Alive and I'm Dreaming
Disclaimers I don't own the Fate series please support any to all official releases.
It didn't take much to convince Shirou or Saber to show Irisviel around town, after all this is the first time that Shirou is willing to meet the woman who not only married Kiritsugu but Illya as well.
"What joy it is to finally be able to go out and walk the streets again" said Irisviel happily like a princess leaving her castle for the first time.
"I take it you didn't get to leave the castle that often" asked Shirou, "Oh no, in fact you could say I lived a rather sheltered life with my only knowledge to the outside world being whatever your father had told or showed me" said Irisviel.
"Yeah, like what did dad tell you" asked Shirou, "He would tell me how there were big metropolis cities across the world like Dubai, New York, London and show me photos of those places, and humble growing cities like here in Fuyuki, Sunnyvale, and such" said Irisviel.
"Other than that, he would set up projector screens or bring me a video cassette and VHS player to watch movies over the years, speaking of, what's a good movie out there worth watching" asked Irisviel.
"If I recall correctly, I'd say the biggest ones Shirou was kind enough to show me were Batman Begins, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and Stars Wars Episode III" said Saber.
"They made Star Wars Episode III" asked Irisviel as she remembered watching the original trilogy back to back with Kiritsugu one night, "Yeah, they made the entire prequel trilogy over these past few years" said Shirou.
"Then it's settled, today on top of getting a headset for the Xbox, and a computer for the house, we're gonna buy a new VHS player to watch all 3 Star Wars prequel trilogies" said Irisviel in determination.
"But, they've all been formatted to be played on DVD now" said Shirou, "Doesn't matter, we'll watch it by any means necessary" said Irisviel.
"I agree Irisviel, for I would like to know more of the relationship between that of Obi-Wan and Anakin" said Saber as they both clustered up and started to fan girl as Shirou stood behind and enjoyed the sight he was saying.
"You know it really is good to see you Saber, and may I say you've changed a lot since we last met" said Irisviel, "How so" asked Saber.
"Well you acted as my retainer and were by all definition a valiant gentlemen, now you seem a lot more girly, which is not a bad thing" said Irisviel, "Well, I've came to terms with my past and my feelings for Shirou, and so I thought it was befitting if I were to embrace more of my feminine side" said Saber with a light blush.
"I see, though I don't think it would have mattered to my son, cause even though I just met him, he seems like a fine young man who'd be happy to accept you the way you are" said Irisviel as she looked at her son who nodded in agreement to her words.
"So mom, you knew Saber before, I'd actually like to hear more of that" said Shirou as he notice how Saber's face seemed to pain a little, but said nothing as Shirou had the right to know their relationship, and to that extent Kiritsugu's.
"Well, it was determined shortly after your father had successfully summoned Saber that she would escort me and play the role as my servant, while I played the role of her master throughout the majority of the Holy Grail War as a means to full everyone and allow Kiritsugu to do his job as a master" said Irisviel as the last part really upset Saber.
"If you don't mind me asking, what was dad like, cause according to Saber he was not the same man who raised me during his last years, and he never did share much about him being a magus in any of this" said Shirou.
"Oh dear" said Irisviel as her expression did a 180 as Irisviel had no idea that Kiritsugu had never told their son of his reputation as a magus killer, and yet could understand why since he did mention he only got to raise Shirou for a few years in a very frail state.
"Well… how do I put this" said Irisviel as she didn't want to paint Kiritsugu as a bad guy, even though she knew that Saber may have mentioned something by now, but still this is the man they both love.
"Your father had a reputation for being regarded as one of the best magus killers in the world, in fact he was rather infamous for doing his work rather publicly in broad day light, not caring for the magus association secrecy, so long as he got the job done" said Irisviel.
"I kinda figured he was something like that, but my question is why" asked Shirou, "You mean why he did what he did, or what drove him" asked Irisviel.
"Both" said Shirou as he was dying to know everything there is to know about his father, "When he was a young boy, he lived on an island and lived a rather innocent life, but that all changed one night when everyone on the island had turned into monsters, and the one behind all this was your father's father" said Irisviel as the news shocked Shirou and Saber.
"He never mentioned how he managed to survive, but he did, he found his father, and without so much as a second thought Kiritsugu Emiya had killed his own father that night" said Irisviel.
"Dear god" said Saber as she never knew her previous master had such a traumatic upbringing, "I had no idea that, that's what happened to dad" said Shirou as he now understood what drove Kiritsugu in becoming a hero, like him since they are 2 sides of the same coin.
"From that night, he had learned about the world of magus and mages, and had made a vow to no matter at what cost, he would go and hunt down rogue magus and put a permanent end to them, and he did it all with the noble intention of making the world a better place" said Irisviel.
"Please, I hope you both don't take this knowledge and poorly misjudge Kiritsugu for what he was, cause as much as he's done a lot of questionable life choices, life seems to only ever gives that poor man nothing but bad choices" said Irisviel as she looked at her son and Saber.
Shirou definitely considered this all to be an eye opener about the man, and understands where he's coming from in terms of him wanting to abandon his crusade, but as to whether or not he deter off this path for the sake of not turning to either Archer or worse Kiritsugu is all up in the air still.
As for Saber, she's dealing with conflicting emotions, yes she feels some pity for the man and yet a part of her still can't seem to forgive him that easily at least not until he has proven himself.
"Now, if you have any more questions you'd like to know more about either your father or even me son, please feel free to ask" said Irisviel as she decided to put on her smile again.
"Well…" said Shirou as he thought about what to say next as Irisviel already said something pretty heavy to him and anything else she be withheld and kept in the privacy of their home.
"Is there anything you'd like to do or see that you didn't had time to do before" asked Shirou as Irisviel seemed to beam up upon hearing her son wanting to spoil her again.
"Well it's always been my desire to go and eat a burger at a local family restaurant, but we should definitely wait to do that once your sister returns" said Irisviel.
"Anything that we could do as a group right now though" asked Saber as Irisviel saw something that had caught her eyes as they continued to walk.
"I could really enjoy some sweet potatoes off the street" said Irisviel as they wasted no time in acquiring some fritters off the curb.
With Kiritsugu
Having already making himself with Taiga's grandfather once more and explaining in great detail how he came back alive, the man had already lined up some work for Kiritsugu to do and in exchange he'd give him an advance in payment, weapons, and anything else he needed to start his job as a magus killer again.
With even his most prized weapon back in his hand, Kiritsugu Emiya set forth to walk back home and set up some of the magical devices needed to keep his family secure in case they get any unwanted visitors again.
Finally back home and with his family out and about, Kiritsugu had wasted no time in setting up and arming his home up again.
It was like clockwork and a welcoming feeling as he began to do the things he was good with, from adjusting and maintaining his favorite guns setting up traditional and none traditional traps around the house, and had a gun or knife secretly place around every room in the house.
By the time he was done, night time had fallen, and was ready to call it a day, but stopped when he smelled a hot meal waiting for him.
"Kiritsugu, you're finally done working" asked Irisviel as she was helping setting up the table, "Yeah Iri" said Kiritsugu as he joined his family around the table and notice some new things set around the house while he was in his workshop.
"I see you guys did some shopping today" said Kiritsugu, "Yeah, there's a lot of things that mom and Saber insisted we needed, and well I can't say I blame them" said Shirou as Kiritsugu notice the new family computer, a new TV with the Xbox and DVD player connected to it, not to mention Saber was listening music from her iPod.
"Was getting a TV that big and new necessary" asked Kiritsugu, "I couldn't see the battlefield well in call of duty, plus a bigger screen means less crowding when we watch the Star Wars Prequel trilogy" said Irisviel, "They made an entire Prequel trilogy" asked Kiritsugu in amazement.
"Yeah dad, along with them remaking the movie King Kong again" said Shirou as Kiritsugu was surprise over cinema's choice of films, in a good way mind you.
"And the computer" asked Kiritsugu as he was certain they had one at some point, "It was needed as all the worlds information is spread and can be found on the inter web" explained Saber.
"Hmm, great to know, and the CD player in you have" asked Kiritsugu as Saber began to remove her earbuds, "Shirou had previously bought me an iPod, but we couldn't use it cause we needed the computer to set us up an iTunes account" explained Saber.
"You mean that tiny device plays music" asked Kiritsugu, "Yeah dad, Apple had created a device that let's you carry a pocket size device that plays up to about 250 songs" said Shirou.
Having forgotten to inquire about modern day society and pop culture in the midst of figuring out why he's here and wanting to protect his family, Kiritsugu could only massage his head in pain over the overflow of knowledge he had.
"Son, please remind to take some time out of my day to look up current events, cause I've been dead for 5 years and I've not been expecting the world to change this much" said Kiritsugu.
"Sure thing dad" said Shirou as he began to serve everyone dinner as Kiritsugu remained silent and enjoy yet another peaceful night.
Elsewhere
Since their return, Caren had remained in the church for the time being to serve as an informant for Shirou and the others in case she gets wind that something was a miss or if a storm was approaching them.
Still, even though the news of her involvement in the revival of a lot of masters and their servants during the 5th Holy Grail War was a hot topic, it wasn't one that had interested those in the church, at least for now.
Hearing a knock on the door, Caren went to open it as she was happy to Lancer.
"Hey sweet cheeks" said Lancer as he leaned in to kiss her, "For the last time, I'm not your girlfriend" huffed Caren as she let him in.
"And yet, you and Bazett seem to enjoy sharing me" said Lancer as he made a spot for himself, "We have agreed to share joint custody over you, besides having to live alone here in this church leaves me feeling uneasy" admitted Caren.
"I admit, this place gives me some unpleasant vibes here as well since it reminds me of you know who" said Lancer as neither one of them thinks kindly of Kotomine as much as the Emiya family.
"You know, you're more than welcome to move in and crash with me and Bazett" said Lancer, "Thanks for the offer, but someone has to keep a close eye on this place, especially since my return here as left me with an uneasy feeling" said Caren.
"How uneasy" asked Lancer as he knew that a situation was serious the moment Caren felt something supernatural was afoot.
"I don't know yet, that's why I can't leave this place at least not yet" said Caren as she took a seat next to Lancer.
"Hey whether you like to admit it or not, your knight in shining armor is here to keep you safe from any dangers sweet cheeks" said Lancer as Caren couldn't help but smile.
"Still not dating" said Caren as Lancer wrapped his arms around her, "Oh yeah, you never guess what I found out today" said Lancer as Caren looked up at him.
"Apparently our boy Shirou had his parents revived and were waiting for him back home after our business with Avenger" said Lancer as Caren had her interest peak.
"I didn't know his parents died during the 5th Holy Grail War" commented Caren, "I don't think they did, I think they died before that" said Lancer as Caren's eyes widen a little.
If Shirou's parents could have been brought back to life, even if they weren't victims of the 5th Holy Grail War, than who knows who else could have been revived.
If Caren had to put her finger on these bad vibes she's been feeling, it could be put on the knowledge that Shirou's parents being alive could have something to do with it.
Granted she wasn't going to start a witch hunt and put the blame on them, but maybe their sudden revival could have something to do as to this constantly growing bad omen she's feeling.
Whatever it is, she's gonna get to the bottom of it, and what better way to do that than to pay the Emiya household a visit tomorrow.
And another chapter up and loaded, also sorry about the wait guys, I got busy writing and updating chapters for my other fic's, which I still got to do for a bunch more, but fear not I consider this fic and another of mine as top priority.
Until than guys, be safe, be good people and please support your local fandom communities.
This has been your Humble Narrator and official author Tobi Yaza. =3