A Better Life

Pairing: Ritsuka (female) x Ana (Medusa)

Genre: Friendship

Disclaimer: I do not own the Fate series or any of its characters.

Author's Note: Let's just say…I wasn't motivated until I saw a few clips of Ana. XD Hehe! So that's what made me write this little sequel. Hope you all enjoy.

It's been about a week since Ana was welcomed to Camelot. Ritsuka-chan and the gang got along very well with her. Jalter LIly's got a new playmate, Quetz has a "little sister" to take care of and pretty much everyone else has been giving her so much love.

For Ana, it was like a dream come true. Ritsuka-chan has no idea how much it meant to her though. No one knows the whole story about the little girl. All they know is her name. Not where she came from or who she is. And as the days went by, Ritsuka-chan has become more and more curious.

Like right now, she notices Ana sitting alone in the dining room, eating her favorite sweets. She casually walks toward her and lightly taps her on the shoulder.

"Excuse me~" she says. "Is this seat taken~?"

Ana looks up at the cute red-head and then back at her butter cake she's holding. "Um...no...you can sit."

Ritsuka sits down and shifts herself to face the little girl. "Are you having a good time here? It sounds like you're doing well."

"Yes. All the people here are nice," Ana says quietly. "Quetz is being super affectionate though."

"That's just how she is~" the cute red-head says. "She's a self-proclaimed big sister after all~"

Ana lowers her head, her hood hiding her face. "Better than how MY older sisters treat me..."

"I'm sorry, what's that?"

"nothing," Ana says, looking back at the red-head.

Ritsuka-chan scoots closer to her. "Hey, if you want to spend more time with us...how about coming with me?"

"Huh?" the hooded little girl questions.

"You don't have a master, do you?" the red-head asks. "I want you to explore the world with me instead of being cooped up in the castle. I bet Lancer Saber would agree."

Ana turns toward her favorite food, staring at it. Then she takes the last few bites. "Fujimaru...it's not that simple..."

"Oh? Is there something on your mind?"

"Please excuse me." Ana jumps off the chair and dashes off, leaving a stunned red-head staring at her back.

Ritsuka does not understand her behavior at all. Is she afraid of something?

Later, Ritsuka is pacing down the hall, rubbing her chin in thought. What could possibly be wrong with Ana? It's been a week since she's been here. And everyone got along with her. Mash notices her sempai deep in thought, so she trots toward her to see what's wrong.

"You okay, Sempai?" she asks.

"Oh, Mash," the red-head looks back. "I'm fine. It's just...Ana is keeping something from me. From all of us, I believe."

"Yeah, I would agree," the violet haired girl rubs her chin as well. "I didn't even think about asking her some personal questions. She looked like she was having a good time before."

"Mash...I asked her if she could join our group to go exploring," Ritsuka-chan says, truthfully. "She kinda wandered off after I said it. I don't know what it is, but it sounded like something was on her mind."

"Hmmmm...the only person that could help us is Her Highness herself," Mash says.

Ritsuka-chan nods in agreement. "You're right. Let's go to Lancer Saber and see what she says."

*Later*

At Artoria's chambers, Ritsuka and Mash were sitting on the blonde's bed while the King herself was told the news. She is rubbing her chin in thought.

"I see," she says. "Ana's been keeping a big secret from you, hasn't she?"

"We just want to know the truth," Mash says. "We want to know why she's acting that way."

The Lion King closes her eyes and pulls a chair to sit in front of the two. "Okay. I will tell you everything. First off: her name isn't really Ana. She's actually Medusa, the littler version of her adult self. She came from a world where she was bullied by her two older sisters, so she ran away and wandered around to find a home. That's where Merlin found her and took her to my place. I decided to have her be under my care and protection. Because of her trauma, she doesn't trust anyone."

Ritsuka-chan gapes at the story she heard from the King. It's so sad to hear such a tale. Probably why Ana muttered something about her older sisters treating her unfairly compared to Quetz.

The red-head jumps off the bed with a fist pumped. "I'm going to talk with Ana. She needs to know something."

"I'm going with you!" Mash volunteers. "You're not alone in this. Ana needs more love than she could ever dream."

Artoria gives a nod of approval. "I'm sure she'd be very happy to know the two of you care so much."

Ritsuka nods as well. "Cause we love her, you know? I'll talk to you soon, Lancer Saber. Thank you for listening."

With that, the Master and Servant exit the chambers with Artoria smiling.

*Ana's Room*

The little violet haired cutie is sitting in her own bed, looking down at the floor, thinking about what Ritsuka had said to her earlier. She may not admit it, but actually exploring with Ritsuka and the gang would be very fun. However, since she's under the protection of Lancer Saber, she feels safe and secure. Away from all the drama happening in her own world.

She is thankful to have gained a new "big sister" that is Quetz. But other than that, she doesn't want to get involved with humans or other goddesses.

Suddenly, she hears a couple knocks on the door.

"Ana? It's me, Fujimaru!" Ritsuka calls.

"Can we come in? We want to speak with you!" Mash adds.

Ana hesitates for a moment.

"Ana?" Ritsuka knocks on the door a couple more times.

The violet haired cutie sighs softly and jumps away from the bed to reach the door and answer it.

"Come in..." she says quietly.

Ritsuka and Mash let themselves in and sit on the bed. The redhead pats her own lap to beckon the little girl to come forward.

"This is really important," she says. "So if you don't mind, you can sit on my lap."

Ana hesitates again before nodding slowly and cautiously accepts Ritsuka's invitation. The redhead tenderly picks her up to place her on her lap, like a mother would to a toddler.

"Listen, we heard everything from Lancer Saber," Ritsuka says. "And you know what? You are in a better place. Far from where you ran away. Also, you got me and Mash and the rest of us. No one's going to harm you in any way."

"Please, be with us," Mash says, scooting closer to her sempai. "Give us a chance. We won't be like those who mistreated you. That's a promise."

"Fujimaru..." Ana stares at the smiling redhead.

"I won't force you if you don't want to," Ritsuka says. "But just to let you know...we love you very much. We like to have you as part of the family, you know? Besides, Quetzalcoatl treats you like a little sister."

"We're the family you really need," Mash says.

A single tear falls from Ana's face. She buries her head against Ritsuka's bosom and embraces her tightly. "Family...a wonderful...loving family...like you..."

The redhead gives a gentle smile and strokes her hood. "Yes...we are your one and only loving family, Ana. Never forget that."

Looking up, Ritsuka gives a toothy grin while Mash giggles. They have comforted Ana and be at ease. There is nothing to fear anymore now that the two of them are there for her always. They will protect and care for her as best they can. Ana is now free.