Disclaimer: I do not own Fate/ stay night and Fire Emblem: Awakening. It's that simple.

Kintsugi no Fusei

Book 1: On Fields of Fate

Chapter 5: When burdens are shared

The sun neared the end of its journey across the sky as the light of day gave way to the darkness of night. Many homes on the isle of Farfort had their hearths and fireplaces ready as their respective evening meals cooked over the fire, dinner to be served soon.

However, this was not the case for those who lived farther away from the island's civilization, such as that of the farm owned by a former Plegian royalty under the new name she had taken.

Inside its familiar farmhouse, a certain albino mother was swift at work to pack satchels with anything that her daughter (and said kin's unofficial protector, his actual worth to be tested at a later date) might need that wasn't already in her emergency pit-house. Fresh food that wouldn't break or spill on the journey by horseback (so they'd have to do without eggs), clothes of hers that would fit Robin (unfortunately, Shirou was too tall…and a bit more muscular compared to her son), and toiletries which she knew were certainly not there last she checked.

"You're leaving again mom? Did something happen?" The voice gave Morgana pause as she did the last strap. It made her cautiously turn to its source, where she found her son Robin (and wasn't that beginning to get confusing, perhaps she'd talk to her daughter about this) at the doorway. "I mean, you returned without your coat earlier and that one is your favorite."

Confusion, a dollop of worry, and a smidge of curiosity filled his amber eyes. The sight evoked memories of the past, of him merely as a boy who had asked her many variations of that same question. Innocent questions of why she had to leave and be left alone with only a hawk for company (at the time that is), still naïve to the ways (and horrors) of the world.

"Then as cruel as this may seem, you also know that you can't let your son see her. It might be dangerous for him to learn of his possible fate."

She was quickly reminded of the redhead's words and it nearly made her wince. But no, that would not do.

Instead, her lips curled upwards into a confident smile, something that she had gotten used to do ever since he was young to reassure him. After all, she had no one but herself then to confide in whenever she went out to defeat troublesome bandits for the mayor of the nearest town (not to mention the rare but dangerous Grimleal spies that she had to eliminate, for they were a frightening bit too close to their trail). In exchange, he got them any provisions that they needed as well as the necessary knowledge of how to run a farm, much less maintain it in secret.

And weren't those tough times? At least I can trust the folks here to keep a secret, took me years to be convinced of that. The former royal thought as she stifled a sigh before she answered. "Yes, Robin. I must. There is a…delicate situation that requires a certain finesse from me, which is also why I don't have that coat."

Delicate was a gross understatement of the situation. Her lost daughter from another timeline was clearly traumatized by many things that she did not yet know the full extent of, is now in possession of the power that the Grimleal sacrificed and planned to revive since its defeat by the First Exalt, and the fact that she would require extensive rehabilitation over the course of a few months at best.

"Is it something that will take a few days and why you have so much stuff packed?" He asked, the curiosity all but palpable from his tone before he continued with, "I mean, you haven't been on a trip like you used to for a long time now."

Again, the former Plegian royal had to suppress a wince and it was not an easy task. Though she wanted to and had chosen to help her daughter, she could not forget the fact that her son was the one person she'd fought and bled to protect. How many times before had she left this child alone with Aigle? How many more times does she have to leave him for his sake?

How many more times can I leave him be until I die? Morgana thought morosely as she remembered how her daughter reacted to her presence. It horrified her, to know that she would be killed and that the past she– they escaped from would eventually catch up to her. Could that be part of the reason why her daughter suffered so much? Would that be her son's fate as well?

No, this isn't the time nor the place. Remember, I need all the information first. The albino reiterated to herself. As much as she wanted to make many more contingencies, it would be better to make plans which were more thought out than those made in hasty ignorance. She had already sworn she would live.

She took a deep breath to pacify her nerves. Calmed, she was about to state her reply when Robin suddenly perked up. With that act alone, she already dreaded what he was about to say. "Oh! Maybe I can finally help you this time mom!"

The fact that his eyes glimmered with excitement, the need to help her, it once again rendered her silent. A silence that he had then mistaken for a chance to continue. "I mean, I did finish all my chores already and I've actually been able to keep up with the training regimen you gave me so I was thinking I can finally join you…uh mom?"

Her son finally hesitated and to her shame, she knew exactly why. The smile that she previously had on her face finally faltered and had twisted into a disapproving frown. "Robin, you can't. Not yet."

As Shirou had told her mere hours earlier, the risk of her Robin discovering the existence of his alternate timeline sister and prematurely knowing about his possible fate as the Heart of Grima was something that she could not allow.

"But mom! I'm re–!"

"You are not ready."

Though her words were short, the tone she used made it obvious that she'd accept no other recourse. Her decision was final. Robin must stay. This is for your own good my son. Forgive me.

"I-I just thought that I…" The wind taken out of his sails, the younger albino's shoulders dropped. "Sorry for overstepping mother."

Morgana bit her lower lip, a sigh stopped short. She knew of his hidden desire, to go beyond the comforts of their farm and see the world for what it was, and have friends without having to hide who he was with a glamour and a false name like Mark.

And she wanted him to experience those things too. As his mother, she didn't want her son to be limited, caged by the fear that the Grimleal posed as a threat. And that was not even to mention the shadow of his heritage. Alas, the world didn't work that way.

It was not yet the time for her little chick to spread his wings. Even with her tutelage of tactics, magic, and arms, Robin was far from ready. The cruelty of the world would break him as easily as its beauty would fascinate him. Its ugliness would disgust him even as its kindness would touch his heart. For now, he must remain in the gilded cage of her own making.

"I'm sorry my son, but you will get your chance." She eventually managed to say as she approached and gave her son a tight embrace.

The teenager gave her a resigned nod as he buried his face on her shoulder, his arms now wrapped around her as well to return the sentiment. "But not yet."

"Not yet." With that said, they separated and she made her way back to the three satchels she had prepared. She was about to lift them all in her lonesome until her son walked beside her and carried two of them in his hands. "Robin?"

"I can at least help you carry them until you reach the stable mom. May I?" He asked, a smile on his face once more.

The older albino blinked at her son's words before her lips curled into a proud smile. "You may little chick."

"Hey! I'm not a chick anymore!" The teenager complained as they made their way outside.

"Is that so?" She asked out loud as her eyes took on a teasing glint. This was a welcome change from the earlier heavy atmosphere. "Why, I remember someone proudly proclaiming himself to be–"

"No. Mom. Don't say–!"

As if aware that he was just about to be called, her loyal bird of prey screeched proudly as he touched down on the courtyard. A smug look could be seen in the hawk's eyes, aware of what she meant to say before being interrupted.

"–it. Dang it, he's already here." The younger albino grouched as his shoulders slumped. In response however, her longtime companion mocked her son further with a series of screeches that sounded suspiciously like laughter. "Wipe that smug look out Aigle. This is not funny. And that was years ago."

Her bird disagreed and made one last mocking screech before he took flight once more to take his place above their barn house. "He said he loves you too and that you'll always have a place in his nest son."

"Mom. Do not push it."

"What? But son, I think it's cute!" When she was ignored as he pouted, they finally continued towards the barn where her transportation for the night awaited. She wouldn't ride with her horse, since the path towards her emergency pit-house was treacherous, especially at night. She'd just needlessly injure her loyal steed if she did, even if she probably could.

With that in mind, she and her son entered the barn through its open doors. Thus, why not just fly there for easier travel?

"Sharur."

His name called, the griffon that slept on its nest of hay and offered gold opened his red eyes to stare at them in judgement. They did not flinch at its glare and instead gave a courteous bow. The half-eagle half-lion creature rose on its taloned front legs and pawed back legs to approach them. It let out a screech to intimidate them but they did not show fear, only respect for the noble creature.

Satisfied, he gave a bow in return. This allowed them to drop the satchels to outfit him with a saddle and properly secure her cargo. Straps all done, they lead him outside where it was free to stretch his large wings in preparation for flight.

As she allowed him to do so, Morgana turned to her son and spoke. "I'll return as soon as I can. Take care of yourself while I am gone Robin."

"I'll be fine mom. I'll take care of everything until you can return." Robin replied with a carefully cultivated confidence.

"I know," she began before her smile tuned into a smirk that made her son's confidence falter in trepidation. "Aigle will always have his eyes on his eyas after all."

"Mom!" The complaint made her laugh lightly as she finally boarded the griffon and with a stroke on his neck, the noble beast lunged forward and flew into the air. As they soared, she looked back and watched the figure of her beloved son shrink until he became nothing more a dot in the distance.

When it happened, the former royal finally let out a relieved sigh as she slumped her shoulders, free to stop hiding whatever dread she had at averting what could possibly have been an early disaster.

And it hasn't even been a day. She griped as she buried her face in her right hand since her left was preoccupied with the reins. Naga, it feels like it's already been an eternity.

"Wark?" The vocal prompt drew her attention to Sharur, its head craned to express its worry with but a look. Though one might think that a creature such as he should be focused on the flight, the griffon was more than experienced enough to go to her destination without her telling him to. After all, he had developed a bond with her since she'd spared his life many years ago when his former master attempted to kill her, nearly at the cost of his life.

"I apologize if I worried you Sharur." She said as her fingers stroked his crest which drew a pleased croon from him. "It has just been a really long day."

Had the griffon have eyebrows then he would have raised one with the curious look it gave her. "You will understand when we get there."

With the griffon's equivalent of a shrug, he turned his focus back on the flight as he neared the hill where her emergency pit-house was situated. It was a short flight, owing to the fact that griffons were faster than both pegasi and wyverns that lead its species to be called the king of the skies save for a true dragon like the Divine Dragon King. Wings flapping to get it above the trees, it circled the clearing once before it descended rapidly in freefall. With a last minute spread of its wings, Sharur landed gracefully like an oversized cat.

While her stomach protested at the sudden drop, Morgana had to suddenly hold on when the griffon gave a shocked growl as it suddenly backed away. Nearly thrown off, she got off him voluntarily which left him free to sniff the surroundings, clearly confused. "WARK?"

Before the albino could calm her mount, the entrance to her hidden safe haven opened with a flash of royal purple from the shrubbery. Mere seconds later, a head with a familiar shade of red hair popped out from it as its owner turned to look at her and the griffon. "Huh, now that's something to see. I guess I shouldn't have been so worried. Good evening Morgana. Do you need help with those satchels?"

"Good evening to you as well Shirou. This is Sharur. Sharur, this is Shirou. You'll meet my daughter later."

"WARK?!"

Robin drummed her fingers on her lap, a mild exercise to see if they could function well while she waited for Shirou to get back down. Previously, she saw he had suddenly stilled in his stirring of the pot's contents after he had added some new ingredients to it. When she had asked him if there was something wrong he merely said, "That's weird, I could smell eagle and lion."

After that, both of them heard something landed on the ground above them as well as a confused screech afterwards. Having heard of it, he partially covered the large pot with a lid and unscrewed the pommel of her mother's sword before he placed it in the post, the entrance above them opening. She watched him ascend, exchanged words with someone who could only be her mother (who had finally arrived on her griffon Sharur), before he got out to help her unload her cargo.

Satisfied to see that her fingers responded well, the twin-tailed albino placed them both on her lap. However, she knew that they were still far from stable enough to write with a quill. Now that was a shame, it would have provided her with a somewhat sufficient distraction from the food cooking on the fireplace.

The scent of aromatic herbs and root vegetables gently simmering from the heat was intoxicating. That coupled with the smokiness of some form of meat (a pheasant perhaps?) that he had roasted, crisped, and left to cool beforehand was saliva-inducing.

It took intense concentration on her part to not think of getting out the bed and nab more than a bite to preserve what little dignity she had left. She'd be reduced to crawling if she actually did so with how badly the atrophy affected her legs. But that was wishful thinking on her part, since the tantalizing scent of the dish that was still cooking and smelled even better as the seconds passed by steadily eroded her will. The unintentional torture that the redhead had subjected her to actually tempted her to list it down in her mind as a form of interrogation method.

She'd love to try that on them some time, see if they cracked before her.

Robin winced in pain and found her fingers' tight grip on sleeves of the coat that covered her, her arms accidentally pinched as they were crossed before her. Horror crept its way into her recreated heart as she came to terms with the sudden dark thought that plagued her. Wha-what in the world was that?

"Robin?" A familiar voice that was firm yet gentle drew her away from her mind as she saw her mother descend from the ladder, a satchel on her waist as it hung from her shoulder. "Are you alright my daughter?"

The reborn tactician was both glad and afraid that her mother was here. Glad that she distracted her and afraid to answer the question. She was not alright. She didn't want her to see that.

But that also brought something else to mind. Didn't her mother already see it? How pitiful she was earlier that she had to comfort her?

Calm down Robin. Damn it, calm down! She pinched herself again, voluntarily this time, the pain sufficient enough to force herself to answer. "I'm alright."

Her mother was finally on the floor and made her way towards her. Each step she took nearly made her flinch on the bed she sat up right on, only what discipline she could muster was able to prevent them. Finally, the former Plegian royal was before her, clad in a different coat but still in the familiar colors of pitch black and royal purple.

Their similarly colored eyes met and Morgana's eyes softened as she gently placed a hand on her shoulder. With that exchange alone, Robin knew that her mother's knowing gaze had easily pierced through what meager defenses she hastily erected, and saw how vulnerable she was.

The albino turned her head away in an attempt to avert her mother's piercing gaze, the shame still welling up inside. Despite that, the silver-haired farmer sat beside her on the bed and snaked the hand she placed on her shoulder to her head so that it would draw her head in a one-sided embrace. She tried to pull away yet her mother held firm. "It's okay to be vulnerable Robin. Everyone can become vulnerable, I'm no exception to this."

Though words tried to escape they died before they could, not trusting herself to talk with the possibility that she'd lash out instead. After all, she understood what exactly the woman meant and how it may seem hypocritical of her. She had taken her time with her for granted in the memories of her own timelines until she lost her life, she didn't realize the full extent of how a parent sacrificed and had to lie for their children's sake until she had her own.

"Would you like to take a bath?" At the question, she gave a nod. A bath, a bath would be nice at a time like this. She certainly knew that Shirou didn't give her a bath, likely out of respect for her since she couldn't give him permission while conscious. But she was also certain that he'd seen her naked already. Now that she did not know what to think of.

Her mother easily scooped her up in her arms. These were the same arms she knew had become strong enough to tend the farm on her own for many years until she could actually help her in her previous timelines and likely her brother in this timeline. It was also the same arms who wielded weapons and tomes alike as she ripped through Grimleal assassins all while protecting her. Though she still felt shame that she would likely be forced to rely on her as well as Shirou to move for the foreseeable future, she was glad to be in her mother's arms again.

Robin remained silent as her mother carried her to the door of an antechamber, one that she knew lead to the bathroom. With ease, she opened it and entered despite how she should've been burdened with her. Now however, a part of her wondered what Shirou would think of it given how he reacted to her mother's hidden home since–

"We're here Robin." Morgana announced as they exited the antechamber and the rush of water she heard nearby confirmed it.

The tactician turned her gaze to the large pool at the bottom of the slope before them, one that originated from the water flowing down from the rock formation at the middle of the chamber. The pool itself had been lined with smooth even stones and sand to help keep it clean. At the far end of it was a red brick ditch that sloped downwards to a hole that lead outside and drained away excess buildup of water to prevent possible flooding. Nearby said ditch was the area where one could actually clean themselves. It took advantage of the ditch or the pool itself with pipes to provide the water to fill a tub there that could be heated for a nice warm soak.

In short, her mother had way too much time to herself to indulge in her secret hobby of architecture and a skewed sense of what could really be called an emergency pit-house. Then again, she was former royalty, THE ruler of Plegia before she had to escape because of the Grimleal threat and live in a life of poverty until she recouped her losses and got freedom. So it was perfectly within her rights to do as she pleased with a place that was supposed to be a secret. Still, she could already hear the champion of Naga's justified complaint.

As they approached the bathing area, they both saw an interesting development, one that had her mother whistle in awe and comment. "Well I'll be, seems that Shirou knows a lot about housework I reckon."

The bathing area and every other object there were freshly cleaned. Wash bins were ready to be used. The cast iron tub– which was previously just an old oversized pot given a new purpose and outfitted with wood inside it so one could actually soak in there without getting in contact with the metal when heated– was already filled with water. Underneath it, the stove already had cut branches and kindling ready, fire only required.

Having seen all this and being reminded of the fact that the amnesiac was also a cook, an accomplished one at that, she really had to agree with her mother.

"Do remind me to thank him later but let's get you cleaned up little bird." Her mother said as she placed her on a bench and rifled through the satchel she had brought with her. While the older albino took out some toiletries, the younger decided to help in her own way by getting undressed. Now if only it weren't such a struggle to remove the buttons with her fingers!

She had only been down one button with a minute– a minute of painstaking effort when slender calloused hands stopped her. "Will you let me?"

Alarmed, Robin turned her gaze up to her mother whose eyes were pleading. "But, I'm…"

It was only now that she once again realized the gravity of the situation and what a bath entailed with her current condition. Morgana was going to see them all. Her scars, her atrophied body, all of it would be laid bare. A stark reminder that she was not alright.

"I saw them you know."

Her heart skipped a beat and her hands went slack, only the grip on them had prevented them from falling.

"I didn't mean to…but I saw them." The former royal continued as she placed her forehead against hers. "I don't know what you've been through Robin. I have a feeling that Shirou knows a bit more than he lets on but the only thing he told me out of necessity was that you're a new Fell Dragon and that you're from another timeline. Two timelines where I had already died."

The tears fell from her mother's eyes and she felt her own follow suit when she heard her say, "I heard a few things you've shouted at Shirou…as well as a few things that you mumbled when your seizure ended."

She knows something. The thought struck Robin like a punch to the gut. While she hadn't said much back then, Morgana had likely made a few guesses and conjectures already, especially with whatever she said.

"Robin, were you betrayed?"

Cold painful shackles that bound her in a dark prison.

"…yes."

"W-were you forced to kill the people close to you?"

Blood of friends and allies stained her hands.

"Y-yes. S-so many. I didn't want..."

"Were– oh gods above, were you executed?"

Pain that burned her heart, her being, as the blade of the one she loved impaled her.

"Yes!"

The dam within finally broke as she wailed, her pained cries echoing in the chamber.

"I didn't want to be the Heart of Grima!"

"I didn't want to be possessed!"

"I didn't want to kill my own husband!"

"I didn't want to awaken Grima!"

"I didn't want to kill my own friends!"

"I didn't want to destroy the future we all worked hard to build!"

"I didn't want to hunt down my own children and my friend's children to the past because they were a threat!"

"I didn't want to possess my younger self!"

"I never wanted to lose my memories!"

"I never wanted the exalt to die!"

"I never wanted my husband to start doubting our love!"

"I never wanted to steal the Fire Emblem!"

"I never wanted to kill my friend!"

"I never wanted to be called a traitor and get imprisoned for months!"

"I never wanted to be separated from my own daughter!"

"I never wanted to be killed by my own husband!"

She buried herself on her mother's breast, where she continued to weep until her voice grew hoarse and had no more tears left to give. "I…didn't want this, never…why mother? Why…why did I have…to suffer?"

"I…I don't know Robin." Her mother's embrace grew tighter, not to suffocate her but to draw her closer to her heartbeat. Chin placed on top of her head, she felt the older woman's own torrent of tears wet her hair. "But I won't leave you to suffer alone. No more."

"…why are you helping me? I'm not…your daughter from this…timeline" Robin had to ask. She had to know why, no matter how sincere her tone.

"Oh my child, do I need a reason?" She felt Morgana shift and press her lips on her forehead, a mother's kiss. "You're my daughter Robin, no matter what timeline."

"Mother, I…I don't want to…lose you. I…don't want my brother to…to have the same fate." The tactician didn't want her to die yet again. She couldn't bear to lose her mother for a third time, even if she was not native to this timeline. She didn't want to lose anything. Not anymore, that she promised.

"You won't lose us. You have me. You have Shirou. We'll help each other okay?"

"Help me…mother." Permission granted, the former royal's hands gently undressed her and helped her get out of her clothes. Even as she whimpered when they unconsciously lingered on her scars, she saw her mother's eyes with an eloquent angry fire.

She trembled as her mother took control of the bath, a fire lighted not with magic but human effort to allow the bath water to heat for a soak. A wash bin was filled with water and a gasp left her lips when it was poured over to wet her. She scrubbed her, soaped her, and rinsed her once more with water before they were both inside the warmth of the tub. Though the woman was wet as well now, she never left her side.

Mother, thank you…I love you.

As they allowed the warm bath to cloud their senses and let their burdens lighten for now, they were unaware of a figure who had not yet moved in the antechamber and dared not speak. With a silent sigh, Shirou left the satchel that contained dry clothes by the entrance and left them be. He had disturbed their privacy enough.

My responses to the reviews:

Hashirama 1710: More or less.

RedRat8: I can't divulge that information yet since a future chapter heavily relies on it. You can Bet on Shirou.

steel35: Yep, not all of them are. As for the fighting, Shirou will finally fight soon in a few chapters.

Seeker: Canon is still far off since my plans have Shirou and Robin do something before I take them there. Even then things will be…different.

The Crowned Reaper: I guess I have to apologize then, considering how Shirou has a more reduced role here than I initially realized. The timelines will connect at some point yes. As for ages, Robin's current body is basically 20 or so while Shirou's case is more dubious due to what Naga had to do.

Guest: It's more that it's terrible for my work/writing ethic since the moment I go lax (be it by force or choice) I can kiss my writing flow good bye. And yes, it's not a pleasant feeling considering there are many more who suffer too.

warrior of six blades: There's more to this situation than meets the eye. There is indeed a stalemate for now but…that is not a guarantee.

Rinto: Sorry for the delay. But thanks for taking interest.

xhope14x: As much as I want to make the chapters much longer it really depends if the contents of what I write fit well together. You hit the nail reader.

AoiKishi: Thanks, we shall see. It all depends whether all the pieces would come together.

M2R: Thank you for reading.

Author's Notes: I apologize for the delay readers. There was something that happened IRL which left me infuriated for most of the week and a half that I was gone. Needless to say, I couldn't really focus on writing effectively.

As I've said before, Shirou got a reduced role in this chapter but that's because I cut his part to save it for the next chapter. It really didn't sit well here so to speak. Thus, this chapter wound up becoming a Mother's Day Special.

Anyways, 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.