Disclaimer: I do not own Fate/ stay night and Fire Emblem: Awakening.

Beta Reader: RedRat8

Kintsugi no Fusei

Book 1: On Fields of Fate

Chapter 4: What path lies ahead

As the morning light bore down on them from the horizon, Shirou watched as Morgana became a mere blip in the distance before she went far beyond his Hawk Eyes' sight. Silence gripped him while the sound of the river helped him come to terms with all that had happened. He still couldn't believe that she had found them via her hawk, nor the fact that she actually happened to be close by, distance notwithstanding. Nevertheless, he was thankful for her assistance. Robin would have been harder to calm…even if it was partially her mother's fault.

Hmm, still…could it be possible that some part of her wished to return to the time when she lived with her mother? Shirou theorized. It was too much of a coincidence really, since he and the albino just so happened to be in a place where the hawk's vision was in range and only distant enough to require a horse for her mother to pursue.

He couldn't fault her for her desire. She had done more than enough selfless acts for others, endured hardship at other's whims. Thus, it was well within her rights to want something selfish for once.

Just like…S– The name at the tip of Shirou's tongue fizzled out before he can even think of it. There it was again, déjà vu. And yet he still couldn't!

The champion of Naga let out a sigh, eyes closed in frustration. It was annoying, as if there was someone who was keen on preventing him from remembering his past. Still, he was in the present now, and that is what should be his focus. Such as taking Robin to the pit-house that Morgana directed.

"Trace. On." Reinforced eyes now opened, he took a good long glimpse of the map that the albino's mother had left, taking a peek every now and then to the distance to judge the estimated stretch of each turn. Satisfied with his calculations, he folded it and tucked it into his pant pocket. His gaze then turned towards the sword.

Shirou picked it up from where he'd placed it on the ground before he promptly unsheathed it for proper appraisal. The sound of it being unsheathed was satisfying, more so when he swung the weapon once and heard its metal sing in the air. With the practiced if laid-back way he maneuvered it, the feeling that it felt natural to hold a sword was not lost on him, for it reminded him of what Naga called him before. A Wielder of Infinite Swords huh? Let's see what we have here.

The double-edged blade was of a steel-make with a fuller that complimented its distal taper, which made it lighter without sacrificing its strength or integrity. From the tip to its simple but elegant hilt, the length showed it was for one-handed use. He found its jeweled pommel to be a bit strange however, almost as if it had another purpose other than to counterbalance for its weight. Overall, it had seen quite some use but was also well cared for.

Putting the blade back into its scabbard, the redhead strapped it to his waist with its belt and looked at Robin. She was still peacefully asleep and he had Morgan to thank not only for that, but the coat that currently covered her as well.

Still, it brought to mind the fact that she was naked underneath and was vulnerable to the elements if not, and she could get sick, and in her current condition that could be fatal.

I really have to bring her to that pit-house soon. Shirou thought grimly as he made his way to where he had left his longbow. He may have a sword to defend Robin and himself with, but a ranged weapon would deter and neutralize enemies before they can even get close. He just needed to make a few arrows for it.

It was easy to find the bow for the champion of Naga, but there was some damage on it now because of the earlier incident. Though it had avoided the worst of the flame tendrils, the string was basically gone, its limbs burned and cracked while the handguard was broken off. It was a testament to how durable the reinforcement spell had made it that it was able to withstand instant disintegration.

It seemed he would need to investigate its limits further. Reinforcement was such a useful spell if a bit mundane, but that's for another time.

The champion of Naga grabbed the ruined longbow and made his way to the willow tree. Though regrettable, he would have to leave the bow behind. And he didn't want to leave it, for like the sword, it was a weapon that also felt natural in his hands. So much that he had shaped it to its current appearance with nary a conscious thought earlier.

What kind of person was he previously, that allowed him to feel familiar enough with weapons as if it was an extension of his limbs?

As Shirou walked, his eyes then noticed the three items that had truly escaped the same fate as his bow and the scorched ground underneath Robin, all of which now lay haphazardly on the untouched grass near the willow tree's shade. The first was the red cloth that was his waist coat, which he'd thrown away first in his haste to clear the area of any objects when Robin's seizure began. The last items were the two stone cups he had made, the very same ones that Robin had asked him for her first question. They were cracked but intact.

The redhead placed the coat on his shoulder for now and took the two cups with him as he entered the tree's shade. From there, he placed the cracked cups by the willow's roots while he left the ruined bow propped on its trunk. His task now done, he gave the items and the tree one last look before he returned to the albino's side.

He gently lifted Robin's torso, grabbed his waist coat to wrap it around her body to cover her modesty before he adjusted Morgana's dark-colored coat so that she actually wore it. With that done, he was finally free to carry her in his arms and start moving towards their destination as he whispered his aria.

As azure lines manifested, a powerful leap from his reinforced legs was all that it took to get him across the coursing river before he was bounding across the verdant plains. In half a minute, he was near enough the spires of evergreen that stretched over to meet the hills. It was here that he slowed his pace, just to make sure that he absolutely knew where he was going.

The redhead took the necessary turns, turns that he amusingly found on trees that had scratches on their bark, probably done by a certain bird. He wouldn't have noticed them had Morgana not mentioned he use his capabilities and the Mila Willow as a benchmark.

Using the trees as guides and leaving a mark on them that might otherwise be unknown to anyone else. Someone's got their bases covered. He thought as he leaped on the branches. Then again, if what Robin said was any indication, someone wants her dead.

Shirou gave that specific thought more focus. It's probably from spiriting her…or her brother who's also called Robin– and isn't that going to be confusing– away from those who made them the Heart of Grima.

A frown decorated his face as anger burned in his heart, another feeling that resurfaced whenever the thought(s) came up.

A girl who was wronged ever since she was young.

A girl forced with a burden that could destroy worlds.

A girl crushed under despair and nearly denied of hope.

A girl who wished for salvation from the consuming sorrow and longed for promised redemption.

Wronged. Forced. Crushed. Wished. The world, any world it seemed, wasn't fair. People of all walks of life suffered, some more than others and others, unjustly so. Yet there were those who toiled still, those who kept on reaching for hope no matter how distant or unlikely, to achieve a miracle.

As they neared their destination, he stopped for a while as his gaze turned to the sleeping Robin and the steel in his eyes softened. A part of you wanted to save her, didn't you? It was the only natural conclusion he had for this puzzle. I'll help you save her. I promise you that, but let me help you first. For some reason, that felt rather familiar to him. In the end, it's never wrong to want to help others.

The redhead continued their journey and after a few branches jumped on, he landed on a glade within a gathering of trees. It was perfectly even safe for several mounds of sorts, the largest of them near a tree, partially covered by shrubbery, but he knew better. Underneath it was their shelter to be. But how to get there though?

Shirou approached that mound, Hawk Eyes allowing him to see a minute detail past within the thin branches that had him smirking. In its trunk, therein lied a specific hole in which a certain object would fit, a pommel for instance. "Now I know why you gave me the sword."

Gently, he deposited Robin behind the grass where he stood and grabbed the sword to unscrew the jeweled pommel. Once that was done, he placed it within the plant, careful not to break any branches as he did so. He had to make sure none would notice it, that was the point of the secret.

The redhead picked Robin up and backed away as the scent of magic briefly filled the air, the jeweled pommel shined a royal purple before it disappeared. A second later, the ground before him opened up to reveal a ladder that lead down to their new shelter. However, with it being a ladder, it was going to prove difficult for him to bring Robin inside with her in his arms.

Difficult, but definitely still doable.

"Great, just bear with me for a sec." Having said those words, the champion of Naga adjusted his hold on Robin as he descended downwards with her body flush between him and the ladder. Carefully, he took slow steps even with his impeccable balance. The last thing he wanted was for her to get hurt.

Finally, Shirou arrived at the ground floor and readjusted Robin in his arms. A huff left his mouth as he surveyed his surroundings. "Really Morgana? You call this an emergency? I'd call this a home."

Around him was the pit-house's insides which was large enough to be a small two-story house and more than adequate to be an actual home than a so-called "emergency pit-house". With the reinforcements done to the structure such as the postholes as well as suspended wooden flooring, it really couldn't be simply called as such.

There were certain more features that enforced this fact. Several walled-off sections or antechambers, each with a door for an entrance. Ample vents to provide them with air, but seemed to be equipped with wards to prevent pests. And most importantly, a fireplace just a few feet away that would be adequate for both warmth and cooking…until he could make an actual kitchen that is.

Given that cooking seemed to be one of his skills, he was going to make it his mission to feed Robin as best as he could while she recovers. Thus, that meant a well-prepared and fully-stocked kitchen is a must.

Huh, I must have been quite a cook if I'm already thinking of making that. Shirou thought in jest and in a bit of joy at finally getting a clue as to who he was.

A familiar flash of royal purple light came from the corner of the redhead's field of vision and brought his gaze to one of the main postholes close to the fireplace. There in a small hole in the wooden beam was a certain jeweled pommel. It prompted his approach, but not for the enchanted object. Instead, he gently deposited Robin on the soft bed of furs he spotted nearby it.

Again, Shirou found himself observing her sleep and though he tried not to stare, he couldn't take his eyes off her. Here she was, calm and without worry for now. Were the dreams she may have now on this moment beautiful? If so, he hoped it was, just like sh–

He suddenly found the motivation to turn his gaze away as his cheeks burned. It was just fact, an observation. There's no need to make this issue any bigger than it needs to be.

The redhead stood, but not before he brushed away any stray strands on her hair. Then, he set forth to grab the pommel from where it rested in the pillar. Once he did so, the ground above closed up and he smelled a burst of magic that caused strange crystalline stones to light up spontaneously. In lieu of the natural light, the magical crystals provided sufficient lighting in the dark.

"Huh, that's actually interesting." Shirou voiced with an eyebrow raised as he screwed the pommel back to the sword. "I might as well go and have a look at what we've got going for here."

And thus, began his guideless tour of the not-so-small pit-house. Hopefully, he'd find some ingredients here to prepare for dinner. If not, he could just forage for them. He was certain he'd gotten a glimpse of pheasants on the journey.

"Are you really my daughter?" A woman from whom she'd inherited her features, one she had not seen in many years. The very sight itself should have been impossible, for she knew that she was assassinated before she left to enlist for the capital of Ylisse in both her timelines.

"Just hold her hand, I'll do my part." A gentle pair of hands placed on her body as a song she had not heard since her treasured childhood left its owner's lips while another larger pair tethered her to reality.

"I'll be back soon, little bird." A kiss placed on her forehead, a mother's promise.

Robin woke to the sight of darkness, yet in spite of that her heart felt light. Not only that, instead of the hard stone of her prison cell, she felt the softness of furs and a fluffy pillow. The ripped and dirty clothing that should be giving her skin an itchy and filthy sensation was replaced by clean and well-maintained clothes. It was an odd feeling that gave a curious thought. How can this be?

As she wondered, her nose caught the scent of fire. No, it was not only fire, but that of something cooking by the said fire. It faintly smelled like… "Soup?"

How could there be soup in a place like this? Though now that she thought about it, there was something familiar about this place, as if she'd seen it in the depths of her memories.

"Ah, I see you're awake." The albino quickly turned her head to the voice and found a familiar man with a strange arm on a chair close to her bed. "Do you remember me Robin?"

"Shirou?" The name left her lips before her mind could truly get out of the haze. But when she did, she had to voice her doubts and ask him a question, no matter how dry her lips and throat felt. "If you're here, does that mean it was real?"

"By that, you meant your mother, right?" The redhead noted as he helped her sit up and drink a glass of water. "It's all real Robin. She gave me directions here."

Slowly, the tactician downed the glass as her mind came to terms with what he said. Immediately, she vaguely remembered a voice she had not heard of for so long. A voice that lulled her to sleep with a lullaby from Valm as slender, calloused fingers drew circles on her back. Her mother was alive.

A smile dawned on her face even as her eyes grew misty. Mother is alive. She thought in joy even if that was mingled with grief from the knowledge that her own mother was killed.

Robin turned her gaze to the darkness around them, though that was sort of a stretch given that it was illuminated by familiar magical stones, ones that she'd seen in memories of her first timeline. "She told you to go here then, her emergency pit-house."

"I'm hard-pressed to call this place an emergency. This is more like a home away from home." Shirou grumbled.

His tone made her giggle. "Well, Mother never did take half-measures when she built this by her lonesome when I was still but a child."

"Yes, I can see that." The albino was half-tempted to throw her empty glass at his dry response that moment. Instead, she settled for another fit of giggling that he joined with his own chuckles.

To laugh again so freely in another's company, it felt… Nice. She thought as she wiped the forming tears away.

When their fun finished seconds later, the tactician stared back at the man who in turn met her eyes. "Shirou…thank you for bringing me here."

Said person only blinked. "No need to thank me Robin."

"I insist. It must have taken you hours to bring me here. The travel from the Mila Willow to here is quite a hike with no horse after all." At her explanation, she saw him open his mouth before hesitating. "Hmm? Is there a problem?"

"…not really a problem but more of a correction." He muttered, something that confused her.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"It only took me minutes to bring you here on foot. And no, I'm not lying Robin."

It was at this moment that Robin was reminded that Shirou was the very same person who made utensils out of stone and a longbow from an oak branch with tomeless magic. So, the fact that he said that he was capable of making mile-long trips that lasts hours into mere minutes should not have surprised her. "Ah, right. I forgot you're weird."

"Oi. Is that really appropriate?" He balked, contrasting eyes wide at her admittedly blunt description.

For her part, she felt rather justified when she raised a pointer finger and said, "Yes, because what you do isn't what we consider as normal."

It was the undisputed truth, the albino had never seen magic be used in such a manner (unless one would include curses but that was a stretch) and thus, weird was the only description she thought would currently fit him. Still, that actually reminded her of something very important. "So, given that my mother's still alive, I think we're two or three years early compared to my previous timeline, the second. Is there something else that's uh…different in this timeline?"

The redhead blinked before his eyes closed, seemingly in deep thought. Eventually, he opened them once more though she could see the hesitance in his eyes. "There is one in particular, and I'm not sure if it's my right to say what it is but…"

"But…" She trailed off, waiting for him to continue speaking.

"Did you happen to have a sibling in your timeline?"

"A sibling?" Robin delved her memories of her first timeline, given that her second had been lost to Grima's failed possession before she was found by Chro– him in the field near Southtown. After a few seconds, she managed to retrieve a memory of talking with her mother about that subject as a teenager, one that pained the older Daraen. "Yes, I had a twin brother. He was stillborn and I was named after him…oh."

She realized now why Shirou had mentioned sibling as the difference within this new timeline. "He's alive, here isn't he?"

He responded with a nod. "Yes, I had a hunch that it was a brother since Robin as a name–"

"–would actually be more common for a male, unless I was deliberately named that way by my mother." She interjected, knowing that while it was not unusual to be named Robin, it might be odd for other people.

"And she only confirmed it when I asked her about the Robin of this timeline." He added, which reminded her of the first words she heard from her mother here.

"Are you really my daughter?"

Robin remained silent once more as she digested the implications of her mother's words, the brief hesitance of Shirou, and the fact that her brother existed. With her eyes turned to him, she voiced her conclusion to the puzzle. "I…didn't make it in this timeline."

With a sigh, he gave another nod. "She told me that your brother was the only one she could save."

From that bastard who fathered us twins. It was the words left unsaid, as she realized she must've been made into a sacrifice. And she knew first-hand how despicable the leader of the Grimleal was.

Miriel, the bespectacled red-haired mage that she'd befriended, fought and worked with in the Shepherds.

A friend she treasured, slain when Robin's own lightning-coated hand pierced her chest, an act that happened when she had been under the control of her own father, Validar. All that she could do inside her own mind, trapped and bound, was scream at what he had made her do.

What was the reason why he had made her do that? It was for only being in the way when he had her steal the Fire Emblem from Chrom's arm.

And unknown to them she had been with child, thereby meaning that she had claimed two lives on that day.

It was no wonder why Fredrick's grief and hatred of her had been so intense.

Her grip tightened on the glass, nearly breaking it as the memory gave her a surge of strength before she shook her head. She did not want to stew in the anger and sorrow that it gave her. She had to change the subject now. "Anyway, we never got to finish our conversation earlier because…"

The albino found her voice die as she dropped her empty glass and shame filled her very being. Shame upon having remembered why she had fallen asleep in the first place. She had lost control of herself, and in the aftermath, her mother and the redhead had to calm her.

"Hey." Robin felt Shirou take her weakened hands in his and she looked at his face, a face filled with a kindness that she wondered if she was deserving of. "It's okay. Take your time. I'm not going anywhere Robin."

"I…" The new Fell Dragon tried to get a word out once more, yet she was still stopped by the unseen chains of her mind. She'd been able to say something before so why not now, when she knew now that he only had good intentions? It was a frustrating feeling, thus she only settled for a nod and hoped that it would be enough.

The champion of Naga responded with a brief nod of his own and gave her a smile. "I need to tend the soup now. I'm not sure when your mother would come here but she did say she'll come."

He gave her hands a gentle squeeze before letting them go as he stood up and turned away, his figure a shadow against the fireplace's light. A shadow that seemed large enough to hide and protect her. "In the meantime, however, I think this will sate your hunger for now Robin."

"What?" Confused at his words, she saw what he meant as he reached for the small table that had been hidden by his physique and placed a small bowl filled with slices of assorted fruits over her lap. "This is…"

Robin looked at it before her gaze returned to Shirou. Now that she'd been made aware of it, how long had she been…indisposed? If the painful clenching of her stomach was any indication, she had been asleep for hours that she had likely skipped breakfast and lunch. It would give him more than enough time to forage for the food that was now in her possession and what he was still cooking over the fire.

"You never did get to have that breakfast I told you I'd make. Lunch as well." His words confirmed her thought. "I know it's nothing like I've made yesterday but dinner would deliver. I promise."

With one last smile, the redhead made his way to the fireplace to continue cooking. Still, the albino could not part her stare on him.

She watched him as she clasped her hands together, but no matter how tight it was or in what manner she did, she felt that something was missing. As her eyes focused on his hands as it stirred the pot, she realized what it was and she did not know what to make of it.

The warmth of his large hands, its firm gentle touch on hers, she missed it already. Was she supposed to be assured or frightened that she could depend on him?

And what of her brother and non-existence in this world? Did that mean he was the Heart of Grima here? Would he also face betrayal?

Her dilemmas now known to her; Robin remained silently vigilant in her observation as her breaths remained steady. However, her mind still churned rapidly at all the revelations she had received so far. What am I going to do now?

My responses to the reviews:

The Crowned Reaper: Thank you, I do admit I could have made more interactions so I hope to fix that as I make more chapters. Yep, The Heritors of Arcadia (name of the song) is great. Robin is from Timeline A (1 & 2) and right now they (Shirou and Robin) are in Timeline B, that's all I can say for now. I can only hope that I won't really.

DannyPhantom619: She definitely does need something to remind her of the good things in life. As for the Noble Phantasms though, we might have to wait for quite a while.

IB2BIZZY: I appreciate the support!

Seeker: Oh I do have some plans for Robin's timeline, it's why I gave them a brief focus last chapter.

Kayen1024: As I've said, I have plans for them be it for good or bad.

Hashirama 1710: We'll see who will…but in another chapter though.

Artyom-Dreizehn: Don't worry, I plan to finish. I mean it.

VGBlackwing: You'll have to see what I have planned for them all in the future. I don't want to spoil.

warrior of six blades: Yeah, it's gonna be confusing until it's remedied. And yes, I feel bad for them too. *reads Morgan* I feel as if I brought you confusion on who the baby is. I'm pretty sure I've hinted who it is well enough…

steel35: Oh that lovely scene I have planned for their confrontation satisfies my Inner Kirei. It's okay, thanks for faves.

AoiKishi: I don't want to answer that in fear of causing a debate. But yes, Shirou should have dragon-slaying weapons.

Greyfox2: Thank you kind person!

Guest: There are definitely glaring flaws with Awakening and Fates, but their soundtrack is what I use for writing motivation, and I believe they paved the way for the success of Echoes and Three Houses. Just my opinion. And yes, the whole situation is ironic.

Author's Notes: *sees the date on the calendar and begins to sweat* F***!

Pardon my language but I was more or less unavailable for the three days it usually takes me to write a chapter. A certain annoying event on FGO that's frustrating to farm as well as some infuriating news regarding the college I attend is more than sufficient as a mood killer. Add that with me needing to take naps to recover as well as fixing issues with my laptops, I only got started writing on Sunday night.

Anyways, here we are with the next chapter. I'll be writing the next one and if there aren't any interruptions, I would be posting it in three to four days and not after a week.

Again, don't hesitate to tell me what you thought of this chapter in a review. Love it or Hate it, do tell me for improvement. I hope I was able to entertain you in these trying times.

Till next time, this is Will S. LaVi.

P.S. As of August 13, 2020 (Thursday) this chapter has been rewritten and relabeled Chapter 4 with the help of RedRat8, Kintsugi no Fusei's Beta Reader.