Down to his Blackened Heart
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The day had finally arrived where Illya would finally arrive back home from being out of the country and everyone was more or less excited.
While Shirou, Irisviel, Taiga, and Archer all set up and prepared for her welcome party, Kiritsugu was currently brooding out in the back with a cigarette in his mouth.
Don't get him wrong he was more than elated to finally see his daughter since god knows how long, but he fears that upon meeting face to face after so long, she might reject him, which Kiritsugu knows is fair enough considering how he not only broke his promise in coming back for her, but was too weak to even think about rescuing her.
So he'd be forgiven if he was honestly stressing out a lot at the situation and is mentally preparing himself for the worst.
"There you are" came the voice of Saber as Kiritsugu turned his head to look at his former servant, "Saber, what are you doing here" asked Kiritsugu as he began to put out his smoke.
"I came here wanting to check on you, I know you never were able to rescue, let alone see Illya after the events of the 4th Holy Grail War, and that you're worried about the possible resentment she may harbor towards you" said Saber.
"Seems to me you already have me figured out, the question remains why even bother talking about it" asked Kiritsugu as he was ready to light himself another cigarette with Saber offering to light it up for him.
"Cause I too was a father during my reign as a king, and trust me that the thought of Mordred coming back to my life as either a reborn holy spirit or whatever would leave me in the same situation as you" said Saber.
As Kiritsugu leaned in to lit his cigarette he took in the information Saber had told him and remembered how back in old Arthurian Legend, King Arthur was struck by a fatal blow by his own son, and had no other choice but to kill Mordred on the spot.
"That's right, my condolences for you being put into such a dilemma, especially against your own son no less" said Kiritsugu, "Daughter, like me, Mordred had to had her gender identity amongst society" said Saber as this surprised the Magus Killer.
"Hm, great to know" said Kiritsugu as Saber made a spot next to him, "So with that being said, if I were to be put in the same position like you, I'd want to at least talk about it with someone who not only understands where I'm coming from, but maybe give advice as to what to do once we have the inevitable confrontation" said Saber.
"If you're advising that I should kill my own daughter if push comes to shove, forget it" said Kiritsugu with a frown, "I would never suggest such a barbaric act, granted I'm guilty of not following my advice, but only because I didn't know better at the time" said Saber as she glared back at Kiritsugu.
"Than what would you suggest" asked Kiritsugu, "Illya would no doubt be elated to see Shirou and Irisviel again, so I'm more than certain she'll have the same sentiment for you as well" said Saber.
"What makes you sure she'd be quick to forgive me" asked Kiritsugu, "Cause Illya knows the truth of the matter, Shirou had explained to her the situation in great length and detail, yes she may have harbored a grudge and might have passively taken it out on Shirou, but since our most recent escapades she has no ill feelings for Shirou, or you much less" Said Saber.
At the end of the day, this was nothing but pep talk to make Kiritsugu feel optimistic, and frankly speaking he could care less about it since he knows that human emotion and relationship in his eyes is no different than black and white.
But if it meant he could make amends with his daughter, the one person he had strong regrets for even moments before he died next to Shirou, he'll gladly accept Saber's words of encouragement.
"All right Saber, I'm going to put my trust on you based on your words" said Kiritsugu as Saber seemed to beam a little upon hearing this.
"Then let us hurry back and join the others, Illya should be here soon" said Saber as Kiritsugu nodded before snuffing out his last cigarette of the day and was ready to make a warm welcoming impression on his daughter after so many years.
"Come Saber, let's return to the others" said Kiritsugu like he normally did, but stopped in his tracks when he felt Saber tugged on his sleeve.
"What is it" asked Kiritsugu as he turned to see Saber who had a hurt expression on her face as they both stared at each other.
"Kiritsugu, I would really appreciate it if you would not look or talk to me as if I was still a heroic spirit bounded by command seals or as a servant participating in the Holy Grail War" said Saber.
Truth of the matter, that's how Kiritsugu had been treating every former heroic spirit he's met so far, including Archer, only cause he knows as much as they know that they were mere servants and were all used to be treated as such for a long time, that he's having a hard time trying to treat them as anything more than that.
"Saber" said Kiritsugu apathetically, "Please, I know our relationship was nothing more to you than a master and servant, but I'm no longer a heroic spirit now, I'm alive, I'm dating your son, not to mention that… I'm still a girl with feelings at the end of the day" said Saber rather meekly.
Rarely does Kiritsugu ever changed his mindset or let emotions get the better of him, but he felt guilt tripped enough by seeing Saber to at least try.
"Alright Saber, I apologize, just… be patient with me" said Kiritsugu as Saber could only smile at the notion of not only getting Kiritsugu to trust her, but for him to make an effort for him to see her as a woman.
Eventually they heard the sounds of a van pulling up and the sounds of booming footsteps outside the house, something that concerned both Kiritsugu and Irisviel, before they got in their places as Shirou went to get Illya.
"…And so Berserker had decided to distract the bears by covering himself in honey to lure them away from me, before he single handedly snap their necks" said Illya recounting one of her many adventures with Berserker.
"That's… concerning, but I'm glad you're alive" said Shirou as he was carrying with him her luggage that contained clothes as Berserker had everything else on hand" said Shirou.
"So, where is everyone, where's Saber, Taiga, Rin, and everyone else" asked Illya, "You called" asked Taiga as she had a fried shrimp hanging out her mouth.
"Fuji-nee, I told you know sampling the food before Illya gets here" said Shirou, "I know, but I can't help myself but want to eat all your food while I can, especially since Saber is back, but also your meat mountain of a friend, Illya who is this man" asked Taiga referring to Berserker.
Contrary towards his iconic massive height and muscles during his time as a servant, it has been proven that any servant who does play the role of Berserker tend to generally grow bigger in order to fit that role.
Though since he's no longer a heroic spirit anymore, Berserker was at least a few inches shorter, but still retained crazy amount of muscle mass as evident by him dressing up like if he was the 1930's Tarzan, except instead of his clothes being cheetah printed it was all leather.
"Greetings my dear, please call me Berserker and to answer your question as to my relationship with Miss Illya here, I'm merely nothing more than her personal servant, bodyguard, and friend like the maids behind me" said Berserker as he was referring to Sella and Leysritt as they too were carrying large amounts of luggage with them.
"Oh wow I did not even notice you both, how rude of me" said Taiga, "Think nothing of it, as it is our duty as maids of the Einzbern family to not out shine our mistress and sole heiress" said Sella humbly.
"I see" said Taiga awkwardly, "Don't worry you'll get use to them" whispered Shirou to Taiga.
"Hey Shirou, where's everyone else" asked Illya as she was expecting to have a huge gathering and found it odd that she's yet to have seen Saber as of yet.
"Yes about that, Illya we've got some very special guest with us who are joining us from now on, and well… I think I've kept us all waiting long enough, Saber please bring them out" shouted Shirou.
Coming from around the corner, Illya was left speechless over what she had saw right before her eyes.
Standing behind Saber was none other than her parents, looking exactly as they did the last time she had seen them all those many years ago.
"Shirou" said Illya as she turned to look at her brother for some sort of conformation that this was neither a dream or some sort of trick.
Before Illya could get in another work, she was suddenly found in the comforting arms of her mother, who was crying tears of joy.
"Kiritsugu, she's back, our baby is finally back in our lives" cried Irisviel as she pulled away from hugging her daughter and proceeded to assault her with kisses.
"Oh Illya, you've no idea how much I've missed you, and look you've grown so much" continued to cry Irisviel as no words could describe how happy she was to see Illya again.
Meanwhile Illya was taking a minute to process what was happening, but eventually soon found herself crying like Irisviel and holding her for her dear life, in hopes to never let go if this were to last if but only for a moment.
After crying their hearts out, Irisviel reluctantly pulled away to allow Kiritsugu make his presence be known to his daughter.
Looking at her father with puffy eyes and tears in her eyes, Illya waited in anticipation to hear something from the man she loved dearly, the man who lived long enough to adopt Shirou to fill in the void of the family he had to sacrifice during his time of the 4th Holy Grail War.
Kiritsugu was left speechless as he felt he missed his moment to connect with his daughter and that it was too late for him to make things right for her.
But he had his wing man beside him as Saber nudged him to say something and not stand there like a man filled with regrets.
"Illya I… that is I'm sorry for not rescuing you all those years ago, I understand that if you can't find it your heart to ever forgive me" said Kiritsugu as he began to shake in place as tears proceeded to trace down his face.
"But please know that during that time and even now that you're my daughter and I love you with all my heart" said Kiritsugu nearly choking on his words.
And his words were enough to get Illya to shoot herself forward and embrace her father as she proceeded to cry in a way she hasn't cried before in a long time, except now she was crying tears of joy.
For more than 10 years she had remained an orphan who lost her parents do to the Holy Grail War, now she was finally reunited with them and refuses to ever let them go.
Getting down to his daughters level, Kiritsugu proceeded to cry alongside with her and his wife over how overjoyed that no matter what got in the way and how many years had passed, he had a loving family waiting for him with the shared desire of wanting to remain together forever.
But, this moment wouldn't last forever, for Kiritsugu was no more than a black hearted killer, a machine meant to kill, and it's because of this mindset of his that he'll eventually go down on the path he was on now.
Later
After a nice warming dinner, with Rin, Archer, Sakura, and Rider coming a little after the moment, everyone was either lying on the ground in either a food coma, or even drunk themselves asleep.
Granted, Sella and Leysritt had insisted on doing the dishes leaving Shirou to attend on the other guest, while Illya and Irisviel were left to play Call of Duty on the Xbox Shirou had got her originally.
Kiritsugu has chosen to distance himself and enjoy some of his smokes in peace, but soon found himself with fast company.
"Kiritsugu" called Saber as she began to approach the man, who felt a sense of Déjà vu just now.
"Saber" said Kiritsugu, "What are you doing out here, surely you should be inside joining us for the festivities" said Saber as she hated seeing Kiritsugu as being antisocial.
"Just wanted to smoke in peace and leave Irisviel connect with Illya on that…Xbox Shirou got them" said Kiritsugu as he was surprise that the company who makes computer software would make a successful gaming console.
"You could always join them for a game or 2" said Saber, "No offense, but shooting a gun in a game is not as exciting as shooting the real thing" said Kiritsugu as Saber had no room to argue with that logic.
Though she was surprise when out of nowhere Kiritsugu walked up to her and began to tousle her hair, which was a nice feeling, but one out of character to the man she still has begrudging memories with still.
"Kiritsugu" exclaimed Saber, "Sorry, just wanted to show my appreciation, your words of encouragement and you being by my side when I was left petrified in front of my daughter would have definitely let a wrong ever lasting impression on her, so thank you" said Kiritsugu.
"Anytime" said Saber as she was holding in the joy she felt for finally being praised by Kiritsugu along with her breath as she couldn't stand the smell of cigarettes, but couldn't as she began to cough.
Knowing what he was doing was rude, Kiritsugu tossed aside his cigarette, once again throwing Saber through a loop.
"There was no need to do that" said Saber, "There is, it's rather rude and unprofessional of me, especially in front of a girl such as you" said Kiritsugu as he admittingly did tease Saber a little.
"You don't have to coddle me like a child" said Saber with a pout, "Right I apologize" said Kiritsugu with his hands up.
"I'll accept your apology if you continue to tousle my hair around for a but longer" said Saber with a blush, but smiled with Kiritsugu obliged.
Unfortunately the moment was ruin when they heard Sella coughed in her hand as she and Leysritt stood side by side with each other and looked at the man who ruined the Einzbern family and more importantly the life Illya deserved.
"Master Kiritsugu, let us both say that we're happy to see you back in the lives of not only our young mistress Illya, but that of Irisviel as well" said Leysritt as both maids curtsied to the man.
"All right, I'll bite and ask you both to be forward and honest with me" said Kiritsugu as he knew this was an act or a ploy of some kind.
"Very well. While we can assume that you're here thanks in large part to your son, don't think we have forgiven you for your betrayal towards the Einzbern family" said Sella.
"How dare you, the Holy Grail no longer exist, the wars amongst magus doesn't exist, and you 2 would both blatantly verbally assault and threaten this man for such petty crimes of the past" said Saber.
"We're more than aware of what's going on presently, and are merely here to discuss with this man with our terms of living, now stay out" said Sella.
While Saber was ready to fight them, Kiritsugu held her back and decided to hear out whatever was on the mind of the 2 Einzbern maids mind.
"Then let's hear it already" said Kiritsugu, "We're more than willing to let go and leave it all in the past, however you do anything to upset Irisviel or especially mistress Illya, we will personally kill ourselves, are we clear" said Leysritt.
Sounding almost exactly like the conversation he had with Saber, though more threatening, Kiritsugu could see no reason to not agree with these terms.
"Very well, I agree to your terms" said Kiritsugu as both maids curtsied once more before turning back and proceeding to take care of the house and it's guest.
Truth of the matter, Kiritsugu doesn't blame them or anyone for that matter, cause the fact of the matter is that soon he'll be going back to his job as magus killer and occasional lesser hitman again if he plans to provide for his family, a dirty job where there's a lot of risks and room for family arguments, but like he would say, it's all for his family, though now the question remains will he be able to have the strength to save them.
Alright guys another chapter up and posted since our last update, I hope you guys enjoyed it, if so please be sure to leave me your thoughts on the review section and be sure to fave and follow if you want to see more and what happens next.
On a different note, I've been thinking about writing a story centered around mainly Kiritsugu and Saber, either as an apathetic father with an attention seeking daughter relationship, or hell maybe just a one-shot yandere lemon fanfic, I don't know yet, so please let me know if you'd like to see either or in the review section.
But until next time 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