Upon getting hints from Taiga that this city is periodically no-good, he investigated. Police Files, records, everything.
(Squalo makes the same conclusion when he snooped around much later)
It does not paint a good picture.
"Hey kids, I had a talk with Taiga earlier." he said during dinner. A dinner of what's basically food porn in his eyes.
"What is it?" Shirou asked him.
"Do you know that this city tends to blow up every sixty years, plus murders and disappearances?"
"Don't know." said Shirou.
"That's news to us," said Haru. "I don't think tousan knows either…"
"He probably didn't." said Reborn, having no clue how WRONG he was. "He quit his job nine years before he came to Fuyuki with his wife five years ago. She was among the casualties of the Shinto Explosion." That was clearly news to the kids by their expressions. "For now, since 1994 marked the sixty year count, the next sixty years would be around 2054. You guys will have your grandkids move out before the periodic shitstorm comes again." he said. "Apparently according to Taiga, her grandfather Raiga lived through two periodic disasters of Gas Explosions, Disappearances and Murders. Age 11 and 71 respectively. Are you going to be fine with that knowledge, knowing your grandchildren and their children will put up with that crap once while you deal with it twice?"
The kids gulped, looking at each other.
"But...we have nowhere else to go," said Haru glumly. "We don't know anyone else either and father left us the house, we can't just leave it…"
"Well for now it's safe to live here but after 55 years you and your families scram to safety. It's always best to have contingency plans than none when you need it most. Make plans A-Z in life, that's my motto." Reborn told the kids.
"Ahh…" the kids stared at him childishly.
That night, Reborn kept watch over the house while filing a report using a Leon-Laptop.
Photos of Haru in various shots taken using Leon, and his observations of the last pure Vongola Child.
Haru is a princess. Literally in regards to personality, mannerisms and choice of wear. Thankfully not spoiled, not bratty, selfish, etc. She's in fact, sweetly-endearing and innocent. However, her brother's cooking can make other cooking seem blander in comparison; nothing short of a first-rate chef can satisfy her now. He may have to ask Shirou for home cooking cookbooks for her mother. Well, for his own use too by the way.
School, the next day...
The two siblings attended the same elementary school, Yotsubashi Elementary. He hasn't had a chance to talk to Shirou alone yet.
The opportunity came when they came home on the third day, and Haru took to tending to her garden.
He also can forewarn Shirou that there will be guests soon.
"Shirou," said Reborn, "Can you cook for about nine more people tonight?"
"Eh? What for?" Shirou blinked.
"It's about Haru's family," said Reborn.
"Eh? But we're both orphans!" Shirou choked out. "If she has family, why did they never come until now?"
"Because we found her recently." said Reborn grimly. "She was kidnapped five years ago after nearly-killing her mother and brought here to be sold to a third-party." Shirou took to an ashen pallor. "I'm in fact, here to guard her until the relatives come, but what I know of Kiritsugu is indeed, the truth," he said. "Same line of work, but I know of him through grapevine and intel digging. Never met him personally." he said. "Oh yes, I took to stocking up the pantry while you kids are at school. I also purchased meat since these guys don't like fish much. Work your magical kitchen fingers kid… you have a bright future as a chef getting Michelin Awards in no time flat."
Shirou sputtered, embarrassed. "I'm not that good!"
"Oh yeah? Try eating in a diner or a restaurant. Their cooking is bland compared to yours. Kiritsugu has no idea he lucked out adopting a son with prodigious chef skills." Reborn chuckled. "You'll learn the truth about Haru when they come."
'A-are they going to separate us?" Shirou asked anxiously. "She's all I have… I promised pops I'd protect her!" he stammered worriedly. "She's my only reason to live."
His desperation in not wanting to be separated from his sister, was abnormal and his eyes alone worried the hitman.
Good guardian attitude but isn't that going too far? Reborn thought. "Shirou, what happened? No boy would talk like you do… it feels more than just separation-anxiety."
"... pops…" Shirou deflated. 'He likened me to a sword."
"A sword?"
"Since I left the hospital… I felt so empty but at the same time, I desperately wanted something. Something to do. Especially being useful." said Shirou. "It ate at me. It gnawed at me." he choked out. "There were times I wanted to scratch my chest and throat out because it's that deep. Pops and I wondered if this was no thanks to that fire that I became what I am now… so he told me that my reason to live will be Haru. Taking care and protecting her until the day we have our own families, that way my new purpose will be my wife and children to shift my needs on. Pops began training me in martial arts by training my body first."Shirou didn't dare speak of sorcery. "And months before he died, I learned to use guns. Fujimuras supplied the bullets of course." Shirou snorted as Reborn raised an eyebrow. "If Fuji-nee knew she'll have a cow." he chuckled sadly.
"But I was happy. The feeling went away now that I have a purpose. If Haru will be taken from me I don't know what I'd do… that feeling is unbearable… excruciating." Shirou grimaced. "I don't want to feel it ever again. I'm Haru's sword and she's my wielder… I can't be without her."
That's one nasty souvenir from trauma. Reborn thought darkly. That's something he wouldn't want to have himself. Poor kid for being tormented with it. He's essentially a Knight with a desperate need for a master. Even worse as she's his Sky so the Guardian Bond amplified those feelings no doubt.
What a problem.
In the rebuilt Hyatt Hotel…
The ninth generation and Iemitsu just finished talking to the Fujimuras when they got mail from Reborn.
"Ah, Reborn sent mail." said Schnitten as he kept watch on his Boss' computer.
"Hm? What's he say?" Ganauche III asked him.
"He says that it's impossible to separate Shirou from Haru. It goes beyond Guardian Bonds." said Schnitten. "His trauma from the Fuyuki Fire caused him to develop a hunger for a purpose, that Kiritsugu Emiya likened him to a sword. A sword that should be wielded by his master. Emiya told him that his purpose is to protect and care for his sister to stave off that hunger and painful itch until the day comes he can 'shift' it to his family when he marries." he said. "When Reborn gave hints as to what we'll be there for… the kid took on a disturbing expression no kid should have, while terrified of losing Tsunayoshi." he grimaced. "Losing Tsunayoshi would mean he'll lose his anchor to stave off his trauma."
"I guess it's a good thing that to earn Tsunayoshi's good side, Nana and I agreed to adopt the kid till he had to move out…" Iemitsu winced. "Just what the hell is going on with this city anyway? I think the explosions every sixty years that cover up crimes of murders and kidnappings… something's up but if even Reborn of all people can't find a clue… this is bigger than the Cosa Nostra. For now 55 years to go until all hell breaks loose again so the 60-year period is a period of peace wherein on the same date on the 60th year… people disappear or are killed. It's like they're waiting for the city to repopulate for some grisly purpose."
"Indeed… something more terrible is afoot… and we're better off not stepping foot in it." Timoteo looked at his ring. "The carved souls within the ring feel the same way… and mother is the loudest." he took a deep breath before taking on a stern gaze. "We better take Tsunayoshi and Shirou-kun out of this city but they have a strong attachment to the house Emiya left them. So we'll just have to make sure that house stays theirs just to give them comfort."
"Ah…" Iemitsu however, doesn't like the fact that another man replaced him as a father in his amnesiac daughter's heart and all her memories of her parents are gone .
"Oh yeah, Reborn also said we should drop by dinnertime." Schnitten added. "Shirou's cooking is apparently to die for he highly praises it that his future as a chef is very bright if not for his situation. He went as far as grocery shopping to make sure we have dinner there and just for the kid to cook it."
"Hooo?"
"Well, he's not exaggerating… right...?" Iemitsu blinked. "He's known to troll many people around…"
"He had better not because a kid in a kitchen? Really?" Coyote scoffed. "For all I know he's the one cooking and passing it off as the kid's work."
Ahhh, culture clash, a pain at times.
Japanese kids learn to cook starting at age 10.
"It's really rare that you're letting me help out in the kitchen," said Haru in amusement.
"I'm still not letting you anywhere near knives until you're 11." said Shirou firmly. "You're cooking without knives until then!"
"Hai hai~!"
Reborn watched, amused as Haru is helping make the courses according to Shirou's instructions. The most she is allowed, is putting things together that's already prepared.
But still, what a boy, he thought, amazed.
Such skill with knives he's easily a specialist in bladed weapons.
"Hey Shirou…" he called out. "I'd like you to demonstrate knife throwing after dinner later alright?"
"Huh? OK."
"I'll prepare a target board outside." Reborn left the kitchen.
"... oniichan… he seems to know some of your skills…" Haru said, twitching. She's fully-aware that Shirou, due to his extremely-specialized talents, is taught how to be a mercenary capable of killing.
"Well, I accidentally spilled…" said Shirou sheepishly. "But not about the last one…"
"It had better not or I'll have to do emergency procedure OK?" Haru sighed. "Tousan is very strict about that one."
"Yeah… oh yeah, Haru…" Shirou piped up.
"What is it?"
"If something surprising happens… what will you do?"
'Hmm… it depends on what type of surprise it is."
"It's about something that knows us coming back to get us."
"If so, don't you think they should have done that sooner? Yet we lived with tousan for five years now…" Haru frowned. "What brought this on?" she asked, looking at her older brother who looked thoughtful.
"... Reborn's here on behalf of your family… they've got guys looking for you for years." Haru nearly tripped. "You were kidnapped and taken to Fuyuki five years ago, and your mother nearly killed from being gunned down. But in a twisted way, the fire saved you from the kidnappers like Karma happened. Your family's been looking for you for years."
"E-ehhh… b-but what about you?" Haru stammered, "I can't leave you here all alone!" she cried in dismay. Shirou looked just as distressed. "Bad enough we lost tousan!" and she's fully-aware why her brother needs her. For some reason she can't cure his trauma. Something was in her way.
"I don't want to lose you either… but if they separate us… I don't know what I'd do…" Shirou said shakily, terrified at the idea. Haru put the Crostini down and embraced her brother.
"I can always… do adjustments you know… that way we won't be separated until the day we marry some guy and some girl." she said softly.
Shirou clung hard to her desperately, pressing her against his own body.
"Until then… you're mine."
"Un. I know." Haru looked up to Shirou who placed his mouth on hers. She let him in by opening her own mouth and Reborn's jaws dropped when he saw… two kids knowing how to kiss like adults. With tongue caresses even and they go at it like seasoned pros!
He was stunned, shocked and freaked out.
Just what the fuck did Emiya teach these kids?! "Haru? Shirou?!" the kids sprang apart, startled. "What, are you doing?" he asked, clearly angry.
"W-well you saw what we're doing…" said Haru awkwardly, squirming at his gaze.
"Who, taught you how to kiss? Kiritsugu?"
"Tousan would never do that." said Shirou, defending Kiritsugu's memory hotly before deflating. "I-it just happened one day…"
"Hooo?" Reborn had his arms crossed. Last he checked, stuff like this should happen at at least, 14 years old, legal in their society(but looked down on in the surface world)!
"Tousan's death was inevitable… he won't let me fix him at all… we were so upset with losing our only parent even if he just adopted us…" said Haru. "Then next thing we know… we began kissing each other that way…" she said, twirling a lock of her hair awkwardly.
"And it's comforting… it makes the bad feelings go away." said Shirou glumly. "We just hold each other like you saw and kiss. Tousan doesn't know since by that time… he was bedridden, blinded and rendered invalid by whatever heck he's got. It was after he called his lawyer and Raiga-jiisan to arrange things to ensure we get the house and his money so we'll be OK."
"I see… Well, don't do that again! Just hug each other for comfort is more than sufficient, you don't have to do that until you've got actual boyfriends and girlfriends." Reborn grumbled. "Well, back to cooking kids. I think I'm staying here." he said firmly with a glare. "... do you two have romantic feelings for each other?"
"NO!" they both yelled, red-faced.
"I know what we did is wrong because we're siblings but we can't help it… so we firmly decided kissing is just to make the bad things go away.. .but nothing more!" Shirou sputtered as Haru nodded furiously. "It's weird for siblings to date anyway!"
"It's weird since day one!" Haru huffed. "B-besides, we have type-preferences! Oniichan likes hard-to-get ones while I'm not picky as long as they're kind boys… tousan would tell me I should pick one who can make my heart flutter… come to think of it, I heard you're pursuing Asano-san in your class?" she said sheepishly. "Does she make your heart go fluffy oniichan?"
Awkward...
At least they really DON'T have romantic feelings… growing up siblings pretty much stamped it down but still… what made them think of THAT as a freaking coping mechanism?!
Soon, the promised time came. The doorbell rang.
"They're here." said Reborn as they put the food on the table.
"Hiii…" Haru shook as Reborn left.
Her real father and relatives are here?
"Ciaossu." Reborn greeted, letting them in.
"How are the kids?" Iemitsu asked him.
"They got a clue on what's going to happen… and are terrified of being separated," said Reborn. "Having recently lost Kiritsugu, they're freaking out with this." and they had no idea how the brats cope when severely stressed and pressured. "So how did you plan on dealing with the issue?"
"Well… Nana and I made a decision before we flew here." said Iemitsu. "And considering Shirou is her guardian… not like we can separate them anyway for long." he said. "We felt that adopting Shirou until the day he moves out will somewhat earn us brownie points and I can't believe I just said that!" he moaned. "She's our daughter to begin with!"
"... it's a long road, Iemitsu." said Timoteo. "Well, let's look forward to dinner and… is that a weird anatomy board I see over there?"
"That's useful for later." Reborn quipped.