Hero of Justice (Fate/Stay Night UBW x Shield Hero)

Bitter Aftermath and Trials

Meanwhile, back at the village, Shirou and Naofumi were currently setting up a mobile clinic with Raphtalia handling the minor injuries, Naofumi curing ailments with his medicine and Shirou using Avalon to help the more critically injured. It may not be as potent without Saber, but it's strong enough to patch up wounds at least. Even the boy from earlier helped as well, inspired by the three of them, jealous because of the happiness they felt helping people.

After the healing is finished, Shirou then helps bury the dead and places a random cross-shaped sword as a headstone. Similar to how his future self did, although this grave, he did not cause.

Afterwards, the people gather in front of Naofumi, Raphtalia and Shirou and all bow, with the chief saying "Thank you for all your help Lord Shield Hero, Lord Fake Hero and companion" to which Naofumi then says "Everyone was just lucky I guess".

One of the men then shakes his head, saying "No, if you three did not come to our aid, we wouldn't have survived that."

The boy with red hair then looks at Shirou and says "I want to be a hero just like lord Shield hero and you someday!"

Shirou smiles and kneels down and asks "What's your name kid?" The kid then says "My name is Kuro Arriyah." Shirou then asks "Where's your family?" to which Kuro then says "My dad... He said we didn't have any more money, so he promised he'd come back only when he can get a job and help me and mom... but never returned... not since last year. Mom died during the waves... Then... Lord Shield Hero came and saved me from the fire. I guess dad just... left..."

Shirou's eyes widen as he thinks to himself... "Wait..."

He then flashes back to a familiar voice. "K-kuro? I-is that you my boy?"

He then recalls the blonde man from a few weeks back, the very one he had to arrest due to gaining notoriety as a masterful thief...

By denying the man freedom... he had denied the boy a chance, however small it may be, for a normal life, as that man could have surely saved his wife... In some twisted sense, he has become what Kotomine Kirei became in Rin's life in this boy's life with Naofumi becoming the boy's ideal model of justice.

Shirou then holds the boy's hand, and then lowers himself down to eye level. He then gives the boy a steady gaze, saying "No, if he was truly bad would he have told you what he said to you?"

Kuro shakes his head in response, meeting Shirou's steady, steel-like gaze with his own empty ones.

"He will come back, I just know it. But... it's going to take a bit of time..."

Naofumi and Raphtalia see them talk but decide not to interfere, whatever is happening with both red heads right now, one thing is for certain, this is a talk only they can proceed with. Therefore, they can only help, by helping everyone else, and so left the two to their devices for the time being.

He then places a hand on Kuro's shoulder and says "You want to make your dad proud when he gets back, right?" to which Kuro nods saying "I... Want to smile like sir Shield hero... I want to save everyone I can see...". Their empty eyes met each other as if Shirou was looking through a ten year old reflection.

He then says "Well then, I have two pieces of advice for you then. One, your life matters. I know you how you feel right now, but those who died... you can't save them anymore. It's time to move forward. Don't let your guilt overwhelm you. Your life still matters, a dead hero of justice is not a good hero of justice..."

Shirou smiles fondly, as he unironically repeats Rin's advice to him, all those months ago.

He then ruffles Kuro's hair before turning his back on him, his silhouette casting a shadow similar to Archer, yet ever slightly different. He then smiles a bit more and then finishes.