she expect to survive the Holy Grail War? It was also a matter of pride and reputation; Rin couldn't afford to back down now, not when her authority as a magus and reputation as the Tohsaka family head was at stake, by a no-name magus no less.
Rin's resolve hardened as she met Shirou's gaze head-on, her determination unwavering despite the odds stacked against her.
"Regardless of the circumstances, we need to focus on the task at hand," Rin asserted, her tone firm. "Emiya, I need answers. Why are you involved in the Holy Grail War, and what are your intentions?"
Shirou's gaze remained steady as he met Rin's demanding stare, his expression guarded yet resolute. "I have my reasons," he replied cryptically, his tone betraying nothing.
Rin's frustration simmered beneath the surface as she struggled to maintain her composure. She needed to find a way to get through to Shirou, to make him understand the gravity of their situation. But how could she convince him to cooperate when he was so guarded?
Shirou raised his hand "Saber please, stand down"
Saber looked at Shirou with a raised eyebrow, clearly surprised by his request. "Are you sure, Master? They seem awfully ready to fight," she replied, "And I'm more than eager to cross my blade with that servant of hers" There's a smirk on the saber class servant's face at the prospect of fighting Archer
Shirou nodded, his gaze unwavering. "I'm sure. We don't need unnecessary conflict," he stated firmly.
Saber sighed, but she complied, taking a step back, and putting her hand off her sword. "As you wish, Master," she replied, her tone begrudging.
Shirou then turned towards his classmate "Like I said Tohsaka, I'm not going to fight you" he sat down his legs crossed "How about we reach a temporary truce and talk"
Shirou's proposal caught Rin off guard, her expression betraying a hint of surprise. Ayako remained unconscious on the tatami mat floor, unaware of the events unfolding around her. Rin's mind raced as she considered Shirou's proposal. A truce would allow them to talk and hopefully reach a resolution without resorting to violence. It was a risky move, but one that could potentially lead to valuable information about Shirou's involvement in the Holy Grail War.
She hadn't expected him to suggest a truce, especially after their tense confrontation. But she knew that engaging in a battle here and now would only escalate the situation, and she couldn't afford to let her emotions cloud her judgment.
After a moment of consideration, Rin nodded, her gaze softening slightly. "Very well, Emiya. A truce, for now," she agreed, her tone more conciliatory. "But make no mistake, I'll be keeping a close eye on you." She motioned for Archer to stand down as she sat down across from her classmate.
'This is an unnecessary risk Shirou' Shirou could feel the disapproval of his adoptive father in his mind
Kiritsugu's voice echoed in Shirou's mind, a silent reminder of the dangers inherent in trusting someone like Rin, she may be his classmate, but was also a magus, and one from a renowned family though Kiritsugu can't exactly remember the Tohsakas having any skeletons in their closet, even being what many would consider to be the picture perfect Magus bloodline, but he knew better.
Despite how noble they may seem, they always tend to have some sort of dark smear on their otherwise perfect image, the Tohasakas weren't an expectation of that. Shirou knew that he knew he was walking a fine line, but Shirou couldn't ignore the fact that she was also a fellow student at his school.
Someone he had interacted with on numerous occasions. There was a part of him that wanted to believe she wasn't the type of magus that his adoptive father thought she was.
He glanced over to her servant, she had summoned an archer-class servant, who he was exactly Shirou couldn't put his finger on who he was exactly; there weren't many archers in red throughout history, or mythology that came to mind.
"Whoever he is" Shirous mind went to when he had used his penance stare in the direction of Rins servant, a shiver went down his spine as he remembered what he saw and the strange feedback he felt. "The amount of blood he's spilled is enough to consider him more than a minor threat"
Shirou could feel his father agree with him about that, this mysterious Archer in red was definitely someone to keep an eye on.
"Alright, Emiya" Rins voice broke Shriou out of his thoughts. As Rin spoke, Shirou refocused his attention on her, his demeanor calm yet alert. He knew that despite their temporary truce, they were still in a delicate situation, and he needed to choose his words carefully.
"I'm listening, Tohsaka," he replied, his tone even as he awaited her next move.
Rin studied Shirou for a moment, her gaze probing as she assessed his demeanor. Despite the tension between them, she couldn't deny the sense of curiosity that gnawed at her mind, she had learned that it's usually the people who appeared the most innocent, or inexperienced, that are usually the most dangerous and it pains her to admit that.
Also quitting the archery nothing really set her off on him being a magus, which irked her to no end. "Very well," she began, her tone measured. "Let's start with the basics. How did you become involved in the Holy Grail War?"
Shirou kept a straight face, as he decided on how to approach this, there was no need for him to lie. He couldn't exactly tell Rin that he had just stumbled in on this by accident, it wasn't believable so the truth is what he would have to go with.
"The man who adopted me," he began "Kiritsugu Emiya, he was a participant in the last war, and he had a suspicion that the next war may start a bit early so he raised me to be prepared"
Sure it was a half-truth, technically Kiritsugu had found out that information from someone else, but Rin didn't have to know that and this would most likely satisfy her curiosity on how he was well informed on the war.
"Hmm well that explains some of my questions" muttered the girl under her breath, her father had participated in the grail war before his untimely demise, so it was definitely possible that the man who had adopted Shirou could have told him everything about how this works, her eyes then narrowed "Hpw were you able to fight off Lancer? I've never seen anything like the magecraft like that, if it even is magecraft"
Shirou knew this question was going to come up at some point, he couldn't exactly tell Rin that he was housing a demonic entity in his soul, that threatened to take control if it wasn't for the magical sheath of King Arthur keeping it at bay.
He decided to keep his answer vague, as revealing too much about his abilities could potentially put him at a disadvantage.
"I have my ways," he replied cryptically, his expression neutral. "Let's just say I have some tricks up my sleeve."
Rin arched an eyebrow, clearly not satisfied with his answer. "Tricks, huh? Well, I hope for your sake that they're good enough to keep you alive in this war," she remarked, her tone skeptical yet intrigued.
Shirou didn't respond, instead choosing to maintain a stoic silence. He knew that revealing too much about his abilities could potentially jeopardize his safety, and he couldn't afford to take any unnecessary risks.
Rin studied Shirou for a moment longer before shifting her focus to Ayako, who still lay unconscious on the floor. "What about Mitsuzuri? What's her involvement in all of this?" she inquired, her tone more serious.
Shirou's expression softened slightly as he glanced at Ayako, a hint of concern crossing his features. "She's not involved," he replied firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument. "She's just a friend who got caught up in this mess."
"Tell me, Emiya," Rin continued, her voice measured. "What are your goals in this war? Do you seek the Holy Grail for yourself?"
Shirou shook his head "No, I don't seek the Grail for myself," he replied, his tone sincere. "I want to prevent any, collateral damage, I won't let people get hurt because of this war"
Rin shook her head, what was she worried about? This clearly was the same Shirou, despite the added secrets he was still her classmate who always seemed to stick his nose in places just to help others "Never change Emiya," Rin conceded rolling her eyes, her tone softer.
"Very well, Emiya," she conceded, her tone more conciliatory. "I've got most of the answers, I want but don't think this means I'll go easy on you. We still have a long way to go before this war is over."
Shirou nodded, he already knew this he had expected Tohaska to remain competitive, he just hoped to avoid killing her during this war, he would try his best to focus on the Servants, or quickly incapacitate the masters. He wanted to reduce the bloodshed as much as possible.
"Now last question Emiya" Shirou focused as his mind raced with answers preparing for whatever Rin was going to ask him this time, he was ready for this.
"You and Mitsuzuri, when did you get so close?"
He was not ready for that.
A/N
Heyo, dads back with the milk heh lol. So yea Hell Walker update, you guys must be happy as hell, I won't see myself out. Shame, no dream sequence, I don't really have an excuse for why it took so long for this to update.
It was mostly me not really liking my old writing style and trying my best to improve and to think about what I actually wanted to do with this story, now I have an idea of where I want this to go and I'll be trying to update one of my fics every week, like at least 1-2 chapters a week.
I'm probably going to touch up on previous chapters, just giving them a touch-up with grammar and spelling next time, we'll be going in on how Shirou and Mitsuzuri got so buddy-buddy, and as for Nobus stats and skills, I'm still working on that. Anyway, happy to be back in the flow and sorry for taking so long, ciao, Azure out.