Fate/Stay Night Fan Fiction ❯ Inevitable Decay ❯ Beginnings ( Chapter 3 )

Inevitable Decay

Chapter 3: Beginnings

 

A/N: No action in this chapter. This chapter could almost be considered a summary as the entire team assembles. Anyway hopefully you enjoy. See chapter one for disclaimer.

 

 

A reunion is a time when people can see each other after what feels like an eternity, and that's what this was. After two years which felt like so much more he and saber were together again. Shiro couldn't find the words to describe how wonderful that was. Was war worth the meeting? Surprisingly yes, even if he would never have wished for it.

 

Together they entered the house, no embrace or gesture enough to show the raging emotions clashing inside of them with the ferocity of a supernova. “Shiro, maybe you should update me on what's happened so far” despite the progress they had made in the last war she was still down to business as usual…but there was something different, something he couldn't quite figure out.

 

“Sure…that would be for the best” he didn't need to wait for Ilya considering she wasn't summoning a servant, and Tohsaka only needed to hear about the master who so eagerly revealed himself. That could definitely wait until tomorrows rising sun.

 

They took seats opposite each other at the table they used to eat so enthusiastically at. The usually dim light of the room seemed to glow so much stronger today, but maybe it was just the company he had. With Sakura and taiga both gone everything had been so very lonely even if the tiger did stop by on occasion. Saber stared at him patiently, those piercing deep eyes the same as he remembered them…yet still something was different. Why couldn't he figure out what it was?

 

“Well not too much has happened. From what Tohsaka said someone forcefully started the war again…but we have no idea who, it's a complete mystery so far” she seemed to consider the information for a moment while nodding her acceptance, those strong eyes resembling the gentle shine of emeralds so full of thought.

 

“And what of the servant you were facing?” The way his eyes glazed over she could see he was deep into the short lived memory, trying to remember any useful fact he could. He spoke suddenly, her own conscious returning to the matters at hand “all I know is it was an assassin class. Its master showed up out of the blue to try and kill me. Ilya chased the master, and you saved me from the servant.”

 

There eyes locked in a wordless agreement, neither of them believed that master had started the war…someone with enough power would not worry so much about competition that they would eliminate it before it began. Whoever started it must want this war, so he would definitely wait for everyone to assemble.

 

“How are Ilya and Rin going to consider this war? Are they summoning?” She was trying to figure out who was an enemy, she didn't know if the same friendships held or if they wanted into such a conflict again at all. All she knew was Shiro would not be under unnecessary danger if she could help it. It was her duty…not just as a servant, but as someone close to him.

 

“Ilya isn't but Tohsaka said she was summoning tonight” saber seemed on the verge of speaking, her lips parted ever so slightly as she tried to voice the words. Knowing what it was about Shiro purposely spoke up first “we decided to join up from the start; our plans are to stop the holy grail for good”

 

A slight smile crossed her lips as she nodded once again, the rare sight making her seem all the more beautiful “Rin is a trustworthy ally.” That simple phrase so easily showed her transition since the last war where she seemed to just barely tolerate the alliance at the very start. Something told him the only reason she did accept it was that he was just so incompetent. He did have to wonder if she had given up on the desire of the Holy Grail as completely as him…did she still want it with some part of her heart? He would find that out later, for now it was trivial.

 

“How do you plan to stop it for good?” Her question although expected still caught him unguarded but an honest answer was given. “Eh…well I haven't thought that far ahead” her sigh filled the quiet room at his admission. “Right now I thought we would just concentrate on making a battle plan and locating other potential masters.”

 

“Shiro I'm impressed. Last time you didn't even know what a servant was, but now you're mapping out a strategy so quickly.” A prideful grin broke through his expression slightly, the praise coming from someone like saber meaning so much more.

 

They made little more than idle chitchat waiting for Ilya to return from her hunt, both once again becoming comfortable with each other. Before long it was as if no time had passed at all. Soon the gentle sound of the door opening caught shiros ear, quickly jumping up from his seat Shiro prepared to meet her. In an ungraceful display his foot caught on the table, dropping him face first into the unmerciful tatami mats, the slight sting coursing through his face in short waves of light pain.

 

Twitching slightly he could hear sabers desperate attempt to stifle a chuckle…the first one she even ever came close to. Suddenly it hit him as hard as he hit the floor, the thing that was so different about her. For once in the time he had known her she was thinking of herself not just as a servant, but as a true woman…and for once, she was truly and fully happy.

 

The only thing to distract his thoughts were the soft footsteps of Ilya as she walked slowly into the room, face partly flushed from the strain of running. Her eyes with that red hue catching his as he turned his head to the side, several confused glances moving between him and saber before she spoke with that ever angelic voice “Onii-chan…what are you doing on the floor?”

 

He laughed nervously, picking himself up to a sit while crossing his legs. His hands rose to rub the abused face, his words flowing with a final attempt to save his pride. “Ah just looking for something I dropped. So how did it go? Did you catch him?” The fact he had distracted Ilya did not stop saber from smiling just at the memory.

 

They assembled around the table once again, the story taking shape through the gentle speaking of Ilya. “I chased him a few streets before catching him near the river. We exchanged some spells but I overpowered him pretty easy…he had some powerful spells but not that much maryoku.”

 

Shiro now had direct proof the master hadn't started the war, Tohsaka had mentioned needing a lot of maryoku to force the start. The continuation of her tale brought him flying back to reality.

 

“I knocked him down with one spell but before I could so anything else his servant attacked. I dodged but…” she turned a bit to reveal a small sickle cut in the side of her dress, it didn't hit flesh but the way her pout stared you would think so. “It was my favorite dress…” her soft complaints drew both a sigh and a frown from Shiro. “And, what happened after that?”

 

“Huh? Oh right…the servant disappeared in a puff of smoke with his master” shiros head lowered in the overflow of disappointment…who stops telling a story that close to the end? He had expected some dramatic fight scene…not that.

 

Saber showed concern within every deep feature of her flawless face, turning ever so slightly to stare directly at him “Shiro, there has to be a reason someone with such little maryoku would appear so boldly. There might be more meaning behind the actions.”

 

Shiro had to agree, something definitely wasn't right. There shouldn't be any reason to make yourself known so willingly. The kid did seem cocky but he gave off this air of desperation amongst the turmoil. Whatever was motivating that kid was something important.

 

Sighing to himself he noticed it was getting kind of late, or maybe it was just the aches of his body after such a one sided fight that made him so tired. “Well I'm going to get some rest…Goodnight” Ilya wished him a good night with her normal onii-chan before leaving the room herself. Saber on the other hand followed him, that cool air of refined elegance flowing from her as he stopped to meet her gaze. “Shiro, may I still use the room I used to?” Unlike before she made no attempt to argue the desire to remain in the same room, and something told him it was because of her own embarrassment this time around.

 

“Of course you can, I always thought of it as your room even after you left. Nothing could make me happier then having you inside it again” her gaze softened slightly as he hit the chink in her armor that only he could find. Her only weakness was him, there was no other.

 

“Thank you…” her voice was barely above a whisper as she turned, barely holding back the small tint of red threatening to break out across her cheeks. Just before she left down the hall her head turned one final time “And Shiro…it's good to be back” there ways parted for the night, but in the morning they would both meet again…something they had been deprived of for two years.

 

 

The morning came all too soon as the slight chatter of voices traveled into shiros room, drawing him from his sleep without mercy. How could anyone be so loud this early in the morning? It was definitely Ilya…no doubt about that, of course it was even more unusual for her to not sleep in.

 

His eyes snapped open with all attempts to return to the world of slumber dying before him, soon resigning to the fact there would be no more sleep today. The mixed scent of burnt meat and seasoned noodles created an odd contrast in his nose which beckoned for him to find out more.

 

“Wonder who's cooking…” drawing himself upright from the comfort of his bed he changed quickly, stepping past the threshold of his door to move into the kitchen and deeper into the smell itching his senses. Ilya seemed to be standing on a chair to reach higher ingredients while saber molded miss shaped rice balls with a small frown etched across her lips. “What are you two up to? I usually cook”

 

His voice almost startled Ilya to the point of falling but thankfully caught her balance at the last second with a great sigh of relief. “I thought it would be nice to cook it for once onii-chan, it's only proper to repay your kindness these past two years” although he seriously doubted one breakfast covered that much time he appreciated it none the less.

 

The angelic sound of her voice carried back to him with disappointment “saber was cooking the chopped steak but…” turning sorrowfully toward the pot she picked a blackened piece out before eating it with a slight grimace “she can't really cook…”

 

With a frown saber continued to roughly form of the rice, never having to cook back when she was a king making her experience limited. The time differences didn't help much either. “Ilya insisted I help with this morning's preparations and meal” the sound of her voice was a mix of shame and anger over her failure, the rice in her hands taking the punishment. That fact she was even trying impressed him the most, and knowing Ilya she didn't even get to use a recipe to help her. For whatever reason Ilya said it was better to just `wing it' with cooking…how she got that idea he didn't know.

 

With the food almost ready Shiro had no way of helping out in the final stages, the small breakfast making its way to the table within moments. Although compared to Sakura's old meals it seemed like a small snack it sure beat what they had been eating recently. A good amount of rice balls, the strange dish of noodle and burnt meat, and miso soup.

 

Surprisingly the overcooked beef went well, adding a little extra kick of favor to the tasty noodle dish. The food was gone faster then anything he ever made, but with sabers normal eating habits that didn't surprise him.

 

“That was great, it's been awhile since we ate more then something small and simple…usually instant” Ilya chimed in her agreement before excusing herself to do the dishes with a bow. “What did you think saber?”

 

“It's satisfactory…” he couldn't expect much more from her, he remember very well her `anything is edible' and `hunger is our enemy' phrases from two years back. Despite already answering the question word seemed to still be playing at her lips, finally finding form as she spoke softly “…How was the meat?”

 

She would never admit worry over the taste directly. He figured her pride found it more important to produce tolerable food rather then keep itself from admitting possible defeat. It seemed saber was the most changed by the last war, it was kind of fun to see all the different sides. With a quick smile Shiro nodded his acceptance “it was a bit dark for my taste but really good despite that.”

 

Saber didn't show a smile but it was obvious he had given fuel to the fire known as her pride. By the time he realized how long the meal had taken it was close to the time he needed to leave. “If I don't hurry I'm going to be late for school” he rushed through the final steps of preparing before quickly approaching the door where he found saber standing defiantly. He knew instantly what was going on “we have been over this before…you can't go to school with me.”

 

Those unflinching emeralds stared at him with pure determination, her arms stiffly at her sides. “Shiro, I no longer am limited to a physical form. I can accompany you as a spirit”

 

He had completely forgotten about that some how…”oh that's right…but even so! I can't have you appearing and attacking the first person you find `suspicious'.” She frowned at his lack of faith in her, she wouldn't be that reckless. The only way she would appear without warning was if someone tried to really attack. “I will not reveal myself in public, may I accompany you now?”

 

There really was no stopping her. He had been beaten since the very start; there was no way around that. “I guess it will be ok then, besides it will be good to have some company to keep me awake during school” he ran out the door quickly, looking back only to see her form phase out of normal existence. It was kind of nice that only he could see her, maybe he could even surprise Tohsaka…it was doubtful though.

 

 

Shiro went through the entire day of school without even paying attention to most of what was taught. His time was spent making short, quiet talk with saber about everything from the past, to possibilities for masters within the city. Even tohsaka had been absent from school, a rare occurrence for the intelligent beauty.

 

Once he reached the main gate to his home saber materialized beside him after the area was deemed secure. The aroma of food once again caught his nose from inside the house; it was strange not knowing what was happening in your home. Sliding open the front door he immediately rushed himself into the kitchen where instead of Ilya cooking he was staring at the back of Tohsaka's head “Oh right! You were coming today”

 

She turned with a heavy frown having almost had a heart attack with his raised voice “you don't have to yell” an apron was tied around her and pots boiled the sweet smells. Between them she was by far the better cook.

He assumed Ilya had allowed her in and it was obvious she was probably already fully moved in. Not like he had much choice in the matter anyway. “So why weren't you in school today?”

 

“I had to look through some of my family's records for ways to stop the Holy Grail war. So far I have yet to find anything useful.” It figured business would be her reason for missing, she was too proper to miss for any other reason.

 

Saber finally found her way into the kitchen, moving off to the side to sit down at the table. “Good day, I hear you will be cooperating with Shiro once again.” The frigid voice was slowly melting away, hints of her caring and softer personality finding its way through the cracks.

 

“Oh? So Shiro summoned you again huh? That's pretty rare” just as he suspected the only surprise she showed was the slight widening of her eyes, barely noticeable by most standards. Her hand rested on her hip as she looked between the two, a small smile crossing her lips “I guess it's good to have the team back together.”

 

Nodding in his agreement Shiro joined saber at the table, resting his elbows on it slightly. “So did you summon one yet Tohsaka?” An eerie cross between a smile and a smirk was her reply before she finally spoke “I did”

 

“So…?” He wanted to know what servant she summoned, but as always she was being rather stubborn. Although he was sure she was playing around with him for fun he still went face first into the trap “come on tell me what class at least.”

 

“Lancer” her reply came quick, her form turning around to stir their dinner with care, moving between pots with ease. “Don't we get to see it?” Saber remained silent, her hands folded across her lap. She was a bit curious yes, but that didn't mean she would support his pestering.

 

The building annoyance caused Rin to sigh heavily, a light growl working through her throat before she whipped around “fine just shut up! Lancer you can appear” within seconds a figure phased itself into existence just across the table from Shiro, sending him scurrying backwards from the shock. Standing there was a towering figure with great strength, his face stern and tough as stone. His body was covered with shimmering silver armor with a light trim of gold and small blue patterns amongst the massive size. A set of large gold beads wrapped itself diagonally across his chest. A helmet perched atop his head had a pair of what seemed like deer antlers rising from it, the color and shape resembling that of blazing flames. To say the man was intimidating would be a massive understatement. Lancer spoke nothing as his form lowering itself to sit, the table rattling slightly from the impact of the hulking figure.

 

“I asked him to take the armor off but he refused. I didn't feel like using a command reiju for something so stupid either.” Sabers eyes settled upon her ally in a long stare before nodding her head in acceptance. Although he had a tough exterior she couldn't find any evil aura from him.

 

Scratching his head slightly Shiro let out a small groan “So…what's his identity?” Although in normal cases that would be a very bad thing to say Rin had the utmost trust in shiros loyalty. “Lancer introduce yourself.” His voice boomed out with force and volume, and he was rather sure it wasn't anything higher then normal.

 

“My class is lancer, my name is…”

 

 

Find out the identity next time.

 

End chapter three.