"Is this the one? The lights are on." Miya pointed the Japanese-style house ahead.
"Yeah, Fuji-nee must be in there. She said that she stays over sometimes…"
"Have you told her that we are-" I felt my insides go cold when Rin reminded me of THAT single detail.
"Oh root! I didn't told Fuji-nee-"
"Told me what Shirou?" Said tiger called from behind us, shopping bags in hand.
"It's Karma, isn't?"
"Don't change the subject: what haven't you told me?" I turned to face my former caretaker. "And who is this new woman? Where is Saber-san?" She forwarded more questions instantly
Luckily Rin stepped forward in my defense: "He didn't call to tell that we will be staying over for some time, and this is Miya, and Saber is on the next flight. In that order."
"Oh." She turned to Miya, "Pleasure to meetcha Miya-san, I'm-"
"Fujimura Taiga. Anata told me about you. I'm Emiya Miya." She bowed slightly. Rin snickered from her side.
"You're from Kiritsugu's Family?" Fuji-nee was skeptical. "Nevermind. Let's get inside, Sakura will be happy to see you."
"How is she?" I ask. She have been sending me postcards, but we haven't seen each other in years…
"Sick today." Fuji-nee slumped. "Her health was never as good as yours, but it's getting worse recently. Rider-chan helps, but she have been calling for you in her sleep."
The three of us tensed. "Rider?"
"Yeah. Sometime after you left Sakura for both Rin and Saber, she started dating that woman…She denies, obviously, but I've heard them some nights." She looked straight at me. "Such a sweet girl… It's your fault for rejecting her. And don't dare to get perverted thoughts on that thick head of yours." She pushed the door.
"Tadaima!"
"Okaeri. Did you got the pills?" A calm voice answered.
"Yep. Brought pizza and teriyaki too!" Fuji-nee called cheerfully. "How is she?"
"Better. The fever lowered." She came in sight.
Tall, long purple hair, a set of curves to match most of my Sekirei and a beautiful face. And that uncommon eyes. Yes, it was the same Servant. Though Shinji spilled out that Sakura was the true master, and the Identity of the servant she called, well the idea most make of Medusa certainly doesn't match the woman in front of us… not to mention that part about the Gorgon. Then again considering I'm married to KING ARTHUR of the legends, mythological description aren't always accurate.
"I sure hope you're looking at her face Shirou." Rin called from my side, much to the tiger's amusement.
"So you're an item now?" She asked.
"Married actually." Rin answered, absentmindedly opening a huge can of worms…
"MARRIED!" Fuji-nee screamed.
"Whosemarried Fujimura-san?" Sakura asked from the corridor. She almost looked younger in the oversized pajamas and the drowsy expression on her flushed face. I actually don't recall seeing her sleepy, ever. She must be really bad.
Them our eyes met. "Sempai!" She flushed even more. "I was just, I mean it was just…"
"Fuji-nee said you were staying over. No problem." I waved it off.
"Shouldn't you be resting?" I found myself asking in unison with Rider.
"I'm alright now…"
… A few hours later…
Shirou sighed as he dropped on the futons.
"Diner was sure amusing ne, anata?" Miya joked lightheartedly.
"If by amusing you mean one of the first times I felt like running away to hole in some apostle's den? Yes, veeery amusing." He drawled his voice in dry sarcasm. "I know it's my fault for not telling Fuji-nee we married before, but... I felt like a piece of meat for the entire dinner!"
"I think it's more about the number of wives than that you're married, Shirou, Especially if your harem is planning to expand soon." I quipped.
"Yeah, I understand she being angry for that." Shirou scratched his head. "Wait? WHAT!"
"Few people could hope to match you in a fight, yet I think NO ONE could match you in love relationships," I paused letting he draws a wrong conclusion, and when he blushed I dropped the bomb: "and not in a good way. You're really a clueless Idiot, you know that?"
"No, back there. What is this about my harem expanding? I think of Fuji-nee as an older sister, nothing more OK?" He panicked, even more when Miya covered her amused smile.
"Anata, how do you think your 'sister' will react when the others arrive tomorrow?" He paled. Not that I could blame him. Miya is the most proper lady one could be, and I'm not very behind, yet Fujimura still freaked out when discovered about his polyamorous relationship. I don't want to be near when she meets Musubi, Kazehana, Akitsu or Homura neither Matsu. No, especially Matsu. I shudder.
Still, the single fact that my sister, or ex-sister in case, still in love with him is... conflicting to say the least. I sight and wrap myself in his arm.
"It's Sakura, not Fujimura." I say simply. He tense under me, but make no motion, nor say anything.
...
Rin and Miya slept almost immediately, the former pinning my right arm, while the latter claimed my chest as a pillow. I'm still awake. Sleep wouldn't come after Rin told me WHO exactly was in love with me. How could I be so stupid! All the signs, all this time... all over my head, the cynical part of me completed.
"WHAT!" Fuji-nee screamed at the top of her lungs. "How could you Shirou? How could you do this to Sakura-chan? To ME? You married an older woman but never thought of me! You ignored this beautiful flower all along! We weren't even invited! Aren't we beautiful enough? Nice enough?" She cried her crocodile tears loudly. I just scratch myself and let her rant... And my eyes were drawn to Sakura.
She was once cute, then beautiful... now she is just gorgeous. I found myself remembering her on the corridor, beautiful even when all flushed and sleepy. And compare with the image of beauty I have in front of me at now and I have to force myself to not drool. Or stare.
"…rou?" Someone poke me. "Huh?"
"You spaced out there dear." Miya pointed helpfully.
"Sorry." I scratched my head awkwardly. Better not voice any of my thoughts… "Who asked what?"
"I asked what happened that you haven't married Rin?" What?
My face must have answered enough for Fuji-nee draw some of those weird conclusions of her: "You said Miya-san is your wife right? You left to study in London with Saber-san and Rin than came married with another clearly Japanese lady yet still in good terms with Rin and Saber-san! Suspicious! Very suspicious!" I facepalm and groan as her tirade got more energetic and she start to stand up. Clearly she got the wrong impression, though this time is arguably less of her fault and more like a culture thing.
I wonder since when I started to think about monogamy as a cultural limitation instead of an ethical obligation in a relationship. I guess my circumstances did help put it in perspective…
"…the way you were looking at her, and why your lovely wife hasn't smacked you upside the head! If it was me you wouldn't behave like that!" She finished her tirade. I sigh.
"Fuji-nee… I think is something of a misunderstand he-"
"No it's not!" She cut my reply short. "You're stringing Tohsaka-san and Saber along! I thought I taught you better!" She put her hands on her head in distress. Sakura blushed furiously.
"He is doing what?" Rin asked from the door. When she left?
"Poor Rin," She moved to said woman's side, "I won't left evil Shirou take advantage of you, I will protect your maidenhood!" and patted head like one would at a little child
Rin's surprised look on met mine, and we both changed to annoyed at my snickering.
Then my laughter won. And everyone looked at me.
"What-" Fuji-nee started.
"You will protect Rin from ME? That is all backwards, Fuji-nee! And Rin is my wife too!"
"Shirou! That is a joke right?" She looked down at Rin for confirmation. Said girl only raised her hand to show the ring I gave her.
Fuji-nee gasped and drew breath, but I was faster: "I have eleven wives, Saber, Rin, Akitsu, Homura, Musubi, Matsu, Tsukiumi, Miya, Uzume, Chiyo and Karasuba. We couldn't find enough rooms in a single flight, so Rin came with me because she knows Fuyuki and Miya… well let's just say you're going to be an aunt soon."
Her mouth was in the floor, Sakura was stunned silent, and Rider was regarding me with something wariness and curiosity?
"Eleven…" Fuji-nee started. "How do you even make it work?" Rin gave up holding her laughter and I have to fight down a little smile...
"Sometimes I ask that myself. What else can I say: It works?" I shrug.
After one hour laying still so Miya could reach deep slumber, I substitute myself with Rin so they embrace each other and I was free to walk at my house. Heh, considering my practice in shrugging the girls every morning, I might as well declare myself capable of that ninja escape technique. No, considering sometimes I have escaped from being bound by Rin and Miya, I am capable of that.
I walk through the dark corridors with the practice of my childhood, enjoying the clear summer night, and then leave the building to my workshop. Well try, at least. Half way I stop, my sense of smell overpowered by a sweet odor of magic, combined with lilies and sex… and Sakura. And Rider. I remember what Fuji-nee said earlier about them both, and find myself blushing alone in the corridor like a fool.
Here I thought I was over female-induced embarrassment…
I hear a moan from one of the rooms, and the smells intensify for an instant…
And then vanish, as if it wasn't even there. Releasing a breath I never knew I was holding, I turn to get back to my room. Yes, it's too dangerous to walk here at night, my house or not.
The smell returns, three times stronger, and I felt like rooted to the floor, unable to move, while a pair of slender arms wrap around my torso, and soft mounds press into my back…
The lights turn on.
A sleepy Rin walks in our direction, gaze unfocused, and then enters the bathroom. Sakura, for I'm sure it was her, release me and the smell disappear, like it was from a dream. Rin pops her head from the bathroom, fully awake and surprised.
"What are you doing standing there like an idiot, Shirou?"
"Going to the shed." I answer with the truth.
"Isn't that the other way?" She raises an eyebrow.
"Uh…" The smell came back, and a moan is heard. Rin blushes, along with me. "Nevermind."
"Back to our room them?" I offer. She just nods once, still stunned. Along with the empowering smell from earlier, I smell something from Rin too…
"Do you realize I lost any desire to sleep now, right?" She turns to me, a predatory smile on her lips. Oh my...