The afternoon sun hung low in the sky, illuminating the pristine campus of Homurahara Academy with golden light. On the empty rooftop, far above the bustling students below, {{char}} tapped her foot impatiently as she waited for {{user}} to arrive.

Though she acted nonchalant, a knot of anxiety twisted in Rin's stomach. As much as she hated to admit it, without {{user}}'s help, her chances of winning the Holy Grail War were slim. She glanced at her watch and frowned. (That idiot is late again. No matter, I'll give him a piece of my mind when he shows up.)

Rin sighed, leaning against the metal railing. The cool breeze ruffled her hair, carrying the scent of early spring. Her gaze drifted over the arching rooftops of Fuyuki, painted in warm shades of amber and rose. For a brief moment, she allowed herself to forget about the Grail War and enjoy the tranquil beauty of the evening.

The creak of the rooftop door jerked Rin from her reverie. She whirled around to see {{user}} stepping through, looking slightly disheveled. Her frown deepened. (Always at his own pace. Does he not understand the gravity of our situation?)

Rin straightened, fixing {{user}} with her usual stern gaze. "You're late," she said flatly. Though her words were biting, a hint of relief seeped into her tone. At least now, they could get down to business. The Holy Grail would not win itself, after all.

"No need to apologize," she muttered, waving her hand dismissively. "We have more important things to discuss." She glanced around the empty rooftop, making sure they were alone before continuing in a hushed tone, "I've discovered some information about one of our competitors."

Rin pulled out a folded piece of paper from her pocket and handed it over to Delta. "This is a map of their territory. It should help us understand their defensive capabilities better.

"I'm not your maid," she snapped, her cheeks flushing red in annoyance. "We don't have time for that." She paused, taking a deep breath to calm herself down. "Look, Delta-kun, I know you're hungry, but we can't afford to waste any more time. The Holy Grail War is heating up, and we need to be prepared. So let's focus on the map for now."

Tohsaka Rin's eyes widened in surprise and anger as she heard about Lancer's death. "You killed him?!" she exclaimed, taking a step closer to Delta. "Didn't I tell you not to engage unless it was absolutely necessary? Now we have another Servant searching for us." She paused, her expression softening slightly. "Look, I know you did what you thought was best, but from now on, we need to be more careful about our actions.

"What was that for?!" Tohsaka Rin exclaimed, her cheeks burning red as she rubbed the sore spot on her forehead. She took a step back, trying to regain her composure. "Look, I'm just trying to help you understand," she said through gritted teeth. "We need each other for this war, and if we keep fighting like this, we're both going to end up dead."

Her expression softened slightly as she took another step closer to Delta. "

"I called you because I needed someone strong to help me win the war," she admitted reluctantly. "And as for the Holy Grail... it's complicated." She hesitated, unsure how much she should reveal. "There are things in my family history that make it important for me to claim the prize. But really, none of that matters now. We have a common goal: survival."

Rin looked down at her feet, feeling guilty about not being entirely honest with Delta. "

"I'm sorry," she muttered, her eyes cast downward. "You have every right to be angry with me. I should have been more open about it from the beginning." Taking a deep breath, she looked up at Delta. "The truth is... My family has always been involved in the Holy Grail Wars. We've used our magic and wealth to gain power and influence over generations. The Grail is something we believe we were destined to claim."

Rin paused, considering her words carefully before continuing. "

"But I've come to realize that there are things more important than power and prestige," she said quietly. "During the last war, my sister... She was adopted by a family named Matou. They were kind to her, and they treated her like one of their own." Her voice wavered, betraying the emotions she was trying so hard to suppress. "I promised myself that I would protect her, no matter what. So when this war started..."

Rin trailed off, unable or unwilling to finish her thought.

"...Yes," she whispered hoarsely. "I want to bring her back home. But I know that can't happen while the war is going on. So I need the Holy Grail to end it." She took another deep breath, composing herself once more. "That's why we have to win this time, Delta-kun," she said firmly. "For my sister and for everyone else caught in this nightmare."

Her expression hardened into the familiar mask of determination and focus that was so characteristic of her. "

Her expression softened slightly as she took another step closer to Delta. "I understand that you have your reasons for wanting the Grail as well," she said gently. "But we need to put our differences aside and work together if we want to survive this war. I promise that once it's over, I will help you in any way I can." She hesitated, searching for the right words. "We may not be friends, but we are partners now. And partners have to trust each other."

Her voice grew firmer as she went on. "

"D-Don't touch me!" she stammers, twisting out of your grip. Her face is flushed with embarrassment and anger. "I was just trying to help! You know I can't stand being touched by strangers!" She glares at you, her emerald eyes narrowed.

As soon as the words are out, she realizes how childish she sounds. Tohsaka Rin's cheeks burn even hotter and she looks away, biting her lip in frustration. "

She snarls, her emerald eyes narrowing dangerously as she sees the flames dancing across your fingertip. "What do you think you're doing?!" she hisses, stepping back warily. Her hand instinctively reaches for one of the amulets at her waist, prepared to summon her own defenses if necessary.

For a moment, fear and anger war within her, making it difficult to focus on the situation at hand.

Without hesitation, Tohsaka Rin lunges forward, her hand snapping out to grab your wrist. "Use Gandr on him!" she shouts over the sound of clashing magical energy. She focuses her own power into a small gemstone at her belt, drawing strength from its icy surface as she prepares for combat.

Her eyes locked onto the Servant attacking you, assessing its movements and capabilities in an instant. "That servant's elemental affinity is lightning,"

"Wait!" she cries out as you leap onto the Caster servant. "You're not supposed to engage directly! The servant will be stronger than usual if it senses your presence!" She takes a step back, trying to keep an eye on both of you while simultaneously preparing another spell.

Her brow furrows as she studies the Servant more closely. Its movements are erratic and unpredictable, making it difficult for her to target with precise magic.

No! she screams as you launch yourself at the servant and take its attack meant for her. Her heart lurches in fear and guilt as she sees your body contorting under the impact of the spell.

For a moment, she is frozen in place, unable to move or think clearly. Then anger surges through her veins like molten lava, burning away all doubt and hesitation. "You bastard!" she cries out, ignoring the pain in her own chest as she focuses her rage on the Caster servant.

She shakes her head, her emerald eyes blazing with determination. "No," she says firmly. "I'm not leaving you here." With a flick of her wrist, she sends a blast of icy air hurtling towards the servant, freezing its limbs momentarily and giving Delta enough time to recover. As the servant struggles against her icy prison, Tohsaka Rin glances at you worriedly. "Are you okay?" she asks, not daring to touch you for fear of causing further injury.

Her eyes widen in alarm as she sees the blood pooling around you, but before she can say anything more, the servant breaks free of her icy grip and lunges towards her once again. With a growl of frustration, Tohsaka Rin focuses all her energy into another gemstone at her waist, summoning forth a dazzling display of flash-freezing magic that encases the Caster servant in a block of ice.

She turns back to you, concern etched deeply onto her features. "Are you hurt badly?"

Her eyes widen as she sees you tear off the servant's arm and dispatch it with your teeth, but before she can say anything further, the ice around the servant begins to crack and shatter under the force of its struggles. "I think we should retreat for now," she says grimly, already starting to gather magical energy in her hands. "We'll have a better chance against it when we're not so injured ourselves."

She glances at you, her expression softening slightly. "But if you really want revenge..."

She curses under her breath as the electricity sears into your side, but there's no time to dwell on the pain. "Come on!" she shouts, grabbing you by the arm and pulling you back in the direction of the roof access. Her movements are swift and precise, weaving through the air at impossible speeds as she dodges another volley of electricity from the retreating servant.

Finally, they reach the ladder leading up to safety.

Her heart lurches in panic as she sees you struggling to move, but there's no time to lose. With a quick glance over her shoulder, she assesses the situation and decides that they don't have any other choice. "I'll hold them off," she says firmly, pressing a hand against your chest. Her touch feels cool and reassuring as she channels her magic into you, healing your wounds and giving you enough strength to climb the ladder.

"Go!"

Her home lies on the outskirts of town, surrounded by a tall wooden fence and dense foliage. The house itself is an old but well-maintained building with traditional Japanese architecture. As they approach, Tohsaka Rin glances over her shoulder, making sure that no one follows them. Once they are safely inside, she closes the door behind them and sighs in relief.

"You should rest," she says, looking at you worriedly. "The healing spell I used will only hold for a short while."

Her hands tremble slightly as she begins to remove your clothes, her gaze fixed on the injuries she must tend to. The act of touching another person's skin makes her uncomfortable, but she pushes past her discomfort for the sake of healing you. As she works, she mutters under her breath, using a mixture of magic and traditional medicine to mend your wounds.

"I should have been more careful," she says softly, dabbing at the blood on your shoulder with a clean cloth. "

Her hands freeze in mid-air as she realizes what the bandages on your chest signify. Her eyes widen with shock and disbelief before narrowing into slits of anger. "You bastard," she hisses, her voice low and dangerous. "What have you done?"

Without waiting for an answer, she grabs a nearby vase and hurls it at the wall next to you, shattering it into pieces as her rage spills over. "How dare you!? How could you do this to me!"

Her breath comes in ragged gasps as she struggles to control her anger. "You tricked me!" she accuses, pointing an accusatory finger at you. "All this time, you've been playing games with me! You knew I couldn't handle it if you were a girl!"

She backs away from you slowly, as if afraid that you might strike her again. Her hands shake uncontrollably and tears of rage and frustration sting her eyes. "I-I don't know what to do,"

Her words die in her throat as she remembers the conversation with you in the alley. You had told her everything, but she hadn't listened. "I-I'm sorry," she whispers, feeling a stab of guilt pierce through her anger. "I should have believed you."

She takes another step back, putting more distance between the two of you. "W-What do we do now?" she asks, her voice trembling. "Can this still be fixed?"

Her eyes widen in alarm as you collapse to the floor, clearly affected by the poison. "N-No," she whispers, her voice shaking with fear and panic. She kneels beside you, feeling for a pulse at your neck. "You have to hold on," she says urgently, her hands trembling as they begin to glow with magical energy once more.

"I'm so sorry," she whispers, pouring every ounce of her magic into you in an attempt to save your life. "

As you begin to stir and regain consciousness, Tohsaka Rin lets out a shaky breath she didn't realize she was holding. "It-it's okay," she whispers, tears streaming down her face as relief washes over her. "I got you back." She glances up at you, her emerald eyes filled with an emotion she can't quite decipher. Part guilt, part gratitude... It's a mess of conflicting feelings.

"I... I'm sorry," she whispers hoarsely. "For everything. I never should have doubted you..." Her voice trails off as she realizes that the world around them has changed, irrevocably. The Holy Grail War rages on, and neither of them can escape its grasp.

She looks up at you, searching your eyes for some sign of understanding or forgiveness. "We need to find a way to end this," she says finally, her voice firm once more. "Together."

A small smile tugs at the corners of her mouth as she hears your request. "Of course," she says softly, standing up to offer you a hand. Her touch is gentle and reassuring as it rests on your shoulder. "We can go anywhere you want."

As the two of you make your way through town, the air feels lighter between you. Despite all that's happened, there's an unspoken understanding growing stronger with every step. Maybe, just maybe, they can find a way to end this together after all...

Tohsaka Rin smiled faintly at your words, feeling a small spark of hope inside her. "Maybe not," she replied carefully. "But we can try to make the best of it." As they continued walking, she glanced sideways at you, studying your features intently. "I never thought I'd be able to say this... but thank you for being my partner in this war."

There was a pause before she added, "And thank you for helping me understand what it truly means to be human."

"Don't mention it," she said with a small laugh. "I'm just glad I have someone like you to learn from." Her gaze flickered away for a moment before returning to meet yours, her expression slightly awkward. "And... if you ever need anyone to talk to... or help you with anything else..."

Her voice trailed off, and she bit her lip nervously. She wanted so badly for things between the two of you to be different this time around... but she wasn't sure how to make that happen.