A New Child

Chapter 12: Living Arrangements

Rin didn't want to open her eyes. She curled up with the blanket that had been draped around her and let out a small sound that signified her comfort.

Wait... blanket? I don't remember getting a blanket, Rin squeezed her eyes for a second as she tried to think. I was studying with... with...

That's when Rin opened her eyes. She turned to see that she was leaning on Shirou with a blanket she did not recognize resting atop the both of them.

"AHHH!" Rin let out a shriek as she jumped up. Shirou muttered something as he started to open his eyes.

"What was that for? I was so comfy..." Shirou mumbled as he rubbed the side of his head and yawned.

"Why were you sleeping on me?!" Rin shouted, pointing an accusatory finger at him.

"Well, we were studying and..." Shirou put a finger on his chin and looked upwards in a thinking motion. "I think I fell asleep."

"Well obviously," Rin rolled her eyes. "Why on me, though?"

"Because... you were comfy?" Shirou smiled.

"Ugh, I can't believe you," Rin threw her hands up in the air.

"Good morning," Rin jumped when she heard Tiamat's voice in her head. "Did you sleep well?"

"Morning, mom," Shirou said as he stood up and stretched. "I slept great."

"I didn't," Rin gumbled under her breath.

"Is that so? You looked so comfortable resting on little Shirou like that," Tiamat replied with a small smile.

"I... I don't know what you're talking about," Rin huffed. "Where's my mom?"

"Aoi has been preparing to move to your new home," Tiamat answered as she floated a little closer to the two. "She asked me if it was okay for you to live with us."

"What?!" Rin almost shouted, but lowered her voice at the last second. "We're leaving the mansion?!"

"Yes, child. It's safer with us," Tiamat's tone was almost cautious at this point.

"I... I'll be right back," Rin said as she stomped out of the room.

-

"Thank you for helping me pack, Sakura," Aoi smiled as she looked at her luggage, which was all neatly stacked in a line.

"No problem. It's... relaxing," Sakura muttered. She had a small smile on her face as she looked upon her handywork.

"Now, let's go and—" Aoi was cut off when she heard the door slam open. She turned to see none other than Rin. "Oh, I was just about to wake you! It's time to—"

"Mom!" Rin cut the woman off. "Are we really going to leave the mansion just like that?! The Tohsakas have lived here for centuries! We can't just throw it away!"

"Sakura, can you be a dear and tell Tiamat that I've finished packing?" Aoi turned to her other daughter. With an understanding nod, Sakura made her way out of the room, closing the door behind him. "Rin, can you sit down with me?"

Rin silently nodded. Even though she glared at her mother, she still sat on her lap as soon as Aoi made herself comfortable on her chair.

"You remember the last discussion we had on this matter, right?" Aoi made sure her tone was understanding and soft. This was an extremely delicate matter and she had to handle it with the utmost care.

"Mhmm," Rin nodded, her expectant gaze still on Aoi.

"I've decided... there are too many things that could go wrong," Aoi shook her head. "Tiamat will be able to protect us while ensuring you have a proper magecraft teacher."