A note from the author!

No, I haven't abandoned this story. I hit a wall with it, got distracted with other projects, and had a couple life issues to sort out. And, no, the update after this one won't take another year. Consider this chapter part 1 of the current arc (if it can be called that). Not sure if there will only be a part 2 or 3 yet. Still need to work on the storyboard for that.

Moving on, I will be reviving another highly requested story of mine for my next update. After that will be All of My Love and probably some original works on my fictionpress.

I've gotten quite a bit of comments regarding Ruler!Gil. Hopefully I've done him/her justice in this latest chapter. And for future chapters as well.

Here's to you people. Cheers. Thank you for your patience and I'll be seeing you soon.

Now, on with the show.

Chapter Nine

Servant Ruler

"The dish is simple, but exquisite," the Ruler commented from her seat. She sat at the head, where Shirou would have normally been, and held a posture of imperialism as if the Emiya Estate was her home and they all her guests. Shirou included. She gave an appreciative smile as she indulged in the meal of beef and rice stew.

"Thank you," Shirou commented politely but flatly from the other head of the table. He hardly ate a bite as he watched the woman closely. She smirked back with amusement, as if the two of them shared some secret joke, and resumed her meal in silence.

Rin had the strangest feeling welling up in her chest. One that made her cradle her bowl with both hands and scoot it closer to her chest. She kept her eyes on the extra Servant while she ate, though her glare went ignored while the Ruler shared passing glances at Shirou. It made Rin's brow twitch further.

If this woman thought she could come in here and steal her personal chef… she had another thing coming.

...Yes. The food was definitely spiked. She was not possessive about Emiya Shirou. There had to be some sort of addictive narcotic in his meals to make her go into a lapse.

Sitting on one side of the table was Caster, not touching her meal as she had her cowl over. She sat close enough to Shirou for their knees to be touching under the table, no doubt ready to defend him should this woman try something. Behind Rin with his back against the wall and arms crossed was Archer. He was fully materialized instead of his usual astral form.

"You said you were… the Ruler Servant?" Rin opened up when small talk wasn't going to be a thing. "How can that be? The Ruler can only be summoned when there is no clear winner of the Grail War and multiple Servants remain active."

The Ruler's eyes hardened without looking away from Shirou. Rin knew that ire was directed at her for… whatever reason. "Understand first, you, magus, are here as both a witness and as a courtesy to my ward. You were a guest before my arrival. I will excuse this slight only once."

"Tohsaka has been the one to explain everything about the Grail War to me," Shirou said in her defense. "I would never have asked about the Ruler Servant. I think anything she has to say will help me understand your position and how it affects me better."

Caster cleared her throat and gave Shirou a pointed look.

"Ah, and Caster as well. She was my first Servant and introduced me to the basics of the war. I trust anything she has to say will be for my benefit."

Ruler's smirk returned as she studied Shirou briefly. Her gaze then slowly shifted over towards Archer. "And do you value his opinion as well?"

"You can kill him if he speaks up," Shirou bit back sourly. Rin felt all the blood in her face drain away. Archer merely snorted.

Ruler's shoulders began to shake as her lips twitched. She brought the back of her hand over her mouth as laughter began to slip out. It escalated into a round of throaty chortles as she lifted her head back and shut her eyes. No one understood what it meant and had no choice but to wait for her to finish. Ruler calmed down after a few seconds and wiped away the corner of her eyes with her thumb.

"You mean those words," she said with laughter still in her voice. "The first emotion other than curiosity out of you and this is what I hear. I wonder, is it because he is everything you are not or because he is exactly the being you wish to become?"

Rin gave Shirou a quizzical look. She didn't know what Ruler was implying. Shirou's expression never changed as he stared dully at Ruler.

"...Do you not know who this man is?" Ruler asked with a cocked brow.

"If you are the person you claim to be, he's just like us," Shirou's answer was distant, almost reluctant to admit.

Rin quietly sipped on her tea while she studied the two of them. She had no idea what that statement implied.

Ruler hummed to herself as she stirred the bowl with her spoon idly. "It is not my place to give a Master any knowledge regarding a rivalring Master's Servant. I can neither confirm nor deny your assumptions. However… I might be privy to give you such information depending on what is decided this evening."

Shirou's eyes narrowed as his hands clenched on top of the table. Ruler noticed and took delight in his expression. Her eyes flickered across his face, assessing every detail, critiquing the smallest of twitches, and found them rewarding. Her chin was raised just a little higher with pride.

"To answer your first inquiry," Ruler began, nudging her head towards Rin… without fully acknowledging her existence, "the class of Ruler is designated to Servants who have been summoned for the sake of maintaining order and law within the Holy Grail War. We are to ensure a victor can be decided, ensure the secrecy of the war is maintained, and that we preserve the sanctity of human history. The will of the Grail itself has brought me here in response to your presence."

The table was silent as Ruler leaned forward, folding her hands together under her chin with her elbows propped. She waited patiently for Shirou's response.

"You said that earlier," Rin spoke up when Shirou wasn't going to say anything. He was just… staring off into space. "What does Emiya have to do with this? Surely being in possession of two Servants doesn't warrant the need of a Ruler, does it?"

In the Third Holy Grail War, the Edefelt representatives had used their family's magecraft to summon two Sabers. That incident hadn't warranted the attention and need of a Ruler.

Ruler's eyes flickered towards Rin but did not land on her. Those crimson orbs narrowed before returning to Shirou's position. "You value this one's opinion but do not share with her the reason I am here?"

Shirou shut his eyes briefly and… listened for something. It was a habit she had seen him do more than once. She had always thought he was listening to Caster in her astral form. But Caster was sitting beside him. It couldn't have been Saber as she was gone and never once went into her astral form. Then… all along, who had he been listening to?

"It's better she does not know," Shirou said when he opened his eyes. "It's more effective this way."

Rin felt more than just suspicion swell up in her. She felt betrayal. Anger boiled in her. Had she not earned his trust after everything they've been through? Or did Shirou not understand the position he was in? She was the Second Owner, the legitimate and legal governess of the land as is dictated by the Mage Association. All things magical went through her first. And yet Shirou had the audacity to go behind her back with this?

"Oh?" Rin's eyes narrowed on him. She voiced her thoughts rather than letting this chance slip away. "That's quite bold of you to say, Emiya-kun. I may be another Master and you'd like to keep this secret to yourself for that sake. But you forget I am also the Second Owner. Will you still deny me this knowledge?"

Ruler folded her hands under her chin as a smile graced her lips. She watched Shirou intently.

He, on the other hand, wouldn't dignify her to meet her gaze. He exchanged a brief look with Caster, who gave him a quizzical raise of the brow. Whatever he found through her made his brows furrow before shifting his gaze towards his hands. He let out an audible sigh before finally looking back at Rin.

"If my life is truly ever in danger, she will come to save me," he said.

That couldn't have been it. He was too ready to respond. But… she also couldn't deny the weight behind his words. It made her question her role as a Master. It made her question Shirou, specifically his complete lack of self-preservation.

He thought he was invincible because he had an Incarnation at his beck and call. And he was right. Nothing in Rin's arsenal could stop that monster when she had her sights set on something. She was fortunate enough to keep that force of nature calm with a bit of cooking and tearing up the flowers in her garden. Had she managed to anger the Incarnation…

Her eyes loomed back over to Ruler, whose grin had grown to one of adoration and pride. Rin now understood the importance of Ruler being summoned. No Master could truly challenge Shirou. It was just unfair. He, the moron, or genius, had thrown himself into the heart of danger numerous times in the war. His Servants had protected him through most of it. But if his life was to be forfeited…

Her mental focus went to Archer next. Her Servant had sensed a disturbance at the school and went on her orders to investigate. He had saved Shirou from Rider. But, knowing what she knew now, it was more like Archer had saved the entire school, maybe most of Old Fuyuki, from the wrath of one of Gaia's hands.

"Which brings us back to the reason of my being here," Ruler spoke up, her golden bracelets jingling as she swept a hand across to gesture at Shirou. "Your existence cannot be tolerated so long as you involve yourself in the Holy Grail War. By default, you are the victor for the simple fact no Master or Servant can best you. This undermines the purpose of the rite. Therefore, to proceed with the ritual, I must staple your involvement with penalties and regulations.

"First and foremost, you will forgo all direct involvement with the interactions and proceedings within the war itself. This means instigations, alliances, and parlays against your fellow Masters are barred.

"Second, you are barred from having direct interaction with your Servants outside of designated areas. You may converse and delegate how they are to conduct in the war within the confines of your home, Kotomine Church, or the Lev Athan International, where I will be staying until the war is concluded."

Rin cocked a brow at the mention of Kotomine Church. That spot was designated as neutral territory. No one could fight within the walls as it was a haven for Masters who wished to relinquish their status or wait out the war should they lose their Servant. It went against the rules if Ruler stated Shirou could command his Servants within this territory.

"Third, you will be at my side whenever available until a victor is decided authentically," Ruler continued, this time with a more pleased smirk. "I shall be your chaperone to both enforce these commands as well as to ward off those inane enough to assault you. My word is law. These are unconditional."

"And what would happen if I refuse to cooperate?" Shirou asked what was on Rin's mind.

"Then you revoke your status as a Master," Ruler responded readily. "Your Command Seals will be confiscated and your Servants disqualified. The moderator is a trained exorcist and knows the ritual to banish spirits. If needed, I will execute them myself."

Caster tensed.

"And what if I still choose to remain involved in the war?" Shirou challenged. Ruler's eyes narrowed. Caster's head snapped around. Rin leaned a bit over to pinch his thigh; it went ignored. "The only reason why I joined in the first place was to minimize the casualties. I can't turn a blind eye if innocents are getting caught up in this."

Ruler's eyes hardened as she judged him, like a queen who had decided the fate of a criminal but was considering how to conduct their execution. She said nothing, leaving a stagnant silence in the room. Rin could hear her heart racing as she felt a spike of mana.

"You and I both know what will happen if that is the case," her voice was cold, losing all of its prior amusement. "There is a reason why I am here and not any other Heroic Spirit."

Shirou fell silent again as he stared at Ruler. No, not stare at her. Through her. His face maintained its expression as his body went still. It was as though time had stopped around him. Rin wasn't even sure if he was breathing. Before she could peer further, he released a strained huff of air through his nose. He shut his eyes and sat up a little straighter.

"Very well," he said with heavy reluctance. "I guess there's nothing I can really do about it. I'm sorry Tohsaka, it looks like I won't be able to help you after all. But, Ruler, I would like to push she be allowed to stay here. She was my guest regardless of her status as another Master."

She might have felt something for the twerp if he hadn't been holding back on her. All she saw was him taking pity on her for her circumstances. How many times had he told her he couldn't see her as an enemy? She felt stupid for thinking it was out of ignorance.

"So long as business involving the war isn't being managed within these walls, I shall allow it," so Ruler decreed with a nod and wave of her hand. She mirrored Shirou's posture as she tucked her arms under her chest. "However, this does not mean she is unable to turn against you and assault your Servant present. I am only forbidding you from interacting, regardless of what may transpire."

"I have no intention of fighting Emiya-kun." Yet. Rin almost let that word slip out.

"That is for you to decide," Ruler waved her off as unimportant. Again. Her attention never moved away from Shirou. "Tomorrow henceforth are you to escort me around town. I would like to review the lands in which I am to moderate. Though my business is primarily with you, I am still the Ruler and must maintain the order and sanctity of the Holy Grail War. I am but of flesh and blood and cannot be in two places at once."

"You know, I also have a life," Shirou grumbled with his brows furrowing. "I have things to do outside of the war."

"Your burdens became second the moment you accepted the position of Master," Ruler fired back. "Do not forget the commands I have given you."

"Fine, fine," Shirou sighed as his shoulders sagged in defeat. "Is there anything else you need to tell me?"

"That is of the most importance," Ruler said with a dip of her head. "Further details can be discussed on the morrow. I shall leave you to let this all settle. Reflect on my words and the foolishness of your actions."

She stood with the grace of a lion while Shirou did so with the grace of an old goat. He grunted something under his breath and put a hand up for Caster to remain seated. Rin chose too by that gesture. Her eyes followed the two of them as Shirou escorted Ruler out of the dining area and into the hallway.

...The Ruler gave one last look at Archer before slipping away. Rin had no idea what it meant. Was it because he hadn't spoken at all during the discussion? Or was it due to Shirou's indignation towards him?

She heard no other words as the door opened and closed. Shirou came back without hesitation.

"Well… that happened," Caster muttered before reaching for her cold cup of tea. She wove a spell to reheat it before taking a sip.

"There is a saying about reaping what you sow," Archer added his two-cents.

Shirou gave him a dirty look before dropping it to address Rin, "Is there anything we can do about her? I mean, it's not like she's going to be watching me all the time. She didn't leave anything behind to survey me."

"That you know of," Rin pointed out. "I know very little about the Ruler class because it's never been summoned before. There was never a need for it. I only know so much about it from my father's books. It's a failsafe program within the Holy Grail War if certain… extreme conditions are met. And you fit the bill to a T, Emiya-kun."

"So you're saying you're as clueless as we are," Caster didn't hold back her sneer.

Rin pretended to be the adult and let it go, "I'm saying she is as much of a Heroic Spirit as you and Archer are. But as you both wield Noble Phantasms that dictate your class, so too would she. The problem is… I have no idea what that might be. Even knowing her identity, there could be any number of things that could grant her status as Ruler.

"Gilgamesh is the oldest known hero of legend and was the king of Babylonia with plenty of feats in his epic. Or… her, in this case. She might have some regalia that gives her divine protection, clairvoyance, or raw destructive power. Her Noble Phantasm could even be her status as a demigod. And who knows what perks that includes. I'm only saying we don't know enough about her in general to jump to any conclusions."

"That doesn't help me at all," Shirou said.

"You're right," Rin leaned against the table, elbows propped and lips pressed against her knuckles. "She didn't say your Servants couldn't participate in the war. Only that you couldn't. Frankly, it's not much different than what I told you earlier. But in regards to our alliance? I might mention that I am targeting Berserker and Caster just-so-happens to go after the same Servant."

"But then raises the problem of coordination," Archer, of all people, spoke up to counter her. "We can't share information, can't coordinate a strike, and we can't plan any further cooperation afterwards. You might be able to get away with so much by discussing with Caster outside, but she'll have to tell the idiot at some point about our plans. As he is her Master, this goes against Ruler's first command."

"Not if I work independently," Caster interjected. "I use Shirou mostly as livestock anyways. We're not exactly going against the rules if Shirou doesn't know anything."

"Yes but is that by your own will or the will of your Master?" Archer challenged. "Frankly, Caster, you don't strike me as the sort to work well with others. I think the lack of a certain blue Servant reinforces my suspicions."

Caster only glowered at him.

"Archer is right," Rin breathed out. "I'm not willing to bet Ruler being fooled by a flimsy plan. Suppose we do deal with Berserker and his Master, what then? The alliance was going to only last until then. Any further interaction will need Shirou's input and we don't even know if we're being watched as we speak."

As she said this, she gave Shirou a pointed look. He had his arms crossed with his eyes flickering towards whoever was speaking. He had been listening to everyone and was now thinking to himself. He closed his eyes and scratched the back of his head.

"I don't know," he said with a bit of weariness in his voice. "I was hoping you could come up with something, Tohsaka. You know more about the war than I do."

"...I'll think of something," she chose to say after considering her options. "I'm returning to my house tomorrow anyways. My workshop was spared from the fire, including the grimoires and tomes about the Grail War. I'll see if I can find anything we can exploit."

He gave her a soft smile of relief and appreciation. "Thank you. No matter what happens, you're more than welcome to stay here for as long as you need to. I'll fight Ruler myself if she says otherwise."

"Please don't," she gave him a flat look. "In fact, don't leave this house. Ever. Now that I know all of Fuyuki might become the next Atlantis, I don't think I can trust you on your own."

"But you didn't trust me in the first place," he said a little too casually, even for a joke.

"This and that are two different things!" she blurted out with a bit of heat in her voice. "I thought you were an idiot with no sense of danger. Now I realize you're an idiot with no concern for others! Do you realize that you can bring the full wrath of a being no one here is qualified to deal with if you so much as trip and crack your head on the counter's edge?!"

"I'm always thinking about others," Shirou countered with his own anger rising.

"Yes, by throwing yourself to the flames," she rolled her eyes. "Wanna talk about how you tried to stop Shinji by falling into his obvious trap? Or how you let me shoot you with my Gandr curse? Or stand up against the goliath that is Berserker?! Gods, Emiya! You've always been like this for as long as I've known you! From Ayako's potential rapists, to pretending the archery club incident was an accident, to even now with Ruler! A normal person would have learned by now to avoid danger! But no! You shrug it off and head back into the fray, completely inconsiderate of those around you!"

Heat had risen up to her face while her fists shook under the table. She had no idea where all of this came from. It was more than just the past few days of babysitting him on his suicide quest. It had come from the years of knowing him, watching him from a distance, and letting those around her deal with him instead.

Maybe it was her rising voice or the look in her eyes, but something had struck Shirou. He had recoiled as if she had slapped him, eyes widening and mouth slightly parted. His eyes searched through hers, flickering back and forth. He had to look away as he mulled over her words while she forced herself to calm down.

"A… normal person would?" she heard him ask.

She pressed a few fingers to her brow to suppress the growing migraine. "Yes, Emiya-kun, normal people have this thing called danger awareness. It's this primal instinct that tells us to not stick our hand in an open fire. Something you seem to lack because you have the worst possible guardian angel over your shoulder."

She could see the gears turning in his head. Everyone could. Shirou seemed unusually bothered by this. She could see him try to listen to that unknown source, only this time questioning it back. She saw doubt in his eyes.

"Emiya-kun?" she asked, tilting her head so to see him better. Something not unlike concern came to her before she reminded herself she was still mad at him.

"Yeah, I, uh…" he snapped back to reality as he looked across the table. He started to stack bowls and utensils. "I… just have a few things to think about."

"At least let me help with the cleanup," she stood and followed him to the kitchen.

"Thanks," he craned his head to give her a smile that wasn't as reassuring as it was trying to be. "But I got this. You can help me next time if you like."

"You've gone and done it now," Caster brushed past her before giving her a sideways glance. "You went and said the magic word. He's going to be like this for the rest of the night."

"This isn't the first time I've called him out on his behavior," she quipped back. She got no response as the Servant of the Spell went to her Master's side. "Then I'm retiring to my room for the night. I'll see you both in the morning, I guess."

She waved a hand over her shoulder to tell them they were no longer her problem. Only then did she excuse herself and head out of the dining room. Archer had dematerialized and she knew from their connection he was right behind her. She passed by Sakura's room, noticing the lights were still on through the cracks of the doorway before dismissing it.

"You know he's hiding more than that, right?" Archer spoke as soon as she was back in her room.

"I'm not an idiot," she spoke in a low voice. Though she couldn't hear Sakura on the other side of the wall, that didn't mean it couldn't be said otherwise. Sakura was always a quiet person. "He didn't take too long giving me information he was so reluctant to give before. But what concerns me more is what else he is hiding besides having an Incarnation in his back pocket."

"Is that what you got from it? You sure we're not missing something else?"

She scoffed as she plopped down on the bed. "Please. Emiya-kun wears his emotions on his sleeve. He's always had the world's worst poker face for as long as I've known him. He can't lie or keep a secret for his life."

"...He kept the existence of an Incarnation from you, the Second Owner," Archer's voice fell flat.

"T-That's different!" she hissed and threw a pillow at where she knew he was standing. It flew across the room and landed with a thud on the floor. "Even he didn't know what it was. Emiya-kun is completely clueless about these things. Believe me, you have to either be a genius or genuinely insane to look like a lost lamb."

"You know, they say those are two-halves of the same coin. Humor me on something, Rin. What if he is a genius or a psychopath and has been deceiving you all this time?"

"I didn't say psychopath."

"I'm saying it."

Rin kicked her feet against the bedrest as she considered Archer's question. She honestly couldn't see dumb, clueless, wide-eyed Shirou being some manipulative mastermind. "If, and this is a big if, he's either one of those things, then I'll need to reconsider every little exchange he and I have ever had. And not just about the war either. I would… need to go as far back as when I first met him."

Archer let the conversation end there while Rin thought further about her. She leaned back, being supported by her palms as she continued to kick her feet in a rhythm.

0-0-0

"Are we being monitored?" Caster asked once they were back in his room.

"No," Shirou answered honestly as he busied himself with filling in his notebook. This latest entry was about Ruler. He left no detail about her mannerisms, her choice of words, her expressions, and so on.

"Then how do you suppose the Ruler plans on enforcing her… rules?"

"By threatening me with the lives of the city as well as the secret of my identity," Shirou answered without pausing once in his writing. "She seems to know me well enough to discern what I am. Therefore she knows how I work. She can provoke me if I don't fall in line and I will be forced to defend myself. If I want to kill her, I would need to put in more effort than usual. Lives will be lost in the collateral and I won't be able to hide my existence from Rin."

"And then you will have to either kill her or risk the Mage Association learning about you."

"Killing her will alert them anyways," he said while snapping the book shut. He sat still as he stared off into nothingness. "Kotomine will have to report it. Killing him to hide the secret will only alert the Church. It will escalate from there."

"Damned if you do, damned if you don't," Caster sighed. "Why is this always the case with you? I can't believe I'm saying it but I would like Saber present. I've no idea what to do and could use a second opinion."

Shirou said nothing as he began putting his notebooks into their sealed bags and sticking them under his 'secret' compartment.

"Is it really so bad?" she asked again. "For someone as powerful as you are, you sure like to limit what you can do with it."

"I am to defend humanity, not be its adjutant," he turned to face her. His eyes did not fail to look into hers despite being nothing more than an incorporeal spirit. "They placing limits on me is only illusionary. It's no different than Fuji-nee grounding me. She can tell me what I can or can't do all she wants, but she can't stop me from doing what I want or need."

A chilling thought came to Caster. "Shirou. Did you purposely allow that Bounded Field to stay up long enough… so you could cook again?"

"There is no need for me to do anything at the moment," Shirou ignored her accusation. "The threat I detected before has yet to surface again. It might be gone completely. I am content with following along with Ruler's demands. At least until something worthy of my attention makes itself present."

Caster wanted to strangle this boy. Something shifted in his eyes. Of course he was aware of her intent. Not like she was actually going to go through with it. Even if he let her, she doubted she could kill him.

"Then I take it you have no interest in the Grail War?" she chose to ask instead of bothering. She forgot she was talking to a brick wall.

"I care about the wish being made in the end." He paused to listen to the whispers of Alaya. He was about to continue before human emotions returned to him. His eyes flicked to the door. "Caster, we'll continue this another time. Can you work on the Bounded Field outside?"

"Yes, yes. Enjoy the night with your paramour. But so help me, Shirou, if you don't treat her right…"

Caster let the shallow threat hang as a light knock came on the door. Shirou called out for them to enter and a sheepish Sakura opened the door. She stepped in, shutting the door behind her. Her head was bowed with a light blush on her cheeks. She seemed out of breath as she clutched the hem of her nightgown.

"Sempai…" her voice was a whisper. Slowly, she began to raise the skirt. "I need your help again."

Caster turned and slipped out of the room. But not before giving Shirou another warning glare she knew he noticed.

0-0-0

Rin threw her pillow at Archer when he came to wake her up, following her orders. Naturally the pillow hit nothing as he was in his astral form. She laid there for a couple more minutes before rolling out of bed, hitting the floor with her hind up in the air, and drag herself towards the washroom.

After a good hour of morning necessities, Rin let out a long yawn as she made her way to the kitchen. The walkway was too bright as she had to cross through the open terrace of the gardens and the accursed sun was out. She also heard birds chirping, which made her want to plug her ears until she made it towards her destination.

Then, there was a sight that made her want to gouge her eyes out.

"The soup is ready, Sempai," Sakura smiled lovingly with the pink apron Rin had seen hanging with the matching blue pair.

"Thank you Sakura," Shirou smiled back at her as he continued to work on his side of the stove. "Can you prepare the salad next?"

"Yes," she nearly sang as she moved towards the fridge. She gave a light gasp as she pulled out a carton from the fridge. "Sempai, you forgot about this!"

Shirou blinked and looked at her. "Oh. I'd have to have made a different meal without it. Thank you Sakura."

She went to hand it to him. Their fingers touched and they looked into each other's eyes. Their touch lingered longer than needed. A faint blush colored Sakura's cheeks.

Rin made her presence known as she cleared her throat. Both cooks leapt in surprise, nearly dropping the carton before Shirou caught it. Sakura backed away quickly and made it her life's work to hide her face from Rin.

"Oh, good morning, Tohsaka," Shirou gave her a nervous smile. "I didn't see you there."

"Good morning, Emiya-kun," Rin gave him a polite reply before taking her usual seat at the table.

She watched them work in silence, this time avoiding making any form of contact with another other than the occasional glance. They were dancing around each other now that she was here. It would have been cute if it hadn't been so early in the morning.

At least Sakura was in a better mood. Or putting up a convincing front.

"Hello, home invasion!" someone called out from the entry hallway.

Shirou dropped his spatula immediately and nearly tore off his apron. He said hurriedly as he tossed it onto the hook, "Sakura I need you to finish. I didn't know Hota-nee was coming over!"

"I got this, Sempai," Sakura said as she accepted the mission that determined her boyfriend's fate. Without missing a beat did she resume his cooking duties.

Shirou literally dove for the dining table by the time Otoko appeared in the dining room. Her eyes snapped upon Shirou with a narrowed gaze, searching for anything wrong with his profile. He looked comfortable (as much as someone who almost got caught red-handed could look) as he laid on his side, elbow propped, and hand on his cheek. His head peeked up with eyes widening slightly.

"Oh hey, Oto-nee," he greeted casually. "I didn't know you were coming over."

Rin watched him closely. Archer's words rang in her head. Shirou sensed her gaze and gave her a blank, clueless look. She couldn't read anything off of that expression… which made her eyes narrow further.

"...What did you do this time?" Otoko's voice fell flat as she proceeded into the room. Her eyes never left Shirou's position.

"Me?" Shirou sat up and gave her a light glower. "I didn't do anything."

"You only call me 'Oto-nee' whenever you're trying to butter me up," she countered. "Sakura, did this fool help with the kitchen at all?"

Rin's attention (as well as everyone else's) shifted towards the plum-haired girl. Sakura squeaked in surprise at being put on the spot like this. Her eyes shifted around as she couldn't look Otoko in the eye, "N-No… Sempai was just laying there waiting for me to finish. I'm almost done. Would you like some breakfast, Neko-san?"

"Hmmmmmmm?" Otoko's eyes narrowed into slits as she stared down Sakura. It made the girl fidget further. Otoko ended up sighing and brushing a hand through her hair, "Whatever. I suppose it's fine considering all the crazy that's been going on. I won't tell Taiga about this. Yes, Sakura-chan, I would love some breakfast."

The house went back to normal after that. Otoko took a seat at the table (offering Rin a good morning as well) while Shirou stretched for the television remote just centimeters outside his reach. He slammed a hand on the mat when he accidentally knocked it further away. Instead of getting up, he inched himself like a worm to get it. By the time he did, Sakura came with several plates of food. He turned the television to a news channel while she served the food.

"By the way," Otoko said as she picked at her food before everyone was ready. "This is totally your cooking."

"Itadakimasu," Shirou clapped his hands together and ignored her.

Rin did the same and chose to dig in but not before diving into small talk, "Hota-san, was it? How exactly do you know Emiya-kun, if you don't mind me asking?"

"It's Hotaruzuka, actually," Otoko said between bites. "But everyone calls me Neko."

Rin tried to keep her smile as polite as possible.

Otoko continued without noticing a thing, "Taiga is his legal guardian and I've been her friend for as long as I can remember. And we've known him since he was adopted by Kiritsugu. That was… ten years ago, right, Shirou?"

Kiritsugu. Emiya Kiritsugu. The Magus Killer himself and a contender of the Fourth Holy Grail War. He represented the Einzbern family in the last war. Beyond that, he was an enigma. Rin's father never confronted the man and so didn't leave behind any notes about him. All she knew about him was his reputation from the Clock Tower.

Rin paused in her eating— nothing more than a short breath long. Shirou had noticed and gave her a quick glance. His expression was unreadable as he returned to Otoko.

"It'll be ten years in a couple weeks, yeah," he returned calmly. He blinked as if realizing something. "Neh, Hota-nee, did you happen to visit Fuji-nee?"

"I did," her mood soured at the topic change. "The doctors said she'll make a full recovery and will keep an eye on her for the next few days. She's only suffering from fatigue since she was so far away from the nauseous gas."

"Nauseous gas?" Shirou asked with his brows furrowing.

"I thought you knew," Otoko gave him a second glance. "Oh, that's right. You were home waiting for that phone call. What was it about? Anyways, the police are saying some dangerous chemicals got released from the school's plumbing. Things to help dispose of waste and all that. It got mixed up with some other big named stuff and created toxic gas. That's why some people were only knocked out while the others…"

"I see," Shirou frowned and fell into silence.

"Sakura," Otoko gave the other girl a soft, sympathetic look. "How are you doing? I… I heard about Shinji."

Sakura put down her utensils. She didn't say anything as she stared down at her hands. A few breaths later did she look back at Otoko. Her eyes were dull as she gave a small smile, "I'm doing okay, Neko-san. It's a lot to take but… Sempai was here for me."

She gave Shirou a more natural smile and a sideways glance. Rin did not miss the fragment of a second where Sakura gave her a dirty look. She would have missed it if she hadn't been expecting it before. Sakura returned to her neutral expression right after.

"That's good," Otoko sighed with relief. "Family is what you need right now. I'll let you borrow my future husband until you're feeling better."

Sakura's cheeks reddened as she silently ate her meal.

The rest of the conversation came to an abrupt halt as Shirou hit the table's edge with his knee. He stood up so suddenly he hadn't realized his position. Plates rattled and some food spilled out.

"Shirou, what the heck?" Otoko said while scooping some rice back onto her plate.

Rin's Command Seals began to burn. A Servant had appeared within the vicinity… and Shirou had detected it sooner than her.

On another note, she sent a mental rant to Archer for not warning her sooner. Just what was he doing up there on the roof?

"There's something I forgot to—" Shirou began as he moved around the table to head towards the entrance. She wasn't sure if she was going to follow him or not. The decision was robbed of her when he clicked his tongue. The door opened on its own. Footsteps could be heard approaching.

"Good," the haughty voice of Ruler could be heard. "Greeting me upon my arrival. It looks like some habits are learned well and remain true."

Shirou said something but it was in a hushed, urgent tone.

"Speak properly and clearly. You are in your own dwelling. Or are you ashamed of the company you keep? If you cannot speak proudly in your own abode then perhaps you shouldn't speak at all."

The footsteps came closer. Rin took in a sharp breath as Ruler appeared. She was in another brand name outfit that made Rin green with envy. It declared nothing but excessive wealth and only emphasized her natural beauty. That, combined with the gold jewelry and overwhelming presence of charisma, demanded the attention and appreciation of everyone in the general area. Ruler posed, placing a hand on her hip as she let them all soak her in while appraising each person individually.

Rin glanced at the table. Sakura's eyes were wide and her complexion paled. Her eyes flicked back and forth between Ruler and Shirou (who kept glaring at the back of the Servant's head). Her expression shifted, gradually turning from shock, to scandal, to doubt, and then accusation. Her eyes hardened as her dead glare landed on Shirou.

Otoko was just frozen in place. Rin recalled she interrupted yesterday's breakfast over a newscast interview with… Ruler. Otoko was a fan of hers.

"Sempai… who is this?" Sakura's voice was as flat as the table they were eating on.

"S-Sakura!" Otoko sputtered in absolute shock. Her eyes were crazed as she pointed with both hands at Ruler. "Aren't you a young maiden in love?! How could you not know who this is?! This is the number one pop idol in all—"

"I can speak for myself," Ruler snapped as she shifted her stance. Her eyes fell on Sakura, judging her harsher than anyone else at the table. Her crimson orbs narrowed slightly as she turned and gestured a hand behind her. "I am this pup's trainer. I've taken the time to ensure my lessons with him have stuck. Unfortunately, I find him to be spoiled and lazy. You needn't worry as you will have him back when I am done with him."

Sakura shrank in on herself as her eyes widened further. Her stare shifted over to Shirou, searching through him to tell her everything was wrong.

"I am not spoiled and lazy," Shirou grumbled sourly, more like a child than a young man. "How'd you even get in here? I know I locked the door when you left last night."

Otoko's gasp couldn't be missed as the room fell into silence. Nor could the smack of Rin's hand rocketting to her forehead. This idiot.

"...What?" Shirou blinked as he looked across the room.

"What do you mean WHAT?!" Otoko slammed her hands onto the table and rose to her feet. "Your adoptive sister is in the hospital, Sakura is mourning over her brother, and you brought another girl here after hours? Do you have no shame, Emiya Shirou?!"

Ruler gave an amused chortle as she reached into cleavage and pulled out a silver key. "I came of my own accord, unannounced in the late evening. As for right now? I was given this key to use at my leisure. That was… six? Seven years ago?" She glanced over her shoulder to give Shirou a questioning look.

"And you're childhood friends?!" Otoko almost screamed. "And you didn't tell me?!"

The one who reacted the worst by this was Sakura. Her eyes were locked on the key but not necessarily seeing it. Her mind was elsewhere. Nothing at this point would break her from this spell. She had shut herself off from the world.

His eyes were laser focused on the key. He spoke lowly, almost in complete monotone. "I gave that to Shishou. You are not him."

He tried to swipe it out of her grip. She pulled it away with quick, expectant reflexes. His stare met her eyes; he didn't glare, only staring blankly. She returned with a bored expression before dismissing him and returning the key to her private person. Shirou's eyes followed it.

Rin couldn't stop her brow from rising. He wasn't going to try to reach in there for it… was he?

"Enough with introductions," Ruler waved a hand to clear the air. "I am here for the whelp. My time is sparse and there is much to do. Come boy, remember you are to accompany me across town."

"Wait!" Otoko called out as soon as Ruler turned to leave. Her face was flustered as she extended a shaking hand towards her. "Can… Can I shake your hand before you go?"

Ruler's crimson eyes studied her, then the hand, then back to her. She gave a crisp, "No," before heading back into the hallway. Strangely… Otoko flushed and cradled her hand close to her chest as if her pop idol did indeed touch it. She had a stupid smile as she sat back down.

Shirou's eyes had followed Ruler's steps even as she went out of sight. His eyes slid across the wall as if he could see through them. He blinked, shifted around on the balls of his heels, and then let out a long, weary sigh. He exchanged a look with Rin, who gave him a shrug, before looking at the others. His eyes lingered on Sakura the longest.

"Sakura?" he called out to her.

There was no response from the girl.

"I think you better go, Emiya-kun," Rin told him. "Before you make things worse. Don't worry, I'll clean up your mess for you."

He did that thing again. He craned his head to the side and listened to something. She very highly doubted it was Caster at this moment. Whatever he heard made his brows furrow. He glanced once more at Sakura, contemplated his options, before addressing them all aloud.

"I'll be back before dinner," he said before excusing himself from the house.

0-0-0

"Your Servant is to remain," Ruler said as she made herself comfortable in the backseat of the black Lexus. Her driver held the door open for Shirou to step in, who hesitated at her decree. He relented, telling the Caster to continue her work on the Bounded Field around his house (being seen as talking to nothing over his shoulder) before stepping in. Her driver, a weak-willed man who was questioning his sanity, gave Shirou an odd look before closing the door behind him.

They were out of the neighborhood in a matter of minutes.

"You know, I did have things to do today," Shirou gave her a bit of bite in his words.

A grin spread across her lips as she eyed him. She took in everything about his face. The way his brows furrowed, the way his eyes narrowed, the slight curve of his lips, the look of annoyance and immaturity— all of it. It was so well-made. So professional. Like a statue molded by a master's hands.

But that's all it was. A statue. It lacked the passion to be anything else.

Still, she couldn't help but admire its artistry.

"Yes, as you've said before," she crossed one leg over the other as her smile shifted to one of amusement. "And yet here you are with me."

His eyes narrowed. A look of suspicion mixed in with annoyance? Some slight aggression? She felt a shiver of delight run up her spine. He was good. Very good. He was almost deceptively human.

"Who are you?" he asked through a tense voice.

"Did you not hear anything I said last night?" she returned rhetorically.

"You are not the person you are claiming to be," he said steadily, flatly. "You may look like him, you might have his name, but you are not him. Shishou died by the Beast five years ago. I don't recognize you."

She watched him in silence. He never blinked. He stopped breathing. He stopped being human. It was here where she realized she had upset him. Well, his own version of disconcert anyways.

"You think me an imposter?" she cocked a brow.

"I know you're not lying about your identity," he said, his expression now perfectly resembling that of a statue. "You are Gilgamesh of Uruk. You are the Servant Ruler. But you are not my predecessor. And I know there is another soul within you."

Her smile turned crooked, "The whispers of Alaya are clear with you. He speaks to you more than any of the last generation, including myself. Yes, there is another dwelling within me. Rather, I am the one overruling her existence. Tell me, do you know why you have not detected the presence of the Assassin?"

"...Because he hasn't been summoned yet."

"Correct," she nodded once. "There is a rule within the Holy Grail War. There must always be seven Servants and seven Masters. I am the seventh Servant, being brought into the war ever since you took up the mantle of Master."

"And who is your Master?"

"The only being on this planet who could meet my standards," she answered, running a hand from her chest and all the way down to her leg, admiring the beauty of everything she touched along the way. "She asked for this, did you know? She wanted to become a queen. She is my summoner and my host. But do not worry for her safety. My existence acts as a shell to protect her. If you were to harm me, she would be untouched."

He looked away from her, listening to the words of Alaya only he could hear. He didn't try to hide it as most others had. He had grown too accustomed to it, even for one who had masterfully blended in with human society.

"In some regard, you are right," she continued. "I did die on that night, trying to slay Gaia and end the world. Slain by you, usurper. But such an event left quite the impression on my core. It resonated within the Throne of Heroes so deeply it was etched into my legend. You alone have added to the Epic of Gilgamesh. I retain all those memories, including my time with you. It is I who sculpted those expressions you wear. This, you cannot deny."

She said nothing else as she turned away from him, propping her hands over her knee and staring out of the windshield. She knew her driver, given to her by the company of her living host, kept giving her estranged glances through the rear-view mirror. They went ignored as she examined the approaching spires of New Fuyuki.

0-0-0

"It would seem your childish need to throw a tantrum hasn't changed," she mused as she took in the damaged tower several blocks away. The top third was missing with a clean cut going diagonally upward. There wasn't any rubble to be seen as if the missing section had been obliterated instantaneously. "Let me guess. Someone wasn't using a certain weapon properly in your presence?"

"...Why do you assume I had something to do with that?" he asked defensively, crossing his arms and pouting. Now that they were in the hustle and bustle of a metropolitan area, he had returned to his human persona.

"I suppose the Saber could have done it…" she mused, curling a few fingers under her chin and tucking the elbow on a crossed arm. "But given the angle… it must have been shot off not by any rooftop in the vicinity. It seems to have come from Kotomine Hill. I've no doubt my beautiful Saber could have dislodged the building of its top even at that distance, but there would have been also damage around the general area as well. This is too clean. It could only be done with the work of someone who was guided by Alaya itself."

"Now you're just grasping at straws," he grumbled back.

"Perhaps," she gave him a knowing smile before heading off. "Come. We're almost to our first destination."

She ordered her driver to leave them at the heart of the city. He insisted otherwise (spewing something about losing his job for not escorting her around a dangerous area) and was ignored when she got out at the first red light. Naturally, her charge followed on her impulse and they wandered through the sidewalks of New Fuyuki. Her driver had tried to follow them but got stuck in the traffic.

Moments later they walked into the reception of St. Martha's Ward. It wasn't the only hospital in the city but the largest and currently tasked with treating the inflicted of Homurahara High School. It also treated anyone inflicted by the events of the Holy Grail War as it was managed by the Church.

Standing near the front desk was Kotomine Kirei, still dressed in the same garbs she remembered him by. His hands were behind his back as he had been awaiting her arrival. He approached them and gave a small bow.

"Greetings, Your Majesty," his voice was as brisk and unattached as usual. "And Emiya. I am not surprised to see you in the King's company."

"Kotomine," Shirou's voice was as flat as the glare he gave the fake priest. "I didn't get a say in the matter. I'm here against my will."

"Shall I call the authorities?"

"That's not funny."

"It wasn't a joke."

"That's also not funny."

Ruler chuckled into her hand as she watched the exchange, "You two still hate each other, I see. Good. I trust you spoke to everyone of importance, Kotomine?"

"Yes," the man returned to her with a nod. He then spread an arm towards the other end of the room. "If you will follow me, we have been granted an office to speak in private."

He led them through the main hallway, around a few corners, and into the tight office space of an unimportant doctor. It was drab with a wooden desk, files littered all across it, and a few plain chairs. The plaques and nicknacks did little to add any flare to the sad little room.

"It is good to see you again, Your Majesty," Kotomine stood behind the desk but did not sit in the doctor's chair. "I was surprised to hear you were summoned as the Ruler class. And with your previous summon's memories at that. But given who caused your demise before… it goes without saying as to why."

"I am not here for pleasantries, Kotomine," Ruler planted a hand on her hip and gave him a hard look. "Those will have to wait. I am here because the secrecy of the Holy Grail War was nearly exposed by this scandal. What has been done about it?"

"Yes," Kotomine dipped his head, not in embarrassment, apology, or atonement. A hollow habit, more like. "We have worked with the media to create a cover story. They have said in last night's news it was a result of a deadly chemical cloud. The city's maintenance and health departments will be investigated to discover why and how this could have gotten so bad. Evidence will be found at a later date. They will be made to pay for the damages."

"And no one will personally investigate this?" she asked, gesturing with her other hand at him. "Such as a family member of the wounded?"

"Even if they do, we have ensured nothing magical will be found, even if by a competent magus," he answered back, readily.

"Good. And the ones responsible for this?"

"Disposed of," Kotomine gestured at Shirou. "Matou Shinji, the Master who commanded his Servant to release her Noble Phantasm upon the school, was put down by Emiya here."

"Well," Ruler gave her charge a grin, "I believe such heroics should be rewarded. Do you not agree, Kotomine?"

"If that is the will of the Ruler. However, I will argue the reason why the risk of exposure was made in the first place was due to the squabbling of two Masters. Emiya may have dealt with the matter before it could become disastrous, but the fact remains it happened because he was as much an instigator."

"I also didn't kill Shinji," Shirou spoke up harshly, bitterly. "Rin's Servant, Archer, was the one who beat me to it. Also, Rider is still around."

"Oh?" Ruler's brows rose. "The instigator herself still remains? Have you been keeping tabs on her? Don't answer that, I know you have. Can you tell me if she has been feeding on souls to sustain herself?"

"I would have killed her if she was," was all he said.

"And you don't think it important to deal with her, protector of the city?" she asked, mocking his self-proclaimed title.

"Killing her won't change anything," he crossed his arms and faced her fully. "It's not like I can now that you're here. Besides, whether I did or left her be, it wouldn't change the thing endangering this city."

"Thing?" her eyes narrowed. She shot a glance at Kotomine, studied how his dull expression turned hard, before turning back to Shirou. "What dangerous thing? Something that warrants your attention as Predator?"

"Yes," his answer was direct. "I've known about it ever since I fully ascended. At first I thought it was the Holy Grail War. But when I met Caster, I found her to be… lacking. All the Servants are. Sure, they can destroy the city if they wanted but I would have known their intentions and stopped them."

"Then it's something outside of the Holy Grail War?" she questioned.

"I don't know."

She blinked, stunned momentarily by his bleak response. "Don't know? What do you mean you don't know? What has that old man told you?"

"Just that there is a danger even he is unable to locate," Shirou's brows furrowed. "It hasn't made itself apparent yet. There are conditions that need to bring it about. I don't know what those are so I can't accelerate it if it's inevitable or stop it if I can. I know killing Shinji would have brought it out. But because Archer did it instead is it hidden—"

His head snapped to the side. He heard something. All expression washed away from him as his human mask faded.

"It will come."

"...When?" Ruler demanded.

He listened further. His eyes sharpened. And then… the mask was slipped back on. He shut his eyes and breathed out a grunt of frustration. "I don't know. Soon. Something has changed when last I checked."

"And how long ago was that?"

"Less than twelve hours ago, shortly after you left. I spoke about it with Caster. It was still eluding me at the time. I thought it had disappeared completely."

"A clever rodent," Ruler gave a frown of annoyance as she shifted in her stance. "I want you to concentrate on this at all times. Alert me immediately when it crawls out of hiding. If this creature dares threaten the Holy Grail War then I will be forced to be personally involved. It doesn't matter if this is a result of the war itself or something beyond, gaining your attention is enough for me to act as Ruler."

"You'll get in my way," he said, expression and tone falling into a monotone.

"Yes," she made his version of a glare with that of her own. "If this threat warrants your attention as Predator, then it is something with the potential to destroy humanity. My duty as Ruler is to preserve the sanctity of human history— past, present, and future. Be honored for one such as I give you support in this endeavor. Or did you forget from whom you stole your crown from?"

He kept staring at her even when she saw the signs. He wasn't listening to her. He was listening to Alaya. The mimicry of life returned to him. He grumbled something under his breath and relented.

"Am I to assume you knew about this, Kotomine?" she crossed her arms and glared at the fake priest next.

"I was made aware of this by Emiya," he answered without shame or hesitation. "You'll have to forgive me if I haven't seen any signs of tampering with the mechanics of the Holy Grail War. The only irregularity I've seen so far is Emiya being chosen as a Master. Which has been balanced by the summoning of you."

"Fair enough," she dismissed it with a wave. "Keep an ear to the ground in the meantime. Now, returning to the matter before…"

A few more minutes were spent discussing details about the incident, what was being done about it, and a retelling of the incident through Shirou's perspective. Ruler listened, gave her orders to Kotomine, and then decided the matter was settled.

"I understand your guardian is a patient here," Ruler commented once the meeting was at its conclusion. "I will spare you ten minutes to settle your matters with her. Appearances must be kept."

"It's fine," Shirou shook off the suggestion. "It's more efficient if Kotomine forged my signature. I'll say I tried but she was asleep."

"And if they find fault in your deception?" she challenged.

"They won't. If I want them to believe me, they will. And Fuji-nee was asleep before we arrived. She only woke up three minutes ago… No, she fell back asleep now."

Ruler studied him.

There was a certain requirement in order to find the location and status of anyone on the planet. If one needed guidance by Alaya… one would need the will and intent to kill the target in question. Which meant Shirou might be plotting to kill his guardian one day. Why, who could say? Even she could not understand the logic of such an exotic beast.

"Very well," she put aside her findings and regarded Kotomine. "I require use of this facility's roof."

"I'll see to it," Kotomine said and went to the door. He opened it for them to slip through.

A few more minutes passed and they departed from the fake priest. The wind blew her hair around as she stepped onto the helipad of the hospital's rooftop. One of the emergency vehicles was parked in another space while the one she stood center of was vacant.

The air around her shimmered as she drew upon her mana. Her connection to the Grail made it so she could fulfill her duties without hindrance. She did not need to feed on the lives of children like her former self had.

What's more, precious treasures she had lost in the wake of the Fourth Grail War had been renewed.

From the golden portal of her Gate of Babylon came her flying vessel: Vimana, the Throne of the Heaven-Soaring King.

It was a beautiful craft. Beautiful, as all her treasures were. It was as big as this modern world's private jet, made out of gold, crystalized sunlight, and quartz. It was an open-faced device with a single throne for her to sit upon and control it with only her thoughts. It defied the laws of physics as it was an artifact designed by the gods themselves.

She sat upon the throne… and frowned when her charge did not join her on the deck.

"What happened to the carpet?" he asked, still standing like an imbecile on the floor.

"What carpet?" she leaned over the armrest to glare down at him.

"The flying carpet you used before," he responded plainly.

She ran a finger across the smooth surface of her throne. "I've no need for it. Not when I may traverse the universe on this vessel and be able to bring you back in time for supper. Now enough squabbling. We embark at once!"

"...But I kinda liked that carpet," he said. And didn't move from that spot. "Shishou used it when last we spoke. Ah, you don't have it, do you? It did get eaten by the Beast."

He was testing her. He wasn't moving an inch. He kept staring at her with that stupid, empty look. As if time stopped. And time wasn't going to resume for him until he got what he wanted.

She made her frustrations clear when she stood and returned the Vimana back into her treasure vault. A smaller portal appeared at her side, to which she reached an arm into and extracted a rolled piece of fabric. It was longer than she was tall. With a flick of her wrist did she unroll it and lay it across the helipad.

It wasn't one of her finest treasures. Most of its value was in the magic embroidery and the jewels stitched into the weavings. The only reason why she kept it was because of the spell woven into its fabrics. It was once a True Magic— a flying device.

She sat upon its center and waved at the brat to come aboard. He did, but sat on his knees behind her. She turned to glare at him.

"This is where I sat last time," he said with the same empty expression as before.

She wasn't going to play his game. Her eyes narrowed as she stabbed her finger into the spot at her side. She made sure to let her killing intent reach the surface of her mind, so that Alaya could relay the message to his thick skull. The boy blinked, showed his own displeasure with a small frown, and then scooted to her side.

She leaned over, wrapped an arm around his and pulled, forcing him to sit at her direct side. Without another glance at his person else skewer him, she willed the magics of the carpet to rise them into the air. The weavins and crystals lit up with light.

In their silence, they took off to the skies with speeds that would peel off the skin of a normal human.

0-0-0

"...I thought we were going to tour the city," he said once they had reached their destination and they could hear another over the winds the instrument created.

"Do you believe I would insist on your company over something so trivial?" she replied curtly. "I am still the Ruler. Such reasons must be given in the face of other Masters, such as the Master of the Archer, to avoid suspicions when I direlect from my duties."

"So…" he dipped his head and spoke slowly. "You're playing hookie… to be with me?"

"D-Don't make it sound so crude," she shot him a glare.

"Then…" he tilted his head and thought further. "This is a date?"

"Now you're just ruining the splendor," she huffed and released her grip on him. Only then did she step off of the carpet and onto the sand.

They had flown to an isolated section of Japan. There was a small village further up the road with its residents rarely making their way down this area. It had all been coincidental the place she chose was so private.

"I had to see it for myself," she said as her eyes loomed over the sand. The tide had risen. Her eyes landed on one spot where the water covered. "This was where I died. Where my crown was stolen and treasures confiscated. I once despised you for being a faker. A part of me still does. But my treasures shine more brightly under your care. You have perfected each of them, haven't you?"

He stepped off of the carpet to join her side. They both stared off into the horizon. "Not all of them," he admitted plainly, distantly. "Only the blades. I have seen your vaults through your memories. I've only perfected… maybe ten percent. I wouldn't know how to draw better pictures for the paintings."

She said nothing at first. Then, she blinked. She glanced at him, "Did… Did you just make a jest at me?"

He shrugged, "Kinda? I was being honest, though."

She pressed a few fingers to her lips and laughed lightly, "It wasn't very funny. But that is what I would expect from any other human. Your skill has grown exponentially since last I've seen you, my exotic beast. You are one step closer to understanding humanity."

She felt his discomfort from her words. It was difficult to explain. A sort of pressure built up around him and sent a pulse her way. It made her quirk a brow and give him a sideways glance.

"I don't want to understand," he said slowly. "I want to sympathize with them. I understand them enough."

"Through observations and mimicries," she returned her gaze to the horizon. "But you do not feel what they feel. You don't know what they are thinking. You can only predict, evaluate, calculate, and respond. You know how they behave… but not the why."

"One day I will," he said with a voice full of assurance.

"Is that your wish for the Grail?"

He was silent at first. "If there is no greater wish from another Master, one that won't endanger humanity or could bring it salvation, then yes. I would like to make this wish. I wish to sympathize with humanity."

"You think too small," she said as she closed her eyes. "Humanity is more than just feelings, though I will not deny that is what drives us. But perhaps that is what you need to understand. Perhaps you need to know what it means to feel hurt and joy. Only then will you know why humans do as they do.

"Do you know what I would wish for if I were in your position?" she asked, opening her eyes and looking at him. She had his attention. "I would wish to be human."

He was still. Immovable and unchanging. He, as inhuman as any could be on this planet, replied with, "But I am human."

"You are delusional, my exotic beast."

"Says the person who still thinks she's my Shishou."

She snorted. Delusional indeed.

"I did not bring us here to discuss this, or the past," she faced the horizon again. "This place has significance. Can you feel it? It makes the air vibrate. A battle to decide the fate of the planet was fought here, after all. A King fell and a new one crowned. Alaya's Last Predator was born here."

They both said nothing as they took in the area. The air was thick with more than just mana. It held presence. This was sacred ground and no one would ever be able to understand why. No one would ever know the entire planet was nearly destroyed through madness and saved through blind loyalty.

"Call her," she said.

She felt the gaze of the boy. It remained on her for too long a time. When she turned her head to stare back at him, she found his gaze distant. He was more than just looking at her. He was looking through her, around her, into her, and by her. He was looking at her through the eyes and will of one who championed humanity. One who was tasked with judging and executing threats to those he swore to protect.

A sword was in his hold, sheathed and resting in the sand between his feet.

"Does Alaya not tell you I mean her no harm?" she gave a crooked smile.

"It's not for you," he said as he returned to the ocean. "She won't like you being here. With me."

"You won't ask what business I have with her?" she questioned next.

"I'll see soon enough. I will protect you as best I can. But I will kill you myself if you try to harm her or she tries to sink the continent. I can't guarantee she will stop just because I am here."

"Very well. Call her."

He did nothing at first, simply staring off into the horizon. Then, he opened his mouth and called to the seven names of the Beast, to Gaia, to the Will and Incarnation of the Planet.

And the Beast answered. She knew it was coming.

She did not hide behind the only one equal to the Beast. She raised her head and met the oncoming monstrosity with the grace and presence of a king. Of one who once ruled the known world and one who had once challenged the Beast itself. She showed no fear for she had none. She stood ready to meet an old enemy and an old friend.

The Beast had arrived not in bellowing winds or in crashing waves. It did not darken the skies and hurl bolts of lightning into the sand. It did not split the earth and spew magma everywhere.

It did not even appear in the guise of the great white wolf.

The Beast ignored Ruler entirely.

Shirou was knocked off his feet as a maiden threw her arms around him and brought him to the ground. She rubbed her face against his, whimpering and licking with delicate strokes. He did not fight her as he remained as still as a plank. With her affections ignored, she rose to sit on his stomach. She looked down at him with large eyes as she pawed at his chest.

"...I'm still mad at you," he said in a blunt tone. The Beast… if it could still be called that, continued to whimper and stare him down. He rolled his eyes and said, "Fine. Fine! I'm not mad at you anymore. Just don't—"

The Beast smiled and pressed her brow to his. She rubbed her nose against his again and again in a sign of affection.

Ruler, meanwhile, blinked. She looked over the poorly dressed woman. Oh, there was no denying the amount of power radiating off of her like a nuclear reactor about to explode (even then that comparison did her no justice). Without a doubt this was the Beast. This was Gaia Incarnate. But what baffled her was how the Beast took on the form of a human woman.

Gaia. Who had sworn to kill all of humanity before her Evensong. She was human.

And she was now pressing herself up against Shirou, who did not fight her off.

"Boy…" Ruler crossed her arms as she looked at the two of them once more. "Are… Are you sleeping with Gaia herself?"

Shirou sighed, "Why does everyone keep thinking that?"

The Beast took notice of Ruler's existence finally. Her eyes sharpened in the way only a predatory beast would at the presence of a threat. The air thickened as she lowered herself, ready to pounce on Ruler at a single instance.

But instead of attacking Ruler, the Beast grabbed Shirou by the collar of his shirt, with her teeth no less, and dragged him a good ten meters away. Even then, she sat on his chest, pinning him down despite how hard he was trying to push her off, and kept glaring daggers at Ruler.

"I believe I needn't give a reason."

Pat reon: Arrixam