Original Author : (HubiKoshi)
Location Found in : forum (dot) fanfiction (dot) net

Q. Do I have permission to repost the story here? ,
A. Refer chapter 1 of this collection

URL (copy-paste below line to your web-browser's address bar and remove the spaces) ,
ht tp :/ / forum. fanfiction. net/ topic/ 88086/ 41169280/ 5/
Post #246 ,

Okay I have one more here. Oh and MidnightCoyote. While I appreciate the offer, unless you are a gorgeous busty girl between 18-20 I think I'll politely refuse ^^;

That evening the wind was blowing from the north and with it came the chill. As was my evening ritual I sat at the veranda together with Akitsu, a blanket draped around our shoulders as we drank the tea and enjoyed the sight of the garden. I smiled gently as she brushed against me, her head resting on my shoulder. She was growing more and more comfortable with the physical contact, and more certain of her position within my flock. I winced inwardly as my mind brought images of what will happen when she'll grow comfortable enough to go after me as the rest of the flock but that was only an islet of worry on ocean of peace. Akitsu's breath was slow, peaceful and her warmth was a very pleasant addition to the evening.

"Ah, here you are Emiya-kun"

I turned around to look at smiling Miya who walked up to me.

"Do you mind?"

She said, gesturing at the spot next to me.

"Ah please, it's your house after all Miya-san"

She chuckled softly as she retrieved a small pillow and a blanket from the storage and sat herself next to me.

"I wonder about that, recently I'm starting to feel more and more outnumbered. Uzume-san was right, when will your harem be enough Emiya-kun? You aren't satisfied with just your Sekirei but now you ever brought your sister and even another man"

She shook her head sadly

"Poor Homura-san, I said you shouldn't play with a maiden's heart but I'm sure that a man's heart isn't that tough either"

She chided me in a teasing tone and I could only wince at that, if you knew Miya, if you knew...

"Oh stop already Miya-san, it's not like that at all"

She just smiled at that and we spent a couple of moments sitting there, silently, taking in the peaceful, comforting atmosphere of the evening. Our breaths visible in the chilly weather.

"You really enjoy spending the evenings here, don't you Emiya-kun"

"Yes, I used to do this back at my old home with my father"

I smiled fondly at the memories of sitting together with Kiritsugu at the veranda back in our home at Fuyuki. Back then I was too small to fully enjoy the peacefulness of those evening moments. Now however, as my life resembled the one of my father's more and more I could sympathize with him. In our hectic lives moments like this should be treasured.

"Yes. I also used to sit here with Takehito when he was still alive"

For a brief moment the scent of grief was overpowering, but only for a moment. It soon grew even weaker then usual, as if this place, this moment was bringing her relief.

"I'm sorry if I made you remember something painful"

But she just shook her head and smiled at the garden

"There is nothing to apologize for, those are the memories I hold dearest, when I was still with Takehito. When I was still happy"

And again, the grief filled her scent. I smacked myself mentally for speaking up.

Then, Akitsu rustled next to me, startling me. I turned to her to look what happened but she just took the teapot and stood up

"Tea, Shirou-sama"

I nodded, she just wanted to bring a refill

"Thank you Akitsu"

The sound of her feet on the wood grew distant as she walked to the kitchen and I stayed alone with Miya.

"She is a good girl"

A wistful yet affection voice. Miya kept her eyes at the garden but she was aware of her surroundings

"Yes, she is a very good person, she really deserves better than what happened to her"

Miya smiled at that

"She got better Emiya-kun, she got you"

I snorted at that. Me? The person which reminds her all the time that she can't be winged. The person because of whom she might get killed or captured and experimented on?

But I only sighed and kept looking at the garden and stars sprawled above our heads. The peace came back as we remained silent, washing away the doubt and fear.

"We both lost someone dear to us. You know Emiya-kun... from time to time you actually remind me of Takehito, there is so much in you that he was. Your strength of character, your kindness. And now the Hanya."

She chuckled at that and I raised my eyebrows

"Don't tell me that it was Takehito who was the original user of that technique"

She smiled and nodded

"Yes, I learnt it from him and now you learnt it from me. I first saw it when he scared that trash, Seo, through the phone. He was the true master of that technique"

She smiled at the memory

I tried to analyze this new piece of information. If this Takehito was the one who created the technique could it be that he was a magus. Or perhaps just an ordinary human with active magical circuit. How interesting.

I turned to ask Miya some questions, but noticed her wistful face. Even an emotionless brick like me knew that it would be heartless to dig for information in a moment like this. So I just sat next to her, enjoying the evening. By the way, Akitsu was really taking her time, even for the slow, careful ice lady she was taking a lot of time. Or maybe...

I smiled, I blame this moment of insight on my time with Saber and Rin. Back then my very life depended on understanding their motives, one wrong move and I'd be badly hurt. Perhaps Akitsu was just being considerate. From her point of view Miya might be someone like her, someone who can't be winged. So perhaps, just perhaps she wouldn't mind if I hooked up with Miya and Akitsu would have a proof that I won't mind someone who can't be winged. Or maybe she just got caught up in playing with Kuu-chan and the plush wolf.

And then my mind froze. Someone was brushing against me, their head resting on my shoulder. I turned my head slowly to take a look and yes. It was Miya. When I was wondering where is Akitsu she silently came closer and rested her body against mine. I sat there for a long long moment and noticed that her blanket was resting on the floor, her body protected from the chill only by her clothing.

I sat there, and then I took the corner of my blanket and slowly, not to surprise her, draped it around Miya. And so we sat under one blanket, our bodies warming each other up. Her eyes close, a gentle smile dancing on her lips as she snuggled slightly against me. And for that short moment, a moment of weakness, when she dropped her guard I could not feel the scent of grief. For a brief moment I could only sense the sweet, honey like smell. For this brief moment she seemed happy, content.

"Shirou-san! Landlady! Where are you!"

We jumped up as Musubi's voice echoed through out the house. We made sure not to look at each other as we sat separately. Miya coughed into her fist and threw me a half-hearted accusing look

"To think that you would take advantage of this poor, poor young widow like that. Shame on you Emiya-kun"

I winced at that and hung my head

"My apologise landlady, next time I take advantage of you I'll make it so you won't notice"

I replied and she smiled at my retort. But I knew better, the grief was back, her smile, her teasing, they were just defense mechanisms. She surrounded herself with them to protect herself.

And so she stood up

"Well I'll be going now Emiya-kun. Try to restrain your wild desires Emiya-kun or I might have to evict you"

she chided again and I only hung my head again.

"Yes, yes I'll keep them in check, otherwise my flock will try to take advantage of them and you'll have to find a new rent-payer"

We both smiled as she walked away and I remained alone on the veranda. Sitting there, feeling as the scent of grief filled the air again. And for the first time, garden did not bring me the peace.