Sakura and Rin

TYPE-MOON Universe, Earth, Japan, Fuyuki. 

"I knew I should have killed that piece of trash much earlier!" Rin roared in anger. 

Currently, Tatsuo, Elicia, Sakura, and Rider were sitting with Rin in the Tohsaka Residence's living room. Though, Tatsuo and Rider were still in their astral forms. Meanwhile, Sakura was sitting next to Rin, who was holding her hand tightly. 

As for the reason for Rin's indignant roar, Sakura had just been telling her about how she lived while she was with the Matou's. And needless to say, Rin was furious. Though, it was clear that she did not think any less of Sakura for enduring what she had to over the years. Instead, she only wished that she could make the Matou's suffer more than they already had. 

"It's okay, Onee-Sama." Sakura said, relieved tears starting to well up in her eyes. "Everything is fine now. Because of Taylor-San and her Servant, I was saved. Her Servant, Assassin, is also the reason why the Matou Residence no longer exists." 

Those words caused Rin to calm her rage for a moment. She then looked at Sakura in surprise before shifting her gaze to Elicia. Then, she slowly let her gaze fall to Elicia's hands. 

Understanding what Rin was thinking, Elicia raised her right hand, showing the [Command Spells] on the back of her hand with a wide smile on her face. And when Rin saw them, her expression became complicated. 

"I'm not the only Master in the room, you know." Elicia said, her eyes flicking over to Sakura. 

Seeing where Elicia's eyes were pointing, Rin snapped her head in Sakura's direction, as well. Sighing at that, Sakura looked at Elicia helplessly. Yet, she, too, raised her hand, though it was her left, and showed it to Rin. 

"How?" Rin asked in a dumbfounded tone after seeing Sakura's [Command Spells]. 

"I wasn't meant to participate in this Holy Grail War originally." Sakura said softly. "Instead, Grandfa— Matou Zouken intended to transfer my [Command Spells] into a grimoire and allow Matou Shinji to be Rider's Master. But well... That's not exactly possible anymore." 

Rin could only stare at Sakura dumbfoundedly. More specifically, she stared at the [Command Spells] on Sakura's left hand. Then, after nearly a minute, she leaned back on the couch and sighed heavily. It was clear to anyone watching that she did not know what to think about the current situation. 

"I know what you're thinking, Rin." Elicia said, her wide smile narrowing a bit while her voice got gentler. "But there's really nothing you can do about it. So, you should do your best to make the best out of this situation." 

"Argh! I know that!" Rin shouted as she reached up and started to ruffle her hair frantically. "But I just got her back! And now, there's a chance that I could lose her again." 

"That chance always exists, Onee-Sama." Sakura said gently as she tightened her grip on Rin's hand. "Not just with situations like this. But that should not be a reason to try and hide me away." 

Hearing that, Rin stopped. Then, she looked at Sakura with a complicated expression on her face. 

"*Sigh* You've really grown up since we could last sit and talk like this, Sakura." Rin said as she forcefully calmed herself down. "I'm both proud and upset that we couldn't grow together like we should have." 

After saying that, Rin shook her head, the two tails on the sides of her head swinging with the movement. Then, she looked at Sakura with a serious expression on her face. 

"Even so, I intend to join the Grail War, too." Rin said solemnly. "And when I do, I don't plan on losing. Even if it's to you, Sakura." 

Surprising Rin, Sakura only smiled awkwardly at her declaration. Then, Sakura turned to look at Elicia, as if she were asking for help in explaining the next part, causing Elicia to giggle and draw Rin's attention. 

"Why are you laughing?" Rin asked. 

"I just thought that was cute." Elicia said unapologetically. Ignoring Rin's growl in response, Elicia continued. "But actually, Sakura has agreed to work with us for this Holy Grail War." 

That said, Elicia went on to explain the current situation of the Holy Grail to Rin and her plan to use Tatsuo to [Purify] it at the end of the War. She also explained where the taint came from and the effects it would have on anyone who actually made a wish on the Grail. 

"And all that is what lead to the fire that happened in the park ten years ago." Elicia said, concluding her story. 

Once again, Rin had a blank expression on her face. And just like her sister when she heard the story, Rin could not help but remember the image of an auburn-haired young man who she knew was the only survivor of that fire. 

"*Sigh* That's a lot to take in." Rin said after sitting in silence for a few minutes. "Unfortunately, I don't think I can give you an answer right now. This is just too much to take in." 

"Understandable." Elicia replied with a nod. "I mean, you don't know us from a whole in the wall, after all." 

["Really?"] Scylla asked in a dumbfounded tone. ["I mean, you didn't say anything you shouldn't. but that saying is so old."] 

'Fonzie's mom used to say it.' Elicia said while shrugging mentally. 

["Still, both Sakura and Rin are looking at you like a weirdo."] Scylla pointed out. ["I bet Tatsuo is looking at you like that, too."] 

And just as Scylla surmised, Tatsuo was looking at Elicia with a strange gaze. But not because he thought she was weird. Rather, that was a phrase he had heard his own mother say when she came to visit him in the hospital in his past life. But he had no intension of telling anyone that. 

"Anyway." Elicia said, ignoring the strange gazes she was receiving, as she was quite used to that. "I've told you everything I needed to, Rin. So, take your time mulling it over. For now, I'm gonna get back to where I'm staying and continue strategizing for the War." 

With that, Elicia stood up from the couch she was sitting on. At the same time, Sakura stood, as well. However, Rin did not let go of her hand. Instead, she looked at her questioningly. 

"I'll be going back with them, Onee-Sama." Sakura said softly. "Since we will be working together, I think it is the best bet for now." 

"But I just got you back…" Rin said, her voice shaking a little. 

Sakura did not know what to say in response. She wanted to stay with Rin, as well. But unless Rin decided to work with them, too, she was a potential enemy. Though, she would never do anything to hurt her in battle. Instead, she would only target Rin's Servant, if she actually managed to summon one. 

"Well, I don't think it would be bad for us to stay a bit longer." Tatsuo said, transitioning from his astral form as he did so. "Perhaps the two of you could talk more over dinner." 

Immediately after Tatsuo mentioned dinner, Rider also came out of her astral form. And although she was unable to use her eyes because of her mask/blindfold, it was clear that all her senses were focused on Tatsuo. 

"Looks like Rider has fallen in love with your cooking, Assassin." Elicia said playfully as she nudged Tatsuo with her elbow. 

Rin, on the other hand, was surprised to see both Elicia's and Sakura's Servants appear unprompted. However, when she heard what Tatsuo said about dinner, she looked a bit uncertain. 

"I guess that would be fine." Rin said while fidgeting in place. "But… We would have to go out for it. I don't' really have any food in the house." 

An awkward silence fell over the living room at Rin's admittance. However, it did not last for long. 

"Well, we just have to go get some groceries then, right?" Elicia asked in her usual, upbeat tone. She then turned to Tatsuo and continued. "Assassin, why don't you go with Sakura to get them? You know where the grocery store is, right?" 

"I do." Tatsuo replied. "I came across it when I was exploring Miyama Town a little while ago." 

Tatsuo then lowered his head in consideration. 

"Great! Then, we've got a plan!" Elicia exclaimed happily. After that, she then turned to Rin with her smile even wider than before. "It looks like you're in for a treat. Assassin is one of the best cooks I've ever met." 

Hearing that, although Rin was intrigued, she tightened her grip on Sakura's hand. 

"Hold on a second, Lici." Tatsuo said after observing Rin's reaction. "Instead, why don't we let Sakura and her sister go to get the groceries?" 

"Huh? What's the---" Elicia began to say before she, too, noticed Rin's grip on Sakura's hand. 

It was clear that now that Rin had Sakura back, she never wanted to let her go again, which was completely understandable. However, before Elicia could nod in understanding, Sakura spoke her mind for the first time. 

"It's okay, Taylor-San." Sakura said softly as she gently pried Rin's hand off of her own. "I think it would be better if we left for now." 

"Sakura…?" Rin asked in a tone mixed with confusion and heartbreak. 

"Onee-Sama, there isn't much time before the Holy Grail War starts." Sakura explained patiently. "Yet, you haven't received your [Command Spells] yet. I believe you should focus on making your preparations. We can talk again once you've received your [Command Spells]. Hopefully, you'll have made your decision by then, as well." 

Hearing that, Rin's eyes opened wide. 

Seeing Sakura alive and well made her forget about that. Although being able to get her sister back was one of the reasons she wanted to participate in the Holy Grail War in the first place, the other was so that she could restore her family's name, which had taken a hit after her father's death in the last Grail War. 

"Sakura, are you sure?" Elicia asked in a somewhat concerned tone. 

"I am, Taylor-San." Sakura said with a resolute nod. "Although I would also like to spend as much time with Onee-Sama as possible, I don't want to be the reason that she does not achieve her goals. Though, that may be inevitable. Still, if I were to spend too much time with her now, she may not even---" 

"It's okay, Sakura." Rin said as she stood up and placed a hand on Sakura's shoulder. "You don't need to explain. I understand. And thank you." 

Rin then took a deep breath and exhaled it slowly. 

"It seems I let my emotions overwhelm me." Rin continued. She then turned towards Elicia and bowed politely as she continued in a dignified tone. "Thank you for saving my sister from the Matous. I don't know how I could ever repay you in the future. But she's right, I need to take this opportunity to restore my family's reputation. That way, it will be easier for me to accept Sakura back into the Tohsaka family." 

"If the two of you are sure about this…" Elicia replied in an unsure tone. "*Sigh* I'll never understand all you Magi. I mean, putting your research and your family's reputation above all else is just weird. What does the family's reputation matter if the family itself isn't happy?" 

In response, both Sakura and Rin seemed to be taken aback by Elicia's question. They had both been raised to do exactly what Elicia said. Yet, she seemed so different to them. Even so, they had both already made up their minds. So, the two estranged sisters ended up separating again. Though, they both vowed that it would only be a temporary separation. 

Meanwhile, Rider, understanding that her Master would not be staying here, returned to her astral form, though it was clear she was a bit disappointed that they would not be staying for dinner. Tatsuo, on the other hand, patted Elicia on the shoulder while smiling at her gently, as he agreed with her point of view on this matter, before also returning to his astral form. 

After that, Rin walked both Elicia and Sakura to the front door before bidding them goodbye. She then watched them walk away from the Tohsaka residence before returning to her magical studies with anew found resolve in her eyes. 

"Don't worry, Sakura." Rin said to herself as she walked through the mansion. "When this is all over, we'll be a family again. And now that I'm the head of the Tohsaka Family, nothing like what father did will ever happen again. Not as long as I'm alive, anyway." 

Meanwhile, Elicia and Sakura were walking through the streets of Miyama Town on their way back to the Grand Hyatt Hotel. 

"Well, I guess that went well." Elicia said, unsure of what to say after Sakura decided to return with her instead of staying with her sister. 

"It did." Sakura replied, her tone a lot lighter than it had been in a long time. 

"What are your plans for now then, Sakura?" Elicia asked, deciding not to dwell on it any longer since Sakura seemed to be so happy. "I mean, there's still some time until the Grail War starts." 

"I think I'll go back to school." Sakura replied after a moment of consideration. "We'll probably have to clear up a few things with the authorities, though. I'll need to get a new school uniform, as well." 

"Yeah, I doubt Assassin thought to get it out of there before he made the Matou Residence go bye bye." Elicia said with a giggle. 

{"Actually, I have them with me."} Tatsuo said through his telepathic link with Elicia. {"I got that and all her school books. But I didn't know if she would want to go back. So, I didn't say anything. But since she does want to go back, I can give them to her back at the hotel."} 

Turning to look at where Tatsuo was traveling next to her in his astral form, Elicia could not help but look at the air with a strange expression on her face. 

{"What's that look for?"} Tatsuo asked as his eyebrows twitched. 

"Taylor-San, is something wrong?" Sakura asked at the same time after noticing Elicia's strange expression, as well. 

"Well, Assassin just told me that he did, in fact, take your school uniform and books out of the Matou Residence before he destroyed it." 

As Elicia's explanation sank in, Sakura's face reddened. And now, she was also looking in the same direction as Elicia with a totally embarrassed expression on her face. And this naturally caused Tatsuo to be confused. 

{"Seriously, why is Sakura looking at me like that, too?"} Tatsuo asked. 

{"Master, perhaps you should return to your sister."} Medusa said to Sakura over their own telepathic link. {"It would seem this Assassin Servant is something of a pervert."} 

{"No, I'm sure that's not it, Rider."} Sakura replied. {"I mean, I've lived with Taylor-San and Assassin for almost a whole week, and he's never done anything untoward to me."} 

{"A week is not enough time to get an accurate grasp of someone's character, Master."} Rider countered. 

Like that, with Rider suggesting that Sakura keep her distance from him, and Sakura defending him, Tatsuo was unaware of the back and forth about him. Though, if he had known that he was being thought of as a pervert, he would do like those cultivators in Xianxia novels and cough up a mouthful of blood. 

Meanwhile, Elicia was grimacing thanks to Scylla screaming at her for not thinking about what she said before she said it. Thanks to her usual common sense, she found it strange that Tatsuo had no issue going through a girl's belongings. But Scylla was currently reminding her that Tatsuo's common sense was completely screwed up thanks to his time in DOATEC's custody. And if you add his awakening draconic nature, it was even worse. 

'Well, I can deal with that later.' Elicia said to both herself and Scylla. 'For now, I'm hungry. I guess I'll just have to ask Tatsuo to cook something when we get back to the hotel. That should make Sakura and Rider forget about this, too. I hope…' 

"Anyway, let's make a trip to the grocery store on the way back." Elicia said happily, acting as if she did not just say something that could ruin Tatsuo's reputation with the other two. "It's getting close to dinner time, and I' m hungry."