"Shirou, I believe you should take a break. It won't help anyone if you overtax yourself and drop unconscious."

Shirou actually stumbled as Saber's voice broke his concentration. And while he knew he was staining his body, only now he realized just how tired he was. Shirou wiped the sweat from his forehead, panting heavily, before joining his Servant at the gate to the temple. Then, he collapsed on the ground, staring numbly on the cloudy, evening sky. For awhile they were silent, listening to the soft noise of the forest. It was only after Shirou felt his breath steady itself, that he spoke.

"We will attack Einzbern Castle tonight, maybe tomorrow during day at the latest." Saber shot him a glance before responding.

"You do realize, of course, that none of us can really match Archer?"

"Yeah, but we just need to stall him. One of us will try to go inside and find her."

"Rescue mission then. Before we discuss this further, I must ask, Shirou." Her eyes hardened, and Shirou realized, that right now Saber was deadly serious. "Why do you insist on this? Why attack Archer in his base, and not draw him out? You must realize this is madness!"

"I cannot leave Taiga, Saber! I just can't. She... she is the only person I have, that I could call family. If my delay kills her, I won't be able to forgive myself."

"I see..." Saber's voice softened, but Shirou was not over yet.

"Besides, we can safely assume Lancer's master allied herself with Einzbern. Each time one of them decide to attack us, the other will come along. No, attacking one of them on our terms is the only choice. It's the only occasion when we can safely assume they will be on their own."

"Understood. I cannot fault your logic, nor your reasoning, Shirou." When he looked at her, Saber was smiling, her eyes warm once more. "When I decided to take mantle of savior of my people... well, I wasn't really trained in fighting nor in commanding armies. I was more of a symbol, leading from the front, after others crafted plans. I was more of a direction and inspiration to them." Saber knelt before him and took his hands into hers. "And it would be pretty hypocritical of me, to condemn you for desiring to protect those close to you and avenge your father. It was one of my motivations, after all, at the beginning. To see all English dead, for death of my family. Then, it just... spiraled out of control."

"Thank you, Saber." She smiled little wider, before whispering.

"It's nothing. If you are ever troubled, you can always confide in God. He will listen, and while He may not answer, know that you are never truly alone."

"I am not Christian, Saber." He commented dryly.

"Maybe not. But He will listen. And if you really feel uncomfortable with concept, then I will be there for you, master."

They sat silently, enjoying peace and quiet of mountain gate. Shirou felt better, knowing there was someone who understood, however distantly. He sat there, on top of the stairs, for few more minutes, before standing up.

"Thank you for concerns, Saber. I will go check on Yumizuka. Stay on guard." Saber hummed in agreement, before leaning back on the gate.

Shirou walked through the empty courtyard, before entering guest house. It was completely quiet as well, save for echoes from temple dojo. He stood before doors to Satsuki's room and opened them after announcing himself. Inside, he was greeted by the sight of Satsuki sitting on the floor surrounded by the books. Most of them opened, and what Shirou could tell from few diagrams, they were on advanced theories of magecraft. Satsuki looked up briefly, before returning her gaze to the book in her hands.

"Good evening, Emiya-kun. How was your practice?" Her greeting was a bit absentminded but Shirou was more surprised that she was clearly awake during day.

"You saw it?"

"Rider saw you, when I sent her on errand. I needed to confirm theory of mine."

"Is it important?"

"No. Yes. I don't know. Certainly nothing that will disrupt our partnership." Brunette answered flatly. She noticed his confusion. "Just an odd dream. Normally, I wouldn't worry, but I learned, that some of my dreams hold deeper meaning."

"Really? I had rather weird dream too. Do you think it's connected?" She eyed him.

"No idea. Maybe it's the same kind of dream. Unless, of course, you dream of garden regularly, and have snake representing the person that took everything away from you." Shirou paused actually. He had been dreaming of the field of swords since the start of the War, or at least since fight against Tohsaka.

"And your theory is?"

"That I am realizing Reality Marble. Or, at least, becoming aware of it. I suspect I used it yesterday."

Shirou's mind actually halted for a while. Reality Marble? He could understand Satsuki. Dead Apostles, at least those really powerful, realized them fairly often. And Yumizuka, who was such an oddity could probably also manage one. But him? He remembered bits and pieces of information about them. They came from distorted mind, from completely alien understanding of the world. Human could, theoretically, understand the gist of such inhuman reasoning, but not the entirety of it.

Am I distorted enough for it? Shirou wondered. Even if, it's question for later. Taiga needs me.

"-ya-kun? Emiya -kun?" Shirou realized, that Satsuki's face was dangerously close to his own, as she stared at him with some curiosity.

"Ah! I am sorry, Yumizuka. Just a thought. I wanted to ask if you are fully healed."

"A bit sore, but aside of that, yes. Why?"

"I want to attack Einzbern tonight. Tomorrow at the latest." Satsuki stared at him as if he had grown a second head, before shaking her head.

"I will be up for it. I assume you talked with Saber?" He nodded. "I see. It's about your guardian, isn't it?"

"Yes." Dead Apostle actually laughed, before turning to him once more.

"Well then, I promised my help, didn't I? And since we are on motivations, I must ask. Why? Why did you decided to help me?"

Shirou paused. Why did she felt the need to ask about that? Did her encounter with old friend stirred some old doubts? He could admit it wasn't his business, but if she needed reassurance...

"Because I wanted to. Because I cannot just walk away when someone needs my help. Because it was right thing to do." She stared at him, as if uncertain of her course of action.

"But, why so easily? We met barely few days ago, Emiya-kun! Why would you offer your support so eagerly to someone, who is, for all intents and purposes, a stranger?"

"Because if there is one thing I am certain about my life, it's that I need to help others." Shirou declared with absolute certainty.

"You need to help?" Satsuki was clearly baffled.

"Yes. When Kiritsugu rescued me from the fire ten years ago, he was happy. I want to achieve the same. Even if I have no cause I can truly call my own. After all... I am just a sword." Wait, what... what was that thing at the end? Did he truly just said that?He was distracted by Satsuki's laugh.

"I...I see! Well then, Emiya-kun... I think I see why would you may have Reality Marble then. Well, shall we discuss our strategy?"

Shirou sighed and sat next to the girl. Soon, both of them were deep in conversation.

"Assassin, where have you been?"

They had paused at the question. Should they tell the truth? But wouldn't Father be angry, that they disrespected him, not asking for orders? They pondered the problem for awhile. No, that wouldn't do. They were dutiful child. They would tell the truth. They will take whatever punishment Father decides.

"We killed Caster's master this morning, Father." They waited at his reaction. Father sat at the bed, staring at them. After a moment, he just laughed softly.

"I see. I had hoped... I had hoped to avoid killing masters. But now, that I think about it, isn't your class dedicated to this kind of work?"

"It is, Father."

"Good. Then, I am happy you showed this kind of initiative." Father smiled and gestured for them. They came closer and he patted them on the head. It felt good. "Will you join us for dinner? I managed to wrestle control of the kitchen from Hisui. I am afraid, that with our current supplies it will be pretty much fish all the way." Assassin felt their mood rise. Father wasn't angry? He wanted to eat with them? They beamed.

"With pleasure!"

"Good. After meal, you can drink from Hisui to replenish prana, if you need it. Than, I will have assignment for you."

Assassin skipped behind Father all the way to kitchen. He needed them more! Then and there, Assassin was absolutely sure of one thing. They were happy Father summoned them. He was the only one capable of making them happy. They would protect him. Win Holy Grail for Father.

And then, Father will be happy and he will marry, and then we will have Mother. At last.

Shirou, Caster is approaching.

Shirou paused his preparations when Saber's warning came, before bolting out of the guest house, Satsuki not far behind. It was suspicious. Why would Caster of all Servants attack them at Ryudou Temple? He definitely was capable of going toe to toe against Saber, probably against Rider as well. But it was without Noble Phantasms and one on one. And with Shirou and Satsuki as allies, Caster had to know he would be fighting two Servants if he choose to attack. Which meant he had another thing on agenda.

As soon as they went out on courtyard, Shirou shoot a look at the gate. Saber was standing before red clad Servant, her right hand on hilt of her sword. Caster, on the other hand looked completely unperturbed, merely glancing at Shirou when they approached.

"Emiya Shirou, my master sent me to talk to you." Shirou stood at Saber's side, before turning all attention on another Servant.

"And what would Tohsaka want from us?" Steel grey eyes bore into Shirou's own, before man answered.

"Tohsaka Rin is dead. Assassin killed her when she sent me on assignment. Needless to say, I have new master. One, who wishes to remain anonymous."

Tohsaka... is dead?

This was bad. Shirou planned, as much as possible, for Caster with Tohsaka in mind. He knew, more or less, her personality and could guess how she would direct her Servant. But if she was dead and Caster found new one... One smart enough to remain unknown to them, and thus impossible to predict.

"So what your master wants?"

"Alliance against Archer. My master finds it obvious, that no one alone can match him." Shirou rised an eyebrow. Archer was definitely the greatest obstacle in this War. One that was certain to win, if he would go against any Servant one on one.

Or even two at once. Thought Shirou darkly. Their short fight against Einzbern's Servant proved as much. If they had Caster on their side, even temporarily, with his unique branch of magecraft which could probably ignore standard Magic Resistance, then they could probably even try to eliminate Archer from the Grail War.

"Tempting offer. The only thing I want to know is, are you ready to do this tonight?" Caster smirked at him, gesture that somehow infuriated him to no end.

"Oh? Playing rough, Emiya Shirou?"

"We planned on attacking Einzbern tonight anyway. She has someone important to me. I don't want to risk her well being by inaction. With you at our side we can change this from rescue mission to open assault."

"Am I supposed to be honored that you think so highly of me?" Caster asked dryly. "Doesn't matter. You are lucky master decided that Archer needs to be dealt with posthaste. Very well."

Caster turned back and they followed him down the mountain path. Shirou felt glimmer of hope rising in his chest.

Hang on, Taiga. I am coming for you.

Which was, of course, when it started raining.