Rider couldn't help but burst out laughing at Rin's response to Archer's proposition.
She knew that Rin had always mourned her servant, and also felt somewhat jealous that her sister had a version of Shirou whilst she did not. So, it figured that, given the opportunity to meet Archer again, she would be interested in him. At the same time, of course, Rin was not someone who was particuarly good at expressing her feelings in such situations, as her attitude towards her sister during the Grail War and before had shown.
Still, she could tell from the way Rin was acting and her knowledge of Rin's desires that he would probably be getting lucky pretty soon. And, she felt somewhat jealous about that. She would happily take either of them as a partner. Or, if possible, both....
Rin and Sakura continued to argue, and Kiyoshi spoke up in disappointment at Rin's comments towards Sakura.
The new girl responded with "They got frustrated and didn't think about their flirting material. That's all."
Rider burst out laughing once more at the girl's bluntness and the embarrassing, if truthful, nature of her comment.
Archer, not satisfied with the girl's rather embarrassing explanation, offered up his own reasoning. Rider could understand what he meant. It was entirely understandable that Rin would find it hard to see a girl who was older than her who she had never met before as her "daughter", even if she knew intellectually that it was the case.
Fortunately, Rin also seemed to take Kiyoshi's words to heart, and turned to apologise to the girl. Although, being Rin, she couldn't resist trying to put across her own side of the argument in the process, and demand an apology from Sakura in return.
Kiyoshi was somewhat uncertain about her response. She was certainly being a lot nicer, but she still hadn't accepted Sakura as her daughter, even if her explanation made it clear that both had been at fault in that respect. Still, he wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt, and she was at least trying. It was clear she did feel somewhat bad about her actions.
He prepared to speak but, before he could, Sakura spoke once more.
"The Tohsaka have a hereditary condition inherited way back from this guy named Zel. It causes us to fight this way regardless of whether we want to or not. But for all the noise Rin and I will never blow the house down no matter how we huff and puff. It's the way we express our feelings because we are aware we don't need to hold back", she said.
Rider couldn't help but nod in agreement. She did, after all, live with an entire family of Tohsakas. Indeed, legally she was one of them. Kiyoshi was similarly understanding. As kind-hearted and gentle as his mother was, and as much as she loved her sister, when the two of them truly argued they could be downright scary.
Sakura continued. "I think there are one too many misunderstandings here to clear up at the moment, my sister comes before any of discussion so I think bringing the kids to the apartment would be the best time to discuss this."
Realising that Sakura and Rin had come to an accomodation, Kiyoshi relaxed somewhat. He was glad that Aunty Rin had patched things up with her daughter, and had apologised for everything she had said.
As much as he loved his Aunty, he knew she could be mean sometimes, especially when angry. That was just part of her personality, and it wasn't something he could hate her for. Not when she was a genuinely kind-hearted person the rest of the time. Mollified by the response, he smiled at Rin.
Before he could speak, though, Sakura responded to Lancer's earlier offer of assistance in dealing with Satoshi.
"I won't be getting within ten feet of that castle and Cu Culain, if you are anything like the man I know you won't either. My brother made a promise not to beat you in a fight, as he is now he likely can't choose to lose. I know you think you are stronger but there is no certainty in that. I ask you to not fight because you know what it is to be forced to break your word", she said, softly.
It was clear from the way she was acting that she did not desire to see this outcome. And, honestly, Rider fully agreed with her. Even without the new information, she had not really wanted Lancer to come along. He would complicate things and, potentially, put Sakura in danger. With Sakura's words, she was certain. Pissing off someone who was potentially holding Sakura prisoner and who might also capture her was not what Rider would call a good idea.
Rider didn't really expect to defeat Satoshi. It was clear from the things that had been said to her that it was unlikely that she could. However, that was mostly irrelevant. As long as he agreed to free Sakura regardless of the outcome, and as long as he would not kill her or prevent her protecting Sakura and family in the future, she didn't particularly mind losing.
She didn't expect particularly kind treatment from Satoshi if she lost. In her time, defeated warriors were enslaved or worse. And, she knew that if she were to win she would certainly take advantage of her captive to satisfy her sexual desires, and punish him for his actions, so she wouldn't blame him for acting any differently.
But, honestly, she found that prospect more arousing than frightening. After all, she did need prana, and she was rather horny at the moment. Of all the ways there were to be provided by prana, being captured in a fight and dominated by a sexy half-Shirou was not far from the top of her list. And, one of the few things that was above it was capturing a sexy half-Shirou in a fight and dominating and torturing him in whatever manner she desired....
Before Rider could reply, Lancer turned to Sakura and spoke once more.
"Fine fine, I won't go storming the castle, but I can help you get your sister back", he said.
She sighed with relief at that. She hadn't wanted Lancer to come along. It would just have complicated things. However, Kiyoshi became somewhat agitated at his response. He knew that Sakura had specifically requested no adults. And, further, if any adult was to come along, he wanted it to be one he knew and trusted, like Aunty Rider or Aunty Rin.
"Lancer, if anyone is going along with them, it is me. But, Sakura said that they needed to go alone", she said.
"Yeah, sorry, Aunty Rider, but we have to go alone. I know you're worried about me, but we're not going far, and Sakura isn't weak. You saw that barrier she made", Kiyoshi said in response.
Then, he turned to Sakura.
"Well, we should get going soon. It's getting late and I'm feeling tired. Plus, Taiga must be lost and scared, we shouldn't leave her waiting.
But, Aunty Rider did have a valid point before. How will we get back to the apartment? You don't know where it is yet...."
Then, he walked up to Rin, grabbing hold of her in an attempt to initiate another hug.
"Thank you for listening, Aunty Rin", he said, softly and happily. "I'm proud to be able to call you my Aunt."
"Sakura is right, our family always argues and fights in this manner. Mummy and Aunty Rin have plenty of fights, but it doesn't mean they don't love each other with all their heart. I guess I can't blame you for being yourself. You might be a bit mean sometimes, but I know your heart is pure gold, just like mummy's."
Then, Rider turned to Forest.
"OK, then, should we get going? I'd like to get back so I can contact Satoshi as soon as possible.
As for Sakura, I honestly don't know what you did, so I can't say if it was reasonable. But, you do have to be careful, having your mind read or even talked into is not a pleasant experience if you're not used to it."
Then, she turned to Rin, who Kiyoshi was still latching onto.
"Well, since Kiyoshi seems to see you as his Aunt, I'm putting you in charge of him when I'm away. He trusts you, and I trust you not to let him come to any harm.
Kiyoshi, if I'm not there when you return, then you listen to Aunty Rin, understand?"
Of course, Rider knew that he would not obey her any more than he did anyone else, unless he was in genuine danger, but she could at least hold him back from his worst excesses.
"Yeah, I understand. I'll try to be good for Aunty Rin." Then, smirking, he added, "as long as she doesn't try to push me into magecraft lessons like she does in our world".
