Fate: Strange/Fiction (Vol 1).

Prologue.

She was happy. 

For once in her life, she felt pure joy and happiness. 

She had waited in that field of flowers next to the tower of the mage who raised her, amid silence and peace, wanting for nothing but the presence of one man. 

And he had finally shown himself. 

The price was steep for returning with him. But of course the price for returning to the world of the living was never cheap. She had always suspected it would be harsh. But she had been prepared for that, waiting and desiring naught but to be held in his warm embrace. 

The embrace of the only person she ever felt right calling her master. 

The jingle of bells rang throughout the traditional Japanese mansion's rooms as chimes were blown by the wind that shifted the trees bathing in the silvery moon, oblivious to the peaceful scene inside the main sitting room. 

The TV was filled with voices from various reporters, talking about another thunderstorm heading over the Fuyuki area, as the beautiful blonde girl, her long hair down, held and cradled a bundle of blankets in her arms. 

Her soft green eyes glinted with cheer and contentment as she watched the red headed pudgy baby within begin chewing on a leather object. 

"No no." said Artoria, who was now legally known as Emiya Vivian, wife of Emiya Shirou.  "You musn't chew on daddy's things Nakano."

Artoria took away what appeared to be a wallet from the small baby and set it on the low table. 

Shirou was out tonight. He had taken a job at the Police Department, and was now putting his prodigious skills to use trying to be the 'hero of justice' he dreamt of being. 

A worthy goal in Artoria's mind, even if it wasn't all too realistic. 

At that moment, Artoria was shaken from her thoughts by the sound of a vibrating phone, humming just next to the wallet. 

She picked up the flip phone, putting it to ear, while managing to hold the infant Nakano close with one arm. "Yes? Emiya House, Vivian speaking."

"Saber, it's me, is Shirou there?" the sound of another girl's voice came out of the earpiece. 

"Oh, Rin, is everything alright? It's quite late." said Artoria. "And Shirou is out late right now. Apparently there was a mass homicide in the square. Even the rookies are being pulled in to investigate."

"Well I guess it is quite an hour to be calling, I'm surprised you're up." said Rin. "W-wait, mass homicide!? C-could it be related to-."

Artoria shook her head. "I don't want to think about it, but maybe. Hopefully, Shirou comes back with news."

"Yeah." Rin said quietly.  "Thing is, I just wanted you all to know. Mako has been sick, very sick. I'm definitely going to have to take him to the hospital this weekend, could you look after Ritsuka tomorrow?" 

Artoria nodded as she bounced her baby on her knee, making silly faces at Nakano who began to giggle. "Of course. When will you be by?"

"8 am, at the earliest, 9 at the latest." said Rin. "Teehee, with any luck, the more time Nakano and Ritsuka spend together, the more likely those two get married when they're older!"

"Lets not jump ahead of ourselves." Artoria said, a bead of sweat running down her forehead as she chuckled nervously. "We don't know what kind of people they will be when they grow up after all."