The early morning rays from the rising sun did nothing to quell the unsettling feeling Nasira Fallow felt as she sat on the couch in the office of the place she never wanted to return back to. Argus sat next to her, giving her the best comforting look he could, his cane lying next to him on the couch as they both looked at the old and almost diseased looking man sitting on a chair across from them, observing them with a smirk on his face.

"I must admit I was quite surprised when I got your call Nasira," Zouken Matou said as he turned to her "after you left I didn't think we would hear from you ever again."

Fallow forced a smile as she crossed her arms "what can I say Zouken. I was feeling nostalgic" she said, trying her best to sound convincing.

The old man chuckled, almost as if he was seeing through her dishonesty without outright saying so.

"Well I am glad to see you've been doing alright" he told her.

Fallow glanced over at Manadek and knew they were thinking the same thing. This man was dripping with fake sincerity.

"But," Zouken continued "you wouldn't have come here just to cruise down memory lane so why not just tell me what you need from me."

It was Manadek who leaned forward and smiled at the old man "what they say about you is true Mr. Matou. Your insight is truly one of a kind."

"Nice try but flattery won't win you any points boy. So just out with it. What do you need from me?"

Manadek kept his smile on as he leaned back onto the couch.

"Very well let's not beat around the bush. We would like your help, with some information" he said.

"Information? What kind of information may that be?"

"About a very powerful ancient artifact. My associate Madame Fallow over here has told me about your extensive knowledge. We were hoping you may be able to enlighten us further."

Zouken looked at the pair with curious eyes. "And what artifact may that be?"

Manadek's eyes seemed to light up as he said the following.

"Excalibur."

And now it was the turn for Zouken's eyes to brighten up with a certain curiosity "Excalibur you say. The legendary sword of King Arthur. An artifact of exceptional power and potential. Said to have been lost after the battle of Camlann."

Manadek's eyes lit up "go on."

"According to some legends the sword had the power to enforce the wielder's will upon the world."

"Is that so?" Manadek inferred.

Zouken then slapped his cane onto the ground "but I know you didn't come all this way here to listen to an old man rambling of legends. So tell me what are you hoping to get out of this Mr. Manadek."

Manadek sat back down onto the chair and gave a Zouken an inquisitive look before finally relenting.

"Very well let's put all our cards on the table. We believe that the sword Excalibur is here in Fuyuki. A remnant left behind by the last Grail War. We seek to locate it and use its power for our purpose."

"And what purpose may that be?" Zouken asked curiously.

"To make the world a better place" Manadek responded.

Upon hearing this Zouken couldn't help but chuckle. But it was a kind of mocking chuckle.

"Oh you young people and your bright-eyed idealism. A noble pursuit I'm sure. But I am afraid it's all for not boy. Because of the simple fact that even if by some miracle you did acquire this artifact, it would be useless to you."

"Oh really?" Manadek replied with a raised eyebrow "and what makes you think that Mr. Matou."

A sinister smile flashed across Zouken Matou's face.

"Because according to legend. Only a descendant of Uther Pendragon himself is capable of wielding and using Excalibur's great power. And as far as I know that bloodline died out centuries ago."

This revelation made Manadek's eyes go wide for a brief moment. Before he took a deep breath and sat up straight.

"I had a feeling something like that was about to be revealed. Something so mythical and powerful wouldn't be able to be used by just anybody. Luckily we had foreseen such a possibility and came prepared" he explained.

"Oh? And what may that be?" Zouken asked.

"Another associate of ours is currently working on that. We'd be more then happy to clue you in on our operation. In exchange for a bit of help?"

Despite his old age, Zouken was made curious by his proposal. Maybe it was his old assistant backing this man that made him so fascinated.

"Well in my old age you almost ask for something new and exciting to happen. The more things change the more they stay the same. So color me intrigued boy, what did you have in mind?"

It was Manadek's turn to smile "well our resident scientist is working on a way to…circumvent the restriction we are facing. But he could use some help, maybe you have someone who can assist him. Someone with capable magical circuits."

A grin formed on Zouken's face "as a matter of fact I do. My granddaughter Sakura could very well assist your colleague with his research."

Upon that name being mentioned, Manadek glanced over at Fallow, who held her head down, not meeting the old man's gaze slightly. He could tell the inner turmoil that was currently going through his friend's soul.

"That be wonderful Mr. Matou. We'd be happy to accept her help."

"Good, very good. I will ask you to please watch over her, ever since her brother's unfortunate passing during the last Grail War she's the only semblance of family I have left" Zouken told, sounding almost slightly sad.

"Of course. I heard about your grandson's passing, my condolences."

Zouken scoffed in response "don't be, that boy was worthless and a screw-up. Handsome but useless young man, just like his father."

Fallow clenched her fists and looked like she was about to say something, but a quick look at Manadek made her back down, he held his hand out, motioning her to calm down.

"Idiot son huh? I can relate to that" Manadek told Zouken in a joking manner. One the old man seemed to enjoy "your son also an incapable idiot?"

"Oh he's capable. But the idiot part is accurate" Manadek joined.

Both men chuckled amongst each other as Fallow tried her hardest to keep her thoughts to herself and not call out her absolute disgust for the man sitting in front of her.

"Shirou…I…I love you."

Shirou watched as Saber said her final words to him. The shining sun behind her. Then in a flash of light Shirou watched as Saber seemed to look change, she was different but similar looking.

In front of Shirou he now instead of Saber, saw Elena Manadek.

"Shirou…"

Lunging forward out of his futon Shirou woke up and took in a deep breath. It had been that dream again but this time it was…different. Why did Elena take the place of Saber.

"Uhm Shirou…"

Shirou turned up and saw Elena standing there, already dressed, this time in a simple white shirt and a long black skirt, a red string tie around her neck tying everything together. Her hair was styled as usual…she almost looked like.

"Uhm good morning Elena. Is…is something wrong…" Shirou mumbled, barely able to move his gaze away from her.

"Oh no it's just I wanted us to get started early and do some research if that's okay with you" she said as she looked him over.

At that moment Shirou realized he was shirtless and felt slightly embarrassed. Blushing red, Elena seemingly caught up on this and looked away, giving Shirou the opportunity to get out of his futon and make his way towards the closet where he pulled out a shirt to put on.

Elena meanwhile looked around the room and spotted the lion plush sitting solitary on the shelf. She walked towards it and picked up.

"What an adorable little guy. Why is he sitting just here?" Elena asked.

Shirou turned around and saw Elena admire the plushie. He found the sight to be….similar. It was now he really spotted how much Elena looked like Saber, the only real difference being there different hair color.

"Oh I got that one for….for Saber…."

Elena turned to look at Shirou and saw his face fall slightly.

"You mean….King Arthur right….I'm sorry I brought it up Shirou" Elena apologized.

"It's okay Elena it's just…still hard for me to accept she is gone" he said as he walked over to her. Standing in front of her as she held the lion plushie.

"I can understand why. She seemed to have made a big impact on your life," she said as she looked down at the plushie in her hands "you know lions are actually my favorite animal."

This small comment seemed to make Shirou smile "oh really?"

"Yeah. Ten years ago, right before my father was attacked, he took me and my brother to see a newly released movie. It was called the Lion King. Ever heard of it?"

Shirou nodded "yeah I have. Never watched it but I heard good things about."

Elena smiled at him "it was amazing. I became so obsessed with that movie that for months on end after I pestered my father to call me by the new nickname I choice from my favorite character in the movie."

Shirou felt this immediately warmth coming from her, as if she was recalling the single most happiest moment in her life and it was an endearing sight to see.

"Oh and what was that nickname?" Shirou asked half-jokingly.

Elena blushed on that comment, a faint red glow watched over her cheeks as she averted her eyes from Shirou, but still couldn't help letting out a small giggle.

"Nala. I asked to be called Nala" she finally admitted, her giggle turning into a snicker.

"Really. That's a pretty name."

"Yeah. Eventually my father just began calling me that. At least until….until El Melloi attacked him…."

Shirou stepped forward, placing a hand on Elena's shoulder.

"We'll get through to him Elena. I promise you we will get your father back, I won't give up until he's back to the father you remember."

Elena looked up and smiled, clutching the lion plushie close to her chest, blushing brightly as Shirou smiled at her.

A/N: I am very happy with this story and hope you all are enjoying it so far. I think i outdid myself with this idea and this sickly sweet thing thats building between Shirou and Elena, im curious what you all think of it. There will be more to come very soon. I hope you are all enjoying the story.