The war is over but the story has yet to close.

Epilogue: After the End of the War

Shirou strode with a determined gait towards the church. He was there only to survey the area. After the fight with Kirei and the Golden Archer, he had to ensure their defeat. He ignored the chilly wind and the dark ominous clouds that hung heavily overhead. He hesitated in front of the large doors. Sighing heavily, he thrust the doors open. The interior was dark and the air was stagnant. Inside, he felt someone, something, calling him. He followed the sad screams and his pace quickened. Before he realized it, he was running. He ran through a corridor into an open garden, a place he'd never been to before. Suddenly, he stopped.

Here

We're over here

Where…

Where are you?

The screams had stopped and turned into ghastly wails. Somehow, the wails were resonating within him stronger than the screams did. There were stairs to his right. His shallow breathing was the only sound in the otherwise silent church. Forcing his legs to move, he began to walk toward the stairs.

Closer

Here!

Save me

Faster

It was pitch black. His eyes were still adjusting to the room. The little light that was in the room came from a flickering torch on a wall and the dim sunlight from outside. He tenderly took a step towards the torch. Then another. He reached out and grabbed the torch in his hand. He ventured a few more steps forward. He had to know. The wails were stronger now. Stronger and louder than any screams he'd heard before. Then the stench of death and decay sturck him full on the face. He staggered.

"Ugh. What-"

It was a gruesome sight. The stench emanated from inside several stone containers. Pinching his nose close, Shirou gingerly took a step forward to peer into the closest one.

Why did you leave us?

It was alive. Shirou fell over backward but still clutched the torch in his hand. The floor was damp. He stood up. He looked into the other containers. The sight was almost exactly the same. Inside the containers were bodies in various states of decomposition. But there was something different. It's as if the decomposition started only recently. The bodies were seemingly broken down by something other than a natural process. The worst part was that the bodies were alive!

"What's going on here?"

Save me

Me!

Save me!

Save us!

Don't go!

Then it hit him.

"Would you like to come with me or would you rather go to the church with the other orphans?"

"Are these..."

They were the orphans that survived the fire. At first Shirou would encounter them in the city, mostly in the playground, but as time passed, he saw them less and less. He eventually forgot about them.

"What did Kirei do here?"

Shirou felt his heart muscles tighten.

"I am the only one who's left? I left these orphans. I shouldn't be alive."

Shirou began to walk backwards. He dropped the torch and ran up the stairs. He continued until he was outside. Just outside the church, he fell to his knees.

"Why? Why me?"

"Because it is not your fault. Therefore, it is not your guilt to carry."

It was as if Saber was right beside him. He looked up at the dark sky.

"Do not blame yourself, My Lord. The fire was not your fault."

"That's right... Saber... It isn't my fault. But since I'm the only one who's alive, it's up to me to live and see the future. For their sake."

Shirou stood up, resolute and sure in his newfound reason.

"I will be a hero."

Just then, it began to rain, as if to wash away the burden that had weighed him down for so long.

It was thanks to Rin's people skills that Taiga was no longer asking questions as to why Shirou had not attended school for about two weeks. It was already early March and Summer break was a few months away. Shirou worked hard and his grades were not an issue.

One day, Shirou decided to stay in school. He went up to the roof and looked out into the city. The sunset gave off a soothing light that relaxed Shirou. The war was over but its events still played itself over in his mind.

"Emiya-kun. I thought I'd find you here."

Shirou turned, surprised at the familiar voice. It was Tohsaka Rin. Rin hadn't spoken to him as a friend since he came back from the church except to say that she was going back to the Tohsaka Manor. She did promise to teach him Magic before leaving and she came by three times a week to teach him. During those days, she acted more like a teacher. Shirou felt that she was too aloof.

"Tohsaka-chan!"

"You sound surprised to see me. Am I not supposed to be here? Or am I not supposed to be talking to you?"

"No, it's not that. It's just that... well..."

"I understand. I didn't talk to you normally for these past few weeks. I had some things to do as a magus. And besides, people are starting to leave Fuyuki because of the disappearences."

"Oh. It's okay."

"I should have told you."

"No, it's okay. I understand."

"Not that. I'm going to London."

"What?!"

"After we graduate, I'm going to London. I'm going to study Magic there."

"Oh. That's great."

"What about you?"

"I guess I'll go back to learning Magic the old way."

"No way! I don't want to come back one day to find my apprentice dead. It'd look bad for me, you know."

Shirou gave a laugh. This was the Tohsaka Rin he was well acquainted with.

"Well if you're leaving nobody will be teaching me anything more. And what about Sakura?"

"Well..."

Rin began to fidget. It was uncharacteristic but Shirou failed to notice.

"Do you know anything about the Clock Tower?"

"Very little. I think it's a headquarters of some sort for the Mage's Association."

"That's right. Normally, you'd have to pass a test to be allowed into the Clock Tower. One of the exemptions is if you belong to a prestigious family."

"Oh. So you don't have to take a test?"

"Yes."

"Good for you! But what about Fuyuki? Aren't you in charge of the area?"

"I've already asked another family of Magi to send someone over to watch over it in my place. Sakura's still not up to it so her time will have to wait."

"It looks like everything's set then."

"There's more."

A blush began to creep up her cheeks.

"I'm allowed to take along up to two apprentices."

"What do you mean?"

With that question, the flush on Rin's cheeks rushed up high to her forehead. Embarassment quickly turned to annoyance.

"You idiot! I'm going to take you too! I can't leave you here if you're going to learn Magic!"

"To-Tohsaka?"

"Hmph. Well, that is, if you really want to learn Magic, I could take you there."

"Uh... well..."

"Well?"

Shirou began to think. His father was his first thought,

"I wanted to become a Hero of Justice."

Then Saber,

"I hope your dream comes true."

Then the image of all the decomposing orphans underneath the church came to mind,

"Why did you leave us?"

"I'll do it."

Shirou clenched his fist and held it in front of him.

"I'm going with you."

"Well, even if you don't have to take the test, I'm still going to have to teach you a whole lot more. Be ready, Shirou."

Rin smiled happily as she walked away.

Sakura took a look at the old house where she was raped and brutally treated. She opened the door and took one last walk through the halls and rooms that once held fear and hatred. Now, it held only a sense of loneliness and memories of people who are dead.

"Niisan, Grandfather. Good-bye."

She went back outside where she left a tank of gasoline. She struggled a little but managed to get the tank inside. She began pouring it over everything in the first floor. She gave special attention to the book cases. When she was satisfied, she still had a quarter of the tank left. She began to pour it down the steps to the basement. She went down and emptied the tank in the room. After throwing the tank away, she climbed the stairs and stood at the doorway. She rummaged in her pockets for the pack of matches she brought with her. She lit one but the wind blew it out. She lit another one and threw it onto a wet patch of the floor on her right. The flames leapt up almost immediately. They traveled quickly around the room as Sakura took another match and lit it. She threw it to her left to make sure that the house was burning well. She closed the door and stood at the streets. Soon, she saw the flames coming out of the windows.

"Good-bye... Matou."

She turned and walked away. She went straight to the Tohsaka Manor where she and Shirou had left her things the day before. She recalled the smiling face of Shirou when she told him she was moving in with Rin. She herself began to smile. She walked up to the porch and knocked on the door. Rin opened it for her and she smiled when she saw Sakura.

"Oh, Sakura-chan. I didn't expect you until later."

"I'm sorry Neesan."

"No, it's okay. Welcome to your new home. I'm just preparing dinner so come on in and make yourself comfortable."

"Oh, I could help you with dinner!"

"Forget it. I'll do it tonight since it's your first night here."

"Oh."

Sakura's face fell.

"But if you really want to help, I guess you could set the table."

Sakura's face brightened almost immediately. She nodded and went to the dining room. Before she headed to the kitchen, Rin turned to speak to Sakura.

"Well, I think you should get used to this house soon."

"Why is that?"

"I'll be leaving for London after graduation next year."

Sakura was surprised and her face betrayed the worry she felt.

"But what about Fuyuki? I thought you were supposed to be its Second Owner?"

"I am. But I've sent for someone to watch over it. And in time, you'll be the one in charge while I'm away."

"Oh I see. But what about Sempai? Aren't you his teacher?"

"Emiya-kun will be coming with me to the Clock Tower."

Sakura hid the sadness that the news brought her. Rin blushed and looked away as she struggled to say what was on her mind.

"We'll try to visit each year. I'll... miss... having my sister around like the old days."

Sakura was overjoyed at her sentence and hugged her tight.

A few weeks later, Lord Waver Velvet el Melloi came to Japan. He stepped off the bus at Fuyuki with a determined air. His hair was now longer as it reached his shoulders. Still, he didn't change his hairstyle from ten years ago. The Spring breeze blew his hair to the side and he used a gloved hand to keep it away from his eyes. He was wearing a long overcoat. Underneath it he was in slacks and a long-sleeved button shirt and he brought a suitcase with him. He was here for a mission. A mission he must complete. He wasted no time and immediately hailed a taxi.

"Take me to the Ryudou Temple."

The driver complied and went off at a liesurely speed. Instead of looking out the window and enjoying the sights, Waver Velvet chose to open his suitcase and looked at some papers. Then he removed his overcoat and took a tie out of the suit case. He fastened the last button on his shirt and wore the tie. Then he folded the overcoat and placed it in the suitcase. He took a formal jacket out and wore it. He fastened the buttons then closed the suitcase.

The driver saw his activities through the rearview mirror.

"Sir, it may not be my business but it's rare to see a passenger change in the backseat. Are you here on business?"

"Yes. Business…

--------A very important one."

"Very good. Not too many people have been coming here on business what with all the disappearances some time ago."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah. Although there is this one company that decided to put up shop in Shinto."

"I see."

"What was its name? Yeti? Jetski?"

The driver went on trying to remember the name of the new company while Waver Velvet sighed and leaned on his arm as he stared at the passing scenery without interest.

Soon enough, the taxi stopped right in front of the stairs to the temple. Waver Velvet paid the driver and stepped out of the vehicle. He stayed at the sidewalk as the taxi drove away. Making sure that there was not a soul in sight, he began to climb the stairs. It wasn't long before he decided to go into the flora. His determined gait was hindered neither by the brush nor by the branches of low trees. It wasn't long before he reached the opening to the cave to the Great Holy Grail. He threw his suitcase inside before climbing in. Picking up his suitcase, he walked forward. He didn't care for the beautiful sights of the stones and stopped only when he'd reached the Greater Grail. Taking the apparatus he needed for this specific job, he set up everything to disable the Great Holy Grail.

"It's time to end this."

Not noticing the faint traces of Magical Energy in the cavern, he went to work. He was soon done and he gathered up his things and went back to the stairs so that any who might see him wouldn't think anything more of him than a tourist. He felt satisfied with his work and was smiling to himself when he came across Ryudou Issei who was climbing up. They shared a glance but neither one took anymore notice of the other. He soon went to a nearby hotel and checked in for the night. His flight out of Japan was early in the morning.

"Emiya! Focus!"

It was one of Shirou's Magic sessions with Rin who was beginning to become exasperated with Shirou's slow progress on one of the more rudimentary skills required to be a Magus. They were in Shirou's room.

"I'm trying! This is harder than you made it out to be."

"Stop whining!"

Rin then stood up. Shirou followed her with his eyes.

"Where are you going?"

"I'm going to get some tea. It took me some time to finish the blueprints for the Kaleidoscope."

"The Kaleidoscope?"

"It's the other name for the Jeweled Sword."

Shirou sat back. He relaxed his body so he could rest for a little while.

"You can make it now?"

"Well, I understand how to make it. It's going to take much more money and time to make. It would be easier if you helped me out."

"How?"

Rin brushed her hair out of her face.

"Would ten million be too much to ask for?"

"Ten m-million Yen?!"

"I'm going to need much more to be sure that I can make it."

Rin smiled at Shirou. Shirou felt a shiver climb up his spine.

"I don't have that much..."

"Oh I was just teasing you. I'll be back with tea."

Shirou began to practice again. He was on his fourth attempt and he had achieved total focus without Rin's presence but then he heard a yelp from the kitchen.

"Ah!"

Shirou abandoned his attempt and ran to check on Rin. The kettle was whistling on the stove but the cups had fallen to the floor. Rin was staring at a tall man in front of her.

"Tohsaka!"

"Emiya!"

The man turned. He stared at Shirou. There was a feeling of wrongness around the man. It wasn't the same as the one he'd felt with the shadow or Kirei as it was weaker and different but Shirou still kept his guard up.

"Emiya Shirou, is it? Congratulations on your success in the Holy Grail War. I must congratulate Tohsaka Rin as well."

Before Shirou could say a word, he turned back to Rin.

"Congratulations on understanding the Jeweled Sword. You can now replicate the second sorcery! The Tohsaka family has indeed gone far in the last 200 years."

"Who are you?"

Shirou's question was followed by silence. Rin was the first to answer. She exploded.

"You IDIOT! This is Kishua Zeltrech Schweinorg! He's a Sorcerer!"

Shirou stared at Rin then stared at Kishua Zeltrech and then back at Rin.

"A... Sorcerer?"

"I must apologize for having surprised you, Rin, and having failed to introduce myself to young Emiya-san."

Shirou felt uneasy. Sorcerers didn't just randomly show up at one's house. He fidgeted slightly before addressing Zeltrech.

"N-no, I'm sorry for snapping at you."

"I quite understand, young man. It was rude of me to pop in like this."

Zeltrech was carrying a package which he handed to Shirou.

"An old friend told me to give this to you. He said you would know what to do with it when the time came."

Shirou stared at the package.

"Now I must bid you adieu. I've to present myself to the Mage's Association."

Shirou moved the package around in his hands. When Shirou heard Rin go back to making tea, he looked up. Kishua Zeltrech Schweinorg was gone.

Their Summer was spent trying to return to their normal lifestyles. Sakura still went over to the Emiya residence every morning to prepare breakfast for Shirou and Taiga. Rin never commented on her actions but she did go with Sakura every so often. Sakura kept practicing her archery and with Shirou's help, she soon became adept at it. Taiga noted her progress which caused Sakura to blush and stammer. She would often join Rin and Shirou's Magic sessions so she could learn better as well.

Rin kept teaching Shirou Magecraft although with more free time on her hands, she chose to come by four times a week instead of the usual three. All the while, she also honed her own skills to prepare herself for the Clock Tower. Taking into account the number of people that long to gain entrance to the Tower, she applied herself into teaching and learning.

Fujimura Taiga relaxed during the Summer Break. After the events of the war and the loss of some of her students to psychological illnesses, she was kept busy and wound tight. It didn't take her long to bounce back and become the highly excitable Tiger.

Shirou went back to his part-time job and Neko was very happy for this. Like Rin, he also became serious about Magic. With Rin as his teacher, and Sakura as a fellow student, he progressed fairly evenly but still had setbacks in some lessons. He never returned to the archery club but kept himself fit and often joined Sakura for extra training. Taiga allowed him free passage into the range for his history in the club.

Ilyasviel was allowed to stay in the Emiya residence after she turned down an offer to stay with Taiga. She spent her days roaming the town or playing with Shirou and Taiga. She would often visit Leysritt and Sella in the Einzbern Mansion but never stayed there, much to the exasperation of the two. She seemed happy to stay with Shirou and smiled more often. She seemed softer compared to her ruthlessness in the war.

Before long, they all had to return to school for another school year.

It was Wednesday on the first week of the new school year. Rin was in class 3-A with Ryudou Issei, much to their chagrin, and Shirou was in class 3-F. Shirou still ate with Issei in the Student Council Room during lunch but it became more and more common for him to eat with Rin and Sakura on the rooftop. Sakura was in class 2-C where they had a new classmate. Taiga Fujimura was the homeroom teacher.

"Everyone, we have a new student. Please introduce yourself."

The student, who stood beside Taiga, bowed. She had a lean frame and short black hair held in check by a headband. Her brown eyes glittered behind glasses as she spoke.

"My name is Seo Eri. In kanji, it is written like this."

She proceeded to grab a stick of chalk and scratch away on the blackboard. Taiga pointed out something wrong with her characters.

"Seo-san, that is the kanji for 'sei' not 'seo.'"

"Oh! I must explain. I'm Korean and our pronunciation of my name is Seo. But if you are more comfortable with calling me Sei-san, then it would be okay."

She smiled. Taiga clapped her hands and faced the class.

"Well I've got to dash so please welcome Seo-san as best as you can. Seo-san, please take the seat next to Matou Sakura."

Seo Eri sat in her seat and waited for their next teacher. Sakura gathered up her courage and began to talk to Eri.

"He-hello. My name is Matou Sakura. It's nice to have you here."

Eri turned to her and grinned broadly. She stood up and bowed.

"It is my pleasure, Matou-san."

Sakura decided to take it one step further.

"Would you like to join me for lunch?"

"Oh of course! But wouldn't it bother you? Do you eat with anyone else?"

"I'm sure Sempai and Neesan would allow it."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes!"

Eri smiled at Sakura.

"Then I accept!"

They soon became fast friends and when lunch came, they headed for the rooftop. Rin was already there. She was sitting with her back to the edge when Sakura and Eri came through the door, both laughing.

"Hello Neesan!"

Rin stood up. She dusted her skirt off and looked questioningly at her sister's new friend. Sakura and Eri picked up their pace and Eri immediately bowed.

"Hajimemashite. I'm Seo Eri."

Rin bowed in response.

"Hajimemashite. My name is Tohsaka Rin."

Immediately, Eri started. The jerking motion did not go unnoticed. Sakura became worried.

"Seo-san? Is something wrong?"

"Your sister is Tohsaka Rin? Why didn't you tell me?"

"You know her?"

"I've been looking for her since I got here!"

Eri turned back to Tohsaka Rin.

"I'm a Magus too. I'm from the Seo family."

Rin was taken aback and her expression betrayed it. Sakura was surprised and rushed to Rin's side.

"You're a Magus?"

"Yes I am. I guess my family's research hasn't gone far enough to be noticed."

Rin's eyes narrowed and she glared at the young woman.

"What did you want from me?"

"I just wanted you to know that a fellow Magus would be staying here. Out of respect from one Magus to another; especially as you're the Second Owner of Fuyuki."

"Is that so? Then you'd better behave. I won't tolerate it if you compromise the secrecy of Magic."

"Then I guess I just won't join any Grail Wars."

Eri's last mark created tension between them. Just then, Shirou came.

"Hey, what's going on?"

The next day, Rin visited Shirou in his classroom. A young man was with her.

"Hey Tohsaka-chan, how are things with Seo-san?"

"She apologized to me today; But more importantly, I'd like you to meet the man who will be taking care of Fuyuki while I'm gone."

Rin apparently did not like the young man who was smiling at Shirou behind thick glasses. Her voice betrayed annoyance at his presence.

"I would have preferred it if the Higashikaze family had sent someone else, but I guess he'll do."

The young man bowed.

"Nice to meet you. I hope to get to know you better."

It was in the middle of the school year when Ilyasviel began to take ill. It had begun as a weakening of the limbs and fatigue before she fell into paralysis. At first, she was conscious but after a week in bed, she fell into what seemed to be a coma. She constantly had a fever and Shirou would rush home to take care of her. Neko excused him from his part-time job during this period. Rin advised Shirou not to call for a doctor and Shirou understood.

Hope was frail.

"Emiya-kun..."

Rin sat at the table where Shirou and Sakura were. Sakura was trying to comfort Shirou. Taiga had told him to try to relax as she watched Ilyasviel.

"Homunculi are often unstable. Since she was created as a vessel, she just might be at the end of her life. Also, the stress of all those spirits in her may have meddled with her biological state."

Shirou hung his head in despair. Rin offered to cut her last few classes the next day to see to Ilyasviel. She tried to be as cheerful as possible but Shirou's depression was more than she and Sakura could alleviate. Shirou nodded and muttered his thanks.

The next day, Rin left school early only to find that Sakura had decided to skip school that day and was watching over Ilyasviel. Seo Eri was also there after worrying about where Sakura might be. She had asked for directions from Taiga who had unwittingly allowed her student to leave school during lunch. The three women took turns attending to the unconscious little girl. It was about an hour later that they heard the doorbell. Rin answered the door.

"What are you doing here?"

A young man stood at the doorway. He came in uninvited and his face was neutral; as if nothing were happening.

"She has to be taken back to the Einzbern Mansion."

Rin nodded in response and led him to Ilyasviel's room. There, the young man began drawing symbols on the floor. When he was finished, he asked everyone to step out of the room.

"It's unlikely, but I might make a mistake."

After chanting a spell for about five minutes, he picked up Ilyasviel's body and began to walk out. Sakura was going to stop him but Rin held out an arm to deter her reaction.

"He knows what he's doing. I've seen him like this before."

Eri followed him out the door.

"I'm going, Matou-chan. I'll see you tomorrow."

Sakura merely nodded in response. Rin then told her to go home as she waited for Shirou.

Eri shadowed the young man as he waited for a cab to come by. She hid behind a lamppost.

"Why are you following me?"

The young man barely turned.

"I know where you are, Seo Eri."

Eri left her hiding place and stood by the man.

"I want to know what's going on."

"I suppose a pursuit of knowledge is something I am not one to stop, but you will learn little from following me."

Eri climbed into the cab before the man did. The young man shook his head and smiled. He climbed in and gave instructions to the driver.

When they arrived at the mansion, Leysritt and Sella were waiting for them. The young man handed Ilyasviel over to them and they carried her off quietly. Eri and the young man were left in the living room for some time. An hour later, the young man spoke to her.

"You might want to go home. You won't see Ilyasviel again."

Shirou came home expecting to see Ilyasviel in a better state. Instead, Rin met him at the living room with an expression that told Shirou something was wrong.

"Ilyasviel's caretakers took her back to the Einzbern Mansion."

Shirou staggered at the news. He had felt fine that day when he saw Rin pass by his classroom on the way home. His knees buckled and he fell to the floor. Rin approached him tenderly, expecting to see tears stream down his face. Instead, Shirou was staring intently at the floor.

"... Was there nothing we could do?"

Rin's intuition told her what Shirou really wanted to ask.

"Was it really her time? Did I go wrong?"

Rin knew that Shirou would be comforted by the answer.

"No... Shirou.

---------there was nothing we could do."

A month after Ilyasviel's death, Shirou had fully recovered and his friends were happy to see him cheerful again.

One day, Sakura was dusting the living room while Rin went out for groceries. Sakura offered to help but Rin said that the house needed cleaning. Cheered by the prospect of being able to do something for her sister, Sakura immediately went to work. She soon realized that Rin had tricked her into staying home as the manor needed little cleaning. Still, she did her best. She came upon a letter as she was working in the living room. She picked it up and found that it was for Rin. She then read the return address. The letter had come from Vienna, Austria and was in a plain white envelope. She set it aside on a shelf and finished her work. To keep herself busy while she waited for Rin, she began to cook dinner from what was left in the kitchen. Half an hour after she began, Rin arrived. Rin stepped in and dropped the bags in the kitchen.

"I'm home, Sakura-chan."

"Welcome back, Neesan!"

"Is he home yet?"

"No. He said he would be out late while doing research."

"He was always like that."

"Before I forget, Neesan, there's a letter for you on the shelf."

"Oh that?"

Rin walked over to the living room to get the letter. Sakura followed her quietly.

"This arrived last week. I guess I forgot to open it."

Rin tore off the top of the envelope quite brutally. She walked over to a trash bin as she removed the folded piece of paper. She dropped the envelope into the bin and began to read the letter out loud.

Greetings Tohsaka Rin,

I am Heinrich Schönburger. you may not remember me but I was one of your late father's friends, so to speak. Our families have long been on good terms and I would like to maintain the mutual relationship with your family. My family chronicles events that involve Magi or Magic.

This letter is to inform you that, to obtain information on all magical events, we will be sending my daughter, Alea, to Fuyuki City to record the events of the last Holy Grail War. Would it be possible for her to take lodgings in the Tohsaka Manor?

Your cooperation will be greatly appreciated and we will be sure to repay you this debt. Should you need anything, especially in terms of Magecraft and research, we would be more than glad to supply you with resources.

Sincerely, on behalf of the Schönburger family,

Heinrich Schönburger

On the bottom right-hand corner of the paper was the family's insignia. It was an open book with the figures of an hourglass, a couldron, and a man above it all flanked by two olive leaves and a ribbon underneath bearing the words, "Vicis, Veneficus, Quietus."

"Time, Magic, Neutrality."

Sakura began to think back to memories of her childhood before she was adopted into the Matou family.

"Wasn't Alea the name of the small, quiet girl that one of father's friends brought over?"

"It seems so. Sakura-chan, could you handle dinner for tonight? I have to write a response."

"Of course!"

"I won't be here when she arrives, but could you pick her up when she does? You'll get a letter before then."

"Oh. Sure!"

"You'll be in charge of the house so you can pick her room."

"Right!"

"He can help you if you want him to. Just make sure that she's taken care of."

Before long, Shirou and Rin's last year in school came to an end. Rin and Shirou's flight to London was in the last week of June and their friends made sure to prepare a big going away party the day before they left. Sakura and Eri prepared the food and Taiga was left to make decorations with Issei. Shirou and Rin were very happy to find that the Emiya residence had a large banner saying, "Bon Voyage, Shirou and Rin!"

Taiga became teary-eyed and hugged Shirou tight, all the while babbling about how big he's gotten in the last ten years and how he should never forget his friends. Rin maintained her calm outward appearance and kept away from Issei who eyed her suspiciously. She went over to Sakura's side who was gathering up the courage to give Shirou her gift.

"Where is he?"

"He said that it's not his place to join celebrations like this."

"He should really lighten up. Say, what's that?"

Sakura turned beet red and tried to hide the gift.

"I-it's nothing."

"Is that a gift?"

"Ye-yes..."

"Well give it to him!"

"Okay..."

Sakura took small steps towards Shirou who was flanked by Issei and Taiga on either side. They were chatting away gaily about events past and embarrasing moments that Shirou got himself into. Shirou looked up and saw Sakura coming slowly towards him.

"Sakura-chan!"

"Sempai!"

"I'm not your Sempai anymore. Just call me Shirou."

"O-okay, Shirou-kun."

"No. Just Shirou, you're like family to me. Is there anything you need?"

"Uhh... Shi-Shirou..."

She held out her gift which was a box-like object wrapped in brown paper and tied wonderfully with string. A note stuck out of the top of the wrapping. She bowed her head to hide her blushing face. Shirou took the gift and smiled at Sakura. He read the note.

Happy journeys!

For good luck.

-Sakura

He smiled and slowly opened the package. Neither he nor Sakura noticed that Taiga and Issei had left them and were staring at them from a distance. Rin smiled as Shirou pulled a necklace out of the box. He wore it around his neck and everyone thought it looked good on him. Rin took a careful look at the pendant that the necklace was sporting.

It's a bronze figure of a dragon... no, wait. That's a wyvern - there aren't any arms.

Just then, the front gate burst open.

"Emiya! My boy!"

A group of people entered. Leading them was Taiga's father, Fujimura Raiga. He had brought with him some of his Yakuza bodyguards.

"I heard you're leaving, is that right?"

Shirou nodded surprised by his appearance.

"Ah, following the foot steps of your old man, eh? Bah. Well, take care, boy. This house will be here when you get back."

Taiga had apparently invited her father to the party without telling anyone else. Everybody laughed when Taiga began to fidget. Shirou then invited them all to join in.

When confronted as to when they would return, Rin and Shirou promised everyone that they would return to visit as soon as they could. Although it was a farewell party, everyone was smiling and happy.

The celebration had begun late in the afternoon and went on into the night. When everyone had gone home, Shirou sat outside looking at the moon. The silence of the place was a sudden change to everything that had happened.

"I suppose everything changes."

He walked to the shed for what would be the last time in a long while. The moonlight streamed in through the window and illuminated the junk that had accumulated through the years. As he stood in the moonlight, he recalled the night that Saber had come to save him.

"My Lord, what is your name?"

Out of the corner of his eye, Shirou noticed a scroll in the corner of the shed. He picked it up tenderly and opened it. Inside was a beautiful painting. His eyes scanned the paper to see who made it. He found the signature near the bottom of the scroll.

------Miyamoto Musashi.

Eri turned on the television set in her apartment and listened to the news as she did her homework. It had just been two days since Rin and Shirou left and Sakura had begun to share with her all about her "Sempai." She smiled as she thought of Sakura's blushing face as she spoke but her smile quickly turned into a frown when she looked down on her homework. She wrote a little but decided to give it up for the time being and listened to the news.

"In other news, the worldwide company called JETR, based in Fuyuki City, Japan, has just begun to mass produce their new breakthrough in medical science. Prosthetic limbs that have their own power source and are completely robotic are helping people who have lost limbs to an accident or were born without them. The CEO says that nothing will be released on the scientific findings his company has made but reassures the people that JETR will continue to do more work in other fields to benefit mankind."

"Hm. Sounds good. Oh well... back to my homework."

Sakura waited at the bus stop for Alea Schönburger. She was to arrive in thirty minutes. Sakura sat at the nearby bench as she waited patiently for Alea. All the while she thought of Rin and Shirou and how they were doing. In a little while, a young man sat beside her and handed her a plastic cup.

"Iced tea. I thought you might be thirsty."

Sakura took the cup and looked up at the man.

"Thank you."

"No problem."

They both sat in silence as they waited. Not twenty minutes later, they could see the bus in the distance. They waited patiently as it stopped in front of them and a number of people stepped out. Among the last passengers to leave was a small girl with long red hair. She was carrying two large bags and seemed to be having trouble with them. Sakura and the young man stood up and walked closer. The young man held out a hand to her.

"Let me help. Are you by any chance, Fraulein Alea Schönburger?"

The girl looked up at them with her hazel eyes and nodded.

"Yes I am."

Sakura introduced herself with a bow.

"I am Matou Sakura. I'm sorry but my sister, Tohsaka Rin won't be here and she asked me to come pick you up."

"Oh thank you."

They hailed a taxi and sat in silence as they returned to the Manor.

A young boy passed by the high school as he was walking. His brother was walking ahead of him and became annoyed at his pace. The summer sun was beating heavily down on them and they were both sweaty.

"Kiriai! Come on!"

The boy was Li Kiriai who had just arrived a few days ago. He looked up at the building and ignored his brother. Their mother had let them roam Fuyuki to get acquainted with it. He placed a hand on the wall that surrounded the school grounds.

This is where I'll be going to school next year.

-------I'm so excited!

Thus ended the series of events known as the Fifth Holy Grail War that would eventually lead to the greatest War that the History of Magic had ever seen.