Author's Note: I really hope everything is sorted out with FF .net by this point. Waiting for the previous chapter to be available for everyone has seriously messed up with my schedule. Good thing I'll have more time for writing in the coming weeks, with all that's happening in the world and all.
Anyways, enjoy the chapter!
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"Why can't I come with you two?"
Kiritsugu sighed as he packed his suitcase and he turned to look behind him.
Shirou's childlike curiosity had been piqued as soon as he had figured out that he and Artoria were planning on leaving Fuyuki for a few days.
He couldn't blame the kid. Shirou was spending more and more time with him and the King of Knights, to the point that he could tell when the two wanted to discuss something privately and he reluctantly left them to their devices for the most part.
It was only a matter of time until he got curious enough to eavesdrop on the pair, before being figured out almost immediately. Their departure from Fuyuki was the only thing the boy had managed to find out, much to Kiritsugu's relief.
After all, if things went south, he didn't want to disappoint the kid. But if everything turned out okay, it would be a surprise. Thinking about that calmed him down somewhat, he reckoned.
"Shirou, me and Artoria will be leaving for business purposes. It's hardly something to make a fuss about."
"Must be a pretty big deal if it's taken almost a month of planning between you two." Shirou responded with a small pout and Kiritsugu sighed again.
The plan they had figured out wasn't perfect, but it was the best they could do with the hand they were dealt. Still, he had to make sure that it was as close to perfect as possible, since this could be his final chance to save his daughter.
Artoria had also brought up a valid point when she mentioned that they had to balance the time they had between preparations and actual execution. And it was all because of him.
Kiritsugu could already feel his motor functions slowing down ever so slightly, and the heat that usually coursed through his body when he activated his Magic Circuits had faded significantly. He guessed that by the time they were at the Castle, he would most likely be unable to use Time Alter to any effect greater than two times his normal speed. And if he were to encounter any Combat specialized Homonculi, he would have to be extra careful.
Thankfully, Artoria would be with him, a fact that after the past few weeks has only brought him comfort.
Even if the King often seemed to be dealing with personal issues, he was glad to see her so dedicated to their mutual goal. And after everything was dealt with, he couldn't wait to start dismantling this farce of a war with her.
But for now, he had his son to deal with.
"Shirou, it is a big deal, and it's exactly why you can't come with us. I've already arranged for Taiga to spend the week with you in the meantime and I've left behind enough cash to get by."
"Huhhh? The whole week? I don't know how much you're leaving but I'm not sure it will be enough to feed her for the entire week…" Shirou palmed his face, deep in thought as he considered what meals would serve best to satiate the Tiger of Fuyuki.
"Well, I trust you to take care of yourself and her, and I know Taiga will try her best to find ways to make the days go by. Just you wait, we'll be back in no-time." Kiritsugu stated proudly as he closed his suitcase and turned to leave the room.
Artoria, who was waiting patiently in the living room for her former Master, stood up when she saw him approaching, Shirou following suit.
"Kiritsugu. I assume everything is ready?"
"Yeah, I'm all good to go. We should hurry if we don't want to miss our flight." the man replied calmly and Artoria nodded in response.
"I see. Now then, I believe it wouldn't be proper of us to leave without saying our goodbyes to Shirou."
Shirou looked puzzled by that and Artoria knelt in front of the boy to meet him at eye level.
"We will be going now. It will probably take a few days before we can return. I trust that you are capable of taking care of everything until we do so?"
Shirou flinched at the closeness and he averted his eyes as he thought of the best way to respond.
"Y-Yeah, leave it to me. But you both need to make sure you get back as soon as possible, alright?"
Artoria gave him a bright smile and a nod in return.
"I give you a Knight's oath, I will do everything I can to ensure our swift return."
Shirou seemed satisfied with that so Artoria turned to leave before Kiritsugu took her place before Shirou.
"Listen, Shirou. I hate to leave you behind so soon after everything that's happened. No matter how important it is or how long it will take, it still doesn't feel right to me. But it's the best thing for you. And like Artoria said, we will try to be back as soon as possible…"
"Yeah I get that. But you said it was important so, it can't be helped. We'll get to spend a lot more time together after you come back anyway." Shirou's words were filled with understanding and Kiritsugu was relieved. The kid really did deserve better than this. He would make sure that his life was filled with the happiness he had been robbed of, even if it was the last thing he would do.
"Better start making plans then. When I get back we're going to have to make up for lost time. Anything you want. Deal?"
Shirou beamed at his father and nodded enthusiastically, Kiritsugu patting the young boy's head playfully before turning to leave, following Artoria and closing the door behind him.
This was it.
They really were doing this.
Not one minute out of the house and already he was getting worked up.
"I really am getting rusty…"
"What was that?" Artoria asked quizzically and Kiritsugu shrugged.
"Nothing, let's just get to the airport. And hope that your passport from before the war still checks out…"
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Gilgamesh observed the pair as they left the Emiya Household by car, a satisfied smirk on his face.
"It would seem as if the King of Knights really is leaving. Disappointing as this is, I can't deny that she has presented me with quite the opportunity."
His eyes glinted as he noticed the young redhead move towards the back of the compound. Gilgamesh assumed that he was headed towards the training room the boy has been spending time in lately. While he had never laid eyes on the room before, he was quite experienced in reading people of all ages.
The slight spring in the boy's step after a good workout, or the sweat that covered him after a rigorous training regiment. He had seen it all before. It wasn't often that someone in his age attempted to push their body to greater lengths. It was commendable at the very least.
Using an enchanted dagger that concealed his presence from the Boundary Field he had detected around the house, he moved to observe his future subject from a more suitable distance.
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Shirou picked up a shinai and started working on the stances that Taiga had taught him, easily going through the motions while barely paying attention to them. They had become almost second nature to him and he found that he could assume any of the stances with perfect form in an instant, assuming the need ever presented itself.
A few minutes later, with his warmup now over and done with, he got started on his push ups. After that, a few laps around the yard right outside the dojo. The cool breeze was refreshing and after a short break, he resumed training on his strikes and stances. Sometimes jumping out of the way or evading, as if he was fighting against an opponent.
It didn't take long after that for him to start focusing on what he had observed Artoria perform, practicing in tandem with the image in his mind, as he tried to match her movements step for step.
That earned him a slightly painful meeting between his face and the floor as he overstepped a swing he had imagined coming for his side and promptly lost his balance.
Not wasting any more time pondering on his failure, he quickly got back up and started over, going through the motions Artoria had been doing herself. As time went on, his strikes became more focused and his sidesteps more controlled.
With a heavy breath he fell on the floor on his back, as the past few hours caught up with him. Shirou however, could only focus on how he seemed to be improving, as his thoughts were fixed on the image of that knight. An image he desperately wanted to catch up to.
"The smell of this place is horrid, although I suppose that is to be expected when it is being put to such good use. Truly such rigorous activities would result in such an outcome, don't you agree?"
Shirou blinked. That voice, was coming from right next to him…
He turned his head to the direction of the one who seemed to address him and he blinked again.
This blonde foreigner had such an alien quality to him that it could only be described as inhuman. The red eyes that seemed to stare into his soul only served to enhance that extraordinary image into something truly inexplicable.
Shirou guessed that he should have been panicking right about now. After all, a complete and utter stranger had simply walked in and even more surprisingly, the Boundary Field hadn't picked up on anyone trying to do so.
And yet the calmness that exuded from the man was captivating, to the point that it appeared as if it was effecting him as well. More importantly, he couldn't feel any enmity coming from the blonde at all. Just an overwhelming curiosity, as the man waited for his response. Shirou saw fit to try and stand up, barely managing to sit upright as he observed the blonde foreigner.
"I guess. Then again, I can't exactly focus on that when there's a stranger in my house…"
The blonde seemed satisfied with the answer as a slight smirk graced his features.
"Indeed. If you were incapable of overlooking such minor things in the face of more concerning circumstances, I would be worried about your worth, boy."
Shirou raised an eyebrow at that. What was this guy talking about? Nevermind that, why was he there in the first place.
"So, forgive me if I sound rude but… who are you again?"
"Hmph. I suppose that your manners are deserving of an answer. Very well then. I will introduce myself just once. And you should listen carefully so as to know your place, mongrel." the man exclaimed in what he thought was a good natured tone that actually made Shirou want to punch the stranger on instinct.
"I am Gilgamesh, the King of Heroes that ruled over Mesopotamia during ancient times. The oldest King in human history and collector of all the treasures in the world."
Shirou blinked again. And then he gasped in realization as the man's words sinked in.
"Y-You… You're just like Artoria!"
"Ho, it appears you already have an idea about the existance of Servants. Are you a Magus, boy?"
"N-No, I'm not but… this is just… I mean two of Humanity's greatest Kings in Fuyuki… does that mean you were part of that war with my Dad and Artoria?"
Gilgamesh sighed. Truly he didn't expect the boy to be even remotely aware of the circumstances yet, and he had to say it was a surprise. Whether that meant things would get more complicated from now on, he didn't know yet. He assumed it would be okay to humor the boy at least.
"You are correct in your assumption. I did indeed partake in the 4th Holy Grail War along with Saber and five other mongrels and their Masters. But I should warn you now. Addressing the King as you have would normally result in your execution. However, this is the only time you'll be excused…" Gilgamesh spoke with a warning tone as his eyes pierced through Shirou, daring him to repeat his supposed mistake.
"What does… the King of Heroes want with me then?"
The Golden King smiled in satisfaction. The mongrel was a fast learner. Perhaps this would be more entertaining than he thought…
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Review Corner Time!
Anime Enthusiast: Yeah, I can only say that I find it weird how not many people focus on the unbelievable effects that a Sword Origin and Element can have on Shirou, since the way he picks up on skills and abilities when tracing can't be attributed just to Projection or else, anyone would do it.
Toa Solaric: Happy you liked it. Writing Kiritsugu and Artoria comes sort of naturally to me, which is weird when I don't have much interaction to base their dynamic on from Fate/Zero. The greatest challenge will be to implement that dynamic in actual teamwork between them.
As always, If you have any questions or comments, I will try to answer them so long as they don't include spoiler stuff.
Next Chapter will most likely be released by the end of the week so look forward to it!