Harry Potter & the Shipgirls

[darthcourt10]

Kab2

At the same time that four Kamis were discussing about their faith in the little army that went into the bunker, a lonely figure reached its entrance:

"Sorry" said the only member of the Oni Guard that remained outside "But this area is off limits, you can't go inside"

"Even if I have pending matters with two of their guests?"said the figure.

"Oda Kotegiri-Sama's orders, she is taking care of this matter as well as Tsubaki-Sama"

"I see" said the woman visibly relaxing "I suppose I am late to the party, would you mind if I wait here in the case something tries to go out?"

"Make yourself at home, Doujigiri-Sama, we can wait together for their return at the same time we wait for anything that comes at us"

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Eyes closed, Rika was silent and still. Neither her ears or tails moved behind her and one could be forgiven for believing her to be a statue. About the only thing that moved, and that was barely, was her chest. Suddenly, she opened her eyes which glowed from within with power as she made a gesture, "Go."

Around her, the four undead Samurai stood and moved. Watching that, Kaku raised an eyebrow, "You do realize how creepy that is?" At the raised eyebrow, he shrugged and made a motion with his hand, "The whole controlling undead."

Once more closing her eyes, Rika snorted, "I'm a Nekomata."

Just shaking his head, Kaku turned to Asuka with a slight frown on his face. Like him the other clan heirs had all gotten some form of self-defence training. Or ones to hone their powers. Currently, he was never so thankful that he listened to his grandfather, the Tanuki Shukaku, and learned from him. It had come into handy more than once.

But Asuka...

He had honestly been amazed with how she had been holding herself up thus far. It had to be exhausting for her, just like it was for the rest. But she never had the training that they had. Still... the Tengu has kept up with them, fought alongside them, and shed blood. Quite literally as she had a bandage around one arm that was slowly turning red despite Usagi and Harry using healing magic on it.

Currently, the Tengu was still like Rika and had cocked her head to the side as if listening to something only she could hear. And, Kaku reminded himself, she likely could. Tengu were masters of the wind, Daitengu especially which Asuka was half of. More than once she had guided them through a corridor of the twisting, turning maze of tunnels, only to shout moments before they were attacked. And even during their fights, she would use her new war fan to send out bursts of wind to push foes off balance.

Asuka's eyes suddenly snapped open and she frowned as she looked back the way they changed, "Something is happening in the upper levels."

Expression one of concern, Usagi looked at her even as she tied the bandage around Ayaka's leg, "Good or bad? Because activity behind us might not be good if they're going to come around."

For several moments, the Tengu was silent before she smiled a bit, "I think... I think that it's the others! They're coming for us!"

All of the other non-reincarnated teens seemed relieved, except for Harry and Natsumi. For a moment, the wizard was thoughtful before grimacing, "We need to move and end this, now."

Confused, Ayaka looked between him and a nodding Natsumi, "Wait, what? But they're coming and we can wait to meet up with them."

However, the thirteen year old shook his head, "No, because now we're going to be running on a very rapidly descending countdown." At their looks of confusion, he took a deep breath, "Whoever is controlling the undead will send all of them against the others with a rear guard. But that is just delaying, because they will be using the time bought to release what is in here."

Frowning, Okita gave him a look, "Why do you say that, Harry-San?"

Lips pressed together thinly, he shook his head, "Because it is what I would do in their place." Seeing their shocked looks, he smiled coldly, "These things are like nuclear weapons. And the usual tactics would apply, you either use them or lose them. There is no between, and if they're spiteful enough? They've already started as soon as the breach happened." He motioned around them, "You can already feel the darkness increasing, that would be the Orochi. But I suspect that the others will have been released by this point. Which is why it is important to get there and put a stop to it."

Softly snorting, Nobu shook her head some, "You're right, Harry-San. And a very good catch as you are right, it would be a viable tactic. Like you, I would do it myself in a way putting myself into their position." With a grunt, she stood up and gestured down the corridor, "We have a last stretch. Rika-San, now far?"

Just about to answer, she brought her hand to her head and hissed, "Only a few hundred meters. Something... just destroyed the undead I was using."

With a sigh, Fudo stood up, "Well, I've come this far. Like Hell I'm going to let a bunch of brats show me up... I would never be able to look Toku-Chan in the face if one of you died because of me."

The others looked at each other before they steeled their expressions and rose. Chuckling, Kaku shrugged, "Well, we'd be bad friends if we let you do all the work."

With his lips twitching as the others nodded, Harry smiled back at them, "Thanks, you guys. When we get out of this, I'll make you a bunch of treats and share with you a cold butterbeer."

Even as he got acknowledgements, Uesugi raised an eyebrow, "Butterbeer?"

Simply snorting, Fudo shook her head, "A drink that magicals from Britain came up with. Only has a bit of alcohol in it, but... what the fuck? I'll take you up on that."

Quickly reapplying the purification abilities to their weapons, Harry took a deep breath, 'Once more into the breach...'

Nearly as one, the group moved slowly through the corridor until they came to an doorway before them that looked like it was it. Behind, they could just make out light coming from glowing crystal as they looked at each other. The teens outside the Reincarnated had the thought that if this was an anime, this would be when they would charge in and perform poses with their weapons in hand.

But as it was not, instead they crept into the room and their eyes widened at the large laboratory.

In front of them was a massive room with the odd metal table here and there. As well, along the odd wall, one could see cabinets as well as other doors. Each of them grimaced a bit at one door labeled "Crematorium Disposal", as it was obvious what it was supposed to be for. However, it was what was along another wall that caught their attention as there were a series of tubes that stretched from floor to ceiling. Within said tubes was a glowing, green fluid with bones floating in them.

That said, it was the three forms in front of the tubes that really caught their attention. One of them spoke a bit, "Ah, so you have finally arrived. And with the material that is needed for completion."

Rika narrowed her eyes as she took a sniff, "You're dead..." She looked at the other two and her expression shifted to one of shock, "All of you are dead. But how...? Why...?"

One of them turned and regarded her coolly, as if she was barely worth the consideration, "We are simply obeying our orders. There is nothing more to it than that."

Another one darkly chuckled, "Oh, I don't know, in my case there is." He leered at Nobunaga and grinned somehow, "After all, I have been given a gift! Though I am surprised that you are a woman." Tilting his head, he gave a small shrug, "Or perhaps not. There was always something about you that was weak. You gave in far too easily to your emotions and were obviously too flighty to be a true leader."

Gripping the sword in her hand, the former "Unifier of Japan" tightened her grip hard enough that the hilt seemed to creak in her grasp, 'There is something that pisses me off about him... but what...?'

Beside her, Uesugi's eyes widened as she caught sight of a iron fan that hung at the side of one of the only one of the three undead that had not spoken. Her face paled and she trembled a little. Spotting that, Usagi whispered to her, "Uesugi-Chan? Are you alright?"

However, it was not fear that made Uesugi pale... but rather rage that she now felt bubbling in her blood. Looking the calm, silent spectre in the eyes, her voice barely rose above a whisper, but all of them heard it as tears gathered at the corner of her eyes, "Takeda-San... what did they do to you...?"

There was no anger, no hate, just respect in the flame that rested in Takeda Shingen's eyesockets, "Kenshin-San, it is good to see you once more." Gazing at his armoured hand, he gave a small sigh, "As to what they have done? They have brought me back as it were, I suppose. While they promised to bring me back fully, as you have been, I never did believe that it would happen."

Voice made of iron, Uesugi looked upon her old rival and despaired for him, "Why... why are you trying to bring about such evil...? The man I knew, you, would have never done such a thing."

Within his eyes was a sort of sadness, "Our will is no longer our own, I suppose. It binds us with what we want, perhaps twisting it, but my reasoning is different than the other two, my old friend. All I wanted..." Bringing out his fan, he snapped it open with the light glinting off the edges of the blades at the end of the ribs, "Has always been to face you once more in honourable combat upon the field of battle. To settle as was our way, once and for all."

Okita, for her part said nothing as she kept her gaze met that of the second one who had spoken. He regarded with some warmth and she took on various things. His voice, the rotten clothing that was the uniform of the Shinsengumi, and, finally, the metallic wires that wround around the spinal column where she could see glowing cracks. She did not want to admit it, but she knew who he was... "Hijikata-Senpai..."

The skeletal form of Hijikata Toshizo simply bowed his head a little, "Okita-Kun. It is good to see that you are in fine health still, though I am surprised at your current... state of being, I suppose. But then, was not some of the female Yokai strong? As was warriors such as Tomoe Gozen? I would think that it would not affect you much." He gave a slight nod, "Will you not join us, Okita-Kun? To bear out our oaths once more and protect Japan? The foreigners have infested our great land." He glanced at Harry, who glared back, "Sullying our land and traditions. Giving rise to the beliefs of those who fouled our land. It is because of the foreigners and the fall of the Tokugawa that such as this..." He gestured around them, "Happened. We shall enforce the original order we were given by our lord, by the Shogun with what is here. And then... raise the Tokugawa back to their proper position."

Close by, Fudo's hands shook as she listened to the words. It was only partially because of shock, and also with anger... Especially a few moments later when he turned to her, "What? Are you going to ask me the same thing?!"

Despite the fact that his face was that of a skull, the former Commander of the Shinsengumi seemed to smile, "Would you not as well, Masamune no Fudo My'oo? I know of you, met you, who fought and shed blood alongside myself and my men during the Boshin War. You agreed with Kamo and his ilk, but I know you. You only did so because it was the way you saw to bring back honour to our country."

The Masamune winced at the looks of shock on the faces of the teens as well as unsure expressions with some betrayal mixed in. Yes, she had once spoke out for them, that was true. But... but she had come to see the folly of her beliefs. And after this entire incident... it hammered home how wrong she was.

She was about to say something in her defense, as hollow as it would, when someone else did, "Oh, shut up why don't you? Honestly!" Everyone turned to Harry as he shook his head with a look of disbelief on his face, "Seriously? You're going for one of the oldest tricks in the evil villain handbook? Declaring that one of the heroes once followed you or had a dark secret and use it to put a wedge in the group! Bloody hell, you're scraping the barrel!"

The lights faded and came back as Hijikata stared at him, "I... What?"

Crossing his arms, Harry gave him a look, "Okay, look, Fudo-San here? If you're right, then she did it back in World War Two. And guess what? People change and learn from their mistakes, Mr Bones. If she was the type of person that you are suggesting, she would have turned her back on us a damn long time ago. Also?" Looking at Fudo, the wizard grinned, "There's an old English poem... 'For he who sheds blood with me on this day, shall be my brother.'" Pausing, he gave a shrug, "Or sister, as the case may be. Point remains, we trust her."

His little speech, as adhock as it was, still caused the others to straighten their backs. For a few moments, Fudo looked at Harry before turning back to the lost seeming Hijikata, "I'm afraid that I have changed, Hijikata-San. So I will not be taking your offer."

For her part, Okita shook her head as she placed her hand on her sword, "Much the same for me, Hijikata-Senpai. We swore to uphold the laws of Japan and to protect her people from any threats. You wish to unleash the threats here upon the innocent. Upon my honour as a Shinsengumi, I cannot allow for this. And if you believe otherwise..." Her gaze became hard as the steel of her sword, "Consider this my resignation."

Flames in his eyes growing small, the undead Shinsengumi gave her a look, "You realize the punishment for desertion..." Getting a nod, he placed his own hand onto his sword, "Very well."

The final guard just snorted and looked at the others, "Don't expect my reasons to be complicated. I willingly am doing this because Kamo gave me the chance for my revenge against all of Japan." He turned to Nobu, and somehow, she knew he was sneering at her, "To see the Japan you helped build be burned to the ground and all those of your blood be put to the sword as should have been. They cast me as a villain for doing what must be done..." The flames in his eyes burned brighter with hate, "For the enemy is at Honnō-ji!"

It took only moments for the former head of the Oda Clan to put it together. And when he managed to figure it out, his expression became one of pure hate and rage, "MITSUHIDE!" At the laugher from the how revealed Akechi Mitsuhide, Nobu snarled before pausing. Moments later, she was once more calm, "Heh... almost made me lose it. But then, you were always a disobedient dog, weren't you? Pissing and shitting on the Tatami mats without care. But unlike then... the quality and quantity both favour me. Here and above."

Now, if she expected anything from her former subordinate, it was anger. And it was there, along with hate, though it was more rage than anger. What she did not expect him to do was laugh and snap his fingers. From inside a doorway, a large form strode form followed by another. It was a skeleton clad in what had to be tank-grade armour styled like a Samurai's. Ghostly mist came from it's mouth and the eyes glowed malevolently as it strode forward, "Not quite, my old Lord. For unfortunately for them, our Elite Guard Will step forth and deal with some of them. Behold, the answer that Kamo-Dono's researchers came up with to the question of Grindelwald's Grendel."

About to comment, Nobu noticed Rika freeze and pale. Which told her there was more to this than a big skeleton, "Rika-San... What is it that you sense?"

What she had not expected was for the Nekomata to give a nearly hysterical giggle, "T-there's more than one soul in there! I-in fact there's a dozen at least!"

Takeda sighed and nodded, "Yes, in fact there is sixteen. Their remains ground up and mixed to form paste that would be shaped into the bones of the beings in front of you. Their souls than bound to the creations powered by their grudges with it having their collective skills. A horrific, deprived thing to create."

Harry and Natsumi both paled with the Kitsune looking like she might puke, "Oh dear Kami... Gashadokuro... they found a way to mass produce Gashadokuro in a smaller size..."

Darkly chuckling, Mitsuhide nodded, "Yes. And even as we speak, they are engaging the interlopers. There will be no interruptions for our business. Oh! And by the way, Nobunaga-Dono perhaps you should greet my personal Elite Guard..." Reaching out, he patted the one in question, "Your sons, Nobutada, Nobuhide, and your old friend, Ranmaru."

For several moments there was utter stillness and silence. As if the world had held its breath, just waiting... and then, Nobu erupted with white hot rage as she charged at Mitsuhide who drew his own sword, "MITSUHIDE!"

All the spectre did was laugh gaily as his sword clashed against his former lord's. Meanwhile, both Uesugi and Okita charged their own opponents while the other teens, Carnwennan, and Fudo dodged the attacking Gashadokuro. The two weapon spirits went one way, most of the teens another with Harry and Natsumi rolling along the ground and behind some of the metal examination tables. The Kitsune and wizard were about to start supporting their friends when they felt the hairs on their necks prickle. Reacting due to instincts from the "Lessons" from Hoshi, the two dodged a burst of fire that exploded against the metal and twisted to find a horse sized fox facing them... except instead of eyes, there was just black holes with a small flame in them. More than that, they spotted how the fox's skin hung off the frame it had and it took only moments for them to realize who and what they were facing before it spoke as it fixated on Natsumi, "MaKE uS WhoLe OnCE mOre..."

And then it leapt at them.

Fudo, meanwhile, was rushing for the teens who were facing one of the Gashadokuro as Carnwennan went after his own when movement out of the corner of her eye caused her to duck. And just in time as one of the heavy, metal tables passed through the space her head had been occupying just moments before. Looking back, she winced as it impacted the concrete hard enough to pulverize it. With a shudder, she turned to where it had come from and froze.

Mainly because standing roughly eight feet tall and nearly four feet wide in the rib cage, was a skeleton. Before her eyes, Fudo watched as another skeleton was absorbed, weakly fighting back only to still. And with cracking sounds, the skull and neck moved up to sit beside two others, one of which had become draconic and a second following. Before her eyes, the third skull began to reshape itself as three tails lashed behind the monstrosity and, from the feel, she knew what it was...

The Orochi, reborn.

Grimacing as she noticed that what looked like tendons began to form on the skeleton, as well as the bare hint of ligaments, Fudo took a deep breath, 'When I said that I wished for a day to be a hero... this was not what I meant.'

It was then that the image of Fudo My'oo on her true self and on her back shone as she channeled her power into it. Right before she charged at the monstrous shadow of the past.

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A Chat Between Parents

Castle Of Eight Banners, Takamagahara

22 June 2014
Spoiler: Final Preparations

The ink brush lifted from the rice paper, leaving behind the writer's signature and titles written in perfect kanji in vermillion ink. The writer placed his brush aside, folded the letters into origami cherry blossoms, and then sealed the written notes with His personal chop.

His attention shifted to the blond headed young woman dressed in a white ruffled silk shirt, red leather breeches, and black riding boots with a rapier at her belt standing at attention across from his writing table. She was waiting patiently next to a young man with a light brown pencil mustache and hair tied in a braided pigtail with a green silk ribbon likewise dressed in 17th Century French traveling gear. He tapped the note in front of the young woman. "This one goes to the All-Father or to His regent if he is absent."

Julie d'Aubigny curtsied in response. "Understood, sir!" Her beautiful contralto voice was filled with eagerness for the mission being given to her.

Hachiman nodded, and then turned to Jean-François du Chasteler and tapped the other message. "This to the Sky Father or his regent if absent."

Jean-François bowed just as he had to the Empress of Austria as she awarded him the title of nobility that his favorite child now bore. "At your command, Sire." His own baritone was filled with determination to perform the appointed task with honor and loyalty.

A pair of wood pigeons landed on the windowsill and cooed. Hachiman gave a satisfied smile at the message in their voices. "Tokunotakai has returned to My shrine. Good. Watch over her until the time comes for My Blades to be called upon to defend Japan. I shall arrange matters so her elder sister is available there too. Miyamoto asked for his prize pupil to have her understanding of herself and the Way to be put to the test in the battle that is to come."

Hachiman turned to the two spirits and spoke in a voice of battlefield command. "Now go. Time is becoming short before stones shall be removed from the board."

The two spirits picked up the folded messages and walked down the corridor from Hachiman's office. Julie spoke softly, "I do not know whether to be worried or to be happy that my daughter and grandchildren are not called upon for the coming battle. Verdun was terrible and I died inside as I watched Nori, Colombe, Ehren, and Ying fight their way through their foes." Her voice became contemplative and sad as they reached the stairs and began to descend. "I rode through the valley of the Meuse in springtime as a young woman. To see it turned into that was painful."

Jean-François placed a gloved hand on her shoulder and squeezed. "But they made it through. I confess I had equal concern for my favorite daughter and her children, along with no small measure of pride in them -- all four of them -- afterward for how they handled the Mill. Ma petit poissin is such a good parent for them. Although," he chuckled and shook his head as he remembered an eight-year old Colombe covered in mud and leaves from a failed attempt to pick the first apple from the tree for him when she should have been at deportment lessons, "I would never have believed it when she was growing up. So wild, so reckless, so much of a handful, and yet she did it all to try to prove herself to me, to imitate me. I do not deserve a daughter such as her, truly."

Julie gave him a warm smile, "And she would say that she did not deserve a Papa such as you to take her in to your house and then your heart, you know. She is Nori's child with me, but there is so much of you in her too. As there should be for a young dove looking up to the Poupou who taught her how to spread her wings to soar one day."

Jean-François laughed. "A touch, a veritable touch, Julie! Your wit is as swift and sharp as your blade. And I suppose that is why you get the Norse and I get the Greeks."

Julie's hand gently caressed the well worn hilt of her rapier. "They have come to see me as a warrior and a skald, so protected by guest-right when I come from a neutral Court. Although I shall no doubt draw steel for a friendly spar or three to relieve tension." Her voice became hushed as she continued, "I just hope that Norimune survives, for my daughter's sake. Even though I would be with Nori again, her death would break our child's heart since she has sought so long and so hard for acceptance from her parents. Tokunotakai too, for she completes Colombe in so many ways. Losing them would damage her so badly and she does not deserve the pain."

Jean-François rubbed his chin and stroked his pencil mustache. "As do I. I have faith that Norimune and Tokunotakai will excel when they are called upon to stand against the coming darkness. Then," his voice became solemn as they reached the courtyard where the stables were, "what must be shall be. There are worse fates than to fall in battle against a great evil in the company of your family of blood and fellowship. Even though it would wound Colombe greatly, she accepts that since she walks the same path, knowing what awaits her at the end one day too. She would eventually accept that they had no other choice but to sacrifice themselves to save those who they love."

Julie nodded as she sighed as their kirin mounts were led out for them. "I know. It still is not easy; I saw that after I died. What that did to Nori...." She trailed off and shook her head sadly before visibly perking up. "Still! We have our orders, and the other Courts do need to know what is stirring in Japan so they do not misconstrue events as a deliberate breach of the Accords if the worst happens."

With that she leapt flat-footed into the saddle of the dragon headed and scaled with deer antlers and hooves mythological beast from Asian myth. "Last one back home buys the first round!" Her cocky smug smirk was identical to that of her daughter as her favorite steed reared and kicked the air.

Jean-François mounted in turn. "You're on!" He shouted over the roar of the celestial flames enveloping his steed's body and hooves. As their steeds rocketed into the air and began to fly like paired comets toward Asgard and Olympus, the First Marquess of Moulbaix and Chasteler laughed. "That's the woman I fell for in my life. And that's the daughter I loved all over again, seeing in her the life that attracted me to you, Julie. Like a moth to the candle flame, I was. But you, you both burn so brightly against the darkness."

 

[darthcourt10]

lt_agn02

A/N: Screw it, I'm posting this. I need to get my mind off finals anyway.

Machete in hand, Thomas Cruz cleared away the vegetation in front of him. Occasionally, he checked the map he had on his person. This time around, he scratched his head at what he saw.

The standard map given to him by his Auror superiors was blank.

If it was working normally, then there was supposed to be at least a small "X" on it, indicating an individual ward of a magical community. Or a perimeter marking the boundary between the magical community and the NoMaj world.

However, the so-called "map" displayed literally nothing. No path, no mountain, not even a shoreline. It was as useless as, well, an old piece of blank paper.

Maybe taking this assignment in Hawaii was a bad idea after all.

It was supposed to be a simple letter delivery! How the heck did he end up in a God-forsaken location in the Wild West of the ICW?



"I'm sure you're aware of Hawaii's status in the ICW, correct?" his superior officer asked.

"I'm aware that we get a lot of alerts from there regarding their magical creatures and wizards," he responded. "If I recall correctly, because of the difficulty of policing it, we are having the state's magical government deal with it."

"Putting pressure on them, anyway. But that's the issue," he responded. "We recently received word from Senator Graham of Hawaii's magical government that there is a possibility that there is a relatively unknown entity acting on its own accord." He handed Cruz a sealed letter. "Because of the Abyssals, they're unable to take direct action against them. Honestly? I don't blame them. If I was a starving NoMaj and my neighbor came by with excess fruit from their trees, I wouldn't complain either. But the fact that Hawaii survived a two year siege is going to raise eyebrows."

"Shall I get the portkey and an Auror unit ready?"

The director waved him off. "No need for that. It's too late to punish people and if we were to take any sort of overt action, we'd be in over our heads. Don't forget: the deities are very...protective of their territory. I am not letting one of my good men get thrown to the sharks because they pissed off the wrong deity."

Cruz gulped.

"Now then, that aside, I burned a few favors for some information. Do not let it go to waste, okay?" The man handed the Auror a notebook with a few directions on it along with a map. "My sources tell me that what the Hawaii senator says might not be too far off. There are people that go missing while hiking and we have strong suspicions that there might be Native Hawaiian wizards at work. Take the letter to their leader or whoever is the highest authority figure there. If we were to keep the Statute of Secrecy intact at least a little while longer, we need to at least wrangle their cooperation."

"Understood, sir."



That was what he said back at the office, but now was a different story. Finding a rock to rest on, he pulled out his water jug and his wand. At the very least, he should replenish his water supply.

"Aquari."

It was a simple spell he learned as a youth. A steady stream of water flowed from his wand to his water jug.

At least, that was supposed to happen. He shook his wand and chanted the spell again. Still nothing. Again and again, he chanted, but nothing came of it. Even in a fit of rage, he tried burning the now-useless map with an angry "Incindio!"

Yet the map still sat uselessly on the log waiting for him to collect it and put it back in his pocket.

He groaned as he sat back down on the rock. No magic. No food. No water. The map was useless. It's approaching nightfall.

Some simple assignment this was.

Groaning, he collected his gear and stuffed them into his backpack as best he could. With magic disappeared to God knows where, he had no hope of being able to retrieve his tent before dark.

That was when he noticed the array of shadows in front of him.

Turning around, he found no less than seven men with spears. Like a well-oiled machine, they all brandished their weapons and pointed them at Cruz's throat.

"Uh...fellas? You're not here with a tent, are you?"

Suddenly, his vision went dark as the bag was placed over his head.

By the time he regained consciousness, there were already stars shining in the night sky. He scrambled to his feet, only to be forced into a bowing position with his head almost kissing the ground in front of him.

"Do not lay eyes on the chief," a voice beside him said. "Do so, and you will die."

A whimper escaped his mouth. Nobody said anything about dying!

Another voice, one the Auror could discern as the chief among them, spoke up. "Thank you for bringing him here. Now then, outsider, you are dressed very oddly for a simple hike, aren't you? From the look of your clothes, I assume you may be an Auror from the mainland. I see I was not wrong in declaring magic as kapu during council meetings."

"K-Kapu?"

The chief rested on his spear, yet maintained a regal presence. "Kapu. Forbidden. You cannot use magic of any sort within the perimeter.. Every single person here is no different than a common NoMaj. But I suppose you have a reason you're here, are you not? You wouldn't have wandered this far within the hu'a kapu otherwise."

"I-I bring a message...from MACUSA," Cruz stated, trying to be as calm as possible. Slowly, he fished the letter out of his pocket and placed it on the ground in front of him.

The ali'i looked down at the kowtowing Auror and grimaced. Using a feather quill from a mynah bird tail, he wrote a curt reply to the letter and handed it back to the Auror.

"I refuse," he stated. "We have no reason to ally ourselves with you."

"If I may ask, why?" The man could just feel one of the guards lowering a spear to his neck. "...S-Sir?"

"Your superiors seek cooperation and mutual respect. If you truly wish to work with us, you must show yourselves worthy of respect. However, you have done nothing to deserve it and everything to lose it." The man returned to his seat. "As it stands, if the NoMaj government were to declare war on MACUSA, then we shall ensure that you die by their shells or our spears."

"Please, sir," begged Cruz. "We suspect the Statute of Secrecy may be on the verge of collapse. We only need your help to give us time to establish some sort of transition period."

The chief glared at him. "And force us to stop assisting those in need? To leave the Kama'aina to die from hunger?"

"I-I'm not saying that specifically...working with the State magical…"

The sound of a speer striking stone made the Auror clench both his jaw and his sphincter.

"I want nothing to do with MACUSA's puppet government," the chief replied. "They give us nothing, not even a voice. Therefore, we owe them nothing. We only do what we must to make sure our own magical traditions survive." He looked down at the Auror. "And do not speak of the bullshit that is Huna. It is as Hawaiian as pineapple pizza."

"Pineapple...Hold on, how do you know about that?!"

The chief crossed his arms. "If you honestly believe we continue to hole up in this dead magic zone for decades on end, we have a bridge to sell you. We are just a part of society as any Kama'aina on these lands." From where he knelt, Cruz could see the faintest hint of a smirk on the chief's face. "Tell me, Auror, do you have wifi?"

"What is…'wifi'?"

At that, he heard a small outburst of chuckling from the spearmen around him.

"And MACUSA calls us the backwards ones. After MACUSA got involved in the overthrow of the kingdom, we had nowhere to go. We had no reservations like Native Americans had. So we integrated into NoMaj society. We improvised. We adapted. We overcame. And now, after everything MACUSA has put us through, you have the audacity to come here, hat in hand, asking us for help? Tell your superiors this: If they sincerely want our cooperation to keep their own heads attached to their necks, then bring back to life every single man, woman, and child they unjustly executed for simply opposing the overthrow of our queen. Without turning them into undead!"

"That's impossible!!" the prostrated man shouted as best he could.

"And there you have our answer," the ali'i stated calmly. "As much as I prefer to avoid pressing personal matters, MACUSA killed my father. If your people somehow get it into your heads to use force, then we shall assume it is a declaration of war and respond accordingly. NOW BEGONE FROM MY SIGHT!"

Thomas Cruz felt the bag slip over his head again and everything went to black once more.

When he awoke, the sun had already risen. The response to the letter was clasped in his hands. As much as he wanted to investigate further, he dusted himself off and ran downhill. The sooner he delivered the letter and got the hell out of Hawaii, the better.

'I'm never coming to Hawaii for work again!' he grumbled.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Crouching some, Itami had the stock of his own rifle against his shoulder as his group and the First Oni Guard cleared one of the corridors. When a corner came up, he made some hand signals and whipped around it, rifle firing at one of the skeletal guards and riddling it with holes. A second had its upper portion cease to exist as Tsubaki fires her shotgun at it. With both destroyed, the two motioned for their subordinates to move down the corridor with both directions. Taking a moment, Itami moved his earbud and wiggled his finger in his ear, "Damn, those shotguns are loud."

Amused, Tsubaki looked at him with a smirk on her face, "Why do you think that we call them the Raijin Shotgun? They bring the thunder and are for Oni." Shifting a bit, she frowned, "This place is giving me the creeps though. And right now..."

Slowly, the human beside her nodded, "Feels like a storm has been building up and is about to break." Hearing shouting come over the radio as well down one of the corridors, Itami groaned, "And here comes the shoe."

Rifle held to his shoulder, he aimed down the corridor as gunfire erupted and waited. Of all things he did not expect, it was for both the Oni and human shoulder to looked panicked...

Nor was it for the massive nearly twelve foot tall skeleton clad in what looked like Samurai armour to come striding out behind them with what looked like a cleaver sized for it in one hand.

Beside him, Tsubaki boggled a bit, "What the fuck-"

Even before she finished the sentence, they were rushing towards the fight as were those around them. Of the two fleeing the skeleton, the human was faster and, as the Oni turned, it was met by the fist of the monstrosity impacting his head and sending him skidding along the dirty floor about a dozen feet. Noticing that the Oni was stunned and barely moving, the human soldier turned and got between him and the giant skeleton, firing his rifle to buy time for another Oni to grab the downed one. Instead of the armoured body though, the human aimed for the skull and was rewarded as it stumbled back a step.

It was not to last as the stunned Oni finally was dragged enough away as he recovered to see the skeleton move and seemingly blur until it was feet away from the human as it raised it's weapon. Already knowing he was about to die, said human raised his rifle to block... Only for the cleaver to cut through it, and cut him in half from shoulder to hip.

Eyes wide, Itami shouted at seeing the man die in front of him as blood gushed from the man's corpse, "Bakuda!"

Meanwhile, seeing a human sacrifice his life for one of their own sent the Oni into a rage as they charged and fired. The sheer amount of firepower hitting the giant skeleton made it stumble back several feet as sparks flew from impacts against the armour. Those slugs that hit the face splintered bone and sent small splinters flying...

Yet it did not fall.

Rather, it weathered the bullets striking it. Even as some of the other human soldiers fired grenades at it, all that did was make it stumble. Then, the firepower slackened as Tsubaki got into range and brought up her cut down tatsubo before smashing it into the monster's helm with a roar. In reply, it brought it's cleaver around and was blocked by the daughter of Shuten Douji. Sparks flew as the two fought, the Oni driving it back through sheer strength. A head butt from the monster caused her head to ring, while a punch from her knocked the helm off before she brought at club around and smashed it into said exposed skull, staggering it.

Gritting his teeth, Itami noticed that the two were evenly matched before he noticed something at Bakuda's corpse before grabbing some tape from his belt, "Bakuda... you magnificent bastard... never listening to me."

Down the hallway, Tsubaki stumbled as her head rang like a bell from a punch to it. She still managed to block the cleaver going for her throat though with her club, only for it to get knocked out of her hand. Next thing she felt was the monster skeleton's hand grip her throat and smash her her first into the concrete ceiling hard enough to crack said material and making her black out for a second. That was, until the pain of being slammed into the wall and leaving in an imprint brought her back to consciousness. Moments later, she was flying down the hallway and hit the ground hard as the creature crouched even as some of the others took potshots... before there was shouting.

To her stunned amazement, something in green leapt onto the back of the creature as it moved only for it to resolve into the form of Itami hanging on for dear life as the skeleton thrashed. He shoved something into the chest of the monster through the hole behind the first rib. Unfortunately, that was when the skeleton managed to grab him and toss him, "Itami!"

For Itami, when he slammed into the wall, his world exploded into pure pain and agony. He could feel something give way in his side and taste copper on his mouth as the breath was driven from his lungs. As well, he could feel his arm practically shatter from the impact... yet, despite that, he was smiling through bloody teeth. Raising his hand, he revealed a wire tied around a metal hoop, "Go back to Yomi... you son of a bitch..."

Inside the miniature Gashadokuro, the grenade went off... as did the claymore mine it was taped to.

Even through the hearing protection they wore, the explosion was loud. Contained by the armour, the effects were boosted as the grenade and C4 of the mine shattered bone and rent armour. Following the paths of weakness, the explosion ripped down both legs and arms, with the metal pellets going in the one direction they could as they richochet inside the steel drum that was the chest cavity.

And that was up and out of the neck, practically shattering the skull.

Yet, despite all the damage, it still did not fall and swayed in place as it stumbled a bit into the wall. Snarling around the blood that dropped from her forehead, Tsubaki grabbed her sidearm and brought it up, "HANDGUNS! KILL THAT FUCKER!"

Moments later, she fired and was joined by the other Oni as the .600 nitro slugs slammed into the monster, punching through the weakened armour. The JGSDF soldiers added their own rifles to the firepower brought to bear. Even as tough as it was, the miniature Gashadokuro slid down the wall, no one letting out firing on it until it collapsed.

But even then, the Oni brought out their clubs and hammered it until nothing remained but broken splinters of bone.

Hissing, Tsubaki glanced at a groaning Itami and stumbled to her feet. By the time she reached him, one of the human medics as well as an hannya medic were already there and doing their best to heal him, "How bad?"

Barely glancing at her, the hannya shook her head, "Shattered his arm, broke three ribs... maybe some spinal damage. Going to stabilize him and have one of the guys get him out on a shield to limit the damage as well as..."

She glanced towards Bakuda who laid in a pool of his blood. Slowly, Tsubaki nodded, "He will be honoured for what he did... you have my word."

Moments later, she watched as the Oni that Bakuda had saved walked up to his corpse. For a few seconds, he stared down at it before taking off one of his armoured gloves and dipping his fingers into the cooling blood. Then, he clenched his fists tightly until his claws punctured the touch skin of his palms, the blood mixing with Bakuda's, "You saved me, Bakuda-San. From this day, you are my Nii-San. May Fuujin-Sama's wind carry you to the heavens and Raijin-Sama's thunder herald your arrival as is right."

Then, he slammed his fist against his chest armour and bowed to the dead human, followed by the other Oni.

Watching that, Itami closed his eyes before coughing up some blood, "Thank you." Hearing the Oni nodded but stayed silent. Reaching over, he grasped Tsubaki's arm, "Commander Tsubaki... take care of my boys and girls."

Smiling, Tsubaki nodded some even as she watched Itami get slowly moved into a shield that two of the Oni grabbed to head back to the entrance. She then grasped his hand in hers, "Hai, you can be certain of that. Because they're one of us, if not in the form they should be."

All Itami did was nod and lay back as he began to be carried away. Though he found his lips twitching a bit as the Oni declared that he had to come drinking with them.

In another part of the complex, one of the Gashadokuro silently screamed as a ribbon of black fire wrapped itself around its knees, burning through them. Even as it lifted itself up onto its hands to crawl forward, there was a shout of "Fire in the hole!" Moments later, a one inch shell slammed into the skeletal being's face and shattered it, milliseconds later blowing out where it's crotch had been. Of course, no one took any chances and seconds later, several grenades hit it, destroying it still further.

With a sigh of relief as it no longer moved, one of the JSDF Special Forces lowered his gun before looking at the American witch beside him. The woman wore a hood that coveted most of her face and was lowering her own wand. And wasn't that something to say? Granted, in any other case her age would have been an issue as she looked like an old woman. But... Witches, who knew?

Instead, he focused on what had just attacked them... and the partially transformed Jin as she slugged it out with another one of the giant skeletons with a roar. Over the radio, he heard that a third had just been dispatched by the man with that floating shield, Kogamaru, as well as Sarutobi and Haru, though not without injuries. Pointing at the monster, he narrowed his eyes as he glanced between Mary and a still panting Kisei, "What the fuck was that?!"

Lost, Kisei shook her head in disbelief at what she saw, "I... don't know. Some kind of larger animated skeleton? Maybe an Oni? There wasn't anything like this in MIB records!"

Just snorting, Mary shook her head with a scowl, "And you wouldn't find them unless you have clearance." As everyone looked at her, she gestured at it, "Fought two of these on Okinawa and they're a bitch to bring down. Some sort of downsized version of the Gashadokuro that Kamo wanted to mass produce."

For several moments no one said a thing before another of the SpecOps cursed behind his bandana face mask, "Are you telling me... that these are some sort of Mini-Gashadokuro?! What the loving fuck was wrong with that bunch?!"

All the witch did was shrug with a small frown on her face, "You tell me?" Looking over at Jin, who had just killed her opponent, Mary clenched her hand, "But there is a lot more here... and those kids are in the thick of it."
____________________________________________________

If it could have, the miniature Gashadokuro would have growled as various scalpels, enhanced through wind magic, impacted it in the face, cutting off small bits of bone... and a few getting stuck in the nose hole and eye sockets.

Ducking under a thrown table, Usagi blinked before looking at Asuka who had flown above the object, "Well... it doesn't seem to be working."

Scowl on her face, the Tengu gave her a look, "No, really? I thought that it working well."

Rolling over a table, Kaku looked over at them with a shrug, "Well... Ground types are weak against flying... I think?"

Usagi's wars twitched a bit before she jumped back and over another thrown table, "Wouldn't a Gashadokuro be a ghost type though? Maybe earth as a secondary?"

Eyebrow twitching, Asuka gave them both a look before picking up more scalpels and throwing them with the same result as before, "I'm not a Pokémon!"

With a shrug, the Tanuki shook his head, "Same thing?" Flinching at the glare, he turned towards Rika, "Hey! Rika-Chan! What can you tell us?!"

On all fours, she slid along the floor and glanced at them, "Gashadokuro are made up of multiple souls and grudges. Hundreds of them... but these aren't. We're doing damage to it, but... it will take time to do so as each but whittles a bit more away from it."

Asuka could feel the burn in her limbs as she redirected one of the thrown debris away from them a bit. It was... becoming exhausting and she had no idea how much longer she could keep up, "Couldn't you, I don't know, take control?"

Glancing at her, the Nekomata snorted some, "I wish, would make all of this easier. No... I got my limits. Maybe one of my parents could pull it off. But me? Not a chance." Reaching towards it, she focused and twisted her hand. At the same time, the Gashadokuro stumbled as it was about to swipe at Ayaka, "The best that I can do is this. Make it stumble, hesitate, that sort of thing."

Gripping her Tanto, Usagi took a deep breath before nodding, "Hai, that will have to be good enough." Out of the corner of her eye, she watched as Fudo traced a glowing slice across the Orochi's chest, the bone glowing red in the path as it stumbled back with a roar... and already it was beginning to regenerate. But what concerned her was another battle, "Natsumi-Chan... Harry-Chan... keep safe."

And with that, they charged back in to fight.

Elsewhere, one could hear the clashing of steel against steel as Okita and Hijikata fought back and forth. Sword meeting sword, sparks flew as the reincarnated teen looked into the hollow, flame filled eye sockets of her former comrade, "Why, Senpai? Why are are you doing this?!" Sword lashing out again, more sparks flew, "Why threaten Japan?!"

The skeletal Shinsengumi tilted his head as the two disengaged, "For a very good reason, Okita-Kun. I have my orders, and that is all there is to it. As well..." Once more, sparks flew as they met, "This Japan is rotten to the core, diseased due to foreign influence. Does not the wildfire purify the forest? Does it not destroy the sickly, the dead and rotting? It is a cleansing thing, one that will allow for Japan to once more grow properly, this time. Do you not understand?"

His only answer was receiving another slash as they fought back and forth. With those of their skill, they were evenly matched with their different body types. Okita being smaller and somewhat weaker and Hijikata not feeling tired. It would come down to who made the first mistake as steel flashed and swords clashed.

Iron war fan deflected sword as Uesugi and Takeda danced one of death in their corner of the laboratory. With a slight nod, the skeletal form of the rival warlord nodded, "You have improved your technique, Uesugi-Kun. It is most impressive."

With a slight nod, Uesugi smiled thinly, "Thank you, Takeda-Kun. I will give full acknowledgement to Okita-Chan and Nobu-Chan. Both of them keep me on my toes during our sparring sessions." Blocking's a slash with the war fan, she returned it with her fan, "And the local Kendo club at school, as much as I need to hold back though bit as much in the championships."

Only nodding as he leaned back, the sword coming sighing millimetres of where his throat had been, Takeda hummed, "Ah, yes! I had overheard such a thing. Is schooling now open to everyone? And with some taking up a form of the Way of the Sword?" At the nod, he gave his version of a smile, "Wonderful. If you should win and I reincarnate, I hope to see such for myself."

Uesugi only nodded as the two continued their duel.

Meanwhile, for their own fight, Natsumi landed next to Harry, "What the hell?! Why does whatever we do not seem to work?!"

Rolling out of the way of a lunge, Harry lashed out with his knife, cutting into the pelt briefly before Tamamo leapt away, "Not a clue. Sometimes we seem to hit her and other times... other times we don't."

Eyes widening, Natsumi paled, "Harry-Chan... I think that she is using illusions!"

Both of them only had seconds for the realization to set in before the world seemed to invert. Up was down was suddenly sideways and then backwards. Then, something slammed into Harry from behind and he went flying... while seeing the Tamamo in front of them dissolve into mist right before he heard a scream. Twisting, he saw Natsumi knocked to the ground by Tamamo... whose chest cavity had begun to open. Leaping to his feet, he made to rush to her when chains suddenly appeared and manacles snapped shut on his limbs. Despite that, and lightning that ripped through him and leaving agony in its wake, he reached out for Natsumi even as tentacles made of some red matter wrapped around her, fingers touching each other before they were yanked away.

Not far away, Mitsuhide chuckled a bit as he clashed with Nobu, "And there we go, you should say goodbye to your Kitsune friend, she's going to make for a nice snack."

Eyes widening, Nobu's gaze snapped to where Harry was seemingly struggling against something invisible as a struggling Natsumi was pulled into Tamamo, "What the fuck?! Why is he fighting something?!"

About to rush over, she had to dodge a downward sword strike aimed for her head, "Ah-ah! You still have me to contend with, Nobunaga-Dono." Chuckling as he went on the offensive, Mitsuhide's eyes glowed, "You see... Tamamo's strength was in her illusions like all Kitsunes. But she took it to a whole other level." Lashing our with his foot, he caught Nobu in the midsection, sending her skidding, "If she wanted you immobilized, she would make you believe that you were chained up. If she wanted you sick? She would trick your mind into believing it was deathly ill. Tamamo could even Kill by making your brain believe that you had suffered a wound that killed you or something else had happened. Make you believe that an ally was an enemy, perhaps even her! Quite something... and she could cast it over dozens of people, making them believe what she wanted."

Not knowing of the jeering of Mitsuhide, or of Usagi screaming Natsumi's name along Ayaka and the others, Harry could only watch with wide eyes as the chest of Tamamo closed around his friend and he felt like he had been stabbed in the gut. Struggling against the chains, he reached for her, "NATSUMI-CHAN!"

Moments later, he was driven to the floor along with everyone else including Carnwennan who had just transported to his true self. Even the undead were forced to their knees as it seemed like gravity had increased a dozen times. Still, Harry tried to get to his feet as the pelt looked on with empty eyes. Yes, it could feel the Kitsune within still struggling, trying to break free. But it would not... and soon... it would be alive again.

Looking at the teenage boy it sneered. There was something about him, something familiar... and that enraged it. As much as it was enraged that he would keep her from reclaiming what was hers! What would make her whole! And he would suffer for it...

Moments later, Harry let out a scream as he felt his skin being peeled from his bones, lit on fire and lightning coursing along exposed nerves. Everyone could catch flashes of what was happening to him, but... that was enough. Inside Harry's head, he had what just happened to Natsumi. A final torture from Tamamo in retaliation for fighting her. Over and over until...

SoMEtHing bROkE...

Everyone could feel the hairs on their necks stand on end as there was a burst of magic in the air. More stunning was Harry slowly getting to his feet. Within the illusion, the chains began to crack and splinter even as he was burned, frozen, electrocuted, had all his bones broken again and again... He still continued to climb to his feet, "...ve... er... ck..."

From where he was struggling, Mitsuhide boggled, "What?!"

A giant grin on her face, Nobu chuckled darkly, "Go for it..."

Now on his feet, though his eyes were shadowed, Harry grunted, "Gi...h... b..." Then he lifted his face revealing his eyes glowing bright, poisonous green like the Killing Curse made manifest and his face in a snarl as his magic burst forth, whipping around him, "Give her BACK!"

 

[darthcourt10]

RCNAnon

Weasley's Warship Workshop 14

The drive to Passel House was growing familiar to Jean Bart. She knew exactly where and when she could gun her bike for the best speeds, the places she could stop if for some reason she needed petrol and even a few places where she could just stop and look over the countryside. It wasn't her countryside but that was rather the point. New things took getting used to and as much as she was generally loathe to loaf about, sometimes you at least needed to stop moving.

As she approached the gate to Passel House, she once again found it initially closed to entry. This wasn't unusual and though she still had yet to figure out what controlled the thing, it appeared that today was one of the better days as it opened rather promptly. Nodding slightly to herself, Jean Bart pulled up the driveway at an appropriate speed, noting that the grounds appeared to be well maintained even in the middle of November.

Pulling up to the front door, Jean Bart turned off the engine of her bike and dropped the kickstand, looking up to see Victoria already waiting by the front door. Somehow the maid always seemed to appear wherever she might be needed, almost as if by magic. Blinking to herself, Jean Bart suddenly realized that it might actually be magic, given what she'd learned from Ron not long ago. That would be… something to ask at a later time. She had other business here today after all. Walking over to where Victoria was standing on the step, she paused for a moment.

"Jean Bart here to see Duke of York," she said politely, if not overly formally.

Victoria took only a moment to nod, stepping back to open the door.

"Lady Duke is in her bedroom, she said you were to be sent up when you arrived. Up the stairs, second door to the left. Shall I get you any refreshments?" Victoria was formal as always, though Jean Bart thought she perhaps heard a bit more warmth than the other times she'd visited.

Perhaps.

"Nothing at the moment, thank you." Jean Bart took the open door as the invitation it was and stepped inside. With the staircase right in front of her, she simply continued upwards as directed, her long legs easily capable of taking the stairs two at a time like she normally preferred but instead taking them one at a time, feeling Victoria's eyes on her from below. As much as she found it slow and somewhat annoying, she was still a guest here.

Turning to the left, she found an open door where Victoria had indicated, along with the sound of voices.

"...onder you're glowing," came a somewhat smooth and soft voice.

"Is it really that noticeable?" That was Duke of York, her voice sounding more lively than it usually did.

"Sister, if I didn't know any better I'd assume you'd just been knighted, again." The other voice had a dark amused wit to it and as Jean Bart turned the corner and knocked on the door, she could see who it belonged to.

The woman in question turned as Duke looked up, revealing similar facial features and a set of eyeglasses framed by short brown hair, an almost mousy color but saved from that descriptor by the fact that Jean Bart could feel the quiet intensity of a fellow battleship radiating off of her.

"Sorry to interrupt," Jean Bart said, "But Victoria said to come right up."

"It's nothing to apologize for," Duke said, gesturing to the woman next to her, "Jean Bart meet my sister HMS Anson. Anson this is Jean Bart, the French Battleship we've been having over."

The brown haired woman nodded and offered her hand as Jean Bart stepped into the room. "A pleasure to meet you."

"The same," said Jean Bart in turn, their hands clasping for a moment before releasing. Neither bothered with the sort of hand gripping gestures that some were prone to, Anson because proper battleships knew better than to engage in something so petty. Jean Bart because she knew she would lose in her current state and the fact that she considered such things beneath her.

"What brings you to Passel House?" Anson asked Jean Bart.

"Your sister requested my presence," Jean Bart said, gesturing to Duke, "Aside from that, I'm not sure."

The two battleships turned to Duke, who merely smiled politely.

"I merely wanted to get to know you a bit better," she said, "Much like Warspite did not too long ago."

Anson's eyebrow rose at the comment, looking back to Jean Bart who found both of hers rising.

"If that's the case then I shall take my leave," said Anson with just a bit of a teasing tone in it, "I'm not looking to get drug in to the little squadron you're building."

Duke of York simply smiled back at her sister, long experience telling her that sometimes the best response was no response at all when it came to teasing siblings.

"Until next time sister," Anson said, leaning in to give Duke a brief hug which the blonde battleship returned.

"Until next time," Duke of York replied.

Anson merely nodded to Jean Bart, who nodded in turn as the other brunette made her way out of the room and shut the door behind her.

Duke of York turned her gaze to Jean Bart and put on a wry smile.

"Sisters are always… fun to deal with aren't they?" she half stated and half questioned.

Jean Bart thought back to Richelieu and all of her antics, "Fun" was not how she would describe most of them.

"I suppose you could say it like that," she said, "Though my sister is… quite different than yours seem to be."

Duke of York's nostrils flared in amusement, letting Jean Bart know that the British battleship had at least a passing acquaintance with her kin.

"I would say so yes. Anson and Howe have not even expressed interest in dating yet and while King George V and Prince of Wales have, they've been singularly unsuccessful. While your sister..." Duke trailed off in her explanation.

"While my sister is in a very public ménage-à-trois with not only her superior officer but another ship girl to boot, along with being known as a lecher, pervert and any other similar words you might be able to think of. That's not mentioning her modeling, dancing and a number of photo-shoots she has done that involve her tout nue." Jean Bart rattled off each bit of her explanation clinically, she'd long since stopped trying to make excuses for her sister. Seeing Duke of York's expression, Jean Bart let the ghost of a smile line her face. "Please, feel free to express yourself about my sister as you wish, I do not care and she certainly does not either."

Duke of York forced her mouth into some semblance of propriety and simply nodded to Jean Bart.

"Very well, if she does come up again I will not hold back. We aren't here to talk about her however, so may I offer you a seat?" Duke gestured to a set of chairs with a table between them setup in the corner of her room.

"Thank you," Jean Bart said, moving to take one of the seats. She resisted the urge to spin it around and sit with her front against the back, instead merely taking a seat and leaning it back on the rear legs as Duke took a seat.

"Refreshments?" Duke asked.

Jean Bart merely shook her head, her long ponytail waving behind her even as parts of it rested on the carpeted floor. "No, thank you. Victoria offered me some on my way up."

"Very well," Duke said, resting herself back against her own chair but not quite tilting it as Jean Bart was doing, "I suppose I should start by admitting that Warspite told me everything or near enough about your shooting session. What you discussed about Ron."

Jean Bart felt the hair on the back of her neck raise slightly, though she didn't let it show on her face. At least she tried not to. "I see. I suppose this is your own version of that?"

"Something close to that I suppose," said Duke of York, "I don't have much to talk about with you that Warspite hasn't already. Ron is dear to both of us and, according to Warspite, you see something in him as well."

"I… yes." Jean Bart could try to quibble but Duke of York had been forewarned and forearmed so there was little point in trying. "I am not sure to the full extent yet but…" she sighed.

"But you see the same things we do," said Duke, "Just without all the time spent."

Jean Bart didn't say anything to that, merely letting the moment pass.

"That's fair enough," Duke said after a few seconds, a small smile appearing on her face, "Your feelings are your own and it would not do well to push."

"I do appreciate it," Jean Bart replied, her eyes going back up to Duke's.

Duke nodded and then Jean Bart got to watch as she reached into her hold and pulled out a leather bound book.

"I simply wanted you to know that if and when you make your affections known to Ron, he will go all out for you." Duke pushed the book over to Jean Bart as she spoke, the leather sliding over the wood table. "All I ask is that you do not take advantage of that. He is still young and Warspite and I have already discussed how long the wait will be until certain things can happen."

Jean Bart looked down at the book in front of her, the bare cover enough of an indicator to her of what it was. Still she paused and looked up at Duke for a moment as her hand rested on the clasp.

"Even I… even if something were to happen, since as you say nothing has happened yet, I would know better than that," Jean Bart said, her tone sounding mildly offended.

Duke merely kept her smile on her face and waved a hand at the book and Jean Bart. "I did not say that you would either, simply that you not take advantage of Ron. How many hours do you think it takes him to make something like that? How much dedication? Such things can be turned against their owners even on accident Jean Bart. I think you would be the first to admit that you are a little, shall we say… headstrong?"

Jean Bart felt her face tense a little bit but she finally nodded. "I would call it élan but we are not talking about a battle in this case."

"Quite," Duke of York nodded in agreement. "In this case we are talking about Ron and how he is growing up."

She paused for a few moments, allowing Jean Bart the chance to undo the clasp on the book and open it, the page falling on one of Duke's turrets. It was a work of art, the clean lines showing the complex interlock system the British had developed for their new battleships after the catastrophic loss they'd had with lesser systems at Jutland.

"He does good work, doesn't he?" Duke's voice was softer now, less firm in her tone as she looked at it from upside down.

"He does," Jean Bart said back, reaching out to trace mechanisms that were so close to her own in overall design, yet so different in specifics.

"I do not mean to try and discourage you Jean Bart," Duke said after another brief silence, "In fact I would very much enjoy having another fast Battleship around, especially one with our own unique attributes. I think in some ways you will even be better for Ron than Warspite or I could ever be. We are not exactly well known for the… passion you bring to things."

Jean Bart nodded, coming to her own realization that Duke of York was perhaps simply worried over Ron due to her own circumstances.

"You care for him greatly," she ventured, Duke's face lighting up with a larger smile.

"That would be somewhat of an understatement I think," Duke admitted, "As there has been quite a lot that Ron has done for me. Including helping to bring me out of a self imposed semi-exile socially." She saw Jean Bart's quirked eyebrow and let out a soft chuckle. "Let us just say that when I came back in the early days of the war I was much more focused on being a battleship than a person. Including to my own comrades. It wasn't until things slowed down that I started to realize there were things outside of fighting that I should focus on and I had earned myself "The Iron Lady" as a nickname."

Though her situation was rather the opposite, Jean Bart at least understood where Duke was coming from.

"Getting back to what I truly meant to talk about and perhaps said in a bad way initially, I do hope things go well for you and Ron. I agree fully with Warspite that as long as things work out between you and Ron that we could welcome you into our little "Squadron" as my sister put it. Just please remember that Ron is still growing in character and that he will notice things you do and perhaps be swayed by them."

Jean Bart couldn't fault Duke of York for the way she phrased that request and nodded.

"I will keep that in mind. Though I hope you do understand that even then I will do things in my own way, yes?" Her reddish pink eyes met Duke's blue ones and Duke merely chuckled.

"Of course I do," Duke of York said, "I would expect nothing less of you, would want nothing less of you. If you tried to act me or Warspite you would be miserable at best and a proper Captain should learn to handle each of his ships as she goes and not as one of his prior commands."

Jean Bart couldn't help but grin a little bit at that.

"Then I will be the one that teaches him élan and how to handle a ship at speed," she said, "Though perhaps not all at once."

Duke nodded back to her, the smile on her face softening.

"I believe that will work Jean Bart," she said, letting herself relax a bit more. "Now that we've covered that topic, I do have another question for you."

"Yes?"

"What do you do with your hair?" Duke asked with a smile, "I know our fairies do most of the work but the selection of shampoo and conditioner..."

Jean Bart's own smile widened a slight bit more as she and Duke began to discuss hair care and their own individual issues with quad turrets.

In the end it was perhaps not the best start to a friendship ever but it was a start.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
AN: Bleh. I'm not really happy this took almost a month to get out but it's out and I hope you all enjoy. Questions, comments and concerns welcome as always. I also apologize for butchering the French language.

 

[darthcourt10]

Kab2

"Someone is coming out!" said the guard readying her shotgun in the case whatever came wasn't friendly.

"Mmm, they don't seem to be hostile..." said the sword spirit, narrowing her eyes as two figures came out carrying a third. "Wait, they are bringing an injured man out!"

"Oh shit, he's the boss!" said the guard hurrying to his side "Quick, bring in the mediwizards!"

"If I may ask, can I help? I have experience with magical healing, and at least I can keep my mind busy"

"Do not worry boss." said one of the oni that carried him out "You will be in good hands, we trust her at the same level we trust the Commander"

"If you trust her so much, your help is welcomed here then." said the injured before coughing a bit of blood.

"Okay then." said the woman as she began to concentrate in her task "First, you won't talk again as you are straining your body further; Second, I know that you can't tell me what's going on inside that building, but I have a good guess of what is happening, so I will ask you some questions that you can answer with a yes or no, thumb up and down, or stay still if you can't answer; are we clear?"

After a slight movement of his eyes, his only movement was upping his thumb.

"Good." then she looked at the mediwizards that were coming to treat the man. "Apart from the obvious damage to his arm, he has three broken ribs and maybe spinal damage, I will treat his ribs as you treat his arm and search his spine for damage."

The wizard where to say something about her unauthorized aid, but looking into her unwavering purple eyes, they knew that her authority was as unbreakable as millennial steel, so they began to work on their tasks like she was, with a lack of a better word, her mother.

"These Oni called you boss, so you have to be Captain Itami, am i wrong?"

Itami blinked as surprise was written in his face, then after a bit of thought and a suspicious look he upped his thumb.

"I know you are wondering how I know you, Captain." he thumbed up "I am friends with Tsubaki-San and she told me a bit about you; and before you ask she didn't tell me anything that she shouldn't have, now stay still, this may hurt a bit as I have to move this rib a bit for better healing."

He thumbed up again as he tried not to move a muscle; he winced a bit as he was feeling the process.

"Okay, now I will continue" she said while she moved a bit for better positioning "I first felt Shuten-Douji and Ibaraki-Douji's aura, but I don't feel theirs anymore, so I guess whatever is in there have put them in standby, now I feel a strong foul aura that I suppose is Yamata-no-Orochi or one of his spawns and another that I know is of Tamamo-no-Mae, I know you can't confirm or deny it, but I will ask two questions that you can answer; first, Kotegiri-San knew what was inside this bunker?"

Itami pondered a bit about what she asked her, and finally he lifted his thumb up.

"Very well; now the second question, I noticed a very strong dark aura that entered the bunker, is the owner of this aura on our side?"

This time he thumbed up almost immediately.

She exhaled a relieved sigh "I'm glad the two answers were affirmative, now I know she can manage this matter without me interfering" she smiled "Now be a good boy and don't move while we heal you, okay?"

Her smile made him remember something from long time ago, her mother taking care of him when he hurt his knee playing 'She has the same smile as her' and he felt his uneasiness slip away.

"Don't worry, you are in good hands, they will save Japan of this threat"

He felt the warmth radiating from her comfortable as they began to wait for the outcome of the battle below.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Having just bisected one of the Gashadokuro, Juuchi froze as a feeling washed over her. It was anger... it was rage... it was wrath. Beside her, Honjo noted that the Muramasa had stopped and turned towards the deeper parts of the bunker, "Juuchi-San? Is something wrong?"

For once, there was no smugness on her face when Juuchi spoke, "Perhaps... it is my Master."

Expertly deflecting a blow, Kote looked at her, "What do you mean by that?"

Slowly blinking, the Muramasa took a deep breath through her nose and shuddered, "Do you remember that you asked how it was that the Potters were able to handle me? Despite the rage?"

A frown on her face, Honjo furrowed her eyebrows and glanced at her sister and Chisuheri who was nearby, "Yes, I remember. You even mentioned that a Potter could handle your sister, Chisuheri-San at her worst."

Upon hearing that, it was not just Kote who paused and looked at Juuchi, but also Norimune and Toku as well as Chisuheri who stared at her. It was Juuchi's sister who spoke, "... You are not serious..."

Juuchi just continued looking deeper into the complex, "Utterly. A Potter's will is hard and nearly unbreakable. They can recognize what is their feelings and what is someone else's and fight against it successfully with effort. But that is not to say that they don't feel such things... they just are able to keep it chained, like a wild beast."

With a shiver, Toku gave her an disturbed look, "Someone like that can be a fright on the battlefield."

However, the Muramasa's next words caused her to freeze, "Hai, but what is more frightening is when a Potter lets go of those fetters and lets their rage take them over. Because it is not an explosion, but a cold blade with the Will behind it guiding it, targeting it. They do not lose themselves so much as their rage drives them to greater heights as they control it much like a swordsman might their blade but without care as to their own state of being as long as their target dies. And Master... has just done so."

Sharing a look, those blades there look at each other and double their efforts.

Elsewhere, the various other Potter weapons threw themselves into the fight even more. Tsukiakari had a look of fear and worry on her face as she chewed through the undead guards alongside Musashi who had a serious expression on her face after getting a similar expression.

Regina, for her part, shuddered a bit as she felt Harry's rage... no... his wrath through the connection that they had. He wanted something dead and was going to kill it, even if it meant tearing it apart. She had never felt something so... enraged, so dark and wanting to inflict pain on something. Deep inside her, she could feel her demon practically purr and lick it's lips. Nearby, Hoppou froze and looked deeper into the complex with wide eyes, "Big... brother..."

Dissolving a skeletal guard with her poisonous blood, Jin blinked and turned as she saw Shiromizu throw herself into the fight even more, "Kiddo? Something wrong?"
Just shuddering, Shiromizu looked at her, "Senpai... it's Harry! I... can't you feel it?!"

A frown on her face, the undead dragon ignored the questions from her mother and looked into the complex herself. It took her a few moments to spot the flame that was Harry's next to what had to be Tamamo from her memories as well as Orochi and she flinched a bit. Not because it was as large as the other two. Because it wasn't... but in some ways it was worse because in her mind it was like comparing two campfires, or perhaps bonfires with a smaller flame.

Except said flame was that of a welding torch, burning hot and focused enough to cut through steel.

Wincing, Jin just gave a nod, "Right, something just pissed him off. Let's pick up the pace people!"

___________________________________________________________

Natsumi struggled in the darkness that surrounded her, even as tendrils attempted to sink into her body. It burned, it burned so bad. And what made it worse was what she could feel from the darkness around her.

It hUngERed for her... and what she was.

The darkness wanted to devour her entirely, to rip apart what she was and is, all the while it destroyed what she could be. Thus she fought it with all her being. She had people that she cared for, and who cared for her back. She would not, could not, give into it. Something that seemed to frustrate the darkness with every second as the tendrils inside her withered and died, only to be replaced by others.

Suddenly, the darkness was blown back by blue fire and Natsumi took a deep breath as she fell to her knees as the pressure was relieved. However, she did blink a bit in utter confusion at what had just happened, "What the..."

From behind her was a dark chuckle, "I will admit, Little One, you have done a fine job holding out. But you don't need to worry any more." Turning, Natsumi paled at seeing the form of Tamamo looking at her in smug amusement, "No, you don't need to worry any longer."

Backing up a step, the teenage Kitsune narrowed her eyes, "Why should I trust you?"

Darkly laughing, Tamamo spread her arms with blood dripping from her claws, "You shouldn't. But what you should trust is that I want nothing to do with... that creature attempting to kill you, to devour what you are."

With a glance at the shadows she guessed was the pelt, Natsumi looked back at Tamamo, "Why? Aren't you the same thing in the end?"

Much to her surprised, while the feared Yokai in front of her continued to smugly smile at her, there was a... tiredness in her eyes, "No, we are not child. Once, perhaps, we were one and the same. But I..." She looked away with a grimace, "I have come to terms with things. But that Thing out there? It is empty, hungry for that which it wishes for. There is no intelligence really besides that. I suppose, in a way, that is what I was like at the end, just a maddened beast. Empty on the inside and attempting to fill it with vengeance, with anger and rage against the world. Something that I realized centuries ago when it was far too late." Pausing, Tamamo clenched her fist, "But I can do something about it now. And I will."

Still suspicious, Natsumi cocked her head to the side, "And what will you do then?"

Raising her hand, Tamamo made a gesture with her hand and the flames rose up around them, forming a spiderweb formation around them and blocking the darkness, "I shall hold it off for you, to protect you from my pelt's ravages. You simply work on getting free-"

Out of nowhere, she stopped and whipped her head to stare at something and Natsumi whimpered a bit, "Harry-Chan... what is she doing to him!? SHE'S HURTING HIM!"

About to say something, the older Kitsune paused and blinked before her eyebrow raised and she began to smirk. And then laugh as she realized what they were seeing/sensing, "You utter dumb beast." Biting her finger, her eyes became hooded and she shuddered, "Oh yes... he truly is a fine specimen..."

Unknown to Natsumi, she gained a smug look like Tamamo had, one nearly identical, "Of course, because he's my Harry."
___________________________________________________________

The empty eyes of Tamamo's pelt met the glowing orbs of Harry's as the wind whipped around him. Briefly, there was a pulse from him that sent the undead Yokai skittering backwards as various tables and debris around him were tossed. By Asuka and them, the "Wind" passed them by but still threw the Gashadokuro back about a dozen feet into a wall. Mitsuhide for himself tried to grab something before being flung bodily back and away from Harry as were the other undead and the even the Orochi skidded back a few feet as it roared.

Yet, for all the destruction, none of his friends nor did Fudo or Carnwennan feel much more than a breeze brushing past.

Suddenly, all the items in the air that had been close to him froze in the air before reversing their course and slamming into the Pelt. Most targeted the limbs, breaking them, while others smashed into it's head and sent it flying. As Harry took a step with a snarl, the tiles on the floor by his feet cracked before shattering, shards flying through their air and opening cuts on the Pelt's hide.

It screeched back at him in return even as it's wounds healed. As Harry began to walk forwards, the others could see the shadows of the illusions that it placed upon him. They watched as his limbs were not just broken now, but ripped from his body within the illusion.

But Harry kept walking forward as he did not care.

Tamamo's shadow reached up, punching a paw into his chest within the illusion, ripping out his beating heart and crushing it into a piece of pulp. Harry felt in his own chest, his heart suddenly feel like it had actually happened, like it had been torn out and pulped despite still being intact within his chest. Something that should have killed him even though it was an illusion.

He just did not care.

Within the illusion, Harry experienced his skin being flayed from his bones followed by the flesh. Every inch of his body dumped into a bin of salt, acid, and alcohol. Followed by being lit on fire. Exposed nerves being electrocuted as his bones were ground into dust, with him being conscious of every little bit.

He just did not care.

Claws made of shadow ripped out his spine and eyes, crushed his skull. Gravity was increased to where his body was utterly pulped, it was pulled apart. Chains flung themselves around his limbs and torso, the metal glowing white hot and melting into him, trying to stop and kill him. He felt every bit of this.

He.

Just.

Did.

Not.

Give.

A.

Shit.

If anything, it fueled his wrath, channeling back into his as he pushed through whatever the Pelt sent at him in the illusionary world it trapped him in as in the real one, he continued walking. For perhaps the first time, the Pelt felt something deep inside. A spark that twinkled in the darkness that was it's self.

A spark of fear.

No matter what it did, the human continued to walk towards her, his magic whipping around him. Illusions hit him, did not slip off... but he pushed through them. Within his eyes, the windows to his inner world and soul, it could only see two things. Two things that burned their way into the Pelt's own.

Wrath... and death.

It was then that it realized what was in front of it. Before it, was a person who did not fear pain, terror, or death. But embraced them in their entirety if it meant getting it's goals. And right now, those goals were to rescue the Kitsune it had ate, was trying to devour but was blocked by itself somehow.... As well to utterly destroy it.

Seeing that... utterly enraged the Shadow of Tamamo and it opened it's jaws wide and roared! How dare it! How dare this insignificant thing attempt to fight it! It should lay down and die! And instead-

Right then, Harry leaned forward as his magic concentrated around his feet. He knew of the "Flashstep" technique of course. Juuchi had shown it off to him once after all, but he did not know it. However, at that moment, he did not care about a insignificant fact as that, or that what he was doing could kill him. Instead, he focused his magic on the spell he had learned from Riddle's notes. The one that allowed for one to leap a dozen feet, and which could allow for one to lunge forward...

And promptly broke all the safeties on it via overloading it.

Under most circumstances, when he collided with Tamamo, it would have lead to him breaking most of his bones in the process at the speeds he travelled. But his magic instinctively created a shield in front of him as strong as iron. Thus instead of something like a squishy human hitting her, the Pelt was impacted in the head by an iron hard object at about two hundred miles per hour.

Those behind Harry could hear the snap and see the bulges in the back of his shirt as his arms broke out of their sockets from the impact, but he did not scream, just roar in rage. As for the Pelt, it's was sent backwards, through the air as the two were carried by the momentum. However, the impact caused the pelt's "Neck" to shatter and punched it's own skull back, and into, it's chest until all that stuck out from the middle of its shoulders were the tip of it's snout.

As they landed, Harry's feet cut furrows into the ground, even as broken tiles cut into his shoes and into his skin. At the same time, his magic forced his arms back into their sockets, though the damage remained. But he ignored that at the moment as Tamamo regenerated, it's head popping back up as the bones snapped back into place...

Just in time for Harry to upper cut it hard enough that he shattered the jaw and sent it upwards and through the ceiling, concrete breaking and pulverizing. And, at the same time... breaking every bone in his hand and wrist. While he had noticed the pain from his hand, Harry didn't care or let it stop him as he took his broken hand and grabbed the Pelt's slowly descending form by the neck with it moving as if in slow motion. Nor did he notice his vision bleed red as the blood vessels in his eyes began to pop. He only had two goals... get Natsumi back...

aNd MAke TaMAMo hURt.

But said Kitsune was not going to let Natsumi out and her mouth glowed bright blue before a torrent of flame poured out into Harry's face. Unlike normal foxfire, this was powered by her rage and malice. Even with his magic protecting him, Harry could feel his skin redden under the attack and blisters began to form. But all he did was bring his leg up and snap out a kick, once more pulverzing the Pelt's jaw before grabbing it by the back of the neck and forcibly flipping it... right into his knee which shattered it's lower spine even as various ligaments ripped and tore in his own body and it smoked from the previous attack.

Eyes wide as she boggled, Okita just stared as Harry ignored everything to continue his fight, "What the fuck..."

Nobu just blinked as she got to her feet, "Holy shit..."

Inside Harry's chest, his heart was pounding so hard that it hurt. But he pushed past that as pressed his palm into the Pelt's chest and moments later, a burst of magic flung it into the wall where it hung before two rebar from the ceiling ripped their way free of the broken concrete holding them and impaled the Yokai through the wrists. Once more, Harry was there in front of it as his bowie knife lashed out. First, he cut a line across Tamamo's chest from armpit to armpit, than a second one across her belly, and finished up with one from her neck to navel as he tried to pull her open.

Once more, the Kitsune roared and tried to break free of it's bonds. Seeing the wounds begin to close, Harry roared back and stuck his hands into the wounds. He could just feel the form of Natsumi and said hands slid around them as that was not his current target. Feeling his palms and fingers, broken and not, press against the inside of the ribs, he grinned.

"Depulso."

Everyone could hear bones snapping and the Pelt screaming as Harry's spell forcibly burst open it's chest revealing it to be empty except for ribs, the fur covering it... and an exhausted Natsumi bound with red tendrils that were trying to dig into her.

Into that, Harry plunged his hands as he dug into them. The tendrils came alive and dug into Harry's own flesh, creating what seemed like popping veins that inched up his arms... before they stopped as the parts outside began to smoke and die. Realizing why, Harry remembered that his biological mother left behind protection. And what Dumbledore described it as.

Love.

Thus, even as he tried to pull Natsumi free, Harry ignored all the pain and dove into his mind. Digging deep, be began to pull up memories...

****************************************************************

The eight year old Harry blinked as the new girl, Natsumi, sat beside him, "U-um, hi?"

Smiling, the girl giggled a bit and bowed a bit, "Hello, I'm Ono Natsumi. I'm pleased to meet you."

Lightly blushing, though he did not know why, Harry bowed back, "H-hello, I'm Potter Harry."

Head tilting to the side, Natsumi gave him a bright smile, "Pleased to meet you, Potter-San..."

It was later that day that the two were leaving with them chatting. Natsumi nodded some before waving towards Haru, "There's my Oba-Chan, Harry-Chan." About to leave, she paused and gave him a hug, "Thanks, I know that we're going to be great friends."

With that, she walked off leaving a stunned Harry behind, her last words in his mind, 'Fri-friends? She sees me as a... friend? And wants to be a good one from now on?'
It caused his heart to ache in a good way and he brightly smiled.

************************************************************************

Harry stared down at the small present in front of him with his cake forgotten. Mouth working a little, he felt tears prickle at the corners of his eyes before he turned to the nine year old Natsumi, "N-Natsumi-Chan? Wh-what is..."

Frowning, Natsumi looked from the present to him, "Um, what's wrong Harry-Chan? I... you haven't opened your present that I got you. And why are you crying? Are you alright?"

Just wiping at his eyes, he gave her a bright, though watery smile, "Thank you..."

All Natsumi did was give him a hug, "What are friends for, Harry-Chan?"

Eyes closing, Harry felt warm.

***********************************************************

It was the week before he left for Hogwarts for the first time. Both him and Natsumi were cuddled up to one another as their tears soaked into each others clothing, "I-I don't want you to go, Harry-Chan. I know that you have to and why... b-but I don't want to..."

Face buried in the crook of her neck, Harry sniffled, "I don't want to leave you either, Natsumi-Chan. N-not now, not ever."

Blinking wet eyes, Natsumi kissed his wet cheek, "Harry-Chan... do... do you promise to be my friend? Forever?"

Only nodding, the black haired boy swallowed, "I-I do, Natsumi-Chan. As long as you want it, I will be your friend. And... could you be my friend forever?"

With a smile, she agreed and promised him.

************************************************************

Tilting her head, Natsumi smiled a bit as she looked at the sign in Diagon Alley as they got ready for his Third year, "Look at this, Harry-Chan."

Interested in what she had found, Harry walked over and blinked. Said object was one of those signs that one hung up on their walls inside their homes. The ones that had various sayings and the like on them. Cheeks heating up, he muttered as he read it allowed, "'Happiness is being married to your best friend...'"

A glance out of the corner of his eye caught Natsumi blushing as much as he was. But she still nodded despite her embarrassment, "It's, um... an interesting sign, right?"

The thirteen year old boy nodded as he looked away, "I-it really is, Natsumi-Chan." He really could not help himself as he glanced back at it with Natsumi doing the same. Both of them unable to look at each other, but staring at the sign.

He never did tell her that he had seen her buy it... and suspected that she knew that.

*****************************************************************

All that and more went through Harry's mind as he dragged up memory after memory. Happy memories, bittersweet ones, sad ones, terrifying ones. But they all had the exact same central theme.

Each were of him and Natsumi.

The final one was recent, from just a few months before. Where him and Natsumi stood during Hanami with the cherry blossoms falling around them, holding each others hands. How they looked at each other before leaning in, Natsumi tilting her head just enough. Her soft lips ghosting against his with the minimum amount of pressure. The scent of her shampoo in his nose as well as her underlaying smell, the warmth of her body and just how right it had felt.

Said memory rose up in Harry's mind as his aura went from the whitish color, to a golden one. The strands and tendrils holding Natsumi blackened and burst into ash, burning away at his touch as gold and silver flames raced along them. He could hear the Pelt screaming as it began to smoke and burn, but did not care as he pulled Natsumi's body feet and the two stumbled back.

Exhausted, but happy amber eyes met glowing green that seemed to ache at the sight of the other two, but were also filled with joy. Tears glistening, Natsumi smiled up at him as his magic continued to whip around them. But it did not, and would never, harm her which was something she knew. Rather she could feel it embrace her much like the boy who had stolen her heart was, "You came..."

Crackled and somewhat bleeding lips curled upwards despite the pain that was there with Harry nodding, "Of course. For you, Natsumi-Chan... I will always come and keep my promise."

However, they could hear the sound of cracking and something snapping and turned as Tamamo's Pelt launched itself at them with a wordless roar of rage.

Immediately, Harry's bowie knife appeared in his hand as his magic gathered around, and in it. For a moment, those seeing it could swear that he was holding a piece of a star, or perhaps the Sun itself, in his hand. And then Harry lashed out, "YOU'RE NOT TAKING HER FROM ME! NOT NOW, NOT EVER!"

The blade met the Pelt in the snout... and began to slice along it, the fur parting with the two halves flowing around them to either side before bursting into golden flame as it cracked and burned to ash. When the middle tail was sliced through, both Harry and Natsumi could almost swear that they heard a relieved sigh before turning as the ash swirled behind them. In it, he could see a ghostly version of Tamamo.

It looked at them sadly with realization and reached out with one hand that cupped Harry's cheek for a few moments before closing it's eyes and dissapating. No one saw golden motes of light in the ash slowly enter Natsumi, but they did notice that Harry's worst injuries seemed to heal themselves though his hand was still broken, his skin was not about to fall off. But he was still exhausted and both him as well as Natsumi collapsed to the floor breathing hard, still holding each other, but alive.

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A Trip To Asgard

Valaskjálf, Asgard

23 June 2014
Spoiler: A Trip To Asgard

Rainbow crackled under the hooves of the kirin as Julie d'Aubigny galloped along Bifrost. The spirit of the legendary 17th century French swashbuckler, opera singer, heroine, and adventuress grinned happily as her golden hair streamed behind her in the wind of her passage.

Finally she approached the lone armored figure waiting for her and slowed her steed to a walk. "Greetings. I'm here with diplomatic correspondence from Lord Hachiman on behalf of the Shinto pantheon."

Eyes that were impossibly bright and colored like the rainbow focused on her and looked deep into her hazel eyes, looked through her, for an eternally long moment. Julie found it impossible to breathe or move as she was examined by Heimdallr from his post atop the rainbow bridge linking Asgard to Midgard.

Finally the helmeted head nodded. "Pass, Julie d'Aubigny. Your arrival is expected. Be of good welcome in Asgard."

With that he stood aside to allow her to proceed.

She continued on her journey, finally reaching the ground as the rainbow ended in front of the hall of Himinbiörg. As always, she took a moment to admire the scenery.

Impossibly tall, snow covered mountains reached to the sky, while at their feet black and amber pebbled beaches were washed by the blue-gray of the ocean, with ships sailing from the era of the Vikings. Julie ran one hand through her golden hair and grinned, remembering the family legend that she was descended from a few of the raiders that had terrorized France and the rest of Europe eight centuries before her birth. Certainly something here called to a deeply buried part of her in ways that Takamagahara did not. Still, she thought as she guided her steed through the incredibly lush plains and woodlands of pine and oak, she had an errand to accomplish and could perhaps sight-see afterward while she stood ready to return any reply to Lord Hachiman's message.

Her lips quirked as in reminder of the doom that approached with every grain of sand from the hourglass, a quartet of armored women on giant wolves rode overhead with the bodies of the honored dead strapped to their saddles. The Valkyries were always collecting those warriors who died in battle valiantly, to feast and fight forevermore before the day of Ragnarök when all would end in prophesied fire and destruction. She shook her head wryly, absently rubbing her stomach as she remembered the face of Jean-Francois du Chasteler and the sight of her infant daughter Colombe looking at her with those impossibly beautiful blue eyes.

Her last memory in her life before the strain of the birth, poor sanitation, and an uterine hemorrhage had killed her at the age of 33 on June 13th, 1707.

She reached the walls of Asgard, encircling the homes of the Norse deities and dismounted, patting the kirin on her scaled neck. "{Thank you for the flight, Sky-Treader.}"

The dragon-horse snorted fire as a pair of grooms led her away to rest and be fed. A cart followed for the two space-expanded and shrunken for transport barrels of sake marked with the kanji of Inari's personal brewery that were her gift to return hospitality to the Norse.

A young man approached, clad in iron chain mail, and with a medieval longsword with a snarling wolf's head on the pommel on one hip balanced by a kidney-hilted dagger on the other side of his sword-belt. Over the thirteenth century armor, he had a white surcoat with a jet black cross as the only heraldry. The hood of his mail was thrown back to show a florid face with a blond beard and mustaches. Steely blue eyes twinkled as her surveyed her and grinned. "Well, well, look who showed up." He spoke in German-accented English.

Julie smirked smugly at one of her regular sparring partners during her visits here and curtsied. "Komtur Erik Ulv as I live and breathe. I'm here on diplomatic business. You are to be my escort to Valaskjálf then?"

The einherjar spirit chuckled. "Indeed I am. After you do that, care for a duel if our duties permit?"

Julie's smirk widened. "Absolutely. I need to work off some nervous energy here, after all." Her smile faded slightly. "Concern for events on the Mortal Plane here."

He clapped her on the shoulder as they mad e their way toward the silver-roofed hall crafted of oak. "You and me both. I have my own personal matters to worry about."

She glanced at him and he sighed. "Suffice it to say, the family line is not doing well. There's a crisis brewing over the inheritance and it promises to get very ugly and messy before too much longer."

"Ahh." Julie commented. "I can relate. My own daughter is quite a handful and a half, and it is a wonder that she has not turned my hair white with her escapades. I can only say that Norimune must have immunized me to crazy situations and near-death experiences." Julie laughed as they reached the oaken doors of the hall of Valaskjálf, carved with writhing beasts frolicking among the trees of a forest. "Although I suspect that Colombe's children Ying, Claire, and Ehren will be glorious revenge on her for all the times she nearly caused me to die all over again. And I can't wait to watch her find out."

Erik stared at her with naked shock and began to say something when the door opened. Then closed his mouth with a click and straightened to attention rigidly. He gestured Julie inside. "Proceed to your audience, Julie d'Aubigny, messenger of the Lord of Eight Banners."

Julie curtsied to him. "Thank you." With that she entered the vast hall.

Inside the roof overhead was supported by sheaves of gleaming spears and beams carved from whole mature oak trees. Tapestries with writhing forms of beats, men and Gods told the stories of the myths of the Norsemen. Oaken trestle tables to each side groaned under the weight of full-roasted pigs and oxen and vats of mead and ale as Julie advanced, her boots tapping on the golden rushes underfoot. All eyes seemed to turn to her and she steeled herself to confidence

Finally she reached the throne placed in the center of the hall.

A set of seven granite steps elevated the massive stone throne carved with the shape of serpents, wolves and ravens all intertwined. a pair of great black wolves, each the size of a draft horse crouched on either side surveying her, and overhead a pair of ravens the size of eagles watched her with more than human intelligence in their dark eyes.

All those were secondary to the figure watching her.

He was a elderly man with gray and white streaks in his full beard, yet as powerful as he would have been in the prime of life. A black eyepatch covered one eye, while the other blue eye was full of wisdom and comprehension. He was clad in shining mail under a sky-blue tunic pinned at the shoulders with gold brooches. A gold arm-ring crafted like a serpent eating its tail encircled his upper right arm, and an ash spear carved with Old Norse runes rested against the arm of the throne.

Julie stopped at the foot of the stairs and bowed. "Hail Fjölsviðr. I have come with a message from the Lord of Eight Banners about matters of importance in the land of Japan." She handed the letter that she had been given to a page, who took it to the throne.

Silence fell, and then rice paper crackled as Odin broke the seal and read the message.

Presently his single eye surveyed the room. "Baldr. Her master has requested an observer to watch their actions in handling this threat to matters on Midgard. Wilst thou go and insure that the Accords stand?"

Julie blinked tears out of her dazzled eyes as a golden-haired young man who shone with light stood. "I shall All-Father."

With that Odin focused his one eye upon her. "You have traveled long to our hearth and hall. Let none say that Gramr Hliðskjálfar is lacking in hospitality! Come, sit, and feast, for we have the ale of the brewery and the mead of poetry, meat and bread, and a warm fire!"

Julie bowed and at his gesture made her way to an open seat, where she picked up in both hands the offered drinking horn carved from a massive aurochs. "I raise the banded ivory to salute the master of the hall, great in wisdom and hospitality is he, and so may he ever be!" She cried out into the awaiting anticipatory silence as she grinned smugly while she remembered past trips here after the Pacific War.

The gods and heroes of the cold lands of the North roared as she then threw back her head and began to drink deeply of the foaming dark ale in it, gulping down as much as she could in one pull from the horn. Her head spun and she swayed as she gasped for air, feeling the rich alcohol hit her like a punch from an Oni on the sparring grounds.

Finally she could take no more and lowered the horn. The crowd hushed as she wiped foam from her lips with one elbow and then turned the horn upside down. Three drops of ale fell to the floor, but no more.

The roar that followed at her feat shook the mighty timbers as the feast resumed.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Jawbone moving, Mitsuhide just stared at the British and Kitsune teenagers at the other side of the lab where they sat against the wall, a few golden sparks twinkling around them. Despite having seen it with his own eyes... his mind could not believe what he had just seen. It was impossible, inconcievable... One of the Three Great Yokai of Japan, beings that had terrorized the nation in antiquity, Tamamo no Mae, the most powerful Kitsune...

Had just been beaten by two teenagers, and mostly through the efforts of one of them.

Unable to help himself, he just muttered in disbelief, "Impossible... that is impossible..."

Out of the corner of his eyesight, he saw a flash and brought his sword up in time to block that of a grinning Nobu, "No, not impossible, far from it." Glancing at Harry as she struck again, she chuckled, "After all, it happened and if anyone could do it, Harry could." Internally though, she also had her own disbelief, 'To think that he would have such power...'

Taking a step back, and deflecting another blow to the side, Mitsuhide snarled, "I REFUSE TO BELIEVE THAT HAPPENED! THAT SUCH A BEING COULD FALL TO THOSE LIKE THEM!"

Eyes narrowing, the teenage former warlord smirked, "Too bad that you cannot believe your eyes. Besides..." Steel clashed against steel as Nobu pushed her for back a footstep or two, "He's my friend, Mitsuhide. I only wish that he was around in my previous life, do you know why?" Ducking under a strike, she laughed madly, "Because with him, I would have conquered Japan alongside Kote-Chan, Ieyasu, Monkey, and Yasuke! He would have been a perfect retainer, better than you!" Leaning to the side as her foe's sword passed her head, Nobu continued, "Because he would have been worth more than you ever were... more than ten of you!"

For a moment, it looked like Mitsuhide had been struck... before the flames in his eyes blazed brightly and he lunged, "DAMN YOU! DIE!"

With a smirk, Nobu met him head on, their swords clashing once more. She did glance at her blade and noted the unmaintained blade was starting to chip, 'Hopefully one of us makes a mistake soon... and that someone is not me.'

Elsewhere in the lab, Okita and Hijikata were also clashing some. Blocking and rediverting a strike, the female of the two hummed, "What was that you were saying, Hijikata-Senpai? About how foreigners are nothing?" Sparks flew as their blades met and slid along one another, "Because if Harry-San is anything to go by... you're on the wrong side of history."

Tilting his head as Okita's sword nearly took it off, the flames in the undead Shinsengumi dimmed a bit, "It means nothing but that he is an exception to the rules. And there is always one."

Lips curling, Okita smirked, "It shook you though to the core." Her answer was a strike that she easily blocked, "Ah, getting sloppy, I see.

All Hijitaka did was dim the flames in his eyes in the undead version of narrowing one's eyes before once more meeting his former comrade in combat.

Meanwhile, for their part, neither Uesugi or Takeda were trading barbs with one another. Instead, the undead Warlord gave his foe a small tilt of the head before glancing at Harry as he blocked another strike of Uesugi's sword, "A most impressive young man, Uesugi-Kun. To have one of such will and determination in one so young already? Truly, the Kami and others are smiling down on you to have him as a comrade in this new life of yours."

Just leaning back some as the iron fan lashed out to slice her throat, just barely missing the blades on it, the teenage girl nodded, "Hai, you are quite correct Takeda-Kun. I am blessed to know him and have him as both comrade and friend." A chuckle escaped her as she lashed out with her sword, "If only I knew him in my previous life, though from what Nobu-Chan has stated, I would have had to fight her back than for the right to have him as one of my retainers."

With a hum, Takeda nodded slightly, "Or myself."

Both rivals chuckled before once more launching themselves into the fight.

Fudo, for her part, was simply trying to push aside what she had seen for now. Yes, Toku had told her that others outside of Japan could be powerful and honourable. Before World War Two, she had not believed it, though she had started to after. The fight she had with her sister's... suitor, and didn't that word leave a bit of a sour taste in her mouth, had reinforced it. But Colombe was someone with centuries of experience behind them, and all the skill as well as power that meant.

Not once did she ever think that she would see a foreign teenage wizard manage to kill what many warriors would have struggled to do so.

In part of her mind, there was a small part of her still boggling about that fact. The rest though made note of why he had been able to do it. Because someone he had cared deeply about had been taken and he wanted her back. It was something that she could respect to be quite honest. Mainly because she could see herself doing much the same for her younger sister among others. Right then, she swore that if they made it out, she would most definitely share that Butterbeer with him, despite not particularly liking it. Though... drinking ages were more flexible on the magical side.

RIght then, she caught movement out of the corner of her eye and brought up one arm in a flash. A shield with a Buddhist mandala manifested and blocked the tail strike from the Orochi and flashed as she skidded back a bit. Narrowing her eyes a bit, she grimaced, "Just have to survive this."

Suddenly, the Orochi staggered some as Carnwennan's blade embedded itself in the monster's back as it roared. His avatar appeared a few moments later, ripping his true self out and planting his boot between two of the necks. Seconds later, his other boot planted itself in the side of the Orochi's middle head, knocking it to the side. Leaping, and landing next to Fudo, he gave her a smile, "Been a while since I have had fun like this."

Glancing at him, Fudo arched an eyebrow though she found herself smiling back, "I would ask what your definition of fun is then."

Lightly laughing, the Arthurian blade shook his head as he brought his true self up and blocked one of the claws before punching the head at lunged at him to the side, "Beating the ever bloody crap out of monsters for the most part. Rather enjoyable, especially when one has not had their coffee yet."

That got him a snort before Fudo frowned, "Unfortunately, I don't know how long we can keep this up." Both of them dodged to the side, "Because it is not going down."

Of all the responses she could have expected, it was not for him to chuckle, "Well, you seem to be doing quite fine. And your attacks are working."

Furrowing her eyebrows, and with her shining blade cutting a furrow in the breastbone of the skeletal dragon, the Tanto looked back at him, "What are you talking about? It's regenerating from every hit! Look for yourself!"

Bemused, Carnwennan looked at the furrow which was closing and smiled a bit, "Quite, as I said, working." He then grinned at her, "After all, it stopped growing."

About to something, the Tanto paused and considered things... and realized that he was right, it had stopped growing, "What in the world...?"

Chuckling as he slid along the ground and kicked the back of the skeletal monster's knee, driving it forward for a strike along the ribs, Carnwennan nodded, "That is the trick with these sorts of monsters. They need a source of material in order to keep regenerating, to keep growing. Without that..."

Briefly, Fudo's eyes widened before they narrowed and she smirked, "Without that, they can't keep regenerating. They just heal with what they have on hand and every bit takes some of that away."

The older dagger nodded with a smile, "Quite right. And your abilities are perfect for that." Making some gestures and speaking in Welsh, chains made of shadow suddenly wrapped around the Orochi's limbs and yanked it backwards several feet, "Because with each hit, you weaken it just that much."

Only nodding, Fudo smirked, "Thanks..."

All she got was a slight nod in return before rushing at the Orochi as it broke free of the chains.

Sucking in breath after breath with her hair sticking to her forehead, Asuka just continued to look completely stunned at what had happened. Part of her was having issue connecting Harry, her friend, with the juggernaut that had just slew an undead version of Tamamo no Mae. Yes, it was weaker than she had been, but... he had still ripped her apart all to get Natsumi free from its clutches. She was broken out of her thoughts by Usagi who shook her, "Asuka-San! Get a hold of yourself!"

With a shake of her head, the Tengu nodded, "R-right! Sorry about that..."

That got her a look from Ayaka, the Inugami snorting, "I don't think that any of us blame you for being distracted. Because that was... was..."

Rika smirked a bit at her friend who was at a loss for words, "Badass? Because it really was." Shaking her head, she ran a hand through her dirty hair, "I mean, we all knew that Harry-Chan and Natsumi-Chan cared for each other, but that..."

For his part, Kaku chuckled, "Well, I fully approve of her match now, though I did before." His expression then turned grim and he pointed, "Unfortunately... we got other problems."

At that, the teens turned and winced as the Gashadokuro who they were fighting had finally freed itself from the wall it had been embedded in due to Harry's... explosion. Shoulders slumping, Asuka found her eyebrow twitching, "Why... why won't it die?"

Gripping Tanto tightly as she raised it, Usagi's nose twitched as she narrowed her eyes into a glare, "Unfortunately, we're not so lucky. Besides... this is the Boss Monster we're to face at the bottom of this dungeon."

Slowly blinking, the others looked at her with the lone Tanuki saying what was on their minds, "Really, Usagi-Chan? I mean, really?"

Usagi smirked a bit at him and grinned, "Hai, after all what else would you call it after all we've gone through?" Her tone than became dry, "Maybe you'll be able to get the attention of that one female Tanuki that is back in Yokosuka. You know, the one that was on the island with Baker-Sensei's children? I've seen you making eyes at her whenever you've seen her."

Blushing, Kaku looked away at that, "S-shut up... besides, Otou-San mentioned that our families are close anyways."

About to say something else, the Inaba's eyes widened and she jumped to the side, "MOVE!"

Thankfully, all of them did so as moments later, a metal table weighing a few hundred pounds impacted where they had been and crumpled under the impact. Above it, Asuka winced as she imagined what would have happened if it had hit them... right before she saw stars in her eyes as her head whacked on something running along the ceiling. Shaking her head, she turned only to blink, 'Wait...' Slowly, she looked around with her eyes and furrowed her eyebrows as she chewed her lip, 'Maybe...'

Down below, Kaku transformed into his animal form before turning back and using his staff to knock the legs out of the taller creature. As it stumbled, Usagi was already on it's shoulders, slashing with her knife before leaping several feet back as it tried to grab her, "Great... where is the damn Megaflare or Ultima when you need it?"

Scoffing, Rika sent fireballs at the skeletal being's face making it stumble a bit as the sword in Ayaka's hands sliced along it's face, leaving a furrow in the bone, "I would be happy with a Ragna Blade myself." Moments later, she jumped as an excited Asuka landed next to her, "Asuka-San! What are you-"

However, she was unable to finish as Asuka cut her off, "I think that I know how to beat it! But we need to work together!"

Glancing at the others, the Inaba shrugged some, "Sure, if you got an idea I'm all ears." The fact that she pointed at the rabbit ears on her head made them all snort, "What do you need us to do?"

With a deep breath, Asuka swallowed, "I need you and Kaku-San to distract it for... a minute or two. Ayaka-San? I need you to run over and grab that valve over there and turn it as much as you can."

Confused, the Inugami looked and frowned, "Why turn it?"

Lips twitching into a predatory smile, Asuka shook her head, "Because it is what is needed for the next bit. Rika-San? I need you to make as big of a Hi-Tama as possible. Can you do that?"

Simply shrugging, Rika nodded, "Sure thing."

Taking a deep breath, the Tengu smiled, "Good... good. But when I say move, both of you Usagi-San and Kaku-San need to move and fast."

At that, Kaku and Usagi only nodded before rushing at the Gashadokuro to provide the time needed. Meanwhile, Ayaka transformed into her dog form and rushed around the lab towards the valve needed. At one point, she dashed just behind Mitsuhide, causing him to stumble and swing wide, meaning that Nobu got the upper hand and kicked him onto one of the rolling trays and sending him flying back with a laugh and a shout of thanks.

Reaching the valve, the Inugami transformed back before grabbing it and grunting as she tried to turn it. With a growl that turned into a howl, Ayaka strained and didn't notice that one of her bandages had come loose and now bleeding. Said blood running down her arm and onto the valve... lubricating it. Suddenly, said valve twisted and she nearly let got before turning it as much as she was able and looking over her shoulder, "DONE!"

Back with the others, Usagi noticed Asuka kick something in the ceiling before motioning with her fan. The Inaba could feel the wind pick up and begin to swirl faster and faster around them and the Gashadokuro... right before her nose twitched and her eyes widened, 'No... she's not actually...'

Upon looking at Kaku who blocked a hit, she could see him come to the same realization. Neither of them did anything but obey when Asuka screeched at them to run and, a few seconds later, told Rika to throw her fire. Said fireball, composed of a Nekomata's flames which themselves were spiritual flames, hit the Gashadokuro... as well as the sphere of coal gas that Asuka had guided and compressed around it and was connected to the stream of gas gushing from the broken pipe that ran to the crematorium. Both Kaku and Usagi skidded along the floor from the detonation as heat washed over them, thankful that the wind shielded them.

Not far away, Hijitaka stumbled a bit from the blast and turned, "What-"

That distraction was all that Okita needed as she sheathed her sword and then drew it as fast as she could as she muttered to herself, "Sandanzuki..."

For the two former Shinsengumi, time seemed to slow to a crawl as Hijitaka turned back to her. But it was too late as Okita's sword flashed out, cutting cleanly through one shoulder. Even as said arm, holding the undead swordsman's sword began to fall, the teenage girl's sword had already slashed through the opposite shoulder and punched clear through Hijitaka's neck. Time sped back up as the skeletal guard dropped to his knees as his head rolled along the ground. The rest of his body following seconds later.

Having noticed the glow fading in his eye sockets, Okita bowed to him, "Goodbye, Hijitaka-Senpai. May you rest."

Briefly, the flame of the former Commander of the Shinsengumi's eyes went out before coming back, "Okita-Kun... listen... to what... I say... a final... gift..."

Okita just crouched down and listened, her eyes widening before her expression softened and she nodded as her former comrade died once more, tears running down her cheeks.

Unknowing of what had just happened, the Tengu grit her teeth as she pushed more power into the war fan she had and guided the escaping coal gas down the corridor of wind into the inferno burning mere meters away. Around them, the wind picked up more and more as the fire became a tornado of flame that scorched the ceiling and burned ever hotter as oxygen was added. A predatory screech like that of a bird of prey broke free from Asuka as the wind increased still further as she attempted to kill the Gashadokuro with Rika adding more ghostly flames.

Ducking behind one of the anchored tables, Usagi stuck her head up over the edge as her ears waved in the strong wind before her eyes widened as various objects were sucked into the flames. Including the Gashadokuro that Carnwennan had cripped on his way to join Fudo's fight, the legless skeleton clawing at the floor as it was pulled in, "Oh... wow..."

Inside the inferno, the Gashadokuro took a step forward even as the bones that made it up began to blacken in the heat. The steel armor it had on first glowed a dull red before the color became brighter and brighter, turning white hot as the undead monstrosity roared it's defiance to the heavens as it succumbed along with it's fellow. Eyes glowing as she focused on killing the monster, Asuka made sure that nothing was left but that made of ash before she realized there was a problem. Mainly, she could not stop the inferno and if she released it, all her friends would die. And so, she did the only thing possible even as she screamed for Ayaka to cut the gas, which the Inugami did so.

And that was to make it someone else's problem by throwing the inferno away from her friends.

Keeping a tight hold on the winds that held the tornado together, she only had a moment to realize that it was about to hit the containment tubes moments before it did so. Glass melted away as ice within a furnance and the bones inside were scorched and turned to ash as the tornado of hellish flame claimed them. One of the tubes, containing a female human skeleton was a close miss as it shattered. Even as the undead inside tried to pull itself to safety, it was sucked into the maelstrom and destroyed.

Eyes wide, Asuka just stared before suddenly she felt utterly exhausted and fell. Thankfully, Kaku caught her and gave her a smile, "Heh... not bad Asuka-San."

Blinking, the Tengu could feel her exhaustion catch up with her as she fell unconscious. Not, however, before giving a smile, "Thanks..."

Not far away, both Carnwennan and Fudo could see the tornado and what it did before sharing a glance. Silently, they came to an agreement and acted with the Arthurian dagger using a simple leviation charm while Fudo overloaded a banishing charm sending the skeletal dragon into the flames. Even though it was dissapating, the flames still scorched and blacked the Orochi's skeleton, creating cracks in it.

Out of the corner of his eye, Carnwennan noticed other skeletal guards flooding in and could sense that their allies were not far now. Glancing at Fudo, he raised an eyebrow, "Can you manage it from now?"

With a deep breath, Fudo nodded with a smirk, "Pretty sure that I can as a matter of fact." That only got her a nod before the other dagger threw his true self and cut one of the guards down before his avatar appeared and began to act like a blade version of the whirlwind that they had just seen. Eyebrow raised, Fudo hummed a bit, "Going to need to buy him a drink." Turning, she gave the burnt Orochi a glare. She could see that it was hurt and hurt badly. Enough so that it was regenerating slowly, "Now for you..."

Taking another deep breath, the Masamune raised her true self. She knew that she was nearly at the end of the line. That if she was about to do what she was, she would very likely die. But...

But...

Here, at this moment of time, in this place, having learned all that she had? There was a sense of peace that filled her as all she wanted to do was make things right...
She took a step as a glow formed around her.

Even if she was to die here, to fall...

Another step and the glow intensified as she charged the roaring monster.

Perhaps for once, just this once...

The glow burst into a flaming Shingon Buddhist mandala containing the Five Wisdom Kings of the Womb Realm.

She would be the hero and save the day from the monster.

Time slowed in her vision as the Orochi slashed at her with one heat blackened arm. In reply, Fudo brought up her true form, shining with light. Part of her swore that she could feel a comforting hand that was familiar rest itself on her shoulder as her blade met the Orochi's claw head on and a sense of strength filled her. The Tanto that she truly was began to slice along the arm, leaving a white cut behind with the bone breaking and burning around it as it broke apart into dust.

Her strike continued up the arm, to the shoulder before she pulled out with the skeletal dragon roaring as it's arm disintegrated. But Fudo was not done yet as she cut through one neck, and then a second leaving the middle head which swung the remaining arm at her. Unfortunately, the Tanto cut that to pieces seconds later before burying herself in it's chest and letting loose a blast of power directly into the Orochi's form. Her eyes met the glowing eye sockets of the monster as glowing cracks spread across every bone in it's body and it lunged for her face.

But... before it could, it turned to ash as the cracks spread with nothing remaining of it besides such.

On Fudo's face there was a smile as she fell backwards and into someone's arms. Seeing the worried, frightened expression on the familiar face, she sighed, "Sorry... Toku-Chan."

Suddenly, a clawed hand placed itself on her chest and she gasped as she felt herself be brought back by Qi being transfered into her. Rapidly blinking, she looked up to find a Kyuubi who looked familiar to her giving her a small smirk, "Now, now, no dying quite yet! We haven't thank you for looking after our grandchild yet."

It was then that she recognized the form of Kogitsune-Maru behind the Kitsune and realized that they resembled Natsumi. Seeing the grin on her fellow blade spirit, she groaned, "Kill me."

Giggling, the blade became female and glanced at Natsumi's grandfather, "No, not yet, Fudo-Han."

For her part, Musashi ran over and looked at where the Orochi had been before giving her sister a look. Right before she grinned herself and chuckled, "Once you are well, I see that I shall have to whittle a bokken as it seems that you have been holding back, Fudo-Han!"

All the Tanto did was facepalm before realizing something as she noticed Honjo was also there, "Wait... if you are all here, then... where is Kote-Nee-Sama?"

Toku blinked and pointed, "She ran over to help out a teenage girl fighting one of the guards, Fudo-Nee-San."

Glancing in the direction, Fudo blinked some as she realized that said girl was Nobu, just in time for her sword to break, "Oh... shit." Upon seeing Kote's true form summoned to Nobu's hand after a gesture, she shook her head and brought a shaking hand up, "Toku-Chan... they... they brought back Takeda Shingen... he's right over there... fighting Uesugi-Chan..."

Eyes widening, the Blade of Hachiman turned and looked before crying out at the sight of the man she had considered a brother having been forcibly resurrected. Placing a hand on her shoulder, Musashi gave her a serious expression, "Go."

Not waiting, she got to her feet and rushed towards the battle, only to see the teenage girl's sword pierce into Takeda's chest after he made a misstep...
__________________________________________________________________

Both Uesugi and Takeda had noticed the flaming tornado as it passed through the lab just far enough that they could feel the intense heat, but not close enough to harm. Noticing the tubes get destroyed, the undead Warlord gave a nod, "Good, they are destroyed then."

With a nod as she ducked under a slash and returned it, Uesugi sighed, "Hai, and you sound glad."

Lightly chuckling, Takeda somehow had her know he was smiling, "Hai, I am. Because now Japan is safe from such monsters. Your comrades are most effective and honourable, I am glad that you have such now whom you can trust."

Blocking a hit, the teenage smiled back, "As am I." Just a few minutes later, they could see the Orochi die a final time with Fudo killing it as various people rushed in, "And there goes the last threat."

Head tilting both in askance as well as to dodge a strike, Takeda chuckled, "You do not see me as a threat?"

Uesugi only shook her head some with a frown, "You are, but not in that way, I'm afraid."

All she got was a slight nod of the head before they continued their dance of death. Various people looked like they would jump in, but were unsure how. Out of the corner of his eye, Takeda noticed one blade in particular and would have smiled if he could as he recognized it. How could he not remember the Masamune his father had commissioned, and seeing her made him glad. Especially as there were a few hints of his father in her appearence. The whole time though, he did not stop fighting Uesugi as the two clashed.

That was... until he stepped on a piece of glass and slipped a little... but that was enough.

Seizing the chance, Uesugi lunged forward as he tried to block. But the war fan was too slow and so the sword plunged into his chest, piercing through his spine and paralyzing him from the shoulders down. As he fell, Uesugi took off his weapon arm. With only one arm working, Takeda managed to catch himself enough look up, "Ah... and now we know who is the better."

What made it worse to the reincarnated warlord was how there was no incrimination in the sentence. Just an acknowledgement of facts with a bit of happiness, "Hai, at least this time."

Even as Takeda nodded, Toku reached them and slowed, "Takeda-Kun... Otouto..."

Just turning, the undead warrior nodded as he took her in, "Tokunotakai-Chan... it is good to see your form besides your blade. You are as beautiful as I could have expected. And I can see Chichi-ue in you."

Cheeks wet with tears, the Masamune's voice was thick with emotion, "Thank you. I... I am sorry... so, so sorry that this..."

However, Takeda shook his head slowly, "It is not your fault, Tokunotakai-Chan. Rather, it is the fault of evil men, though I am thankful for even this short meeting... I am sorry that it is this short." Feeling himself regenerating a little, he turned to Uesugi, "Please... grant me a proper death before I am unable to do anything else. I ask this of you... my foe... my rival... my friend. Before I am forced to do any more evil."

Tears running down her cheeks, Uesugi closed her eyes and bowed some, "Hai." Opening them, she raised her sword up, "While I am glad to have met you once more, I am sorry it had to be in such circumstances, my friend."

Within the skull's eye sockets, the flames dimmed until nearly gone as he bowed back and exposed his neck, "I feel much the same... and I am glad that it is you to do this."

Breathing deeply, Uesugi nodded, "Hai... may you rest in peace and perhaps we shall meet again once more."

And, with that, the sword came down and seconds later, Takeda's skull rolled along the ground, the lights within it going out for a final time as the rest of his body collapsed. None of those there commented on how sobs ripped out from Uesugi's throat or how a tearful Okita pulled her into a hug followed by Toku.

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

The Enemy Is At Honnō-ji

Sub-Unit 942 Bunker Outside Yokosuka

23 June 2014
Spoiler: Honnō-ji

The last of the Gashadokoro blocking their path along the corridor fell to a swing of Norimune's blade, glowing brightly as Tokunotakai channeled Hachiman's power into her.

Kotegiri's eyes narrowed thoughtfully as she gestured with one hand to lead her squad deeper into the heart of darkness.

She could sense the desperation of their enemy, throwing men into the meat grinder of the corridor fight to save his own skin.

Their breakthrough had been inevitable two junctions ago, as those who could handle these undead monstrosities such as herself and her sisters formed into a shock unit to cleave to the heart of the complex.

Her foe's attempts to use his superior knowledge of the tunnel network to cut off her thrust at his command post had failed.

The first one had run head-on into the shipgirls, Abyssals, and twin Installations paralleling them and had... ceased to exist rather rapidly.

The second had likewise been smashed when they hit the First Oni Guard, who were fighting like men and women possessed alongside the humans assigned to them.

The third, a mass wave of lesser skeletons, had run into the Potter Armory and Musashi who had reaped their ranks mercilessly and swiftly like wheat before the scythe.

Her eyes hardened as she flash-stepped past a lesser skeleton as she took its head.

All battles had a rhythm, a heartbeat, a pulse.

She had been born to war and she knew the way of battle intimately.

She had seen this panicked wastage of troops before, this stuttering, juddering heartbeat as men were sacrificed to save the general's own skin as the battle turned against him.

Tedorigawa in 1577.

The Tedori river had ran red through Kaga Province as Uesugi Kenshin fought Nobunaga-dono.

She had seen that on the left flank as the Uesugi began to break through after opening the river's floodgates to split the Oda army.

The ashigaru troops under the command of Akechi Mitsuhide had been thrown into the furnace in fruitless, wasted attacks with wet gunpowder and matchlocks that would not fire against armored enemies armed with sword and bow spearheaded by Uesugi's elite Oni shock unit.

All so T͚͉͓ͅh̴̹̜̻̮̭̔̑̑̃͂ͨͅe̬̖̫̠̲̕ ̦͓Ţ̔r̜̜̘̟͆̍ͥ̒͞ǎ̀̃ͩ҉̻̘͍ͅit͋̍̏̊ͤ̾͗oŗ̠̪͇͈̐̈̾̑ could retreat himself and his household retainers over the swollen river once more right before Nobunaga-dono's order to withdraw from the budding catastrophe.

Her lips peeled back from her teeth in a merciless vicious razor-edged smile as she advanced over falling corpses in a unstoppable whirlwind of steel.

Her allies followed behind her as she slew and slew all between her and her goal faster than foes had ever fallen before her steel.

She had read the secret report that had hinted that during the Pacific War, the Kamo government had dared to violate the Wheel of Reincarnation to steal souls from the Yama Kings of the Afterlife.

Forcing them to be reincarnated in new body with their old lives recalled and their old personalities overwriting those of their hosts.

Yet one more crime of the men who she had supported while not suspecting of the madness under the facade.

Yet one more crime that would be purged from the Honor of Japan in the blood of the guilty on her blade.

Yet one more personal failure that would be redeemed in the destruction of all these tainted facilities and hidden laboratories wherever they lay.

The last of the chaff looked at her and ran toward the opened door at the junction.

The Blade of the Emperor sprinted after him like the coming of death.

--------------------------------------

Flames roared in the room as steel clashed on steel.

Nobu-chan grimaced as her borrowed sword snapped on the armor of Mitsuhide Akechi. While she was his superior in skill in her second life just as she had been in his first life, her weapons were lacking. Also it did not help that his armor was strong and he was regenerating what should have been death wounds.

Which would kill her again at the undead hands of the warlord who had betrayed and murdered him in 1582 in the burning of the temple of Honnō-ji.

She frantically ducked a swing of his blade as she dodged behind a table in the underground laboratory that they were fighting through. A skeletal guard sprinted into the room with steel drawn. Nobu braced herself to try to wrench his sword away as she sprinted around another table. She would die here, but she would die fighting just like in her first life.

Then the second guard's head flew from his shoulders in a flash of steel and a woman strode inside over his corpse as time stopped.

Masamune-no-Kotegiri was clad in the crimson kimono with the Mokka-mon crest of His Clan blazing in thread of gold that he had gifted her in 1564.

Her golden eyes were filled with seething furious anger that was honed and controlled to an edge sharper than her master-crafted steel.

Her lips were peeled back in her most furious smile showing all her teeth.

The razor-edged smile she reserved for the moment before she took a life.

Kote-chan had never been so beautiful as in that instant.

Mitsuhide paused in naked shock at the sight of the most feared of the Demon King's subordinates appearing like the Angel of Death that she had been forged to be.

He stepped back and to the side, moving toward the door for another laboratory.

Kotegiri's blazing golden eyes in a face that had been lined by her many labors surveyed the scene as time resumed.

"Kote-chan, to me!" Nobu tossed his broken sword at Mitsuhide to delay him for an instant as she waved her hand in the pattern of command on the battlefield that they knew so well as the broad grin of the Fool of Owari filled her face.

The golden eyes filled with tears and a loving whisper broke from her lips as her body flew across the room. "Master Nobu-dono..."

Kote-chan's intimately familiar sharkskin and silk kissed Nobu-chan's palms and a sense of rightness filled their souls as triumphant laughter from two throats as one echoed through the room over the roar of the flames and the scream of the dying Orochi.

The greatest warlord of the Warring States raised His Blade just as he had done in 1567 to unify Japan.

Tenka Fubu.

"Cover that which is under the sky with This Sword."

His Confidante.

His Strong Right Arm.

His Kote-chan.

Oda Nobunaga raised Masamune-no-Kotegiri, the Armor-Cutter of the Pure Smith, the second greatest of the Masamunes, into Chudan no Kamae and her eyes glittered. "Old Friend, you betrayed me in my first life, not least by persuading me to send her away from my side to make me vulnerable to your treachery."

"Now we settle this between us three once and for all. For 'The Enemy is at Honnō-ji'." With a sarcastic retelling of the words that had signaled his betrayal and murder Nobunaga moved to engage Mitsuhide.

Mitsuhide sprinted through the door that he had been moving toward with Nobunaga following after on his heels. Kotegiri's true body gleamed hungrily along her razor edge and glimmered as the intricate spiderweb of her enchantments and charms sprang to full life in the hands of Her Master.

The rush to follow was checked by Kotegiri's avatar raising a hand as she assumed command. "Iie. T̕hͯ̓̌̂ͧͬi͌sͯͫͭ͊ ͣ̉on̈͌͗̎ͭe I claim for myself and my Master alone. Personally." Her eyes half-hooded and she licked her lips disturbingly. "I have been waiting for this moment for over four centuries, and we shall not be denied."

The secondary laboratory was dimly lit and filled by bubbling alchemical containers. As Nobu-chan entered, she saw Mitsuhide grabbing a barrel of some glowing paste and smashing it against his chest. There was a bright flash and when she blinked spots from her eyes, Mitsuhide's armor glowed bone-white.

Nobu-chan moved to attack and steel clashed on steel once more. Kotegiri vibrated happily in her hands as she sliced through Mitsuhide's sword as if it was a sheet of paper... then stopped dead as she slammed into his chest-plate. Sparks and chips flew as the Armor-Cutter fought against the enchanted paste designed to make armor impenetrable.

A bony fist punched Nobunaga in the torso and the teenager doubled over as things popped and broke in her chest. "It worked... it actually worked... Now I need a sword to take his head again...." A kick sent her skidding across the floor half-dazed.

Nobunaga gasped for breath and coughed up some blood as Kotegiri vibrated with concern.

"I'm working on the plan, Kote-chan. Don't worry," she muttered through bloody lips.

Then as she focused through the pain, her eyes zeroed on one of the kegs of reagents pumping fluid into the transparent case containing a katana that Mitsuhide was unlocking.

"Got him. Once I throw you, manifest and hit him with a fire spell." Nobu gasped and then hurled Kotegiri at Mitsuhide.

The undead saw the flash of steel flying at him and ducked frantically.

Kotegiri flew over his head and split the reagent tank, spraying him with the thick, oily liquid inside it.

"Taking your fool head with your favorite sword, how fitting, Fool of Owari." Mitsuhide hissed in triumph as he reached for Kotegiri's hilt.

A moment later, that end of the room exploded in flames, turning Mitsuhide into a burning torch.

Nobu-chan staggered to her feet as Mitsuhide screamed in agony as he burned alive.

"Invulnerable armor means nothing when you are covered in kasha blood, 'old friend'. It burns with the fires of Jigoku when ignited, after all, as a foretaste of the punishment awaiting the souls that they claim." Her voice was merciless and ruthless, filled with the legendary spirit that had smashed all opposition to her ambitions and put thousands to the sword.

She grinned savagely as Mitsuhide's armor cracked and split from the heat as the paste shielding him burned to ashes. "Now, Kote-chan, give him his traitor's reward! I command it!"

Masamune-no-Kotegiri's avatar manifested next to the flaming pool where Mitsuhide burned helplessly.

The roaring inferno flashed from blood red silk, flickered from the falling cherry blossoms on the hem of her kimono, and gleamed from the golden Mokka-mon of the Oda Clan.

It paled to the Hell itself that danced in her golden eyes and along her blade.

Kotegiri raised Masamune steel over her head in two hands slowly as she moved into the opening stance for the pear-splitter, savoring the last moments of the doomed traitor begging for his life as he burned before her.

Her smiling lips opened in the moment between life and death to whisper lovingly into the silence between two heartbeats.

"At your command, Nobu-chan..."

The Armor-Cutter fell.

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A Butterknife's Reflection

Sub-Unit-942 Bunker Complex Outside Yokosuka

23 June 2014

Muramasa-no-Norimune slowly lowered her true self. She breathed out a sigh of relief that they had been in time, and the children trapped in the bunker were safe.

She turned to look at Kotegiri, who had taken command of their shock team and had spearheaded the final savage fighting through the last lines of enemy defense. As she opened her mouth to speak, the Masamune's avatar smiled viciously and then vanished.

Norimune looked at the door where a trickle of smoke was now issuing and where the teenage girl who Kotegiri had thrown herself to in her duel with the other skeleton had vanished.

Could that truly be...?
Spoiler: A Honorable Battle

She frowned as she watched the other girl duel the skeleton with the war fan.

She had seen this particular duel before.

When she was very young, half a century after being consecrated, before she even had the legend and spirit to form her avatar.

Fourth Kawanakajima when Uesugi Kenshin had outmaneuvered his rival Takeda Shigen through artifice, bluff, and use of the terrain to launch a furious all-out attack on the unprepared Takeda despite having a numerically inferior force.

She, in the hands of Uesugi's elite shock unit of Oni, alongside her sister Chisuheri had plunged into the bloody fighting as they launched wave after wave of savage attacks upon a wing of the Takeda army before the other wing could realize that Kenshin had slipped the encirclement that they planned and come to their lord's aid.

In the midst of the fighting she had seen it as her Oni wielder took a breather to get his wounds tended to.

Uesugi Kenshin himself, as he led them and his household bodyguards, sword in hand as he charged Takeda Shigen, who defended himself with his war fan as the elite of their armies fell like cherry blossoms around them in the most savage fighting of the bloodiest battle of the Jidai.

Blow met with parry, counterattack with riposte, feint and maneuver between two perfectly matched warriors until the tides of battle forced them to suspend their inconclusive duel as fresh troops arrived to reestablish the line before the next wave of attacks. It was one of the most beautiful scenes that she had ever been privileged to witness in her long life.

The sublime height of the Art of the Sword.

Which she was seeing again between this skeleton dressed in Shigen's old armor wielding a war fan and the teenage girl using the sword in Kenshin's style.

Norimune's eyes glistened with tears for the terribly transcendent beauty of two souls dancing along the border between life and death for honor's sake as she witnessed the battle, surrounded by her sisters and other legendary blades of Japan.

Perhaps beauty and honor in war was not as dead after all as she feared.

Not if it could produce this moment of understanding between two souls who had been rivals in life, and linked forever in legend as a result.

As the two separated for a second of pause before resuming, she glanced over at Masamune-no-Honjo who stood next to her sister Chisuheri.

She saw in their eyes what she knew was in her own.

They knew and stood in witness to the branch containing two cherry blossoms, awaiting which one would fall to the bloodstained grass first. Just as they had in 1561 when this battle truly began.

A momentary slip by Shigen leading to Kenshin's crippling strike produced a wordless stir as the battle ended.

Beside her, Tokunotakai made a stifled cry, and Norimune suddenly remembered her earliest memory.

Toku had been commissioned by the Takeda daimyo, Shigen's father, to be his offering to Hachiman-no-kami just as she had been commissioned by the Uesugi.

Her opposite.

Her rival.

Her fellow Blade of Hachiman.

Her.... friend.

With that insight, her hand, acting on its own, squeezed the Masamune's shoulder as her fellow Blade stood beside her. "Go to him," she whispered.

Toku gave her a thankful sidelong glance through her flowing tears as she hurried to the side of the dying man who on some level, she saw as her younger brother.

Norimune watched the girl, clearly the reborn spirit of Kenshin, begin to weep only to be comforted by her friend and by Toku. She walked close and reached through the group hug of her to place a reassuring squeeze on Kenshin's shoulder.

She paused and then spoke in a low voice as Chisuheri and Honjo joined them. "He died as he lived, in honor. Surely the Judges of the Underworld shall see that and weigh that against his sins."

A tear-filled nod answered her as the Dragon of Echigo cried for the Tiger of Kai.

------------------------------------------------
Spoiler: A Family Meeting

"Big Brother!" Norimune turned to the door to see a white haired and pale skinned little Abyssal girl surrounded by a dark roiling aura dash inside. Close on her heels were a group of shipgirls such as the raven-haired battleship, a white haired girl carrying a Cossack shashka saber, a pair of twins hefting an anchor and a flamethrower, a dark haired girl carrying a Muramasa, another pair of twins with their hair whipping in the wind and their eyes glowing, a Re cla---

WAIT.

Back that up.

Norimune boggled at the sight of the blade in the dark haired girl's hand. It was a Kodachi whose aura seemed to ripple in the light, like flowing water. Or the movement the moment before a shark attacked. The pattern and aura were unmistakable, but she had never seen this blade before in her life.

This... sister.

She grabbed Chisuheri's arm as her Buddhist sister examined the pile of ash where the firestorm had been raging. She hissed out "Chi-chan. Do you see what I see in the black haired pipsqueak's hand? The one over by those kids getting treated?"

Chisuheri glanced over, then did a visible double take as her jaw dropped. "Chikushou! It can't be!" The Buddhist swore in shock.

Norimune walked over to the petite girl, appraising her mentally, and nodding to herself. While she looked like a pipsqueak, her posture and movements were those of a highly skilled and veteran warrior. Since she was clearly a shipgirl, she was only weak in comparison to the others around her.

"Yo." Norimune greeted her with a wave and a smug grin, "if I can ask, what's the story on your sword?"

The girl blinked. "Oh hello, mogu mogu. Gyakuryuu was delivered to me by Harry and Shiromizu. She was gifted to me by the kami Muramasa this year. I'm the spirit of #3 Submergence Transport Vehicle, Maruyu."

Norimune blinked as Chisuheri joined them, "Um, well. I'm Muramasa-no-Norimune, and this is my sister Muramasa-no-Chisuheri. My kid sister Juuchi is over there talking to Honjo and Musashi." Norimune pointed at her next-to-youngest no longer sister. "Umi's around someplace too. Nice to see you too, Little Sister."

As Umitsubame appeared at the door, Norimune waved to her. "Yo Umi-chan! Get over here, got someone for you to meet." She then turned to the subgirl as Umi began to make her way over. "So, want a few tips on how to fight with a kodachi? I'm no Musashi or Toku, but I know a few tricks and have served as an instructor."

Maruyu grinned. "Sure. So are you it for the Muramasas, mogu mogu?"

Umisubame joined in. "Not really. Kago, Akutoku, Kyo-chan, Kansha, and Suisei didn't make it for various reasons, plus Nori's children and grandchildren. Although I'm a little surprised that your oldest didn't make this dumpster fire, Nori. And you need to tell her to hurry up and introduce her younger two children to the rest of us, speaking of. Why?"

Norimune got the rare pleasure of watching her irritating mother hen of a kid sister boggle when Chisuheri responded. "It seems that you and Kansha are not the youngest ones now, imouto. Go on, tell her what you told us, Maruyu. Hey Juuchi! You need to see this!"

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Currently, Harry was feeling three things. The first two were pain and agony from his body... or was that agony and pain? Sort of hard to keep straight. The third, oddly enough... was joy.

Joy due to the fact that his best friend was cuddled into his side and not gone.

Both teens just laid there with their backs to the wall just holding each other. Every once in a while, Natsumi shifted a bit closer to him, which sent spikes of agony through his body. But Harry did not say anything or make a sound. They watched as Asuka and the others burnt the Gashadokuro they were fighting to ash before taking out the stasis tubes. And Fudo kill the Orochi as well. What made them relax was when Honjo and the others rushed in and began taking charge. Seeing one of the SpecOps guys rush over to them, Harry gave a pained chuckle, "Hey, you guys are late. Missed the party and everything."

The SpecOps, who was one of those who had been part of Operation Witching Hour, winced at seeing Harry's state, "Damn kid... you're looking messed up there. What the hell did you do?"

Humming, Harry gave a slight shrug, "Went a round or two with Tamamo no Mae. Not a big deal, though she didn't seem to want tea and crumpets."

From where she was snuggled into his side, Natsumi snorted a bit, "Harry-Chan... please..."

Despite the pain he was in, that made him smile some, "What? It is true, Natsumi-Chan. And here I was all ready to bring out some cake as well." Looking at the disbelieving SpecOp, he shook his head, "Well, I'm not inviting her again. Pretty rude Kitsune to be quite honest."

More snorts came from Natsumi, through she could hear the voice she knew was Tamamo in her head grumbling about how she liked cake, "Especially peanut butter?"

Expression serious, Harry nodded, "Especially peanut butter, she ain't getting any from me."

This time, the Kitsune could hear the whine of despair in her mind before it faded away. Rather, Natsumi decided to focus on more important things... like cuddling up with Harry. That was very important, especially with how safe she felt with him.

Before long though, she heard running footsteps and a gasp as Hoppou burst out of one of the entrances followed by Nagato, Regina, and the Twins as well as the others. Upon seeing Harry, their eyes widened and they rushed over, soon seeing his injuries. The thirteen year old wizard was not surprised as Regina's eyes glowed as did Hoppou's.

He was somewhat surprised as the Twins' eyes glowed and their veins started turning black.

About to calm them down, Harry was distracted by Hoppou, "Big Brother, I want to know who hurt you and where they are."

Scratching the back of his neck, he chuckled a little, "Well... it was the pelt of Tamamo no Mae. As for where it is..."

Natsumi's dry toned voice spoke up as she began to point at various places, "There, there, over there, and up there."

For a brief moment, the Abyssal Princess blinked, "What?"

Lightly laughing, Harry winced, "Ow... remind me to not to laugh so hard for a bit." Taking a breath, he let it out, "What Natsumi-Chan means is... well, Tamamo is dead. I killed her."

It was not Hoppou, but Regina who answered as she gave a sharp nod, her escorts behind her, "Good!"

Both of them taking a breath, Ume and Sakura had a number of their medical fairies come out to take a look at him, "Now stay still while they scan you, Harry-Chan. Just to make sure that your injuries are not going to get worse."

All Harry did was nod in reply and relax, he knew better than to try and complain after all. Other shipgirls also began to enter at this point, with more than a few spotting Harry and rushing over... though Harry noted that Maruyu was pulled to the side by someone that had a rather long sword at their side. However, that was forgotten as Harry and Natsumi did give Inazuma a look considering she had a welder's mask on and with a flamethrower in hand. After a few moments, they looked at each other and sighed, "Not surprised."

Flipping her mask up, Inazuma blinked, "Nanodesu? Not surprised about what?"

Once more sharing a look, the teenage wizard and Kitsune spoke as one, "It's nothing."

Still frowning, the Destroyer only nodded before catching sight of how Harry looked and gasped, "Harry-Chan! What happened, Nanodesu!"

Wide eyed, Verniy rushed over and began to examine him. Meanwhile, Tenryuu gave a low whistle and winced, "No offends, Kiddo, but you look like you went a few rounds with someone from a Shonen manga."

Just wincing, Harry gave a nod and a pained chuckled, "Hai, I feel it since I'm a bit sore."

Grimacing as they got the report from their medical fairies, the Twins gave him a glare even as their fairies began to work, "That is putting it mildly, Harry-Chan. You have micro fractures in a number of your bones, ligaments and tendons torn as well as muscles, your hand is shattered, and your kneecap has a fracture right down the middle! That's not counting the burns and the bruises all over your body!"

Everyone went quiet as they stared at the boy who looked at where Tamamo's pelt had been for a minute. Then, he turned to Natsumi for a few moments before nodding, "Worth it, because otherwise Natsumi-Chan wouldn't be here."

A gasp made them turn as Natsumi's mother, aunt, and grandparents were there as well as Hoshi. Slowly, tears in her eyes, Sakuya turned to her daughter, "Natsumi-Chan? Is... is this true?"

Tears also appearing in her eyes, the fourteen year old Kitsune nodded, "H-hai, Haha-ue..." Blinking, she found her cheeks wet but looked at Harry who nodded before she launched herself at her older relatives, "HAHA-UE! OBA-CHAN! OBAA-CHAN AND OJII-CHAN! HOSHI-SAN!"

Catching her, the five Kitsune just held her close as she sobbed into their arms. All of them whispering comforting words as they stroked her head. Gently kissing her niece between the ears while holding the shuddering Kitsune, Haru turned towards Harry. Her tone of voice said that she did not want to know, but that she had to, "What happened, Harry-San?"

Lips pressed thinly together, Harry gave a sigh, "It... was not good. We entered the laboratory..."

Slowly, the group listened with mounting horror in regards to what happened. Upon hearing what had occurred to Natsumi and her being swallowed by Tamamo, they clutched at the younger Kitsune. And when Harry mentioned about what he had done... various members looked at the damages in question such as the torn up floor, hole in the reinforced concrete of the ceiling, and the bent rebar in the wall with an crater between them. Letting out a low whistle, Tenryuu shook her head, "Damn..."

Eyes wet as he finished his story, the older Kitsune all looked at each other before turning back to Harry. Natsumi's grandmother bowing low, "We... are in your debt, Harry-San. And you will always be welcome on our home..."

At that, the teen flushed and scratched his cheek with his good hand.

In another part of the laboratory, Asuka had her face buried in a muscular chest as Kiba held her and as she shook a bit at the adrenaline wore off and everything hit her at once as she sobbed in relief. Behind her, Usagi rubbed her back with a gentle smile on her face, "It's okay, Asuka-Chan... just let it out. Let it all out..."

Giving her a grateful glance, Kiba tightened the hug a little, "She's right, Asuka. Everything will be... okay. You're safe now."

All the Tengu did was nod into his chest as she continued to sniffle and he rubbed her back, "H-hai... I'm safe."

Examining the burnt floor, Jin could see a few charred pieces of bone seemingly stuck into it. Simply raising an eyebrow, she reached out and ran a finger along a ridge in the floor before pulling back at the sharpness and giving a low whistle, "Damn, Kiddo. Did you do this?"

Unsure, Asuka glanced Rika and flushed, "Um... all I did was use wind magic to guide some gas there. And, er... fan the flames?"

For a few moments the adults there looked at each other before the undead Mizuchi snorted and patted her on the shoulder, "Good job, Kiddo. You used your head, and that is always right."

Lightly blushing, Asuka nodded before Kiba picked her up. The Okuri Inu smiled lightly, "Let's get you over to the healers and see where we go from there..."

Elsewhere, Okita walked to the door to the secondary laboratory and walked in only to raise an eyebrow as she saw Nobu having her chest wrapped in bandages by a woman. Said woman glanced at her and, for a moment, seemed hostile. But then, the moment passed and they were back to considering. Deciding to ignore that for now, Okita gave her friend a wave, "Busted ribs, Nobu-Chan?"

Grinning, the reincarnated warlord chuckled before wincing, "Hai, Okita-Chan. Mitsuhide managed to get a punch or two in after I broke his sword."

Eyebrow raised, Okita glanced at the smouldering skeleton before shrugging it off, "I see." With a deep breath, she shook her head and smiled slightly, "It's good to see that you're alright..." The former Shinsengumi gave Nobu a once over, "Or at least as alright as you can be."

With a loud laugh, followed by a wince and hiss of pain, Nobu waving the other woman off, she gave a grin, "As if there was any doubt?"

Crossing her arms, Okita gave a snort, "Not really, no. And if you had, that means that I would need to grab you by the skull and drag you out of whatever fresh hell you landed in and back to life."

Just wincing, Nobu rubbed her head, "So violent, Okita-Chan." Her smile returned a few moments later, "Right! Kote-Chan? I'd like you to meet Okita-Chan, formerly Okita Souji in her previous existence and a good friend of mine in this one. Okita-Chan? Meet Kotegiri, my Right Hand from my previous life."

Kote smiled slightly and bowed towards her, the teen returning it, "Pleased to meet you, Okita-San." Head tilting for a moment, she chuckled, "I do remember you though we never fought. Both Honjo-Chan and Fudo-Chan had nothing but good to say about you." Hand on her true self's hilt, she sighed with a wistful expression, "I wish that I had met you on the field of Battle during the Restoration."

A far off look on her face, the former Shinsengumi nodded as she remembered some that she had heard back during those years, "Hai, it would have been an honour. Especially when..." Pausing, she shook her head, "You would have given me a clean, proper death. Not... that."

Grimacing, Kote nodded, "Hai, I would have indeed. I am only glad that such scourges are not as bad in this day and age."

Just nodding, Okita didn't say anything right away, just... thought. Suddenly, Nobu's expression became serious, "How is everyone? Including Uesugi-Chan?"

Recognizing the name, the Masamune thought back to when she had entered and recognized a somewhat familiar style being used by a teenage girl against one of the skeletons who used a fan, 'Hmm...'

Not knowing the sword spirit's thoughts, Okita sighed a bit, "They're all alive, Uesugi-Chan as well. As for how they are..." She gave a slightly helpless shrug, "They're okay I suppose. But Uesugi-Chan did not have or is having, a good time."

With a sigh, Nobu grimaced at that as she took off her cap, which had remained on the whole time somehow and undamaged, "I was afraid of that. The two of them were close after all..." Taking a breath, she looked at Okita, "How are you holding up?"

Eyes closing, the pale haired girl took a shuddering breath before letting it out, "It... was hard to see Hijitaka-Senpai like that. While we were not close, I knew him. And he was not... like that." Blinking away tears, she found Nobu hugging her and just leaned into it for several moments. After, she took a shuddering breath and shook her head, "I... I'm just glad that it's over for him now. Maybe we'll meet again someday."

For a few seconds, the former Warlord looked into her friend's eyes before smiling with an understanding look, "Hai, perhaps one day."

With a hum, Okita nodded before looking around, "After... after I took his head, before he died, Hijitaka-Senpai mentioned for me to come here and..." A gasp left her throat and she practically rushed over to the tank containing the sword and laid a hand on it, "Kashu Kiyomitsu..."

Her eyebrows raising, Nobu walked over to the tank in question, "Kashu Kiyomitsu..." Turning, she regarded her friend, "Was that not the sword of yours that broke, Okita-Chan?"

Kote raised an eyebrow as she joined them, keeping an eye on Nobu to make sure that her health did not worsen, "From what I know of history, the sword's tip broke off during the Ikedaya Incident and afterwards..."

Not turning, Okita kept her hand pressed against the warm glass of the tank, "That I abandoned my blade due to it being irreparable. But... I would never abandon a blade who served me well, even if damaged or for a better one. I searched the battlefield, ill as I was, until I found the tip. Then I went and searched during breaks in my routine as a Shinsengumi for someone to repair my blade until I found an alchemist. He had travelled to Europe shortly after the nation had been opened and learned from a man called Nicholas Flamel as well as a Johann Wolff, both very good alchemists. Hijitaka-Senpai and some of the others would have harmed him, but I saw no need. In my mind it was rangaku, if more direct. I stopped some of the others from harming his daughter and he thanked me. He explained that he had created a method that could repair a blade using a special liquid that one of the western alchemists had created which could heal weapon spirits as a basis. It would cause the metal between the pieces to grow back together, until it was like new. I was... unsure, at the time, but I still left Kashu Kiyomitsu in his care as I was feeling ill at the time due to a cough. I always meant to return, but..."

Piecing the rest together in her mind, Nobu nodded, "That had been when you came down with tuberculosis. So you were never able to return to retrieve your sword." When her friend nodded, the reincarnated Warlord turned to Kote with a small smile, "Kote-Chan, is there any harmful spells or enchantments in either the container or the sword?"

Simply bringing her true self up, the Masamune waved it in a variety of patterns before shaking her head, "No, Nobu-Chan. The... Traitor, likely disengaged them when he was trying to open the container." Seeing the tightening of Okita's muscles, she shook her head, "No, his filth did not touch your honoured blade."

Briefly, Okita swore she heard approval in Kote's voice before she shrugged it off as not something to worry about. Disengaging the rest of the locks, the teen watched as Kote levitated the sheathed sword up and dried it with a wave of her true self. With a shaking hand, Okita reached out and grasped it before unsheathing the blade. She could feel a sort of hum and a faint happy echo before smiling and moving into a stance. Moments later, she lashed out as an imaginary opponent, steel gleaming and flashing before coming to a stop.

Happy tears in her eyes, she slid it back into the sheath, "Welcome home, my old friend. I've finally come back for you."

Voice soft, Nobu looked at her, "Do you know why it was in that tank? Or where Yamatonokami Yasusada might be?"

Slowly, the former Shinsengumi sighed and shook her head, "No, I am afraid not. But I will keep searching until I draw no more breath and no sooner to find my other sword."

Finger tapping the table, Nobu glanced at the older, worn blade at Okita's side, "You are keeping the one that you fought with down here?"

Confused, Okita frowned at her friend, "Hai? It served me against our foes including Hijitaka-Senpai. Why would I throw it away?"

Just nodding, her friend glanced at Kote, "Kote-Chan, I know that I have no right to ask this of you and that you have your own duties, but if Okita-Chan was to tell you the name, could you see if the alchemist in question is still around?"

Eyebrow raised, Kote gave a nod, "I do not see why I could not do so, Nobu-Chan. But I cannot give much time to the search for such and will ask some others whom I know if they could have a look. Hopefully, they are not involved in this?"

Upon seeing Kote look at her, Okita shook her head, "I doubt it. They were quite honourable after all. And I can tell that this tank and what liquid is inside is not an example of their work."

All the Masamune did was nod at that, "Of course, and if they still live, I shall contact them. Though if I may ask why?"

Lips curling into a soft smile, Nobu took a deep breath before coughing a bit. Shaking her head and waving Kote off, she chuckled lightly, "Before your arrival today, I had been fighting with a sword I picked up in the complex. It carried itself well, but unfortunately broke during the fight just before you arrived. That sword washed itself of any dishonour, and I will not have it end up on the scrap heap for something that was not its fault. If I can have it repaired, than I shall do so."

Rather than be annoyed, much to Okita's surprise, Kote was happy and seemed to have sparkles in her eye, "Of course, Nobu-Chan." Her expression then turned stern, "But let us get you to some place for medical help first, and worry about repairing after."

With a sigh, the two teens nodded and left the small laboratory behind.

As they walked out, they blinked a little at the sight of Harry in a stretcher being carried out. Now, granted, that was not too odd considering... But what made it odd was that the person carrying it was Regina.

One end of the stretcher being held up by her tail using its secondaries and her holding the other end.

Seeing them, Harry gave a wave with his good hand, the other wrapped up tightly, "Hello there."

Chuckling, Nobu grinned some as she quickened the pace just enough to catch up, "Hello there, Harry-San." Briefly, he paused before placing her finger against her chin, "Or could I call you Harry-Kun or Chan?"

Only shrugging, though he winced after, the thirteen year old wizard shook his head, "Either is fine, though..."

Nobu waved her hand around in a gesture, "You can call me Nobu-Chan, like all my friends and true comrades."

After Harry turned to her, Okita gave a smile back, "And you can call me Okita-Chan as long as I can return it."

Behind her, Uesugi, eyes still red, nodded and said the same thing with Harry smiling at her. Grinning, Nobu looked over her shoulder at Kote, "Hey, Kote-Chan, I want you to meet someone." She then gestured at Harry, "This is Harry-Kun. Long story short? I wish that he was with us back when. He would have made a great Retainer alongside Yasuke, Ieyasu, and the others. We would have conquered Japan even faster... and likely not had the issue of a certain snake in the grass."

Lightly blushing at the praise, Harry still raised a finger, "I'll note that my adoptive sort of sister is a snake."

More amused than anything else, the former head of the Oda snorted, "True, it is an insult to snakes, I suppose. But still." Shaking her head, she held her hands up, "You got power, intelligence, loyalty and competence. Such rare skills I can see you having gone far."

Head tilted to the side, Kote looked at Harry in interest, "I see, though we have met before, Nobu-Chan. When he returned Honjo-Chan to her proper family almost a year ago."

Frowning, Nobu gave a nod at that, "Huh, forgot about that." With a shake of her head, she shrugged, "Can't he helped."

Neither of the two could see the odd looks being given to Kote and Nobu by the other Masamunes there. Though Musashi was giving Harry an intrigued look. Meanwhile, Okita was giving Harry a bemused look, "I will admit that I was surprised at how well you did."

With a snort, Harry shook his head, "Thanks. But after insane Dark Lords possessing people to try and kill me, giant spiders, a hundred plus, one thousand year old Basilisk, a psychotic Jorogumo powered up after eating who knows how many Yokai, and a hundred Dementors? This is getting to be old hat."

Those not in the know just sort of stared at the matter of fact way he had declared that before looking at Nagato. Said Battleship slowly gave a nod, "Hai, he has been involved in all that."

Considering things for a moment, Nobu nodded and gestured at him, "See what I mean, Kote-Chan? He would have been a great retainer."

Lips curling into a small smile, the Masamune nodded, "Hai, I can see what you mean, Nobu-Chan."

Blush deepening, Harry coughed before being reminded of things, "Oh! I also got permission to keep all the stuff that I picked up!"

Eyebrow raised, Tenryuu snorted some, "Like some of the swords and stuff?"

Now grinning, Harry untied the grimy bag at his waist and dug around in it, "Kind of? For example..." From within, he pulled the Nambu Pistol Sword, "This!"

Everyone sort of went quiet and stared for a few moments. Scratching her head, Tenryuu frowned in thought, "Huh... an actual gun sword. Any idea if it works?"

In reply, the thirteen year old wizard shrugged some, "Not a clue honestly. I was going to have Maruyu check it out and see if it was safe. Didn't use it as I know the... issues they Nambu pistols have."

With a blink, Maruyu took said gun sword and began to examine it, "Hmm... I think that the pistol at least is pre-war, Harry-Chan. But I'll have to examine it better when we get back to Yokosuka."

Just shrugging, Harry began to list off the other various items, which raised eyebrows until he opened what looked like a glasses case to reveal what looked like a small sword blade without a hilt with the tang showing. Leaning forward, Andraste frowned some, "What is this, Master?"

Unknown to her, some of the males behind took glances, only to look away at the glare from Sabah.

Not paying attention to the byplay, Harry shrugged, "It's a Kogatana. They're sort of small utility knives that one hangs from a sword. Pretty useful and Hoppou already said that she would contact Tanith and see if I can get some walrus or mammoth ivory to use for a hilt and sheath. It really should have them..." He then grinned a little bit, "Then, I can carry it around on me at places like Hogwarts in a hidden holster around my lower leg. Just in case."

Each of those there just nodded and they left the underground base. And, not long after, they were given a lift to the hospital on base. Soon enough, quiet fell onto the facility even as people form the JSDF secured it and the surrounding areas and the first teams from the First Investigation Division of the Criminal Affaire Bureau as well as intelligence agencies. At the entrance, no one noticed movement as a frog hopped out with something in its mouth, a small piece of bone. One which it swallowed and, just before leaping into a stream, it blinked, yellow eyes becoming human as it smirked with it slowly growing...

 

[darthcourt10]

Kab2

As the group were slowly exiting the bunker a certain blade noticed another one that shouldn't be there; giving some brief orders to the Aurors, she gestured the purple clad spirit to approach her.

"Doujigiri-San, It's a surprise seeing you here." she spoke after they distanced a bit from the site.

"I felt two old friends and I decided to come here for a visit Kotegiri-San, but it's a surprise that you knew what was happening here and you didn't tell me anything."

"It didn't seem your help was necessary." she shrugged a bit.

"I don't think so, you forgot about me, right?" Her eyes were like daggers ready to kill.

A shadow of a twitch crossed her face "No, I really didn't think that we needed your help, Douji-Goma."

A frightening smile appeared in Douji's face "What did you call me, Kote-Chibi?... Wait." She said as her face turned serious again. "We don't have time for this; I suggest a short walk together so you can tell me what happened in the bunker."

Kotegiri thought for a couple of seconds "Very well, they will be busy for a while so I can spare a bit of my time."

As they began to walk away they began to make privacy wards around them for precaution.

"It has been a while since we talked."

"1963 if I recall well, but this reminds me of February of 1868."

"Ah, the Hirakata Operation, I see why this reminds you of that."

Stopping at some distance the black haired avatar turned her face to confront the blue haired one.

"The Chrysanthemum Throne wishes these matters dealt with privately, although your discreet assistance would be appreciated."

Doujigiri narrowed her eyes as she understood the subtle meaning in her words "So Tell-no-meter eight then?"

Kotegiri laughed a bit as she recalled their old prank with the information security levels. "Indeed, with all its meaning implies." 'And I have a level 10 that I can't tell you' she thought in smug amusement.

"I won't like what I am going to hear, right?"

...

"And that's all what happened inside." she exaled a sigh as she could see Doujigiri's face turning more and more livid as a storm formed above the surroundings.

"IT'S NOT FAIR!" she exploded as some thunders cracked nearby "Why they have to be children?, they deserve to have a peaceful childhood, not face the evils of the world."

"Unluckily for them, most of them know the world's dark face from before they got there, and you don't know half the shit Kamo hid from us."

"Still, they don't deserve it" She looked around and spotted a tree of decent proportions "Now if you excuse me, I need a minute alone with that tree"

"Go ahead, vent your rage, I only regret that we didn't left any skeletons for you as I know you when there are children involved in this kind of situation, if you had come before..."

"I know, but that's water under the bridge now." she began to walk to the tree she looked before "After all this is resolved, I'm gonna talk with all of you, It seems like I lost a lot of what happened this last years."

"I'll be briefing the Aurors while you finish" she said turning to the crowd of people that was nearby.


After the minute of the worst electric storm Tokio suffered in the last decades has passed, where before stood a 3 meters tall tree, now the only remains left of said tree were a lot of cleanly cut charred pieces of wood.

"Now I feel better." said Doujigiri with a calm face, she approached Kotegiri as she walked towards her. "I,ll go back to help as much as I can, but when you have finished with your errands; can we meet for sharing tea and tell me about the last events?, of course all the people involved in this are invited to a shared cup of tea with me, as well as a sparring duel if they feel like it."

"As I have to leave to attend my errands, tell Honjo-San about it, It was good to see you full equipped again Doujigiri-San."

"Same to you in that Kimono, till next time we meet in a more peaceful time" said waving goodbye to the Oda kimono's clad blade.

As she walked to the referred blade, now that her head was clear of rage, she began to wonder about something 'If they brought back Oda Nobunaga, did they bring back my original master?'.
------

As a side note the last recorded electric storm as bad as this one was little after Kotegiri-San visited the museum with news about Kamo's plan to make kids into Obscurials, with a family suddenly found a lot of charred wood at their door, curiously they visited the museum some days ago and complained that they didn't have enough money for heating their house in winter.

 

[darthcourt10]

AntonioCC

A bit of a side story to the (just finished) events. More to follow later.

And, yes, Leferts okayed this.
============================================
Rota Naval Base. Quarters section. June 16 2014

The shipgirl Nuestra Señora de la Santísima Trinidad, generally better known as Trinidad or Trini to her close friends, was burning the midnight oil by reading reports. There had been unconfirmed reports of Abyssal activity close to Galicia and Northern Portugal, but nothing conclusive, but there was something odd about those reports, something she couldn't put her finger on. Maybe...

Her thoughts were interrupted by her phone ringing.

"Commander Trinidad, who is this?"

"Ma'am, I'm Corporal Benitez..."

"Ah, yes. I remember you. You are one of the sentries at the gate, right?" when the man answered affirmatively, she continued "Why are you calling me, though?"

"There is here a woman here in the gate that wants to talk with you, ma'am. She has used a red identity card."

Trini cursed internally, those red cards had been given to a handful of friendly magicals to seek refuge in case of problems, which given the last news from the Magical Government of Spain were becoming more and more probable.

"What is the code?"

"071201\1."

'Oh, yeah, her.' she thought before asking the sentry to confirm it. "Is she slim, around 1'75, with dark hair, steel-gray eyes, and wearing black pants and a white shirt?"

"Yes, ma'am. She was also..."

"Carrying a sword on her back, I know. Put her on the phone."

"One moment, ma'am."

"Hello, Trini." a voice she knew well said.

"What the Hell has happened?"

"Nothing bad, but it's not something that can be discussed by phone, and I am on a tight schedule, and bring your phone, you'll probably have to make some calls."

Trini sighed, but she got ready to do as she said. She was her usual contact with the magical faction most interested on a peaceful transition when the SoS would fall, and she knew her well enough to know that she wouldn't come here if thing weren't serious.

A few minutes later, she was in the gate, and there, waiting, was the sword spirit she had come to meet. After the greetings, they walked a bit apart from the gate to get some privacy.

"I have a friend in Japan, another sword spirit. And she has sent a message to me about shit going to go down there." the otehr woman said without more preamble.

Okay, this wasn't at all what she was expecting.

"I haven't heard anything." Trini said.

"And you wouldn't have until everything had finished. Reading between lines of what Mu..., what my friend told me, somebody found accidentally some kind of magical WMD from World War II about to go live, and they are trying to deal with it." the sword spirit said, "I'm going to help, and I want you or Pelayo to vouch for me."

"It's going to be me; Pelayo is in Ferrol, Abyssal sightings." Trini said, looking thoughtful, "How do you plan to go to Japan?"

"Portkey. We have a few prepared just in case things go South."

"Okay, I'll make the calls."

Half an hour later, they were entering a house in the outskirts of Cadiz. Three people were expecting for them. One was a black haired Japanese woman dressed in a Goth-style; other was a tall silver-haired man wearing a burgundy trenchcoat over a grey suit that almost looked like a uniform, with the hilt of a big sword on his back. The third person was the mistress of the house, Carmen Díez-Japón, sitting in her motorized wheelchair, who was the first to speak.

"I hoped to meet you in better circumstances, Miss Trinidad, but..." she said, before shrugging.

"Yeah, I know, ma'am." Trini answered.

"Very well, this big guy is Johann, also known as Schnittstahl, he is the spirit of the zweihander to his back." the man briefly bowed, but didn't say a word. Then Carmen looked at the Japanese woman and nodded. The other woman smirked and fox ears appeared on her head, followed by five tails appearing on her back.

"And I am Sakura, of the kitsune branch of the Hayashi clan of Owari." the now revealed kitsune said.

 

[darthcourt10]

Savato93

Well, the action might be over now, but I figure I might as well post this, give people a glimpse of what our favorite little sister was doing as she helped carve the path to Harry and the others.

...


Hoppou stared up impassively at the monstrous thing standing over her. At least seven feet tall, bound up in thick leather hide and plate armoring, the skeleton wielded a sword nearly twice as long as she was tall.

She remembered this thing... at least, she remembered something like it. The Gashadokuro, the skeleton kaiju that had threatened her family, her home, in the distant past. A creation of pure malice... hundreds, if not thousands of souls, tortured and fused together create an abomination that could only destroy everything it came into contact with.

Hoppou could tell that this thing was similar, albeit much smaller; far fewer souls powering it.

And as she stared at it, she had an idea.

The skeletal demon let out a deathly rattle as it flared down at the tiny girl in front of it. It didn't care about the near-singularity of darkness she emanated—she was just another intruder, another pest to be eliminated. It raised its sword high over its head and swung straight down, hoping to cleave the girl in twain where she stood.

If the demon had been capable of any sort of emotion other than hate, it might have been surprised when the little girl raised an arm.. and caught the blade with her bare hand.

The temperature in the chamber suddenly began to plummet. Clutching the blade in her small fingers, refusing to let her foe pull away, Hoppou's hand began to glow. Tendrils of star-filled voids and pure white nothingness grew over the Princess's arm as she focused her strength into that hand, pooling so much Abyssal power that it became visible to the naked eye. Licks of unholy flame rose from the hand burning with not-light, and wrapped themselves around the skeleton's blade; within seconds, the metal glowed white-hot, before abruptly dissolving away... leaving the flames to crawl up the hilt and onto its arm.

The skeleton staggered back, flailing wildly at the blue-white fire that began rapidly spreading over its body. Everything the fire touched began to burn—leather crumbling, armor melting into slag and falling away, until all that remained was the undead abomination beneath. It seemed like this fire burned hot enough that everything around the skeleton should have been set on fire by convection alone... but against all logic, the temperature of the entire chamber instead fell to near-freezing levels. To the members of the rescue group present, it felt like they were suddenly standing at the very bottom of the ocean... chilled to the bone, darkness surrounding them, crushing them.

Consumed by blackness and impossibly-cold flames, the miniature Gashadokuro let out a final unearthly screech... and then Hoppou reached out, clenched a fist, and yanked it back.

The skeleton's face seemed to explode outward, releasing a wave of glowing mist that rapidly dissipated into nothingness, leaving a white void where its eyes used to be. Any onmyoji and wizards present would immediately recognize the mist for what it was: the tortured souls that powered the skeletal demon. They had been set free... forcibly purged from their physical form. Without the spirits that powered it, held it together, the skeleton should have instantly broken down, disintegrated into dust...

but it continued to stand, twitching and jerking erratically, as the unholy flames stubbornly clung to its bones.

The Princess turned away, satisfied; her imps now had total control of the skeleton. The husk would last maybe a minute more, before the magic holding it together burned out... but that was plenty of time for her.

She looked back to the front, to the remaining evil spirits that blocked the path to her big brother. Raising her glowing hand, she pointed to them and uttered two words:

"Break them."

And her thrall obeyed.

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A.N.-The first part is a follow-up and builds upon the events of A Parting at Malfoy House

A Trip To Passel House

5 July 2014

Malfoy Manor, Wiltshire
Spoiler: A Chat Between Cousins

Ehren du Chasteler smiled shyly at Draco Malfoy as the cousins rendered their final farewells. "I wish that I could go visit the Giant's Causeway with you this summer, but I fear that Mutti has other obligations. She plans to take us to Japan later this year to meet Norimune's family once matters are resolved with the ICW." Her cheeks heated slightly despite her best efforts as a result of the twinkle in her cousin's gray eyes.

Draco nodded, "I see. You will send photographs and video footage of your vacation there, yes?"

Ehren's smile widened and grew warmer, "And souvenirs, I suspect. We plan to visit Toku at the shrine, and she enchants prayer charms for good luck in school studies. I will personally deliver one to you when we meet at Hogsmeade Weekends for you and your friends."

She turned at a tap on the shoulder to see the grinning face of Draco's younger fraternal twin sister Nimue. "Hey, Brother, I need to steal Ehren from you for some private farewells."

Draco nodded, then leaned forward to give Ehren a hug. "Thank you for coming, Ehren."

Ehren returned the hug, "The pleasure was all mine." She blinked as Nimue then steered her past where her mother and Claire were talking to Lucius and Narcissa. "Nimue, what is it?"

The blonde Malfoy girl flicked her fingers in the pattern of a privacy ward and then gave her a knowing conspiratorial smile. "Sooo, did you confess to Draco when you called him to the Egyptian Room last night?"

Ehren's cheeks flamed as she gasped, remembering her private chat where she had explained to Draco about her crush on the young man, and how she would set it aside for honor's sake so as not to ruin the relationship he had with the trio of shipgirls after him. "I-i-i-i" she stammered. Then her blush redoubled at Nimue's next words.

"Did you kiss my brother?" Nimue leaned in and winked. "I hear from Johnston that he's a good kisser."

Ehren gulped, and nodded hesitantly, driven by her sense of honesty. "J-ja, just as f-friends though. He t-told me that I should have m-my first kiss with him. I would never interfere...."

"Oh? So, actually my brother kissed you instead of the other way around?" Nimue chuckled, her tone conveying the promise of much sisterly trolling for Draco. "To think he thought to keep that detail from me..." Nimue then leaned in and hugged the flustered German dagger spirit. "You make a cute couple with him, and I'm sure Cleo, Johnston, and Niobe will welcome you, Ehren."

Ehren shook her head in sharp negation. "It's not that. I have responsibilities... obligations... " Her voice cracked slightly, "He deserves better... He already has better...."

Nimue sighed as she read her cousin's clear distress, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have put you on the spot with him. I'll just have to make up for it by trolling my big brother. Ehren... If that is your decision then?"

Ehren nodded glumly with her cheeks flaming. "Ja. It is what I must do for honor's sake. I... gave my word to not pursue him and remain a friend and guardian of his happiness. Just like I shall guard you as a friend and a cousin should."

Nimue hugged Ehren, "I see. Well, if that is what you want, I will help you with it. After all, family supports family."

Ehren returned the hug. "Ja. Family supports family." She then glanced at the knot of farewells. "I shall miss you, Cousin Nimue, even though we shall talk and write. I hope to see you soon. The band... I had fun singing, and we should continue."

Nimue grinned, "Oh, I have plans for Stahlhexe. I'll let you and Claire know them when you get home. Be good, or at least don't get caught, Ehren!"

As the cousins rejoined the others, Nimue caught the eye of Ehren's older sister Claire and gave the piano spirit a nod that was returned as the final farewells were made.

---------------------------------

Colombe looked at Ehren as they walked to the car to leave Malfoy Manor. "Right, so next stop is Passel House?"

Ehren smiled and nodded. "Ja, Mutti. Passel House in Hampshire near Bishop's Waltham." she checked her phone. "I have the map function downloaded for you."

Colombe laughed. "I shouldn't need that. I've been there before after all."

Ehren blinked in surprise and spoke slowly. "So you know Ronald Weasley?"

Colombe shook her head and opened the door to the back of the car for Ehren and Claire. "Non. I was there in 1899 for a dinner party. It... was quite a spectacular series of events, and I believe the talk of society for a few years. I met Lyra there, which was the best part of it all."

"A dinner party like in the Jane Austen books, Mother?" Claire asked eagerly as she got into the car, straightening out her black dress with a smile.

Colombe grinned smugly, "Only if they include a duel of honor over the dessert, my dear!"

---------------------------------
Spoiler: Preparations For A Visit

Meanwhile At Passel House

Victoria Passel, the spirit of the residence, was gravely concerned.

Guests were coming over so she was making an effort to put her best foot forward as was only right and proper.

Linens had to be freshened and folded for their rooms. A supply of groceries to handle the household and the guests had to be procured, stored and prepared. The rooms had to likewise be cleaned and dusted.

All this was secondary to her larger concerns about the aforementioned guests.

She had been a year too young to manifest when THAT WOMAN had been a guest before in May of 1899. However, even though she had yet to fully awaken, the events of THAT WEEKEND caused her cheeks to flame. The scandal of a duel challenge at the dinner table, the poor Colonel having a fatal heart attack, and THAT WOMAN seducing another man's wife (plus cross-dressing and fencing, the shame!) had sent tongues wagging in every residence in the Wizarding World for months.

And everyone knew where it had happened.

On whose watch that it had happened.

And she respected Young Master Weasley far too much to allow for THAT WOMAN to wreck his reputation and family name.

Even if he was making a terrible error when he had overruled her concerns about having the Du Chastelers over for the weekend to meet him and the household.

The Young Master had rescued her from neglect, ruin, and a slow death, and was a promising young man who Lady Warspite and Lady Duke were molding into a fine gentleman (with her assistance and support) with an eye to make theirs in the bonds of matrimony one day when he was of age. Victoria could ask for nothing more from that quarter no matter what a few of her books implied.

Lady Warspite in particular was a dream come true for Victoria since she understood in her bones The Way Matters Should Be Done as someone else born at the height of the British Empire. Victoria could ask for none better to serve as Lady of the Estate, and only regretted that Warspite's duties and responsibilities for the Admiralty kept her out of the house for long stretches.

Lady Duke was an able understudy for Lady Warspite, and her foibles such as the 'special coffeepot' reserved for her and even her swordsmanship as an officer of the Queen were well within the bounds of current propriety. Victoria reflected that she had to fan herself a bit on a sofa when she found out that Lady Duke had been awarded the Order of the Garter by Her Majesty since that was quite a feather in the cap for her family. If the Queen approved of Lady Duke's sword practice and service, who was she to object?

Miss Summer was coming along nicely and would be when the time came a suitable hostess and lady of the household if Victoria had anything to say of it. Which Victoria of course did have much to say on such matters. The Abyssal Installation was such a sweet dear and simply adorable.

Miss Angie was another who Victoria had little to object to. While she was like a middle-class tradesman in a few ways, she was serving the Navy ably and well as a floating dry-dock. Victoria could scarcely fault her for her labors in repairing the injured and helping them heal in the special guest wing and baths that had been set up as part of the War Effort, which Victoria fully supported.

Acasta and Ardent were both cute as buttons and well mannered young ladies -- for destroyers. They certainly deserved the treats that Victoria supplied them periodically as practice for when the nursery would be filled after the wedding that Victoria was already mentally planning to host (and gloat about to the neighbors). Even their mischief was well within acceptable bounds, not that Victoria would dare admit it when she 'caught' them playing tag through the upstairs.

Lara and Xath were a treasure as well. Lara was serving quite nicely as a maid and her family's Yorkshire Pudding recipe was simply a rare delight. Meanwhile Xath slowly but surely was restoring the grounds, gardens, and Orangery into what they should be, with the addition of some exotic magical plants to boot. Victoria was already scheming to host a garden party once the gardens were finally finished and she found a source for proper furnishings to replace those that had been sold off when her old family fell into hard times.

Even Brigid was coming along slowly but surely under her guidance thanks to the use of carrots in the forms of books and cookies for good behavior along with the stick of the Battleship Princess earning Miss Summer's ire once more. She was willing to be taught if handled with the right level of patient guidance, which was no small thing and it was hardly her fault to be so unfortunate to be born a benighted Abyssal rather than English.

But there was a fly in this ointment the size of a Manticore.

Master Weasley also had mutual feelings with the French battleship Jean Bart.

A Continental brazen hussy, Victoria's lips twisted as she amended that Miss Bart at least was being broken of some of her licentious shameless habits under Victoria's careful guidance, who wore shorts that showed entirely too much leg, favored motorcycle racing, and worst of all was French. Something could be made of Jean Bart, perhaps, at least she was responding well to keeping the proprieties and had spent the last few months assisting Miss Summer with her self confidence by discussing the uses of radar in shore defenses and antiaircraft tactics. Victoria regretted the necessity of such things, but admitted to herself that the Abyssals started it and one must make lemonade when life served up lemons.

However, Jean Bart had met the younger Miss Du Chasteler while they were participating in one of those illegal and illicit street races that Jean Bart enjoyed and that Victoria had yet to persuade her to avoid.

Miss Du Chasteler, who was of the right age to cause Young Master Weasley to fall into sin and scandal, along with her older sister Claire who was also single and French. Worst of all, they were the daughters of THAT WOMAN, who was hiding her decadent and licentious French heart behind her too well-preserved face.

Victoria paused as she took the tray of chocolate chip cookies out of the oven to cool and nodded with a determined look upon her face.

If these French Tarts thought they could cause another scandal this time to blacken the name of herself and her family, they were gravely misinformed. This time, Victoria stood ready to defend her family from their attempts to entrap the residents of Passel House in their shameless and shocking 'customs'.

 

[darthcourt10]

M1Garand8

Feeling War Thunder inspired, so have another War Thunder omake.

Previous FUCKING POI

Edit: 18/12/2019: Redid the chat quote boxes.

---

*Omake*
Poi-chan

It was a quiet night in the shared Officer Dormitory of the Fubuki household. In one room were Fu-chan and her sisters, long since tucked into bed a few hours ago. In another room next to Fu-chan's, however, the quiet was broken by the sound of keys tapping on a keyboard.

A certain blonde destroyer stared at the screen of the monitor with an almost bored look as the steel hull of herself cut through the waves, zigzagging with lazy adjustment of her rudders. Eyeing the distant smudge of pixels and then the heading of her hull, she put her torpedo launchers' tubes at a point ahead of the enemy destroyer.

Double checking that her firing lane was indeed clear, Yuudachi held down the spacebar and two spreads of four Type 93 oxygen torpedoes dropped two by two into the water in four chuffs of smoke. She was turning away from the enemy when an orange flashing icon caught her attention.

Someone sent a Private Message to her.

That had to wait though as red tracers straddled her steel hull, erupting in several large splashes amidships while Yuudachi zigzagged away from the enemy behind a smokescreen. She was rewarded with a 'ding' a few minutes as high explosive shells continued raining upon her from the teammate of the player she just killed with her torpedoes.

Chat:
NightmarePartyPoi: Poi~​

She swore she could hear someone cursing 'Poi' in response. Rude.

Several minutes and three more kills from her Type 93 torpedoes later Yuudachi was looking at her First Place on the result screen. Nine Kills and two Assists, not bad for a decent battle. Now, she turned her attention to the lit speech bubble icon. A click on the icon brought up the chat window:

PoiPoiChan: {Kaa-san!}​

Yuudachi narrowed her eyes. This was new. Usually, it was another fan—who else could it be with a name like 'PoiPoiChan'—sending a fellow 'fan' a drive-by Poi. Well, that or some Russian player cursing her in… Russian. Or broken English. But none had called her Kaa-san before. Her hair flaps twitched as she tapped on the keyboard.

NightmarePartyPoi: {Who is this, poi?}
PoiPoiChan: {JS Yuudachi, poi!}​

Yuudachi's eyes narrowed further, her red eyes glowing. Claiming to be my little Poi, poi?

NightmarePartyPoi: {Prove it, or I'll give you a Nightmare Party, poi.}​

The reply was swift and rather lengthy. Yuudachi raised an eyebrow, and then the other. And then her cheeks flushed red. No one knew about what went down in the engine room during JS Yuudachi's commissioning ceremony… except for her daughter, that was.

NightmarePartyPoi: {Poi-chan, it's really you, poi!}
{Wait, how did you get online?}
PoiPoiChan: {Through my data network, poi!}​

Poi-chan then launched into a mini-lecture about her special radio that could somehow connect to a 'battlespace network' and exchange data with JS Fubuki and JS Mutsuki without the human crew actually talking to each other and somehow Poi-chan could use it to connect to the Internet and it made Yuudachi's head hurt. Since when did radios become so complicated, poi?!

Yuudachi shook her head, trying to get rid of the headache to no avail.

NightmarePartyPoi: {Uh… okay? Anyway Poi-chan, wanna squad up?}​

The reply came back immediately:

PoiPoiChan: {Of course, that's why Poi-chan is looking for Kaa-san after all!}​

A predatory grin split Yuudachi's face.

NightmarePartyPoi: {Let's have the best Nightmare Party, poi!}
PoiPoiChan: {Poi~!}​

Elsewhere in the cold and rainy Scotland, Cyrus Greengrass felt a sudden chill, as though not one, but two certain Nightmare boat just walked over his grave… He shook his head. Probably just the wind. He stood, walked over and closed the slightly opened window.

Where no wind had been blowing.

---

A/N: What is this? Continuity in my omakes?

Yuudachi don't need no silly lead guides to aim her torps, just her eyes and experience will do.

Yuudachi also does not get Networked Communications. Since when did radios become so complicated?

Also, huzzah, the Poi has been doubled!

What went down in JS Yuudachi's engine room? Just
Spoiler
lots and lots of Poi and Momboating. Or Momboating and Poi. Hmm…

Not story related, but War Thunder completely unlocked the vertical angle of the aiming for naval mode last week and it's made shooting so much easier. Now aiming doesn't require me to pull my mouse down so much that I can't even see the ship I'm shooting at or stuck shooting at the waterline. I'm so happy.

 

[darthcourt10]

baofengyu

Omake-

The Mandate Pt.2

…but more terrible…is to admit it…

Western Theater Command
Chengdu, PRC

General Zu Li Shang watched the company of Type 88s as they eased back into their maintenance bays. These relics were the best he could scrape up from the various depots for the defense of the Western Theater, a majority of the PLA dying in droves pushing the Abyssal threat from the shores of the Middle Kingdom. Despite this, he did his best to defend the Theater from an increasingly non-existent threat.

"General?"

He turned his seat towards his desk.

"What is the word from Colonel Zhang?"

"Sir, Colonel Zhang has agreed to your…suggestions."

Li Shang ran a hand through his close-cropped salt and pepper hair. While family lineage was frowned upon in the Party, it, like so many other aspects of traditional Chinese culture, remained hidden in plain sight as it were. And his family was an old one. He remembered the stories of Paladins, Demon Hunters, Holy Monks, and the ancient schools of martial arts.

And he learned that many of those ancient tales were true.

He stood and walked to the map on the largest wall of his office. Most of the coastal areas had black marks of them, places that were lost in the opening stages of the Abyssal War. Other parts of the map showed the numerous refugee camps that were struggling to maintain order as the Orders from Beijing were often conflicted and to say the least, odd. To the north, in the ruins of Dalian, the Abyssal Princess known as the Fortress Queen, and to the south, the city of Nanjing played host to Abyssal Princess called the Tears of Blood. Other places had smaller Abyssal presences, and each marked a failure of Central Command. Worst part was the rumors of a resurgence of the old Taipingists in Tianjing. If Beijing was oblivious to this then things were much worse than he feared. All of the signs were in place. Even the rebels on Taiwan could read those signs.

"And the others?"

"All commanders are in agreement General."

Taiwan was a wildcard. They were holding their own against the darkness, aided by the Japanese of all people, and with some support from the Americans.

But hope was not lost. There was a way to restore China, and by the grace of the Gods, he would seize it.

"Has Professor Xue made any progress?"

"Yes sir, she has."

The door to the office opened, revealing his secretary. "General, forgive the intrusion, but your visitors are here."

"Hao. Thank You zhong shi. Please show them in."

The two PLA officers watched the most eclectic group of individuals enter. Men and women both.

And the last of the Jianghu.

Ministry of Culture
Beijing

Cai Wu listened absently as the reports regarding the recovery of China's cultural treasures were read by a seemingly endless stream of aides. He had read some of the reports from the 'Shadow' Ministry regarding the recovery of certain artifacts that could quite well spell a true rebirth of the Middle Kingdom. He had, in the past, wondered why that woman carried that old rake, but that one document, that one tale, opened his eyes. If the Mandate was truly lost. If the Mandate was up for grabs, all it needed was for someone to take charge and grab it.

He was not a vain man, nor was he inconsiderate of the realities of the situation. He gained his post through a meticulous, if detached and dispassionate, work ethic, and while many thought his lack of manliness and asexual outlook was a detriment, it served him well in navigating the politics of the Party.

"Yes yes yes," He dismissed his aides. "We have done quite well in the recovery efforts thus far, but we all have much to do to ensure our culture is not forgotten."
"Of course Minister," His senior most aide bobbed his head.

"For our next course of action I need a thorough examination and catalogue of all the records, artifacts, and rituals used in the selection of Emperors from the First Qin Emperor to the fall of the Qing Dynasty."

He held up a hand to stifle the groans he was sure to be uttered.

"Now now, together we will accomplish this," He spoke. "But tonight we will enjoy the fruits of our recovery efforts and tomorrow begin anew. Please make contact with Professor Xue and ask her to report her findings as well."

Chenzhou, Hunan Province

Xiao Chaogui sat in the darkness, his hands continually stroking the wooden box that sat in his lap. Before him knelt his three 'Angels', each quietly awaiting his commands. The Demon had made her move in an unexpected way, and the shockwaves of her declaration to the so called 'Magicals' had sent everyone scurrying. She was a wily and cunning foe, but she was a child compared to his magnificence. He would have finally passed on had it not been for the Artifact, and his curse was still coursing through his spirit. He damned the Qin again. And that peasant sorcerer. And that loud mouthed American. San Francisco was a disaster.

"Give me your report my…angels."

"Lord, we have been consolidating our gains amongst the populous in your old holdings."

"What of the PLA?"

"They are being reorganized and consolidated to recover from their losses that have building during their last offensive at Nanjing. A majority of the units have been cycling through Chengdu."

"Chengdu?" Chaogui's hands paused. "Have they come down from their mountains?"

"I do not know Lord," One of the three spoke. "We have been unable to get anyone close to General Zu for quite some time. He is very guarded."

"My Ascension is at hand," The 'Messiah' reborn spoke. "There will be nothing that will stop me from regaining my flesh. I want our followers to find out what our enemies are doing, and let nothing stop our kingdom on earth from reigning for all time."


She dreamed.

Steam rose from the waters, carrying the scent of lavender and mint. Candles burned in the hundreds, each flame casting dancing shadows across the silk drapes.

Ying sighed, the warmth from the pool eased her weary body, but yet her mind was active. Things in China were getting progressively worse to the point the Japanese and Koreans were taking serious note. The west remained unconcerned at this, but as Napoleon once said, 'China is a sleeping giant. Let her sleep, for when she wakes, she will tremble the world'.

And there were signs that the sleeper was waking.

She rubbed the oils into her arms as she bathed, a gift from her father, and laid back against the smooth stone of the pool.
The silk fluttered.

You seek…you desire…you want…

She glanced about.

What do you desire…

Justice, she thought to herself.

"Justice is a word of men."

She turned. A woman's shape was blurred behind the silk.

"Do you think there is justice?"

The shape moved slowly beyond the silk.

"Yes." Ying replied without hesitation.

"…"

A soft breeze blew through the room, sending the silk dancing.

"And was there justice when the communists came? When they claimed the Mandate?"

Ying frowned, her body tensing.

The waters parted. A brush against Ying's ear.

Ying spun around.

"If I told you there was a way to bring about justice, not only for yourself, but for all of those who have been crushed beneath an uncaring heel? Empires rise and fall according to the Celestial Order…"

A whisper in her ear. She spins around to face a hauntingly beautiful woman with a sharply angled face, raven hair floated around her like a fan. Wisps of steam rose from the waters, each finger slowly encircling the woman, almost like shapes. A spear. A face. A part of the Menshen. A hand that brushed the delicate caligraphy on her blade that dedicated her to her lord.

"The wheel has turned," The woman spoke. "The Mandate is lost."

Ying's voice caught. How did she not sense this? Behind the woman her shadow seemed to split.

"Join me Wei Ying. Together we will restore the glory that has been lost."

"Who are you?" Ying stammered. "You….you are the one I was told of."

"Say my name." She eased closer, nearly touching.

"I…"

"Say. My. Name."

"Wei-"

"SAY!"

"MY!"

"NAME!"

The voice was both a whisper and a shout, yet her expression remained serene.

Fear gripped Ying's voice, a shudder as she inhaled.

"Da-"

Ying awoke, her heart racing. Immediately she looked to the west. There was a massive flare of power, sending ripples across the world, and yet, the epicenter did not seem to be China, but Japan. She quickly dressed and checked her messages. The Statute was holding, if barely, and the Magical Diet seemed to be dragging their heels as usual to the point where Magical Kyoto was taking charge of the event. The sheer numbers of her kin involved shocked her to no end. With nervous hands she cast the T'ang Dynasty Coins. Even the musical notes of the coins against the hollow echo of the tortoise shell brought no succor. With her bottom lip firmly between her teeth she read the I Ching. She would journey to the West. The RCMMP trusted her enough to know that she would be needed in the Middle Kingdom.

The woman knelt in the darkness. A tear slid down her face and impacted with a thunderclap on the mat. The fragment she felt was gone. Not lost, but reborn anew. This child. This girl. She would know this young one's measure. The blood of the Fox ran strong in the land of the Rising Sun, and she would test her. Should the blood prove strong enough, should the Will be iron, this one might serve a much greater purpose. Across the sea to the East she could feel the old blood stirring again, an ancient bloodline that could perhaps one day take the throne anew. But for now. For this one moment in silence and darkness, she would mourn this loss, and she would rejoice in the glorious rebirth to come.

"Heavenly court your humble servant beseeches thee…"

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Laying back in the hospital bed, Harry let out a small huff before Natsumi shifted a bit beside where he laid. Just like him, she had bandages in various places to cover various cuts and scrapes that were too small for the Healers to really bother with due to the amount of injuries various others had gotten. Looking up at him, she raised one eyebrow above which was a square bandage, "You okay, Harry-Chan?"

With a small shrug, which brought a small wince from him, he let out a sigh, "About as okay as I could be..." Harry then gave her a smile, "Which is a lot as you're here with me."

Despite understanding the underlaying message, Natsumi huffed and looked away from him with a blush appearing on her cheek, "Baka, saying such things."

Lips twitching, Harry reached up with his good hand and tapped her on the nose, "And you like it when I say such things. Don't deny it, Natsumi-Chan." Getting grumbles and her blush deepening, he chuckled, "So adorable when you're acting like a tsundere~"

Now really blushing, the Kitsune gave him a glare, "S-shut up. If you were not so hurt, I would bop you on the head for that! I am not a tsundere."

All Harry did was laugh at that before wincing and giving a hiss, "Ow... forgot it hurts to laugh right now."

Rolling her eyes, Natsumi sighed, "And you deserve it." She then perked up a bit and looked to the door, "I think that the others are back from their examinations."

Sure enough, moments later the door opened and Nobu was wheeled in with a grin on her face as she waved, "Hello my friends, my friends hello! The Demon has returned in good health!"

Uesugi snorted a little bit as she adjusted her glasses, one bandage going up her cheek near her ear, "If one with all your injuries could be considered to be in good health, than I do not wish to see what you consider ill health to be."

Before Nobu could shoot back, Okita, who had one arm wrapped up as well as another bandage on her neck near the back snorted, "Nobu-Chan is well enough to act out, so she's well enough." Ignoring said girl whining about her being mean, she turned to Harry as the others walked in, "How are you doing, Harry-Kun?"

The boy in question gave a small shrug and smile before flinching a little, "I'm... doing well enough, considering."

A frown on her face from the flinch, Nobu wheeled forward and narrowed her eyes, "That bad?"

With a sigh, Harry frowned slightly, "Well... do you know about skelegrow?"

Eyebrow raised, the former Head of the Oda Clan said, "Hai, they actually gave me a few sips." She grimaced some and rubbed at her chest, bandages apparent under her shirt, "Mitsuhide broke at least three ribs. So they had me take some to speed up the healing after they fixed my internal injuries and vanished any blood that had leaked out." Then Nobu stuck her tongue out, "Tasted disgusting."

Snorting, Harry shook his head, "You're lucky then."

At the questioning looks, he turned towards his busted hand. All of those there noted that it had been healed of the wounds from the broken bones having pierced through the skin. That was until they realized something else that Usagi noted outloud, "Why... does it look like it's deflated?"

Unknown to her, Harry was already looking forward to their reactions, "Mainly because they removed all the bones in it. That's what happens when they do so after all."
For several moments everyone sort of stared at them, which the thirteen year old wizard smugly took in, enjoying every last bit. Finally, Uesugi reached up and wiggled a finger in her ear with a small frown on her face, "Did you say that they..."

Chuckling, Harry grinned and gave a nod, "Removed all the bones in my hand? Hai, because that is what they did..." Pausing for a moment, he shook his head, "Well, that and my wrist. Because apparently they were all shattered and it was easier to just remove and regrow them rather than try and get them all back together."

It took a few second for Rika to realize what he meant and she winced, "In other words, they gave you skelegrow to regrow the bones of your hand?" At his nod, she hissed, "Ouch..."

With one raised eyebrow as she glanced at her, Nobu turned back to Harry, "How bad is it?"

Once more, the teenage wizard had a small flinch, though they realized that throughout their conversation at times he had a small twitch in his eyelid, "Well... because there's no bones, instead the potion forms small splinters of bone in their place. And those splinters, via magic, start moving around in their position seeking other splinters to join with. Which themselves become bigger splinters that move until they join with others. All to form the new bone... and I am unable to have painkillers because that could interfere with the potion. Same with potions that could knock me out."

Everyone besides Natsumi winced at that with Nobu shaking her head as she rubbed her ribs, "That definitely makes me feel better about my ribs. It hurts a little, but not like that."

Lips pressing thinly together, they could see two long objects inside one of his fingers move together and stop moving. Grunting, Harry gave a nod, "Trust me, you got no idea..." With a sigh, he laid his head back some, "Still better than when I had all the bones in my arm vanished accidentally and had to have them regrown."

Now it was Asuka who was giving him a look of utter disbelief, "How the heck can you accidentally vanish all the bones in your whole arm?! That shouldn't be possible!"

From where she laid beside Harry, Natsumi snorted, "In his case? His DADA teacher was... not quite what he claimed. To make a long story short, someone cursed a bludger to follow him and keep trying to hit him. When it did, it broke his arm and said teacher attempted a spell that was supposed to vanish any splinters to prevent further injury when a student knocked him to the side to take a picture... and messed up the spell meaning all the bones in his arm were vanished."

It was then that she noticed that Usagi's eyebrow was twitching and she had closed both eyes while having a scary smile, "I see... so a student interrupted a medical procedure just to take a picture? And what happened to him afterwards as punishment?"

Suddenly remembering that the Inaba was someone trained in First Aid and had admitted down in the underground complex that she was being taught some things about being a healer, Harry coughed into one hand, "He, uh... got petrified that night by a Basilisk. Trying to bring a gift basket up to the Hospital wing?"

When Usagi asked what had happened after he was unpetrified, neither Harry nor Natsumi were able to give an answer. Slowly, the Rabbit Yokai gave a nod, "I see..."

Both teens in the bed shared a glance before Natsumi spoke up, "Right! Not to change the subject and prevent a murder or something... are all of you assigned to the hospital room here as well?"

Okita gave a darkly muttering Usagi a wide berth before sitting on one of the beds, "Hai, all of us were assigned to this room or the one next door while we heal up." Glancing at the others, she gave a small shrug, "We've always been told that everything that happened was classified to the highest levels. Our parents are also on the way as well."

Curious as she also sat down, Ayaka cocked her head to the side, "What is that like?" Seeing the confusion, she waved at the three reincarnated people, "Having parents and such after..."

The three teenage girls glanced at each other before humming. With a small shrug, Okita looked back at her, "I don't mind it too much since in this life I have had an Otou-San. He's rather understanding about me being... what I am. Same with my current Okaa-San."

For her part, Uesugi gave a nod of agreement before they turned to the last member of their trio. Nobu blinked before giving a chuckle, "I like this life's parents more than my original. I don't have my Otou-San continually harping on me that my literal bastard of a brother was better at everything and how he wished that he could take over the clan." A somber look came over her face before letting out a small sigh, "I... suspect that my Imouto was also reborn in this life as my current one and this time..." Nobu clenched her fists tight enough that they shook, "I swear that she will get the life that she deserved, one with happiness."

Each of those who knew some of the history there simply nodded in agreement.

Suddenly, there was a tapping at the window and they turned to find a snowy owl sitting on top of a box. Blinking, Uesugi raised an eyebrow at it, "Is... that your owl, Harry-Kun?"

With a slight smile, Harry nodded some, "Hai, that would be Hedwig." Tilting his head to the side, his eyes widened slightly as did his smile, "And she's bringing some treats and games as well to help time pass."

Eyebrow raised, Nobu looked at him, "How did you even know that?"

Amused, the teenage wizard tapped the side of his head with a finger on his good hand, "Hedwig is my familiar now, sort of... like a Shikigami, I suppose. But different as well, so we can hear each others thoughts and such if we want. I can even see out of her eyes and use her senses."

Rubbing her chin, Uesugi had a thoughtful look on her face, 'If she could appear as a more normal owl... that would have been truly useful for spying.' Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Nobu nodding as did Okita. Understanding that they had the same thought as her, Uesugi walked over to the bed and let Hedwig in, though his eyes widened as she transformed into a winged woman, "Well... that is different."

Head cocked to the side, Hedwig smiled at her, "Never saw an owl before?"

With a chuckle, Kaku shook his head some, "Not one that can transform anyways I suspect." Interested in the package, he gestured at it, "What's inside there?"

The familiar looked towards her master who only nodded in reply. Opening it, she brought out a small box and set it aside, "Some sweets from Honeydukes as well as the local sweet shop." Another box joined the first, "Some of the fruit cheese buns from Kushiro that Harry-Wizard enjoys, sent by Akebono. And... a wizard chess set."
Intrigued, Uesugi adjusted her glasses some, "Wizard chess? How is that different from normal chess?"

Glancing at her as Hedwig placed one box on his lap, Harry gave a small shrug, "Well..." Pausing, he gave her a questioning look, "Do you play chess?"

Lips twitching, the Dragon of Echigo nodded a little, "As a matter of fact, I have learned how. It is not Go, but it is still an interesting game." She gestured at Nobu who wheeled herself over to Harry's bed, "Sometimes, Nobu-Chan and myself play it against one another. She was the one who got me to learn how to play it."

When everyone looked at her, Nobu shrugged, "I thought it interesting and wanted something different from Go and Shogi." At their nods, she leaned to look at the open box in Harry's lap, "So... fruit cheese buns?"

Harry chuckled and took what looked like a rounded bun of bread out, "They're bread buns, but the inside has cream cheese with fruit preserves on top." Taking a bite, he chewed and swallowed before turning the bun to show them, "See? Besides, I need the calcium in the cheese."

Arms crossed, the former Uniter of Japan nodded, "I see, I see. Sounds interesting, so could I please have one?" When one of the uneaten ones was placed into her hand, Nobu examined it before shrugging and taking a bite. Chewing slowly, she hummed before swallowing, "Ah, not bad."

Even as Nobu continued to eat hers, and offering one to Okita, Harry turned back to Uesugi, "Anyways, the difference with Wizard's chess is that the pieces are magically animated. So you can command them like you would soldiers on a battlefield." Upon seeng Uesugi and Nobu perk up at that and glance at one another, he smirked, "Go ahead and play yourselves if you want. Just don't mind if some get mouthy."

That made the two former warlords snort, but soon enough they had the board set up on a table with sweets and such beside it with the pieces out on the board. Within moments, the two were embroiled in a battle with one another across the chessboard, grins and smirks on their faces as they ordered their "Armies" in their attacks. Rather amused, Okita leaned towards Harry who was eating another bun, one in her own hands, "You realize that you're unlikely to get a chance to play with the two of them like that."

Smirking, Harry chuckled and gave a shrug, "Can't be helped!" At Okita's snicker, he gave her a look, "I know that there's at least some Yokai developing a sort of game of Risk using figurines and such. You can play as historical armies and they're magically animated... pretty sure that they have a Nobunaga Army for instance."

Hand shooting into the air, and not bothering to look away from the game, Nobu pointed at a chuckling Harry, "I want it."

Across from her, Uesugi snorted a bit, "And I shall want an Uesugi army if they have such."

Only rolling her eyes at the two as they once more became embroiled in their game, Ayaka glanced at the two cuddling teens that were Harry and Natsumi. After a few moments, she gave them a smile, "So... what happens next?"

Just shrugging, the thirteen year old wizard shook his head, "Heal up, probably write a report on what happened, do interviews... that sort of thing. Though in a few days, we're supposed to go to Shiromizu's village up in the mountains. They're going to be enshrining her."

Each of the others gave a nod and soon their talk turned to other things such as Okita trying various wizarding treats or Asuka and Hedwig discussing things related to flight. Once more, they were just teens having some fun, not warriors fighting in life or death battles. Nightmares would come, they were certain of that. But... right now was time for healing, to relax in each others company.

Later, when she left to go and get some dinner, Natsumi blinked as Ayaka followed her. But for once, the Inugami was uncharacteristically silent. Once they were far enough from the room, Ayaka placed a hand on Natsumi's shoulder making the Kitsune turn to her, "Ayaka-Chan? What's-" It went without saying that Natsumi was utterly shocked as Ayaka pulled her into a hug, "Ayaka-Chan?"

Tightening the hug, the Inugami sniffled a bit, "I... was worried. When I saw what the pelt did to you."

Her eyes softening, Natsumi gave a nod, "You weren't the only one. I... honestly thought that I was going to die there for a bit." The hug tightened a bit, "But I'm glad that I didn't."

Unable to help herself, something between a sniffle and a laugh escaped from Ayaka, "I'm... I'm glad too, Natsumi-Chan. While Inugami and Kitsune have had issues, I..." Trailing off, she took a deep breath and let it out, "You're a friend, I don't care about any of that besides wanting to be your rival, your friend. Seeing you get annoyed and flustered when I tease you about Harry-Kun and the like? It makes me laugh and the like, especially when you fight back. But I don't want..."

Leaning her head against her friend's, the Kitsune nodded, "Hai, I know. And I always knew, Ayaka-Chan, that you are a friend. Never doubt that, ever. There are few that I would want at my side in a fight, but you're one of them. Because I trust you to keep an eye on my back and protect it. Who cares what the old timers think about Inugami and Kitsune, they're old fools and our families, they don't care about that."

After a few more moments, the two pulled apart and shared a smile as well as a nod before they wiped their eyes.

With that done, they continued their walk towards the cafeteria before Natsumi snorted some. At the look from Ayaka, she shrugged, "I don't know why, but I just had the image in my head of our children marrying. Or you marrying one of my sons."

Barking out a laugh, Ayaka shook her head and punched her friend in the arm, "Not likely..." Suddenly, she grinned a bit, "Well, unless they look a little like Harry-Kun. Then I would not mind at all having them join the family, either through me or my children."

Only rolling her eyes, the Kitsune shook her head as they walked.

 

[darthcourt10]

NotHimAgain

We interrupt your scheduled discussion on trade and economics to bring you... THE DRAMATIC CHIPMUNK!


I don't even know why I did that. But seriously, here's a thing. It's called...
FINALLY THE NEXT FREAKING CHAPTER
Breathing quietly, Reiko glanced down at her erstwhile ally. The woman—Miss Diehl—looked back up at her and rolled her eyes in a "why so worried" fashion. It would have looked humorous on Benio, but all the snake-ish blonde accomplished was bored irritation. Reiko huffed quietly and continued affixing her ofuda to the ceiling.

It was the same tone with which they had formed their agreement.

("I can't run from here—if I do, that old guy will just get away again! I have a way to block teleportation spells…"

"How interesting. In that case, let's see what we can get up to.")

It didn't seem quite the best way to join forces, to Reiko, and something about Miss Diehl just screamed disturbing, but in her position? Beggars couldn't be choosers. Besides, it seemed to have worked over the past hour—Miss Diehl surreptitiously covering her tracks while she planted each and every one of the reproduced ofuda necessary to keep the old man in one place. She hadn't been jumped from behind or anything. The human woman was probably just one of those people who were creepy by nature.

(This house was also much too big for Reiko's tastes, but that wasn't so much a complaint as an observation.)

"Done," she whispered, leaning away from her work. Miss Diehl nodded, and raised her wand. The plaster, peeled back from its place, reformed over the ofuda, hiding it from anyone who wasn't supposed to know it was there. "Where else?"

"Just a hallway or two on the way back to the kitchen door," Miss Diehl replied casually. "We'll be out the door in maybe twenty or so minutes."

"You shouldn't say that," Reiko hissed.

The witch raised a puzzled eyebrow in response. "Why not? I'm only stating a fact. Let's keep moving, I don't want to be in there when your friends arrive."
-----

It had taken a while for McKay to calm down completely. Tatsuya wasn't certain whether or not she was asleep, but she had finally stopped bawling, and her breathing was steady and normal. She sat slouched over the small diner table, face down and hidden to the world. Tatsuya glanced between her, Benio sitting across from him and close by her, and Tonbo, at his side, glaring impatiently at nothing. Sam had followed DuBois as he talked to the girl at the counter about setting them up with something to eat (coming to a restaurant and just standing around might make them stand out), and Phoebe surveyed the tableau sternly.

He wasn't certain about her yet—too different from Miyuki for that—but Tatsuya had a feeling that he could trust the Shipgirl. She had taken a few minutes to suss out the fact that everyone was determined not to be in the place where the battle had just taken place, but once she understood she had hustled them here—a small, family-owned establishment that she was claimed was at a slow point in the day. Whether or not that held true remained to be seen, but if that bridge needed to be crossed then they would cross it at the proper time.

"You okay over there?" Benio asked, glancing over at Tonbo. The wakizashi gave her a tired look. "What? You've got the 'tortured anti-hero on a mission look.' Tatsuya's already gone through that phase, and I don't want to deal with that mess ever again."

That, at least, roused a snort from the other girl. "I'm fine," she said reassuringly. "Just… antsy, for the waiting. You two sure you're not coming?"

Benio glanced at Tatsuya. "Yeah," he confirmed. "This… This is you and your sisters. And the Masamunes, I guess. Honjo was pretty clear on that part." He frowned. "That's not going to be a problem, is it?"

"No, no," Tonbo laughed. "Just… Nah. Don't really know what I'm thinking. This guy, he just needs to be gone. Thought that you'd want to be there, make sure."

"We trust you," Benio pointed out.

Tonbo glanced away, but Tatsuya thought he noticed the ghost of a smile on her face before she did.

Sam skidded to a stop by their table, accompanied by a shout of "oi! Don't run!" from the girl at the counter.

"Our food's going to be out in a little while," she announced, glancing back and forth between the two sides of the table. Tonbo slid out of the booth, and Sam hopped into her place obligingly. "I wanted to just get fish and chips for everyone because I've never had fish and chips before, but Jeff says we should try for at least a little variety—"

McKay groaned, shuffling away slightly.

"So, is she really okay?" Sam continued, uncaringly. "Shouldn't we call her parents or something?"

"Noo poin'," the Scottish girl said, voice a near whisper.

Everyone went still. Benio, who had been just about to respond, glanced at the girl beside her and gingerly reached for her shoulder. Tatsuya glanced at Phoebe—the Shipgirl had a thoughtful look on her face.

"Ma's gone. Gran sen' Da 'way. All 'lone," McKay continued.

"I—"

"What were their names?"

Tatsuya's mouth clicked shut. He turned to face DuBois. "What are you doing?"

The American had already pulled his phone out, and was bringing up a search engine. "Just thinking of some old cases, some details that—"

"Tha's nae wha' HAPPENED!" McKay shrieked, pushing herself bolt upright.
-----

"And that's all she wrote," Miss Diehl observed as Reiko dropped down from the ceiling.

"We were here before, weren't we?" Reiko asked, glancing around suspiciously. "Did we just cover it twice?"

"No, I just pulled you through into another room," her companion replied. "Good job keeping track, though. Do you remember which way the kitchen is?" Reiko frowned, then pointed. "Very good job. Let's go."

The silence that rested between the two of them only lasted a scant few seconds as they dodged into the dining room.

"By the way, I wanted to ask—your brushes—"

"It's very high quality dog hair," Reiko hissed. Miss Diehl cocked an eyebrow again.

"Get that one a lot, do you?"

"I'd imagine so," a new voice said as they rounded through into the kitchen. "Dog hair—I don't think that's common for calligraphy sets." Reiko spun, ofuda at the ready, but paused when Miss Diehl waved her back. The young man—short brown hair, glasses, slightly befuddled look to him—gave her a disappointed sigh. "Scylla… what exactly are you doing?"

"Taking my leave," Miss Diehl replied with a short, mocking bow. "I thank you for your hospitality, but it seems that I left some samples at home that are trying to conquer the greenhouse. The matter requires my immediate attention, so if you'll excuse me…"

"I've known you since we could walk, Scylla," the man replied darkly. "I know you're deflecting."

"In that case, Dewey, mind yourself." The response was curt, surprisingly venomous for the woman's usual disinterested tone. "Dewey" looked like he was about to stumble away in shock, but he stood his ground.

"I'm more interested in your friend, myself," a reedy voice piped up from across the room, and Reiko whipped around again.

The man standing about a meter away from the door was… well, she wasn't entirely sure how to describe him. Lex Luthor with all the air taken out, she supposed. His eyes shone with a malevolent light—like he was dissecting her, because she was a thing and he was interested in what was inside her.

This… this is him, she realized, a pit opening in her stomach. This is the one who hurt Nameless. It was her first proper look at him. She hadn't realized how… viscerally unsettling he would be even before she realized his identity.

"She is, of course, the one who's been tampering magically with the house?" he continued. "It's simply fascinating—no matter what we do, analysis and tracking the source doesn't work. It's as if the ofuda are actively hiding by their own will." His mouth cracked into a smile that set Reiko's gut churning. "I'm ever so curious as to how it works."

"Don't be," she replied just to set herself at ease. "You're gonna find out personally in just a few seconds."

The old man rolled his eyes. "Young people today," he grumbled, "so impatient, so uncooperative. Nothing like the help back in the old days."

His wand flicked out.

And suddenly, Reiko felt a hand in the center of her back, pushing her down. She glanced back up to see Miss Diehl jerk once, as if someone had poured snow down her back.
-----

"Ih' was th' WOLF, th' one they KILT, GREYBACK! Da tried t'…"

Just as quickly as McKay had found the energy, it left her. She slumped back onto the table. "Da tried t' take me way. Tried t'… save me. An' then Gran sen' 'im away, where 'e couldn'."

All around the small circle, Tatsuya could almost see the wheels turning in everyone's heads, putting the story together—everyone except Sam, who just looked kind of bewildered. But the rest…

"Do you think that there's any way we could get some look at some legal records?"

It was at that lucky moment that Tatsuya's phone went off again. As everyone began debating and planning (or maybe debating about planning, or some other combination of the words—Tatsuya had never figured out all the right ways to do so), he took it out and pulled up the message.

He tapped Tonbo on the shoulder and showed it to her.
-----

"And now you've hit Scylla. Just lovely," Dewey complained.

"As if she wasn't just about to betray us," the old man replied flatly. "Don't be such a child, boy."

"No, no, I'm not, it's just…" Dewey groaned. "She could have gotten us past—"

"Oh…. Ugh…"

The two of them trailed off, glancing at Scylla in confusion. The mad scientist ignored them, instead simply clutching her hand to her head and groaning again. "This is why I don't like to field test spells," she groaned. "You can never tell… one moment." She slashed the air with her wand, then straightened. "There. Hangover like you wouldn't believe."

"What did you just do?" the old man hissed.

Scylla looked at him blankly in return. "I just dealt with the side-effect of an untested spell—very unpleasant, let me tell you—"

"You should be little better than a human puppet right now!" he cried, cutting her off. Really, how rude. You weren't supposed to do that unless it was an emergency.

"Yes, well, you let me look at your notes," Scylla spelled out patiently. "I was able to use them to develop defenses against your little Jedi mind tricks. Here, I'll prove it worked. Scylla Diehl, twenty-three years old, Ravenclaw, showed an aptitude for the magical arts from an early age—"

"Those notes were altered! You shouldn't be able to defend against anything!" Scylla sighed. He hadn't even let her get to the part where Dewey's father murdered her parents, or all the antics she had gotten up to in her seventh year at Hogwarts.

"I noticed that they were altered," she replied. The old man's eyes were boring into her, and she could feel Dewey's from behind. "The brain chemistry, the math, the little bits in the margins… you were subtle, I'll give you that. But when you add point four and point three, and end up with point six, you start to look for the inconsistencies." She grinned cheekily. "It was hilariously easy to reverse engineer your work from the scant bits you left in for realism's sake. I enjoyed myself ever so much."

"That's. Impossible."

"We're mad scientists, you old git. Impossible just makes it a challenge."

And with that, something sticky snagged Scylla's leg—Miss Kumogai, bless her spidery heart—and she went flying for the door, wand snapping out to deflect a second attempt with the memory magic. The door slammed closed, and Scylla pounded her wand into the heel of her palm, melting the doorknob into a solid mess of metal. She repeated the gesture over and over again, each window and door slagging itself into an unopenable barrier.

And Dewey had them all reinforced so as not to let any test subjects out, she thought with an almost gleeful irony.

"Miss Diehl! You—you know the mind stuff that he did too?"

Scylla glanced down at the wide-eyed yokai girl. "Yes, I do," she confirmed, "and he was so focused on how I could that he never even looked at you—not bad at—"

"No, no, not that!" the girl cut her off frantically. Rude, but she seemed to think this was an emergency. Then again, maybe the old man had as well. "You can protect against it—do you think you could fix someone who'd been hit by it? Like, a sword spirit?"

Scylla frowned. "You mean heal someone previously affected? Hmm…" It would take observation, possibly over months, just to figure out what she was dealing with. Some more time with the old man's notes. But how to reverse damage had been one of the first things that she'd made sure to figure out… "With time and effort, I suppose."

Miss Kumogai's eyes lit up with glee before she whipped out her phone again. Her poor, enchanted friend, perhaps? How interesting.

And, she reflected humorously, covering the last two halls and the brief confrontation had taken the two of them just under twenty-one minutes. Odd how that worked out, wasn't it.
-----

CREEPY LADY CAN FIX NAMELESS

"We're keeping her," Benio said, leaning over Tatsuya's shoulder to examine the text. "You do realize that we're keeping her."

"I thought it was implied," Tatsuya responded blithely. He glanced over at Tonbo.

The wakizashi stared down at the small screen for another few seconds. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, filling her lungs before slowly breathing out. The worry that had rested on her face faded away. A brief flicker of relief was there, which vanished into rage, which melted into… well, Tatsuya couldn't really say what. It wasn't calm, that was certain, but resolved didn't seem to describe it either. It looked like…

Like certainty.

A deep, irrefutable knowledge.

Knowledge that, tonight, a man would die at her hands and the hands of her companions.

A shudder ran down his spine, and Tatsuya's hand came around to grip Benio's.

He could only imagine what Honjo would be thinking.
-----

Yeah, probably not the best it could be, but I promise that the thing with Diehl was in the cards from the beginning.

Well what do you think, sirs?

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A Second Chance To Make A Butterknife Impression (I)

5 July 2014

Passel House, Hampshire
Spoiler: Meeting The Weasley Squadron

In the front seat of her 1928 Mercedes Nurburg Sedan Colombe smiled as she made the turnoff for the drive up to Passel House. While she had not been in the best state of mind when she rode a carriage here from London in 1899, she had been paying attention to the last part of the trip from the local village to this manor house.

With that she pulled up to the closed gate. As she waited for it to open, she turned to the girls in the back seat and spoke in a weary maternal tone. "Yes, we are there now."

After a minute or two the gate opened, and Colombe's eyebrow raised.

Someone must have enchanted it in the last century plus.

With that pleasant thought, she parked the car next to the carriage house, that looked to be some kind of workshop now. As she parked, the front door opened, and a quartet of figures appeared.

Ehren opened the door and hopped out of the car, smiling happily at the redheaded young man in the lead, flanked on either side by tall women - one blonde, one brunette - with an apparent maid standing by the door surveying the scene. Colombe followed suit and gave Ehren a look to remember her manners as she extended her hand for Claire.

Ehren, to her credit, did as she had been taught and curtsied politely. "Guten Tag, Ronald, Jean Bart. May I introduce my Mutti, Colombe du Chasteler and my older sister Claire du Chasteler?"

Ronald, the young man, smiled and extended his hand, which Ehren shook, followed by the brunette called Jean Bart -- now where had she heard the name before? -- who gave Ehren a handshake and a broad grin. Claire meanwhile gave the welcoming party a shy smile and wave as Colombe curtsied in turn. "Thank you for having us over, Monseuir Ronald."

Colombe felt a chill run down her spine as she spoke, and sighed mentally as the maid gave her a chilly stare.

She had seen that woman someplace, she knew it.

Ronald half turned and waved the blonde woman with the long ponytail over. "May I introduce HMS Duke of York who wished to meet you, Miss Colombe?"

Colombe automatically curtsied to Duke, measuring her up. She blinked and a smug smile flickered around her lips at the sight of the sword the shipgirl had as part of her uniform. "Enchantée. Do you fence, perchance, Mademoiselle Duke?"

The maid stiffened slightly and shot Colombe a disapproving look as the British battleship smiled slightly. "Indeed I do. Yourself?"

Colombe grinned and snapped her fingers, summoning her rapier body to herself from the luggage in the trunk of the car. "In a real sense, swordplay is my life." She buckled the sword belt to her waist over her traveling coat, and idly caressed her hilt.

Jean Bart joined in their conversation as Ehren and Ron spoke about the upcoming Chudley Cannons match and Claire gave the maid a smile and then walked over to speak to her quietly. "That is a beautiful blade, Madame du Chasteler. That is the one that we saw in the wizarding papers when they published the photographs from Verdun, I believe. May I see it?" The French battleship asked with eagerness in her voice.

Colombe grinned, and then carefully drew it for examination by the battleships. Duke's eyes widened at the wood grain pattern of her Muramasa steel blade and waved to Ron. "Ron, please come over and see this. I have never seen anything like it in a sword before and want some expert analysis."

Ron came over and his eyes narrowed as he looked analytically at the Muramasa jewel steel. "I have. One of the weapon spirits hanging around Harry has a sword patterned like that. Except hers is Japanese."

Colombe smirked. "Probably my aunt Juuchi Yosamu. I am the daughter of her older sister Muramasa-no-Norimune and Julie d'Aubigny in 1707."

Jean Bart blinked and spoke in a shocked voice. "Wait, THE Julie d'Aubigny? The legendary swordswoman from the time of Louis XIV? You do not look three centuries old!"

"One and the same." Colombe smugged, "I'm the spirit of my rapier here. And since that cat is out of the bag, Ehren is my youngest daughter and the spirit of her German dagger, while Claire, is the spirit of her Austrian piano. Claire is looking forward to playing for the family, just as swordplay is my life, so music is hers."

Ron's face fell and he spoke glumly, "Unfortunately that got auctioned off when the estate fell into receivership."

Ehren smiled slightly from her unobtrusive position at Ron's elbow. "With your permission I shall unpack Claire's keyboard then, Ronald, Mutti?"

Ron nodded and Colombe smirked. "Make it so, Ehren."

"Zu Befehl, Mutti!" Ehren snapped to attention and then opened the trunk of the car. Duke's eyes narrowed at the clear Prussian mannerisms of the young girl.

Claire skipped over and gave her mother a hug, which Colombe automatically reciprocated. "Thank you Mother. Miss Victoria said that she would show me where I can play. She's nice!" The piano said in her shy gentle voice.

Colombe smiled and ruffled Claire's ebony hair. "Good girl. Help Ehren unpack and then she will help you get your keyboard set up. You can play after you are all ready, dear."

The rapier's smile widened as Claire joined her sister, soon to joined by Jean Bart who was speaking to Ehren as she put their luggage in her hold. "She really is a treasure. Ahh, I hope that you have no objections to piano music?"

Duke smiled slightly and spoke quietly, "Not in the least, and since I have the weekend on shore leave, with your permission I would like to indulge you in a little bout of swordplay. For honour's sake and the joy of the art." Duke's voice warmed slightly. "The Admiralty has quite a file on you and your activities and I would like to see how much of it is true for myself."

Colombe grinned back. "Of course. After all I owe you and your crew for the fire support in Oran in 1942 when the Allies landed to liberate Algeria."

Duke blinked as on board her bridge, her gunnery officer spoke up with his memories of Operation TORCH. "Wait, you were Agent KNAVE who were calling in special fire support orders inshore as the troops landed?"

Colombe chuckled, "Indeed I was." Her voice became more professional as she spoke from memory, "'KNAVE to DUCHESS, one platoon German tanks in Grid square Lima one seven, ranging shot request'. Thank you for dropping those shells on the Boche who were there back then. Although to be fair it wasn't tanks Del and I were calling shellfire in on back then but something far uglier." She scowled at the memories from seventy years in the past.

Duke gave a small smile and spoke in a low voice, "Dare I inquire what I actually destroyed? We heard rumours of some special activities back during the War. After I came back Admiralty House has been piecing together what was going on behind the scenes back then with the magical world."

Colombe shrugged expressively, "Old news now and it is probably in the files someplace if you know where to look with clearance. Suffice it to say that as you suspected back then, there's a parallel world to the mundane one, and World War Two was fought not just in the theaters you served in but also with magic in the shadows. The Boche had a... factory... I suppose you could call it to manufacture what they called Vargr and we called Wulfen. Insanely fast blood mad werewolves under the control of an officer to unleash the pack. That was what we needed you to get rid of before they could convert the people they were keeping in the nearby jail into berserk freakishly fast murder machines to face the landing." The Muramasa rapier smirked. "The problem that they had was that while they had charms up to render it overlooked by muggles, like the wards on Passel House that I drove through, those do not work as well on magicals like myself and Del, and if we could see it and direct your shellfire, well you were just destroying an area we designated with naval artillery."

Duke smiled. "Thank you. I always wondered about that fire mission considering the sealed orders from London telling me to support a special agent on the ground during the landing with utmost priority. It is good to hear about what happened after all. I take it you fought alongside us as part of the Free Nations contingent back then?"

Colombe nodded as they walked inside the house. "I got out of Belgium in 1940 one step ahead of the Boche as part of the evacuation at Dunkirk and served in the magical branch of Special Operations Executive until Germany fell, when I returned to private life. Del, my sister and partner in crime, who was the one relaying the shot corrections joined up in 1941, she's American you see."

Duke smiled as they took a seat in the parlor. "If she's still around, let her know that if we ever meet I owe her a pint for her service. You as well of course after we spar. So you fought in the Second World War?"

Colombe spoke somberly with shadowed eyes. "And the Great War for the Allies which is where I helped seal Verdun in 1919." Her voice perked up as she continued. "As I said, I was born in 1707 and have been acting as a mercenary and adventuress since I turned eighteen, more or less. It is a bit of a family tradition to get into trouble and fights, you see."

Duke chuckled as Victoria appeared with a tray of petit-fours and tea. "That explains why the Admiralty's brief on you mentioned that you were a subject matter expert on Verdun and had an impressive listing of activities you were involved in when we looked you up after your daughter met Ron. I confess to wanting to swap stories with someone who faced Napoleon, Bismarck, Wilhelm the Second, and Hitler for four."

Colombe nodded her head at Victoria as the tea was served. "Thank you for the tea, Miss...? Forgive me but you look quite familiar."

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

With a deep breath, Tsukada Miho looked around the small hut that had been hers and her husband's home for the past eight years. Eight years of being stuck in the Reserve for the "Crime" of having brought their best friends through the Floo to safety. A crime because they had been non-magical and having been Obliviated of such...

A decision that, despite everything, she did not regret in the slightest nor did her husband.

Miho just hoped that her friend was alright, that they had survived what she now knew to be called "Blood Week" and the days after. Every day, she prayed to the Kami that her friends were alright, as was her daughter. Her... poor daughter, who was likely dead. After all, she had been left behind on a tour boat to another island and since the enemy came from the sea...

Quickly, she shook her head away from such thoughts, especially as her mind drifted to what had happened. Being stuck in a holding cell for hours until they heard running and shouting. Which was followed by the entire building shaking with chunks of ceiling falling and the sound of explosions. She could remember not even hearing her own screams as Genji, her husband, covered her with his own body and one of the mattresses. It took hours before anyone came to look in the holding cells, and she could remember the sneer on the Auror's face before ordering them sent to one of the Reserves.

Just sighing, she filled the small bag with everything that she owned, which was not much. What was left was mostly items like a straw futon and the like. Items that could do more good for someone else in the Reserve. With a small nod, she walked out of the hut and closed the door behind her before facing her husband, "I'm ready, Genji-Kun."

Her husband gave a small smile before nodding, "Hai, same here. Time to start our... new lives."

Expression softening, Miho gave a nod of understanding. Both of them had been missing for almost a decade in the non-Magical world. More than that, it was highly likely that someone would be watching to see if they would be contacting their own, non-magical friends. And if they did... most likely throwing them back into the Reserve.

"Okaa-San?"


Both Genji and Miho looked down at the little five year old Kitsune who was looking up at them, confusion in his eyes. Crouching down, Miho smiled at him, "Hai, Atsushi-Chan? What is it?"

Cocking his head to the side, her son frowned a bit, "Are we going to be seeing Ellen-Oba-Chan, and Ken-Oji-Chan?"

Once more, both parents shared a small look that their son, born three years after the loss of their daughter, didn't understand yet. With a small smile, Miho nodded, "Perhaps we will, Atsushi-Chan." Holding out her hand, she waited for him to take it after he adjusted the small bag on his shoulders, "Now, we should be going."

With a happy hum, Atsusho took his mother's hand and began to skip a bit as his parents smiled. Yes, he had only known the Reserve, and was a bit scared of the outside world as much as he wanted to see it from all the stories of his parents, but he was also excited. His parents had put it as a great adventure after all! And he could not wait to get going and explore!

Though... he hoped that he would be able to contact his friends again one day.

However, that was something to worry about another day as he held his parents' hands in his as they swung him slightly. As they walked towards the guard station that they were supposed to report to, they waved to some of their fellow Yokai. A number of whom looked happy for them though some looked grumpy or unhappy. Atsushi remember his mother commenting that they were unhappy because they wanted their turn, though he overheard his father tell her that it was also because some of them didn't want people to leave the Reserve for some reason.

It did not take them long though to reach the small guard station and walk inside. After his parents showed their paperwork to a grimacing guard, who glanced at a young woman nearby who raised her eyebrow at him. He quickly waved them through and the young woman smiled before bowing slightly, "I am Miyata Naomi, you are Tsukada Miho, Genji, and Atsushi?"

Eyes narrowed slightly, Miho returned the bow alongside the rest of her family, "Hai, I am as a matter of fact. Is there an issue with our paperwork?"

Much to her confusion, Naomi only looked at the guards with a cold smile at which they winced, "Only that it took so long for it to go through, I am afraid. And oddly, there was not much reason for why they placed you into a Reserve as you had your paperwork filed and the... incident was worthy of at most a fine, especially considering the circumstances." With a shake of her head, she guided them towards the Floo, "Now, if you'll follow me, I'll be making sure that your paperwork is complete before you leave for your destination."

Still suspicious, they followed her through the Floo and to a desk in the Diet. Part of the two adult Kitsune noted that there was an underlying whiff of concern, fear, and some panic, all of which made them wonder what was going on exactly. But they pushed that to the side for the moment to complete their paperwork. The whole time, Naomi stayed by them and kept an eye on their surroundings.

Once, they caught sight of the Auror who had ordered them to be tossed to the Reserves notice them. For a few moments he looked like he was trying to place who they were through his disgust until, suddenly, he did and he stomped forward... only for Naomi to walk up to him with a smile and whisper something into his ear. The man went pale, red, and back to a blotchy sort of red-pale as the witch pulled away with a smile on her face. With a last glare at them, he stomped off.

After that, it did not take them very long at all to complete their paperwork at all and soon the three were guided out of the Diet on the Non-Magical side of the property much to their confusion. Something that stopped as they noticed a car there open it's door, and Ellen walked out with a bright smile on her face as she soon as she caught sight of them. Tears in her eyes, the American rushed over and grabbed her friend in a hug, "Miho... you're finally out of that place."

Robotically, and in shock, Miho brought her arms up and hugged the other woman. At the same time, her nose twitched some as she took in her friend's scent before relaxing at realizing it did not have any of the signs of Polyjuice or other form of magical transformation. Tightening the hug, she whispered into Ellen's ear, "H-how are you...?"

Pulling back a little, Ellen rubbed the back of her head as she glanced at her husband before catching sight of her son. Briefly, the American's eyes widened before she became thoughtful and turned back to Miho, "Well... I don't quite remember what happened that day. But... I know enough." With a glance towards Naomi, she bowed some, "Thank you and whoever else helped make this happen."

Naomi just smiled at her and nodded as she bowed back, "You are very welcome." She glanced at the door behind her before nodding though she noted the shipgirl not far away, "I would advise you all to leave though before someone else comes through this door. It could be... awkward."

Just nodding, the English teacher guided her friends to her car and they got in, though much to her amusement the young boy seemed unsure about it. But once they were inside, Ellen began to drive off, relaxing the further they got from the Diet exit. Glancing in the mirror, she took a deep breath, "I... have some things to explain, Miho. About what is going on here..."

Frowning, Miho gave a slight sigh even as she scratched her head and furrowed her eyebrows in confusion, "That would be nice, Ellen-Chan. Because at the moment, I am completely lost."

Also nodding from where he sat on the otherside of his son to his wife, Genji frowned, "As am I, especially as we were certain that we would never be able to see you again." Seeing her frown in the mirror, he shook his head, "We were concerned that the Diet could be watching and if they saw us contact you..."

With a soft snort, Ellen smiled a little bit, "Well, there's no real worries about that. I'm immune to memory charms now." Upon seeing their surprised looks, she smirked, "One of the perks of working with shipgirls."

Rapidly blinking, the female of the group of Kitsune stared at her friend, "You work with shipgirls?"

Lightly laughing, Ellen nodded a little, "Among other things anyways. But yes, some of the shipgirls are pursuing their education so I've been helping there alongside my regular teaching job." Pausing, she continued as she made a turn, "Besides which... the Diet won't be much of an issue for too long seeing as it is apparently failing at the moment and no one expects it to last more than a few months."

Genji crossed his arms and became slightly thoughtful as he came to a realization, "That was why everyone at the Diet seemed in such a rush. It's... dying, and they don't quite know what to do."

In the mirror, the American nodded, "That is what is happening. We... contacted some people and got them to move you out of the Reserve. Mainly to get you away from whatever might happen in the next few months and for a few other reasons."

Thoughtful, Miho chewed her lip as she looked at her husband, "That... does make quite a bit of sense, I suppose. But how? You're, um..."

Once more, Ellen glanced at the mirror and smiled, "A No-Maj? I am as a matter of fact. But... I know some people and they pulled some strings. Though I can't take all the credit as..." Voice trailing off, she took a deep breath, "Give my just a moment."

Much to the Kitsune's confusion, she pulled into a parking lot and came to a stop. Ellen kept her hands on the steering wheel for a few moments before Miho reached over and grasped her shoulder, "Ellen-Chan? What's wrong?"

Watery smile on her face, Ellen wiped away a few tears, "Nothing, especially now that you're out of that place." Turning in her seat, she placed a hand on Miho's, "Miho-Chan... I don't know how to break this gently, so I'm not. After all, I'm American."

That made Miho laugh a bit at the old joke that being American made the English teacher blunt, "Well then, just say it."

Out of all the things she had expected, it was not what Ellen said next, "Miho-Chan... Sora-Chan's alive. She's alive and so are my children, and they're home waiting for you."

Upon hearing that, the two older Kitsune were shocked into silence. But it was Atsushi who came to a conclusion first and his expression lit up, "Wait... my Onee-Chan is alive! Really!?" Then he connected a few more dots, "Wait, you must be Ellen-Oba-Chan!"

Blinking, Ellen glanced at her friends who were still utterly stunned and gave the young Kitsune a small smile, "That's right, I'm Baker Ellen and a very good friend of your Okaa-San's. And yes, your Onee-Chan is alive and well for the most part. I take it that you're her new Otouto?"

Rapidly nodding, Atsushi puffed out his chest, "Hai! I'm Atsushi and I'm five years old!"

Eyes going wide, the lone human nodded, "Five years old? Well, you're becoming a very fine young man it seems."

If anything, that only made the five year old Kitsune all the happier and prouder. After all, his Oba-Chan, who his parents had told him all about, called him a 'Man'! It was then though that Genji snapped out of his shock and gave her a disbelieving look, "Our... our daughter is really alive, Ellen-Chan? I mean... w-we hoped, b-but..."

Just reaching into her pocket, Ellen pulled out her cellphone and showed them a picture of a young, twenty year old Kitsune woman. She greatly resembled Miho in a number of ways and had a soft smile on her face. Bringing her hands to her mouth, tears began to gather in Miho's eyes as she stared at the picture, "Sora-Chan... our Sora-Chan is... alive? A-and she's..."

Awed, Atsushi stared at his sister with wide eyes, "Onee-Chan is so pretty..."

Chewing her lip, Ellen took a deep breath before letting it out, "She... she survived on Torishima for the past few years with Sam and Eric until... until they were able to make it off and towards the mainland just a few weeks ago. I..." With a swallow, she hung her head, "I'm sorry, Miho-Chan. I'm so, so sorry that I was unable to take care of her if something happened to you like I promised and-"

Before she could say much else, Miho moved and squeezed herself between the front seats to pull Ellen into a hug. Softly, the Kitsune spoke as she shook her head, "No, you have no reason to be sorry, Ellen-Chan. None at all... our children are home and safe. And you have been taking care of Sora-Chan since then. That... that is all that we could have asked for, Ellen-Chan. And now we have the chance to hold her in our arms once more."

Sobs escaped from the English teacher as she clutched her friend close to her, both women crying as they did so, "Thank you... thank you, Miho-Chan... my sister from another mother and father."

Gently, Miho just stroked her friend's hair as she nodded before kissing Ellen's cheek, "I feel the same way, Ellen-Chan." Pulling back, she smiled a little, "But don't ever think that you need to be sorry, because you don't."

Ellen just nodded before sniffling a bit and grabbing a kleenix. Blowing her nose, she handed another to Miho who took it and gave one to her also crying husband. With a deep breath, the American scratched her neck, "There is also something else about Sora-Chan..."

A smirk on his face, Genji raised one eyebrow, "Her and your son are together?"

Unable to help herself, Ellen's next words placed a smile on the two adult Kitsune's faces, "Well, besides that." She then continued after a few seconds, "Well, as it turns out... Sora-Chan is a shipgirl, a Natural Born..."

Hearing that, the two Kitsune's eyes widened as Ellen continued to explain...

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Standing at the counter, Sora looked down at the applesauce cake before her. Even now, her nose twitched a bit at the smell as her tails swished in the air behind her. It sat before her covered in icing and with dried slices of apple on top. Sora could remember having cakes like it, baked by Ellen, many times growing up before that day. However... this cake was not baked by Ellen, but rather Sora herself which she was rather proud of. In fact, she had put her own little twist on it using the dried apple slices which were placed on top of the icing. Something that Ellen had complimented her on thinking of. It was something that she was proud of due to the work she put into it for the reason that was happening...

Because her mother and father were finally coming home...

That, of course, brought with it various worries to the now twenty year old Kitsune/Battleship. Such as what her parents would think of her now, what with being a shipgirl? Would they accept her? Would they be angry? Or perhaps even... jealous due to her being a Kyuubi? Not to mention her current relationship and everything else...

While she did not notice her breath quickening, but someone else did. Moments later, Eric wrapped his lone arm around her waist and pulled her close with her relaxing almost immediately, "Sora... just relax some. Everything will be fine."

Just wiping at her eyes, the Battleship gave him a nod and a smile, though said smile looked somewhat brittle, "I know, Eric-Kun, but... it's just..." Reaching down, she placed her hand over his, thumb rubbing along his knuckles, "I know that it is silly, but still! I'm worried about how Kaa-Chan and Tou-Chan will react. And..."

Gently, a hand placed itself on her shoulder and she looked over to where Kensuke was giving her a smile even as he leant her support, "I know both Genji-Kun and Miho-Chan, Sora-Chan. Trust me when I say that they will not care about such things and be happy that you are alive and well. That is what is most important to them."

Simply nodding, Sora's smile became watery, "Hai, thank you, Ken-Oji-San."

Only patting her shoulder, Ken nodded towards one of the chairs around the large dining table, "How about you go and sit down, hmm? Take a small break and compose yourself."

Allowing for herself to be pulled to a chair, she waited until Eric sat down before doing the same... right in his lap. His lone arm went around her waist even as she wrapped her tails around him. Something that soon had him imprisoned in a cell of fluff. Not that her boyfriend complained too much about that fact. Quite the opposite as he nuzzled between her shoulder blades and what he could reach of her neck, "Now this is nice... so nice, warm, and soft."

Despite herself, Sora giggled a little and smiled, unknown to her being exactly what Eric wanted, "I'm glad that you enjoy it, Eric-Kun."

Getting a small squeeze of her waist by his arm, Sora took a deep, calming breath as she looked around their... home, as it was and her mind went back to shortly after things had settled down some.

Despite their ages, neither Samantha or Eric wanted to leave their parents. Not after all the years that they went without. And from what they had heard, both Yumiko and Hinata were much the same way with them mostly staying with their parents. It was easier for Hinata to get back and forth to work however seeing as her family lived in Yokohama whole Yumiko's lived in Tokyo. Though their Tanuki friend had put in an order for an "Owl Box" which would allow for her to travel back and forth between Yokosuka and Tokyo with little issue.

From what she had overheard, they were going to try and convince the people who made them to have at least one move to Japan.

But, for their family they all lived in Yokosuka. However, staying with the older Bakers meant that their little apartment was not able to handle their larger family now. Especially with the plans in place for her parents to join them at least until they could get their feet under them. Part of Sora's heart broke that day remembering that all her stuff was likely gone... until Ellen revealed that she and her husband had placed it into storage, not willing to get rid of it. Which meant a trip to the storage yard where they were and for Sora to get what she could. Mostly toys which after a few days she handed down to the Midget Submarines along with her old clothes, now far too small for her, which they appreciated. It made her glad to see her old toys and such being used once more after being gently cleaned. And they could do so at least until she and Eric had some little kits of their own...

The idea of which made her being one hand to her firm, muscular stomach as she imagined it growing with new life, life made by her and the man she loved now that she knew it would be possible whenever she wanted them...

Pushing that thought aside for now, as much as she wanted to consider it more, she turned her mind back to the house. Due to their apartment not being big enough, they decided to check out the on-base housing and found the one that they were currently in. Four bedrooms, two full bathrooms and one with just a toilet, a full downstairs with living room, kitchen, dining room, family room, and laundry room. To someone who lived most of their life in either an apartment or in some ruins, it was pure luxury.

The Master Bedroom, with some fighting on the children's part, went to the older Bakers despite them wanting it for Sora and Eric. One of the other rooms was claimed by Samantha and the Midget Submarines with them sharing a bed in one giant pile, and another was taken by Sora and Eric with locks of course. Granted, the silencing spells she could have her fairies cast helped with making sure that they did not disturb anyone. Though somehow, Ellen always seemed to know and give them knowing smirks that made both young adults feel like they were naughty children caught at something.

Meanwhile, the final room had been set aside for her parents as they would need a place to stay.

Since moving in, however, they had started filling up the house with various things and furniture. Among other things, framed photographs now hung on the walls. Some were from both households showing Sora as a child as well as her parents, and some were of the Bakers. A few were more recent, as in the last few weeks. One was of Ellen and Ken with their new daughters, the Midget Submarines all smiling for the camera, some of the girls dressed like Ellen herself much to the American's amusement. There was also another picture of the older Baker couple with their children and Sora. Pictures like that made Sora want to put up pictures of her parents with the her that she was now along with Eric.

As well, there were some photos of them and their fellow survivors. At that reminder, Sora turned to the wall by the table where there was a framed photograph. Sora and Sam were on either side of Eric in it with Yumiko beside Sam and Hinata beside the Kitsune. Briefly, her eyes flicked over to Hinata's image and wondered what her newest friend was doing at that moment. Though another part considered seeing if perhaps they should find a way to visit her family restaurant. Once things settled down again.

Due to being so deep in her thoughts, Sora didn't notice time passing before, suddenly, her ears perked up at the sound of a car pulling into the driveway. As well, she could hear various voices outside, though she was a bit puzzled at one that sounded like a young boy's. Did Ellen give a pick up to someone?

Just shaking that thought off, Sora stood with a slight tremble to her. One that calmed down some as Eric gently grasped her hand with his thumb rubbing along her knuckles, "It'll be okay, Sora. I'm right here and I am not going to leave your side, not at all."

Lips trembling and feeling her eyes water, she gave his hand a slight squeeze, "Hai, I know..." With a deep breath, Sora rose to her feet while Eric did the same before taking her hand, "Let's do this."

Only nodding, and giving her hand a squeeze, the two walked towards the hallway and stopped near the stairs even as the voices got louder. Finally, the door opened to reveal Ellen standing there with a smile. Nodding slightly, the American stepped to the side revealing two adult Kitsune whose eyes widened, "Like I said, here's Sora."

Everything seemed to freeze in place as the Kitsune stared at each other drinking in what they could see. On the breeze that came from the door, Sora could smell her mother and father as well as another scent that seemed strangely familiar. Both of the Kitsune were exactly as she remembered them, though dressed in slightly dirty, and very worn, clothing. But... they were her parents and even as she watched, their eyes lit up with joy and tears came to their eyes even as Sora found her vision blurring for some strange reason.

Her parents, meanwhile, just drank in the sight of their daughter, alive and whole. One of the first things that the two noted was that she was tall, taller than either of them. If Ellen had been right when she had told them, and they believed her, their daughter was well over six feet tall while Genji barely broke 5'8". There were a few other differences as well, such as how in her yellow shirt, they could tell that she was bustier than her mother. More shocking, in some ways, were the nine, bushy tails that they could see waving behind her. Something that should be impossible, but was true, they could see it now. But neither parent could find it in themselves to care.

When last they had seen her, she was just a young girl becoming a teen. Yet now, she stood in front of them as a young woman, beautiful and strong in their eyes though they could see that she was a bit sickly. However, they could still see their little girl in her. The young kit that sometimes sought refuge in their arms and tails when scared from a bad dream. A child that they had given up hope on ever seeing again in this life. Hand covering her mouth as tears fell and left trails on her cheeks, Miho's voice came out as a whisper, thick with emotion, "Sora-Chan..."

It seemed that was enough to break the floodgates and Sora let go of Eric's hand to rush towards her parents, who also began to run towards her. They met in the middle of the hallway, tightly grabbing hold of each other as they cried and sobbed. Tails coming up and entwining with her parents, Sora blubbered as she buried her face in their necks, "Kaa-Chan! T-Tou-Chan!"

Rapidly blinking, Genji placed a hand on her head and stroked her long hair as he kissed her on the brow, "My daughter... my beautiful, wonderful daughter."

Wailing, Miho clutched onto her, as if afraid that she would disappear at a moment's notice, "MY BABY! YOU'RE ALIVE! K-KAA-CHAN'S FINALLY HERE!"

Sora's shoulders shook as she was wracked by sobs as she continually turned from one parent to the other, "Yo-you're here... you're here... I-I'm so, so sorry... I thought that you were dead and... and..."

Pulling back a bit, her mother kissed her on the top of the head, "No, we're the ones who should be sorry. We... we gave up getting out of the Reserve after a few years. Thought that you were dead for all this time. W-we missed so many years of your life. C-can you forgive us...?"

In return, Sora laughed lightly, "What is there to forgive... as long as you do the same for me."

Both Kitsune just nodded and pulled her back into their embrace with Miho smiling, "Then we shall have to say the same to you, Sora-Chan. For you have done nothing wrong." Hearing a slight shuffle, her mother smiled, "There is one last person for you to meet, Sora-Chan. Someone important who has wanted to meet you for a very long time."

To the Kitsune shipgirl's confusion, her parents moved aside a little only for her to blink at the sight of a shy looking Kitsune boy. One who could not be much more than five years old. Unsure expression on his face, he waved at her, "U-um... hi..."

A scent hit her then and her eyes widened a touch before turning to her parents, "Is... is he?"

Lips curling into a smile, Genji gave a slight nod, "Hai, meet your Otouto, Atsushi. He was born five years ago, almost four after we were put into the Reserve."

Just blinking, Sora stared at her parents before turning to her... little brother. There was a small, traitorous thought in her mind that he was replacement... right before she squashed that with all the might of her horsepower and tonnage. Not saying anything, she examined the fidgety, unsure five year old Kitsune. He had slightly unkept hair with bangs that shaded his eyes and a small ponytail of all things. There was also a somewhat lean look to him. But... his brown eyes met hers and she smiled before opening her arms, "Come here... Otouto."

Eyes tearing up, Atsushi launched himself at his sister. The girl he had only been told tales about and seen in an old, faded and torn picture that his parents were able to keep. More than once, he had wondered about having an older sibling from watching others in the Reserve. Seeing all those fellow youngsters with their big brothers and sisters... it made him jealous, wanting that his own was still alive. And here she was... and as her arms enclosed around him, he could feel that she was just as strong as she was pretty. At the same time, as tears ran down his cheeks, he sobbed as his wish came true at last, he had his Onee-Chan. His big sister, "ONEE-CHAN!"

Softly smiling, Sora nuzzled her little brother's head as she nodded. Right then, as she had when their eyes met, she swore that no one would ever harm him. Because otherwise they would be facing the might of her guns and bash themselves against her armour and 79,000 ton hull before she would let them harm even a hair. Shaking with emotions, Sora sniffled, "Hai... Onee-Chan is here... Onee-Chan is finally here, Otouto."

If anything, that made him clutch onto her even more as their parents joined the hug. Their family reunited at last.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Wrapped in his Onee-Chan's strong, warm arms as well as tails, Atsushi let out tears which were only partially happiness, and partially relief. During the ride, after being told that his big sister was alive, he had begun to worry and fret a little. After all, they had never met each other before, and his Onee-Chan didn't even know he existed! Would... would she like him? Would she not like him? Hate him?

He wasn't sure and that scared him a little bit.

Upon seeing what his Onee-Chan looked like, Atsushi had his jaw drop a little bit. She was tall! Taller even than his Tou-San who was one of the tallest Kitsune in the Reserve and as tall as some of the Oni that lived there. Granted, a small part of his mind noted that she also seemed bigger than his Okaa-San in other ways because he often overheard some of the older boys in the Reserve talking about that sort of thing. He didn't see the big deal himself to be honest, besides the fact that maybe if they ever laid on the grass he might have comfy pillows.

Later, he also did not understand why his Onee-Chan went all red in the face while her boyfriend/husband laughed and his mother pinched her nose. Or how Ellen-Oba-Chan's shoulders were shaking as she buried her face into her husband's arms. When he had asked Samantha-Onee-Chan, she just coughed and looked away while telling him that she would let him know later in life... while having something of a Kitsune gleam in her eye for pranking.

Adults were weird...

But that was later, right now? Atsushi began to take in the rest of how his Onee-Chan looked as she hugged their parents crying. She had long, brown hair that reached to her waist and was dressed in a yellow shirt as well as blue jeans. He had heard of that from some of those in the Reserve, where most wore what his mother called "Old fashioned clothing from decades ago". Granted, he had seen some examples before from Yokai who entered the Reserve, including once at night.

When he had told him, his father took him aside and told him it was best to forget what he had seen and never mention it to anyone. Because then mean people might well come and take him away from them. Also, they kept a closer eye on him from then on and made sure that he could not sneak out.

Right then though, his nose twitched a little as he caught some strange scents coming from his sister. There was steel, and what he guessed was seawater since he had smelt the sea for the first time just over an hour ago when the car Ellen Chan drove made it's way along the ocean. He had never seen such a large amount of water in his life! And he could not wait to go and play in it, which his Ellen-Oba-Chan promised would happen soon!

Though he was confused as to why his sister smelt like that.

Shuffling a bit, he paused when his Kaa-Chan moved away from his Onee-Chan and gestured to them before telling her who he was. For a few moments, no one said anything at all before his Onee-Chan took a few steps forward and kneeled so that she was his height. Then... she opened her arms and called him "Otouto". Unable to help himself, Atsushi practically flung himself into those arms while crying. Said arms enclosed him tightly, but not too tightly, while her tails surrounded him in soft fluff.

Despite sobbing into her neck as she held him, Atsushi felt safe in that moment. Somehow, he knew, nothing would ever hurt him as long as his Onee-Chan was there, that she would stop anything from doing so. It was safe and warm in those strong arms and tails, and he knew at that moment that it would always be so. Her whispering into his ears that it was okay, that she was there and sorry that she was not before, only made him cry more as he shook his head, "T-that's okay, Onee-Chan... b-because i-it is not your fault..."

Just pulling away slightly, Sora gave him a look of pure sibling love that if he was not crying already, he would have been. Gently, she brushed aside his bangs and softly kissed his forehead, "Thank you, Otouto." Eyes identicle to his own scanned his face before her smile seemed to brighten and she giggled, "I'm going to have to get used to having such a handsome Otouto, I think."

If he could have, Atsushi would have covered his face as he blushed from embarrassment... and happiness as his tail wagged behind him, "R-really?"

Humming, his older sister tapped his nose and made him scrunch it while his eyes crossed, "Of course! And don't let anyone tell you otherwise, okay?" At his unsure nod, she pulled back a bit as did his parents and stood. Something that made him crane his neck a little as he looked at her in awe and caused her to blink, "Is something wrong, Atsushi-Kun?"

Those words made his heart pound in his chest so much that it hurt as she delivered them in a voice full of love for him, despite just meeting him. But Atsushi spoke without thinking, "Tall..."

Lightly blushing, Sora had an embarrassed smile on her face as she scratched the back of her neck, "H-hai, I guess that I am pretty tall..."

Right then, Eric came up and kissed her on the cheek with a small smile, "And you're all the more beautiful for it." Turning towards Atsushi who was looking at him curiously, he smiled, "Hey there, Atsushi-Kun, I'm Eric and... your Onee-Chan's boyfriend."

Cocking his head to the side, Atsushi examined him before smiling, "So you're my Onii-Chan then? Since you're going to marry Onee-Chan?"

Much to the youngster's confusion, both young adults blushed at that for some reason. However, Eric soon laughed it off and rubbed the back of his neck, "I guess so... and I don't mind being your Onii-Chan either... Otouto."

Eyes widening for a moment, Atsushi smiled brightly as he gave a cheer, "Yay! I get an Onii-Chan as well as getting my Onee-Chan back!"

Of course, right then there was a small growl that made everyone look at the young Kit. Atsushi, for his part, blushed as he placed his hands on his stomach before Sora gave her mother a raised eyebrow. In reply, Miho gave a small shrug, "He was so excited to get out of the Reserve that, well... he didn't eat much."

Noting the small pain in her mother's eyes, as well as how the two adults were slightly thinner than she remembered, Sora narrowed her eyes before she was all smiles again while cursing whoever put her parents into, and kept them in as well as her brother, the Reserve. And also promising that they better never meet her or else she would be generating some paperwork. Outwardly, she just nodded with a chuckle, "Well, good thing that we have plenty of food cooked up for a welcome dinner."

Then, in one smooth and quick movment, she swept up her squealing little brother into the crook of one arm. Wide eyed briefly, Atsushi nonetheless leaned against his sister as she carried him into the dining room where he looked around in awe. He had never seen a table so big and shiny! Still in the crook of his Onee-Chan's arm, he found her sitting in a chair with a small smile. Confused, he looked over at her while furrowing his eyebrows, "Onee-Chan?"

Amused, she tapped his nose making him go crosseyed, "Sorry, I just want to keep holding my cute little Otouto."

Considering that for a few moments, the young Kitsune shrugged and grinned, "I don't mind." Leaning to the side, he sighed, "I don't mind at all."

Various adults shared smiles with each other and laughed lightly much to Atsushi's confusion, but he shrugged it off. After all, he was with his Onee-Chan now and that was all that mattered. Before he could think much on it, various little girls came out of the kitchen with plates of food in their hands and set them down in front of them. Atsushi's nose twitched madly at the smell of cooked meat, something that while they had it in the Reserve was not in any great amount. And usually not beef, like he could smell and made his mouth water.

Unnoticed by him, Sora's lips were twitching as she looked at her little brother obviously wanting to eat. Placing it in front of him, she gave him a nod as she picked up her own fork before showing him how to use it. On either side of her, both Miho and Genji watched with happy expressions on their faces as their children began to bond. With a look at each other and a nod, they began to eat themselves, happy with being able to eat substantially once more though they raised an eyebrow at the amount that their daughter was putting away.

Eating, the two adults began to chat once more with their friends about various things. For Ellen and Miho, it was mostly about things regarding the school and the like. But for Genji and Ken, it soon turned towards work with the male Kitsune blinking, "Wait, you think that can get me a job?"

Just swallowing his own food, Ken gave a small nod, "Hai, I take it that Ellen-Chan told you about how the Statute is coming down?" At the acknowledgement from his friend, he continued, "Well... the non-magical government is planning things with regards to the Reserves. Mainly about how to... well, take them apart to let people leave while making those that might remain for various reasons have a decent life."

While happy about how his friends referred to Yokai as "People", Genji rubbed his chin in thought, "So you already know that a number of Yokai won't leave where the Reserves are then? For various reasons like some are afraid of the outside world and the like."

Only nodding, his friend frowned, "That... is basically what we were thinking. We already guessed that various people would not want to leave. Some for fear, others because it was the only life they knew, some because they liked where they were living. But the government can't let them continue to live the way that they have been either. So... we need to build them up infrastructure wise. Clean water, sewage, electricity, proper homes... turn them into actual communities where people can live."

Slowly chewing the hamburg steak, something that was a favorite of both his wife and himself, Genji considered the question and nodded to himself. While he did hate the Reserves even before being tossed into one, he knew that there was no easy fix. But what was being told to him was something that would help out a lot, so he gave a nod, "I can see it, and you're right that it would go far, perhaps a lot further than you might think." Frowning, he gave his friend a look, "Not sure how getting myself a job with you comes into this... unless it has to do with my recent 'experience'?"

Much to his confusion, Ken chuckled a little, "I will admit, that could help with getting you a job. But what I meant was how you were a mechanic. Remember how you used to sometimes help fix cars and such on worksites?"

That made the male Kitsune snort, "Hai, of course I do. I worked as a mechanic back in the late 1940s right up until I 'retired' from that job in the 1980s. Did some in the years afterwards as well. But what..." Pausing, Genji raised an eyebrow, "Right, infrastructure needs machines to build it..."

Lips curling into a smirk, Ken gave a nod, "Exactly, and I know that you're able to pull it off." He hummed a little while taking another bite of his meal, "Though there was one idea that I want to run by you to help..."

It went without saying that Genji gave his friend a very interested look at that. Meanwhile, a similar conversation was happening with Ellen who was mentioning that she could find her friend a job as well. Especially as the school did have a number of Yokai students and they wanted to expand the atheletics department. All conversations that went over the heads of the younger children while said little ones just enjoyed their meal.

When Ellen brought out the cake, she saw the older Kitsunes' eyes light up. Upon seeing that, the American's lips twitched and she placed it down on the table, "Sora did a great job making this cake, so you should enjoy it." Ignoring the surprised looks on her friends' faces, she looked at the blushing Kitsune shipgirl's face, "The dried, sliced apples is a very good addition for it."

Eyes wide, Miho turned to her daughter in surprise, "You made this, Sora-Chan?"

Just nodding, Sora softly smiled, "Hai, I... wanted to make you something special. And Ellen-Oba-Chan taught me how to make it, so..." She gave said English teacher a small glare, but all Ellen did was smirk back, 'I have to wonder if she has Kitsune blood in her somewhere...'

Meanwhile, the elder female Kitsune looked at her friend who gave a slight nod and she brightly smiled as she understood what the meaning was behind teaching her daughter how to make a family recipe, "Oh, Sora-Chan..." Hugging her daughter, she kissed her cheek, "Thank you." Accepting a slice, Miho took a bite before happily humming as her tails wagged behind her, "Mmm... delicious."

Needless to say, it was a very happy Sora who watched as her family, and that is what she saw everyone there as, enjoy the cake that she had made. Something that caused her boilers to run a bit hotter as well before she turned to her own cake slice though not without looking towards the ceiling with a smile, 'Thank you... thank you so much whoever made sure that this would happen.'

Granted, she was a bit confused as she could have sworn her radio crackled with a "Wan" coming over it, but shrugged it off.

Later that night, Genji softly sighed as he looked over the bedroom that currently him, his wife, and son shared. Neither him nor Miho would ever be able to thank their friends enough for this and would always remember it. He had already seen Ken and Ellen as brothers and sister to him and his wife, but this solidified it. They were family.

Sitting on the bed, he looked at his softly sleeping son with a smile, "He's exhausted."

With a small snort, Miho looked over at her husband, "With all the excitement of meeting his Onee-Chan for the first time? And meeting Ellen-Chan's children as well as the Midget Submarines and such? Is it any real surprise?"

Only chuckling, Genji shook his head, "No, not really. Not in the slightest." Hearing a tap on the door, he turned and smiled, "You can come in, Sora-Chan."

Moments later, the door opened to reveal said Kitsune in her sleepwear walk in, "Tou-Chan? Kaa-Chan? I... I know that I am a bit old, but..."

In reply, all Miho did was open her arms, "Come here, Sora-Chan." Both women smiled as they embraced before the older of the two chuckled, "What about Eric-Kun by the way?"

Sora gave a hum as she enjoyed the hug from her mother before shrugging, "He noticed that I was somewhat... nervous and told me to come."

Eyes bright, her mother gave a nod, "Ah, did he now? Well, I always knew that he was a good choice."

Happily humming as her tails swished, Sora leaned into Miho, "Hai." Looking at her little brother, she stroked his hair softly, "I still can't believe that I am an Onee-Chan... it... it is so wonderful."

Gently kissing the top of her head, Genji smiled, "And you've already shown that you will be doing a wonderful job of it." Pulling back a little, he glanced around the bedroom and gave a small chuckle, "Though as much as I am happy we have this bedroom, I think that I am even more happy that as soon as we buy some items, we can turn that storeroom down the hall into a room just for Atsushi. He's excited about having his own room."

Remembering the reaction said five year old had, Sora giggled madly, "Hai." Tilting her head some, she looked down at the young Kit, "Though... soon myself and Eric will need to have the basement finished into another room. Especially once we tell Ellen-Oba-Chan the news."

Unable to help herself, Miho snickered a bit, "Hai, especially with how Ellen-Chan's scent changed. I recognize what that scent means and she has to be almost a month along, so she'll realize soon enough anyways." She grinned a little bit, "Though her reaction when we tell her..."

All three adult Kitsune either lightly laughed or giggled at what the likely reaction would be before they laid down, one happy family reunited...

 

[darthcourt10]

Lord Khuzdul

A few minutes later, an ancient, whale of a Mercedes pulled in front of the coffee shop. Korkut, waiting at the window, whistled. "Well, can't say Yavuz does not travel in style. Though you cannot scream 'Mafia' any harder if you hung a placard on it."

Hamidiye laughed. "Well, for some reason she fell in love with the ugly thing at first sight. Can't get her to use anything else." She got up. "Well, time to face the music."
Spoiler: Yavuz's Car



Yes, this is a 1989 Mercedes Benz 300 SEL. Yes, Hamidiye has shit taste in cars.

The car's doors opened, and four shipgirls came out. From the front passenger seat, came a sight that made Hamidiye groan. Mecidiye was a striking contrast to Hamidiye - while the protected cruisers were superficially similar, the attitudes were night and day. Dark haired, dark eyed, tomboyish Hamidiye was all Mediterranean passion, while the American-built Mecidiye was light complexioned, red haired, and looked much more demure and ladylike. She caught Hamidiye's eyes, and her face took the expression of a put-upon babysitter. From the driver's side, came a stout pre-dreadnought. Light brown haired, stocky Barbaros Hayreddin rarely smiled, and the most recent mess did not encourage her to smile either.

From the left passenger side door, jumped out the customary destroyer escorting the larger ships. However, the identity of today's escort made Hamidiye raise an eyebrow. "Okay, Yavuz is intending to get into the thick of things," she said, glancing back. At Hızır's raised eyebrow, she shrugged. "She brought Muavenet. She only lets her out if she expects to break some legs." The small destroyer, with an irreverent smirk very out of place on her round and adorable, at most seven year old face, ran around the car, her black braids whipping around as she reached the other door.

Korkut and Hamidiye unconsciously straightened as The Battleship stepped out of the car. Yavuz had the tall, lean, swimmer's build of her battlecruiser breed. She had the sharp features, fair hair and blue eyes of her Germanic heritage. However, she carried a Turkish Navy officer's jacket over her shoulders, and as usual when she decided to make a statement, carried a folded, Independence War-style black sheepskin kalpak under a shoulder strap.

As Yavuz and her entourage walked into the coffee house, Hamidiye and Demirhisar leapt to their feet and saluted, followed by Sinbad. Hızır also stood up, and walked to Yavuz, extending a hand.

Yavuz gave Hızır a firm handshake and a small smile. "My apologies for not contacting you before," she said, looking around the room. "I was aware of your presence here, but... well, you know the little surveillance problem we have at the base. Ali does what he can, so do the others, but we need to be circumspect as much as possible." At Hızır's smile, she turned to the others. "Well, seems we have a problem. Demirhisar's radio room gave me the reports so far. So at this point, I only have one question to ask: what's the plan?"

Hamidiye spoke up. "We were thinking about sending in a small team. Try to pick off Enver, and then use me to 'convince' the undead army to go back to rest."

Yavuz looked at the faces around her, and then focused on Hızır. "You don't seem very keen on that one?"

Hızır looked over the map once again. "It seems to be our best option, but one thing bugs me - the undead were already moving before, according to what we have discerned, Enver's bones got stolen. So... picking off Enver might not have the effect we think it would."

Korkut scratched his chin. "What else then? They either listen to someone and go back, or we have to put them down the regular way, which would be an unholy mess. Besides, babaerenler are barely holding. Can we even cover up something like what will be needed to put them down?"

Yavuz looked up, thinking. "Besides, I don't know if picking off Enver is viable. You are probably thinking of what happened in Verdun..." At the surprised looks around her, she smirked. "I do keep up with the magical world. It is not hard. Victory and Mikasa are gossipy bints." She looked down. "Two problems though. From what I have been told, I can tell that we are lacking two things Verdun had. In Verdun, there was a clear objective - the monument. We have no idea where Enver's headquarters is. Also, according to reports, in Verdun the undead were fighting each other even more than they were fighting the strike team. Here, we have them acting and moving as an unified army under one command. So no. I don't think a strike team going in like in Verdun is the solution we need here."

Ali frowned. "Then what? I don't see how we can get an army to counter it."

Yavuz shook her head. "Not an army, no. But we do need someone who can actually wade through the army with as little risk as possible." She looked around. "You are not the ones who can do that. But we are."

Hızır shook his head. "I thought of that, but we need to uphold secrecy a while longer yet. I don't think we can cover up your guns firing."

Yavuz smirked. She reached to the wall, and picked off one of the stones mortared to it as decoration. She tossed the fist sized stone up a couple of times, then without even a blink, crushed it into fine powder with a twitch of her fingers. "Our guns are not our only option." She turned to Barbaros. "Get Turgut Reis here. And inform the Scrap Iron Flotilla." She then looked back at Hızır. "Just find us a way to get us to Sarıkamış through magical means, as regular travel is not an option."

Hamidiye smirked. "So we are not taking the whale? That's a relief."

Yavuz glared at her. "Hamidiye?"

Hamidiye gave her an impudent grin. "Yes?"

"You drive a Peugeot. So shut up."

~~~

As others went back to their phones to arrange things, Yavuz pulled Hızır and Korkut aside alongside Hamidiye. Her face was utterly serious, and her voice low. "You know what I am planning?"

Korkut chuckled. "We would have been blind not to. I am just surprised you have not acted already."

Yavuz frowned. "There have been complications. And that's what I wanted to talk to you two. I need a serious divination."

"Divination? Why?" asked Korkut.

"I... wanted to hedge my bets. So I discreetly performed two summoning ceremonies. To get two very specific ships. Bandırma and Savarona."

Korkut's eyes grew. "So you have him?"

Yavuz shook her head in frustration. "That's the problem. I don't have him."

Hızır sighed. "It seems just being a passenger was not enough of an imprint then?"

Yavuz shook her head again. "No. Both of them said he should have been on them. He is in their logs and register and all. It is just that... he just isn't there."

Hızır and Korkut glanced at each other, thoughtful. Finally, Korkut asked. "How, wouldn't that mean he is... but isn't that impossible?"

Yavuz sighed. "That's what I don't know. And we are not allowed anywhere near his tomb. Thus, you."

"I'll arrange a sheep then. I really hope it is not..."

"So do I... believe me, so do I."

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A.N.-And the Butterknife returns to the Scene of the Crime. For context, read the Dove At A Dinner Party arc

A Second Chance To Make A Butterknife Impression (II)

5 July 2014

Passel House, Hampshire
Spoiler: A Matter Of Honor

Colombe d'Aubigny du Chasteler(-Muramasa) blinked at the chambermaid who had just served tea to herself and Duke of York and asked in a curious tone as she nodded her head. "Thank you for the tea, Miss...? Forgive me but you look quite familiar."

Distinctly chilly brown eyes met her crystal blue as the maid spoke in a voice that was clearly on the icy side of polite and professional, "Ms. Victoria Passel, the spirit of the residence. I am surprised that you remember me, what with all the other matters that transpired when you were a visitor in the house last, Miss Du Chasteler."

Colombe winced at the tone of disapproval in Victoria's voice, her mind running back over the last time that she had sat in this parlor a hundred and fifteen years ago. Then the light bulb visibly came on as she remembered the apparent ghost of a chambermaid that she had seen several times. "Ahh! Then the ghost that I saw dusting the sitting room and then with a bedpan entering the guest chamber was you?! I thought that I was going mad back then."

"Yes. It was me. I was, to my undying regret, unable to intervene in the events of that disastrous weekend. Something that you can be assured that shall not have a recurrence on my watch, Miss du Chasteler." Duke's eyes widened at the quiet determined air that Victoria was radiating.

Colombe nodded slowly as more memories filled her mind. "And you were at dinner too when Colonel Gamp passed away, poor man."

"Thanks to the strain you and your fellow French Cad inflicted upon him with your scandalous behavior that day, yes." Victoria's voice became more icily formal.

Colombe sighed. "Indeed, indeed. I have wronged you gravely, and must make amends. If I may request your indulgence, Ms. Passel, can you please call Master Weasley to stand witness as the lord of the household. Also please tell my daughter Ehren to attend me, since she is my selected heir and I have the duty to educate her properly in the responsibilities of nobility."

Victoria gave Colombe an unreadable look and then vanished from sight. Colombe turned to Duke and the rapier rubbed her temples. "My apologies for the delay in discussing what I did in the Second World War with you, but honor demands."

Duke nodded, her ponytail swishing. "Indeed it does. Whatever happened between you and Victoria before must have been quite something."

Colombe nodded absently as Ron appeared in his shirtsleeves. "Hullo, Victoria said that I was needed here." The redheaded young man spoke around a chocolate chip cookie.

Colombe gave Ron a curtsy then she took off her traveling coat and folded it over the chair back, leaving her in her dress. "I shall explain more when Ehren is here to witness matters. Suffice it to say for now, there is matter that I must be resolved between myself and Ms. Passel, to my shame."

Ehren appeared in the door with Victoria trailing "You needed me, Mutti?"

Colombe nodded and pointed to the chair that she had vacated. "Indeed I do, Ehren. Please sit and observe how I discharge my obligations and responsibilities."

Ehren obediently sat, then watched as Colombe turned to Victoria, who was giving Colombe a distinctly frigid look. The French rapier curtsied to the maid and spoke. "To explain to Master Weasley, Miss Duke, and my daughter, this is not the first time that I have visited Passel House. I was an invited guest in May of 1899 at the request of Colonel Gamp, the then-master of the house for a dinner party. During that weekend, several incidents that I was part and party to happened that led to scandal and disrepute being placed upon the family resident at the time and their residence."

All eyes in the room turned to the house spirit who was staring daggers at Colombe. "Specifically, Colonel Gamp died of a heart attack brought on by his age and ill-health but exacerbated by my actions in publicly challenging that lecherous low-born swine Corvus Lestrange to a duel of honor at the dinner table." Colombe's own voice became controlled and filled with a seething venomous hatred, "Lestrange was a business partner with my bâtard of a great-grandnephew Hippolyte du Chasteler who had attempted to have me murdered by base treachery twice and had killed poor Julien, Raoul, and Ida-Helene du Chasteler through various means including Dark Magic. Regardless of my more than valid reasons to call Lestrange out in the duel, I brought the Gamps into scandal in the doing and for that, you and your residence have my sincere and utter apology."

Victoria nodded sharply and spoke in that icy voice. "And the stories in the library, Miss du Chasteler."

Colombe curtsied again to Victoria. "In addition, I shared certain stories of my prior adventures in India and the Near East with Mrs. Lyra Potter in the presence of Ms. Passel which I should not have bruited about in public." The French rapier paused, visibly running through her memories of the visit and comparing them to the customs of the Victorian age. "The cross-dressing?"

Victoria spoke like a judge pronouncing sentence. "The cross-dressing. I saw you tempt and seduce a married woman into sin then."

Colombe blinked and spoke in shock, "Lyra seduced me! Wait... you saw what happened in the Orangery when I went there for fencing practice?"

"I did." Ice filled Victoria's disapproving tone.

"In addition, I bent to the point of breaking outright the mourning customs of the era and dressed in a man's clothing for fencing practice in the Orangery, which Lyra later told me was when she saw me first." Colombe then gave Victoria a challenging stare as steel filled her voice. "Just count your good fortune that you never met Hippolyte, or you would know why the only regret I shall ever have in his death was that it did not happen thirty years earlier when I could have perhaps saved other members of my family that fell to his treachery. I mourn for many many friends, lovers and family members who I have buried in my lifetime, Lyra and Ian Potter not least among their ranks. Hippolyte du Chasteler shall never get a tear from me."

Ehren spoke, "What did he do, Mutti?"

Colombe sighed and spoke bitterly. "He hired some thugs to kill his older brother Raoul in 1854, then shortly before I returned home from China used Dark Magic to kill his parents Julien and Ida-Helene while concealing their deaths as a cholera epidemic in 1865. When I showed up, he tried to get control of the family and family fortunes from me. The first time he tried to have me killed was in 1870, when he talked me into fighting in the Franco-Prussian War, then hired a hit wizard to try to kill me when I was in Paris fighting the Commune in 1871. Then he adulterated the healing potions I was using to convalesce from the Dark Curse that nearly did me in then. Finally he tried again in 1895 by sending me to check on some investments he had the family make in the Belgian Congo. Along with hiring an assassin team and also sending letters to the colonial authorities there to have me executed on sight. I had to walk out to Nairobi after the trap closed on me that time, although I did finally realize his treachery as a result."

Duke blanched and spoke, "That's halfway across Africa! Through the largest jungle on the Dark Continent and a mountain range!"

Colombe's eyes were shadowed as she spoke quietly, "Yes. When I managed to get back to civilization several years later, I dealt with him. So no, I do not mourn his death, save that it took me so long to carve out the dishonor of my family."

With that she turned to Victoria and Ron. "Regardless, my conduct in my last visit was inexcusable. I am held to a higher standard, as I should be as the head of House Du Chasteler and Marchioness of Chasteler and Moulbaix. To that end in addition to my apology to yourself as the head of the family and to Ms. Passel as a witness to the scandal that resulted, I shall tender my apology in spirit, word, and deed." Again, she bowed. "Perhaps... would a selection of furnishings from my own estate, chosen by yourselves from a list of what I have available as well as transported and refurbished out of my pocket suffice as recompense for the damage dealt by me and mine to you and yours?"

Ron blinked. "Um, yes, but you don't need to do all that." Victoria gave Colombe a shocked look as she visibly thought.

Colombe shook her head in negation at Ron's words. "I do. Honor demands no less from me." Her voice was firm and unyielding as her steel.

In the distance someone began to play La Marseillaise on keyboard. Ehren's lips quirked as she spoke into the resulting silence. "Include a piano. Otherwise Claire will pout, Mutti. She was most upset to find that 'this wonderful house' did not have a piano to make it a Happy Home."

Colombe had a fond smile tug at her lips. "Ahh yes. I shall include my 1842 Boisselot et fils piano with the caveat that Claire is allowed to play it if and when she visits in the future. Is that acceptable Ms. Passel?"

Victoria gave Colombe a thoughtful look and finally nodded slowly. "Acceptable, Miss du Chasteler."

"Bon. I shall write a letter to Kasuyu tonight to send a list of what we have that you can select to refurnish the household. Once you make your choices, please let me know and I shall then proceed to render the tokens of my apology." Colombe spoke formally to Victoria and Ron, after doing so she turned to Ehren. "I trust you understand the importance of discharging a noble's debts of honor in full and total now, my daughter?"

Ehren nodded. "Understood, Mutti."

"Good. At least something good came of my mistakes here if you can learn from them, Ehren. Please go tend to whatever matter that I pulled you from now." Colombe spoke to Ehren, who clicked her heels together and rendered her farewell to the room. Ron followed suit, leaving Victoria, Duke, and Colombe in the parlor once more.

Duke looked at the door that Ehren departed through and murmured. "I was unaware that Belgians could be so Prussian."

Colombe sighed as she sat and picked up her teacup. "She takes after her father in that regard, I fear. He did not survive the War when he fought on Germany's side. Now, you wished to know what I could tell you about what us magicals did in the Second World War?"

Duke smiled and sipped her tea. "Along with the First of course. I am personally interested in how much was going on behind the scenes that later got covered up."

Colombe nodded. "Fair enough. I suppose I need to tell you about Grindelwald to set the scene for the events of the Second World War..."

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Riding along on his bike as it was too nice a day for his velomobile, Harry blinked as he looked at Junyou who was easily keeping up with him, "Um..."

Eyebrow raising in amusement, the Carrier chuckled at him, "Is something wrong, Harry-Chan? You seem curious about something."

A frown on his face, he scratched his cheek, "Well... I overheard some stuff from Niiyodo-Chan. About something that happened yesterday. Ooyodo-Oba seemed, well, kind of annoyed."

That caused Junyou to blink a little in confusion, "Yesterday...?"

Slowly nodding, Harry gave her a curious look, "Hai, something about a wall? I think?"

Frowning, she hummed a little as she thought back to the previous day, "Hmm... yesterday and a wall?"

*****************************************************************

Laughing lightly as she took a swing of sake, Junyou sighed some, "Ah, I'm telling you Ryuujou-Chan! You have got to try the drinks at this one Yokai bar on the outskirts. They are amazing. All from brewers who have been working their craft for centuries."

Only rolling her eyes, Ryuujou snorted a little bit, "Really now? Is tha' so?"

With a small shrug, the other Light Carrier shook her head, "Of course! You know me and drinks after all, Ryuujou-Chan." Snickering, she tapped the side of her own head before flicking her finger, "Maybe bring your boyfriend there."

More amused than anything else, Ryuujou snorted some, "Well, Ah reckon' tha' I could... After some rest since tha' was a very long patrol out there. Ugh."

Junyou gave a grimace of her own as she nodded, "Hai, three weeks at sea will do that to you. Me? I'm going to relax after getting home later with a nice meal, a good bottle of sake, and some bodice rippers from the United States."

Her friend only shook her head at that. Reaching the quarters that she shared with said boyfriend, Ryuujou smiled a little, "As to th' drinks? Maybe Ah'll do that." Unlocking the door, she walked in followed by Junyou with a sigh, "I'm home." A delicious scent wafted by and she hummed in happiness, "Mmm... somethin' sure smells good!"

From out of sight there was a chuckle, "Hai, I made you some of your favorites. Though do you want dinner first? Perhaps a bath? Or maybe..." He then stepped into view wearing an apron, "Or maybe me?"

There was a pause as Ryuujou blinked alongside Junyou, Takaru slowly going red as he realized that Ryuujou was not alone. Glancing at her fellow Light Carrier, Junyou hum as she took a sip of her drink and then made a show of her eyes trailing along the form of the young man before her before smirking, "Nice." Looking at Ryuujou, she grinned, "Heh, you got good taste~"

Not even a second later, the door opened and Junyou was flung across the hall with her head impacting the wall and leaving a small crater. Completely unphased, Junyou took another sip as she could hear Ryuujou give a perverted giggle in the apartment as the door closed, "Well, Ah could think of some things, Ta-ka-ru-kun~"

Amused, Junyou pulled herself free of the wall before chuckling, "Well, someone is going to have a good night..."

*************************************************

In the present, Junyou hummed a bit before shrugging, "Eh, nothing that important. Just sort of tripped over something, that's all."

While he understood that there was more to the story than that, Harry shrugged it off. Something about the tone told him that he was better off not knowing. Instead, he chatted with her for a little bit before they split. Reaching the gate to the base, he came to a stop and looked at the guard there who was looking very much bemused at the sight in front of him, "Huh, so they are still here."

The guard looked at him and gave a chuckle, "Hai, they are kiddo." Looking at the trailer, he raised an eyebrow in amusement, "So you're here for them?"

Just nodding, Harry grinned, "That's right."

Getting a wave to motion on, he rode to the nearby area were a number of people were crowded around an area. Thankfully, everyone moved away so that he could get to the center... where one could find Hoppou blinking curiously at the sight of Jin's cultists trying to hide behind both her and Shiromizu, "PRAISE BE TO THE DARK ONE, WHO SAVES US FROM THE PURE ONE!"

From the other Abyssals rose a roar, "PRAISE BE TO THE DARK ONE!"

At the same time, some were behind Hoshi, also trembling, "BEHOLD! THE BEAST OF THE EARTH HOLDS BACK EVEN THE NORTHERN OCEAN PRINCESS WITH HER MERE PRESENCE!"

"BEHOLD!"

Only shaking his head, Harry got off his bike and paused for a moment before frowning as he looked at a nearby tree, 'What was that...?' Eyes narrowing briefly, he shook it off before grabbing the boxes and walking over to where Shiromizu and the others were, "Hey."

Sighing, Shiromizu looked relieved to see him, "Hello, Harry."

Lips twitching, the thirteen year old wizard glanced at his sister and tapped her on the head, "Hoppou, you are being nice to them, right?"

Pout on her face, Hoppou huffed a bit, "Hoppou was just coming home from Asuka-Chan's and Rei-Chan's since we had friends! And Hoppou saw Shiromizu and wanted to say hello, with them acting like this."

With a light laugh, Harry ruffled her hair, "Well, you do look scary first thing in the morning after waking up. Especially if you pulled a long night, Little Sister." Ignoring the mutters about how he was able to say what he did to "The Pure One", he turned to Jin, "Sorry about this... anyways, I brought some stuff if it helps."

Now chuckling, the undead Mizuchi grinned, "Sounds good." She jerked her thumb at them, "This bunch has only been dumpster diving for food. So something in their stomaches sounds about right."

For some reason, when Harry gave turned to them, the Abyssal Cultists trembled at the look on his face. There was something... terrifying in the sympathy and the gleam in his eyes, "I see... how sad, but that is what I am here for." Pulling open the box, he grinned, "Barbecue bologna sandwiches!"

Upon seeing the wide eyes of her cultists, Jin facepalmed, "Oh for..." Grabbing one, she grinned before scarfing it down, "Mmm... this shit is good as always-Ow!"

Seemingly from nowhere, Harry pulled out a wooden spoon and brought it down on Jin's head, "Manners! Learn them!" Getting a grumble, he turned to the stunned Abyssals and held out the sandwiches, "Here you go." With a glance at Hoshi, he frowned, "And you should leave some for them as well, Hoshi-San. But you can have some... but get too greedy and I shall cut off your peanut butter treats."

Hoshi shuddered a little at that, "Don't worry, Harry-San, I'll be good, trust me. I know better than to anger those who bring treats and good food."

With a small nod, the teenage wizard turned to the Abyssals who seemed torn between shock and thoughtfulness. Then, they trembled at the look in his eyes, "And now to stuff you all with barbecue bologna sandwiches! And brownies afterwards!"

And tremble they did as Harry showed them why he was the Duck stuffing Champion of Yokosuka as both Hoshi and Jin encouraged him as did Shiromizu...

Later as he headed back with empty boxes in the trailer as well as Hoppou who was munching on another sandwich. On Harry's face was another smile as he had struck yet another deadly blow against what he considered one of the greatest enemies he had ever faced. Greater than Voldemort or Tamamo's pelt.

Defeating hunger in all it's forms.

Harry hummed a little before looking over his shoulders, "So, something happen, Hoppou?"

In reply, Hoppou held up one mittened hand before finishing off her sandwich with a happy expression, "Thank you, Big Brother. Hoppou really likes your cooking." That got her a chuckle and Harry saying that she was welcome. After a few moments, she considered his question before nodding, "Hoppou is just worried about Sunny and others. Remember how Hoppou mentioned that they were going to see Porta lady?"

Slowly nodding, the thirteen year old frowned, "I do as a matter of fact... did something happen to them, Hoppou?"

Frowning in thought, Hoppou shook her head, "Hoppou is not sure, Big Brother. They were attacked by a fleet from what they think was Research Princess, but they're alright. But... Sunny captured Re-Class who was... remotely scuttled, but still found something inside her. Something strange."

Now frowning himself, Harry gave her a glance, "They found something inside her? Something strange, Hoppou?" At her nod, he frowned, "That... does not sound good."

Only shaking her head, the small Abyssal looked at the horizon, "Hoppou agrees, Big Brother. According to Sunny, thing looks like a tumour which makes no sense to Hoppou. But she's sending it from Pearl so that Hoppou can better look at it and Hoppou is taking all precautions, so it should be alright... but Hoppou won't take any chances." With a frown, she tapped her chin, "But it will arrive next week."

Considering that, Harry gave a nod, "Huh, well you know better than I would and-" Suddenly stopping, he twisted and looked at a nearby alley between two buildings, "Wait a second..."

While confused, Hoppou turned in the same direction, "Something wrong, Big Brother?"

Eyebrows furrowing, he scratched his neck and glanced around, "Not really? Just that I swear that I have been seeing things out of the corner of my eye and there's this wierd feeling of being watched. But no one's been able to actually catch anyone at all."

Hoppou was now concerned and also glanced around as she swore that now he mentioned it, there was a feeling of being watched. Yet, all her senses confirmed that there was no one in the area. It was... unsettling. Both adopted siblings shared a look and continued on their way...

Meanwhile, in the shadows, a shutter of a camera snapped shut, taking a picture before the owner climbed up the warehouse within seconds reaching the room and running over them, easily leaping over the gaps. Every once in a while, they snuck into shadows and cracks before hiding. At one point, they took a picture of Harry serving the various shipgirls from a vent in the cafeteria before vanishing. Once the teenage wizard was asleep, the shadow took another picture from his window before leaping back, feet landing near soundlessly on the grass despite it being a fall of three stories.

Quickly dodging around patrols, and making it seem easy as they used camera blindspots and such to their advantage, they slipped their equipment into a sealed bag and leapt into the harbour. An hour later found them coming out of the water on the other side before entering a nondescript van and the driver taking off. By the time mid morning of the next day arrived, so did the team of people clad in black at a compound on a mountain. All of them entered into a darkened room and crouched down into a bow before the one who had taken the pictures spoke, "Chichi-ue, we have brought back the information that you have wished for."

Reaching into the bag, she pulled out a folder as well as various pictures before handing them to another person who walked up to someone seated in a chair. Gently taking them in an aged hand, the man opened the folder to reveal various wizarding pictures. Some showed Harry at Bokken practice in the morning from a distance. Others showed him feeding the various Abyssals as well as shipgirls, and one was of him on his bike with Hoppou, "Interesting..." In the shadows, he raised his head, "And you have confirmed the rest?"

Another folder joined the first revealing reports in regards to both the battle against Kuroshi as well as in the Sub-Unit-943 Bunker. Not much, but there was still quite an amount of information. There was also recordings of people chatting about it as well. Slowly, the man worked his way through it.

When he was finally done, the man nodded, "Very interesting Potter-San is." Suddenly, he was wracked with coughs before groaning as another female clad in black beside him held out a vial, "Thank you." Draining it, he sighed a little before taking a breath, "Keep an observation on him for now, but let none see you. We shall take measure of the boy and see if he could well fit our needs. I assign this to all of you..."

Both the team in front of him as well as a number of others in the shadows bowed before they vanished as one could swear they heard clicks.

Hand trembling, the man coughed a bit before summoning some tea brought to him, "Perhaps you could be of help, Potter-San for my plans... you and my grandson... to save my grand project that I have been working on for so very long..."

 

[darthcourt10]

Kab2

Well, following an idea that popped up in my mind, I offer you the first part of a story.
--------------------

August 2005

It was a nice day in Tokio, where in the national museum a guide was explaining the legend of one of the swords exposed there to their visitors.

"And this is how finishes the legend about how Minamoto-no-Yorimitsu and his companions beheaded the evil Oni Shuten-Douji with the emperor's mandate. Here concludes today's guided visit, thank you for listening" said the guide bowing to the listeners.

While the visitors were heading to the exit, a woman was waiting for the room to be empty. "Do you never get bored of retelling the same story over and over again Do.."she shut her mouth as there were people still in the room. "Sorry; Yasutsune-San?"

Waiting until there were any people left, Yasutsune conjured some privacy wards for caution. "That's why I switch stories, I tell sometimes Kintaro's legend or Tsuchigumo's; but this is my favourite, who would tire of telling how someone got its name, Tsubaki-Chan?"

"And I'm very thankful for that, you know how I feel about my parents, Doujigiri-San." said shrugging a bit.

"Did you know? The people who really knows who we are find very strange that we get along so well, Tsubaki-Douji."

Tsubaki laught out loud. "In the beginning, neither did I, but after what we did together at the Meireki no taika look at us, two friends telling stories from when we were younger."She then snapped her fingers."By the way, I was on my way to the port's bar, some friends invited me for a few rounds, do you wanna come?"

"Hmm" said Douji "The museum closes in half an hour and I need a drink, I have a bad feeling from some time ago, like something big has to happen, but I don't know what, so it will help me relax a bit."

"Good" Tsubaki nodded. "I will be at the door in forty, is that enough?"

"Yes." said Douji. "I need to warn the director that I will be out and will come back in the morning."

"Really?" Tsubaki asked unbelieving "Do you always have to warn the director of your departures?"

Douji chucked a bit. "Only if I carry my true body. I am a National Treasure of Japan after all."

"Right, someday you have to tell me the story of why did you decide to stay here almost isolated from the magic world"

"Maybe someday, but not today"

...

"Ahh, this hits the spot" said Tsubaki with an empty beer jar in her hand.

"This bar isn't bad at all, I need to record it in my visit list" said Douji drinking a soda.

"Don't you really want anything to drink?"

"Not now, sorry, I don't have as much endurance as you, so I don't want to be smashed before you do."

"Well, it's your loss; Waiter!" yelled Tsubaki "Another beer plea... What was that?"

And hell came from the sky.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Humming a bit as he heard the rain outside patter against the window, Harry continued to cook a little bit of breakfast for himself. Right now, he was the only one in the apartment as everyone else was out and about. Nagato was helping out with some of the aspects of the "Battle of the Bunker" from what he heard, while Hoppou was preparing a warehouse for whatever Sunny was sending her. Shiromizu, meanwhile, was once more out with Jin as the two organized things for Shiromizu's enshrinement. Juuchi was... somewhere, likely eating blood oranges and he didn't have any idea where Hedwig was.

Thus, besides Scruffles and Barghast, who were both lounging on the couch, it was just him.

Which was not to say that Harry was bothered that much by being alone, as it gave him some time to himself. After all, over the past week he had a number of people hovering over him for one reason or another. Not that he really blamed them as he could understand where they were coming from. But... he had a plan for how to spend the day.

Placing the now cooked eggs onto a plate with some toast and sasauge, Harry was about to pick it up when he heard a knock at the door and blinked, "Hmm? Wonder who that might be..." Walking over to the door, he opened it only to blink at the three weapon spirits there, "Tsukiakari? Xing? Feng? What are you doing here?"

Lightly blushing, the Kyu-Gunto looked at the other two and coughed a little, "Um, actually Master? We thought that we could come over and keep a little bit of an eye on you?"

Xing's lips twitched a bit at Tsukiakari before she turned to Harry, "And also spend a little time with you as well, Master."

Nodding, Harry suddenly paused as he realized that the three were soaking wet from the rain, "Wait right here!" Rushing for the linen closet, he pulled out three large towels and brought them over, "Here you go, before you get sick!"

Both Chinese blades had amused looks on their faces as they, along with Tsukiakari, took the towels and began to dry themselves off. Feng chuckled a little as he gave Harry a look, "I do not think that we really need to worry about getting sick, Master. After all, I have never heard of a Tsukumogami like us becoming ill."

All Harry did though was give them a look and a frown, "Just the same, I don't want to chance it, alright." He paused for a moment and frowned more, "Did any of you eat? I could cook up something quick."

Tsukiakari smiled down at him and nodded, "Sheff-Kun actually made us some food, but we would not say no to a small snack." It was just a few minutes later that the three found a breakfast sandwich in front of them consisting of toast with eggs and some bacon between the two slices. Humming, the Japanese sword spirit happily smiled as she bit into her bit of food, "Mmm..."

Lightly laughing as he watched, the thirteen year old shook his head, "I'm glad that you're enjoying it." Head tilted to the side, he tapped his finger against his chin as he turned to the two Chinese blades, "Maybe later I'll cook up some of that food I told you about."

Remembering what he meant, Feng shared a look with Xing and nodded, "I think that we would like that, Master. Though we wonder if you had some plans for today?"

Just chewing some of his eggs, Harry considered the question before giving a small shrug, "I was going to start work on a small project today, but if you have something else, I am willing to go along with it. Mainly because, well... it would likely be boring for you since it is going to be a lot of work."

The two Chinese blades just smiled at him and shook their heads before Xing spoke, "Actually, we do not mind, Master. In fact, would it be okay if we watch?" At his surprise as he nodded, she smiled, 'After all, we can learn quite a bit about you simply by watching you work.'

Once they were done with their meals, Harry gathered up the plates and washed them all down. The cast iron skillet just being rinsed with some course salt being rubbed into it for cleaning. With everything put away, the four of them entered Harry's room and the two Chinese blade spirits looked around curiously. They did want to learn more about their new Master after all, and there was quite a bit that they could learn from his current room. For example, on one wall there was a plaque with the Basilisk fang mounted on it. There were also two bookcases, one with magical books and one without.

Much to their amusement they noted there were a few books on maintaining blades and the like.

Each of the three weapon spirits sat down and watched as Harry went to work quickly. A large, white bristol board was stuck onto the wall using sticky tack before he set up his laptop with a projector and adding what looked like another device before he got up and walked to his desk. Curious, Xing cleared her throat a little, "If I may ask what that is, Master?"

Noticing that she was pointing at the other device, Harry gave a small nod, "It's a microscope actually. I can hook it up to the laptop and use the projector to blow up the image so that I can see better." He reached in and pulled out a small wooden box before opening it. Inside, it was revealed to contain the Kogatana he had gotten from the Bunker. It was not very big, about the size of a pocket knife, "I want to examine this little fellow... and see if some of my suspicions are right."

Concerned, Tsukiakari watched as he placed the small blade under the microscope before turning it all on, "Suspicions, Master? What sort of suspicions?"

A grimace on his face, the wizard shook his head, "Nothing really bad, well... for me. But I noticed something and want to check it out."

When he turned on the microscope and the image was projected onto the bristol board, Feng leaned forward with his eyebrows furrowing, "You're right, Master. There is something wrong with the blade, right there along the top."

Harry frowned a little as he took a pair of tweezers, "Yeah, there's something about that." Using the small tweezers, he grasped the small blade and tilted it onto the edge to see the top better. As soon as he did, he could hear the hisses of horror from the three weapon spirits at what was revealed even as he winced, "Bloody hell..."

Choking a bit, Tsukiakari looked a bit green, "I-it looks like someone used a grinder along the top to even it out! I... why would you do that!"

Sure enough, along the top edge of the blade one could see the marks used by some sort of tool like a grinder that been used there. Just sucking his teeth, Harry shook his head, "I don't know, then again industry at the time was not great considering it was mostly focused on the war. Still though..." Using the tweezers, he moved the blade back onto the side and slowly moved it until they got to the tang and he grimaced, "Yeah, that was what I thought."

On Xing's face was a sickened look as she took it in, "That... that was not part of the blade originally. Someone... someone welded a tang onto it..."

For his part, Harry took some pictures of the blade from various angles before nodding, "Spot welded it, I think. Maybe with a wand since you can do that..." Gently laying it back down, he became thoughtful before turning to the three Tsukumogami that was there, "I... I'm not positive, but I know this is bad. Just how much though?"

No one spoke for almost a minute before Feng took a deep breath, "Master? To a blade spirit this damage would be... bad. The closest that I could come to what it would feel is like how someone with very deep, bad burns, would suffer pain from the scars for a long time afterwards. Except it would stay there in the case of the blade. It would be, in some ways, excruciating and some might think that they were better off being... melted down for scrap."

Biting his thumb, the thirteen year old wizard considered what he had just been told before taking a deep breath and letting it out, "I'm not about to melt them down though, it would be unfair." Looking at the projected image, he chewed his lip some before nodding, "I think that I have an idea or two."

Curious, Xing watched as Harry walked over to his desk and took out another small box, "Really, Master? How so?"

Glancing at her, Harry set the box down beside him and opened it, "Well, sometimes when shipgirls are repaired, their rigging has parts cut away and such. No one really does much with the shavings, but... I got some swarf from Akashi-Oba to experiment with. But small bits and pieces of metal are sort of hard to work with, so I used some transfiguration to make it into this block." What came out of the box was a block of metal about the size of a large Lego brick, "It's not much, but... it's very good steel and I can take a shaving from it. Using that? My skill with transfiguration is good enough that I should be able to merge it with the steel of the blade at the top to get rid of the damage from the grinding tool. And I can do the same with the tang as well." Turning, Harry gave them an unsure look, "Do you think that would work?"

Thoughtful, the three looked at each other in a silent conversation. Finally, Tsukiakari nodded as she looked towards their Master, "I think that would work very well, master. I've seen your work and how you can merge two different materials together without a seam."

With a small nod, Harry stretched out a little, "Okay... this is going to take a bit then. Though thankfully, the microscope can help." Looking at the small blade, he gave a smile, "Just... hold on. It will get better."

Unnoticed by him, the sword spirits all smiled at that before looking at the small blade themselves.

Now, when they focused, they could feel the distress it was under as well as an nervous, almost unsure feeling. Like it felt that it was unsure it could trust Harry, because it had been so hurt before. And yet... there was a small bit of hope there as well. That maybe this time, it would not be hurt and would get some help.

But they simply watched instead of saying anything as Harry did take a small shaving off the block of metal. Placing the shaving under the microscope, Harry used clips to hold the blade in place as he handled the tweezers to line the straightened shaving up with the top, or back of, the blade. Once the two pieces of metal were close enough, he took a deep breath, "Okay... let's do this."

Instead of using the bristol board projection, Harry used the eyepiece as he brought out his wand. On the projection, Tsukiakari and the others watched as the top of his wand appeared in the field of view and glowed very slightly. Slowly, the metal from the shaving attached itself to the blade at one end. Harry did not move the process very fast, but performed it slowly as the two pieces of metal first attached themselves bit by bit, but then also began to merge. The lines between them blurring until they disappeared and it all looked like one piece of metal under the microscope.

Each of the Potter weapon spirits there widened their eyes as they realized what Harry was doing. Instead of merely attaching the piece of metal, he was actually transfiguring the metal into the main blade until there was no difference at the top and within. Every few minutes, Harry took a break to either wipe at his forehead due to the sweat from the concentration, or to take a few moments to rest and sometimes have a drink. Finally, after four hours, he was done and took in his work with a small smile as he flipped the blade onto the edge...

And saw unmarked steel looking like it belonged there on the projection.

Looking at the screen, they could all tell that one would be unable to tell that they had been two pieces of different metal at all rather than one piece The blade itself seemed to shine a bit brighter in itself. Stretching a bit, Harry grunted as his back popped before nodding, "Okay, time for a bit of lunch and then onto the rest."

Happily smiling as she followed Harry out of his room, Tsukiakari nodded at him, "You did a very good job, Master. Excellent in fact."

Sheepishly smiling, Harry scratched his neck, "Um, thanks, Tsukiakari. I'm just happy that it worked is all." Rolling his shoulders at her smile, he nodded, "Now, time for some lunch before we continue..."

Roughly an hour later found them back in the room with Harry moving the small blade until it was showing where the "Tang" attached to the rest of the blade. Increasing the magnification, he clicked his tongue as there was an ugly ridge there and it was obvious that any real movement of the blade would cause it to snap. Turning it onto the side, he opened a book beside him and examined the pictures and groaned.

With a blink, Xing looked over his shoulder at the book and grimaced as she looked between the picture and what was projected, "That... is far too thin."

Just sighing as he rubbed the side of his head, the teenage wizard cursed whoever did the work before him, "That is putting it mildly. Even if I was to add an handle, that would snap right off the bat. What sort of moron..." Only shaking his head, Harry turned back to the block of metal and took some small shavings from it, "Let's see what I can do..."

Once more putting his eye to the eyepiece and having secured the blade, he began his work. Tsukiakari and the others watched as he placed one shaving on top of the tang and began to motion with his wand. Before their eyes, the metal seemed to melt into the tang until there was no difference between them. Then, he brought his wand to the weld point and began to work. As before, he took short breaks after a couple of minutes of work due to the concentration as well as for bathroom breaks. But, slowly, the weld line began to first smooth out with the metal flowing under his guidance.

Then, once that was done, the metal from both sides of the line began to flow into each other, mixing with one another. Slowly, the differences began to disappear as the weld line blurred and disappeared. After three more hours, there was no way for one to ever tell that they were different pieces of metal if one looked. Smiling, Harry began to nod only to pause and blink before looking over his shoulder in confusion. For some odd reason he could almost swear that someone was looking at his work in pride and approval.

Scratching the side of his head in confusion, he shrugged it off before getting up and grabbing a cold butterbeer. As he re-entered the room, he popped the cap and set it aside for Hoppou or another member of the household to use as a small snack, "Well, now that the hard parts are done... time for the easier parts. The handle and sheath..."

Feng watched in interest as Harry pulled out another box which revealed the two items in question. Both pieces were done in ivory, which made him nod in appreciation. While the handle was rather plain with what looked fish though, the sheath had what looked like a picture of a woman in an odd dress with a wide brimmed hat as well as an odd, orb like object attached to her with string with a heart made from it, "Hmm... I don't recognize who that is? Some mythological figure?"

Lightly blushing, Harry chuckled weakly as he scratched his cheek, "Actually, um... it is supposed to be Komeji Koishi." At the blinks from the two Chinese blades, he blushed, "I don't know why, but... I had this feeling about how that would fit. Not sure how though, but..." He gave a shrug, "Had Natsumi draw the picture though so it looks realistic and then used transfiguration to put it on the sheath."

Just nodding, Tsukiakari gave him a smile, "I think that it looks nice." Looking closer at the handle, she tilted her head some, 'I wonder why he chose goldfish though...?'

Meanwhile, the teenage wizard got to work putting it all together using his skills at transfiguration to slip the tang into the handle properly as well as make the slit to store the knife in it. When he was finally done after two more hours, Harry yawned as he was exhausted, but raised the finished product in pride, twisting the sheathed blade this way and that before drawing it.

When he did so, the light seemed to gleam off it and he smiled, "I think that's about it, and it does look good."

Each of the weapon spirits leaned in to examine the blade and nodded in agreement. Seeing him yawn again, Xing smiled and placed a hand on his shoulder, "Master? How about you lay down for a short nap. Feng and I shall make some dinner for you in the meanwhile."

Rubbing his face, Harry gave a hum, "Yeah, that sounds good. Sorry for not really talking with you that much, it had to have been boring and bothersome."

However, much to his surprise, the two Chinese blades shared a look before turning back to him, "No, Master, quite the opposite. We enjoyed today and actually found out quite a bit." Looking at the small blade, she smiled, 'Especially what it told us about you as due to all the work and energy you spent fixing our newest member."

Feng smiled a bit as Harry laid down in his futon, "By the way, Master... what is their name?"

Blinking as he could already feel himself falling asleep, the teen hummed, "Name? You mean the blade?" At their nods, he gave another yawn as his eyes closed, "Well, for right now in my head I'm thinking... Kenshō."

As he fell asleep, Tsukiakari frowned a little, "Do you think he means it in 'Understanding the inner self', or the idea of it being 'Emptiness'?"

The two Chinese blades simply shook their heads before raising upwards, with Xing chuckling, "Who knows with Master? But let us leave him rest, he has worked hard. Meanwhile, we shall make him some dinner."

Later that night, Harry kicked off his blankets in his sleep while muttering. Until, that was, there was the patter of small footsteps and two tiny hands grabbed the blanket and pulled it up and over him, "There we go, Master... mou... why did he kick them off? Though I am happy to have a Master, a real one! And my first, though... where is Kaa-Chan? Maybe Master can help me find her... mou..."