"Arriving, Shin Tokyo in five minutes." I jolted awake from the sudden announcement, one hand tightening on an non-existent Noble Phantasm out of instinct and shock. If we're not for the crowd of people around me, I would have accidentally unleash Rider's Noble Phantasm.
"Are you alright, dearie? You and the little one fell asleep together." An old lady beside me said, Miss Miyako, a widow visiting her grandkids in Shin Tokyo.
"Uhmm, apologies. I was simply startled." I replied, before being reminded of my own passenger. Looking down, Sakura's still asleep in her carrier attached to my chest. She's swaddled in a pink cloth.
To normal people, it would be just any ordinary cloth. To Magus, they would cough out blood and vow bloody vengeance at my audacity to use a Noble Phantasm as a baby swaddle of all things. Fortunately, I have no such qualms and only the best for my own child.
The Golden Fleece serves it's purpose. Not like Medea minded, she's rather eager to gift her Noble Phantasm to my daughter.
After all, Medea helped in Sakura's delivery to this world.
"She's still asleep." I muttered, brushing Sakura's small tuff of white hair. Her breathing is normal in her sleep while drooling over my chest. I would need a napkin for that.
"She just had her fill a few hours ago. It will be a few more hours till she wakes. If she doesn't want a bottle, it's probably time to change her diaper." Miss Miyako said her advice. Mentally, I took note of her words.
Taking care of a baby for a month now has been the most hectic month of my life. With zero knowledge, I literally had to stumble and learn on my own how take care of one. Most of the time, it's a miss. The only reason little Sakura's still alright is because of the Noble Phantasm wrapped around her, keeping her healthy and protected. Meeting the old lady on this trip was a godsend to me.
"Honestly, I wish my own grandkids are not as fussy like little Sakura here." The old lady sighs with a smile, clearly reminiscing of the days of her youth and the time holding her own children.
"It's thanks to your advice, Miyako-san." I thanked her.
"No need young man, I'm just helping. You definitely need it as a single parent. But is it alright? Traveling like this while little Sakura's still a month old." She asks in worry. It was out of concern and a valid one. Unfortunately, I have no such luxury after what happened to Fuyuki.
Not to mention the hunters hounding my heels. The aftermath of the 5th Holy Grail War was a massive scandal to the Clocktower and they needed answers.
Answers that only I can give.
After what had happened, receiving the associations goodwill would be a boon and preferably for stability and safety of Sakura. Yet that entails allowing the Clocktower to find out what had happened in the war. If they found out what happened and results of the war, they would do everything and stop at nothing to acquire my child as their subject.
I can't let that happen, not after what happened.
Not after promising to Sakura.
"I'll manage and this is a one time only." I replied to her. Deep inside, I hoped it would the last trip.
Shin Tokyo is a rising metropolitan, a mega city centered around one massive company, MBI. It's a pharmaceutical company that has risen above the rest with various medical breakthroughs and inventions. The company itself is well known globally due to their products. With so much influence and income, it wasn't long for the company to take the city for themselves despite the local government's denial.
For me, it's the perfect city to hide from the Clocktower. Magi in general hated or downright looked down on modern technology. This meant they're practically clueless of the advancement of modern technology. With MBI's takeover of the city, they had turn the city in a futuristic utopia in the modern world. With how clueless Rin and Luvia with Assassin and Illya's games, the Clocktower will most likely have a hard time finding me here.
All he had to do is hide and fade in the background.
"It looks like this is our stop. Remember my address? I won't mind taking you and your girl for while till you find some stability in the city." The old lady offered and I almost accepted her goodwill. Logic took over and I shook my head with a smile.
"I will remember it when I needed it." I said with confidence despite having nothing to support such thing. Taking her offer meant risking the old lady's life.
I can't.
Not after what happened in Fuyuki.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Me and old Miyako went our separate ways shortly. The bullet train we rode had arrived in our intended destination rather early in the morning, Nine AM sharp. I had left at six, just after Sakura had her own breakfast and went to sleep immediately without a fuss. She only woke up for another meal in the middle of the ride, disturbed by the other passengers and rumble of the bullet train. Luckily, Old Miyako was around to adore and give me advice to calm her down before she erupted and killed every single passenger in the carriage.
It would be a huge mess to cleanup and probably give a hint to my hunters.
With little Sakura in my arms, me and old Miyako had the luxury of being on a separate line in the security check for priority passengers. Due to MBI's new inventions, lots of policies where added in traveling between cities. Such as the scanner currently I had to use for security purposes. A simple breath analyzer of some sorts that scans residual DNA from saliva and breath. It was meant for security reasons, discouraging criminals from escaping the law by running away.
So the moment it triggered an alarm of some sorts, causing a small commotion as the device let out a loud whine like a siren, I was concerned and guarded. Based on what I read, the device only lit up like a flashlight if it somehow detected someone with a criminal record. As far as I know, I don't have one.
The security in the station apologized and took me aside to continue operations. Of course their apologetic of the error as they checked that I have zero criminal records yet the machine constantly lit up everytime despite doing it on another machine. A bug of some sorts in the system, they said. The security and the officials of the station we're hospitable, mostly because I had Sakura with me. As much as I want to leave, thy can't let me as it's company policy to alert MBI officials of any bugs and similar cases to their inventions. Naturally as one who triggered such bug, I was to stay for investigations. I can understand that and I was thankful they gave me a guest room in the station to wait until MBI officials arrive.
Unfortunately, I have don't have such time. Sakura's hungry and I'd rather not see her consume the entire population in the station in her tantrum.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Well, well, well. Looks like we had an intruder, Takami." The Black Dog of MBI mused, chuckling as the station master profusely apologized at her irrate boss.
"What kind of security are you running here?! How can some guy and his baby manage to sneak pass all security clearance. Not to mention, what's with this shitty cameras?!" Takami shamelessly berated the official while taking command of the security center where all cameras of the station are connected.
The two of them have been called when one of MBI's security systems was flagged. Normally, it would be just some other MBI officer and some guards but when the bug was reported, Takami had to take over. The bug itself wasn't alarming but what it entails need investigation.
The breath analyzer, the machine used for security clearance, isn't just a simple security check machine. The machine itself collects and record DNA data into MBI servers. Sounds illegal? Definitely but it's not like the usual mass would discover such features.
Until today that is.
The breath analyzer didn't flag a criminal. What it did was flagged a match in the records, confusing the machine to alert the the servers of a double of a recorded DNA.
The machine matched on two people.
"What kind of crap are these cameras? Why is our culprit's face blurred while the rest isn't?" Takami muttered, brows creasing in confusion and bewilderment as she pulled up more and more footage of their so called culprit. Across all footage, their face is blurry and only them. It looked like someone tampered footage to blur the identity of their mystery man. They even took the time to blur the baby's face for god's sake!
No way it's hacked normally. The servers of the station is localized and cannot be tampered easily. They would need an inside man to actually connect physically to the station servers which is impossible.
Karasuba had already taken care of the rats in the city and they doubt anyone managed to get inside after they cleaned house.
Yet here they are.
"Frustrated already?" Karasuba asks behind her, leaning over her shoulders to look at the footage. Takami sighs, pulling up the data of the breath analyzer to examine the bug instead. Whatever trick they used on the footage, it wouldn't be fixed in a day. Already, she suspect it's the work of a sekirei. She did remember that Higa kid had one of the mind types.
Damn Minaka.
"Shut it, Karasuba and guard the door." She grumbled as she looked over the data. There's nothing wrong in the code nor program of the machine. It's the data instead. Pulling up the records she read and immediately froze.
"Takami?" Karasuba asked, wondering why the woman suddenly froze. Of all humans, Takami's one of her favorites but she would never admit it. The woman is fun to tease but she's reliable in scratching her itch. Whatever the job, Karasuba's always eager for one that has chances of bloodying her blade.
"Karasuba, find them."
"What?"
"I said find them! Find anyone who's carrying a baby or something! Just find them! Now!" Takami turned, shouting orders at her with great urgency. Surprised and somewhat curious of the sudden attitude, Karasuba immediately took action.
She turned into a blur, immediately exiting the station in great haste and taking the rooftops to see anyone carrying a baby with similar description of their mystery man.
After half a minute, no such luck.
Meanwhile on the station, Takami glared at the screen with teary eyes.
The words displayed mocking her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Meanwhile, said culprit is nonchalantly walking in the streets, trying to find an apartment or a place to rent.
Unfortunately, it was the moment Sakura woke up and starting to make a fuss. I tried giving her a bottle, the last one I made before this trip but she declined. Her diapers didn't need changing after a few checks. I don't know what to do in this situation, her squirming and cries are getting erratic as she fussed over what disturbed her.
That's when I noticed them. Multiple signatures. Inhuman in nature based on their scents.
That's what is triggering Sakura's tantrum.
She wants a taste of them.
"Oh hush you. You can't eat, not yet." I whispered to her, trying to cradle her and overwhelmed her with my presence as I subtly activated my prana, cutting her off from the tantalizing meal of inhuman denizens of the city. Sakura slowly calmed down after a minute, lulled in another deep sleep with my presence.
As for the inhumans, I have zero idea of their presence in Shin Tokyo. It was a surprise but not alarming. Japan is well-known in the moonlit world for crossbreeding with inhuman creatures. The chances of walking pass a hybrid in the streets by chance is very high. What I didn't expect is the sheer volume of the presence of these inhuman creatures. I would say they're numbers are above fifty to a hundred by my estimate. Unfortunately, I cannot identify what species they are.
What's important is that my choice in picking Shin Tokyo as a hiding spot had now become a double edged sword. With the presence of the local inhumans, the Clocktower associates presence will surely offend the locals, might even lead to clashes if I was lucky. The bad news is that they might be offended my own presence if found out.
After all, a local species will defend their territory against another alien species.
Now, where to find home?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Denied."
"Denied."
"Sorry man, policy."
"Denied."
Turns out, it's a hard to find a new residence. Without any papers or a bank account, the likelihood of finding a good apartment is near zero. Unfortunately, the Fuyuki incident and the Clocktower's influence had rendered both papers and the Emiya bank account useless. I can't take chance using both as the Clocktower is surely monitoring both at the off chance of finding me and Sakura.
Not to mention, Sakura's getting hungry and she's on her last bottle.
Sitting on the park at early nighttime, feeding an ever hungry baby isn't something I was expecting in my future. Yet here I am, alone and useless to the one person depending me.
"Sorry, Sakura-chan. Daddy's useless." I grimaced a smile, watching her eat her fill. Speaking of food, when was the last time he ate.
Probably a week ago.
The park is relatively empty and quiet, might be a good place to stay for the night. Fortunately, he packed a tent for Sakura while on the run. It would be tight fit but it will keep the cold night at bay. The problem is food. I need to buy her formula and find a way to cook it.
Life is truly change when just a month ago I was worried about surviving a war and now I'm taking care my own child at the young age seventeen.
"Ara~ Do you need help young man?" I almost traced Assassin's gun at the sudden disturbance. How did she snuck upon me?
The first thing hit me was the smell of blood cloying on the woman's skin, as if the bloodshed she had partaken have deeply ingrained to her being. The second is the sweet scent of honey, flagrant and sweet.
The third is that she looked normal. She looked no different than a normal housewife dressed in traditional Miko purple hakama and white haori. Long purple hair trails behind her mid waist, cut in traditional hime cut. Without my talents, I would mistake her for another Japanese woman.
Instead she isn't. She is one of the unknown species roaming in the city.
"Can I help you miss?" I asked tentatively, unsure of if she's friendly or not. With the park being a secluded place and with no witnesses, an attack is very likely. Subtly, my hand traveled to my waist where Medea's Noble Phantasm.
Not a traced copy, the real one.
"Abu!" I looked down to see Sakura trying to reach for the lady, tiny hands flailing and grasping on empty air as she leans towards the mystery lady's direction. Her bottle forgotten.
"Aren't a you cute one." She giggled at the sight before turning towards me. "The night's too cold for a baby to be out today, young man. But with that tent of yours, it would be safe to assume that your homeless?"
Ouch, that kinda hurt to admit.
"Kinda." I shrugged with a wince, adjusting my grip on Sakura as she tried to squirm her way towards the lady.
"We're new to the city, just arrived today." I said.
"...Runaway?" I winced at the accusation. It was a valid reason why a seventeen year old young man is taking care of a baby in his lonesome while homeless. I didn't bother correcting her as it's the only viable excuse I can think of my situation.
"I ran an Inn, Izumo Inn, at the North of the city. If you would accept, I'm willing to shelter you and you child for while till you can pay rent but only for a month. A widow like still has to earn money too." I stared at her generous offer. Too generous in fact. I don't know her and I don't know if she knows what I am. Accepting the offer would give me time to recover and build a stable life for Sakura for a while. Yet accepting it could lead to a trap, lured in a den where she could take advantage of me with whatever she had in mind. Of course I could fend her off. After what happened in the war, nothing could phase me anymore.
Even if aliens invades earth, I won't even glance at it before firing whatever effective Noble Phantasm at its direction.
But there's Sakura-chan.
"Thank you for the offer. I'll be glad to accept your hospitality, Miss-?"
"Asama. Asama Miya. And you are?"
"Emiya Shirou and this little one is Emiya Sakura."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Izumo Inn was a quaint inn. A traditional two story Japanese house converted as an inn by Asama-san's late husband. Looking at the house, I can't help but feel nostalgic at the home I left.
Which is no more than a smoldering wreck.
"Thanks for carrying my groceries, Emiya-kun." Miya said, cradling Sakura whose having fun time playing with the woman's hair.
"It's the best I could do at the moment to repay your kindness, Asama-san." I said, gesturing at the bags of groceries I'm carrying together with my backpack full of personal items, mainly Sakura's.
"Thank my husband instead. He's rather keen of helping others and won't turn away those in need of it." She said.
"Sounds a good man. I would love to meet him if given the chance." I replied as she opened the gate to enter.
"Unfortunately, fate is far too cruel to take such man too early." Miya said in melancholic tone.
"I'm sure he's happy wherever he is with you keeping his memory alive." I assured her.
"Thank you, Emiya-kun."
Entering the inn, I followed her in the kitchen where I placed the groceries. Meanwhile, she went to the dining area and gathered some cushions to create a small bed for Sakura-chan. The baby gurgles, pulling on her hair and babbling in baby speak.
"You have to let go of Miya-onechan, Sakura-chan." She cooked to the baby, wincing as the baby girl decided to pull on said hair.
"Let me." I offered, leaving the kitchen to help her from her predicament. Sakura has this little bad habit of possessiveness. Whatever entices her, it's most likely she won't let go once she has it under grasp.
It took some coaxing and a bit of prana to distract the baby to release Miya. Making sure she's all comfortable and settled in, I offered to help her in the kitchen to make another bottle for Sakura. I had bought a new formula on the way to Izumo Inn.
"Miya-san, what's for-Oh my God! Is that a baby?!" Another inhuman creature emerge in the dining area. Now that notice, there's about three other inhuman species in the inn besides Asama-san. I almost didn't notice, not with Asama-san's scent overpowering theirs.
"Hush you, Uzume. Can't you see she's trying to sleep." Miya scolded the newcomer. From my position in the kitchen, I look to greet the person but paused at their state of undress.
She's a young woman with long brown hair, styled in a side ponytail. She is wearing a small top, emphasizing her chest and with no pants, exposing her white lingerie.
"Oops, didn't see we got a guest." She sheepishly said, finally noticing me and as she hid her lower half behind the tatami walls.
Unfortunately, it looks like Miya-san wouldn't be lenient at her bout of exhibition.
"Uzume, what did I say about of illicit activities in the inn?" The landlady said with sweet venom. That's when my senses began blaring.
"Wait! Miya-san, I'm sorry! Please, no!" Uzume, by Miya-san's words, cried out trying to placate the woman's ire but fear froze her in place.
Right beside Miya, something began to form. A Hanya mask, a demonic visage of jealous female demon. Filled with malice, it was directed to the poor girl who cried in fear and mercy at the older woman.
An interesting technique but it could do better. Angra Manyu did something similar and it was far too deadlier and effective in combat. Maybe he could replicate that.
Maybe, maybe.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dinner came not soon after and I was introduced to the rest of the tenants of the inn, sorta.
Kagari is a suave and polite silver haired young man. He looks like a bishounen but far too masculine too be considered as one. Unlike Uzume, their personalities are far different.
The man's polite and well-spoken, making small talk after introduction. Yet I can see that his fishing for information. It was subtle but clearly his an amateur to it. Lancer and Rider are far more trickier than him. Kagari mostly tried to see where he came from which is understandable. Whatever he is, he is protective of his den.
Meanwhile, Uzume is far more cheerful and easygoing. She also liked to tease and have fun in the expense of both males in the inn. Compared to Kagari, she's more carefree and open to my arrival. Currently the girl is playing by attacking Sakura-chan's baby cheeks much to the baby's entertainment as she babbled and play with Uzume's fingers.
Meanwhile, the last tenant didn't appear and kept their existence hidden. If the rest of he tenants acknowledged the hidden one's presence, I don't know. For now, they're changing my view to whatever they are. If they're friendly species capable of human coexistence, they had done a good job. If not and this only one elaborate trap, I'm sure I could burn this place down and feed them to Sakura's bottomless belly.
For now, I'm just happy to secure a roof over my head. Miya had given them one of the rooms, a simple one and more than enough for him and Sakura.
After dinner and a change of diaper and a shower, it's finally time to collapse in bed. Watching Sakura fall asleep, I wonder what the others think after what happened.
Do they hate me after what I have done?
Was Archer right all along?
I don't know, I don't want to know.
All I can hope is that I could raise the last memory of their sacrifice.
Goodnight, Sakura.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Set a few months before canon Sekirei.
Due to poor decline in health, I have to slow down in chapters. In that case, I'll practice writing slow burn stories such as fate series.
The events of the 5th war will be slowly revealed by chapters in random fragments.