Fate/Gamer Alternative

Chapter 13

The morning sun shone through the wondow's openings, casting light on the motionless figure of a woman. Her chest rise and fall at regular interval, undisturbed by anything but the uncanny presence she cast off

If not for the sound of her breathing, she would have look no more identical than a fresh corpse. Maybe her mind is already that of a corpse. Perhaps there is a better way to describe it somewhere. The girl is not sure

As she walked closer, a sense of familiarity slowly appeared in those dull eyes. She reached out a hand, watching as those lights faded quickly, leaving Sakura's reflection the only thing acknowledged in her. Alone. Like she always was

"Aoi Tohsaka" The purple-haired girl ran her hand down the woman's cheek. Not even a twitch of an eye in reaction to her touch, soenthing that caused a frown on her face "For all that she had done, if this is what she ended up as, I felt bad for her"

Rin sighed.

It was not in her best interest to send a traumatized girl to her old family, but aside from that, there really is no other way to get her point across

"She didn't have a choice that day. Father would have sent you to the Matou's one way or another"

Sakura closed her eyes. Visions of that day surfaced in bright vividity. The last memory she had of Aoi Tohsaka was when Zouken led her away. The woman's smile is all she remembered. 

"Why did you take me to her?"

Rin turned her mother around, reaching out a hand to tilt her neck up. A line of scar can be seen underneath in the shape of curled fingers

"10 years ago, she was assaulted at the Church by a stranger. He choked her within an inch of her life, leaving our mothers braindead as her oxygen supply was cut off too suddenly. Our father manage to save her in time. Sadly, the one who did this was never found"

There was a heavy silence in the air

Sakura open her mouth, but her sister shook her head

"Don't bother. Whoever did this, they might already be dead" She said, takign a deep breath "What I want to focus on is the fact she was killed, merely by association of my father"

"Is this in someway related to...the thing happened then?"

"Indeed. As you probably know, the Murder Death Kill is starting soon"

Rin raised her hand, revealing a dull mark with elaborate design etched on her palm. The seal was akin to a faded tattoo, if not for the faint sense of uncanny value from it

"This here is a Command Seal. It means that I've been chosen as participant in the next war. Soon, I'll be summoning my Servant. I trust you know what this mean"

Sakura nodded

The moment she did, the Magus would enter a bloody conflict whose chance of survival is uncertain at best. For those whom she knew, everyone is in danger, especially her only relative

"The reason I let you meet mom is to warn you about the danger of being close with someone in this war" Rin said seriously "Sakura, it should not be said that you are at risk of being injured as a member of the family. Many people will go to you if it means having an advantage over me"

"That I am aware" Sakura tug her sleeve

"so I have made some preparation" Rin reached into her pocket and toss her something "Here"

Sakura look down at the wad of cash. They were tightly bound together, looking as though they would be enough to last her several months. Reluctantly, she accepted the money