I do not own or am affiliated with the fate series or the characters that show up in it.
Fate Cross-Dimensional Family
(Preparing for War 3)
Sakura opened her eyes slowly as she started to wake up. That was the first time in a long time that she got a full nights rest even with Rider there to hold her and keep her safe when she was at her grandfathers'. She tried to move but was nestled under Shirou's chin and held close to him by his arm wrapped around her. Before last night she would have given anything to end up like this, now that it's happening she decided to relax and enjoy it. As she closed her eyes she heard a loud explosion from the other side of the house that made her jump a bit.
Shirou sighed. He knew that they weren't under attack by an enemy. The only thing under attack was his favorite location, well except for his current one of in bed with Sakura close to him. That was the first night in a long while that he wasn't plagued of roaming the fields of fire and death brought forth by the grail.
" It's fine Sakura, Vivian and Rider must be cooking again. "
Chuckling at that she quipped, " I fear for your cooking supplies if that happens anymore. You were already down a pot and spoon ".
" Mmm. Last time it was there attempt at boiling water so I'm scared to think what they attempted this morning. " Shirou released Sakura and sat up. Stretching and trying to wake up so he could deal with whatever happened in his sacred kitchen.
Sakura went back to her room to change as Shirou went about his morning rituals, today was a big day and as soon as he woke up he was anxious to get it over with. He wanted nothing more than for her to be rid of those parasites and after today she would be. He finished getting ready and headed to the kitchen to prepare a proper breakfast and scold Vivian and Rider.
(Kitchen)
Vivian and Rider stood there covered in pancake batter, apparently, it isn't wise to use magic to speed up the process of making celebratory pancakes. They looked around them at the batter covered kitchen. Vivian picked up the remnants of the pan they were using, it had three perfect circles blasted through it where the pancakes exploded. " Shirou will not be pleased," she said as she peered through one of the holes.
Rider ran a finger over Vivian's cheek and tasted the batter. " Well if nothing else, it's the tastiest mess ever. " She laughed as Vivian just gave her a "you're not helping " look. Rider looked around at the mess. Luckily, they decided to use a bit less magic than their first attempt at breakfast so their mess to clean up isn't that bad. " We should be able to have this cleaned up before they wake up.
" Unless they are already up. "
Rider and Vivian jumped as Shirou's voice came from behind them. They didn't sense him come in even through the link. They both were caught batter handed as they looked down at the floor ashamed.
" So pancakes huh? " When they both nodded without looking up he couldn't hold it anymore. He started chuckling and moved into the kitchen to wrap them both in a one armed hug. " Don't beat yourself up, at least I could tell what you were trying to cook, you should have seen some of the things Kiritugu cooked. " He laughed louder at the fond memory as he began to clean up the mess.
They both shared a look before grinning and joining in on the laughter at the silly situation. The three of them began cleaning and before long they had finished and Shirou began making pancakes while Vivian and Rider set the table. Sakura made her way in and sat at the table with Vivian and Rider after they had finished.
" Glad to see your both in one piece, I take it your second shot at breakfast didn't end so well. " She wasn't used to having to hide grins or really just laughing and having a good time, so she was sporting a goofy smile in a vain attempt at hiding her amusement from the other two at the table.
They both were taken aback by the aloof and a bit goofier Sakura that was in front of them instead of the silent and distant one they were used too. They both took a look to the kitchen to see Shirou still moving around it with master precision and knew that he was the one responisble. They both shared a quick look before shrugging and quipping together, " we were going for explosive flavor ". They all shared a good laugh as Shirou finished breakfast with a grin of his own.
(After Breakfast)
All manner of goofing around and sillyness was put to a stop when they each finished breakfast and focused on the task at hand. Vivian had sent Sakura away to change for today was the day that Sakura would be getting rid of the crest worms as well as asessing the fragments of the grail that were implanted into her are going to affect her and possibly fix it or alter it. They all sat around the table gathering themselves and worrying about the procedure. Vivian broke the silence as she clapped her hands together to bring everyone out of there own thoughts.
" None of that worrying and second guessing, I'm a woman of my word and we will get rid of them. What's going to happen is I'm going to put her into a form of magic induced sleep to get her relaxed and not have her moving around, I will also be mixing elixers to dull and pratically nullify any pain she will feel while I operate. The operation itself will be in two parts, part one will be removing every one of the worms that are in her nervous system and organs like her lungs, arteries, and spine. Part two and the hardest part will be the alpha entrenched in her heart, this one is larger and more territorial than the others. The alpha is no doubt self-aware being a major part of Zouken and his grip on her there is no way that even my wards will be able to hide the fact that we removed it from him. Questions so far? "
She looked around when her gaze landed on Shirou he spoke. " For the operation are you going to have to cut her open? " Worry was evident in his voice at the thought of cutting Sakura open to get the worms out.
Vivian shook her head which made him visibly relax but was still on edge not knowing what would happen. " I plan to use a viewing spell to look through her body as I work which Rider will be holding up and moving to where I need it, if I had mystic eyes I could do it myself but it will act as a magnifying glass of sorts and will be vital especially for the heart. "
Shirou felt somewhat relieved at that statement especially since Rider would be helping. He, however, wasn't about to sit around and do nothing while Sakura was operated on. " What do I need to do? "
" Defense," she said simply and to the point continued. You will be stationed outside and guard the shed as we work since myself and Rider will be in the shed with her. "
" Understood. " A swill of darkness and Shirou was enveloped in the armor of the black knight. I will protect you will all my power and life if I have to if it means she can be free of this corruption.
Vivian took a minute to soak in the immense power coming off of Shirou, " I thought I felt another servant in the house but it was gone before I could check and then the rush of mana now makes sense. However, you under no circumstance are allowed to die, Sakura would be devastated and what is a princess without her knight.
Shirou didn't reply instead giving a nod to her to acknowledge the orders. He got up along with the other three as Sakura entered the room once again. Wearing nothing but a long shirt that she borrowed from Shirou since they really didn't have any night gowns or appropriate operating clothing. She walked up to Shirou who had grown a bit with the transformation, he kneeled down in front of her which lowered him enough to where she was looking down at him. " I'm ready to end this nightmare. "
Shirou held out his hand palm up which she places her hand into as he then stood up and led her to the shed and watched as she went inside to lay on the table. Shirou went to leave but was stopped in his tracks by Sakura's voice. " Promise me that you'll be here when I wake up. "
Vivian turned from her workbench to inform her of the plan but found Shirou at her side her hand in his. She was stunned that she didn't hear him move in that heavy armor let alone sense it. Some kind of enchantment perhaps, she stopped her musing as he spoke. " I promise you that I will defend this place with all my power and be here when you wake up, I am your knight and will not leave your side. " She smiled while becoming teary eyed at the vow which was also felt by the others in the room as he made his way once again to the door. He moved out of the shed and closed the door on his way out, he turned and stabbed his sword into the ground between his feet and resting his hands on the top of the hilt as he stood a foot away from the door. Nothing would be getting passed him.
(Shed)
The door closed and Vivian snapped her fingers which ignited the green flames in the torches around the workshop. The dark workshop looked like something out of a movie with the beakers and viles full of glowing potions and the green flames that floated in areas and came to life on torches with the snap of a finger.
Vivian moved back around to her with a pyramid-shaped beaker of a pink liquid which she placed on a side table by Sakura followed by two corked vials of solution that were both bubblings in the tube and had a cherry red color. " Okay Sakura, first I'm going to have you drink the pain nullifiers and then the sleep inducer. "
Sakura sat up and was handed the two vials of bubbling liquid. She raised an eyebrow at the suspicious liquid and then directed it at Vivian.
" You got me, it's actually lava and step one to world domination MUAHAHAHAHA! "
Sakura stuck her tongue out at her that got Rider to blow air out in a vain attemp to remain neutral and focused. She drank one after the other. " Strawberries? "
" No one likes nasty tasting medicine, this one next to induce sleep. " She handed her the pyramid beaker which she had to tip quite a bit to get it down the tube and into her mouth.
Sakura laid back down as she felt the potion taking effect, her last conscious thought was her guessing (bubblegum) and then falling asleep. The other two worked around her, Rider moved her around the table slightly to center her and move her arms to her side so that way she was nice and straight and ready. Vivian finished the viewing spell that was a swirling blue oval of mana that she passed to Rider who took it and looked at it and through it. Vivian started rattling off words to a spell she would need to reach inside Sakura.
Rider held the oval over Sakura slightly and felt extreme disgust at what she saw, the worms that were moving slightly and had their legs firmly in her organs. She clenched the oval tighter as the rage inside her grew and reached an all-time high when she saw her broken hymen. A hand on her shoulder stopped her from growing any angrier as she saw an equal pissed Vivian looking down at the viewing spell. " They will both die for this, that's a promise and I keep my promises. "
Rider nodded, " Death is to good for scum like them. " Rider may be a gorgon that has turned hundreds of people to stone but this is inexcusable. " To the depths of Hades with them. "
" Indeed. " Vivian finished her spell and her hands up to her elbows turned transparent with smoke coming off of them. She inspected them and was satisfied with the result as she lowered them and went to the opposite side of the table of Rider. " Okay, they are all stomach and up so we'll start there and move up and save the heart for last. " She got a nod from Rider who moved the oval so they could both see and she stuck her ghostly hands into Sakura who didn't move or seem to feel anything. " Ok I'm in, I'm going to start with this one here in the walls of the stomach. " She moved to the worm and grabbed the main body of it with one hand which seemed to startle it as it writhed around. She then started to peel the legs of the worm entrenched into her stomach. One by one she pulled the worm legs out which caused slight grimaces from Sakura with each one. This wasn't going to be an easy or fast process but they will be able to uproot them all. After twenty minutes she ripped out the last leg which allowed her to move onto the next phase. She conjured purple fire into her hand with the worm as the worm started writhing in pain.
Rider watched as she held the worm in her hand. She thought that she was going to pull them out and destroy them however she was just holding it. " What are you doing to it? "
" Sakura doesn't have a family crest and these worms are basically stores of zoukens magecraft knowledge, I'm going to break them down and cleanse them in a fire that I made from the cards Sakura poured her mana into to figure out her talents for magecraft. Once they are cleansed I can start putting together a crest for her to draw on and add to her power and mysteries to call upon. " The worm disintegrated in her hand and the purple fire pulsed out over Sakura body. Sighing she wiped her forhead on her upper arm, " six more to go ".
(Outside of Shed)
Shirou stood tall and unmoving like a statue or guardian. He had his head slightly down as he listened for anything to be off. It was a clear and sunny day and everything was normal, the birds were flying by chirping, the random car from time to time, neighbors exiting their homes and leaving to run errands or work. He listened to all of it. He was still a little amazed at how powerful the legend of the Black Knight was, then again it was one of the oldest legends around taking place in the time of knights and castles. Not many know of the Black Knight in this era of time except that he was a great warrior, which was true. However, what they don't know is that he was in love with a princess that had been framed and ordered to be killed by corrupt lords and swore to protect her and bring the would be king and corrupt lords down. He never got his chance as they were constantly moving till they were out of the country and were able to settle down. His thoughts were broken when he heard something that he shouldn't have.
A soft but subtle landing above and a quite a few houses down from him told him that someone was on rooftops jumping from one to the other. He reached out with his mind as he tried to pin down the person jumping around and block everything else out. He didn't want to rush head first into a fight and leave the girls undefended. He kept his form still as he listened. The jumping stops when the person landed on the roof of the house directly in front of him on the other side of the wall. A servant perhaps, surely not another master givin the fact that there are two masters and two servants residing here.
Shirou stood perfectly still as he knew that he couldn't make the first move, he honed in the target and waited, instincts long forgotten flaring to life as he prepared for combat.
(Shed)
Vivian incinerated the third worm, releasing another pulse of purple flame throughtout Sakura's body. She was about to pull her etherial arms out when she heard Shirou over the link.
" Vivian, there is someone across from me watching the property. I can feel his eyes on me, trying to gauge me and see if there are others on the property. "
Her eyes widened at that, a possible servant scoping out there position or maybe even the church or association checking to see if anything was wrong. " Do you want us to drive them away? "
" No, continue your work. He hasn't moved and I haven't moved, worst comes to worst I will have to engage him and buy you time to finish up. "
" I don't like that plan. " Vivian was checking the bounded fields and raising the dormant defenses she had setup incase they needed them. She noticed Medusa also summoning a spike to her hand apparently feeling her raising the defenses.
" You must continue to help her Saber, I will stay here and guard the door. It's what I've always done and will continue to do. "
Vivian was puzzled by what he meant until it clicked into place, the Black Knight isn't a regular servant, sure he was as powerful as most of the Saber class servants in there prime and could tame or kill most berserkers but he doesn't fit into those classes. " You're a Defender? " Her connection to the grail told her that there were only a select few Defenders and that they were all not to be messed with.
" A story for another time. "
That's all she got out of him as the link went silent, she knew that there were more classes then the regular ones but she never imagined that she would meet or even see one outside of the originals in her life. Leave it to her Papa to be a direct descendant of a legendary warrior that could withstand the might of armies as well as destory them. She shook her head as she nodded to Rider and looked back down.
Rider dismissed her weapon and refocused on Sakura, she hoped that Shirou would be ok. A bead of sweat ran down the side of her head as she and Vivian were now on the clock to finish this. Just three more to go.
(Across the Street)
Archer studied the hulking behemoth of metal before him, it was eerily still as it stood there with its hands resting on the sword and it's head down. Every time he tried to scan the armor, weapon, and shield he came up with nothing. He didn't know what this thing was but if he couldn't even trace the weapon then he didn't like the odds of the situation at all. Couple that with the defenses of the bounded fields springing to life around the property told him that there was at least some kind of servant or master there as well. She told him to keep watch and that was what he was going to do.
(Viewing Spell)
Caster eyed the knight with a sense of wonder. She guessed that there was a third servant at the property but dismissed it when she checked the grail for any summons to find none. A powerful familiar of one of the servants then. She didn't dismiss the idea either of it being a golem or some kind of illusion of some sort because of how still it was. Even with the viewing spell, she couldn't see the armor move slightly to even indicate breathing, any form of movement came from a slight breeze moving the tattered scarf around its neck. Whatever this thing is, it is another canidate for her to take if she couldn't have Saber. So she continued to watch only stopping to quickly let assassin know of the knight and going back to the spell.
(Shed)
They moved through the remaining worms at a quicker but still careful pace. When the last worm was disintegrated she removed her ghostly hands from Sakura and stretched them out, sore from holding them at odd angles the worms dug into.
Vivian opened a portal and brought out a wooden box and placed it on the table beside the one Sakura was on. She opened it to reveal many small potions and elixers resting on a cloth in the box. She grabbed one and closed the box, returning to the portal it came from. She started to shake it causing the potion to glow.
Rider watched as the solution came to life in the vile, causing it to spark with green electricity and bubble. " What is that? Some kind of poison to kill the alpha worm around her heart? "
Vivian laughed, " No, nothing like that. Both of my girlfriends have less than normal bodies and when I had to patch them up after training or battles you learn a thing or two about medicine, organs, wires, parts, etc. This is going to repair the damage to the heart that the worm might inflict when we go to remove it. "
Rider jaw dropped, " G. Gg... Girlfriends? "
Vivian smirked, " I'm my fathers' daughter, after all, I've already introduced you to Mordred and I'll introduce you to my other one when this is all over. Just know that we love each other very much and it's one of the best things to ever happen to me to find those two. "
Rider just shook her head, conceeding the point for now. " You're parents are going to have a fit about you having two girlfriends. "
Vivian laughed, " They don't even know about Mordred so it will be interesting, to say the least. " She looked down at Sakura and Rider moved to put the viewing spell over her heart. She reached in and stopped when she was just outside the heart. The worm in question was larger then the others, red veins across its body and long tail coiling around the heart suggested that this was the first worm to enter Sakura and was the oldest among them.
Rider watched as the worm seemed to sense it's brethren are gone and was on alert, slightly coiling it's long tail around the heart tighter. To Riders surprise, she didn't grab the worm but the heart itself, going right through the Alpha. She watched in silence as Vivian started to move the heart only to gasp as the worm felt the movement and its sharp legs pierced into her heart and clung to it. Rider looked up at Vivian to see her snarling at the worm.
" A lowly worm from an even lower magus trying to protect what it thinks is its territory. How adorable. Well if you want to play it that way then so be it. " She grabbed the beginning of the tail and ripped it off with a slight motion of the hand, causing the worm to screech in pain and getting Sakura to squirm on the bed as the worm dug its claws into her heart deeper. She immediatly incinerated the tail and moved back to the worm. She grasped it with one hand and the bottom of the heart of the other. " I'm not going to lie, best case scenario is this is going to hurt a lot and bleed a lot. " She nodded to the vial which Rider picked up while keeping the viewing spell up.
Rider looked back at her after grabbing the vile, " what's the worst case scenario ".
" Worst case is this worm crushes her heart as a last line of defense and she dies. That solution will repair any damage that the legs are doing currently as well as the scars on her other vital organs. Damn that Zouken! " She took a deep breath and put her rage to the side for later use as she refocused on the task. " Ready? "
Rider nodded, steadying the viewing spell and looking down. " Ready. "
Vivian moved her two hands simultaneously, pulling the heart slightly down and pulling the worm up. As its legs were retracted blood started pouring out from the entry wounds pooling around the organ. She grimaced as she moved it more, each centimeter causing Sakura to grimace in unimaginable pain despite the pain killer elixers. She grits her teeth hard as she continued to pull, legs retracting more and more which released more blood with it. " Open her mouth and be ready with the elixer. " She was just about ready to pull the worm out, she waited for Rider to position her hand on Sakura's head while holding the vile. When she got a nod from Rider she pulled the worm from her heart with a yank and the blood spewed as she moved the heart back into place.
Rider flicked the cork off the vile and drained the contents into Sakura's mouth. She threw the vile away and picked up Sakura's head to let the elixer enter her and take effect. Back on the viewing spell, she saw green lightning course through her body causing her to jerk on the table. Rider put her hand on her upper chest to hold her down as Vivian held down her legs with her now normal left arm. The lightning continues to course through her as the elixer coated her organs and began to heal the wounds. Sakura was sweating and writhing around in pain as the process went on. Rider dropped the viewing spell as she grabbed a cold rag and patted Sakura's head with it while holding her down. " How long will this take?! She is going through absolute hell and looks like she is taking bolts from Zeus himself! "
Vivian remained calm holding her legs with her arm and the worm in the other. " The solution is almost done fixing her organs and the lightning your seeing going through her is fixing her nerves. It's going to be a couple of minutes at least, it still has to deal with all the blood pooling around her organs. They continued like that for what felt like an eternity. Sakura wiggling on the table in protest to the pain coursing through her. Vivian grimaced as she watched Sakura writhe around. She let go of her legs and put her hand over her heart. Her hand glowed purple as she pumped magic into the solution to quicken the process. After a few minutes, she started to calm down more and more as she helped the solution combat the problems. Once the solution had broken down or relocated the blood from her heart and the lightning faded she stopped. She did a quick feel of her pulse to find it steady, she saw Rider pick up the viewing spell and do a sweep of her body. While she was doing that she focused back on the worm trying it's best to pierce, bite, or escape her. Her grip on it tightened causing it to screech in pain.
" Amazing. She is fine, there isn't a scratch or any evidence of the worms at all. " Rider felt tears fall down her face at the joy of Sakura being rid of those accursed worms for good.
Vivian smirked, " Told you I keep my promises. " She moved the viewing spell over her hand to see her burning the alpha in her hand. " She hoped that he would feel some pain when this worm died. She flexed her arm a bit and disintegrated the alpha which caused a huge wave of purple fire to course through Sakura. What happened next made Rider and Vivian's jaws drop. The mana and secrets formed a beatiful purple crest of a boquet of flowers and at the bottom of it instead of stems were snakes that wrapped down her arm making beautiful designs as they coiled and came into existance. The crest glowed beautifully and Rider knew it had worked since she felt her power rise considerably and felt like she was at full power and then some. The crest stopped glowing and switched off as Sakura laid there asleep with a smile on her face. Vivian smiled and held out her arm and began to glow a brilliant gold light as she moved her hand over Sakura's heart. The glow transferred to Sakura and Vivian walked to her workbench and started putting away tools. She spoke but didn't turn to look at Rider as she did. " You and Shirou need to wake her up, only a kiss from someone who loves her like family and her true love can break the sleep. "
Rider moved to Sakura and moved a couple of strands of hair out of the way as she kissed her on the forhead. She loved Sakura like a daughter so if this is what it took to wake her then so be it. She ran the back of her hand gently across her cheek as she began to glow pink like the elixer she drank. She moved to the door opening it to find Shirou standing there stock still feet infront of her. The noise got his attention as he turned to look at her. She moved to the side as his hulking form entered the shed and carefully made his way to Sakura. They stood side by side looking down at her peaceful form.
" He turned his helmet slightly to address her, " is she... ".
Rider smiled, " the operation was a huge success ". She put her hand on his shoulder and gestured to her, " she just needs you to wake her up ".
Shirou nodded and dismissed his armor and weapon as he looked at her. " What do I need to do? "
Vivian repeated what she said to Rider and watched as he understood and turned a shade of red at having to basically reinact all the fairy tales kids hear about.
Shirou shoved his embarressment aside as he nervously made his way to her lips. He closed his eyes as they met and he kissed her. She glowed pink once more as the spell broke. He pulled away as she started to stir and wake up.
She slowly and groggily sat up with something supporting her as she did. She opened her eyes to find she was in the shed with Vivian, Rider, and Shirou. " Why does my mouth taste like a green apple? "
Vivian snorted.
Rider just shook her head in exasperation.
Shirou looked confused.
Vivian walked over and rubbed circles over her back, " It's good to have you back apprentice ". She smirked as she continued. " And if your feeling well enough to guess the flavor of medicine you weren't even awake for then I think that's a sign of a clean bill of health. "
Rider hugged her from the side and cried tears of happiness. " I'm so glad that you're ok! " She sobbed as she spoke and hugged her tighter. " I don't know what I would do if I lost you. " She put her head on top of hers and felt Sakura's hand over her own.
" I'm ok Rider, thanks to you three I feel like a new person. The heat is gone and I no longer feel the worms invading my body and ripping me apart from the inside. Not to mention I feel like I have a new wind in my sails.
Vivian crossed her arms and grinned, " that wind is something I made for you from the worms, flare your mana. "
Sakura did as she was told and noticed her left arm light up as the beautiful design came to life. Her and Shirou were shocked at the intricate design on her arm. " I have a crest now! I thought it was just a small symbom on the upper arm but this... This is beatiful! " She covered her mouth as she began to sob as she now could do what she was denied all these years and practice magecraft. She pulled Vivian into a hug as the dam broke and she full on cried.
Vivian returned the embrace and rubbed her back. " Shhh, you are ok now. Family always takes care of there own. " She placed a kiss on top of her head as Rider and Shirou moved and hugged them as well.
Sakura just cried and cried as she was so happy and was finally free. " I love you guys so much! Promise me that you guys will always be there, promise me to always be my family! "
The group hug tightened around the crying girl as they said in unison " I promise ".
Everyone broke apart and Sakura began wiping away left over tears, her eyes puffy and red from the crying. Rider excused herself to grab something from the house, Shirou and Sakura sat on the table holding hands as he told her what had happened while she was asleep, Vivian worked at her workbench while she listened and looked for something.
Sakura looked at Shirou with concern over finding out about person watching the property from the adjacent rooftop. " So there was another servant or master watching or scouting the property. You should have been more careful Shirou. "
He squeezed her hand and smiled at her to calm her. " I had my armor on and was ready for him or her if they tried anything. There was no way they would be getting to you with me out there is I had anything to say about it. I felt him leave a short while after Vivian activated some the defenses around the property and the extra bounded fields. "
Vivian found what she was looking for and pulled an old tome with a bookmark at the top out of the bench. She turned to address the two teens and put there worries to rest. " It's still too early in the game to start anything, at most, it was a run by a servant trying to gauge our power. "
Rider also walked in at this time holding a package wrapped with a white bow. " Which is why time is of the essense. " She walked over to Vivian and handed her the package which she took raising an eyebrow at the random gift, she handed her the book from the workbench.
Vivian walked over and slapped Shirou on the back playfully. " Well, sir knight, what do you say to a little spar to see if you're that good or if your all hot air. " She used air quotes when she said that good and grinned in confidence.
Shirou grinned back, old instinct and itching to fight and learn clawing beneath the surface of his calm exterior. " You're on. Hope you can keep up with a legend. "
" Pffft. " Was all she said as she walked out with Shirou close behind. As they walked to the dojo she looked over the package. She undid the ribbon and peered inside the bag only to be teary eyed. She turned to Shirou and told him to go ahead of her and that she'll meet him in there as she ran back to the shed. She peeked in to find Rider gaping at the bookmarked page and walked up to her, hugging her which was returned. " Thank you for repairing my cloak Aunt Meddie, it means a lot to me. "
Rider sobbed, stroking her hair as she kneeled down and hugged her. " I know it does, I watched your mother work on it from time to time. And thank you, this means more to me then you know. I'm just scared that she won't want to. "
Vivian stroked her hair with her hand, " She will want to, she loves you alot and you mean alot to her. You've been there for her longer then I or Shirou have been. You will make a great mother. "
They broke apart and smiled at each other. Vivian went to train Shirou while also reminding Sakura to be ready for training tomorrow and be ready to get some combat practice in which she beamed at the oppurtunity to learn and train.
Medusa sat beside Sakura and placed the book in her lap. She opened it to the page that was bookmarked and took a deep breath before beginning. " Sakura do you remember what we talked about around the table when Vivian was sharing her story? " Her stomach twisted in anticipation as the girl recalled what had happened. She was nervous, anxious, and many things as the minutes ticked by.
" We were discussing the grail and her past alot, along with trying to fix what was going on within me. "
" Yes we were, do you remember what we all said when we found out what had happened to you? " She couldn't blame her for not remembering exactly what she wanted to remember, it was a brief interaction so it was normal but still hurt her a bit.
" Shirou was upset about not knowing, Vivian was doing some kind of scanning spell on my body as well as cursing my... No. Used to be grandfather and brother, and you were saying that you would always be there for me. " She smiled at the fond memory, one of many to come. She placed her hand over Medusa's and remember that she also said something else. " You were also saying that you weren't the best at something but I cut you off. If that's what this is about I apologize about cutting you off. What is it you were going to say? "
Medusa swallowed before she answered, jumping head first into it rather than wade in carefully. " I was saying that I know that your family has been complete crap to you and I know alot about crap family or being crap to family. However, there have been people around me that has made me see that I was not myself during that time and eventualy became my new family. And... "
Sakura listened and smiled as Medusa talked. She could tell that she was nervous as her hands were anything but still, wandering, overlapping, tapping, it was rather cute as she went on it changed.
" What I'm saying is. The idea I have. I... Oh to Hades with it. I was wondering if you would like to have me as a mother! " She closed her eyes and all but yelled, she wouldn't be surpised if Shirou and Vivian heard it in the dojo. She hated the silence that was left after her emotional outburst, waiting for anything to happen. What she didn't expect was arms to enclose around her and pull her to the side slightly. She cracked an eye to see Sakura was hugging her and looking down at the book.
" Ah, I see why Vivian was looking through this book when I was talking with her the other day. " She brushed her hand over the cover and found Medusa's hand and intertwined there fingers. " I have something to confess. " She ran her thumb over Medusa's hand waiting for her to respond.
She dreaded what this could be about, had she done something to make her not want her as a family or maybe she saw her as nothing but the monster she was and didn't want anything to do with her. She swallowed nervously asking " what is it Sakura? ".
Sakura smiled as she spoke, feeling that this conversation was one of the most important ones of her life and she was happy to be finally having it. " I had a hunch that when I saw her reading this book that it wasn't for her, as I thought it over I knew it didn't have anything to do with Shirou and since she just got here she didn't know anyone that would need this information except for me and you. Those nights that I was thrown back into my room bloodied, beaten, broken. You were always there to patch me up and hold me as I fell asleep, telling me that it would all be ok. " She looked up at Medusa with a teary eyed smile. " I guess what I'm trying to say is you've been my mother for a long time now and there is no one I would rather have as a parent. My original family gave me away, my sister doesn't even acknowledge my existence, those two... people... Were the worst people of my life but you have always cared for me, you have always loved me when no one else would. So yes, I would love to go through this process of becoming your daughter.
Medusa was struck silent as the girl looking up at her stopped speaking. Her mouth hung open uselessly as she couldn't even begin to form a coherrent thought since she was so choked up by tears. After killing her sisters and being hunted by warriors from all over, she thought that her life was over and any chance of happiness gone with it. However, ever since she met Shirou and Medea she started to feel like she had a small shot at it. Now she had someone she cared for a great deal as a daughter admits to her that she saw her as a mother for a while now. The dam broke and Medusa cried as she hugged the girl close to her and sobbed loudly as she now had someone to look after and someone who cared for her like family.
(Dinner)
Vivian pouted at the table sitting cross legged and her arms crossed. She glared at him not in anger but envy as they sparred for hours at 50% of her full power and didn't move him an inch. She knew that she wasn't the most talented Saber/Caster class servant but she was taught and trained to be strong enough to beat Angra Mainyu! Not to mention being boosted by the remnants of the light left in her dimensions grail. It wasn't fair! She placed her head on the table as she groaned in exasperation at trying to figure Shirou out.
Shirou looked over his shoulder and raised an eyebrow at her. They had sparred for almost five hours straight, bringing them to dinner time. It was a good fight if he was being honest, being able to mix up her style in battle is a great thing especially taking into acount some of the teachers she had for sword and magecraft. He turned back to his cooking as he continued to muse. From what he understood, her father and mother are accomplished sword wielder and spell caster, combining that with her being boosted by the grail and it was one time he could say he enjoyed the fight. She wasn't there yet, but soon she would be a force to be reckoned with, a legend to match his own and others. " It was a great spar Vivian, did you have fun? " He turned to see her lift her head and give him a glare with no actual hate in it. " Well, I had fun. We should spar more often and if it makes you feel better you are one of two people to push me that far in a fight.
Vivian perked up at the compliment and possible backstory. She as well as anyone else, didn't really know much about the black knight, where he came from, how he trained, where he got his armor, everyone just knows the tale of how he protected a princess in a tower from hundreds of knights and disapeared after. " Who is the second person Shirou? "
He hummed in thought as he stirred the contents of the pot. There were still holes in his memory, who sent the knights after him and the princess, what happened to the princess and him, and much more. Each time he turned into the black knight he remembers more skills and memories. " I don't know, my memory is still foggy in some areas. But I do know that you're a real challenge with the sword. " He smiled and gave her a thumbs up. " By the way, where are Rider and Sakura? "
The sliding front door opened and a pair of footsteps were heard walking towards the sitting/eating area. " We are right here Shirou, just doing some late training and changing a couple of things. " They walked into the room and Rider smirked at the matching loose hanging jaws of the Emiya's and Sakura giggled. " Something wrong? " She knew exactly what they were shocked by. Her hair was now a bright pink, she'd grown a few inches to match Shirou's height or maybe even a bit taller, skin was paler not in a sick way but like a different shade you'd see on a snake, her eyes now sported the same square pupils like Rider while still staying purple, her nails had grown a bit out and sharpened to a fine point.
Rider held her hand in front of Sakura palm up and introduced her. " Let me introduce you to the daughter of the gorgon queen, princess Sakura. Go ahead show them Sakura. "
Sakura smiled and closed her eyes focusing on what she had been doing the past couple of hours. She stood still and brought her legs together as a glow started to form around them. Soon they started to join together and expand, white scales becoming evident as the process went on. She opened her eyes as she felt the process complete and she was now in a gorgon form that she felt way more comfortable in if she was being honest, she could chalk that up to her mother but she didn't mind it either and actually rather enjoyed the snake body.
When Vivian and Shirou opened there eyes they were shocked once again to see Sakura turn into a gorgon right infront of them. Shirou couldn't wrap his brain around it as he just stared at how beautiful she was, gorgon body or not he loved her no matter what. Vivian was a little better off as she studied her and decided to ask the questions they both had.
" That shouldn't be possible, you lost your gorgon body when you came to Chaldea, I know that the blood adoption had the chance to change aspects of her make up physically when it came to hair, eyes, skills, but this is something different entirely. Are you ok, do you feel any pain or lightheaded in any way? "
Medusa smiled at the concern Vivian was showing but dismissed it with the wave of a hand. She is in no danger or in pain in any way. You're right that it could change things about her but at the end of the day she is my daughter and I am the queen of the gorgons even in this form, thus we have been practicing switching back and forth between human and gorgon as well as her mystic eyes. " She saw Vivian's jaw drop at the mention of her natural trait being passed on. " Yes Vivi, she can turn people to stone however unlike me she doesn't need glasses or a blindfold she can turn it on and off whenever. I am so proud of you for mastering both in such a short time. "
Sakura looked back and smiled at her. She turned and slithered over to Shirou who had exited the kitchen and was wiping his hands with a hand rag. He tossed the rag to the side and held his hands a short way out infront of him open and palms up. She placed her hands in his which were only slightly bigger than hers. She felt the callouses and healed cuts from the hard work he always puts in. She looked at him and blushed as his amber eyes met hers. " Ww what do you think? "
Shirou smiled as he gripped her hands lightly, " I think I'm in front of the most beautiful girl in the world. I'm so glad that you did this, you two were already inseparable from what you told me and she was already like family to you before this. I'm so happy for you Sakura! " He hugged her close and finally realized that they were the same height give or take a couple of inches, he didn't mind though.
Sakura felt teary eyed but pushed it away, instead smiling and returning the hug. They pulled away, still having their arms around each other as they looked into the other's eyes. " I love you Shirou. "
" I love you too, Sakura. I pledge my sword and shield to you and you alone, I promise to stand by you and value everything you hold dear and give you my all. " He summoned his armor and kneeled in front of her as a knight would in front of a princess. " Would you allow me to be your knight? "
Sakura smiled fondly at him kneeling before her, showing her the respect a princess gets in the fairy tales. " If you promise to never leave me and let me be your princess then yes. "
" I promise. " He stood up and dismissed his armor as he moved in, putting a hand on her cheek there lips met in a kiss that happened only in fairy tales.
She placed a hand on his cheek and one on his shoulder as her snake body coiled around him, not planning on letting him go for a minute or... five.
Rider just shook her head at the beautiful display in front of her. If you had told her in life or in Chaldea that a knight and gorgon could fall in love she'd have killed the person for mocking her. However, her daughter had now found someone who wouldn't leave her and would defend her from anything that would wipe that smile away. She had doubts about the boy but it was clear that he meant what he said and he got her approval.
Vivian smiled fondly at the scene of the two love birds or snake and knight in this case. This reminded her of a couple of times when she snuck out of bed and caught her parents doing this sitting on the bench of there house in Chaldea. It was beautiful then and it was beautiful now. She was really happy for them and just knew that they would live a long and happy life, what's more, she now had a cousin that was around her age and could hang out with.
Sakura released her knight and blushed at there intimate display being watched by her now mother and cousin. She slithered over to the table and transformed back to a human before sitting down. Shirou served the food and they all ate, happily talking and discussing training for tomorrow.
(Matau Manor)
Zouken felt the Alpha worm die hours ago and paced back in forth in the basement of the house. The girl was useless after all, he wanted to turn her into a vessel for himself but that plan wasn't an option now. His grandson was useless and his Tohsaka vessel was gone so he stewed in his anger. Well if whatever killed her and the worms come for him he'd best be prepared, he raised a hand and the worms all around Fuyuki came crawling towards his silent call. He would be prepared for whatever would happen and just wait for this war to end and try again in the next one. He grinned evilly and laughed darkly as the basement began to be flooded with worm familiars.
AN: So a couple of things off the bat, sorry this chapter took so long to get to you guys and gals, had some life stuff going on that took priority. As for the chapter itself, it is chalked with some goodies that I think you will find cool. Vivian was able to clear out the worms as well as purify the tainted pieces of grail in her. I know it's a stretch but I feel like since she is connected to the grail like Angra Mainyu but not to the degree he is, this is in the realm of possibilities as well as a good stat boost from the grail. She is by no means invincible just not a pushover if your a grand order player imagine just starting out and going against a max level Gilgamesh. As for her magecraft which was brought up by a reviewer but I don't have the name written down like I usually do for shout outs, she has most of the powers of her mother and father, divine words, as well as what she picked up in the 12 years in Chaldea training, again she isn't grossly overpowered in magecraft though she is no pushover, she likes mana wires and is proficient in it as well as beams like her mother, flight, reinforcement, projection thought not at like archer summoning like 6 or 8 blades, and maybe a few things here and there, her abilities in this episode should give you a hint at who the second lucky lady is who in this trifecta of love. I have plans on doing a story of the 12 years training in Chaldea but we are focusing on the here and now in this story, so that will come later.
Oh, I almost forgot, yes I made up a servant class and threw the black knight into it to build his legend and justify his skill, I'm taking a grand order approach to this and so there is a certain class that we will see later that will be on equal footing with our knight. Also gorgonxknight or SakuraxShirou hype! I love this pairing even more then Shirou/Arturia which I know is just poison to some of your ears but it's so gooooood! I thought it was the coolest thing when I thought up to give Sakura a gorgon body and have Medusa become her mother. I don't know how long that process would have taken but I went ahead and shortened it to an instant so that way we can enjoy some gorgon hype immediately.
You're wondering what is on the menu for the next chapter? Well, it's the last chapter of war prep and the main dish is going to be some combat training, followed by a nice side of viewpoints from other parties as well as a topping of setting the course for the chapter after next. More cool stuff to come I promise.
As always I'd like to thank you guys and gals, you wizards and witches, you ladies and gentlemen for reading my fic. The love that this fic has gotten has been great and I just really enjoy writing this fic and I hope you guys are enjoying this wacky ride with me cause there's still a ways to go. Peace out guys and see you next chapter.