Rider and Shirou
Rider noticed Rin wrapping the towel more tightly around herself, and mentally chastised herself for not being subtle enough with her glances. She didn't want to upset or discomfort Rin. After all, Rin was someone she considered a good friend, not to mention her master's beloved big sister.
As Rin departed, she addressed them once more.
"And honestly, this Sakura has been without her Shirou for years. They're probably getting reacquainted right now”, she said.
Shirou looked at the retreating Rin with confusion. He couldn't understand why this alternate version of him would have left Sakura alone for that length of time.
“Where did he go? Why did he leave her alone?” he asked, a mixture of concern, shock and even disgust at the idea of his alternate self abandoning Sakura in his voice.
Rider laughed at his false assumptions.
“He didn't abandon her. She's not from here originally, neither of them are. She was sucked in three years ago, he only just arrived earlier today”, she said, her voice full of sadness until it perked-up when she mentioned his arrival.
A sad look came over Shirou's face as he heard what Rider said, and understood what Rin had meant. He knew how important he was to Sakura and, indeed, how important she was to him. To be torn away from him like that and not see him for three years must have been extremely distressing for her, especially at that age.
Poor Sakura, he thought, sadly, wanting more than ever to make sure she would remain happy, and also to find his Sakura and ensure she did not suffer the same fate.
“Oh, I see...”, he said, sadly.
Rider let him recover for a moment before speaking once more.
“OK, Shirou, follow me”, Rider said, gesturing towards the stairs. “You can cook her a lovely meal like you said”.
As they walked towards the kitchen, Rider turned to address Shirou, needing to determine once and for all if he was indeed looking for her.
“Shirou, did you say you were looking for a version of me?” she asked.
“Yes, Rin accidentally sent our version of you to another world in an experiment, and we traced her here. Sakura is really worried about yo.. her, and wanted to find her before she ran out of prana”, he replied.
“I see...”, Rider said, thoughtfully.
“Well, I was sent here by Rin performing an experiment. I wonder if I am the one you are looking for. Tell me, Shirou, how many children do you have?”
“Four”, he replied.
“And is one of them called Kiyoshi? Was I looking after him when I vanished?” she continued.
“Yes, you were”, he responded, excitedly. Whilst Emiya Shirou was not exactly the sharpest sword in the armoury sometimes, even he could see where this was heading.
“Then I think I am the one you are looking for. It's too much of a co-incidence otherwise”, she responded.
“OK, great! Then we just need to find my Sakura and we can return home!” Shirou responded.
Rider shook her head, and smiled sadly.
“Sorry, I can't leave, not right now. Losing her family hit Sakura hard, and she's only just beginning to heal. I may not be her Rider, but she loves me just the same, and I contracted with her less than a day ago. If I left now, she would be heartbroken, and I cannot do that to her”, she responded.
Shirou frowned, unsure how to respond. Sakura would be sad if Rider remained but, at the same time, he knew that she would never willingly break this Sakura's heart and, indeed, he would not want her to.
“Then what should we do? Sakura won't want to leave without you”, he asked as they approached the kitchen.
“You and Sakura can stay in this universe for the time being. We'll look for a way to get this Sakura back to her home and her Rider, and then I will return with you when she is safely back with her family”, she responded, before stopping in front of a door.
“OK, here it is”, she said, opening the door for him to reveal a fairly ordinary Western-style kitchen.
Shirou entered and looked around, wondering what he should cook for Sakura.
