[Summer Harvest Trip] Kensho the Berry thief; Elm the retainer
darthcourt10
Well worn.
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Harry Leferts
Wiping at her forehead, Yae gave a soft sigh before she lifted the pail filled with sweet, red raspberries. It only took her a few moments to haul it over to the cart and dump them into one of the baskets that was there. Humming a bit, the teenage girl noted that most of the baskets in the second layer of the cart were almost full, which made her nod happily. After all, she could not wait to taste the... fruits of their labours as it was.
Softly giggling, Yae turned to where the others were still working with a slight smile on her face.
Her friends, and she was happy to call them that, had been working alongside her for several hours now. All of them were more than a little sweaty from work, but there were grins and smiles on their faces. Some of which had been smeared with raspberry juice from ones that they had eaten after picking. None of them, however, were frustrated with the crop that they had gathered and reached about the midway point.
Looking over her shoulder, the Kendoka could see why. There was already a bottom layer of baskets just filled with raspberries. Over that, they had placed a board and started a second layer. Needless to say, all of them were looking forward to a large amount of preserves and jam from just this!
When she turned back to the others, Yae could only shake her head. After all, it was obvious how they managed to gather so many. Harry, herself, and almost all of the others had worked along the outside of the bushes from the ground. Meanwhile, Asuka was hovering over the bushes and plucking ripe berries from there which she would bring over and dump into the baskets once her pail was filled.
But the biggest difference came from the shipgirls.
Iku and the others were mostly plucking the berries from the outside like the rest of the teens that where there besides Asuka. However, they had one advantage that the others didn't... their fairies. Said small beings would go into the bushes along the bottom and disappear in groups of a dozen or so. And then, return a few minutes later will a filled pail which went into the baskets. Even as Yae watched, a group of Hachi's came trotting out with such a pail filled with raspberries that they dumped into one of the baskets with excited "Desus". Something that still made her want to giggle.
Of course, that moment was brought to an end as the sound of someone eating made Yae turn and stare a little. Because Jin was there on a lounge chair with a pail filled with berries beside her. Every so often, the corrupted Mizuchi would reach in for a handful and toss them back, noisily snacking on them. It was just so at odds with how Mizuchi were supposed to be according to the lore that she had looked up.
Moments later, Shiromizu turned and gave her Senpai a look, "You could help, Senpai! The rest of us are busting our tails for this!"
Amused as she swallowed another handful, Jin waved a hand, "I am helping!" Taking a berry, she tossed it back with a grin, "After all, I'm testing the product to make sure that it is all right."
Scowling at that, Shiromizu took a berry and tossed it... only got the other Mizuchi's tongue to lash out like a frog and catch it before drawing it back onto her mouth with a laugh. Various others stared at her before shaking their heads and going back to picking. The raspberries were not going to pick themselves!
Plucking one of the berries from the bush, Usagi looked it over before popping it into her mouth with a happy hum. For a rabbit Yokai, this was close to food heaven. So much fresh fruit, and no one and issue with her eating some right from the bush, well... besides teasing her about not having as much as them.
It was wonderful, however.
However, right then, Usagi looked down at her pail and noticed something that made her frown,"Wait... am I missing berries?"
Beside her, Kaku snickered a little a little before poking her side, "I don't know... maybe they all went straight to your stomach?"
That got his hand slapped to his amusement, but the rabbit Yokai looked at her pail with a frown on her face, "No, seriously, I think that I'm missing berries."
Just as Kaku was about to comment, Rika looked into her pail and furrowed her eyebrows, "Wait a moment... I think that I'm missing a bunch of berries too! Where did they go?"
When Natsumi chimed in that she thought she was missing some as well, Harry raised an eyebrow. Clearing his throat, he looked at one spot in particular, "Kenshō..."
Seemingly to fade into existence, said Kogatana blinked, "Um, yes, Master? What is it?"
If anything, Harry just raised his eyebrows further, "Did you take their berries?"
Eyes wide, and innocent expression on her face, Kenshō shook her head, "No..." At his amused look, she looked away, "Honest! Someone else must have taken them!"
Unfortunately, her innocent look was ruined by the fact that her hands and the area around her mouth was stained with berry juice.
Just barely keeping back his laughter, Harry hummed, "I see..." Then, he smiled softly and held up an extra pail, "Then I am sure that you don't mind helping until we catch the thief, then?"
Pouting, the blade spirit scuffed her shoe, "Mou... Okay, Master." Walking up, she took hold of the pail and skipped to a spot, "Hmm... this looks good!"
Extremely amused, Harry waggled a finger at her, "Just don't eat most of the berries! We need to make sure that your appetite is not ruined." That got him a bright, and happy, smile as well as a nod. Bemused, Harry shook his head as he turned back to the bushes, 'Best keep an eye on her just the same...'
Only a short distance away, Taiyang giggled slightly as she plucked berry after berry from the bush in front of her expertly. And why would she not? One needed to only remember that Tamamo had spent most of her time in the wilderness. Thus, foraging was something that came to her like a second nature.
Like the others, she had tried some of the raspberries and compared them to the ones that she knew from Japan. Humming to herself, Taiyang enjoyed the sweetness, but also the slight tart taste which balanced it. Personally, she was looking forward to trying some of the sweets that her Master had hinted could be made with them. Hearing a happy giggle, she turned towards Kenshō and smiled at the younger blade spirit. There was a happiness and innocence there.
But, more than that, she watched her interactions with Harry and was rather pleased. Just as when they had the beach party, he began to act like a father to the seemingly young girl. Unknowingly, yet, but still in such a way. It gladdened the Dao as it stated much about the sort of man he was. And, as well, what sort of father he could be when the time came for him and Natsumi to have kits of their own.
Lips curling into a soft smile, the blade spirit shook her head, "Adorable."
A chuckle made Taiyang turn to the side where Goldie was also plucking berries and placing them into a pail. For a few moments, the Blade of Tamamo watched the Sword of Caeser with an interested look on her face. With her age, it was few blades that she had met whom were her equal in any way, in particular age. Yet, thus far, she had met two older than her.
Carnwennan, she had found, was a good conversationalist with his breadth of age and experience. Like her, he was also used to operating from the shadows and was quite good at what he did. Not to mention the tales that he told from this "King Arthur" amused her to no end. Granted, she did pity the poor man having to herd so many cats, as the saying went. Not to mention what his wife did! Though, she supposed, that was humanity for you.
Frankly, she would have slain the wife and "Sir Lancelot" well before that point... and maybe take Guinevere's place, far easier and less messy. Though she was amused at his expressions and exasperation when she told him how she would have handled it. And he had snorted at the whole bit where she stated how she would have secured Guinevere's fall.
Now, that said, "Goldie" was of another sort from both her and Carnwennan both.
In a word, the Roman blade was interesting to her. Oh, Taiyang had looked up the man in question whom had owned her. And, she had to admit, that she was impressed with him. Yes, a few hundred years later his empire was in such a state that it was easy work for her Master to help it along. But the man himself, this "Julius Caeser"? She could feel impressed with him if for no other reason than his achievements, and could understand somewhat why some Chinese had thought Rome was their equal if they had been thinking of his time.
Though, in the end, that made her even more disappointed in what such a nation turned into.
Shaking off such thoughts, Taiyang hummed a little as she glanced at the Roman blade from the corner of her eye, "I wonder if I could ask you a question...."
With a glance, Goldie gave a nod, "Of course! Ask away, Umu."
Only nodding slowly, the Dao hummed, "Does it not bother you, that they do not call you by your true name? Instead of Crocea Mors, they refer to you as 'Goldie'."
Much to her surprise, Goldie laughed a little, "Should it?" Lips curling, she chuckled, "A name is but that, a name. And amicitia mean nothing by it. It is a mark of endearment that they gift me such a nickname after all! Truly, it is something Roman!"
Unable to help herself, Taiyang giggled a little, "I see, Mikon!"
Nodding to herself, her and Goldie continued to talk with each other.
At the same time, Yae was looking towards the Dao in thought before looking at herself and sighing a little, 'Why... and did she drink a lot of milk? Is that how...'
However, she shook such thoughts off and looked curiously over at Kenshō in thought. The small girl was currently humming as she filled the small pail at her side with raspberries. Granted, the teenage Kendoka blinked as Kenshō gave a happy smile towards Harry, "I can't wait to give some of these to Suisei-Oba-Chan, Master! Mou... she'll make lots of desserts for me and Okaa-Chan! And Na-Kaa-San!"
Eyebrow raised, Harry poked her in the side which made her giggle, "Okaa-Chan and I, Kenshō. Also, I can imagine that you will love them when she does that..." Lips curling into a smirk, he snickered, "Hopefully you don't balloon outwards too much."
That got him a poke which he snickered about, "Mou... that's being mean, Master." Pausing, she looked down at her stomach before patting it, "Besides, I couldn't get big no matter how many treats I eat!"
Rather amused at that pronouncement, Harry could only hum a little, 'I wonder how much Suisei has fed her since meeting her... Probably a lot.'
Curious, Yae furrowed her eyebrows some in thought before moving over to where Kenshō was. For several moments, she was looking at the small girl though looking at her features, she had to wonder. Then, the Kendoka blinked as she noted that Kenshō was not looking at her in the eyes. Everyone stopped what they were doing to watch the staredown in some amusement.
A staredown that came to an end when Kenshō reached out and tapped Yae on the nose, "Boop!"
Rapidly blinking, and not having expected that, the teen jerked away before looking back at the small blade spirit who giggled. Shaking it off, Yae turned to Harry with a curious expression on her face, "Um, Harry-San? Who..."
Briefly, she forgot who she was talking about as Kenshō disappeared before reappearing beside her, "Hi! I'm Muramasa no Kenshō! And I'm Master's Kogatana!"
Just blinking for a moment, Yae furrowed her eyebrows before introducing herself. Of course, then she had a thoughtful look on her face, "Muramasa? As in the smith, Muramasa?" At the nod, her eyes widened a little as she leaned down to better examine the greyish haired girl before her, "Huh... so you're like Tokunotakai-Sensei? A spirit of a blade?"
Happily smiling, the Kogatana nodded, "Hai! That's right!" Once more disappearing, she reappeared hugging Harry, "I'm Master's Kogatana, like I said."
Gently patting her on the head and getting a happy hum, Harry looked at a bemused Yae and revealed the small blade at his side before drawing it with her steel flashing in the warm sunlight, "Here."
Leaning in to examine it, Yae considered it for a few moments before something occurred to her, "Wait, how is it that she can, um..."
Only raising one eyebrow, the teenager hummed, "Fade in and out of sight and memory?" At the unsure nod, he gave a small shrug, "It... seems to be an evolved version of what her mother, Kyoshu the Blade of Faded Memories, can do."
Frown on her face, Yae blinked, "Kyoshu...?" She furrowed her eyebrows in thought for a moment, "I think that Sensei mentioned her. Something about... how she's harmless now and more likely to forget things?"
The sound of shuffling made her look down to see a downcast Kenshō there, "Okaa-San... wasn't a good person. She was hurting, so she made others hurt to try and help herself. A-and she was able to take away memories or even make people forget someone entirely. B-but during the war..."
Having walked over, Natsumi gently held the smaller girl to her before looking at Yae, "Kyoshu-San was... not a good person, to say the least. And during the war, she teamed up with a certain group before finding out that for all she was such, there were those far worse who then did things to her. Which also included removing Kenshō-Chan, here, from her actual blade and making her a Kogatana."
It did not take a genius to figure out what was meant, and Yae swallowed as she felt a little bit of bile rise up in her throat. Not towards the little girl, for she was an innocent, but the ones who caused it. With a deep breath, she let it out, "So when Sensei says that she's harmless...?"
Okita spoke up and shrugged, "She means it." Everyone turned to her and she snorted a little, "I actually fought her several times and caused her to withdraw."
Surprised, the Kendoka stared for a moment as she remembered how experienced and capable her Sensei was and figured that this "Kyoshu" had to be her own level, "Really?"
Lightly chuckling, Okita nodded a little, "The Shinsengumi were police after all." She grimaced a little before continuing, "But there were very few of us who could match Kyoshu, especially with her abilities to manipulate memories." After a moment, the reincarnated warrior shook her head, "Seeing her now, however? She's... definitely not the same blade. Most of her own memories were wiped and she acts more like a child or an elderly with memory problems."
More than a little shocked and surprised, Yae considered asking, but in the end decided that she likely didn't want to know. Instead, she turned to Kenshō with a small smile, "So you came into possession of Harry-San, then?"
Humming even as she leaned into Natsumi, Kenshō nodded, "Hai, Master found me in a dark place and..." A shudder went through her before she shook her head, "Um, then he fixed all the bad work."
At the confusion on Yae's face, Harry grimaced, "After they cut her from her Okaa-San's blade, they... used a grinder to 'Smooth out' the top and spot welded a tang." Ignoring the utter horror on the Kendoka's face, he cleared his throat and gently patted Kenshō's head, "Transfiguration is very powerful when used properly so I added some shipgirl steel recovered from repairs to the spine of the blade as well as the tang, then transfigured away the shoddy work done."
Crouching down, the Kendoka pulled a surprised Kenshō into a hug, "I'm sorry that such a thing happened to you, Gozaru."
Only hugging her back, Kenshō nuzzled her a bit, "It's okay, because Master made it all better and now I don't hurt."
Simply nodding, Yae held the small blade's avatar for a few more moments before letting go. Then, to Harry's surprise, she bowed to him, "Thank you, Harry-San. For doing what you did and showing true respect, Gozaru."
Quickly, he bowed back to her just as deeply, "Thank you, Yae-San." Glancing at the raspberries in the wagon and the pails that were mostly filled, he nodded, "I think, maybe, we should dump the last few raspberries and then break for some lunch."
Blinks met him and everyone turned to look at the wagon before eyes widened as they realized that the last few baskets there were nearly filled. As quick as only hungry teens could be, they dumped their last few raspberries into said baskets and then watched as the pony went off back towards the manor with their spoils. Then, the group of them sat down on a bench that Ayase pulled out before taking out their lunches.
Just biting into hers, Asuka looked over the bushes and nodded a little to herself, "I think that we're about halfway done. It shouldn't be more than..." Looking up at the sky, she frowned for a few moments before nodding, "Maybe five more hours of work? And then we're done with these bushes."
Her shoulders slumping a bit even as she chewed some lettuce and tomato from her sandwich, Usagi sighed, "And I am glad for that." She then gave a small shrug and went to take another bite, "Though all the jams and such will be more than worth it."
That got her nods from the others before Harry spoke up, "True, but that also means that we can have a little fun. And later, I'll make up some raspberry fool for us all."
Perking up a bit, Kaku looked over at him in interest, "Raspberry... fool? Is that something British?"
Lips quirking a little, the teenage wizard nodded, "Hai, it's a dessert and pretty simple." He began to tick off on his fingers, "The main ingredients are raspberries, cream or thickened, evaporated milk, and sugar. It's really good as well."
Beside him, Natsumi licked her lips some, "Hai, it really is." A snicker then escaped her and she grinned a bit, "Almost as good as an Eton Mess."
With a laugh, Harry grinned back at her, "Hai, just not the political one."
Seeing the confusion, he began to explain as to what, exactly, an "Eton Mess" was much to the amusement of the others.
Eventually, the talk turned to other matters, with Yae grabbing one of the bottles of soft drinks and looking at it in curiosity, 'Ribena?' Opening it, she took a sip and blink, "Huh..."
Looking over at her, Harry nodded some, "Not what you expected?"
Just nodding as she looked at the bottle, the Kendoka frowned, "Hai..." Eyebrows furrowing as she tried to read the writing, she blinked, "Blackcurrants?"
Harry nodded as he sipped his own bottle, "Well, that is what they're famous for, blackcurrant flavoured soft drinks. Didn't get to taste it much when I was younger, but..." He gave a small shrug, "I've always enjoyed it."
On a nearby stone, Kenshō was sitting in Taiyang's lap happily eating a jam sandwich as she kicked her legs out. The foxy Dao, on the other hand, was eating some rice and the like with peanut butter crackers. Looking down at the smaller blade, Taiyang smiled a little, "Enjoying yourself?"
Nodding, the Muramasa smiled brightly, "Hai!" Shifting a bit, her back of her head was against Taiyang's chest, her next words getting a laugh from the much older blade, "I got comfy pillows!"
_____________________________________________________________________
Yae came down the stairs of the millhouse stretching a little with the Sun setting outside. Spotting her, Natsumi sipped her tea with a slight smile, "Evening."
The Kendoka looked out the window and blinked as, sure enough, the Sun was close to the horizon which made her stare for a moment before shaking it off, "Um, evening...?"
Pausing for a moment, she could hear sounds just outside the window before they suddenly vanished. When she looked at Natsumi, said Kitsune shrugged, "Those were our past selves right before they went back to the morning to rest."
For a few moments, Yae considered that before grimacing some and rubbing the side of her head, "Time travel hurts my head, Gozaru."
Softly snorting, Natsumi glanced to where Harry was cooking before nodding, "Not just yours, but anyone's. But that is just how things work really."
Even though she still had a bit of a headache, the other teen nodded even as she could hear the others moving around upstairs. Looking to where Harry was, she blinked, "Um... is he making breakfast?"
Looking over his shoulder, Harry chuckled a little, "Hai, after all this is our breakfast you know."
Once more, Yae considered that before nodding despite how odd it seemed. Soon enough, however, the room filled up with the others who were all chatting about various things. Of course, that was when food was served.
Usagi blinked a little as she looked down at the piece of toast topped with melted cheese that Harry had placed in front of her. As a vegetarian, she didn't mind cheese after all, and it was good. But... still, why would he place that in front of her, "Uh, Harry-Kun? Why...?" Her suspicions deepened when Natsumi glanced over, did a double take and then begin to choke some on her food to the point where a bemused Taiyang had to pat her on the back, 'What did he do...?'
Grin on his face, the wizard looked over at her, "Why? I thought that you might enjoy... Welsh rarebit."
Practically everyone paused at that for several moments before there were snorts which soon became laughter. Unamused expression on her face, though her lips twitched, Usagi gave the unrepentant Harry a look, "Really? I mean, really? You actually went there..."
With a small shrug, Harry hummed a bit, "Would I be me if I didn't?"
Confused, Yae furrowed her eyebrows as she looked from the toast to Harry, "Um, Harry-San?" Getting a sound to continue, she did so, "Well... rarebit? It just looks like cheese on toast..."
The teenage wizard waggled his hand a bit, "Rabbit was an extremely uncommon meal in Wales for the longest time. The common people weren't allowed to hunt them on the property of the, usually, English nobility. Thus, they made due with cheese instead." A grin on his face, he snickered some, "If you wanted, Usagi-Chan, I could have added tomato... because then it would be known as a blushing bunny. Or an egg to make golden buck!"
Said rabbit Yokai's only reaction was to give him a look before snorting and taking a bite out of her food and rolling her eyes... Though she did ask for a second which got snickers. Once all the food was put away, which with hungry teens did not take long, Harry pulled out a cooler and dumped ice into it. Then, he placed some wrapped objects which got looks until he explained that they were sausage for the midday meal, which got nods from the others.
And, with that done, the group went outside and walked the short distance behind the millhouse before Natsumi pulled out the time turner. With a small nod, she extended the chain around all of them before looking at it, "Okay... time to go back twelve hours."
Everyone nodded in agreement and the Kitsune turned back the clock with time running backwards. As the time travel slowed and came to a stop, they all looked around in curiosity with Ayaka shaking her head, "I don't think that I will ever get used to that..."
That got her nods and they set off, while making sure that they would keep out of sight of their past selves. Entering the orchard, they made their way along another path, towards another part away from where the raspberry bushes were. Partway there, however, Asuka blinked and looked down, "Um, Harry-San? There's something over there, some sort of building? Looks almost like those pictures of that place in Greece."
It took only moments, but Harry's eyes lit up a bit and he hummed some, "I wonder... Which way was it?"
Confused, Asuka pointed in one direction, "It's over there actually." Just maybe a hundred feet?"
Not long after, the group entered what looked like a small clearing in the orchard with a stone building there. Like Asuka stated, it looked similar to a Greek temple, except for the statues that were there at the front. One statue was of a female Centaur, a soft, peaceful smile on her face. And leaning against her was the statue of a young man with what seemed like messy hair with her hand on his brow. Both looked almost like they could get up and move about. What struck those looking was just how... loving the two looked.
Slowly, Harry walked up to the building and placed a hand on it before smiling a little at the inscription, "This... this is the tomb of one of my ancestors, Potter Joachim and the Centauress Elm."
Eyes wide, Yae boggled a bit, "Gozaru..." Then she furrowed her eyebrows and moved around it though at a distance, "Um, but why is it here?"
Rubbing his thumb along the inscription, Harry glanced over at her, "Hmm, well, it is an interesting story." Straightening up, he examined the statues more closely, "Joachim was a young lad just barely a man when he was attacked by a group of trolls, but Elm saved his life. In exchange, he gave her his friendship and gifted her with a bracelet that would allow for him to know if she was in danger. Something that became useful as just a few days later, her own brother banished her from their herd and nearly beat her to death for helping a human."
Jaw dropping, there was actual anger in Ayaka's voice as she clenched her fists, which shook, "Say what!? They nearly killed her because she protected someone?!"
The teenage wizard shrugged, "British Centaurs are... not the nicest, generally. But yeah, so he saved her life and nearly killed her brother in retaliation. It was only Elm's asking him that stayed his hand from wiping them all out with the rest of the Potters helping."
Snorting, Nobu crossed her arms with a narrowed eyed look, "I would have been harder to convince not to do such. Matters of honour would demand it."
Once more, Harry shrugged, "Well, anyways, two contracts were written. One placed Elm under the protection of the Potters and the other was that her brother nor his herd could ever do anything to harm her knowingly. She became a companion and guard for him, travelling with him all over when he went hunting or travelling aboard. They even went to places such as Italy, with the Potters having a custom set of armor made for her. She even allowed him to ride upon her back, which angered other Centaurs, but she did not care in the slightest as they already made their decision for her simply helping Joachim, and he had shown her more kindness than they had. The two were close, very much so, though he married a Malfoy Lucinda in an arranged, unhappy marriage."
No one noticed a certain Sendai's face having turned redder and redder as the story went on, 'She... was his close companion... and guard...'
Unknowing of Ayase's reaction, Harry continued the story, "The marriage had been arranged by the Wizengamot under quite a bit of controversy as there was a feud going on with the Potters and Blacks on one side, and the Malfoys along with some minor houses that held grudges against us. They claimed that it was supposed to promote peace between the families. But... there were some rumours of the Malfoys having paid them off." Waving a hand, he shook his head, "Anyways, Lucinda died in childbirth giving birth to hers and Joachim's second and third children, a pair of twins. The Malfoys claimed foul play, but... nothing was ever proven. And nothing that I have read stated one way or the other."
Interested in the story, Ayase cleared her throat, "U-um, what happened next? If... I can ask?"
With a look towards her, the teenage wizard smiled, "Well... Elm then stepped in as the wet nurse for the children and cared for them as if they were her own. They even called her mother... which angered the Malfoys. Some of them teamed up with the Centaurs of her old herd to try and kill both her as well as Joachim. But, well... there was the contract and magic was the arbiter of that, you see. There's reasons why there's no more Centaurs in Kingly Vale where they had dwelt and why the Malfoy were nearly wiped out by a mysterious sickness." Looking towards the statues, Harry became thoughtful, "Both Elm and Joachim were close and continued to be so for the rest of their lives. There was a bit of a stir when, after two years abroad, the two returned with a child, a son."
Blinking, Jin cocked an eyebrow in interest, "Wait, a son? Did they...?"
Only shrugging, Harry shook his head, "Never said actually. Though said son was my direct ancestor. Lucinda's daughter married into the Longbottoms while her sons went off and founded branch families in the Channel islands. As for the son that Joachim brought back, his explanation was that he had gotten married in the Holy Roman Empire, but that his new wife had died shortly after childbirth, thus he brought said son back. Now, like his siblings, he also called Elm 'Mother'..." He then gave a small shrug, "Considering things? I wouldn't be too surprised to be honest."
Part of the wizard was confused about why Natsumi suddenly went red in the face, but shrugged it off as Okita was looking at the tomb in thought, "And when she died... he had a tomb made for her?"
Harry gave a nod at that, "Hai, though part of it was due to how things worked then. See, the local Priest would not allow Joachim to bury Elm in the churchyard. After all, she was not human, which angered not just Joachim, but the rest of the Potters. He later was... removed... from his position, but the damage was done. Due to that, and how she loved to simply lay here in the Sun with him leaning against her, he had dwarves build a tomb for her in the Ancient Greek tradition. The statues themselves he created over the last ten years of his life. As per his will, after his death, he was laid beside her within the tomb so that they could be companions for all eternity."
Simply holding her hands to her chest, Ayase gave a smile towards the grave, 'You were happy, weren't you? He was your Lord, and you his Servant... but you were more than that. And are even now...'
The group lingered there for a while longer, just soaking in the feeling of peace and contentment that filled the small clearing.
But, soon enough, they left with goodbyes to the tomb before continuing on. Reaching the area of the orchard with cherries, they looked around in awe at the succulent fruit hanging from the branches. Flying up, Asuka examined some of the cherries, poking and prodding them until she plucked a few and landed, "Huh..."
Walking over, the others looked at the glossy, red fruit in interest. Taking one, Yae looked at Asuka who nodded before she bit into one and closed her eyes, "So good... Gozaru..."
Each of the others also took some, and soon they were all nodding. Looking around at the trees as she licked her lips, Usagi nodded to herself, "Well, we should get to work if we want to get more..."
Arms crossed, the Tengu nodded some before frowning, "Now, before we get started, you all need to understand what to pick." Flying up, it took her a few moments only to pick some more cherries which she held out once back on the ground, "Now, cherries don't ripen anymore once plucked from the trees. These are ripe ones, which means that they're soft..."
From there, she explained more and soon the others all got to work getting picking the cherries. Like before, the shipgirls used their fairies to do so much to the amusement of the others. Some, like Rika and Kaku, climbed up into the trees to get the fruit there as well, with Asuka flying around said trees near the top and getting some there. Harry, meanwhile, was using magic to get ripe fruit from the branches as was Goldie who knew much the same spells.
Slowly, but surely, they began another day's work.
Wiping at her forehead, Yae gave a soft sigh before she lifted the pail filled with sweet, red raspberries. It only took her a few moments to haul it over to the cart and dump them into one of the baskets that was there. Humming a bit, the teenage girl noted that most of the baskets in the second layer of the cart were almost full, which made her nod happily. After all, she could not wait to taste the... fruits of their labours as it was.
Softly giggling, Yae turned to where the others were still working with a slight smile on her face.
Her friends, and she was happy to call them that, had been working alongside her for several hours now. All of them were more than a little sweaty from work, but there were grins and smiles on their faces. Some of which had been smeared with raspberry juice from ones that they had eaten after picking. None of them, however, were frustrated with the crop that they had gathered and reached about the midway point.
Looking over her shoulder, the Kendoka could see why. There was already a bottom layer of baskets just filled with raspberries. Over that, they had placed a board and started a second layer. Needless to say, all of them were looking forward to a large amount of preserves and jam from just this!
When she turned back to the others, Yae could only shake her head. After all, it was obvious how they managed to gather so many. Harry, herself, and almost all of the others had worked along the outside of the bushes from the ground. Meanwhile, Asuka was hovering over the bushes and plucking ripe berries from there which she would bring over and dump into the baskets once her pail was filled.
But the biggest difference came from the shipgirls.
Iku and the others were mostly plucking the berries from the outside like the rest of the teens that where there besides Asuka. However, they had one advantage that the others didn't... their fairies. Said small beings would go into the bushes along the bottom and disappear in groups of a dozen or so. And then, return a few minutes later will a filled pail which went into the baskets. Even as Yae watched, a group of Hachi's came trotting out with such a pail filled with raspberries that they dumped into one of the baskets with excited "Desus". Something that still made her want to giggle.
Of course, that moment was brought to an end as the sound of someone eating made Yae turn and stare a little. Because Jin was there on a lounge chair with a pail filled with berries beside her. Every so often, the corrupted Mizuchi would reach in for a handful and toss them back, noisily snacking on them. It was just so at odds with how Mizuchi were supposed to be according to the lore that she had looked up.
Moments later, Shiromizu turned and gave her Senpai a look, "You could help, Senpai! The rest of us are busting our tails for this!"
Amused as she swallowed another handful, Jin waved a hand, "I am helping!" Taking a berry, she tossed it back with a grin, "After all, I'm testing the product to make sure that it is all right."
Scowling at that, Shiromizu took a berry and tossed it... only got the other Mizuchi's tongue to lash out like a frog and catch it before drawing it back onto her mouth with a laugh. Various others stared at her before shaking their heads and going back to picking. The raspberries were not going to pick themselves!
Plucking one of the berries from the bush, Usagi looked it over before popping it into her mouth with a happy hum. For a rabbit Yokai, this was close to food heaven. So much fresh fruit, and no one and issue with her eating some right from the bush, well... besides teasing her about not having as much as them.
It was wonderful, however.
However, right then, Usagi looked down at her pail and noticed something that made her frown,"Wait... am I missing berries?"
Beside her, Kaku snickered a little a little before poking her side, "I don't know... maybe they all went straight to your stomach?"
That got his hand slapped to his amusement, but the rabbit Yokai looked at her pail with a frown on her face, "No, seriously, I think that I'm missing berries."
Just as Kaku was about to comment, Rika looked into her pail and furrowed her eyebrows, "Wait a moment... I think that I'm missing a bunch of berries too! Where did they go?"
When Natsumi chimed in that she thought she was missing some as well, Harry raised an eyebrow. Clearing his throat, he looked at one spot in particular, "Kenshō..."
Seemingly to fade into existence, said Kogatana blinked, "Um, yes, Master? What is it?"
If anything, Harry just raised his eyebrows further, "Did you take their berries?"
Eyes wide, and innocent expression on her face, Kenshō shook her head, "No..." At his amused look, she looked away, "Honest! Someone else must have taken them!"
Unfortunately, her innocent look was ruined by the fact that her hands and the area around her mouth was stained with berry juice.
Just barely keeping back his laughter, Harry hummed, "I see..." Then, he smiled softly and held up an extra pail, "Then I am sure that you don't mind helping until we catch the thief, then?"
Pouting, the blade spirit scuffed her shoe, "Mou... Okay, Master." Walking up, she took hold of the pail and skipped to a spot, "Hmm... this looks good!"
Extremely amused, Harry waggled a finger at her, "Just don't eat most of the berries! We need to make sure that your appetite is not ruined." That got him a bright, and happy, smile as well as a nod. Bemused, Harry shook his head as he turned back to the bushes, 'Best keep an eye on her just the same...'
Only a short distance away, Taiyang giggled slightly as she plucked berry after berry from the bush in front of her expertly. And why would she not? One needed to only remember that Tamamo had spent most of her time in the wilderness. Thus, foraging was something that came to her like a second nature.
Like the others, she had tried some of the raspberries and compared them to the ones that she knew from Japan. Humming to herself, Taiyang enjoyed the sweetness, but also the slight tart taste which balanced it. Personally, she was looking forward to trying some of the sweets that her Master had hinted could be made with them. Hearing a happy giggle, she turned towards Kenshō and smiled at the younger blade spirit. There was a happiness and innocence there.
But, more than that, she watched her interactions with Harry and was rather pleased. Just as when they had the beach party, he began to act like a father to the seemingly young girl. Unknowingly, yet, but still in such a way. It gladdened the Dao as it stated much about the sort of man he was. And, as well, what sort of father he could be when the time came for him and Natsumi to have kits of their own.
Lips curling into a soft smile, the blade spirit shook her head, "Adorable."
A chuckle made Taiyang turn to the side where Goldie was also plucking berries and placing them into a pail. For a few moments, the Blade of Tamamo watched the Sword of Caeser with an interested look on her face. With her age, it was few blades that she had met whom were her equal in any way, in particular age. Yet, thus far, she had met two older than her.
Carnwennan, she had found, was a good conversationalist with his breadth of age and experience. Like her, he was also used to operating from the shadows and was quite good at what he did. Not to mention the tales that he told from this "King Arthur" amused her to no end. Granted, she did pity the poor man having to herd so many cats, as the saying went. Not to mention what his wife did! Though, she supposed, that was humanity for you.
Frankly, she would have slain the wife and "Sir Lancelot" well before that point... and maybe take Guinevere's place, far easier and less messy. Though she was amused at his expressions and exasperation when she told him how she would have handled it. And he had snorted at the whole bit where she stated how she would have secured Guinevere's fall.
Now, that said, "Goldie" was of another sort from both her and Carnwennan both.
In a word, the Roman blade was interesting to her. Oh, Taiyang had looked up the man in question whom had owned her. And, she had to admit, that she was impressed with him. Yes, a few hundred years later his empire was in such a state that it was easy work for her Master to help it along. But the man himself, this "Julius Caeser"? She could feel impressed with him if for no other reason than his achievements, and could understand somewhat why some Chinese had thought Rome was their equal if they had been thinking of his time.
Though, in the end, that made her even more disappointed in what such a nation turned into.
Shaking off such thoughts, Taiyang hummed a little as she glanced at the Roman blade from the corner of her eye, "I wonder if I could ask you a question...."
With a glance, Goldie gave a nod, "Of course! Ask away, Umu."
Only nodding slowly, the Dao hummed, "Does it not bother you, that they do not call you by your true name? Instead of Crocea Mors, they refer to you as 'Goldie'."
Much to her surprise, Goldie laughed a little, "Should it?" Lips curling, she chuckled, "A name is but that, a name. And amicitia mean nothing by it. It is a mark of endearment that they gift me such a nickname after all! Truly, it is something Roman!"
Unable to help herself, Taiyang giggled a little, "I see, Mikon!"
Nodding to herself, her and Goldie continued to talk with each other.
At the same time, Yae was looking towards the Dao in thought before looking at herself and sighing a little, 'Why... and did she drink a lot of milk? Is that how...'
However, she shook such thoughts off and looked curiously over at Kenshō in thought. The small girl was currently humming as she filled the small pail at her side with raspberries. Granted, the teenage Kendoka blinked as Kenshō gave a happy smile towards Harry, "I can't wait to give some of these to Suisei-Oba-Chan, Master! Mou... she'll make lots of desserts for me and Okaa-Chan! And Na-Kaa-San!"
Eyebrow raised, Harry poked her in the side which made her giggle, "Okaa-Chan and I, Kenshō. Also, I can imagine that you will love them when she does that..." Lips curling into a smirk, he snickered, "Hopefully you don't balloon outwards too much."
That got him a poke which he snickered about, "Mou... that's being mean, Master." Pausing, she looked down at her stomach before patting it, "Besides, I couldn't get big no matter how many treats I eat!"
Rather amused at that pronouncement, Harry could only hum a little, 'I wonder how much Suisei has fed her since meeting her... Probably a lot.'
Curious, Yae furrowed her eyebrows some in thought before moving over to where Kenshō was. For several moments, she was looking at the small girl though looking at her features, she had to wonder. Then, the Kendoka blinked as she noted that Kenshō was not looking at her in the eyes. Everyone stopped what they were doing to watch the staredown in some amusement.
A staredown that came to an end when Kenshō reached out and tapped Yae on the nose, "Boop!"
Rapidly blinking, and not having expected that, the teen jerked away before looking back at the small blade spirit who giggled. Shaking it off, Yae turned to Harry with a curious expression on her face, "Um, Harry-San? Who..."
Briefly, she forgot who she was talking about as Kenshō disappeared before reappearing beside her, "Hi! I'm Muramasa no Kenshō! And I'm Master's Kogatana!"
Just blinking for a moment, Yae furrowed her eyebrows before introducing herself. Of course, then she had a thoughtful look on her face, "Muramasa? As in the smith, Muramasa?" At the nod, her eyes widened a little as she leaned down to better examine the greyish haired girl before her, "Huh... so you're like Tokunotakai-Sensei? A spirit of a blade?"
Happily smiling, the Kogatana nodded, "Hai! That's right!" Once more disappearing, she reappeared hugging Harry, "I'm Master's Kogatana, like I said."
Gently patting her on the head and getting a happy hum, Harry looked at a bemused Yae and revealed the small blade at his side before drawing it with her steel flashing in the warm sunlight, "Here."
Leaning in to examine it, Yae considered it for a few moments before something occurred to her, "Wait, how is it that she can, um..."
Only raising one eyebrow, the teenager hummed, "Fade in and out of sight and memory?" At the unsure nod, he gave a small shrug, "It... seems to be an evolved version of what her mother, Kyoshu the Blade of Faded Memories, can do."
Frown on her face, Yae blinked, "Kyoshu...?" She furrowed her eyebrows in thought for a moment, "I think that Sensei mentioned her. Something about... how she's harmless now and more likely to forget things?"
The sound of shuffling made her look down to see a downcast Kenshō there, "Okaa-San... wasn't a good person. She was hurting, so she made others hurt to try and help herself. A-and she was able to take away memories or even make people forget someone entirely. B-but during the war..."
Having walked over, Natsumi gently held the smaller girl to her before looking at Yae, "Kyoshu-San was... not a good person, to say the least. And during the war, she teamed up with a certain group before finding out that for all she was such, there were those far worse who then did things to her. Which also included removing Kenshō-Chan, here, from her actual blade and making her a Kogatana."
It did not take a genius to figure out what was meant, and Yae swallowed as she felt a little bit of bile rise up in her throat. Not towards the little girl, for she was an innocent, but the ones who caused it. With a deep breath, she let it out, "So when Sensei says that she's harmless...?"
Okita spoke up and shrugged, "She means it." Everyone turned to her and she snorted a little, "I actually fought her several times and caused her to withdraw."
Surprised, the Kendoka stared for a moment as she remembered how experienced and capable her Sensei was and figured that this "Kyoshu" had to be her own level, "Really?"
Lightly chuckling, Okita nodded a little, "The Shinsengumi were police after all." She grimaced a little before continuing, "But there were very few of us who could match Kyoshu, especially with her abilities to manipulate memories." After a moment, the reincarnated warrior shook her head, "Seeing her now, however? She's... definitely not the same blade. Most of her own memories were wiped and she acts more like a child or an elderly with memory problems."
More than a little shocked and surprised, Yae considered asking, but in the end decided that she likely didn't want to know. Instead, she turned to Kenshō with a small smile, "So you came into possession of Harry-San, then?"
Humming even as she leaned into Natsumi, Kenshō nodded, "Hai, Master found me in a dark place and..." A shudder went through her before she shook her head, "Um, then he fixed all the bad work."
At the confusion on Yae's face, Harry grimaced, "After they cut her from her Okaa-San's blade, they... used a grinder to 'Smooth out' the top and spot welded a tang." Ignoring the utter horror on the Kendoka's face, he cleared his throat and gently patted Kenshō's head, "Transfiguration is very powerful when used properly so I added some shipgirl steel recovered from repairs to the spine of the blade as well as the tang, then transfigured away the shoddy work done."
Crouching down, the Kendoka pulled a surprised Kenshō into a hug, "I'm sorry that such a thing happened to you, Gozaru."
Only hugging her back, Kenshō nuzzled her a bit, "It's okay, because Master made it all better and now I don't hurt."
Simply nodding, Yae held the small blade's avatar for a few more moments before letting go. Then, to Harry's surprise, she bowed to him, "Thank you, Harry-San. For doing what you did and showing true respect, Gozaru."
Quickly, he bowed back to her just as deeply, "Thank you, Yae-San." Glancing at the raspberries in the wagon and the pails that were mostly filled, he nodded, "I think, maybe, we should dump the last few raspberries and then break for some lunch."
Blinks met him and everyone turned to look at the wagon before eyes widened as they realized that the last few baskets there were nearly filled. As quick as only hungry teens could be, they dumped their last few raspberries into said baskets and then watched as the pony went off back towards the manor with their spoils. Then, the group of them sat down on a bench that Ayase pulled out before taking out their lunches.
Just biting into hers, Asuka looked over the bushes and nodded a little to herself, "I think that we're about halfway done. It shouldn't be more than..." Looking up at the sky, she frowned for a few moments before nodding, "Maybe five more hours of work? And then we're done with these bushes."
Her shoulders slumping a bit even as she chewed some lettuce and tomato from her sandwich, Usagi sighed, "And I am glad for that." She then gave a small shrug and went to take another bite, "Though all the jams and such will be more than worth it."
That got her nods from the others before Harry spoke up, "True, but that also means that we can have a little fun. And later, I'll make up some raspberry fool for us all."
Perking up a bit, Kaku looked over at him in interest, "Raspberry... fool? Is that something British?"
Lips quirking a little, the teenage wizard nodded, "Hai, it's a dessert and pretty simple." He began to tick off on his fingers, "The main ingredients are raspberries, cream or thickened, evaporated milk, and sugar. It's really good as well."
Beside him, Natsumi licked her lips some, "Hai, it really is." A snicker then escaped her and she grinned a bit, "Almost as good as an Eton Mess."
With a laugh, Harry grinned back at her, "Hai, just not the political one."
Seeing the confusion, he began to explain as to what, exactly, an "Eton Mess" was much to the amusement of the others.
Eventually, the talk turned to other matters, with Yae grabbing one of the bottles of soft drinks and looking at it in curiosity, 'Ribena?' Opening it, she took a sip and blink, "Huh..."
Looking over at her, Harry nodded some, "Not what you expected?"
Just nodding as she looked at the bottle, the Kendoka frowned, "Hai..." Eyebrows furrowing as she tried to read the writing, she blinked, "Blackcurrants?"
Harry nodded as he sipped his own bottle, "Well, that is what they're famous for, blackcurrant flavoured soft drinks. Didn't get to taste it much when I was younger, but..." He gave a small shrug, "I've always enjoyed it."
On a nearby stone, Kenshō was sitting in Taiyang's lap happily eating a jam sandwich as she kicked her legs out. The foxy Dao, on the other hand, was eating some rice and the like with peanut butter crackers. Looking down at the smaller blade, Taiyang smiled a little, "Enjoying yourself?"
Nodding, the Muramasa smiled brightly, "Hai!" Shifting a bit, her back of her head was against Taiyang's chest, her next words getting a laugh from the much older blade, "I got comfy pillows!"
_____________________________________________________________________
Yae came down the stairs of the millhouse stretching a little with the Sun setting outside. Spotting her, Natsumi sipped her tea with a slight smile, "Evening."
The Kendoka looked out the window and blinked as, sure enough, the Sun was close to the horizon which made her stare for a moment before shaking it off, "Um, evening...?"
Pausing for a moment, she could hear sounds just outside the window before they suddenly vanished. When she looked at Natsumi, said Kitsune shrugged, "Those were our past selves right before they went back to the morning to rest."
For a few moments, Yae considered that before grimacing some and rubbing the side of her head, "Time travel hurts my head, Gozaru."
Softly snorting, Natsumi glanced to where Harry was cooking before nodding, "Not just yours, but anyone's. But that is just how things work really."
Even though she still had a bit of a headache, the other teen nodded even as she could hear the others moving around upstairs. Looking to where Harry was, she blinked, "Um... is he making breakfast?"
Looking over his shoulder, Harry chuckled a little, "Hai, after all this is our breakfast you know."
Once more, Yae considered that before nodding despite how odd it seemed. Soon enough, however, the room filled up with the others who were all chatting about various things. Of course, that was when food was served.
Usagi blinked a little as she looked down at the piece of toast topped with melted cheese that Harry had placed in front of her. As a vegetarian, she didn't mind cheese after all, and it was good. But... still, why would he place that in front of her, "Uh, Harry-Kun? Why...?" Her suspicions deepened when Natsumi glanced over, did a double take and then begin to choke some on her food to the point where a bemused Taiyang had to pat her on the back, 'What did he do...?'
Grin on his face, the wizard looked over at her, "Why? I thought that you might enjoy... Welsh rarebit."
Practically everyone paused at that for several moments before there were snorts which soon became laughter. Unamused expression on her face, though her lips twitched, Usagi gave the unrepentant Harry a look, "Really? I mean, really? You actually went there..."
With a small shrug, Harry hummed a bit, "Would I be me if I didn't?"
Confused, Yae furrowed her eyebrows as she looked from the toast to Harry, "Um, Harry-San?" Getting a sound to continue, she did so, "Well... rarebit? It just looks like cheese on toast..."
The teenage wizard waggled his hand a bit, "Rabbit was an extremely uncommon meal in Wales for the longest time. The common people weren't allowed to hunt them on the property of the, usually, English nobility. Thus, they made due with cheese instead." A grin on his face, he snickered some, "If you wanted, Usagi-Chan, I could have added tomato... because then it would be known as a blushing bunny. Or an egg to make golden buck!"
Said rabbit Yokai's only reaction was to give him a look before snorting and taking a bite out of her food and rolling her eyes... Though she did ask for a second which got snickers. Once all the food was put away, which with hungry teens did not take long, Harry pulled out a cooler and dumped ice into it. Then, he placed some wrapped objects which got looks until he explained that they were sausage for the midday meal, which got nods from the others.
And, with that done, the group went outside and walked the short distance behind the millhouse before Natsumi pulled out the time turner. With a small nod, she extended the chain around all of them before looking at it, "Okay... time to go back twelve hours."
Everyone nodded in agreement and the Kitsune turned back the clock with time running backwards. As the time travel slowed and came to a stop, they all looked around in curiosity with Ayaka shaking her head, "I don't think that I will ever get used to that..."
That got her nods and they set off, while making sure that they would keep out of sight of their past selves. Entering the orchard, they made their way along another path, towards another part away from where the raspberry bushes were. Partway there, however, Asuka blinked and looked down, "Um, Harry-San? There's something over there, some sort of building? Looks almost like those pictures of that place in Greece."
It took only moments, but Harry's eyes lit up a bit and he hummed some, "I wonder... Which way was it?"
Confused, Asuka pointed in one direction, "It's over there actually." Just maybe a hundred feet?"
Not long after, the group entered what looked like a small clearing in the orchard with a stone building there. Like Asuka stated, it looked similar to a Greek temple, except for the statues that were there at the front. One statue was of a female Centaur, a soft, peaceful smile on her face. And leaning against her was the statue of a young man with what seemed like messy hair with her hand on his brow. Both looked almost like they could get up and move about. What struck those looking was just how... loving the two looked.
Slowly, Harry walked up to the building and placed a hand on it before smiling a little at the inscription, "This... this is the tomb of one of my ancestors, Potter Joachim and the Centauress Elm."
Eyes wide, Yae boggled a bit, "Gozaru..." Then she furrowed her eyebrows and moved around it though at a distance, "Um, but why is it here?"
Rubbing his thumb along the inscription, Harry glanced over at her, "Hmm, well, it is an interesting story." Straightening up, he examined the statues more closely, "Joachim was a young lad just barely a man when he was attacked by a group of trolls, but Elm saved his life. In exchange, he gave her his friendship and gifted her with a bracelet that would allow for him to know if she was in danger. Something that became useful as just a few days later, her own brother banished her from their herd and nearly beat her to death for helping a human."
Jaw dropping, there was actual anger in Ayaka's voice as she clenched her fists, which shook, "Say what!? They nearly killed her because she protected someone?!"
The teenage wizard shrugged, "British Centaurs are... not the nicest, generally. But yeah, so he saved her life and nearly killed her brother in retaliation. It was only Elm's asking him that stayed his hand from wiping them all out with the rest of the Potters helping."
Snorting, Nobu crossed her arms with a narrowed eyed look, "I would have been harder to convince not to do such. Matters of honour would demand it."
Once more, Harry shrugged, "Well, anyways, two contracts were written. One placed Elm under the protection of the Potters and the other was that her brother nor his herd could ever do anything to harm her knowingly. She became a companion and guard for him, travelling with him all over when he went hunting or travelling aboard. They even went to places such as Italy, with the Potters having a custom set of armor made for her. She even allowed him to ride upon her back, which angered other Centaurs, but she did not care in the slightest as they already made their decision for her simply helping Joachim, and he had shown her more kindness than they had. The two were close, very much so, though he married a Malfoy Lucinda in an arranged, unhappy marriage."
No one noticed a certain Sendai's face having turned redder and redder as the story went on, 'She... was his close companion... and guard...'
Unknowing of Ayase's reaction, Harry continued the story, "The marriage had been arranged by the Wizengamot under quite a bit of controversy as there was a feud going on with the Potters and Blacks on one side, and the Malfoys along with some minor houses that held grudges against us. They claimed that it was supposed to promote peace between the families. But... there were some rumours of the Malfoys having paid them off." Waving a hand, he shook his head, "Anyways, Lucinda died in childbirth giving birth to hers and Joachim's second and third children, a pair of twins. The Malfoys claimed foul play, but... nothing was ever proven. And nothing that I have read stated one way or the other."
Interested in the story, Ayase cleared her throat, "U-um, what happened next? If... I can ask?"
With a look towards her, the teenage wizard smiled, "Well... Elm then stepped in as the wet nurse for the children and cared for them as if they were her own. They even called her mother... which angered the Malfoys. Some of them teamed up with the Centaurs of her old herd to try and kill both her as well as Joachim. But, well... there was the contract and magic was the arbiter of that, you see. There's reasons why there's no more Centaurs in Kingly Vale where they had dwelt and why the Malfoy were nearly wiped out by a mysterious sickness." Looking towards the statues, Harry became thoughtful, "Both Elm and Joachim were close and continued to be so for the rest of their lives. There was a bit of a stir when, after two years abroad, the two returned with a child, a son."
Blinking, Jin cocked an eyebrow in interest, "Wait, a son? Did they...?"
Only shrugging, Harry shook his head, "Never said actually. Though said son was my direct ancestor. Lucinda's daughter married into the Longbottoms while her sons went off and founded branch families in the Channel islands. As for the son that Joachim brought back, his explanation was that he had gotten married in the Holy Roman Empire, but that his new wife had died shortly after childbirth, thus he brought said son back. Now, like his siblings, he also called Elm 'Mother'..." He then gave a small shrug, "Considering things? I wouldn't be too surprised to be honest."
Part of the wizard was confused about why Natsumi suddenly went red in the face, but shrugged it off as Okita was looking at the tomb in thought, "And when she died... he had a tomb made for her?"
Harry gave a nod at that, "Hai, though part of it was due to how things worked then. See, the local Priest would not allow Joachim to bury Elm in the churchyard. After all, she was not human, which angered not just Joachim, but the rest of the Potters. He later was... removed... from his position, but the damage was done. Due to that, and how she loved to simply lay here in the Sun with him leaning against her, he had dwarves build a tomb for her in the Ancient Greek tradition. The statues themselves he created over the last ten years of his life. As per his will, after his death, he was laid beside her within the tomb so that they could be companions for all eternity."
Simply holding her hands to her chest, Ayase gave a smile towards the grave, 'You were happy, weren't you? He was your Lord, and you his Servant... but you were more than that. And are even now...'
The group lingered there for a while longer, just soaking in the feeling of peace and contentment that filled the small clearing.
But, soon enough, they left with goodbyes to the tomb before continuing on. Reaching the area of the orchard with cherries, they looked around in awe at the succulent fruit hanging from the branches. Flying up, Asuka examined some of the cherries, poking and prodding them until she plucked a few and landed, "Huh..."
Walking over, the others looked at the glossy, red fruit in interest. Taking one, Yae looked at Asuka who nodded before she bit into one and closed her eyes, "So good... Gozaru..."
Each of the others also took some, and soon they were all nodding. Looking around at the trees as she licked her lips, Usagi nodded to herself, "Well, we should get to work if we want to get more..."
Arms crossed, the Tengu nodded some before frowning, "Now, before we get started, you all need to understand what to pick." Flying up, it took her a few moments only to pick some more cherries which she held out once back on the ground, "Now, cherries don't ripen anymore once plucked from the trees. These are ripe ones, which means that they're soft..."
From there, she explained more and soon the others all got to work getting picking the cherries. Like before, the shipgirls used their fairies to do so much to the amusement of the others. Some, like Rika and Kaku, climbed up into the trees to get the fruit there as well, with Asuka flying around said trees near the top and getting some there. Harry, meanwhile, was using magic to get ripe fruit from the branches as was Goldie who knew much the same spells.
Slowly, but surely, they began another day's work.
