Sakura confronts Rin

While Shirou and Sakura had been out shopping, Zou had begun working on setting up a Bounded Field around the household. She was hoping this could prevent anyone else from spying on them. Zou was not sure this would actually stop Caster, but it should make it more of a challenge. Setting up a field like this wouldn't be a problem for her in her previous life, this time it was very draining. As the field was built, Zou could feel herself getting a little weaker.

Maybe it is because I am fully human now, Zou pondered as she continued working on the field, using the knowledge she kept from her old life. Not that she was upset about that. Zouken was a monster, physically and mentally. Sometimes needing to drain the life **** of others to stay alive, all the while, not remembering his original intentions.

Mistress has given me a second chance, Zou thought. So I need to do everything I can to help her.

Even if it means my ****.

As the time for the meeting approached, Shirou and Sakura readied to go. Saber had insisted on joining them. "You will need at least one Servant guard you, should something happen," Saber argued. "I don't think Rin would attack us or anything like that," Shirou countered, partially forgetting how Rin attacked him at school that one time.

"It is not Rin that I am worried about," Saber continued. "We have already fought Lancer and Berserker, it is possible they could know of this meeting. There is also the matter of Caster, who is the impetus for this very meeting."

"I think Saber is right, master," Sakura interjected. "We should be ready in case Caster tries anything."

Shirou sighed. "Alright," he said. "It's probably better that Saber comes with us, since Rin knows about her."

"Thank you, master," Sakura replied gratefully. "I will ask Rider to keep watch here. We don't want to surprise big sis with new Servant." Shirou nodded. "If that is everything, let's head out." Looking back at Sakura, he paused. "Um... you might want to take your collar off for the meeting Sakura."

"Oh, right!" Sakura exclaimed, a little disappointed she had to remove it. "I will be right back," Sakura said as she walked down the hallway to put the collar down somewhere. As she reached Shirou's room, Rider's voice entered Sakura's mind.

"Everything will be ready for when you return," Rider said through telepathy to Sakura. "Thank you, Rider. Please stay here and keep watch."

Sakura unbuckled the collar and gentle placed it on Shirou's desk, like she would for a piece of jewelry. She then turned and hurried back to the others._ _Once Sakura was at the door, she, Saber and Shirou headed to the Matou estate. As they walked, Sakura had something on her mind. Maybe I should tell Master about big sis's feelings before we meet, Sakura wondered as they walked. I know Master like her and if he knew she liked him, he might pursue her. Though, that might make this meeting awkward. I will tell him after the meeting.

As the moon's glow illuminated the street, Rin cautiously walked towards the Matou estate. She was wearing her red turtleneck and black skirt. Next to her, Archer followed in his spirit form, as to not to draw attention. "Rin", he spoke to her telepathically. "I see Saber and her master. As well as someone else."

"I don't remember Shirou saying anyone else would be here," Rin though. "Does she look like she would be dangerous?"

"No," Archer answered. "It's that girl you were watching that one night."

Sakura? Rin thought. It wasn't strange that she's here, since she it's her home. Is she involved in this?

Rin as approached, she could see what Archer had seen; Shirou, Saber, and Sakura were standing outside the gate. "Evening," Rin greeted when she was close.

"Thank you for coming, Tohsaka," Shirou said. "Yes, thank you for coming, Tohsaka-senp..." Sakura began before pausing. "No, thank you for coming, big sister."

Rin's eyes widened. "Wait... what are yo..." She began before Shirou interrupted. "Sakura told me the truth about you and her."

"I see..." Rin sighed. "So why did we need to meet here?"

"Before we get into the meeting, Sakura has something she wants to talk to you about," Shirou explained before looking at his girlfriend. Sakura took a deep breath and composed herself. "First," she began as she raised her left hand, with its back towards Rin. As she raised it, her command spells appeared on her hand. "I am the Master of Rider and the current head of the Matou family,"

Rin looked a bit surprised, but not for long. "I had heard the Matou's ability for magecraft had dried up. So it makes sense you are their Master in this Grail War. But how are you the head of the Matou family?"

"To answer that," Sakura explained. "I will need to show you something inside the house. Alone." After she said that, Archer materialized next to Rin, looking concerned. "You know a Servant cannot just leave their Master unguard with another Master?" he asked, looking at Sakura, who looked away to avoid his gaze.

"In that case," Shirou said as he stepped forward. "You can take me as a hostage. If you think Sakura has harmed Rin, you can kill me."

Sakura's eyes darted towards Shirou, but before she could object, Archer chuckled. "Very brave of you, Shirou Emiya. Very well, I accept those terms." He turned to look at Saber. "Are you okay with this arrangement, Saber?"

Saber nodded. "While I would rather not put Shirou's life in danger, I have no doubts about Sakura's intent."

Sakura smiled a bit, though she wasn't really sure about her intent herself.

"Very well, Sakura," Rin agreed. "I will go with you,"

"T...thank you," Sakura replied, a little nervous, before gesturing to the house and walking towards it. Rin followed after her, leaving Shirou, Archer, and Saber behind.

Sakura led Rin into the depths of the house. The hallways were quiet and slightly dark. While the Tohsaka's house was not the most welcoming, Rin could feel this one was foreboding. This was the first time Rin had been inside the Matou estate. While the Tohsaka's and Matou's are old allies, they were also rivals. Rin followed behind Sakura, who had gone silence since they entered the house. Soon, the two came to a door that was different from the others Rin had seen in the house. While it was shaped like a normal, western door, this one reminded her of a vault door. Or a prison door. The door had a bolt lock on it, which was bolted but not locked in place. Sakura pulled the bolt back with a screech of metal on metal, ending with a thud when it unlocked. She slowly opened the door, it squeaked as it turned on its hinges. As it opened, the dark, almost abyss like void, was behind it. After their eyes adjusted, Rin could see a stone stairway, descending to into the darkness.

"This way," Sakura said quietly before she continued. Rin followed behind her. Their steps echoed in the stone hallway. Soon a large chamber appeared. It was a square, stone chamber. While it was dark, Rin could see alcoves along the wall that looked like windows with rounded tops. Rin could not see what was inside those alcoves, because it was too dark. Ahead of them, at the end of the stairs, was a platform. At the other end of the platform, there was another flight of stairs going down.

Sakura walked along the platform for a few steps before stopping and turning towards the center of the chamber. With her arm hand, she pointed down the center of the chamber. "This is what I wanted to show you,"

Rin looked in the direction Sakura was pointing. She could not see any but darkness, but then a green light began to illuminate the chamber, revealing what was at the bottom. Rin's eyes widened in horror as she saw what was at the bottom of the chamber. The floor at the bottom of the chamber was covered in worms, all creeping and crawling.

"This is where I spent my first week at the Matou household," Sakura continued. "I laid there, covered in worms, screaming for help. I cried for father or mother or you to come save me. But I wasn't."

"Those worms did... a lot of things to me. The only person who tried to save me was uncle Kariya, but he died doing so, the worms devouring him." As Sakura described the horrors that befell her, Rin stood there, frozen in terror.

"And even outside of this chamber, it was hell. The Matou's... they...they..." Sakura tried to continue, but was finding it hard to do so, stuttering over her words. Rin slowly reach out her hand towards Sakura's shoulder, but as soon as she touched her, Sakura violently brushed her off and turned towards her sister.

"It was hell!" she screamed at Rin. "They all treated me like garbage! And no one came to help! Not even my big sister, who promised she would protect me!"

Sakura angrily glared at Rin. "I hate you, sis!" she cried, tears starting to flow down her cheeks. "I wanted you to experience that same hell I suffered through..." Sakura collapsed to her knees. "But I," she stuttered, still upset by those memories.

Rin knelt down and reached out for her sister. Sakura tried to swat her way. "Stay back!" she cried. "I really hate you!!" Rin did not give up, even as Sakura struck her. Reaching past Sakura, Rin embraced her sister. "I love you, Sakura," she spoke softly. "And I'm sorry I failed to protect you. I won't let that happen again."

Sakura could feel the sincerity in Rin's words. Slowly, she lifted her arms and returned the hug. "I'm sorry, big sis," Sakura cried. "I shouldn'"

Rin gently shushed her. "You're right to be angry with me. But from now on, I won't let that happen to you again,"

"Thank you," Sakura said as her tears died down. "And I... I love you too, big sis."