So this is a bit late. There was a trip, and a medical test, and a whole bunch of other stuff to be done though. At least it got here in the right week.
Chapter 7
“I...hah...did it!” Shirou exclaimed weakly as she caught her breath. She'd insisted they take the stairs to reach the floor of the hospital this “Heaven Canceller” was working on. Sakura and Sella slowed to a halt behind her on the deserted landing as she leaned on the wall slightly. Rider was working with the movers, who had arrived with her “most treasured tool” that morning. Shirou shuddered and prayed they hadn't scratched the paint job.
“Are you sure you haven't...overdone it Senpai?” Sakura asked delicately. Shirou shook her head in the negative.
“Sella says that even though we were created by alchemy, we're still pretty much human in all the ways that matter. It's true that Illya's body is a little...lacking when it comes to physical stamina, that's no reason I can't improve the situation with a little hard work and determination!” she replied passionately with a small fist pump. Sakura stared flatly at Sella, who had the decency to blush.
“That is true Shirou-sama, but working yourself to physical exhaustion on a regular basis is actually somewhat counterproductive. It's important to be patient and pace yourself with these sorts of goals.” Sella pointed out. Shirou groaned.
“It's only six flights! If I can't even manage that without getting winded, then what use am I?!” she asked in exasperation.
“You will improve Shirou-sama. Give it time.” the maid encouraged. Shirou's expression soured slightly.
“Fine. Let's just go meet this guy already.” she replied.
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“Emiya-san.” a nurse called from the doorway, making Shirou jump slightly and return to full wakefulness. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes as the nurse tried to repress a grin. “The doctor will see you now.” the nurse declared.
'Well it's about time isn't it?' Shirou thought grumpily. Her earlier estimation of how long this trip was going to take turned out to be woefully mistaken as they spent the better part of an hour in the waiting room. On one hand, it was actually somewhat reassuring this doctor wasn't treating them any differently from his other patients. On the other, who wants to wait forty-five minutes? They walked down the halls and entered an examination room.
'He's...a doctor.' Shirou concluded as she caught her first glimpse of the man Aleister Crowley had spoken of so highly. A balding, gray-haired older man with a clean-shaven face. He had a wide mouth and distant eyes that lent him a...frog-like appearance. Glancing at his ID badge she actually saw a sticker of a cartoon frog character covering up his face. Her lips quirked upward. Maybe he'd turn out to be alright in spite of his relationship to Crowley, but she couldn't discount the possibility that she might end up stabbing him as well. The man looked absorbed in thought, but his face brightened as he noticed their presence.
“Ah! So you're the new patient, huh?” he asked warmly with a smile that reached his eyes. “Go ahead, take a seat.” he invited as his guests obligingly occupied their seats.
“Uh...there's a bit of a confidentiality issue here, Tachibana-san. So if you don't mind?” the doctor asked the nurse, whose eyes widened slightly before nodding.
“Certainly Amachi-sensei. Call me if you need anything.” she said before departing the room. The doctor returned his attention to his new patient.
“So, you must be Emiya...Illyasviel?” the doctor asked, lifting a single intrigued eyebrow.
“Yes...but please call me Shirou.” Shirou asked, trying to keep the pleading tone out of her voice.
“Shirou huh?” the doctor replied in a dubious tone. “Well, alright then Shirou-san. I believe it's only right to call folks by what they prefer.” he offered, instantly gaining points with his patient. “Incidentally, most folks around here call me 'Heaven Canceller,' but as you've seen”—he said, gesturing toward the door—“some prefer Doctor Amachi. I'm fine with either to be honest. Who are your companions?” the doctor inquired.
“I'm Matou Sakura.” Sakura introduced herself.
“I am Sella von Einzbern.” Sella followed suit.
“Einzbern huh? Yeah, that sounds about right. I...at this point I feel that I should admit something to you all. Part of the reason I had nurse Tachibana leave the room is so I could speak to you freely. I'm one of the few people in the city who is aware of the existence of magic, though I am not a practitioner myself.” the doctor admitted, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. “I've also...uh...worked with homunculi on rare occasions in the past so...I'm thinking that's probably why Aleister wants me on this one.” he concluded with a nod to himself before looking at his audience whose mouths were hanging slightly slack. “You'll catch flies.” he admonished jokingly.
“How...how does that work? Knowing about magic but never practicing it? Did Crowley tell you about it?” Sella inquired uncertainly. The doctor smiled slightly and shook his head.
“No. I...hmm...'dabbled' with it some in my youth I guess you'd say. I thought I'd be able to use it to save some lives that would've otherwise been lost, but...reality wasn't that kind.” he replied.
“Organizations like the Association value their secrecy more than the lives of random people.” Sella agreed. “Historically, stories like yours haven't ended well.” she noted. The doctor's face darkened slightly.
“Oh, I'm well aware of what happened to Paracelsus. That story, among many other factors, led to me eventually avoiding the company of magi altogether. I vowed that everything I had learned to accomplish with magic, I would learn to accomplish without it. The effort is...still ongoing, but now they can't stop me from using my knowledge the way I want to.” he declared firmly. The smaller homunculus' eyes were sparkling slightly.
“That...is so admirable, sensei!” she declared, clearly overcome. The other two with her were more reserved. “Why does someone like you work for Crowley?” she questioned in confusion. The doctor sighed.
“Aleister is...an old friend. I helped him out once in a pinch and we helped set up this city together. I may not approve of everything the man does, but...occasionally it turns out for the best. I hope that someday he'll realize where he went wrong. At this point, that's pretty much all that I can do.” the doctor replied in a weary voice.
“A friend, huh? I see...” Shirou mused to herself as she nodded in understanding. It was always important to try and help a friend...even if they seemed to be beyond saving.
“Well, I'm sure you're all very bored hearing me drone on about the good old days.” Heaven Canceller said with a slight laugh. “What say we get started?” he announced.
From that point on, it became pretty much like any other visit to the doctor Shirou had endured. The doctor listened to her heart and lungs, had her say 'ah,' and tested her reflexes. It was when this process had concluded that things diverged slightly.
“What's the needle for?!” Shirou demanded.
“I'm just collecting some blood samples so we can run a lab panel. It's nothing to be concerned about.” the doctor replied soothingly.
“If you're aware of magic, then you understand why we might be wary of providing such samples.” Sella replied sternly. The doctor groaned.
“If you have any knowledge of modern medicine, then you understand why it's a severe handicap to work without them.” he replied in much the same way. “I mean, how am I even supposed to know her blood type in case we need to perform a transfusion at some point?” he asked in frustration, then paused as a thought occurred. “Oh wait, that's a bad example. All Justeaze models have AB positive blood.” he noted to himself. “Still, you get my point! We really do need to do the blood test.” he wheedled.
“Actually...Shirou-sama is most likely Rh negative.” Sella admitted uncomfortably. The doctor lifted an eyebrow. “The circumstances of her...'birth' were...atypical.”
“Atypical in what way?” the doctor demanded.
“Natural birth. Her father was an Association magus.” Sella informed in. The doctor closed his eyes and blew out a long breath.
“Alright then. If I can't even trust my knowledge of what's normal for a homunculus then I'm afraid I must insist. If you want me to treat you, then you must submit yourself fully to my care.” he delivered his ultimatum. Sella shook her head.
“I am not sure that we—” she began.
“It's fine.” Shirou declared, exposing her arm. “He can have the sample.” she said firmly.
“Senpai...” Sakura said worriedly.
“Shirou-sama, I don't agree with this course of action.” Sella said.
“Sella, it's fine.” Shirou assured her, shaking her head. “He's absolutely right. You're right too, but I think he can be trusted.”
“With your blood, he could potentially—” Sella started.
“Potentially yes...but he won't.” Shirou said, meeting Heaven Canceller's eyes directly. The old man smiled, secretly incredibly flattered by the display of faith.
“...You are sure?” Sella asked one last time.
“I am.” Shirou replied, favoring her with a smile. Sella sighed.
“Very well. I will concede this issue. However”—she added, glaring at the doctor—“you will be the only person to handle these, and if you abuse my charge's trust in you then you shall regret it. Do I make myself plain?” the elder homunculus asked, red eyes boring a hole through the doctor's own.
“I swear, I swear!” he declared immediately. “I'll run all the tests myself and destroy them right after.” he offered. The intensity of the woman's glare lessened slightly.
“Very well. Proceed.” she invited stiffly. Deciding not to risk her changing her mind again, Heaven Canceller quickly swabbed his patient's wrist and collected his samples.
“Thank you very much for your trust.” he added. “I promise this is for the best.” he said as he filled the last vial and placed a frog-themed bandage on Shirou's arm. “Now, all that's left is to schedule your first resonance scan. What time would be good for you folks?” he asked.
A few minutes of scheduling later, the doctor had shown them to the door.
“By the way, if either of you two want a checkup as well all you have to do is ask.” he offered the other two ladies. “I imagine you in particular might benefit.” he mentioned to Sella.
“We will see.” the maid replied shortly.
“Wouldn't that be very expensive?” Sakura inquired.
“Oh. Well there might have normally been some expense, but Aleister is paying this one's medical bills,” he said, indicating Shirou, “and I figured I'd just add you two to the tab as well.”
“...Are you allowed to do that?” she asked, slightly shocked. Heaven Canceller snorted.
“He's my friend, not my master. If he wants to drag me into one of his schemes like this I figure hitting him in his wallet a little is perfectly justified.” he replied wryly. Shirou's smile widened. “Well, it's been a pleasure ladies. Let me know if you want those checkups.” the doctor concluded.
'It actually has been.' Shirou mused in surprise. Apparently even Crowley had a goodhearted friend. Who knew?
“Oh! Almost forgot!” the doctor declared, rummaging around in his coat and pulling out a lollipop with that same frog character on the wrapper. “For being such a good patient.” he declared, presenting Shirou with the candy who accepted it numbly as the doctor ruffled her hair and marched back down the hall. She turned to look at Sella and Sakura who were suddenly very interested in the walls and making suspicious wheezing sounds.
'I take it back. I hate him.' Shirou fumed as she pocketed the stupid candy and marched irritably back to the stairs.
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At the Tsuchimikado residence...
Tsuchimikado Maika was concerned about her brother. He'd gone out to help some transfer students that were new to the area a couple of days before. He was so nice like that, going out of his way to help people when he didn't have to. After he'd returned though, he'd sequestered himself in his “study room” and hadn't come out for supper. Then she'd had to bring him his next two meals there as well, he was so absorbed in his work. She'd finally managed to lure him out by preparing a meal just like they taught her in maid school, fixing everything just the way he liked it. He'd smiled and thanked her as sincerely as always...then went right back into his room.
“Did he leave some project to the last minute or something?” she wondered to herself.
“A @#$*ing Heroic Spirit?! What the $%^@?!” her brother's voice exclaimed loudly. Her cheeks puffed up. It was one thing to get frustrated with a difficult assignment, but another entirely to use such language in her house. Rolling up her sleeves, she marched down the hallway to give him a piece of her mind.
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Later that night...
'Finally.' she thought, running her fingers along the material of the covering fondly. 'It's only been two days, but that's already far too long...' she mused before dragging the material away and exposing the vehicle underneath and resting her hand upon the seat.
“Why they didn't use you during the War is beyond me...” she murmured softly so as not to wake the others as she admired the powerful machine. It may not have been a pegasus, but it had carried not one, but two Heroic Spirits to great victories now. If that didn't make it worthy of being called a Noble Phantasm, then she didn't know what would. She'd taken to riding this charger at nights when the rest of her family was asleep. Since she herself had no need of sleep, and in fact preferred to avoid it entirely, it was an arrangement that worked well. She'd never been asked any questions about where she got the money for fuel and maintenance, and she preferred it that way.
She fidgeted with the keys longingly, but ultimately decided against it. Sella had erected some bounded fields almost immediately after they arrived, but she was still not completely convinced of their new home's safety. No, for now she would stand guard every night until she was certain of Sakura's safety in this new environment. After that? She smiled sensuously as she replaced the covering.
“Soon.” Rider promised, leaving the Yamaha V-Max in the garage as she turned off the lights and reentered the interior of their new home.
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Originally Posted by Xamusel
