AN: Sorry for the mix-up, I didn't realize I placed Ritsuka's mother as deceased. Just a change in details. On another note, I didn't know that the FGO will have a new arc this soon. I'm truly excited about that and thinking of new chapters after the New Orders. If you have any suggestions on a crossover I would appreciate it.
Ch 12 Visiting Mother
Ritsuka stood before a patient's room, taking a moment to breathe. "Ritsuka," He looks at the side, where Mashu held onto his hand.
"I'm here for you as always," Mashu said, standing beside him like the many times they visited.
The Magus smiles, entering the room with Mashu. "Hello Okāsan, how are you today?"
A black-haired woman in her early thirties; late twenties turns to the young man approaching her.
"Ah, dear is that you? How sweet of you to visit me?" Ritsuka's birthmother, Akari Fujimaru asked, not realizing she was talking to her Son.
Akari Fujimaru is a woman who was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. A disease that reached its advanced stages, that she hardly recognized her own Son and mistakes her for his Father.
Even if Nightingale's Noble Phantasm was used on her, it won't do any good due to how far she was.
Ritsuka still retains smiles, holding onto his Mother's hand. "Yeah, Okāsan, sorry it took longer to get here." He apologized, letting his Mother speak to him. "But I came to say, you got a Grandson now. He's the smartest kid I know."
"That's nice-" Akari paused before turning to the violet-haired woman standing behind Ritsuka.
Mashu smiles, walking over to the vase to refill the water.
"I see that you brought your Sister, how are you doing?" Akari asked, happy to see her Partner bring Family to see her.
"I'm doing good, Akari-san. How is your day?" The former Demi-Servant asked her Mother-in-law. "These flowers are beautiful, Hinako must've dropped them off, right?"
Akari nodded, not sure who that person was. "If you mean that nice brunette lady with glasses, then yes she did." She answered the former Demi-Servant.
Akari turns to Ritsuka, "Um, where am I?" The black-haired Woman asked, looking around the room. "Why am I in the Hospital, dear?"
Ritsuka rubs his thumbs on his Mother's hand, "You're in the Hospital, remember? You have advanced Alzheimer's, Okāsan." The Magus reminded his Mother of why she was here.
"Oh…and you're here to visit me?" Akari asked confusedly. "My love, why are you here? Your friends need you back in Britain, I remember that you said a madman was causing havoc there." The woman said, worried for him and his friends.
Akari placed her hand on Ritsuka's, patting it softly. "Don't worry about me and Ritsuka. Your friends need their strong ally to help." She spoke softly to him.
"Okāsan, that was years ago. That man left us and never returned," Ritsuka explained, but knowing her condition, she'll forget.
"I'm sorry, I'm confused. What are we talking about?" Akari asked her Son, only for him to settle her down in bed.
Ritsuka smiles, "Nothing, just rest Okāsan." He gently spoke to her.
"Oh, alright." The black-haired woman said before speaking to Ritsuka. "Dear, please visit Ritsuka. He misses you a lot,"
Ritsuka just smiled, "I will."
Mashu sighs quietly at the sad scene before her. Day by day, her Mother-in-law was getting worse, and now she could only remember a few conversations.
Outside of Akari's room, Harry sat on the bench in the hallway while waiting for his parents to return.
Sanzang sat next to Harry, offering some Japanese snacks to him. "You must be hungry after a long trip. Here, it's called pockey." Harry took the red box from the Caster's hand and opened it.
He took one stick and noticed the chocolate covering it. Harry blinks, taking a bite of the chocolate-covered snake. "I-It's good!"
Harry's eyes widen with amazement at the mere taste of the snack. Sanzang giggled, seeing the expression the little one was making. "See? I knew kids can't resist the taste of chocolate!" She smiled.
The young Boy simply nodded, taking another pocky from the box.
Ushiwaka pouted, seeing the young master enjoying the snack from the traveling Monk. She quickly ran to the vending machine at the end of the hall and paid for a drink.
Harry looks at the Rider Servant rushing back to the waiting area. "Harry-dono, try this!" Ushiwaka stood before him, showing him a soda bottle with a ball as the cap. "It's one of my favorite drinks, try it."
"Okay, Midoriko." Harry gently took the bottle, staring at it. He was unsure how even open it,
"Ah, you open it like this, Harry-dono." The black-haired Servant took the bottle and pushed down the marble into the small chamber.
Harry's eyes widened with awe at what Ushiwakamaru showed him. "Wow," He looks up at her, curious about the marble. "But how do you get the marble out of the bottle?"
Ushiwaka smiles, "Well, there's a trick to it but it's a bit difficult." She explains before hearing the door open.
Everyone's attention was focused on both Mashu and Ritsuka leaving the room.
"Well, what's the verdict?" Koyanskaya asked her master, interested in the goings of his Mother.
"She's getting worse, she can't keep up with a single conversation before a new one starts up." Ritsuka sighs, both saddened and angry about what caused this situation. "The best we could do is to continue caring for her like always." He sighs,
"You have my condolence, master." Moriarty respectfully placed his hand on his chest,
Holmes closed his eyes at the unfortunate news, "Your Mother is in good hands, Mr. Fujimaru. This Hospital was generously funded by Chaldea," He commented, having faith that the Staff here can take care of Akari.
"Yeah, I know Holmes," Ritsuka smiles, happy that his Servants were still giving their support to him. He felt a tug on his sleeve, prompting him to look down at Harry.
"Daddy? What are you guys talking about?" Harry asked innocently, confused by the situation around him.
Ritsuka smiles, reaching down and lifting his Son into his arms. "Well, my Mother…your Grandmother is gravely ill. She can't recall things clearly and our treatments can't help her now." He explains to his Son,
Harry tilts his head at his Father, "Why can't the doctors do something to make Grandma feel better?" The young Wizard asked,
"Because, Harry-kun, your Grandmother's illness is already progressed too far," Mashu explains, gently placing her hands on his back. "The only thing we could do for her is to keep a close eye on her and make sure her life is comfortable."
Harry nodded, seemingly understanding the situation now. He looks at his Parents with big eyes, "Can I see Grandma?" He asked.
Ritsuka chuckles, wanting nothing more for his Son to meet his Mother. "Maybe some other day, Grandma needs her rest today," Mashu told their Son on Ritsuka's behalf. "For now, we need to go to the Japanese Outpost and get settled."
"Okay, Miss Mashu!" Harry smiled, still holding onto Ritsuka.
Outside of the Hospital, an old man wearing traditional red Chinese garb. He was waiting outside near a white van with the Chaldean Logo on the side. Sitting in his lap was Fou, curled up into a ball.
Fou's ears popped out, hearing a large number of footsteps heading their way. "Fou, Fou!"
Li Shuwen, a Lostbelt Servant that once served Qin Shi Huang and now acts as a Bodyguard and driver for his master. He looks at the entrance of the Hospital and stood up, "Welcome back master, is Ms. Fujimaru doing well?" He asked,
"Yes, she is Gramps," Ritsuka answered his Servant, placing Harry down next to him and Mashu.
"I'm pleased to hear that, master." Li Shuwen gave a Grandfatherly smile,
Fou leaps from the Lostbelt Servant's arms and onto Harry's shoulders. "Fou, Fou,"
Harry giggled, seeing that the Beast of Comparison had snuggled up to him.
Sanzang leans forward with a smile, seeing how the Beast has taken a liking to Harry. "Oh wow, Fou must really like you, Harry-kun!" The Monk commented, a bit salty that the Beast warmed up with the young master quickly. "I so wished that Fou could warm up to me when we first met." She pouts.
"Oh, um do you want to pet Fou?" Harry asked, seeing the Caster making a pouting face.
"Aw, how considerate of you Harry-kun. But that's all right," Sanzang looks at the Beast, smiling at him. "If Fou doesn't want to be petted by anyone else but you then it's fine."
"Fou, Fou," Fou barks, seeing that Sanzang was right on the point. There are only a few people that the Beast allows to touch him.
Harry nodded before seeing his teacher, Mr. Holmes, and Koyanskaya heading to the van. "Are we leaving already?" Harry asked everyone around him.
Mashu steps beside her Son, smiling down at him. "Of course, it'll take another hour or so to arrive at our destination." She explains to the black-haired boy. She offered her hand to him which he obliges.
The car ride was long, taking almost an hour to get to Fuyuki. A few minutes into the ride, Harry fell asleep in his car seat.
Mashu smiles, seeing Harry sleeping peacefully while holding her hand. Fou slept on his lap too, being held by Harry's other hand.
"I take it Harry has finally fallen asleep, Mashu?" Ritsuka asked the violet-haired Woman,
Mashu nodded, "The jetlag finally got to him, Harry-kun was wide awake the whole plane ride." The former Demi-Servant informed her Husband.
Ritsuka chuckles, remembering Harry staring outside the window. He gently poked his Son's cheek for fun,
Harry stirs and lets out an annoyed sound, causing his head to turn to the other side.
"Stop it, Ritsuka. Let him sleep." Mashu scolded the master of Chaldea.
Ritsuka held both his hands up, seeing Mashu glaring at him for disturbing Harry's sleep. "Okay, okay, I was just playing with him." He answered,
"While he's sleeping?" Mashu asked, causing her Husband to laugh softly. She sighs at how childish Ritsuka could be sometimes, a trait she adores.
At the front of the vehicle, Li Shuwen looks at the rearview mirror, watching his master and Wife interacting with the little master. "Now that's what I call Family," He chuckles, happy that both of them got their wish granted.
Holmes looks up and chuckles, "I agree with you, this is what those two wished for. A Child they can raise themselves, every young couple dreams of having." The Detective commented before continuing. "However, there's a problem with Harry."
"And that is, Mr. Holmes?" The Assassin questions the Ruler Servant, having a feeling of what he's getting at.
"Tell me, Li Shuwen, how many of the Asian Servants think the young master being the heir of Chaldea," Holmes asked the Lostbelt Servant,
Li Shuwen frowns, looking at their master's Advisor. "You will be surprised by the amount, Mr. Holmes."
After a few more minutes on the road, the van arrived at its destination. It was once a large one-story estate, but after some renovation and keeping up with the traditional Japanese aesthetic, it extends to three floors.
The Chaldea's Japanese Branch or the Chaldean Estate has a large wall boarding around it. Where there's a wall, there is a Bounded Field in place.
A young girl wearing a white Kimono and a bandana around her mouth was outside the main gate. She has a broom in hand as she sweeps the pathway. She gave a long sigh before wiping her brow at the hard work she had done.
"There, now that master has a clean path to walk on when he arrives." Kiyohime smiles, excited to see her beloved master again. She looks at the sky, seeing the sun was setting already. "Hmm, It's getting late, I wonder where they are?" She asked herself.
The Berserker then senses Servants coming from the right. She promptly turned in that direction and saw a familiar white van heading toward them. "Ah! Master's here!" Kiyohime exclaims, holding the broom tightly.
"I better tell everyone!" Kiyohime rushed back inside the Chaldean Estate, informing the Staff and Servants of their master's arrival.
Li Shuwen parked the van right beside the large gate, everyone was out and now standing before the entrance.
Ushiwakamaru and Sanzang walk forward, turning to face the entourage. "Welcome back to the Japanese Outpost, everyone." The Rider greeted the group with a smile.
"What Rider said, we have many things going on while you were gone, master," Sanzang informed her master. "But Hinako will tell you all about it once you get settled." The Monk stated,
"That sounds great," Ritsuka commented, adjusting Harry on his hips. The Child was still sleeping and had his tiny arms around his neck.
Koyanskaya smiles, stepping forward into the Estate. "Welp, better start the investigation. Holmes?" The Beast of Cherishment looks at the Detective.
Holmes chuckles, "Now, Ms. Koyanskaya, I believe we should settle first before we do anything." The Ruler said to the Alter Ego. "Gathering what Ms. Akuta has so far might be beneficial for our investigation."
"Very well, but I rather get this done quickly." The Alter Ego commented,
Ritsuka turns around, hearing some of their luggage being placed down. "Master, Li Shuwen and I shall take your belongings to the master bedroom," Moriarty informed the master of Humanity.
Mashu looks at the two, "Did the bedrooms change last time we were here, Shuwen-san?" She asked the Lostbelt Servant while holding Fou in her arms,
"Yes, renovations tend to switch some places up. But I wouldn't worry about the nitpick." Old Li commented, taking two of the luggage into his hands,
"So, is everyone done?" Ushiwaka asked, looking around the group. "If so, we can head inside the Estate." She said as both Sanzang and she leads the group inside the Outpost.
Once they entered the doors, everyone was greeted by rows of Servants doing the Dogeza pose when Ritsuka appeared.
(Insert Swordsmith's Hermitage ost)
"GREETINGS MASTER!"
"GREETINGS DIRECTOR!"
Everyone greeted the master of Chaldea, from the Servants who were stationed here (Raiko, Kintoki, Kiyohime, Benkei, Ibaraki, etc.) to the Servants who arrived from the other outposts via Teleportation. (Beni-enma, Muramasa, Nobunaga, Tamamo, etc.) Even the Staff joined in the fray but bowed their heads instead.
Harry stirs, hearing the loud greeting. He turned his head onto Ritsuka's shoulders while still sleeping.
Ritsuka flinched, seeing the sudden movement from his Son. "Shh, not too loud everyone." He placed his second hand on his lips and shushed them.
He then smiles, happy to see everyone after so long. "It's great to see everyone doing well," Ritsuka looks around the foray, noticing how large it was, considering who was there.
Walking through the Servants on the ground, a brunette woman wearing a long white trench coat with the Chaldean double diamond pin around the collar steps forward. "Well, well, took you long enough to get here, Kohai." Hinako Akuta aka Yu-Mei Ren greeted her Kohai/master.
A white-haired young man wearing modern Chinses clothing with glasses inclined his head to his master. "Greetings, honorable master, everyone is pleased you arrived safe from Britain." The Prince of Lanling said,
"I was wondering when you would arrive at the Estate," Hinako commented, smirking at the master of Chaldea. "Lanling was saying you were probably preoccupied with something."
"Sorry, Senpai but I was just at the Hospital visiting Okasan," Ritsuka explains as Mashu steps forward to greet the former Team A member.
"Figures," Hinako smiles at the sight of Mashu. "Mashu, been a while. How are you?" She asked her fellow inhuman.
Mashu smiles, "I'm doing good, Hinako-san." She answered, turning to look at Ritsuka and Harry. "Things were a bit busy since we adopted Harry-kun over there." She commented on the Vampiric Elemental.
The director of the Japanese Branch looks at the rumored Son of her Kohai. She could sense that this Boy was truly a Wizard like the others said. "So, that Boy is your Son." She had encountered many Wizards back when she was alive and during her isolation in the mountains of China.
That being said, many of those encounters ended up in a bloodbath with a few she let get away.
"Yeah, I'll introduce him to everyone once he wakes up," Ritsuka said, adjusting Harry again in his arms. Many of the Servants who desire to be with him swoon at how fatherly Ritsuka was.
Soon a loud stomp gains the attention of the group, Ritsuka looks up to see a large Centaur-like creature with four arms approach them. "I predicted that you and Mashu would want a Child. But I didn't expect the Child to look like master," The Lostbelt Servant Xiang Yu commented, watching the Boy sleep. "I'm curious how he would turn out when raised by the two of you."
"Probably he might grow up like Boss!" Sakata Kintoki commented,
"Or he might end up like Mashu, don't forget about her Kintoki." Tawara Touta commented with a smile.
Minamoto-no-Raiko sighs, placing her hand on her cheek. "How wonderful, to think we have a young Child scampering around the Estate." The Berserker gleefully commented. "It reminds me of Kintoki when he was little,"
The blonde Berserker blushed, hearing his Mother Figure speak randomly about their past. "H-Hey, Boss Raiko. Don't start bringing up embarrassing stories about me." Kintoki asked his fellow Berserker.
"Oh, Kintoki, you were so adorable back then," The Berserker said gleefully.
Many Servants began speaking about how the Boy will grow up to be. However, these were Servants who were on the side for Harry being the next master of Chaldea.
Servants who weren't such as Ibaraki-Douji, Suzuka-Gozen, Oda Nobunaga, Demon King Nobunaga, Hijikata Toshizou, Taira-no-Kagekiyo, Watanabe-no-Tsuna and so on.
"To think we have a mere Child being our next master," Ibaraki commented, not liking the thought of a weak Boy commanding her like her master. "Right Shuten? I bet that Brat doesn't even know that Oni and Divine Spirits are a part of Chaldea. Why should we listen to him when master is here!" The Oni asked her fellow Oni.
Shuten drank a cup of sake from her cup, her eyes gazed over to the Berserker complaining about their master's Son. "It doesn't matter to me, Ibaraki. I follow whomever I deem worthy." She continues to drink. "It's too early to even think about a replacement master,"
"The Boy is still a Child, Shuten-Douji. He is too young to be considered a master candidate." Hijikata Toshizou stated loudly, feeling like Harry doesn't have the proper training.
Tsuna nodded, agreeing with the leader of the Shinsengumi. "Agreed, Hijikata, the Boy doesn't have the experience nor the training like master has to be the next Chaldean master." The Saber added,
Kiyohime shrugs, "It is master's decision and we must support him." The Berserker stated, glaring at her fellow Servants.
"Kiyohime's right, we must respect our master's decision, even if it means he might retire," Tamamo added to her fellow Servant's statement. Both she and Kiyohime are one of the few Servants who remains on the line when it comes to Harry being the next master.
Many of the Servants converse about the topic of Harry, sometimes getting into a heated argument between them.
Harry stirs, hearing the voices getting louder. Ritsuka gently rocked his Son and looked at the director of the Japanese Branch. "I better get Harry to his room before this topic gets into a heated argument," Ritsuka said,
"I think that's the best," Hinako agreed with her Kohai before looking at Lanling. "Gao, do you mind leading him to the spare room?" She asked her former Servant.
Lanling nodded, happy to be in service. "Of course, master, Lady Mashu, this way." The Saber motions the two into the Estate to their rooms.
"Thank you for leading, Lanling-san." Mashu smiles, following the Servant with her Family.
Hinako watches the three leaving the foray. Loud hoof steps prompted her to look up at her Husband. "Yu, what do you think of the Boy?" Xiang Yu asked his Wife,
"It doesn't matter what I think, this is Fujimaru's life, and we have no right to contradict it," Hinako stated, however the thought of a Wizard Child being his heir is troubling due to her experience with them. "Lord Xiang Yu, I have some work to do with…Koyanskaya…and Holmes." She reached out and touched his face.
"I'll see you later tonight for our nightly stargazing," Hinako smiles before approaching the two.
"I'll wait for you, my beloved." Xiang Yu made his way to the gardens where they met for their date. The others started to make their way back to whatever they were doing prior to their master's arrival.
Ritsuka sighs, looking at his Son sleeping comfortably on the futon mattress. "Danzo, I want you to act as Harry's shadow in case he finds himself in trouble." He asked whoever was hiding in the shadows.
A woman with black hair tied in a ponytail and dressed as a Shinobu appeared, kneeling before Ritsuka. "If that is what you wish, master." Katou Black Kite Danzo, a Puppet known for raising Fuuma Evil Wind Kotarou as did the other Fuuma Clan children. "Then I accept the task, Harry-dono will be my responsibility if things were to happen."
Ritsuka smiles at Danzo, knowing her Motherly instincts will be useful for Harry. "I knew I chose the right person for the job,"
"Your words, honor me, master." Danzo disappears, returning to Kotarou and Chiyome for their surveillance duty.
Ritsuka yawns before closing Harry's door shut and proceeding to his room to rest. (End Song)
AN: How do you like it? Please leave a comment or review.