Emiya estate.
A hand hovered just shy of knocking against the door frame.
The sliding door was not locked. Slightly ajar as far as anyone could see, the boy inside had left it open as he always did. Mainly for convenience, but also because of trust.
This home… She was always welcome to it. It wasn't exclusive to her. She and her brother often came by to hang out but… right now, she wished she didn't have to come.
This war was not turning out the way she thought it would. And unlike her who had every reason to be prepared, to be resolved to do what she must to protect her beloved family… he wasn't beholden to the same responsibility.
He was too kind. Too trusting and naively so. He was always like this. Willing to give strangers the benefit of the doubt.
And… for her, it was one of his most charming points.
The hand wavered, unable to rap against the door and execute the big reveal. But… the time had come for it. And yet again, it was his fault in accepting a meeting with her camp.
Not that she'd ask him to change that stupidly lovable optimistic side of his.
'Again, I'd advise caution against antagonizing that Servant. While I will follow through with your decision, I cannot beseech your wariness enough for that one compared to her Master.'
"Haaah…" Sakura sighed as she stared at the door. The light was on and someone was home. Of that, she was sure as Okita's voice warned her in her head. 'I understand that. I still have to do this.'
But was she prepared to actually involve him? No. No, she was not. And quite frankly, she wished she didn't have to. But needs must. And the threat of this wrench in her plan ruining the stability and likely survival of the war hung in the balance.
No matter how much fate and god conspired against her wish for happiness, she'd stand firm against the storm. Even if the revelation of her crush being aware of magecraft this entire time bothered her, he was also a kind-hearted soul who was a Master of the war. Just as she was. If anything, this could be seen as a boon as well as a risk.
No matter. She'd just have to work twice as hard to protect him from her enemies as well as himself for being a reckless and idealistic dork. And no mage or Servant or sister would ever get in the way of that!
She lifted her hand to slide the door open.
It slid open before she could touch it.
She met the eyes of the boy she loved staring back at him. It widened once, then narrowed just as quickly before he let out a sigh. He was tense. She could tell that much after knowing him for so long.
"Good morning, Shirou…" she started, but the words failed her soon after. He looked nervous, antsy. Like he should've been surprised, but he wasn't. That… scared her. Coughing to clear the air, she continued. "I guess… you weren't expecting to see me, huh… Not as a participant of the war…"
To her bittersweet smile, he wryly looked away. Not quite refuting but also not at all honest. It was as if he wanted to lie but couldn't. Yet another tell of his that she found so endearing.
"When… since when did you know?"
"… Quite a while now… Your… your family's pretty famous. At least… that's what I've been told."
She took in his expression. It wasn't accusatory, nor did he seem unsettled by the fact of who her family was. Perhaps he just didn't care. No, she definitely would believe him if he said he didn't care. She didn't need to be able to read his mind to know.
It didn't break her heart to think he'd known the truth. It hurt that he kept quiet about it for so long though and never bothered to talk to her about it. It made Sakura feel like her dear senpai didn't trust her.
"I—…" he started then paused. "There is a lot I want to tell you, Sakura. A lot… But how about we discuss it inside? I don't want you to catch a cold standing out here." Shirou smiled, not even an inch of suspicion to him as he welcomed her to his home. Just as he always did.
Back turned to her, completely defenseless, absolutely trusting to let herself in and follow her to that warm living room he always welcomed her and her brother to…
'Is this kid serious, Master? Has he forgotten what class I was summoned under?' Okita was not blind to it one bit. Rather, she was appalled that such an unguarded boy was a Master like Sakura was.
'No matter what we've hidden from each other, Shirou will not treat me as an enemy.' He was, after all, her closest friend. Sakura couldn't help but state that confidently through their mental link. 'Besides, even if you are under the Assassin class, it really doesn't fit you, Okita. If anything, I find your mannerisms to be closer to that of a noble samurai. More Saber than Assassin.'
'Hm. I will admit, backstabbing someone who would greet you with the earnest of smiles would leave a poor taste in my mouth… Sadly, the same may not be said of the actual one of this war.' Sakura couldn't help her internal smirk as she put her shoes away and closed the door behind her. Once that was done and they were locked in the house alone with the other Master and Servant pair, however, she immediately felt a sudden chill. Okita spoke once more, likely to reassure her, as she faced the new challenger head-on. 'Her hands are stained with the blood of innocents and criminals both. But worry not, Master. When it comes down to it, I'll be sure to protect you both from that… ugly reflection.'
And quite the intimidating reflection she was.
There, stood in the middle of the hallway arms crossed was a woman whose face was a spitting image of Okita's, And yet, the purple-haired girl didn't feel the same reassuring warmth she got from Assassin's presence. Instead, the Servant before her was staring hard, colder than ice.
"You must be Saber." Sakura took the lead.
"And you are the Master of that imposter. A supposed friend of the boy. Hmph…" Saber harrumphed, not even veiling her dismissal. "Well? Go on. He awaits in the other room. Or…" then her eyes flitted to the air behind Sakura. "Is someone feeling a little scared to face negotiations with their head held high?"
'Heed not her words, Master. Allow me.'
Immediately, Sakura sensed Okita's disapproval as the Servant slowly rematerialized without another word. Stepping before Saber, Okita Souji cut a dashing, traditional reflection to the exotic air of Saber's own appearance. The pitch-black dress contrasted by a pristinely blue yukata. Even their expressions, similar in all but eye-color, opposed one another as Okita's smile was more reassuring than the frigid scowl.
'None would think any less of you for allowing me my duty as your sworn protector.' Given a quick glance over her shoulder, Assassin added. 'It is my job to win your fights. Please, head on and win his heart.'
The corner of Sakura's lip almost curled, breaking her tension momentarily. The subtle jab partnered with the encouragement had her slowly smiling before she sighed. Walking ahead of her Servant before entering the familiar living room of her closest friend, she mentally communicated back, unafraid of the hostile Servant that hadn't moved an inch from her spot. '… Thank you, Okita.'
Without further ado, Assassin waited until the divider separating the corridor from the living room shut. Then, she stared hard at the woman who could be mistaken for her body double.
"For a child so fearful to become a Master… you must not have been blessed in life if even in death, such cowardice graces your person. A fitting predicament for one who steals the likeness of others, imposter."
"For a mad dog who saw it fit to point their own blade at their Master, you seem quite arrogant for your station, black knight."
The arrogant glower on Saber's face was hardly fazed. Her cold stare was unmoved, but as they read each other like swordsmen looking for an opening in their foe, Saber added.
"You are allowed to keep that face only because my Master vehemently requested I do not stain the walls with your blood. Do not give me an excuse to become a painter of red, knave."
"Big words for a reborn betrayer. I'm impressed he was benevolent enough to keep you around, given your attempt on his life. That he is still standing and isn't cowering in fear, running into my Master's arms, proves at least that he has some dignity to his person. Unlike yourself." Okita's cold eyes stared deep into Saber's own emotionless pupils. "Called a 'Saber' yet no better than a mindless 'Berserker'. Such a pathetic excuse of a Heroic Spirit has no right to criticize my mortal lord."
Saber clenched her teeth. "Hmph. Fealty sworn to the weak-willed…"
Okita bounded back. "Kindness is sharper than any sword you wield."
"Idealistic naivete."
"Heh. Says the tyrant masquerading as the just."
"You dare besmirch my honor?"
"What honor is there in cutting down your own lord?"
"I ought to cut off your tongue."
"Try me."
Assassin and Saber were moments away from drawing their weapons settling their differences through good-old-fashioned combat. But the tension in the air was cut through by words that were even sharper.
"Why don't we team up, Sakura?"
Shirou's words in the next room made both Servants freeze. The happy squeak that momentarily escaped Sakura did not go unnoticed by Okita, but neither did the disappointed snarl that graced Saber's jaw.
It seems that the black knight that bore her likeness was of the mind to eliminate or convince them to bow out early. Considering Sakura's wishes to keep the boy alive and out of the war, it was just the same as their camp's original objective.
But to the Servant of the Matou family, knowing the feelings hidden in Sakura's heart, this was a great opportunity. Not one without risk, but having felt her Master's sincerest yearnings through their connection, it was a positive one.
A shame, however. Neither of those who shared a face would be allowed to kill the other would-be imposter.
Oh, the humanity to work alongside one's doppelganger.