Current mood:	sick
Entry tags:	across the universe, archer x rin, fanfic, fate/stay night

[Across The Universe][Driving Me Mad][A-Side]
Title: Driving Me Mad {A-Side}
Rating: MA. That means not-work safe Archer/Rin love.
Characters: Archer x Rin
Word Count: 22, 383
Warning/s: Heaven's Feel spoilers, less this time around though.
Summary: Rin is honest, except to herself. Typically, it blows up in her face.
Dedication: For…Caradryan? Raistlin? What on earth am I supposed to call you? I mean, I’m grateful, but please pick a handle and stick with it.
A/N: Done for the 30_lemons challenge theme #22 Bottoms Up, or, "Surprise! Guess Who's on Top Tonight?"

Fate/stay night © TYPE-MOON / Kadokawa Shoten / Studio DEEN.

Cross-posted to fsn_fiction, 30_lemons and my writing lj.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Archer tested the yumi, the range of six archery targets already quickly set up between his and Ayako's efforts. He wasn't surprised the Japanese bow was in such good condition considering Emiya didn't even practice-his younger self was simply the type to care for such things. Although Sakura's genuine enjoyment of kyudo couldn't have hurt things any as far as motivation went.

The loops of the tsuru firmly in the groves at either end of the bow, Archer held the bow at his side as he remained immobile. Ayako gave him a curious stare, clearly waiting for an explanation.

"Prepare your bow, Mitsuzuri." Archer said, tilting his head in challenge. "I want to see if you're as worthy to instruct as I am to advise."

Ayako stilled a moment before grinning approvingly, nodding her head. "Yes. Fair's fair. I have to say, I'm happy you thought of asking, Emiya-san."

"Archery is a mental art as much as it is a physical one. Respect is...important," Archer replied, watching Ayako assemble her own bow with the same skill he distantly recalled from his old life.

"If that's true, I may be the wrong person for this," Ayako said, manner sincere rather than self-depreciating as she stood before her own target with bow and arrow at ready. "I'm not bad but there are those better than me in the club. Matou is especially skilled, even more so considering she's a first-year."

"I don't doubt her talent. But she's not the one being tested now," Archer answered, reaching for an arrow as he centered his breathing.

Ayako's smile grew once more as her gaze flicked to the targets, twelve meters away. Child's play to an archer of his skill, but explaining why he could hit a target as far as four kilometers away would take more explaining than he really felt like. "That's a good answer, Emiya-san."

A glance passed between them, one practitioner of kyudo to another.

Arrows were gripped, bows held at ready.

A single breath. The pulling of strings, the straining of arm muscles against the yumi.

The visualization of the arrow already at the center of the target.

Another breath.

Release.

The dull sound of the bulls-eye being struck.

"Dead center," Ayako noted, looking pleased. "I hit the bulls-eye too, but I don't always get it perfectly in the middle like that."

"It was still a good shot on your part," Archer said, reaching to string another arrow. "I could hit something further away than twelve meters, if you want to pick a target." He aimed before releasing the arrow, the slender wood buried firmly in the epicenter of the third target.

"Oh?" The Archery Captain replied, making her own shot to strike the fourth target. Not a bad one by any means, but still out of Archer's league. She seemed to be aware of this, eyeing the target with a little dissatisfaction before turning to look at Rin. "Tohsaka, why don't you pick?"

Rin frowned, distracted from her silent admiration of Archer's kyudo. It was strange and a little disappointing to realize she had never actually seen his skills as a kyudoka. But his former status as the Heroic Spirit of the Bow was a well-deserved one, his movements natural and flowing as a mountain river. "Why me, Mitsuzuri-san? I'm only familiar with kyudo at all because of you and Sakura."

"You can pick a target just fine, and your choice will be unbiased," Ayako said, amber gaze moving to Archer than back to Rin again. A sneaky, teasing smile started to grow on the other girl's face as she gave Rin a searching look. "Unless you think you can't be, for some reason-"

"The knothole on the tree at the end of the courtyard," Rin hastily interrupted as she pointed at the target, not wanting Ayako to figure out more than she absolutely had to. That she had already noticed how familiar Rin and Archer were with each other was bad enough.

"That one? Tohsaka, you're merciless. It's almost thirty-five meters from where we're standing." Ayako replied, squinting as she focused on the knothole. "And that spot itself can't be more than two centimeters across."

"Archer can hit it," Rin said calmly, voice utterly confident. Her eyes met his, the faith in their blue depths making his breath catch.

"Oho, you're not usually one to praise like that," Ayako said, grinning as Rin's cheeks went faintly red. "Well then, Tohsaka thinks you can do it so let's see your shot, Emiya-san."

Archer nodded, centering his breathing once more to calm his pounding heart. None of this showed in his actions, the arrow nocked no less gracefully than before. A heartbeat's worth of time passed, the world shrinking down to just his target. His fingers released the shaft, the bowstring twanging as the projectile flew to lodge neatly in the exact center of the knothole.

Ayako's eyes widened as she went to check the shot, her expression both impressed and slightly shaken. She didn't bother to announce what both Archer and Rin already knew.

That the shot was perfect.

Ayako plucked the shaft from the tree, turning it over in her hands. Finally, she chuckled before walking back to where they stood.

"Geez, Emiya-san. Why aren't you making a fortune in archery competitions? Someone with your skill could do very well for himself," Ayako asked, sitting down on the engawa. "Honestly, I'm embarrassed about having you advise now. It feels like I'm wasting your time."

"It's more complicated than that," Archer said slowly, unstringing his bow carefully. "I've...only arrived in Japan recently, so I'm still working out what to do with myself."

Ayako gave Rin an impish look, clearly aware of the amount of familiarity between her friend and Shirou's 'relative'. "Really? D'you got any suggestions for him, Toh-"

"I personally can't think of a better way for Archer to spend his time than helping you, A~ya~ko~," Rider cooed, popping up so suddenly even Archer jolted in surprise. Ayako gave a nervous squeak, made so frantic by her attempt to flee she ended up slipping on the engawa floor and falling face-first into Rider's generous chest. "Fufufufu~"

Rin forcibly held back a laugh as Ayako scrambled away, unusually flustered as she straightened her jogging sweats out. Rider merely smiled in response, not the least bit put off.

"A-anyway, Emiya-san," Ayako coughed, face still red. "It would be wonderful if you would advise while Fujimura-sensei is out sick," Her gaze shifted to Rider before she scooted back just a bit more. "The Archery Club gets lots of support from the school and we tend to do well in tournaments, so I'm sure I can work out a compensation fee of some sort with the principal. It probably won't be that much, but it's better than nothing."

"Mitsuzuri, I don't need-" Archer began.

"No, I insist. It wouldn't sit right by me if you didn't get something for your efforts," Ayako said firmly, nodding assuredly.

The sheer nostalgia that washed over Archer had him laughing dryly, Ayako's strong will just as he remembered. Perhaps that was part of why she and Rin were such good friends. "Fine, I give. I know better than to argue when you're like that..." He stopped before adding quickly, "From what Rin's told me of you, that is."

"Hmm," Ayako responded, eyeing Rin closely. "How uncharacteristic of Tohsaka to just talk to a guy like that."

Rin blushed, but the sound of the front door opening halted any blistering response she might have prepared.

"Nee...Tohsaka-senpai, everyone, we're back," Sakura's voice called out from the hall. Shirou's voice could faintly be heard murmuring to her before she continued. "And we brought lunch."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shirou picked up another piece of beef from his gyudon, chewing slowly before starting. "So you were right, Mitsuzuri. It was mono. The doctor said it shouldn't be too serious since Fuji-nee's so healthy and we caught it early. But she'll still be out for about a month."

"Haaa," Ayako sighed, chopsticks snagging a bit of beef and rice from her own bowl. "Well, it's a relief she's going to get better. Looks like we'll be depending on you for that long, Emiya-san."

Archer shifted, his discomfort only perceived by Rin. "Just Archer is fine. Or Archer-san if you must. And I don't mind being useful."

Ayako laughed a little, taking a sip of her soda. "With a reply like that, Archer-san, you really do sound just like Emiya. Some things must run in the family," She stirred her bowl around with her chopsticks, missing the tense looks around the table. "Anyway, graduation is in just six days, on the twenty-first. There'll be a long weekend and then we'll be starting the new school year before April begins."

"It's already that close? Time went by unbelievably fast." Rin said, eating a last bit of beef to completely empty her bowl. "And aptitude tests first thing for all the new third years. Feeling up to it, Shirou?"

Shirou gave Rin a level stare before groaning, "Tohsaka, you really are a devil at heart. Saying such things when you're always at the top of your year for grades is just cruel." Next to him, Sakura gave Rin the tiniest hint of a reprimanding frown.

"Oho, but time's running out for you too Tohsaka," Ayako trilled with more than a little wicked glee. "Just one more year for our bet, or have you forgotten?"

Archer looked at Rin, blinking as her face went red. "Rin, what bet is that?"

"I-It's not important!" Rin said quickly, holding up her hands as if to physically shield herself from inquiry. "Besides, now that we know Fujimura-sensei's situation, we should go to the school to get the paperwork for your employment put through so there won't be any problems-"

"Yes, let's all go together," Rider smiled, moving a little closer to Ayako in a way that had her looking nervous and flustered. "Ayako, you'll show us around, won't you?"

"U...um..." Ayako sweated, giving Rin a pleading look that was studiously ignored. "Okay..."

"Just as I thought, Ayako is truly a wonderful girl," Rider beamed, embracing Ayako in a way that rather reminded Rin of a snake trapping some small helpless animal. "If there's anything I can do to repay you..."

"It's fine! Really!" Ayako said quickly, forcibly extracting herself from Rider's arms as the eirei pouted at her. "Let me just go home and get changed, and I'll meet you all at school in an hour." The club captain continued moving backwards to the front hall, unwilling to turn her back on so dangerous a foe. "Thanks for the lunch, Emiya."

"Sure, Mitsu-" The sound of the door slamming and footsteps running away cut Shirou off as he stared in the direction Ayako had gone in bewilderment. In a second, all their eyes were on Rider. The Servant sighed in a mixture of disappointment and bemusement, crossing her arms over her ample chest.

"She got away. But I suppose it makes things more interesting..." Rider mused, unaware of the stares. She brightened suddenly, sitting up. "Do you think she's going to change into her school uniform?"

"..."

"..."

"..."

"Probably, if she's planning to see the principal," Archer said, raising an eyebrow at Rin's suspicious stare. "What?"

"You don't have a thing for..." Rin started, before stopping and shaking her head. "Never mind. We need to go back to our place and get your papers. Now's as good a time as any to see if they pass the authenticity test."

For some reason, Archer's expression lifted subtly. The white-haired man nodded, following Rin to the entrance hall to slip their shoes on.

Once more, the front door open and shut to leave Shirou, Sakura, and Rider alone at the table.

"I wonder why Archer-san looked so pleased by that," Sakura said, daintily eating the last few grains of rice at the bottom of her bowl.

"Because she said 'our place' inside of 'my place'," Shirou replied, the answer coming to him surprisingly easily. For a second his head twinged with a phantom ache before it faded as quickly as it came.

"Senpai?" Sakura asked, checking his forehead with her slender little hand. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Sakura," Shirou said, giving her his most reassuring smile. "There was just a lot going on today, so it isn't surprising I got a headache. Tohsaka doesn't really need us at school, so I think I'll just lie down."

"O-oh," She said, looking down at her hands as Rider discreetly left the room. "Um...senpai..."

"If you wouldn't be bored, I'd love your company Sakura," Shirou chuckled, stroking her smooth cheek that flushed so sweetly under his hand. "I sleep best when you're there."

"I won't be bored, senpai. Not with you."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The sun hung low in the sky by the time Archer and Rin finished working things out at school. It had gone even easier than he thought it would, between Rin's flawless documentation and Ayako's vouching for his skill. From there, it had been simple enough to work out a temporary contract agreement and look over the Archery Club facilities as well as the rest of the school. Not that he actually needed it, but Rin was the only one who knew that.

He didn't mind though. There had been something surprisingly pleasant about seeing the school again in peaceful circumstances, and seeing Rin play the flawless school idol never stopped being amusing. And to be honest, at least with himself, he really liked seeing her in her school uniform. Taiga falling sick aside, it hadn't been a bad day by any means-

"You look satisfied," Rin commented as she walked beside him. "Are you that ready to start tomorrow?"

"Hn. Things haven't worked out too badly, so why wouldn't I be satisfied?" Archer said as they walked the familiar road south to the edge of Tohsaka Manor.

"True, but when you look like that I can't help but worry you've got something up your sleeve," Rin responded, smirking up at him.

"How could I have something planned when the most I'm doing is teaching kyudo to high school students?" Archer asked, holding the gate open for her before following her to the front door.

"This from the man who did his very best to bring a paradox about and wipe himself from existence; all on a chance so ridiculously small it was a shade away from impossible," Rin shot back as she unlocked the door, her teasing smile taking some of the bite out of her words. She slipped out of her red coat, Archer automatically taking it to hang it up in the front hall closet. "Well, that was then and this was now."

"Hn," Archer grunted, taking off his own jacket. "Isn't that just sophistry, Rin-"

"Oh, it's not important." Rin said, setting down her school bag before heading for the stairs. "I'm going to change, so would you mind getting started on dinner?"

Archer sighed at her flippant attitude, but a little smile played upon his face anyway. "And what would you like, Rin?"

She paused at the top of the stairs, looking down at him over her shoulder. "Surprise me, Archer."

Rin had already disappeared from sight by the time he worked out a reply, voice dry with meaning. "I'm planning on it."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The morning was cool and grey when Archer first woke, earlier than usual considering it was his first day of advising the archery club. Curled up next to him, Rin barely responded to his stirring as she remained deeply asleep. Carefully as possible, Archer slipped away from her to prepare for the day.

Twenty minutes and a hot shower later, Archer was back by the bed gently nudging Rin's shoulder. She had never really been an early riser, but this morning she was sleeping even sounder than usual. He smirked slightly in pure masculine pride as he looked at her, recalling just how much energy she had expended the previous night because of him. In which case she couldn't really be blamed for needing the rest, but she had asked him to wake her earlier than normal.

"Rin...Rin, it's time to get up," Archer repeated, shaking her softly. Just as before, Rin only mumbled at him in response before curling up to hide beneath the blankets. He sighed, pulling the blankets down once more. Clearly, something more was needed.

Idly, Archer leaned over to gently blow in Rin's ear. He wasn't exactly sure what he had been expecting her to do, but it was probably safe to say it was nothing close to what did happen. As soon as the air hit her Rin cried out, bolting upright and scooting back, all the while protectively covering her ears.

"I'm sorry, Rin, I didn't think you'd react...so...strongly..." Archer said, trailing off as he got a better look at her. Face flushed, blue eyes wide, her body trembling hard.

Nipples stiffening under the thin cotton of her yellow pajamas, easily visible with the top two buttons undone. Chest rising and falling as she breathed in a way he usually associated with something other than simple surprise. Archer smiled as he moved to join her on the bed even when his eyes narrowed with a hunter's instinct. Sensing his intent, Rin blushed more before covering her ears as completely as possible.

Not that it did any good. Gently but firmly, Archer grabbed her wrists to pull her hands away from her ears, moving her so she was down on her back. Rin struggled for a second against his grip, but her body moving against his was counter-productive more than anything.

"That was very interesting, Rin," Archer purred, easily feeling her tremble at his breathe against her ear. "Are you always so sensitive there?"

"N...no, no I'm not." Rin said weakly, squirming as her heart pounded. "You just surprised-oooh Archer..."

Archer trailed his tongue down to her earlobe, gently nibbling at the soft flesh. "What was that? If that's how you react when you aren't sensitive, I'm not sure I could take how you'd react when you are."

Rin groaned, arcing back to expose her throat in a way that was too much to ignore. Archer released her earlobe to slowly trail kisses down her throat before sucking at the pulse in it beating hard and fast. "I-it's just...coincidence..."

"Oh? And what about this?" Archer smirked, unbuttoning her pajama top completely to reveal her bare breasts. He kissed between the tender mounds before trailing his tongue to the right nipple to tease his tongue over it. She quivered as he teased it, her hands moving up to dig into his still damp hair. "Or is that just a coincidence too?"

She whimpered as he switched breasts to give attention to the other tight peak, her breath growing harsher. "Nnn...A-archer..."

He released the rosy tip to knead her soft chest, his fingers sinking into pliant flesh as he gave her an expectant look. Rin hesistated, cheeks going pinker in the way that never failed to charm him, before relaxing fully on the bed to open herself to him.

He understood the movement for what it meant. A surrender to him, even if it was only her body and not her heart.

"It...isn't a coincidence," Rin admitted in a soft voice. One slim hand ran through his hair, skimming the white strands gently. "I like how it feels when you touch me."

"At least you're being a bit more honest." Archer muttered as he moved downward. He kissed the blue and white striped cotton covering her before stroking her through the fabric. Reflexively, her hand tightened its grip in his hair as her blood began to pound harder. Slowly, he began to lick her through the thin cloth with more force than he normally would have had she been bared to him. Rin gave a tiny cry, her slender thighs already starting to quiver.

"Archer...please..." Rin gasped, moving her hips as if to claim more of his mouth. He licked her faster, hands holding her legs tightly to keep her in place. She continued to writhe, soft mouth parting as small, pleasured moans escaped her. She had been wet to begin with, and was only getting slicker as she responded to him, her panties already soaked through.

He began to lave her more firmly, reveling in the way her legs began to shake more and more, her body starting to tense up in preparation for climax. Well aware of her heightened sensitivity, Archer lightly brushed his fingers against the delicate skin on her inner thighs to make her tremble more in response.

It was time for more. Without a moment's pause, Archer moved his mouth up to suck her clit hard, giving his full attention to the hard nub. Rin cried out once more, much louder this time, before her hips bucked up in release. Gasping, the strength left her legs as she collapsed down to the mattress to catch her breath. She looked at him with hazy aqua eyes as he pulled the soaked garment off, her flushed cheeks darkening at his satisfied smirk.

"So, you did like that, Rin," Archer teased, parting her thighs easily. He leaned over to nuzzle her ear again as he unzipped his pants to free himself from the confines of the dark material. Slowly, he sank into her, the movement easy and natural as breathing. Rin was sweet and tight around him, burning with deep, heady heat.

Rin made a breathy noise of pleasure as he completely filled her, twining her arms around his neck to pull him closer. "Archerrr...I said it, didn't I?" She pouted at him just a bit before rocking her hips gently, eliciting a groan from them both. "T...that I like it."

He caught that sweet mouth of hers in a kiss, beginning to thrust in her slow and deep. She moaned against him, lips parting in an open invitation he was all too ready to accept. Their tongues darted against each other's, light and quick in comparison to the long, steady movement of Archer's hips.

His hands glided down her body, caressing skin that felt like warm silk under his calloused fingertips. Her flesh pressed against his own was more addictive than any drug; regret that he had not stopped to take his clothing off filled him for a second. Then Rin wrapped her long, perfect legs tightly around his waist, taking him in further, and his entire world shrank down to her.

"I need...I need more, my Archer," Rin breathed out, nipping just below his earlobe. He growled low in his throat before obliging her, plunging into her quivering form with greater speed than before. His hand moved to knead her breast as he bit her full lower lip in retaliation for the mark she had inflicted upon him. She whimpered in need, her legs pulling him closer as her inner walls began to clench around his length.

"More still, Rin?" Archer groaned, starting to lose himself in the exquisite feel of her softness gripping him so firmly. "Greedy as always."

"Mmm...that's just..." Rin gasped, her hand moving down her body to rest on her stomach, tracing where he was joined inside her. "It feels so full...when you're in me." Her other hand tangled in his hair as a last thrust from him had her, gripping him even tighter as her body grew closer to its release. "Archer..."

Archer leaned down to kiss her tenderly, the only way he could ever express what he felt for her without losing her completely. The thing that gave him the most hope, just because the way she responded-her mouth gliding hotly against his till he wasn't sure where she ended and he began-was not the reaction of a woman who felt nothing but animal lust.

Wonderful as it was, joining his body with hers wasn't the only thing Archer wanted from Rin. But it was all she would allow him, and therefore all he could allow himself to desire...for the time being. If Rin thought he'd be content with just that, she was more mistaken than she had ever been in her life.

It wasn't going to be quick. He knew that all too well. But Rin melting into his kiss, clenching tightly around his member as her nails dug into his covered back, was a potent reminder of why she was worth it.

"A-archer, Archer...I'm-" Rin gasped, her entire body shuddering before she crested into blissful release with a long cry. He kept thrusting, feeling himself swell inside her even with her gripping him so hard. One last deep thrust and he shuddered in turn, emptying his hot seed into her still-trembling body.

They rested together like that for a long moment, the still grey morning light painting dream-like shadows across the room. It was Rin's alarm ringing that broke the tranquil spell. With an annoyed grunt, Archer pulled out of Rin to switch it off. He sighed, wiping himself with the sheet before tucking his manhood back in his pants and zipping himself up once more.

Rin giggled a little with lips curved in a sated smile, watching him as she lay draped across the bed seductively as a nymph. "How did you manage not to get your clothes dirty at all? It's not fair, I have on next to nothing and I'm the one who gets messy, not you."

"Practice." Archer replied without thinking, before his own words hit him. Wincing, he glanced at her only to be startled by her reaction. Rather than the indifference he expected, Rin's blue eyes narrowed in something that almost looked like...

...jealousy.

Before he could read more into it, she sat up with all the poise of an empress. Rin slowly got off the bed, straightening her pajama top as she headed toward the bathroom.

"I'm going to clean myself up. Take care of the sheets, will you?" Rin said carelessly, the door closing shut before he could respond. Archer exhaled, disappointed but not surprised that Rin had gone on the defensive. She wasn't a stupid girl, nor one to not notice her own feelings. Especially if it was something she wasn't intending to feel.

Letting it go for now, Archer gathered up the dirty sheets to bring to the laundry room. He'd have to make the bed later-between the unintended if not unwelcome diversion Rin had given him and his usual morning chores, they were already behind schedule. Archer just hoped that Rin would realize this and adjust her shower time accordingly.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unfortunately, Rin had been irritated enough that she hadn't.

"Ara, Archer-san~!" Sakura beamed sweetly, her expression lifted from the purest of angels. "We were worried you had gotten lost, considering you were supposed to show up almost fifteen minutes ago." Her violet eyes widened to add to the appearance of innocence, but there was a dark gleam within their depths. Behind his shoulder Rin glared at her sister, expression pointedly warning.

"Now, now, Matou, it's easy to get lost if you aren't familiar with the roads around here," Ayako broke in, not knowing Archer was more than knowledgeable about Fuyuki. Her easy smile went nervous for a second as she looked carefully for anything lavender colored. "Er...is Rider-san...?"

"She's at the hospital dropping some things off for Fujimura-sensei." Sakura told her, before her expression grew a little mischievous. "But she said she'd drop by after school to watch club."

"Ah, that's...um...thoughtful of her," Ayako sweated nervously, before clapping her hands together to catch the attention of the club members who were looking curiously at the unaccustomed presence of the school idol and the mysterious stranger. "Everyone, listen up!"

All eyes were on her automatically, her anxiety gone as Ayako held herself like a true leader, confident and capable. "I know lately we've been going through a lot of changes, both expected and unexpected. The end of the school year is approaching, and pretty soon we'll all be going on to the next grade and welcoming new years to the club," Ayako's tone went somber as her expression grew more serious. "And we've had changes we haven't expected. Recently, we've lost more than one of our members to the mysterious disappearances...and we have not seen any of them again," Sakura flinched, looking down with a pained face even as Shirou laid a comforting hand on her shaking shoulder. "And now, our Club Adviser has unexpectedly taken ill."

Concerned noise rose at this, until Ayako raised her hand and silence fell once more. "Fortunately, Fujimura-sensei will recover from her mono in roughly a month. However, this does put her out of commission at a vital time in our preparation for the Regional Kyudo Championship. Which is why I've taken the liberty of finding a temporary fill-in coach for Sensei until she recovers."

Shifting slightly, Ayako gestured to Archer. Uncomfortable with the rather intense stares he was getting, he nonetheless stood carefully and did his best to stay composed. "This is Emiya Archer-san, everybody. He's a relative of Emiya's who has agreed to help us out while Fujimura-sensei is recovering, so regard him kindly. I've seen his kyudo skill, and can personally attest to the fact we're lucky to have him here to advise us even for a short while."

Archer cleared his throat, collecting his thoughts quickly as attention shifted to him. "As Mitsuzuri said, these are unusual circumstances you've all found yourselves in. She's spoken highly of your skill, and just as you should expect me to do my best, I expect the best from you in turn. I'll be strict but fair, so I hope this will result in a smooth transition for everyone here. This may be only temporary, but with honest effort on both my part and yours we can make the best of it."

There was a moment of low murmuring, the gathered archery club members looking at each other as they took this in. One of the first-year students raised her hand slowly, face a bit pink as she didn't look Archer quite in the eye. "Um....Emiya-sensei? What will happen when Fujimura-sensei gets better?"

Archer exhaled, a little thrown by the title as he answered her question. "Fujimura-sensei will return to being your club advisor assuming she's made a full recovery."

The murmuring grew as the stares grew more speculative, until Ayako clapped her hands once more and the voices quieted.

"Everyone, I'm sure you all have questions for Emiya-sensei, but we can save them for after-school when we have more time. I have one more announcement to make-" Ayako paused to grin, her expression lightening the mood, "-And don't worry, it's a good one," She gestured to Shirou, who gently lead a mystified-looking Sakura forward. "As I'm sure you all know, in less than a month's time I'll be moving on to third year along with all the other second years. Naturally, my first concern was the Archery Club. While I've enjoyed being captain, I'm just not going to have as much free time as before. So, I thought on who I felt was reliable, hard-working, talented, and cared as much about the club as I do. One person came to mind, which is why I'm happy to tell you all come the new school year Matou Sakura is to be your new Archery Club Captain."

"Eeeh?!?" Sakura squeaked, blushing as the entire club clapped enthusiastically, Shirou and Rin most of all. The violet-haired girl covered her red face with both hands, mouth opening and closing as she tried to collect herself. "Mitsuzuri-senpai, it's an honor but-"

"I won't hear it, Matou. You're the best person for the job, and I know you truly love kyudo," Ayako smiled, nudging her encouragingly. "Hey, with you as Captain, maybe Emiya will finally stop resisting and join the club again."

Sakura tilted her head, looking very thoughtful even as Shirou backed away nervously. "Senpai...."

"Not with Archer there. We'd kill each other before first bell," Shirou hissed under his breath, before speaking louder. "You know, school will be starting in twenty minutes and there was something Issei needed me to fix-" His fingers fumbled with the sliding door before he made a swift retreat for the relative safety of the school. "See you later!"

Rin walked next to her sister, eyeing the retreating red-head with hooded eyes. "Coward. Want me to scold him for you, Sakura?"

Sakura shook her head, looking slightly amused. "It's not like he doesn't have a point, Nee-san. Besides, if Senpai really upset me I'd let him have it later myself."

Rin nodded in approval, either oblivious to, or more likely ignoring Archer's slightly disturbed expression.

Sakura, you really are Rin's sister, aren't you...? He thought as the club members started filing out to change for school. The boldness isn't a bad thing, but please don't become as scary as Rin. I don't think the world could take it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The final chimes of the morning bell had died away by the time Rin was in her seat, idly looking out the window as she waited for the homeroom teacher to arrive. She was still getting accustomed to not seeing Kuzuki-sensei around anymore, but Shieru-sensei was fitting well enough considering the abrupt circumstances in which she had become 2-A's homeroom teacher. Rin supposed it helped that her class was a calm, settled one-

"Hey, Tohsaka, what's with that look? It's scary to see you with that thoughtful expression."

-For the most part.

With a sigh, Rin moved her gaze away from the scenery to give Makidera Kaede a cool stare. "What do you mean by that, Makidera-san? It's too early in the morning for nonsense."

The tanned track star nodded at that, an absurdly approving look on her face. "Yes, yes. This harsh Tohsaka is the one I know. Staring out the window like a dreamy girl with her head in the clouds is completely unnatural for you."

"You're the unnatural one, Makidera-san," Rin deadpanned at the runner, resting her cheek in her hand. "Do you always place such significance on my facial expressions?"

"She's just overly excited today." Himuro Kane cut in, pushing her glasses up her nose as she looked calmly at her fellow track team member. "Everyone is."

Rin blinked at the grey-haired girl, shifting her gaze from Maki. "Why is that, Himuro-san?"

Himuro settled into her own seat, straightening her pencils into a neat row. "You should know, Tohsaka-jou. You were with him in the archery dojo."

Barely managing to restrain her startled expression, Rin looked back and forth between the two girls. "What? You aren't talking about..."

"The kyudo advisor who's filling in for Fujimura-sensei," Saegusa Yukika finished with her usual shy smile. "Good morning, Tohsaka-san."

"Good morning, Saegusa-san," Rin replied, expression softening slightly for the girl who had always reminded her a bit of Sakura in temperament. But reality returned swiftly enough. "Don't tell me everyone is talking about that. What's the big deal about a substitute teacher?"

The light gleamed against Himuro's glasses as she directed a focused look at Rin. "Normally none. But a handsome substitute who's just old enough to have that aura of experience, but young enough it's not like having a thing for older guys? That's a different story. And the archery thing doesn't hurt, either-"

Shieru-sensei walked into the room, effectively halting all conversation. Rin automatically stood, bowed, and sat with the rest of the class, mind racing as an unpleasant feeling gripped her chest.

A while later, the lunch bell rang. The passing of time had done nothing to lessen the strange, tight feeling stirring inside her, much as she had strived to ignore it. The barbed emotion only intensified as she pulled out her bentou...the one Archer had made for her that morning.

"Ano, Tohsaka-san?" Yukika piped up with a hopeful smile. "Would you like to have lunch with us? You have your bentou this time..."

"Sure, Saegusa-san," Rin said, joining her and the other track team members at the window. "Thank you for remembering."

Yukika pinked a bit as she untied her furoshiki, the blue and white fabric falling aside to reveal her bentou. "A-ah, you're welcome..."

Makidera sat down heavily in her seat, quickly unpacking her own lunch and snatching up a sausage. "Haa, don't make such a big deal about it, Yukichi!" She waved her sausage around dramatically before taking an emphatic bite. "It's just Homurabara Gakuen School Idol Tohsaka Rin-sama-oh, she's glaring again."

"Please don't talk with your mouth full, Makidera-san." Rin replied, smiling like an angel and not meaning any of it. "It's too vulgar for a girl, so have some consideration."

"Harsh!" Maki said, mock scooting away and hiding her face with the lid of her bentou. She lowered it after a moment, resuming eating her lunch with slightly more grace.

"It was gross, Maki." Himuro commented, popping a tamagoyaki into her mouth while quietly watching Rin unwrap her own meal. "Tohsaka-jou, your bentou have been looking quite elegant lately. That must have taken some effort."

Rin cursed in her head even as she gave a small smile to the other girl. "Thank you, but it's certainly worth it." Even though I can't exactly explain why I wasn't the one who made it...Archer, being so fastidious shouldn't cause problems like this.

"Kara-age, tamagoyaki, stir-fry veggies, rice...even a sliced tangerine," Yukika observed, craning her head to get a better look. She gave Rin her usual gentle smile, lifting a inari-zushi from her lunch. "I thought all that practice making lunch for my brothers made me pretty good, but yours looks even better, Tohsaka-san."

Rin gave a weak affirmative noise, desperately casting around to change the subject. "Saegusa-san, you have brothers?"

The brown-haired girl nodded. "Yes, three. They're all in elementary school."

"Three younger brothers...no wonder you're so good at managing the track team," Rin said, taking a bite of the kara-age. Flavor filled her mouth, a flawless balance of ginger and soy sauce and chicken...perfectly breaded and fried. Suddenly, ten pieces didn't seem like enough. She swallowed before smirking a bit at Maki. "Especially this one here."

"Yeah, she is good with childr-hey! That's Homurabara's Black Leopard to you, Tohsaka!" Makidera shot back as she stood up, posing with her lunch in one hand and head tilted artistically to catch the sunlight streaming through the window.

"Homurabara's Black Leopard, please sit down," Rin responded flatly, picking up a clump of rice before popping it in her mouth. "Save that energy for the field, you know?"

"Yes, Kaede. Archery isn't the only club preparing for competition," Yukika added, lightly tugging Maki's skirt until she sat back down again. "Our best runner shouldn't tire herself out before school's even let out."

"Hmph, you know I have energy to spare," Makidera pouted for a moment, chopsticks poking at her grilled salmon before tearing a piece off. She wolfed it down before giving Rin a grin. "Besides, we actually have Tohsaka with us for once. Rejected any confessions lately?"

"Don't use me to fuel your appetite for gossip," Rin said before taking another bite of stir-fry vegetable. It figured it was delicious as everything else in the lunch. "And no, I haven't."

Yukika looked shyly at her, fiddling with her tofu. "Tohsaka-san is very popular, after all. Of course she'd be confessed to often."

"It really isn't that frequent," Rin objected, nibbling on a slice of tangerine. "Besides, I have better things to do with my time than waste it with romance."

"Such an unfeminine answer from Tohsaka, who'd have thought it?" Maki cackled, all three girls looking rather intently at her. "Ohoho, or do you just already have someone?" Suppressing the urge to move away, Rin replaced the lid of her now-empty bentou before retying the furoshiki.

"Yes, that would explain a lot," Himuro said in a completely serious tone, index finger lightly tapping her chin. "Tohsaka Rin rejected each and every boy who confessed because her heart belongs to another...and no one must ever know of their hidden love-"

"Are you even listening to what you're saying, Himuro-san?" Rin asked, slipping her bentou back into her bag. "I'm just not interested in pursuing a relationship or falling in love."

"That's cold, Tohsaka," Makidera drawled as she leaned back in her seat, contentedly full. "Don't you care about all the heartbreak you've caused?"

"No," Rin replied immediately, Kaede wiping a fake tear in response.

"She's not going to be the only one causing heartbreak, judging by the look of it." Himuro said as she gazed out the window, lazily chewing her katsu sandwich. "I see the swarming has already started."

"Swarming?" Yukika asked, her eyes widening as she followed her team-mate's line of sight. "Oh my."

Curiosity roused, Rin glanced out the window. The location of her classroom meant that where the school's athletic events were held could be easily seen...which included the archery dojo.

And the roughly twenty girls who were crowded around it, each at various stages of working up the nerve to look inside. For what-or who, to be more accurate-didn't take a huge leap of logic. Rin closed her eyes, concentrating herself for a moment. Awareness drifted across her mind as she sensed the familiar circuits of Shirou and Sakura, but none belonging to Archer. Clearly, he wasn't actually in the school for now, but would probably return at the end of the day to start training.

"Word really has gotten around, even when hardly anyone outside the archery club has actually seen him," Himuro noted, pushing her glasses up. "So, Tohsaka-san, is he really that good-looking?"

"H-hey, what are you asking me for?" Rin asked, more irritated than she cared to admit by the girls near the dojo.

"Because you have seen him," Himuro told her, raising a brow at her reaction. "Besides, you've been pretty familiar with Emiya-kun lately, so you would probably have a better chance of knowing his relative than most."

"That's true, but..." Rin trailed off, stomach clenching at the looks she was getting. Finally, she sighed and gave in. "Yes, he's handsome. Even if you don't go for that manly, kind of rugged look."

"Is he your type, Tohsaka-san?" Yukika asked, toying with her furoshiki as a strangely anxious look flashed across her face.

"Huh? I don't really have a type, so I can't answer that," Rin said, sneaking another glance out the window. About ten more girls had arrived, and it looked like more were on the way. If it was this bad when Archer wasn't even there...Rin shuddered slightly, thinking of what after school was going to be like.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Flip over to the {B-Side}