Fate Triumvirate

By: Bubbajack

Beta: IcySnowSage

Disclaimer: I do not own FSN. It belongs to Type-Moon.

Ch.3: First Day.

Caren and Ciel were the first down the stairs the next morning having gotten in long after the others had retired for the evening. The illustrious home base of the Blue Faction was in fact an old office building that had been condemned due to the fire a decade prior. With love, tenderness, and some magecraft it had rapidly been refurbished. Still with the cash and magic thrown at the rebuilding it was still a rather spartan complex, suitable for a base of operations than any sort of permanent residence consisting of a kitchen sans of course any modern appliances, dining room with a wooden dinner table set that would probably feed a third world family of four for a year and a set of concrete reinforced stairs leading to the second floor which consisted of various sleeping quarters adjusted to individual preferences and weirdly enough though circumstances called for it individual makeshift Workshops. Everyone had at one point made note of just how strange it was to have secretive Magi basically rooming their secrets right next to one another without enough defenses to make the Pentagon jealous. The first to make a march on the coffee pot was Caren making zombies look energetic with her drained visage. The sound of dripping coffee slowly reinvigorated the tired woman.

"Good morning Tohno-san." Caren's voice was droning, tired and pissed at the sunlight streaming through the curtains all at the same time.

"Morning Hortensia-san, Ciel-sempai." A cheerful male voice called which caused Caren's sempai to stiffen. She hated morning people, surely, they were defying god's will or something? The boy carried on, oblivious to the nun's plight, her vow to say nothing until caffeine was inserted in her body. "I hope you found the leftovers from dinner last night alright?"

Ciel gave a stiff nod, refusing to look Shiki in the eye. The happy was just too much at this time in the morning. "We did, thank you."

Shiki Tohno, Master of the Blue Faction's Assassin was a tall boy with messy dark hair who insisted on wearing his blue school uniform even though he was no longer attending classes citing it as 'comfortable'. The round glasses he had perched on the end of his nose gave him a bookish but approachable air…

Caren just couldn't see it. You could never tell just by looking at him that he was a trained killer and killed two Dead Apostles. He looked like the people who volunteered at her church to take old people to bingo every Saturday.

Shiki was currently standing at the stove in the Faction's makeshift kitchen, monitoring skillets of eggs, breakfast sausage, and of course the much-needed pancakes. Seeing as she was English raised, she noted the lack of black pudding but forgave the young man for not including it. Nobody was perfect...

Just like Caren's stomach which grumbled in protest. 'So that's what breakfast is today.' Heading into toward the stove, her nose as a guide Caren complimented the chef, "A full Western breakfast Tohno-san?" Holding her cheek with her hand the nun made a small, sexy smile that had the young glasses wearing man gulping. Ciel was practically hissing like a cat at the gesture. "My, my, what's the occasion?"

Shiki gave an awkward smile, pulling at his collar with one hand. Ciel was not happy that Caren had earned such a reaction from Shiki. It amused Caren, almost making her coffee irrelevant. She had two ways to get ready for the morning, today both had been stimulated.

"Nothing really," Shiki started, a high pitch to his voice. Caren's smile grew, Ciel got more territorial. "I just figured we should all start the day with a big meal you know. Besides, a certain someone loves pancakes."

Caren took a long draught of black coffee with her eyes closed. Then put her down her cup, eyes opened as she breathed in the embarrassment and the joy it brought to her morning. Shiki was one step away from imitating a steam engine with his ears. On the other hand, the bitter coffee brought her almost as much joy as teasing others. Now more awake, she decided to tease her sempai a bit… more?

She unconsciously licked her lips; the action making the young Shiki trip over his own feet and almost destroy the much hard worked at breakfast. Now that required punishment… She stared at Ciel… The hunt was afoot.

"Ciel-sempai," Caren said, really drawing out the name to make sure Ciel was paying attention to her and not daydreaming about Shiki taking her on the kitchen table. Caren waited until her senpai was staring at her, eyes narrowing before continuing, "Has told me she just loves your cooking Tohno-san so I'm looking forward to trying it."

Shiki smiled in his faux sempai's direction. He was so oblivious. It made the game so much more fun. She sipped more coffee. Damn, this breakfast just couldn't get better. Maybe if her father called to say someone had cut off his legs? Meh, she could dream later on, teasing was happening. "Is that right? Glad you liked it sempai."

Ciel blushed brighter than the overhanging gas lamp and nodded vigorously… She also 'accidentally' stepped on Caren's foot.

The nun was willing to take an injury for the greater good… She meant teasing...

Caren looked between the Executor and the former high school student. The proverbial question mark bubble above her head switched to an exclamation mark in understanding. 'Ah, so that's it.' She nodded. Oh, this was going to taste better than a gallon of coffee. "Yes. I also recall Ciel-senpai mentioning someone killed Roa but not how. I'm assuming you helped with that?"

Shiki gave a brisk nod. Bless him, the young boy was still clueless about everything. Ciel was about ready to practice her knife skills on her and the kid had no idea. Maybe she should tell him about the Nigerian prince looking for investment opportunities?

"I did, him and Nero Chaos."

Caren clasped her hands together, backtracking so as not to let Ciel do anything without looking the fool. "May the Lord bless you as the instrument of his righteous vengeance."

"Um, thank you?" Shiki wasn't quite used to Caren's antics yet. With luck he never would. It was way too much fun to tease Ciel… She just would need to remember not to be left alone with the woman for a few hours just for safety sake.

"When do we eat?" Ciel interrupted stiffly. Caren sniggered at the image her imagination gave her of Ciel breathing fire from all of her facial orifices.

"Soon sempai," Shiki said diligently, "Maybe you could set the table Caren-sempai?"

A ghost of a smile past Caren's lips. This boy was making it so easy! "I'm not your senior Tohno-kun, I never was but if you like I could be if you want."

Shiki smiled at his faux-pas and missed the innuendo entirely. Ciel made one hell of a bang when her foot missed Caren's leg. Too slow Ciel!

"Perhaps we can discuss that over breakfast?" Shiki then called up the nearby set of stairs, turning his back so not to see Ciel stab a black key into the wall to warn Caren off her kohai. She really had to be mad not to realize Shiki could've heard that, but his shouting drowned out the sound. "Everyone, breakfast is almost ready!"

The sound of a stampede of animals was heard above the trio, along with lots of swear words. If Caren was a normal nun she would've scolded them for their candor but alas she had had enough trolling for the moment. She sipped her coffee and ignored Shiki's request to set the table. Twice the pleasure indeed.

"Don't push me jackass!"

"Who are you calling an ass, Pict!"

"Eh?! You wanna take this outside? I may be a Caster, but I can still take you any day pretty boy!"

"If you insist, heathen, then for the glory of my King and country I shall…"

"Enough already!" a woman's voice cut in sharply.

"Lady Assassin," one voice greeted cordially.

"Girlie," the other said casually.

The voice of Assassin carried through the hallway upstairs and down the steps. The sass made Caren's coffee taste even better.

"Haven't either of you two idiots realized you can asterialize and not clog up the hallway?"

The replies to her well thought out point made Caren even happier. She loved a good argument in the morning.

"I did not my lady."

"Nope."

Assassin let out a sigh. Caren had to imagine Assassin bashing her head off the wall. Moments later, she appeared next to her Master. She was pale, with short, inky black hair and dark eyes that seemed empty like the void. She was wearing a blue kimono underneath a red leather jacket that was trimmed with fur, and leather boots that looked like they were meant for hiking. Assassin let her gaze roam over Caren and Ciel before they settled on her Master.

"Shiki-kun. What's for breakfast?"

"A full Western breakfast... I hope that's alright Nee-san?" Shiki asked kindly.

Assassin gave a curt nod. "That's fine… Coffee?" She quirked an eyebrow.

"Already made." The answer caused a ghost of a smile to appear on Assassin's lips and the promise of a holy war from Ciel.

Soon, the other members of the infamous Blue Faction began to appear. The first was a bubbly short haired blonde wearing a cream sweater with eyes red like blood. Contrasting her top was the black skirt, pantyhose, and brown shoes she was wearing. Her crimson eyes lit up when she saw Shiki.

"Shiki, Shiki! What are we eating, huh, huh?!"

The young killer gently waved her off. Caren was not pleased as he was holding their food. Even if she died afterwards, she would cut a bitch if they dropped her food.

"Calm down Arc, we're having a Western style breakfast."

The blonde smiled. "I'm sure it'll be great if you made it Shiki."

The boy blushed and looked away, prompting Assassin to huff. It was like a soap opera! All they needed was the evil twin brother and the daughter who came out of a coma after ten years to accuse herself of putting herself in the coma because her other personality was suicidal… Caren shook her head and looked at her coffee. The kid brewed some awesome stuff to think that much first thing in the morning.

"Why don't you two just go and rent a hotel already."

A laugh came from the stair's courtesy of an older woman with her brunette hair tied back in a ponytail and glasses over her warm brown eyes. She was wearing a light green dress and she had a cigarette in her mouth. The aura she gave off screamed 'big sister' at the moment.

Finishing off her smoke, the woman spoke. "Ah, to be young and in love."

"Touko-san please stop." Shiki grumbled, looking away from the smirking older woman.

Arcueid, the White Princess of the True Ancestors was confused. Despite being eight hundred years old she was still clueless about things like relationships.

"What's wrong Shiki? Are you hungry?"

"Nothing Arcueid. Let's just sit down and eat." Shiki noticed someone peering out from behind Touko's legs. He leaned down and smiled at the person he'd overlooked. "Is Abby-chan joining us for breakfast?"

Just behind Touko, hanging onto her hand was a young girl of about twelve or thirteen. She was pale and wispy thin, with long blonde hair and sky-blue eyes. She was wearing archaic clothing like one would expect to see in a museum from 18th century colonial America, a black dress and bonnet on her head with matching black ribbons separating her hair into twintails. She peeked out from behind Touko and nodded.

"Yes papa, momma said it was alright."

Shiki found himself blushing. For reasons he couldn't quite understand, the girl Foreigner, had imprinted on him as her 'papa' and Touko as her 'momma'. The first time he said that around Arcueid he thought the poor girl was going to be killed. Instead, Arc being… well, Arc, thought it was the most adorable thing ever.

'I guess it helps being called big sis,' Shiki mused to himself.

The little girl looked around and bowed respectfully to both Ciel and Caren who returned the gesture. Having come from 18th century America, Foreigner was inaugurated to respect high ranking members of the church above all else for they were closest to God. Foreigner continued her gaze about the room taking everything in without blinking.

Finally, she asked, "Where is Sion-nee and the others papa?"

Shiki reassured the little girl. "I'm sure they'll all be along shortly."

Foreigner frowned at that. "We can't without saying grace first and we can't do that without everyone present." She added matter of factly like all good kids, "They're being rude."

"Archer put me down!" a girl's embarrassed shout came from upstairs. Moments later, Archer appeared, carrying Sion Eltnam Atlasia bridal style down the steps, his usual melancholic look on his face offset only slightly by the mischievous gleam in his dark, sorrowful eyes. The purple haired vampire and the child of Night of Wallachia was blushing like mad; her hair was out of its normal braid flowing freely down her back and she was wearing nothing more than an oversized tee-shirt. "Tristan, put me down! Don't make me use a Command Spell for something stupid like this!"

"I think my lady doth protest too much," Sir Tristan Knight of the Round Table mused sullenly, his long brown hair framing his face, his slender form clad in shining steel plate. "If she had stayed in bed any longer, she might have missed breakfast."

"So, you drag me down the stairs bridal style in nothing but a shirt?!" Sion shouted at him, her face beet red and refusing to even look Shiki's way, her poor undead heart would surely give out if she looked at his face right now.

Tristan tutted at his master. It was hard to tell if he was being serious or the pioneer of the trolling. "Now, now, it wouldn't do to miss the morning meal. They say it is the most important one of the day after all. Should we miss it, I might have to compose a ballad in sorrow for our loss."

Sion knew when she was beat. Every time her Servant so much as strummed a note on his harp she was brought near to tears. "Fine… fine just put me down… please?" The last word was said in a near begging tone. "Spare me some dignity."

She made the error of looking at Shiki who was blushing up a storm, the blood seemingly making Arc look at his neck invitingly before common sense made her shake her head cluelessly. Ciel was gripping her hands tightly in restrained anger which was fueled by Caren holding her hand over her mouth to hide her laughter.

The Knight of Lamentation obliged his master, gently setting her down in a vacant chair. Sion snapped her head up when a giggling came from Foreigner who exclaimed, "You and Archer act like siblings… it's cute."

The Dead Apostle's mouth opened, and a squawk of indignation came out before she became contemplative. "Eh… You think so Abigail?"

Foreigner nodded. "Oh yes, Archer acts like your older brother. I didn't have one growing up, but I knew others who did, so I know what it's like."

"I must agree with Abigail's assessment." The last master made her way into the kitchen being wheeled in by her Servants. She was wheelchair bound, but still stunning. Long chestnut-brown hair and equally warm eyes that were currently tinged with mirth and she wore a long white nightgown. She was the heiress to the Yggdmillennia magi clan, a group of cast offs and dying magi families.

Her name was Fiore Forvedge Yggdmillennia and her smile had so far on its own fizzled out all arguments that led to furniture being thrown about.

The woman pushing her wheelchair was a buxom blonde wearing a red justaucorps coat with bronze buttons, her black vest barely managing to contain her massive bust. She also was wearing black stockings, thigh-high brown boots and her green eyes sparkled with joy. The other trait to note was she radiated a bubbly happiness much like a young puppy.

Caren was not a fan of puppies so the desire to kick this one was strong.

The other girl standing next to the wheelchair was shorter by contrast, with short white hair, seemingly cold blue eyes with her entire body concealed beneath a black coat. The collar was turned up to even cover her mouth, leaving only her eyes visible. She had an oversized cutlass sheathed vertically on her back. Though she said nothing, her very presence gave off a cold air as if one wanting to be left alone.

Upon seeing them, Foreigner hid behind Touko's leg, peering out from behind safety with a single mistrustful eye. For the two Servants before her were pirates without a doubt, and pirates couldn't be trusted.

Seeing the little girl's reaction, the blonde playfully swooned. "Abby still doesn't trust us! Whatever are we to do Mary?"

The silent one slumped to the side, her head resting on Fiore's shoulder, her voice coming out playful yet stoic. "I don't know Anne. Perhaps we should get her a teddy bear or maybe candy? Children like those things, right? I saw a toy store not far away!"

The boisterous blonde brightened. "A fine idea Mary! We'll get as many bears and candy as we can get our hands on! Then Abby-chan will have to like us!"

The two pirates shared a high-five and everyone else present shook their heads in exasperation. Those two were just too much. Touko asked the obvious question as she lit another cigarette. "Just how are you going to pay for all of that?"

Mary quirked an eyebrow. "Pay?" She made it sound like it was a foreign concept. "Pay?" You could almost add the, "What is this pay thing you speak of?" for it seemed utterly unknown to her.

Anne answered for them both, her lolicon powers were strong. "We're pirates! We're going to steal it all obviously. Booty is not just my luscious ass after all!"

Fiore cleared her throat, getting her Servant's attention. "Before you two plan a robbery for Foreigner's affections, do you think we could have breakfast?"

The two looked to their Master and smiled before saying in sync, "Of course, Master."

Fiore smiled so diligently when so many others would be reaching for the alcohol by now. Having a pair of socially corrupt and lolicon servants would drive even the greatest magi to booze… Caren gave the sweet girl a week if she lasted that long.

Abigail, the little girl carefully scrutinizing the large chested Anne as if she was holding a bloody butcher knife and standing over a body with multiple stab wounds spoke up then, her fear overridden by her desire for decorum. "We can't eat yet. Saber-san and Caster-san aren't here yet."

Arcueid arms were folded across her chest as she huffed and told the little girl, somewhat imitating the young child, "I put them in time out because they were bickering so early in the morning."

Shiki blanched as he imagined the two servants with goose egg sized lumps on the back of their heads, courtesy of his girlfriend. Caren prayed for their souls. "You didn't hit them too hard did you Arc?"

Arc looked at Shiki in bemusement. "No, no Shiki, just hard enough. I promise."

Shiki gave an awkward laugh. Caren resisted stirring the pot with Ciel being so jealous of their romantic scene. "Why doesn't that reassure me at all?"

Assassin sighed. She did that a lot. "Enough of this." She disappeared using Presence Concealment only to reappear with both Saber and Caster under each arm. Both had goose eggs on their heads. Dropping them both without ceremony she told them, "If you two fight again before breakfast, I'll be the one settling things…" Her eyes went from void black to a luminous sapphire blue with the pupil encircled by a ring of red. "Understood?"

Both Saber and Caster blanched and gulped before nodding. "Yes ma'am!"

Touko huffed out a cloud of smoke. "Honestly Caster, can't you just behave?"

The blue haired man swathed in sky blue robes with a sheer cloak over his shouldered eyed his Master lazily with his crimson eyes, his crooked yew wood staff held over his shoulders, the fur trimmed hood left flopping behind his back.

"Oi Master, I can't just let this bastard get away with saying whatever he wants, now can I? Even if I am summoned as a shitty Caster."

Saber bristled at Caster's comment. He was tall garbed in gleaming white plate trimmed in gold with a sky-blue cape hanging from his back. His hair was long and scraggly and despite his noble bearing he had an angry forlorn look in his eyes. In his hands, he held an immaculate golden broadsword with Fae lettering on its face.

"Hold your tongue Pict. You are in the presence of not one but two Knights of the Round Table. Your pagan gods will not save you here."

Caster quirked an eyebrow. "You sure about that?" Runes appeared around Caster in abundance without him having said a thing. "Are you really, really certain of that?"

Archer spoke up, his tone having its usual melancholic tinge. "That is enough Sir Lancelot. We've no time to quarrel amongst each other, not when we have plenty of other enemies surrounding us. Infighting and insurrection is what destroyed Camelot. Do you wish for it to destroy our chances at the Grail as well?"

The Perfect Knight grumbled listlessly before taking to his feet and seating himself next to his fellow knight. "I do not, but did you have to bring up Camelot? I still feel responsible for the loss of our kingdom."

"As do I old friend, as do I. Perhaps it is why we are here together now?" Tristan mused.

Saber made a noncommittal grunt of agreement before seating himself at the table, with Arcueid and Touko seating themselves between the two quarreling Servants. Now that they were all present and seated and at Foreigner's vehement insistence, they joined hands while Caren blessed the meal in her own way.

Ciel found the moment to kick Caren gently in the shin. Touché Ciel, touché!

"Dear Lord, we thank you for the meal we are about to receive. We know that some of us are more worthy of it than others, as some of us are unclean, heathenous vampires, black hearted magi and wretched spawn from who knows where…" Caren stopped when Ciel kicked her hard in the leg again, her tipped shoe cutting skin. "And some of us act like barbarians in your name. Regardless of our background and purpose, we partake in this meal now so that we might claim righteous victory in your name. Amen."

Shiki chuckled as he took the first bite of his meal. "That was an interesting sermon as always Hortensia-san."

Caren smiled innocently. "The word of the Lord is quite clear in those that would cavort with mysticism and the undead Tohno-san. What could you expect?"

Shiki was quick with his retort. "I'd expect God to take things on a case by case basis instead of painting everyone in a group with the same brush. He's God after all."

Abigail looked back and forth between the nun and her papa as they bickered. Back in her time, arguing the point of faith with a priest was unthinkable, for they spoke with the authority of God as they interpreted his holy word. Yet papa was doing so here. She was afraid for him and for her entire family. For that is what this group of was to her, a family. It was very odd and slightly dysfunctional it was still a family… It was her family, and Abigail would protect it, even if she hated violence.

Shinji had just laced up his boots and was heading towards the back door of the Edelfelt Mansion which was connected to the kitchen when he heard a voice call out to him.

"Shinji, a moment please."

The Matou tensed and choked back a sigh of annoyance. 'What does that blonde poofter want now? Did he forget to bring his dog to get him his morning paper?' Shinji popped his head into the kitchen and gave a flat, "Yeah, boss?"

Leo, the great poofter in question was sitting at a large dining table, a cloth napkin tied around his neck as he cut into a plate of steak and eggs. He was already dressed for the day in his usual bright red suit, Gawain standing by his side like a steel statue.

Gently placing his tableware down, Leo inquired, "Are you heading out early? I thought school didn't start for another couple of hours?"

Shinji pulled himself fully into the dining room, leaning casually on the countertop. "It doesn't but I figured I could go check up on Sakura since yesterday was kinda rough on her, you know?"

Leo nodded. "A fine idea…" Leo paused as if trying to decide if he wanted to say more. Finally, he did. "Tell me Shinji, what's it like? Going to school with other people?"

Shinji opened his mouth, then closed it and rubbed his head. Where the fuck did this come from all of a sudden? How exactly did one go about answering such a question for a rich poofter like this? He knew Leonardo had private tutors for everything, but the kid was showing just how sheltered he really was by asking a question like this. Shinji at first thought this might be a good time to screw this guy over a little but that was old Shinji, the kid who thought everything was about him. Now...

Shinji was trying to be a better person though, so he tried to explain. "Umm, it's alright. It's different from anything you're used to I bet. Students gather in the class, take notes, get together with friends during lunch, go to after school clubs. Things like that."

Leo actually looked solemn for a moment. "Friends huh? Friends is something a king cannot afford to have. They could affect his judgement." Leo cited that as if it had been rehearsed, a line that had been drilled into his head over and over until he memorized it…

Until it became dogma.

Shinji didn't much care for Leo. He was this perfect kid who acted like everything was a foregone conclusion in his favor which was worse as he wasn't naive about his position in life. Shinji hated his brother Julius even more because he was a vindictive asshole, but they were two sides of the same coin. Yet, after what he'd just witnessed, Shinji was beginning to wonder how much Leo's self-assurance was actual belief and how much of it was being told over and over that he was going to win because he had to. No doubt in part due to the fact he was the perfect king of the Harwey Family.

'Why am I suddenly feeling sorry for this kid?' Shinji wondered. His thoughts superimposed Sakura over him for just a second, long enough to feel sorry for the little prick who had him and could have his ass over the barrel ready to rape at will if he so chose.

'That's because you have this thing called a conscience now.' A little voice in the back of his mind told him. 'That's me by the way, keeping you on the straight and narrow… Ah, I see you are not available for a chat so hi…bye…'

'Fuck off conscience.' Shinji hated his conscience. Despite that fact, he still felt compelled to do something. "What about your parents?"

"Parents too are a hindrance. They were removed so that familial bonds do not interfere and so that I may fully focus on my duties as a king." Leo's reply was emotionless and factual.

Shinji felt near sick. He just admitted his parents had been murdered for his sake and didn't bat an eye. 'What the fuck have they done to this kid?! Did he get used to people who were in the way being killed?' Shinji's traitorous imagination now showed a random butler who served his ice cream too cold being dragged away and murdered, his body thrown in the passing river… Oh, he was thinking way too much into this!

"The path of a king is a lonely and solitary existence. Friends are not allowed, neither is family…" Leo got a mischievous gleam in his eye and looked around before saying conspiratorially, "But do you want to know a secret Shinji?" Interest piqued; Shinji made his way over to the young king leaning over the table next to the boy, he listened as Leo whispered. "A king might not be allowed to have friends or even family, but there's nothing saying he can't have a pet."

Shinji's eyes bulged slightly, and his mouth parted. 'Did… did he just more or less admit to calling me his only friend?'

'Yes, yes he did,' Shinji's conscience told him. 'Ahh the acid! Keep the acid away!'

It was safe to say even Shinji's imagination was violent to his conscience. It would learn when to talk! He enjoyed the screams it made.

Shinji stood up and promptly excused himself. "Right… well, I'd best get going, cause, you know. Sakura." Shinji mumbled, "I want to see my normal sister before you decide where my kennel is…"

Luckily Leo either didn't hear it or didn't care. "Of course, give her my regards," Leo replied, dismissing him with a wave before returning to his meal.

Once Shinji got outside, he spoke to the empty air. "Well, that was weird, wouldn't you say Archer?"

Atalante materialized in front of her Master, arms crossed and a thoughtful look on her face as her cat tail swishing back and forth made noises as it cut through the air like an angry whip. "Indeed Master, but what can you do? He holds your leash so to speak."

Shinji groaned in frustration. "This whole having a conscience thing sucks Atalante."

Archer patted her Master comfortingly on the shoulder. "There, there, it'll take some getting used to, you know actually having actual morals but I'm sure you can adjust."

Shinji pushed away her hand and straightened up. "Thanks, that hardly sounded patronizing at all." He was amazed the sarcastic clapping hadn't happened.

Archer quirked an eyebrow. Now, he remembered why he didn't do the sarcastic clapping. He liked having his hands attached to his arms too much.

"It didn't? I should've tried harder."

The two stared at each other for a moment before sharing a laugh. Shinji rubbed his head in annoyance. Damn cat girl… Why couldn't she be a normal one and prance around wearing an elementary school uniform and call him 'Onii-chama'? "Still I feel like I should do something though. If I leave it like this, it's sure to leave a bad taste in my mouth."

"Then do something," Archer prompted him like it was so easy he could pull it off while riding a unicycle.

Man being nice was difficult... Shinji moaned like a wounded sea lion as he made his way back inside with Archer, the anti-cat girl falling in step behind him.

Leo looked up from his now finished meal. "Did you forget something Shinji?"

"Look, you're gonna be a king, right?" Leo nodded, prompting the abrasive magus to continue. "Well how can you expect to lead the people properly if you've never talked with any of them? You need to talk to the people learn what they like… uhm Archer help me out here?"

"Mingle with the masses?" Atalante supplied. "Understand the common people?"

The Matou Magi nodded. "Yeah that." Damn, if his answer didn't make him feel helpless. Leo was like a Lego kit. It had all the pieces but if not put together didn't make sense of anything. Leo was Mr. Lego at the moment and no Shinji was not going to call him that for fear that it might slip out during these meetings.

Leo closed his eyes and slowly nodded as he digested his loyal hounds' words. "You make a fine point. How do you suggest I get to know my future serfs?"

'Ok, I've got him on the hook, time to reel him in before he wriggles from the line,' Shinji thought. "Come to school with me." He added quickly, seeing the guy with his leash frown in deep thought, "With your connections it would be a cinch to register you as a transfer student. Also, I think it would do you some good to get your hands dirty like the rest of us in the Faction."

Leo perked up at that. Shinji smelt the stinking scent of success. Time to shovel this shit further!

"Elaborate please."

Shinji fixed his 'owner' with a deadpan stare. This was proving too easy like shooting fish in a barrel with a flamethrower attached.

"C'mon Leo, do I really need to spell it out? Luvia is housing us, I've got us a spy in another Faction and will be gathering intel while going to school because I guarantee you some of them will be there. Julius has been using Assassin to spy on everything like crazy... Sensei and Rider… well they've basically been running things and Grey has basically turned herself into their assistant. Meanwhile you sit back and act like your actually in charge. We've even got another guy coming in prepared to act as a second hitman and the Master for our Caster for goodness sakes."

For just a moment, Shinji thought he'd crossed the line for Leo was scowling. Then he sighed and Shinji's balls came back out of his body when it was all clear. "I see, I haven't been pulling my weight, have I? When did you learn how to bark Shinji?"

Shinji allowed the tension to leave his body, rubbing his bits with his legs anxiously for a moment but disguised it as a scoff. He took a deep breath, thinking of how close future generations of Shinji Matou had been spared from genocide.

"I've always been barking. You just never bothered to listen before."

Leo steepled his fingers in contemplation. "I see, and you think I could help you in intelligence gathering?"

Shinji rubbed his head and looked away. Wow, he was not a good liar these days. Back in the old days Zouken made you learn the art of whistling innocently and walking away. "Maybe? At the very least I won't be out numbered at school. I know of two maybe three people in the Yellow Faction who are Masters. Rin Tohsaka, that's definite as she's a Tohsaka and Second Owner, along with my sister Sakura as she's representing the Matou."

"You mention a possible third? Shinji?" Leo pressed when his hound remained silent.

Casting his gaze to the heavens Shinji huffed. "I did some digging while at the Clocktower. Kiritsugu Emiya fought on the side of Einzbern during the last Holy Grail War. He ordered his Servant, King Altria to destroy the Lesser Grail upon its manifestation, ruining the ritual upon the cusp of its completion and causing mass devastation to Fuyuki. His reasons for doing this are unknown according to the report from the War survivor of the Church Kirei Kotomine."

Leo absorbed all of this easily enough. He might be a poofter but he wasn't a damn stupid poofter. "Continue."

"The man's catalyst for summoning King Altria was never recovered… Keep this next bit from Lacer by the way or she might kill us… you too Saber." Shinji shot the Servant of the sword who had been attentively listening up to this point a hard look.

"I promise as long as my King does not directly ask, I shall not bring it up Cavall."

Leo glanced at his knight. "Cavall?"

Even Shinji looked perplexed. What the fuck was this vague meme shit here? He better not be getting a dog in Welsh or something.

Gawain smiled wistfully. "Yes, my King's former hunting hound." Shinji scowled. What the fuck was up with the dog theme this Faction had? Did he smell or something? Atalante was smirking, Shinji glaring at her to stop. "He… she," he corrected hastily, "Was rather fond of him."

'My nickname is that of a legendary dog? What the fuck guys? I mean fucking really! And really, really stop it Atalante. I know you can read my thoughts damn it!' Shinji mused. Atalante took the time to scowl and hmmphed in annoyance. He then dropped the bomb. "The catalyst the Magus Killer used to summon King Arthur in the last Grail War was Avalon."

Shinji wished he had a camera on him in that moment for both of the poofters, yeah Gawain too eyes widened comically, and their jaws simultaneously dropped.

"The holy sheath, it was recovered?" Gawain said in awed hushed tones.

Shinji gave a curt nod. "That's what I managed to figure out. The Einzbern never managed to recover it either… what's more out of a casualty list of five hundred people when the Fuyuki Fire broke out, only one person survived, who just so happened to be saved personally by Kiritsugu. Who he then adopted… my best friend, Shirou Emiya."

Leo realized the real reason Shinji wanted him to go to school with him. "Ah so that's it."

"What?"

Leo accused with no heat in his tone. "You don't want to fight your friend do you Shinji?"

Shinji looked away muttering. "The idea doesn't thrill me no. Even though I was an asshole, he was always nice to me… having to fight him… tch." He raised his voice a little and almost shouted at Leo. "I wasn't lying about you needing to pull your weight you know?!"

Leo let out an amused laugh. "Of course, Shinji and how better to do that than to fight your friend so you don't have to?"

Shinji glared but said nothing. Leo waved his pout off. Fucking poofter wasn't as dumb as he thought. It was a good lesson learned. It seemed the guy was not in a 'strangle the dog moment'. "Don't be like that. I'll do it of course. As your master it's my job to take care of things like this."

Shinji felt compelled to warn Leo just what he was getting himself into. "Don't go getting the wrong idea! Emiya… he's stubborn. Like a dog with a bone. Once he gets an idea in his head nothing stops him."

Leo smirked in anticipation a gleam of something akin to excitement now in Leo's eyes. "I look forward to meeting him. He sounds quite interesting."

Shinji had silently made his way back to the Matou Estate. For most of the way there, Archer had kept quiet for she knew her Master was deep within his own thoughts. Yet, as they neared the wrought iron gates, she called out to him.

"Shinji?"

He turned and looked at the Servant who had silently been following in his wake. "Yeah Atalante? What is it?"

"Are you that hesitant to fight your friend?"

With his hands folded behind his head, Shinji replied, "Sort of? Emiya's… weird. He always put up with my crap. That is until he found out about how I treated Sakura. Our relationship cooled after that." Shinji shrugged helplessly, "Then I left."

Atalante nodded even she wasn't thrilled with her Master when she saw his memories and how he treated his adopted sibling, but he was genuinely trying to change. "We should get inside and check on Sakura."

"Yeah."

Shinji opened the door and just stared. For Sakura had her hair done up in a loose ponytail and she was currently running through a set of twelve tires only to drop and do a set of pushups only to jump up and latch onto a solid iron bar that looked to be nailed into the nearby doorway to start doing pull ups. Sakura, who was just wearing an overly long tee-shirt was sweating profusely and looked miserable.

"What the hell is going on here?"

"Oh dear," Atalante mused as she peeked in past Shinji's head. The 'ears' on her head twitched. Her paw, sorry her hand was over her mouth in amusement. "I never expected Hippolyta would do something like this."

Shinji glanced at his Servant. "This being? As right now, I was thinking she was trying the most drawn out way of killing my sister."

The devotee of Artemis elaborated dutifully. She still had a shit eating grin on her face. "The fabled Amazoness training regimen."

Rider was standing on the sidelines watching Sakura as she went through the makeshift course. Shinji made his way over to the Servant. "What the hell Rider! I told you yesterday that Sakura was supposed to be resting today."

Rider greeted Shinji cheerfully despite his outburst. Dear god, Shinji had realized now that Atalante was not unique. All Greek women were trolls! This was karma for hurting his sister! For not putting that ten-pound note into the charity bin!

"Ah Matou-san hello!"

'I'll hello you missy,' Shinji thought, thanking the gods Hippolyta was not his servant for his thoughts weren't being transmitted to this she-devil punishing his sweet sister. She looked far too… With the sweat soaking through her gym outfit! Gah! His sister was being demure! Shinji had to lock his sister up before Shirou saw her!

"Nii… Nii-san… good morning!" Sakura said through gasps, managing to smile at him. Shinji mentally added buying a guard dog trained to sniff for Shirou's balls.

Shinji pointed at his gasping sister and told the Servant of the Mount flatly, "She should be resting."

Sakura made her way over, having finally regained her breath. "Please don't be angry with Rider, Nii-san, I asked her to do this."

Shinji fixed his gaze on Sakura and quirked an eyebrow. "What is this exactly?"

Sakura fidgeted by playing with her hair, "Well, I asked Rider to train me how to be an Amazon."

Shinji pinched the bridge of his nose. "Dare I ask why?"

Sakura looked away while rubbing her shoulder. "I don't think you'd understand Nii-san…"

Shinji crossed his arms and smirked. "Oh yeah? Try me."

"Master wishes to win the heart of her beloved." Rider answered for her. It was the worst case scenario! Shinji would need to have to lock Sakura up, for the sake of her safety of course… not because he didn't want his pure sister having relations with a boy… never mind Shirou! Where did Zouken keep his antique World War Two Arisaka rifle? He was going hunting for some horny teenagers! "Yet she lacks confidence. So, we are working on building that confidence. Once she is physically strong, she will be emotionally strong."

"Rider!" Sakura protested, a blush overtaking her cheeks. Why couldn't it have been a machine gun?

Shinji blinked owlishly for a minute, recapping his own thoughts, finding them utterly hilarious because they were not Shinji from years past. That cunt was well a cunt before he burst out laughing. "I see, your right Sakura, I really wouldn't understand. After all, I'm not the one trying to get in Emiya's pants."

Sakura puffed her cheeks out due to Shinji's teasing. "Nii-san!" She let it go the moment Shinji's stomach rumbled. Sakura gave him a curious glance. "Have you eaten yet today Nii-san?"

"No…" Shinji admitted.

Sakura nodded before heading to the kitchen, causing Shinji to protest. "You don't need to cook on my account!"

"I'm not," Sakura called back, "I haven't eaten yet either."

"Oh," Shinji chuckled. He would play along for some good food. "Well, ok then."

As pans clanged together on the stove, Sakura called from the kitchen, "Could you set the table for four Nii-san?"

"Sure, sure." A quick search through the cupboards revealed plates and chopsticks and Shinji quickly had the table set for four.

Sakura, still looking like the start of a plumber porn film, her voice pretty much spewing the line, 'I need someone to fix my U-bend,' to his disdain came out shortly after carrying a traditional Japanese breakfast. Miso soup, rice, and omelets. "I remember you said you missed traditional food, so I thought you'd enjoy this."

He appreciated it but wished she would go get a shower.

"Thanks. Itadakimasu!" Shinji dug into his meal with gusto. "This is great Sakura, I guess you going over to Emiya's everyday has its perks huh?"

"Nii-san…" Sakura beamed at his offhand praise. For the first time, the Matou house felt like a home and not a decrepit prison.

"Speaking of, you should pack a bag and talk to him about staying over today. Hell, say it's a favor from me if you have to alright?"

"But you just got back," Sakura protested. "Wouldn't that be a little awkward? To be requesting a favor so soon?"

"Pff," Shinji snorted. "Emiya knows what I'm like. He probably won't bat an eyelid."

"But…" Sakura raised her voice a bit, "You're not like that anymore."

Shinji smiled. "But he doesn't know that now does he?"

"Taking advantage of your opponent's known traits about you… you are a very cunning man Shinji Matou," Hippolyta said as she finished off her rice bowl and held it out for seconds.

Due to her tone, Shinji didn't know whether to feel complimented or insulted. "Um… Thank you?" he ventured after a moment's pause. 'I think anyway.'

The Queen of the Amazons clarified her statement seeing his confusion. "I meant no offense; it was a compliment of sorts. You are the type of warrior whose most dangerous weapon is his mind. They are typically the most dangerous for theirs is a weapon which cannot be seen until it is too late."

Atalante agreed with Hippolyta's assessment of her Master. As she handed back her rice bowl for a refill, she added in her own two cents. "Indeed, Master is quite cunning. He has the mindset of a hunter in that respect. I believe that is why I was summoned as his Servant in the first place. Speaking of Master, don't you believe it wise to inform Sakura of the new arrivals to expect at school today?"

Sakura cocked her head to the side curiously at that, prompting Shinji to explain.

"One or two of my own faction members are going to be joining me at school starting today. Since both Emiya and Tohsaka will be there, and they don't want me to be outnumbered while at school. They will be bringing their Servants with them. You'll know them when you see them. Do your best to keep away from them alright? It could look bad for you if you're seen interacting with them by Emiya or Tohsaka."

Sakura nodded. "I'll do my best Nii-san."

Shinji stood up from the table. "Right, I need to be getting back. I'll let you get on with getting ready for school seeing as you look well enough to go." Shinji smirked at little as he finished. Damn, it had taken an age to put this into conversation without losing his composure. "Might I suggest a shower first and foremost?"

"Shut up Nii-san!" Sakura blushed crimson and looked away, cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk. "I'm sure you can see yourself out."

Shinji just laughed at her annoyed face. "Yeah, yeah I sure can. Don't forget to pack an overnight bag. Seeya at school."

As Master and Servant exited the Matou Estate, Shinji glanced at his Servant and asked hopefully, "I don't suppose this counts as me treating you to a meal does it?"

"It does not," Atalante said firmly. "Sakura was the one who treated me. You still owe me a meal."

Shinji snapped his fingers.

"Damn."

Where could he find catnip in this city?

Shirou was awoken from his usual dream about the hill overlooking the golden wheatfield by his doorbell ringing. Not his bounded field going off, that would resound in his head, but his actual doorbell. He glanced at his digital clock.

It read 6:30am. If this was another challenge from a rival gang someone was going to spend a lot of time with the doctors and nurses at the hospital.

Shaking the cobwebs out of his head, Shirou wondered for a moment who could be at his door so early in the morning. 'Tohsaka did say she would be coming by in the morning with school uniforms, but I didn't think she'd come by at this hour.' The ringing got more incessant prompting Shiro to hurriedly pull on a pair of pants and a loose t-shirt. "I'm coming, I'm coming hold on." Shirou answered the door and almost leaped back in revulsion thinking a vampire was loose in Fuyuki City. "Tohsaka?" He ventured warily.

Rin was standing at his door, half slumped, her usually bright and teasing aquamarine eyes were now black ringed, bloodshot, even her hair was slightly disheveled. This was not the school idol Shirou was used to seeing.

So many idiots at his school would commit ritual suicide seeing her like this.

"Uhhhh..." Rin said, her eyes lifting just enough to tell him that Rin was not a vampire or dead.

"Tohsaka… is everything alright?" Shirou asked hesitantly, his hand dancing as he really wanted to make sure and check her pulse.

Miyu popped up behind her legal guardian. "Oh, don't mind Rin-nee-san sempai. She just hasn't had her morning coffee yet and hasn't woken up."

"Stupid Miyu… too loud." Rin moaned out like someone possessed, before shuffling forwards and pressing two uniforms into Shirou's arms. "Emiya here… clothes. Coffee now? Coffee now."

Shirou could actually hear the threat that would come afterwards if coffee was not provided.

Shirou awkwardly accepted the gifts and stood aside. "Won't you come in?" It wasn't like he had any choice.

Tohsaka shuffled forward like a zombie, only she didn't groan about brains. She had a different craving. "Coffee, coffee, coffee."

Tomoe bowed before entering Shirou's home. At least someone waited before they were directed inside albeit he was okay with Miyu. It was impossible to be mad at Miyu. "Shirou-dono. I hope you had a pleasant sleep?"

Shirou nodded. "I did thanks. Come inside, its cold out there. Same with you Miyu, Serenity-san."

"Sorry for intruding so early." Miyu apologized as she kicked off her shoes and swapped them out for house slippers. The young girl grabbed her older sister's feet and placed slippers on each foot. "Nee-san insisted we get her early, she even skipped her morning coffee as you can see."

"Pardon the interruption, Shirou-san," Serenity said in an upbeat tone, appearing out of Presence Concealment behind her Master and flashing him a smile.

"Come in you three, I'll make you something warm to drink." Shirou did just that, making himself busy in the kitchen as his guests got themselves settled, or in Rin's case laid face flat on his table.

Soon enough however, the robust smell of coffee roused her from her perpetual slump. With a steaming hot mug of black lifegiving nectar in front of her, Rin chugged it down like a zombie would nosh on a human brain. The empty mug landed on the table with an audible thump and Rin let out a sigh of relief. It was a relief to him too as the zombie joke was getting a bit stale.

"Ahh, I'm alive!"

Shirou chuckled at that. Now she looked like a pixie. "Welcome to the land of the living Rin."

Rin's head snapped to the face of the smiling Shirou. She blushed the same color as her sweater. Yep, she was just missing her wings and pixie wand.

"S…S…Shirou-kun?!" Rin glanced around and found she was in his house of all places. "What, how?" She looked to her little sister, "Miyu, how?"

Miyu looked at her older sister figure and sighed. "I tried to get you to drink coffee first, but you were so insistent nee-san."

Rin let out a 'meep!' as she turned to Shirou and asked, "So then… you saw me… like that?!" Rin looked about ready to cry; her pride would be absolutely crushed if he said what she thought he would.

If Shirou could read minds he would be alarmed she was wondering where she could put his body after she killed him to keep his silence.

Shirou tapped his chin as if in thought. "You mean you doing your best impression of the walking dead? Yes. Honestly for a minute there, I thought a vampire was in town."

"Gah!" Rin choked. "I… can I use your bathroom Emiya-kun?"

"Go right ahead, it's down the hall on your right." Shirou pointed toward the door and Rin all but ran down the hallway. "Taiga keeps her spare makeup in the cabinet."

The door shut with an audible bang and moments later a shriek could be heard. "EEK! Miyu! Archer! how could either of you let me leave the house like this!?"

"You were very insistent Master," Tomoe called out. "When I confronted you, you said you would use a Command Seal to get me to move faster."

Rin's groan was not unlike a certain Shinji's from earlier.

"Very insistent," Miyu agreed. Oh, thank you, sempai." Miyu happily accepted the offered plate of food. The dazzling smile was powerful enough to power the lights in the whole house.

Musashi and Jeanne made their entrances then lured out of their rooms by Rin's cries of embarrassment, probably having never heard a seal lion before and the smell of Shirou's cooking. Musashi had just finished putting her hair up in its messy ponytail when Shirou noticed the two.

"Good morning Musashi, Jeanne. Did you both sleep well?"

The two nodded, with Saber chipping in, "Like a baby Master, what's for breakfast?"

"Omelets, rice, and miso. I made plenty so dig in."

Saber grinned like a child on Christmas morning upon seeing the table laden with food. "Yay! Itadakimasu!" Saber laid into the food like she was a starving wolf who'd stumbled upon a wounded deer.

Despite the fact that Saber was eating as fast as she was, she still had perfect etiquette, something that amazed Shirou and Jeanne both. The Maiden of Orleans was pulled out of her daze by a nudge to the arm. "You'd better get in there unless you want to go hungry."

A fire burned in Jeanne's eyes as the Saintess picked up her weapons in the form of chopsticks. "Right!"

The Saintess rushed into the fray and proceeded to fight with Assassin, Archer and Saber for her portion of the food.

'I'm going to have to go shopping after school today on top of everything else,' Shirou noted that Servants really packed it away. He was glad he had the foresight to make himself, Miyu and Rin plates of food before setting the rest out for the voracious Heroic Spirits.

"Thanks for breakfast Shirou-kun," Rin said promptly having finished her plate of food. "Miyu and I will go shopping after school today to reimburse you for this… this." Rin waved her hand over the breakfast war that was still ongoing Archer and Saber were dueling with their chopsticks over the last omelet only for Ruler to snatch it out from under the both of them, causing them to glare at her.

Shirou laughed at little at the scene only for it to die in his throat when his front door slammed open and a very familiar voice called out that caused him to turn ash white. "SHIROOU! Your favorite big sister is here for breakfast!"

"Oh shit, it's Fuji-nee!" Shirou swore to himself. He almost hit the deck like a shootout between angry gang members.

Saber quirked an eyebrow. "Whose Fuji-nee aniki?"

Even Rin was surprised for a moment when their English teacher trapezed into the room like she owned the place, a bright smile on her face. A smile that seemed to freeze in place when she noticed all the women present, none of whom were Sakura. The smile on her face quickly became sharp and dangerous looking.

Shirou slowly took a step forward, holding his hands out so as not to provoke a response from the angry Taiga like how one would handle a bear just out of hibernation, you know the body position that bought you around three seconds before being savagely beaten.

"Fuji-nee, I can explain…"

A growl rose from Taiga's throat which eventually came out in a roar.

"UNFORGIVABLE!" A shinai decorated with black tiger stripes was pulled out from behind Taiga's back like magic and she swung it with full force at her ward's head intent on disciplining him for his deviant behavior… only the weapon never reached him.

"There will be none of that." Musashi moved quick as lightning and blocked the strike, catching it between two crossed chopsticks. She locked eyes with Taiga saying firmly, "There will be no hitting of aniki in his own house."

If Taiga Fujimura took pride in one thing besides being a teacher, it was her swordsmanship skills. For someone she'd never met to block her strike with nothing but a pair of wooden chopsticks with one hand no less rattled her to the core but even more so were the words that had just come out of her mouth.

"Shirou," Taiga said in a too sweet tone. "Why is this girl calling you aniki?"

Shirou rubbed the back of his head nervously. "Well you see… that's because… I got nothing."

"I'm afraid this is all my fault Fujimura-sensei," Rin spoke up, her 'Idol mask' on and in full force. He could kiss her for the save. Miyu for some reason scowled for a second there. Could she read minds?

Taiga's head snapped to Rin's smiling face. If this kept up she was liable to get whiplash. "Tohsaka-san? What the…? How are you connected to all this?"

Rin frowned and Shirou was beginning to think she deserved an Oscar for the performance she was putting on. At the moment she was putting all known serriyuu's to shame. "As you know, my house is rather large, and no one lives there but Miyu and myself, so I've taken to renting out the spare rooms. However, I recently discovered my roof needed repairs and Shirou was gracious enough to put us up at his house for a while."

Taiga slowly nodded. She could accept that. It certainly sounded like something her little brother would do. "Ok, but why's she," Taiga motioned to Musashi with a nod of her head. "Calling Shirou aniki?"

"My, my," Saber began sounding rather coy, "One might think you were jealous or something Taiga-san?"

The English teacher squawked in indignation. "I am not! I… you… who are you anyway?!"

Saber stood and gave a borderline mocking bow. "Harunobu Shimen at your service. As for why I'm calling him aniki well, maybe I just like him… a lot." Saber stuck her tongue out at the end.

"Shimen-san, please stop." Shirou all but begged from the sidelines.

Taiga narrowed her eyes at this girl borderline woman in front of her. "Is that so?"

"Yep. Shirou is pretty cute," She glanced Shirou's way and chastised. "I thought I told you to call me Haru-chan, Shirou-kun?"

Miyu, Serenity, Rin, and Tomoe all felt like they had daggers stabbed into their hearts at the exact same time when Saber said those words.

Shirou sent his Servant a deadpan glare. "Right, my mistake Haru-chan." The warning edge in her Master's tone let Musashi know she was currently skating on thin ice even with his near infinite patience.

The twitching vein on the side of Taiga's head looked ready to explode at any moment. "Haru-chan is it eh, Shirou?"

"At her insistence yes. Why don't you get something to eat Taiga? I saved you a plate in the kitchen."

The promise of food mollified the angry tiger. Yet Taiga still found it fit to sulk. "Only one plate? How cruel of you Shirou!" Taiga stopped as she was passing Shirou noticing something she'd overlooked in her anger… "Shirou… when did you get that scar on your cheek?"

Shirou's jaw unhinged slightly, he'd forgotten completely about the scar on his cheek. "Ah, last night. I got in a fight." It wasn't a lie, even if Scáthach was toying with him for the most part, for Shirou it was a fight for his life.

Taiga huffed. "Your first scar. You know what this means don't you…" Taiga grinned. "We're gonna have to celebrate! Just wait till I tell everyone! Make sure you head straight to Gramp's place after school. Man, I'm so excited… and you only made me one plate of food!"

"You could always find your free food somewhere else you know?!" He called to her retreating back as she raced into the kitchen. He turned to his sheepish looking Servant. "What the hell was that about?"

"Sorry, sorry. I figured if I got her riled up enough, she'd forget all about the aniki thing. It usually works in my fights, so I thought I'd give it a shot."

Rin didn't consider Saber's ploy a total loss. "Well, at least we know what to put on her transcripts now Harunobu Shimen-chan."

Shirou reluctantly nodded. "That's true. What about you Jeanne any preferences?"

Ruler pondered the question for a moment. "Romée maybe? It was my mother's maiden name."

"Jeanne Romée and Harunobu Shimen… I can work with that." Rin made a couple of notes in a small notepad before nodding to herself.

Taiga came out of the kitchen looking satisfied and much calmer, which Shirou was thankful for. "That was great as always Shirou, thanks for the meal."

The redheaded magus gave his big sister a smile. "Anytime Fuji-nee. I'd like to introduce you to our two new transfer students, Harunobu Shimen and Jeanne Romée."

Taiga was thrown for a loop. "Eh, you two are transferring in today?! I didn't hear anything of this?!"

Jeanne stepped in then, smoothing everything over. "It was last minute. We apologize for any trouble this may cause." Ruler bowed and Saber followed suit.

Taiga waved off their apology. "Hey, hey don't worry about it. Tohsaka-san, do you have their transcripts? If you give them to me, I can have everything sorted by the time you kids get to school."

Rin blinked at their fortune but decided not to question it. "Right here Fujimura-sensei I'd just finished filling out the paperwork for Jeanne-san as it's a little too complicated for her." Rin sent a subtle bow of apology towards her Faction leader for the unmeant insult as she handed over the paperwork for the two Servants.

Taiga nodded. "Good, good. Don't worry, I'll have these filed with Principal-san," Taiga glanced at the clock. "Ah speaking of, I should be going! See you kids at school!"

The bang from the backfire of Taiga's scooter and the echo from the fading roar of its engine marked a return to what was really important.

"Well," Shirou said after he was sure his guardian was gone, "That was convenient."

"It was," Rin agreed. "I think it would be best if I hypnotized Fujimura-sensei not to come over till the Grail War has ended Shirou-kun." Rin held up her hands defensively as Shirou opened his mouth to object. "Please, let me finish." Shirou closed his mouth and nodded, allowing Rin to continue. "Thank you. As I was going to say, if one of the enemy Masters finds out about your connection to you, they could easily turn her into a spy. If we force her not to come here till the War is finished and she randomly shows up, we'll know someone's gotten to her."

Ruler was the first to voice her opinion on Rin's plan. "That is a sound plan, though I dislike the idea of tampering with another's mind, I cannot argue with the results."

"But the idea of knowing when the enemy is spying on us does sound appealing." Musashi mused ever the pragmatist.

Serenity popped out from Presence Concealment; having hidden the moment she heard the front door open. "I see the logic in Rin's plan but do not like the idea of mental manipulation. Could we perhaps modify the plan a bit?"

Shirou sighed in relief happy that Ruler and Assassin at least didn't like the idea of hypnotizing his surrogate big sister. "I don't like the idea of hypnosis either. Wouldn't it just be easier and safer if we have Ruler talk to her alone for like five minutes? She has Charisma as a skill, doesn't she?"

"Shirou is correct, it would be simple for me to persuade her not to come by for a time." Ruler liked Shirou's suggestion.

The third-rate magus wasn't done, however. "Having Ruler talk with Fuji-nee should be our backup plan though. Rin and I are going to talk to the Fujimura-gumi after school today. I refuse to leave my Boss and sempai in the dark, not after all they've done for me. Especially not after a Servant has all but started a gang war in this city," Shirou looked to Ruler. "I'd like you to come with me, but I can't force you… but I won't let you stand in my way either."

Ruler met Shirou's gaze with one of her own. "As a Ruler it is my job to ensure the Grail War goes as it is supposed to…" She smiled as she finished. "As your commander however, I cannot help but admire your resolve to protect the people precious to you even if it means breaking the rules of the Grail War. Very well, I shall join you in your meeting. We all will go. That is my first order as the Commander of the Yellow Faction."

Shirou released the breath he was holding. He knew despite his insane luck so far, that he stood no chance against Ruler. She could shut down Musashi with a couple of Command Spells and force him to his knees with little effort on her part. With him being unarmed at the moment, Shirou had little to no hope of defeating her should she decide to 'discipline' him.

Shirou bowed in thanks to his Commander. "Thank you for understanding Ruler."

Ruler gave her subordinate a warm smile and an understanding nod. "This is not my first-time leading troops Shirou. I understand the morale means everything in war. If this will set your mind at ease and help you focus on the War and get us some much-needed allies, then all the better for us."

"Allies in what capacity? Surely you don't expect them to fight?" Shirou was worried for the safety of the Fujimura-gumi.

Ruler waved a hand. "No of course not. I was thinking more along the lines of scouts. People who keep out of the way but keep their ears to the ground and eyes out for anything unusual. There is more to war than being on the frontlines Shirou. Information is the lifeblood of warfare." Seeing Shirou was relieved, Ruler finished, "Now, I believe we should all finish getting ready for the day. I need to let out these clothes for Musashi… ah excuse me, Harunobu-san and myself."

Everyone agreed and scattered. Shirou left to the dojo where the old man's sword sat at its shrine. Taking it with reverence Shirou slipped it into a sword bag and slung it over his shoulder. Bowing to the black and white picture of Kiritsugu, Shirou prayed. "Look after me just a little longer old man. I may not agree with everything I've heard you did, and being a hero must've been hard for you, but don't worry. I'll keep going. I'm going to do it different. I've got some pretty great friends. I think you'd approve of them."

Shirou turned to find Musashi standing not too far behind him. She was already dressed in a school uniform and Shirou had to admit, she wore it well. The skirt cut off just above her knee, the long black socks covered most of her legs, and the short black skirt hinted at her pale thighs every time it swayed when she moved. She wore the typical vest over the white shirt, both of which accentuated her bust, with a red ribbon tied around her neck. Musashi still had her hair clip in allowing her to show off a bit of originality.

"You look great Harunobu-san." He complimented her sincerely.

She frowned a bit. "You can use my actual name when we're not in school you know?"

Shirou decided to indulge her. "You pull off the school uniform perfectly Musashi."

That earned him a smile. "You think so? I'm glad. I'm not so sure about this school thing but I guess I'll give it a shot."

Shirou figured now was a good a time as any to ask. "Speaking of schooling, I was wondering if you'd do me a favor?"

"Sure, what's up?" Musashi was very carefree.

Bowing Shirou made his plea. "Would you teach me how to use the sword?"

The Servant of the Sword was thrown for a loop. "Eh, you want to learn from me? Really?"

Shirou rose from his bow. "Yeah? Would you? I think it would help if I was properly trained on how to fight."

"You seemed to have a personal style that worked fairly well from what I saw." Musashi commented.

Shirou rubbed the back of his head. "Ah, that. I wouldn't call it a style really, more like a survival instinct ingrained into me by Taiga." Seeing his Servant's curious gaze Shirou elaborated. "When I was younger, my old man and Taiga would spar with me, here in this dojo." Shirou looked over the gleaming wooden hall with a wistful look in his eyes. "Back then and even now, Fuji-nee didn't really know how to hold back. The only way I lasted more than five seconds was by leaving intentional openings in my defense."

"If you knew where she was going to attack, you could counter preemptively and thus hold out against a superior opponent. It's sneaky, I approve." Musashi praised. "I also notice you prefer a dual weapon style already, does that also have to do with Fujimura-san?"

"Not exactly no. I got that idea from Taiga's Ojiisan, Raiga, my Boss, the Oyabun of the Fujimura-gumi. He gave me something that inspired me," Shirou picked up the scroll from where he'd left it near the shrine the previous night. "Have a look."

Musashi carefully unfolded the scroll and her eyes widened as she read. "Book of Five Rings, by Miyamoto Musashi?" The Servant flicked her gaze back to her Master. "So, the Musashi in this world was famous huh? Wow, that's really something!"

Shirou quirked an eyebrow. "In this world? What do you mean?"

Musashi rubbed the back of her head. "My, my, how do I explain? I am not really this world's Musashi. I'm from a different parallel world. In my world, I never wrote this book," She skimmed it over briefly. "I can certainly see where he was coming from though. Yeah this makes a lot of sense. Book of Void huh? What an insightful guy."

Shirou stroked his nonexistent beard. "Parallel world huh? I guess that explains why you can't go into astral form. If you just got pulled from a parallel world instead of being summoned like a normal Servant."

Musashi nodded, confirming his theory. "Yeah that's pretty much what happened. The Greater Grail offered me a chance to compete in this Grail War. It sounded fun, so I said yes, and ended up contracted to you, not that I mind in the least bit!" She hastily added.

"Don't worry I know what you meant."

"Are you two ready we need to get going!" Rin called out to them.

Shirou turned to his partner. "Ready for your first day of school partner?" He held out his hand to her.

"Yosh! Let's go!" Musashi smiled and took his hand in hers.

Rin saw the two holding hands and scowled. "Let's get going or we'll be late!"

Miyu cocked her head to the side upon seeing the two holding hands but decided to think nothing of it. The Servant-Master relationship was a special bond after all, as Master and Servant would see each other's thoughts and life through dreams. Miyu had come to think of Serenity like another sister not counting the odd pangs in her heart she had the other night when she was smiling so warmly at sempai.

"Are we all ready?" Jeanne asked her assembled Faction members. The Saintess received various nods. "Then let us depart."

Shirou expected some muttering by passersby as they made their way towards school, but people were blatantly stopping and staring at them as they walked down the street and breaking out into groups and whispering.

After the tenth or so time of this happening, Shirou was getting fed up. 'Seriously guys have some tact.'

As the group turned the corner, they ran into the Track Trio who seemed to be waiting on something or someone impatiently. Being the first to spot him, Kaede Makidera spouted out. "There you are Emiya! What kept you?!"

Shirou's eyebrows rose to his hairline. "Um, good morning Kaede-san?"

Kane bowed careful to keep her glasses from falling off her face. "Good morning Emiya-san, Tohsaka-san, Miyu-chan. We were wondering if it would be alright if we walked with you to school? We would not want for another altercation like the other day to occur again."

"Good morning Shirou-san Tohsaka-sempai, Miyu-chan. Who are your new friends?" Yukika was the only one of the three to acknowledge the two Servants.

Shirou spoke for the group. "It's fine I don't mind if you walk with us. These are Harunobu Shimen and Jeanne Romée, they're new transfer students."

Saber nodded and smiled at the trio giving them a wave. "Yo, how's it going?"

Ruler was more formal bowing. "Hello, nice to meet you three."

Kaede got excited. "Transfer students huh? Maybe we'll get lucky and have them in our class. Hi, I'm Kaede Makidera, this is Kane Himuro, and the quiet one is Yukika Saegusa."

Kaede-san!" Yukika protested. "Don't go around introducing me like that please!"

Saber chuckled. "I like you three. I think we'll get along just fine."

"Yes, they seem quite lively." Jeanne agreed.

As the group continued on Yukika asked the occasional question. Himuro and Kaede were content just to listen. "Jeanne-san where do you come from originally if you don't mind my asking?"

"France, the town of Domrémy… la-Pucelle." Ruler stumbled over the last two words, for the Greater Grail had informed her that her village had been renamed in her honor as she spoke.

"Your Japanese is flawless." Kane complimented, while fixing her glasses.

Jeanne accepted the compliment with a nod of her head. "Thank you. I also know English and French of course."

"A polyglot? Wow." Kaede sounded impressed.

Kane jabbed at her friend, "I'm surprised you knew that word Kaede."

"Hey, I know words!" The Panther of Homurahara growled.

As the two bickered, Yukika questioned Saber. "So Shimen-san where do you come from?"

Saber opened her mouth for a second. "Hyogo prefecture."

Yukika's eyes widened. "That's quite a way away," Kaede and Kane stopped bickering to listen. "Are you staying here with family or something?"

The Trio was concerned for if she was from Hyogo Prefecture, she was a long way from home, as Fuyuki was located on the island of Kyushu in the Kumamoto Prefecture.

Saber rubbed her head. "Not really no. My old man and I, we didn't really get along. So, one day, I just up and left and have been traveling ever since." Technically it wasn't a lie. The Trio just didn't get the exact context.

Yukika ended up bowing in apology. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to pry."

Saber was quick to reassure the girl. "Hey, hey don't worry about it, it happened a while ago, it's not that big of a deal to me anymore so I don't mind talking about it."

The group turned the corner to see Homurahara Academy in sight, but what caught Shirou's eye was the Rolls Royce with smoke coming out of it's open hood. Handing his sword bag to his Servant, Shirou raced over to help, reaching into his bag and pulling out a small tool belt he kept on him since he was constantly fixing things for Issei during school hours.

Seeing an elderly man in a pristine black and white butler uniform with polished black shoes and bowtie, his steely grey hair swept back upon his head and a thick moustache covering his upper lip, Shirou greeted him in English. "Are you having car trouble sir?"

The man glanced up from the engine. "Yes, engine won't start," Seeing the tools in the young boy's hands the man inquired. "Do you know anything about cars young man?"

Shirou nodded. "I do, I fix up motorcycles for money on the side. I also know someone who owns a Rolls Royce, so this is familiar territory." Shirou popped his head under the hood. "Let's see what we've got here."

Shirou looked around the engine and couldn't find an immediate problem. So, as he was wont to do, he converted one of his many nerves into magic circuits and whispered. "Trace on."

A blueprint of the Rolls Royce engine appeared in Shirou's mind and he was quickly able to ascertain what was wrong. Reaching into his tool belt, he pulled out a small box from his tool belt.

"I think I found the problem sir, one of your spark plugs quit working."

Shirou pulled out the offending plug, causing the butler to glare at it. Shirou then replaced it just as easily, smiling at a job well done, glad he could assist someone in need.

"That should do it sir, try starting the car now."

The butler got behind the wheel and started the car. It sputtered for just a moment before roaring to life. The elderly man stuck his head out the window and called. "That did it youngster! You have my thanks." Shutting off the engine, the man got back out and bowed. "Forgive me for not introducing myself. I am Niko IIvari."

The teen bowed respectfully. "Shirou Emiya, nice to meet you IIvari-san."

Since Shirou's head was down at the time, he never saw the elderly man's eyes widen in shock at the mention of his surname. The man recovered by the time the boy raised his head however, for he was a professional mercenary, butler, and bodyguard to the current heiress to the Edelfelt Family, the Hyena's above ground.

"Thank you again for your help young man, I appreciate it." Niko got into the driver's seat and shut the door, only to have a brief conversation with his mistress. Rolling down the window he hailed Shirou again. "Young man, my Mistress would like to thank you personally. If you would come around to the back of the car?"

Shirou quirked an eyebrow but didn't see the harm. He made his way around to the other side of the now functioning Rolls Royce, and a blacked-out window rolled down as he made his approach, revealing an elegant lady around his age, wearing a sky-blue dress, with her golden blonde hair done up in ringlets. She peered at him with emerald green eyes brimming with curiosity, a catlike smile on her face.

She held a pale hand out daintily. "Luviagelita Edelfelt, it seems I owe you my thanks Shero."

Shirou held back at wince at her mispronunciation of his name but since she was an obvious foreigner, he chose not to correct her. Taking her offered hand, he gave it a gentle shake. "Nice to meet you, Edelfelt-san."

A look of surprise crossed the woman's face for a moment before she let out a regal laugh. "Hohoho! You were supposed to kiss the back of my hand you know?"

A blush made itself known across Shirou's face. He had made a faux-pas, but he was flush at being told to kiss a woman's hand in public. One just didn't do such a thing in Japan.

His face caused Luviagelita to laugh again. "Goodness you are an amusing one, aren't you? I look forward to seeing you in class Shero."

"Ah, so your attending Homurahara then?" This surprised the third-rate magus.

The blonde aristocrat nodded. "Indeed. I decided to… broaden my horizons, so to speak."

Shirou nodded and gave her a smile. "I guess I'll see you around then Edelfelt-san."

Luvia batted her eyelashes playfully, "Please Shero, call me Luvia, all my friends do."

Shirou blushed again and gulped. "Right… see you around Luvia-san."

Luvia gave him a wave as the window rolled up. "Bye Shero."

Once the window rolled shut, Luvia turned to her silent companions one in particular who couldn't stop smirking at her. Luvia crossed her arms and huffed. "What might I ask, is so funny Shinji?"

The purple-haired boy smirked like the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland. "You were totally flirting with Emiya back there… and you totally butchered his name too."

Doing her best to suppress the blush on her face, the Finnish woman denied. "I am merely luring him into a false sense of security! If I can get him to trust me, he will hesitate for just a moment when I betray him. It is in that moment that I will cut him down."

Shinji remained unconvinced. "Sure Luvia, whatever helps you sleep at night. Just remember denial is more than just a river in Egypt."

"Whatever." Luvia dismissed his claims with a wave of her hand as she stared out the window at the passersby.

Leo silently watched the exchange between the two, Gawain in astral form beside him. Was this a natural part of human interaction? If so, he had much more to learn than he thought. 'Perhaps I should take notes.'

Leo was pulled out of his thoughts when the car came to a stop in front of the Junior Highschool. His dog addressed him in a serious tone. "Ok Leo this is it, you know what you gotta do right?"

Leo nodded it was oh so simple in theory. "I am to act under the guise of a new transfer student. While in school I am to keep my eyes open for any potential enemy masters."

Shinji nodded. The guy understood the theory. Now let's see him put it into practice. "You got it now go in there, do your best to blend in and… good luck?" Shinji said the last bit with some hesitancy.

Leo didn't need luck he was the future king of humanity; it was his destiny to rule. But he took what his loyal hound said with a nod before opening the door of the Rolls Royce and going forth to mingle with his future subjects.

Shinji and Luvia watched as Leo walked across the courtyard, oozing his unnatural charisma which was causing everyone to stop and stare as he approached. The moment he smiled almost all the girls had hearts in their eyes and began crowding around him while the boy's some of whom just lost their girlfriends, gave the boy the evil eye.

The one girl who lingered back was Miyu Sakatsuki. She trembled with fear as she recognized the boy immediately. How could she not? He and his family had been hunting her down like a dog for years. Using their vast resources to track her family down, killing them like animals to get to her. She recalled the smell of smoke and the stench of the dead on that night… of hiding in the streets like a rat, lurking in the shadows and often avoiding his men by luck. Yet they spoke of their future king with reverence.

There was no way she couldn't recognize Leonardo Harwey.

'What should I do? What should I do? Go get Neesan?' Miyu shook her head. 'No, she's worried enough as it is with the War going on. Shirou-sempai?'

'Master, might I suggest something?' Assassin interrupted her borderline frantic thoughts.

'Yes Assassin?' Miyu inquired.

'Might I try plying my trade?' The Servant of Murder suggested.

Miyu blinked. 'You mean you want to… assassinate him?'

'Yes Master, I am an Assassin after all. It's in my class designation.' Serenity couldn't help teasing her mistress just a little.

'R…Right. Do you think you could do it?' Miyu highly doubted he came here unguarded.

'Since he is a Master, all I would need to do is touch him to kill him. My poisonous body would do the rest.'

'What about potential Servants?' Miyu asked.

'He has a Servant with him, but I've no clue whom it could be. Astral Form is annoying in some regards.` Serenity huffed. 'No matter, I merely need to make physical contact with the boy. The Servant won't last long after that.'

Miyu nodded, it made sense. And Assassin could actually do her job as a Servant. That is, take out enemy Masters, and thereby remove the Servants. Miyu's usually warm and gentle green eyes became hard and flinty, akin to pieces of sharp glass or cut emeralds. She too like her Neesan could be heartless when she needed to.

She came to a decision. For the family she'd lost… For all the time she'd spent on the street… For Rin-neesan… For her own peace of mind…

For Sempai.

'Do it Assassin.'

'As you wish Master.'

"Alright class," Taiga said in her usual over enthusiastic manner, "We have two new foreign students joining the class today," She shook her fist threateningly. "Be nice to them or else!"

"Yes Fujimura-sensei!" the class intoned not wanting to rouse the anger of the Tiger of Homurahara.

Taiga poked her head out into the hallway. "You can come in and introduce yourselves now."

The class let out a collective gasp as Saber and Ruler made their way into the classroom. Saber had an energetic grin on her face with her school bag over one shoulder while Ruler was holding hers with both hands in front of her looking every bit an elegant foreign beauty.

Even Shirou who had walked to school with the two, was quite taken with them both at that moment. Maybe it was the way the sunlight hit them just then, or how their personalities contrasted so sharply right next to each other while in school uniforms, but they both looked great in that moment.

Not one to mince words, Saber introduced herself first. "Hiya, I'm Harunobu Shimen, nice ta meet'cha. We'll all get along just fine as long as you don't steal my food."

The class laughed at Saber's attempt to break the ice. Shirou could already tell his Servant was going to be popular. From the whispers he was picking up, some of his male classmates were already considering asking her out.

Ruler gave the class a polite bow before speaking in flawless if French accented Japanese. "I'm Jeanne Romée. It's nice to meet you all. I do hope we can get along as I'll be in your care for the time being."

"Same, same, let's get along yeah?" Saber added hopefully.

The class all but cheered for the two they were so taken with them. Naturally, the boy's cheered the loudest at having two stunning women in their class. Even the girls were happy to have more females join the ranks though. As they had been slightly outnumbered up until now.

Taiga let them cheer for a minute, probably because she enjoyed seeing the looks of embarrassment on her new pupil's faces. But then she reeled everyone in. "Ok, that's enough, calm down everyone," When she was ignored by everyone sans her ward, Taiga brought out the infamous Tora Shinai, slamming it on her desk before she roared. "SHUT UP YA BUNCH OF BRATS!"

The students felt the bloodlust coming from the Tora Shinai, rumors were abound about their English Teacher's weapon. That once it tasted blood it wouldn't stop until its opponent was slain, or that once it was drawn it couldn't be put away until it tasted blood… One of the two. Either way none of the students wanted to find out which. So, they quieted down and let their teacher speak.

Clearing her throat and stowing away her infamous weapon which won her a hundred duels, Taiga continued. "Right you girls can go sit down next to Shirou and answer any questions your classmates have. We'll skip homeroom today and just move right into the English lesson yeah?"

Shirou knew the reason the seats on either side of him were vacant. 'Taiga's planning something… I know that mischievous gleam.'

Sure, enough as the two went to sit down Taiga called out, "Emiya-san, since you've got all the same classes as these two, I expect you to show them around understand?"

Shirou felt the glares of all of his male classmates get sent his way as well as mutters of 'Lucky bastard'. "Yes Fujimura-sensei."

Saber shot him a grin. "Looks like we'll be in your care especially Emiya-san."

Ruler smiled sweetly. "Yes, please take good care of us."

The glares sent by his classmates intensified. "I'll do my best."

A semi derisive voice called out from the door, "So, what am I chopped liver?"

Taiga's neck turned to the door; her eyes widened. "Matou-kun, your back from studying abroad?"

Shinji stepped into the room in his biker attire. "Yo Fujimura-sensei. You look as good as ever."

Taiga flushed at the compliment but refused to let him have the upper hand. "Your not in uniform Matou-kun, what gives?"

"My time abroad has taught me uniforms are for cops and army men, and I'm neither. So, I'm not going to wear one."

"That's against the rules."

"Fuck the rules." Shinji said casually causing the class to mostly gasp. Shirou was just wondering what Shinji's deal was.

"Language!" Taiga said brandishing her Tora Shinai threateningly.

Shinji raised his hands in surrender. "Let me rephrase… I'm silently protesting following stupid rules. You should understand that better than anyone, right Fujimura-sensei?"

Taiga narrowed her eyes at her wayward pupil.

A silent tension mounted between the two and it was everyone could feel it. Finally, someone broke it.

"Must you be so antagonistic Shinji?"

A very familiar blonde made her way into the classroom putting her hands on her hips as she set a droll glare at Shinji. Shirou was so surprised he couldn't help himself from calling out.

"Luvia-san?"

Hearing her nickname being called Luviagelita searched out amongst the sea of students till she saw Shirou and waved. "Hello Shero."

The girls snickered at the mispronunciation of his name while the males once again glared at him. The nearest one elbowing him and saying, "Sheesh Emiya save some for the rest of us, will you?"

"What?" Shirou asked truly flummoxed.

Since she was already facing the class, Luvia introduced herself. "I am Luviagelita Edelfelt. I come from Finland, but I was studying in England when I met Shinji. He made Japan sound so interesting, I decided to Finnish my education here."

The students laughed at her joke, though it took a moment to get the pun.

"Ok you two go find some seats, looks like your popular Emiya-san." Taiga sent him a playful glare.

Shirou shrugged, he didn't recall doing anything in particular to be so well liked. "I've no idea why Fujimura-sensei."

Once the two sat down near the back of the class, all manner of questioning broke out, some gravitated towards Shinji and Luvia, but a majority came to talk to Saber and Ruler.

Kaede Makidara was practically bouncing on the balls of her feet finding a kindred spirit in Saber. "So, Harunobu-chan, you like sports?"

"Be careful," Kane told Saber, "She'll try to recruit you to the track team if she thinks you have talent."

Kaede blew her friend a raspberry. "Your awesome at the long jump though."

Kane fixed her glasses. "That's beside the point, I won't let you ensnare another person like you did us."

"Your making me sound like a diabolical villain or something!" Kaede waved her arms around in anger.

"Aren't you though?" Kane pointed out.

"So where are you staying Shimen-san, Romee-san?" Yukimura asked kindly, while ignoring her friends squabbling."

"We're staying with Emiya-san at his place." Saber replied easily.

All the chatter in the room stopped. All the students fixed their gazes on Shirou at the same time, even Shinji and Luvia.

"Damn Emiya, didn't know you have it in ya, good going man!" Shinji called out from behind him.

Shirou sighed. "Piss off Shinji," Shirou then sent a glare at his classmates. "Does anyone have a problem with me having extra rooms at my house and lending them out to people in need?"

One male student called out, "House, I thought you lived in an apartment?"

Saber injected herself back into the conversation. "No, Shirou lives in this huge traditional mansion. Nice cushy place… kind big for one person though."

"Shimen-san. You're not helping." Shirou told his Servant flatly.

"Party at Emiya's this weekend!" Someone called out from behind him. Shirou was pretty sure it was Shinji.

Shirou's eyes widened. "No, no, no! There will be no parties at my house!"

Taiga put an end to any potential party plans by slamming her Tora Shinai on her desk. Giving a faux sweet smile she spoke in a sickly-sweet tone, "Alright class that's enough for now. Time to hit the books!"

Shirou mouthed 'Thank you.' To his older sister figure before he opened his textbook. He got a wink and thumbs up.

A folded note landed in front of him. Seeing Taiga beginning her lecture, Shirou quickly opened it up and read its contents.

"Meet us on the roof for lunch, we need to talk." -Kaede.

Glancing over at the Panther of Homurahara her quirked an eyebrow at her. 'Really?' his voiceless gesture said.

Kaede shot him a glare and nodded fiercely. 'Yes really idiot.'

Shirou rolled his eyes and nodded. 'Fine I'll be there.'

Kaede crossed her arms and looked smug for a moment before she focused on the lecture. 'As if you had a choice.'

Shirou rolled his eyes. 'Women.'

Shirou had better days at school. Gossip as it was, spread like wildfire at school and by lunchtime everyone not only knew he was the guide for the two new beauties on campus, but that they were living with him. Everyone in his year and above was sending him glares. A few of his seniors even tried getting into fights with him trying to 'protect the purity' of Harunobu-san and Romee-san. Shirou ended them all in one punch and spent more time in the principal's office in one day than he had in the entire two years he'd been attending Homurahara-gakuren.

'Now I need to face a female inquisition… oh joy.' He thought as he made his way towards the roof.

He turned the corner and found a crowd in the hallway. He distinctly heard Issei yelling "I knew it!"

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Shirou pushed his way forwards to the front of the crowd. He was surprised at what he found.

Rin Tohsaka, the school idol was looking practically murderous. Her preppy perfect façade was gone, replaced with an ice-cold glare befitting a magus. The person she was shooting such a vitriolic glare towards was none other than Luviagelita Edelfelt.

Luvia was returning Tohsaka's glare with interest. The foreigner managed to somehow look haughty and superior at the same time.

Both looked ready for a fight. Tohsaka had her legs and arms slightly bent fists clenched, while Luvia took what Shirou identified as a loose wrestler's stance. Shirou, his old man's sword still in its bag, quickly stepped between the two hoping to defuse the situation before it got out of hand.

"Alright, what's going on here you two?"

Rin practically growled. "Get out of the way Shirou-kun, this has nothing to do with you."

Luvia was daintily waving him off to the side. "Yes Shero, I don't want you getting hurt."

Shirou sent the Finnish woman a flat look. "I don't think you need to worry about that."

Rin tried to use his distraction to dash around him and lash out a Luvia, but Shirou casually smacked her on the head with his covered sword before he threw a front kick in Luvia's direction, doing what he could to keep the two away from each other.

Shirou's foot was caught not by the foreign student, but Souchirou Kuzuki. The usually silent and taciturn teacher caught Shirou's foot in his palm and held it there while looking at the boy in question. Taiga was standing behind the man looking between the two worriedly. "You should leave such things for the teachers Emiya-san."

Taiga nodded fiercely behind him. "Yeah that's right! You could get in trouble you know?!"

After he let Shirou go the boy gave a contrite boy. "I apologize sensei, but I'm not the type to stand by and do nothing you know."

Kuzuki gave a ghost of a nod. "I am well aware…" He paused before saying. "Also, you're kick needs work."

Shirou bowed sheepishly. "Yes sir."

Kuzuki then turned to Tohsaka. "Tohsaka-san I don't know what's going on between you and Edelfelt-san, but I would appreciate it if you left it till after school hours and preferably not on school property."

Taiga looked at her fellow sensei like he had a screw loose. "Umm Kuzuki-sensei… it kinda sounds like your telling them it's ok to kill each other as long as it doesn't happen at school."

Kuzuki glanced at Taiga. "Fujimura-sensei, it is our job to look after these children during school hours and while they are on school property… once they are not, it is a problem for their parents and police to handle what they get up to isn't it?"

A shiver ran through the students at how cold and callous Kuzuki was being at the moment. Even Taiga was a little creeped out. Shaking herself out of her funk the Tiger of Homurahara roared at the assembled students.

"Alright nothing to see here! Get to lunch you lazy bums!" The students scattered like flies, none of them wanting to catch the ire of an angry Taiga. Shirou tried to sneak off towards the rooftop stairs while his big sister figure was distracted, but fate it seemed, had a vendetta against him today. For Taiga reached out without looking and clamped a hand down on his shoulder. "Just where do you think you're going huh?"

"You said to go to lunch, I'm having it on the roof." Shirou replied, opening his jacket and revealing the bento he'd brought from home.

Taiga opened her mouth to argue then snapped it closed. She limply let him go and waved him away. "Just, just go and try to stop being sent to the principal's office!"

Shirou stopped and turned glancing behind him at Rin. "You alright Rin? I didn't hurt you, did I?"

Rin glared at him and looked away in a huff. "I'm fine. You shouldn't have gotten involved idiot."

Shirou shrugged, "I didn't want you getting in trouble. I've already been sent to the principal's office several times today for fighting, so I figured one more wouldn't hurt."

Taiga waved her arms around frantically. "What kind of logic is that?!"

Rin smirked. "Shirou-logic Fujimura-sensei. It's best if you don't think too hard on it, you might hurt yourself."

Shirou gave her a deadpan glare. 'Well two can play at this game.' He got his big sisters' attention, "Fujimura-sensei that reminds me, Rin and I need to come over after school today and talk to Raiga-san about something important. Isn't that right Rin?"

Rin stiffed for a moment before placing the sweetest, fakest smile she could on her face. "That right, I apologize in advance for the inconvenience Fujimura-sensei." Rin finished with a bow.

Taiga looked back and forth between her adopted brother and the school idol. "You need to see gramps? After school?"

"Yeah it's important." Shirou told her.

Taiga got the hint. "I'll let him know… But you know my mom is gonna give you an earful for never coming to visit right?" She warned Shirou ahead of time.

Shirou grimaced but nodded. He knew Naomi-san could be… overly affectionate. "So, can I go now?"

Taiga waved him away, "Yeah, yeah go on."

Silently thankful he was able to get away without getting roared at by his guardian, Shirou was finally able to meet the Track Trio on the roof.

"Your late!" those were the first words Shirou heard as he made his way onto the roof. They came from an irate Kaede.

Shirou humbly bowed in apology. "Sorry, sorry. I had to break up an altercation in the hallway on my way here."

Yukika looked at him worriedly. "You didn't get hurt did you Shirou-san?"

Shirou shook his head as he sat down. "No nothing like that. I just had to stop Rin and that new foreign girl, Luvia from going at it."

Yukika's mouth fell open in surprise. "Tohsaka-sempai was getting into a fight? That doesn't seem like her."

Shirou shrugged as he opened his bento. "She and Luvia seem to have bad blood with each other. Could be an old family grievance or something. I'm not really clear on the… details?" Shirou noticed the Track Trio eyed up his lunch with keen eyes. "Did you three forget to pack your lunches today?"

Kane cleared her throat. Yukika was in a rush this morning and didn't get to make lunches for the three of us."

Said girl clapped her hands together and bowed her head in apology. "I'm so sorry you two. Things have been tight at home lately and I haven't been able to go to the store and…"

Kaede waved her off. "Don't worry about it. Things happen."

Shirou understood the situation and did the only thing he could. He pushed his lunch towards the three. "Here."

The three girls looked at the food like it was a gift from Buddha then back at Shirou. Kaede looked at him an embarrassed flush on her cheeks she hoped he mistook for chill. "Emiya, are you sure?"

Shirou nodded smiling. "Go ahead, you three look like you need it more than I do."

Kane bowed respectfully. "Thank you for your kindness." She then produced her own pair of chopsticks from within her coat pockets and proceeded to dig in.

Kaede was quick to join in with a battlecry of, "Itadakimasu!"

Yukika looked at Shirou with concern in her eyes. The third-rate magus just ushered her onwards. "You'd better hurry before Kaede and Kane eat it all."

Yukika smiled. "I'll make it up to you." She promised before digging in herself. The moment she tried his omelets she knew Shirou was a five-star chef or something close to it. It was no wonder even the usually polite Kane was eating with a gusto close to that of Kaede. She dug in with relish herself entering a chopstick battle for the last octopus shaped sausage which she eventually emerged triumphant.

Once the bento was finished Yukika sat back with a smile on her face. "All in favor of Shirou-san making bento's for everyone from now on say aye."

"Aye!" the Track Trio chorused as one being.

"Motion passed." Kane said with a tone of finality.

"Wait don't I get a say in this?" Shirou already had several Servants to feed on top of Rin and himself thank you very much.

Kaede grinned maliciously. "Sorry Emiya, but you've been out-voted."

Shirou slumped there really was no arguing with women was there. "I see."

A chorus of laughter broke out on the roof, started by Yukika and even Shirou found himself joining in. Once it subsided the secret magus took control of the conversation. "So, what exactly did you want to talk to me about?"

"The foreign beauties living at your house of course, what else?" Kane was being unusually blunt.

Shirou shook his head like a wet dog. "What?"

Kaede gave him a deadpan glare arms crossed. "C'mon man, you've got two gorgeous women living with you… it's every guys fantasy. Don't tell me nothing's happened between the two of you."

"Nothing has happened between the two of us!" Shirou defended.

"Yet you mean." Kane rebutted. "Give it time. Three people… living in such close quarters… who aren't related… there's no way certain feelings won't develop." Kane paused between each point for dramatic effect.

Shirou shook his head in embarrassed denial. "We are not talking about this."

Kaede gave Shirou a playful shove. "Oh, come on Emiya! We're just messing with you… sorta. It's not our fault you have this weird harem protagonist aura around you that attracts girls like moths to a flame." Shirou squirmed uncomfortably as Kaede continued, "So can you really blame us for thinking it's only a matter of time before Harunobu-san and Romee-san, who are living in your house with you, fall for you too?"

Shirou opened his mouth to argue but they were the ones who pointed out that Rin, Sakura, Miyu, and even Ayako were carrying torches for him. He supposed it was possible. 'But Saber and Ruler are Heroic Spirits! Not that they know that… still though, the thought of those either Miyamoto Musashi or Jeanne D'arc falling for me is ridiculous. I'm just a magus and not a very good one at that.'

"Earth to Shirou, Earth to Shirou. Come in Shirou." Kaede joked.

The would-be hero was snapped out of his thoughts by his new friend. "Sorry I…"

A sudden explosion from the Middle School section of the school stopped Shirou in mid-sentence. He was on his feet in moment's covered sword in hand. "I need to go. Stay here, I'll be right back."

Shirou sprinted for the door and the echo of his footsteps could be heard.

"Well what are we waiting for, let's go!" Kaede growled heading for the door herself.

Yukika had a fearful deer in headlights look. "But didn't Shirou-san say-"

"He's no teacher, and anyway people might be hurt, you know some first aid since your brothers are always getting scraped up."

Yukika fretted a moment more, but it was her worry that some of her brothers might be hurt that spurred her into action. "Let's go."

Kane was the last one to move. "We should be careful; we don't know what's going on. At best we should hang back and help any wounded we see."

"Right, now let's go!" Kaede may be brave, but she wasn't stupid. She knew whatever caused that was dangerous. Still people could be hurt and in need of help. So, she sprinted after Shirou the other two following close behind.

Leo had just finished lunch and in all honesty, he didn't know what Shinji was so concerned about. The common rabble fell at his feet the moment he all but looked in their direction. Not that he expected any less. He was their future ruler after all. Still, Leo felt Shinji was correct in the idea that he must learn to conduct himself correctly amongst his subjects. They naturally gravitated towards him for of course they felt the charisma of their future king. But though he basked in the reverence of his subjects Leo did not forget about his mission. He had found one potential enemy master. A girl with short dark hair and jade green eyes. She kept her distance from him. Leo thought that was reason enough to consider her an enemy Master, yet the more he observed her the more intriguing he became.

The girl Miyu Satkatsuki he learned from some brief offhand questioning was the ward of one Rin Tohsaka, the Second Owner of Fuyuki City. That alone doubled the chances she was a Master… Yet at the same time, Leo found himself drawn to the standoffish girl. For unlike all the rest of his female classmates who fawned over his every move, Miyu kept her distance. She was cool and aloof, yet polite. The smile she glued on her face whenever she was forced to interact with him was forced he could tell that much but he much preferred her forced smile filled with dislike with something other than total adoration for him than that of the others around him.

'Bump-bump'.

Leo felt his heart flutter. 'That was… unusual. What was that? Was the lunch food poisoned? I know it was subpar, but it wasn't that terrible.' Again, Leo's thoughts turned to Miyu and how stunning her found her eyes when she sent a glare his way.

'Bump-Bump.'

There it is again. Leo looked at himself in the bathroom mirror and saw his face flushed. He addressed his Servant. 'Gawain could I be getting ill?'

A titter of laughter echoed in Leonardo's head. "No milord I do not think so."

'Then what is the matter with me?'

The Knight of the Sun was silent for a moment as he considered how to answer. "Well milord, these symptoms they only appear when you think of Lady Satkatsuki yes?"

Leo gave a hesitant nod. 'Indeed… do you think she's worked some sort of magecraft on me without my knowing?'

"I… don't think that's the case milord," Gawain paused for a moment before saying. "May I be frank?"

Leo nodded. "Please."

"It seems to me you've developed an… infatuation for Lady Satkatsuki."

Leo blinked. "An infatuation? You think I have feelings for her Gawain?"

"It certainly seems that way milord."

Leo shook his head, "Impossible, she is likely an enemy master. She is my enemy, a stepping stone on the way to my kingship."

"So too was Lady Igraine the enemy to Lord Uther at one time Milord. Yet they gave birth to my previous king, Arthur Pendragon." The Knight of the Sun reminded his current liege lord.

Leo couldn't refute that. All Arthurian legends pointed to Lady Igraine of Cornwall as mother of King Arthur Pendragon and Uther as the father.

"Furthermore, what is a King without a Queen… or an eventual heir?" Gawain queried.

Leo rubbed his hairless chin. "You make a compelling case Gawain. A compelling case indeed. It would be nice to have one who would challenge me and not simply bend to my every whim…" Leo slapped a fist into his palm a smile spreading across his face. "Yes, I have decided!"

Leo didn't get a chance to finish his declaration for in that moment, The Servant of the Sword materialized and casually blocked a pair of daggers that were thrown at the back of his charges head.

"Milord, get down!"

Glancing down at the daggers Leo rolled his eyes. "An Assassin? How droll. Gawain, deal with this nuisance, will you?"

The blonde knight in his resplendent white armor nodded. "Right away milord," He called out to the Assassin, "Come out and face me coward!"

Assassin materialized fully, crouched, and clinging to the bathroom mirror with a dagger in her free hand. Leo looked into her eyes and noted that they were cold and hard like lumps of amethyst had replaced the sensory organs. She had a beautiful face, something unbecoming of a Hassan-I-Subbah, with her lips arrayed in a narrow line as she focused on him, like a viper ready to strike.

Gawain was faster though spinning on his heel and swinging his gleaming pale white blade in both hands, he took out the mirror and the concrete wall behind it with little effort. Screams of innocents could be heard, and it grated on Saber to cause such distress, but his Master's safety was paramount. Yet Assassin slipped away like a snake again due to the dust his attack had kicked up and thanks to her Presence Concealment skill. Half a dozen daggers came flying out of the cloud of dust faster than bullets. The White Knight easily deflected them, but he noted that what the sharpened projectiles touched, they melted on contact.

'Those daggers can't so much as scratch Leo, he's dead if they do. I can't pursue Assassin either or I'll leave Leo exposed. Even though I can deflect the daggers she could still rush me, but I'd have the advantage in close range then… So that likely means…'

'It's a stalemate. Serenity thought to herself. 'I could rush in as I doubt that Saber 'Gawain' his Master called him, Likely the Knight of the Roundtable, has the speed to keep up with me but still… Close quarters with a Knight of the Round doesn't sound fun… But this is for Master and Shirou-san's sake.'

With her mind made up Assassin of Yellow charged the Saber. She saw him ready his blade, but she could tell at a glance that yes indeed, he was slower than her in terms of agility. She might just be able to pull this off. When Saber made for a downward chop at her head, Serenity fell down to her knees on the tile floor and slid on her knees allowing her back to touch the floor and for the keen edge of her opponents blade, likely his Noble Phantasm, to miss her by mere millimeters as she glided between his legs.

Flipping to her feet Assassin made to simply brush her hand across the boy's face. That is all she would need to do to end this, she wouldn't even need to activate her Noble Phantasm. One touch was enough to kill the boy in front of her. She reached out like a striking viper, even as she heard the sound of steel slicing through the air to take her head… Serenity closed her eyes and smiled. 'Sorry I couldn't stick around longer Miyu-sama… Shirou-san… goodbye.'

There was a sudden clang of steel biting into steel and someone was foolish enough to grab her arm, stopping her hand's advance to her target. Serenity glanced back and her amethyst eyes widened in shock.

"Shirou-san?!"

Shirou dashed through the halls of Homurahara heedless of the rules of the school or the Twilight World as he created a magic circuit out of his nerves and reinforced his legs as much as he could. People could be hurt, rules be damned!

Shirou had made good time, in under a minute he had sprinted across the school grounds to the middle school and blasted through the front doors taking the steps to the upper floors two at a time going towards the screams. What Shirou found were a couple of students flung across the hallway half buried in rubble concrete dust caking the hallway in a sepia gloom like something out of an old western movie. Shirou quickly moved the chunks of stone off the downed middle school boys and checked for their pulses… He smiled when he found they were alright.

'Probably just knocked out', he thought as he made his way into the boy's room.

What Shirou found, he didn't expect. By the looks of things, Serenity was attacking an enemy Master, and the Servant, Saber he assumed due to the gleaming white sword, Excalibur Galatine sword of Gawain' his special skill told him, was about to take her head off in the attempt.

'No.' Shirou thought, 'No one is dying here, today at school.'

With that thought in mind Shirou pulled his old man's sword out of the innocuous bag he'd kept it in all day long, and dashed into combat drawing the ceremonial sword as he went, to make sure it survived this encounter, Shirou reinforced the blade with his meager capabilities with prana.

As he charged in, he failed to notice two things. The first was the black aura that surrounded his weapon, and the second was the trio of girls who had followed him from the roof of the high school. They witnessed everything that was about to transpire.

Shirou wedged himself in-between the two heroic spirits, with one arm he grabbed Serenity's forearm, with the other, he held up his blackened sword, doing his best to block the strike of the fabled Green Knight. Shirou felt the bones in his arm break in two places and his arm dislocated with an audible 'pop'. He took a knee, grit his teeth in pain, but his sword did not give way to the Knight of the Round. Instead, golden brown eyes met shocked blue. Shirou could feel blood running down his palm from how hard he was gripping the hilt at the moment…

"Shirou-san." Serenity called out behind him in shock.

Shirou would blame it on the blood loss later but her found himself calling out through the pain. "Serenity-san, don't you know fighting in school can get you detention?" He turned to the Saber whose sword he was somehow holding back. "And that defacing school property can get you expelled?"

Seeing Shirou-san the only man who'd ever been able to safely touch her on the floor bleeding, Serenity saw red. "Zabaniya: Delusional Poison Body."

An aura of bubbling purple venom enshrouded the Assassin of Yellow then, and she leapt, like a spider at Saber clinging to him with her legs wrapped around his waist. Forcing his mouth open with her hands, Serenity forced her tongue into his mouth. Though her entire body was poisonous, to kill enemy Servants she required contact with her mucus membrane three times. Ideally through a kiss.

She only managed one before she was thrown off by the Saber and into the opposing wall, but that was enough for him to go weak in the knees and vomit blood.

No longer needing to force back Galatine, Shirou let his shattered arm drop. "Ouch."

"Gawain are you alright?" A regal slightly snobbish sounding voice asked.

The Servant of the Sword forced himself to his knees. "Milord, I apologize. I did not expect the boy to…"

For the first time, Shirou saw the boy he saved walk past him he was young, blonde, he had a charismatic air about him that gave way to arrogance. He waved away his Servant's apology. "No need to apologize, you did what was expected of you, you kept me safe." He turned and looked Shirou up and down with a curious eye. "Now, what to do with you?"

"Who… who are you?" Shirou found himself asking.

The boy cocked his head to the side. "What an odd question to ask your enemy. Yet I shall indulge you. Leonardo B. Harway. Master of Saber of Red, and future king of humanity, and you are?"

"Shirou Emiya… Master of Saber of Yellow I guess."

Leo smiled. "I see, you are a Master, yet you intervened yourself?"

"It was easier, I was right here. No need to trouble Saber over something so minor." Shirou was being his usual blunt self.

Leo nodded. He didn't see Saber other than his own. "I am stuck Shirou. On the one hand, you are my enemy in a weakened state and for me not to take advantage of this and kill you would be foolish. On the other hand, you saved my life. Something you didn't have to do."

Shirou forced himself on his feet. If he was going to die, he was going to do it on his feet, not on his knees like some punk. Shirou wasn't against killing he'd done so many times to keep the peace. To keep other people smiling he took the lives of others. But what this boy was saying that he would walk over the bodies of anyone just to become the 'King of Humanity' he couldn't understand or accept someone who had reasoning like that.

"If I were in your position I would let you go. If only because we aren't supposed to be fighting during the day." Shirou reasoned.

Leo nodded. "True we are breaking the rules aren't we?" Leo walked forward and placed his hand on Shirou's wounded arm. Heat ran up Shirou's arm as his bones snapped back together and his shoulder popped itself back into place on its own.

Leo turned and made his way towards the hole his Servant made. "As a show of kindness for sparing my life I have fixed your arm and decided to spare your own." The young would-be king made to leave when a short man in a mottled green cloak appeared before him. Leo narrowed his eyes in annoyance, "Assassin, why are you here?"

Shirou glanced at the Assassin's weapon, a crossbow made of yew. The Yew Bow of Robin Hood of Loxley his special skill told him. That was another Servant identified.

Robin Hood raised his bow and pointed it at Shirou. "Sir, I was ordered by my master via a Command Spell to take out any enemy masters should I have the chance."

"I have already decided to spare this one since he saw fit to spare my life. Surely this supersedes the Command Spell."

Shirou and the Servant stared each other down for a moment, neither flinched or looked way.

Assassin of Red felt a pair of blades settle gently against his neck. "Put the bow down nice and easy yeah?"

"Saber." Shirou said, surprised to see his Servant.

Saber still in her school uniform puffed her cheeks out in annoyance at her reckless master. "What's the big idea Shirou, going out and having all the fun without me?!"

Shirou couldn't help himself, he laughed a little. "Sorry, I just kinda reacted without thinking."

Saber waved him off, the razer edges of her swords nicking Assassin of Red's shoulder. "It's fine, its fine, next time though, bring me along yeah? It's no fun showing up late unless that's the plan of course."

Shirou felt his Servant was being far too casual in a hostage situation right now but at the same time, she put him at ease. "I'll do that."

"Good, good." Saber said happily before she focused her attention on the Assassin, she had dead to rights, her tone being harsher. "Now, I am going to move these, and you are going to get lost, understood?"

"Yes." Assassin of Red replied curtly.

Saber flipped her bladed around and planted them in their sheathes. Assassin disappeared in a flash of presence concealment. She then addressed Leo in her jovial tone. "You helped my master so your free to go… besides, blondie over there doesn't look too good." She pointed to Gawain who was looking very pale, and vomiting blood in a used paper towel receptacle.

"Yes, thank you for your assistance Saber of Yellow. You and your Master."

Saber grinned and gave Leo a thumbs up. "No problem."

"That said I have every intention of defeating you and claiming my rightful throne." Leo finished.

"Ha, we'll see about that brat. Good luck though. We'll see you on the battlefield." Despite the fact he was an enemy and she had every intention of killing him, Saber bore him no ill will.

Leo nodded, feeling irked at being called a brat. "Yes, we shall be seeing each other both on and off the battlefield. Good day to you both. Come Saber."

Pulling his head out of the trash bin the Green Knight arterialized. "Coming Master." He sent Shirou one final perplexed look before he vanished from sight.

Once the two were gone, Shirou gave a sigh of relief. "Thank god that's over." He turned to Serenity who had stayed tucked into the back wall after revealing her trump card. "You and Miyu are in big trouble.

"Umm, Emiya…"

Shirou looked out the giant gaping hole to see the track Trio peeking around the wall. All of them with gobsmacked looks on their faces.

Kaede the one who had spoken up finished. "Just what the hell was all that just now?"

'Fuck me, Rin is going to have a coronary when she finds out about this.' He rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. "Well, he began," Not sure how to tell his friends magic was real and he was a wizard, more or less. "It's complicated."

Word Count: 20,500 Number of Pages: 49 Date Completed: ?

AN: Hello loyal readers and welcome to the third chap of Fate Triumvirate that is a long time coming! Sorry it took so long but, Helios was having issues IRL so I had to find a second beta. It took a couple months to find one who was up to my standards. Everyone give IcySnowSage, my new beta, a warm welcome! That said, I hope you all enjoyed the chapter and till the next one, Bubbajack out!

And before I go Servant Profiles!

Master: Leonardo B. Harwey

Servant: Saber of Red

Secondary Classes: Rider

True Name: Gawain

Title: Knight of the Sun, The Green Knight

Gender: Male

Height/Weight: 180cm/78kg – 5'11/172lbs.

Hair/Eye Color: Dishwater Blonde/Blue

Complexion: Light

Alignment: Lawful Good

Parameters:

STR: B+ MAG: A

END: B+ LUK: A

AGI: B NP: A++

Class Skills:

Magic Resistance: Ability to outright negate magical effects. (B): Cancel spells with a chant below three verses. Even if targeted by High-Thaumaturgy and Greater Rituals, it is difficult for them to be affected.

Riding: Ability to ride mounts and vehicles. (B): Most vehicles and animals can be handled with above average skill, even vehicles that did not exist in the time period one was alive in, for they are no exception. However, cannot ride the likes of Phantasmal Species such as Monstrous Beasts.

Personal Skills:

Bercilak's Belt: (EX): Belt of the Green Knight which in some legends, Gawain was turned into by Morgan le Fey, as a Skill. Grants EX Rank Battle Continuation.

Charisma: Ability to lead both troops and nations. (E): Charisma is a rare talent, but in rare cases, there are things that can affect the personality development of the owner. In the case of Sir Gawain, this resulted in a 'Natural Knight' against whom no one could object.

Numeral of the Saint: (EX): is a condition unique to Sir Gawain's existence. Only during the three hours between 9AM and midday and the three hours between 3PM and sunset, Gawain's power increases three-fold. This was related to the ancient belief that the numeral '3' was the sacred number of the Celtic gods.

NP:

Excalibur Galatine: Resurrected Sword of Victory. Type: Anti-Army Rank: A+ Range: 20-40 Max # of Targets: 300

Lore: is the shining sword that Sir Gawain possesses. It is the sister-sword of Excalibur, also originally owned by the Lady of the Lake, but it is not as well-known as a holy sword and rarely mentioned due to having its legend hidden in the shadow of King Arthur's holy sword. While Excalibur collects the lights from the planet, Sir Gawain's holy sword is said to represent the rays of heat from the sun with a Pseudo-Sun contained in the hilt. Arthur has the providence of the night from the pedigree of the goddess of the moon, Alto and Artemis, and Gawain is the knight who receives the blessing of the sun. It is similar to its owner in that it shows its greatest power at noon, making visible the unsurpassed sharpness of the edge that sliced cleanly through both the shield and chainmail of the enemy Saracen soldier, Priamus.

Differing from Excalibur's centralized slash of light that destroys castles, Galatine brings forth a broad wave, radiation-type attack that completely annihilates an enemy army. Its sun characteristic is reflected in its activation like rays of heat from the sun. Gawain tosses the sword into the air where the pseudo sun inside creates a miniature sun before landing back in his grasp. While the sun floats overhead, he generates a large magic circle with a sun symbol in the center under him as he draws the sword behind his back. With a motion like drawing a sword, the pseudo sun, and the energy put into it, the attack extends as far as it is possible to visualize the blade of the sword, around thirteen kilometers "or so", like its prototype, Caladbolg. He unleashes a horizontal slash of flame that pierces through the enemy and erupts into a giant ball of fire that engulfs them.

Master: Julius B. Harwey

Servant: Assassin of Red

Secondary Classes: Archer

True Name: Robin Hood

Title: Green King of Sherwood Forest

Gender: Male

Height/Weight: 175cm/65kg – 5'9/146lbs.

Hair/Eye Color: Light Brown/Green

Complexion: Pale

Alignment: Chaotic Good

Parameters:

STR: D MAG: C

END: D LUK: A

AGI: A NP: D

Class Skills:

Presence Concealment: Skill of the Assassin Class. Allows one to hide one's presence as a Servant. (B+): Hides one's presence as a Servant. Suitable for spying. It is possible to disappear and become extremely difficult to be detected. The rank of Presence Concealment drops considerably when preparing to attack. Plus gained from Noble Phantasm.

Magic Resistance: Ability to outright negate magical effects. (D): Can resist single action spells, equivalent to an amulet that rejects magical energy.

Personal Skills:

Subversive Activities: Ability to take out a certain amount of the enemy before an engagement. (A): Up to 60% of enemy forces can be taken out before being engaged.

Independent Action: A skill of the Archer class. Allows the Servant to act without mana from the master. Utilized as a personal skill for this Servant. (B): Can exist in the world for up to two days without a contract.

NP:

Yew Bow: The Bow of Prayer Rank: D Type: Anti-Unit Range: 4-10 Max # of Targets: 1 Person

Lore: is a crossbow made from the wood of one of the Yew trees from the Forest of Sherwood, which Robin Hood used as his base of operations. He makes use of it as a regular bow to shoot arrows and utilizes poison arrows to poison his targets. Also, his trump card, once the bow's name is invoked, it has the ability to instantaneously amplify and surge out any impurities stockpiled in the target's stomach, such as poison and diseases. If the target is poisoned for example, it will make that poison explode like gunpowder, dealing extreme damage close to a lethal dose of poison. If invoked in the situation the target is poisoned, it strengthens the current poison already afflicting the target, increasing the poison damage in addition to extending the effect of poison by another turn, while adding the even deadlier poison of the Yew tree to stack on top of that.

The bow can materialize a number of roots that swarm around the target and take the form of a tree that subsequently bursts and withers. His Yew Bow houses ultra-nature powers such as the extremely strong poison from the Yew tree, and the ability to reproduce Sherwood Forest. Besides being simply a weapon effect, it is possible to dye the surroundings with the poison of the Yew tree with an arrow fired and pierced onto the ground acting as the origin, turning the area into a space of poison.

The Yew Bow's Noble Phantasm projectile is not an arrow, but rather an explosion trigger for the impurities within the target's body. It does not have to pierce through the body, it just has to at least touch it. Even if the target deflects the projectile, they will still explode. However, Robin Hood cannot use both the Yew Bow and No Face May King at the same time.

No Face May King: Faceless King Rank: B Type: Anti-unit (self) Range: 0 Max # of Targets: 1

Lore: is Robin Hood's hidden Noble Phantasm, magic clothing that erases any sign of the wearer. Robin Hood is an incarnation of nature, introduced and inherited as a custom of the Celts from the Beltane Festival (Spring Festival) after the establishment of the "May Festival", where participants in the festival pray to the forest spirit Jack in the green for the arrival of spring. In the May Festival, they make a circle and dance around a pillar built in the center of the village square where a boy and a girl on the cusp of adulthood would impersonate the "May King" and the "May Queen". The "May King" is a metaphor for Robin Hood, a "transparent king" who added brown accents to his green clothing so that his figure would not be seen.

At the festival, the May King magic costume of green skin is just clothing with ordinary brown accents. Needless to say, with these leaves and brown stems (the Green Man) of the costume, Robin Hood is definitely the incarnation of nature. Wearing the May King costume erases any sign so that those who wear it will naturally melt into that appearance. With this, Robin Hood holds the same level of ability as the Fairy Puck. It is said to be stronger than the Bow of Prayer on the back of his hand as a one-sided victory cheat item, disabling the readings of both of the combatants in battle. However, Robin Hood cannot use both the Yew Bow and No Face May King at the same time.

It does not hide magical energy, but it does completely conceal the wearer's sound and scent. It allows for Robin Hood to be a sniper who hides his figure in this cloak, exhibiting Assassin-like behavior. If he begins to attack, his targets can sense that he is following them, but are unable to actually detect his location.