Harry Potter & the Shipgirls

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Becoming thoughtful, Yukikaze spoke up with a slight frown on her face. "Where is DesDiv6? I would have thought that they would have come with you..." Seeing Harry turn towards her, she waved her hands in the air. "Not that I mind coming mind you! This is the first time that Yukikaze is in England."

However, it was Iku who answered the question, not Harry. When she did so, it was with a serious expression on her face. "Hmm? Oh, DesDiv6 had to go for a sortie up north near Fukushima." At the looks, Iku just shrugged. "Shioi-Chan was heading up there as well."

McGonagall raised an eyebrow at them and looked between them. "May I ask why this... Fukushima place caused you to become serious?"

Wincing a bit, Harry shook his head. "There was an earthquake there and a lot of people died in the tsunami."

Eyebrows furrowing, McGonagall frowned some. Clearing her throat, she glanced at Nagato. "Tsu... nami?"

Slightly grimacing, Nagato nodded. "You might know it better as a tidal wave. But Harry is right, a lot of people died and it nearly caused a major nuclear accident."

Even though she was not quite sure what 'Nuclear' was, McGonagall nodded. "I see. But nearly caused an accident?"

Nodding, Harry placed his hands into his pockets with a frown. "Yeah, there was some US Destroyer shipgirls nearby bringing a convoy in when the earthquake happened along with Saratoga. From what I remember, Saratoga had her DamCom teams use her pumps to try and get the water out from where it was flooding the generators and then hooked herself up to provide power from her engines. The Destroyers used their pumps and firehoses to keep the reactors cool, so..."

With a nod, Nagato took over. "It was a very close thing and prevented it from getting any worse. As it was, there was still a partial meltdown, but not nearly as bad as it might have been."

Even though she was not quite sure, McGonagall nodded. If nothing else, she understood that whatever a 'Meltdown' was, it was bad. Moments later though, her attention was caught by something else and she smiled. "Ah, it seems that we're at our destination."

As the lights played over what was in front of them, Haru blinked and then blinked again. Slowly, she turned to Harry and gave him a look. "Harry-Chan... you stated that you only had a few items." She then waved a hand at what was in front of them. "This... is not a few items. This is a small collection."

Rubbing the back of his head, Harry chuckled some. "Well... it's a couple of items?"

That got him an amused look from Haru. "Just a couple, yes." Walking into the alcove, the kitsune made her way to where she could see several wall scrolls. With an extreme gentleness, she slowly revealed them and gasped. "Ukiyo-e... these are amazing..." Placing it back carefully, she then took two elaborately containers from the shelf they were on and set them down. Opening it, Haru shook her head. "Kaioke."

Interested, Nagato leaned forward. "How complete do you think they are?"

Slowly, Haru shook her head. "I don't know, Nagato-San. But..." Closing her eyes, she held one hand over the two decorated containers for several moments. Then Haru opened her eyes and stared at them. "Complete... they're complete collections."

Getting to her feet, she set the containers back and began to look around. Much to Harry's bemusement, the Miko was becoming more and more excited. "Um, so that's good then?"

Haru paused as she opened a laquered box and looked over at Harry in disbelief. "Good? No, Harry-Chan, this is not good... this is great!" She then gestured inside the box she was looking in. "Look! Just look at this! Right here we have a collection of Netsuke. And... and..." Holding a hand to her chest, she boggled at what was on a display case. "And right there are okimono."

At seeing her pause, Louisiana tilted her head in curiosity. "Is there something wrong, Haru?"

Looking back at her, Haru stared at first her and then at Harry before turning back to the iron kitsune. "Harry-Chan, your relative was in Japan during the 1860s, right? Did he ever return to Japan?"

Not sure where this was going, Harry checked the book and slowly nodded. "Um, yeah, he did. He made several trips to Japan after making a few friends there despite how disliked the ICW was at the time. That kitsune that you're looking at was made... just before 1900. Why?"

Very slowly, Haru turned to him and then looked at Nagato. "Because I recognized the work from the photo you showed me and now, looking at it, I am certain." Reaching up, she took several deep breaths and pinched her nose. "How your family managed to get a Sobi art piece... is honestly beyond me. And yet, here we are."

Jaw dropping, Nagato's head snapped to look at the kitsune figurine. "You're certain of that, Haru-San. This isn't some sort of prank?"

All she got though was Haru's barking laugh. "No, no I certainly am not! This place... this place is a treasure trove of history!" Suddenly, she slumped in place a bit. "I'd be at this for most of the day going through what is here, if not longer." Turning, Haru regarded Harry with a frown. "What am I allowed to take, Harry-Chan?"

Even though he wasn't quite sure why Haru seemed to be freaking out a bit, Harry simply shrugged. "Anything you want, I guess? As much as you want."

For several moments, it looked like Haru was not breathing before she finally blinked. "You're serious. You are, in all honesty, serious about what you said..."

Slowly, Harry nodded. "Um, yes? I mean, I already told you before we came here and..." He waved a hand at the bunch of items. "It's just going to gather dust otherwise, right? At least this way it gets enjoyed."

Much to his amusement, Haru placed her face in her hands. After several moments, her muffled voice drifted out from them. "Harry-Chan, you are far, far better then some." Pulling her hands away from her face, Haru gave him a smile. "Thank you, thank you so much."

While Haru turned back to look over the items, Nagato placed a hand on Harry's shoulder which caused him to look up at her. On her face, there was a smile. "I'm proud of you, Harry. So proud."

Now more confused, Harry nodded before he noticed Ooi and Iku by some items at another pile. Walking over as his adopted mother continued to talk, Harry blinked a bit. "Found something?"

Looking over their shoulders, Ooi and Iku blinked before the Light Cruiser gave a shrug. "I just found this box over here." With an interested look, she turned back to it and turned it over in her hands. "It's really rather pretty."

Interested himself, Harry glanced at the magical tag on it before writing in the book. After a few moments, he nodded. "That's a stirling silver jewelry box." Suddenly, Harry perked up a bit. "You were looking for presents for Kitakami-Nee, right?"

Confused, Ooi looked at him and raised an eyebrow. "Well, yes? But what..." Trailing off, she looked between Harry and the jewelry box. "No... no, Harry-Chan. I couldn't!"

Only shrugging, Harry rolled his eyes. "Like I told Haru-san, Ooi-Nee, it's just going to gather dust here. And stuff like that wants to be used and cared for."

With a glance down at the box, the Light Cruiser bit her lip as she looked it over. 'Rika-Chan would like a small jewelry box... but this is...' Swallowing, she shook her head again. "It's too much, Harry-Chan. What if it gets stolen? Both Kitakami-San and myself would hate ourselves."

Moments later, Harry held out the book and pointed at a section. "Anti-theft charms. Only those keyed into them can take it or open it, unless they die first. Then you just need to re-key it to someone."

Chewing her lip, Ooi gently set it down. "I'll... think about it. I need some time."

All Harry did was shrug at her at that. Hearing Nagato call him over, the three of them walked back to where Nagato was as Louisiana leaned over to where Haru was muttering to herself. "Yes, Mum?"

Softly smiling, Nagato tilted her head towards Haru. "She's going to be there for the rest of the day. Therefore, we'll be heading to..." Turning towards McGonagall, Nagato furrowed her eyebrows. "The Burrow, correct?"

Minerva just nodded at that. "That would be correct. Molly apparently wants to welcome you all with a breakfast before they go to Diagon alongside you."

That caused Nagato to become thoughtful before she turned back to Haru and chuckled. "Well, most of us I suppose. But best that we should be off then."

With some final goodbyes, the group left Haru there among the various items as she wrote things in a small notebook.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Tired from his trip back to Kushiro, Tanaka yawned a bit before shaking it off as he reached toward the door to his office. "Hopefully everything gets done soon so I can get home. Man, that was a long trip."

Scowling, Akebono snorted a bit. "Only because you're as shitty a driver as you are a Captain. Honestly, it would have been quicker getting a driver."

Beside her, Kasumi nodded. "And you should get whatever you need done fast so you can get some sleep. Because otherwise, you're work will be worse then it normally is!"

As he shook his head and chuckled, Tanaka glanced at rhe silver haired Destroyer. "Don't worry about me, Kasumi. And neither should you, Akebono. It won't be too long I think and then I'll head to my quarters for some sleep."

Cheeks puffing out, Kasumi blushed before she growled at him and placed her hands on her hips. "W-worried about you!? What sort of garbage is that!?" Huffing, she turned a bit. "I just don't want your work to suffer. Nothing more and nothing less!"

Nodding, Akebono glared at him though it was ruined by the redness on her cheeks. "Like I would worry about a shitty Captain like you! Honestly!"

Lips twitching, Tanaka only nodded some before opening the door and walking in. The sight that met him once upon a time would have caused various reactions such as sputtering or boggling. Now? He just walked past his Secretary Ship and placed his hat onto the hanger. "So a Ryuujou day today, hmm Settsu?"

From where she stood, the Battleship Settsu blinked for a moment. Meanwhile, Akebono groaned as she took in the sight of the Battleship wearing a uniform identicle except for size to the Light Carrier. Granted, she filled out said uniform far better then Ryuujou. "Are you fucking shitting me, you shitty Battleship!?"

Raising her eyebrow, Settsu snorted a bit before speaking in a voice that would have been mistaken for Ryuujou's. "Ah have no idea what ya mean by that. Just look at my distinctive silhouette! Ain't no way this Carrier is a Battleship!"

Simply pinching her nose, Kasumi took a deep breath and closed her eyes, much to Tanaka's amusement. "Don't smack the Battleship, Kasumi... No matter how much better you feel, she'll like it more."

Ignoring the blush on Settsu's face, Tanaka just passed her by and sat down with a sigh. "So, how did everything go while we were gone then? Any problems?"

Quickly shaking her head, Settsu smiled down at him. "Weren't no problems at all, Captain." Then she sighed a bit and held her clipboard closer to her. "More's the pity as that means no punishment."

Eyebrow twitching, Akebono just glared at her and jabbed a finger at her. "Shitty perverted Battleship!" Scowling, she crossed her arms and growled. "At least this time you didn't steal one of my uniforms to try and pretend to be me."

For a very brief moment, Tanaka remembered that day and his eyes glazed over. But before any of the shipgirls noticed, he was back to normal. "Hmm... Well, it's good that we won't have any issues then. Good work." Seeing that Settsu opened her mouth, he shook his head. "No."

All that got from her was mutters of how he wasn't fun as well as a pout. Glancing at her, he internally sighed. While he was happy to have her firepower on hand, he understood she was only sent there because of her issues. Mainly dressing up as other shipgirls and pretending to be them. The fact that Settsu was able to copy their voices to where even those close to said shipgirls couldn't tell the difference was just creepy.

The fact that she was always asking to get punished for every little thing was another. Not to mention that more then a few suspected that she got hurt on Sortie on purpose, which was one reason Tanaka had her on Secretary Duty besides her being a Flagship. "Perhaps then we should schedule another training session?"

Just raising an eyebrow, Tanaka hummed for a moment as Settsu smiled at him with an innocent look. "I'll think about it... but you won't be involved besides an advisory duty." That caused her smile to turn into a frown. Seeing both Akebono and Kasumi look like they were about to explode, Tanaka was about to distract them. Thankfully, such a distraction came in the form of a knock on the door and everyone turned to look at it with Tanaka clearing his throat. "Come in."

Moments later, the door opened and what looked like a tired, teenaged girl walked in. Glancing around, she sighed and gave a small salute. "USS Amycus, ARL-2 reporting. Just call me Amy."

Slowly nodding, Tanaka got up with a slight groan and walked around his desk. Taking her hand in his, he smiled as he shook it. "Thank you for coming, we could use a Repair Ship here."

In reply, the mousy looking shipgirl only shrugged a bit. "Yeah, sure. At least I got some use I suppose... Stopgap my ass, just like always."

Coughing, Tanaka's smile became thin. "Well, just the same, we're thankful to have you here."

Eyes wide, Akebono looked between the shipgirl and the Captain. But it was Kasumi who spoke after making a T-shape with her hands. "Wait, wait, wait. Hold on a moment... You managed to get a Repair Ship assigned here? I mean, an American, but still! How'd you managed that!?"

Only shrugging, Tanaka took in the surprise on both Destroyer's faces. "I... might have called in a favor or two."

However, Amycus gave a snort. "Only because I wasn't really needed. My class were stopgaps to repair Landing Ships, but we can manage other repairs so..." She then shook her head. "Whatever. So where am I staying?"

All Tanaka did was walk back to his desk and quickly log in. Several seconds later, he grabbed a paper from the printer and handed it to her. "Here, take this." Once Amycus did so, Tanaka patted her on the shoulder. "That's a map of the base. And since you're here, I'll give you a quick tour as well as show you where the docks are."

That got him a nod from the Repair Ship and she began to follow Tanaka out of the office. Tanaka meanwhile was pretending not to see the happy looks on Akebono's and Kasumi's faces as he knew that the two would switch to annoyed expressions if they thought he saw.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Walking beside Harry, Louisiana stretched a bit in the early morning sunlight. Even in her civilian clothes, if they were anywhere else she would have gotten attention. Not that the Battleship would have cared as the number of such people she would have wanted attention in that way from could be counted on one hand. Not to mention, Louisiana was more then willing to wait a few years. "Well, mon chéri, I must admit that it was interesting to see what sort of things that your family has stored away, non?"

That got her an odd look from McGonagall who frowned as she looked up at the massive woman. "I didn't know that you were French, Miss Lousiana. I'm afraid that I was told that you were American."
Lightly laughing, Louisiana nodded. "Then they would be correct, Madam." Placing a hand against her chest, she bowed slightly. "I am American, but I am also Cajun."

Somewhat confused, McGonagall slowly nodded. "I see..."

Meanwhile, Yukikaze continued to look back at the storage shed with a slight frown on her face. "Um, guys?" Getting the others attention, she continued. "Should we really leave Haru-San alone in there? By herself?"
Blinking, Harry shrugged a bit. "I don't have a problem with it, I trust her after all."

However, the Destroyer shook her head. "That's... not what I meant, Harry-Chan. I mean..." For a few moments, Yukikaze clinched her hand open and closed before finally shaking her head. "Should we be breaking up the group like this?"

A hand on her shoulder caused her to look up to see Nagato giving her a smile. "Don't worry about Haru-San, Yukikaze-Kun. She's more then able to defend herself from anyone that tries and she is the best chance we currently have at seeing some of those items identified." Then she frowned and stared at the horizon. "Though... I wonder if some troubles might disappear now."

Despite the looks given to her, Nagato didn't say anything else as they continued to walk along. As they walked though, Iku spotted something and her eyes widened. "You didn't tell me that you had fruit trees here, Harry-Chan!" Seeing the looks, she pointed at some of the trees. "It's easy enough for the Sniper of the Seas to see the ripening fruit on them!"

Quickly walking over, Yukikaze came to a stop under one of them and bounced a bit. "Hey! She's actually right, these are fruit trees! There's got to be an orchard here!"

Chuckles caused them to look over at McGonagall who smiled at them. "It's not exactly uncommon for some wizarding families to have small orchards on their property. Mainly for use by the family, though more then a few sold produce back before the Statute came into effect. It especially came into effect just after the Statute came into effect as it took some time for our current system to come into being." Becoming thoughtful, McGonagall hummed a bit. "I believe that your family also had a stone shed as your great-grandfather bred Crups."

Eyes wide, Harry looked at the others. "Those are the magical dogs with two tails on them."

Becoming thoughtful, Nagato looked around a bit. "Professor, do non-magicals come up here often? Or have they forgotten about the orchard do you think?"

Much to her surprise, McGonagall shook her head. "I don't think that it's a case of them forgetting the orchard. There's mild muggle repellant spells around the property, so while they might see it from a distance, it would take one of strong will and sure mission to push past them. Idle curiosity wouldn't do it."

Unseen by them, Harry was staring at something among the fruit trees behind Yukikaze as she was walking back to them. "So... no one else should come here? At all?"

Turning to him, McGonagall followed his gaze and slowly nodded. "That would be the right of it, Mister Potter. A bit of a shame as the fruit would just fall and rot upon the ground. Though your grandparents always left out some of the first harvest. A family tradition as they told me, though why I don't know."

With a glance at her, Harry could tell that she couldn't see what he did. That McGonagall, for some reason, could not see the young woman dancing among the trees and watching them in interest and curiosity as she flittered from tree to tree. Behind her streamed hair that looked green, though that could be due to the leaves and vines entwined with it. And her clothing was almost see through as her tanned skin caught the sun and her eyes nearly glowed. "Huh..."

Eyebrow raising, Nagato looked in the same direction, only to just miss the girl who ducked behind a tree that was too thin to hide behind and seemed to disappear. "Did you see something, Harry?"

Frowning, Harry finally shook his head. "I... don't know." Eventually shaking it off, Harry looked up at his mother in thought. "Do you think that it might be possible to get someone here to harvest fruit? I don't like the thought of it going to waste after all."

That caused Nagato to become thoughtful and she looked towards McGonagall who shook her head. "As long as they know about magic, it would be allowed. Though I do agree with it going to waste otherwise."

Slowly, Nagato nodded but before she could say anything, Yukikaze spoke up. "Um, I think that you mentioned having your home rebuilt, right?" As Harry nodded, she continued. "Well... won't you need someone here to keep an eye on things? I mean... as it's being built? Because they could do some harvesting for you."

Considering, Harry slowly smiled and then hugged her. "That's a great idea, Yukikaze-Chan! Thanks!"

A blush on her face, Yukikaze nodded. "Y-you're welcome. Yukikaze is only happy that she was able to help you."

Now turning back to his mother, Harry tilted his head. "Do you think that we could send it back to Yokosuka, Mum? Imagine what Ooyodo-Oba would do to have some fresh fruit in the autumn!"

While she snorted, Nagato shook her head. "And she would not be the only one. Rose could also make jams and preserves as well..." Tapping her chin, she nodded. "And then there's possible animals... Something to consider for sure, and if not workable for us, then I am sure that the Royal Navy would be happy with anything they can get."

Iku jumped onto Harry's back as they reached the end of the property and giggled some as Harry stumbled a bit. Ignoring the slightly disapproving look on McGonagall's face, she looked around. "So, how are we getting to this Burrow place?"

Only sighing, McGonagall pursed her lips before nodding. "We'll be taking the Knight Bus. It's a common method of travel for wizards and witches, especially those underaged." She then looked around and nodded. "Now then, please pay attention."

Pulling out her wand, she held it up and there was a loud bang that caused everyone to jump as a triple decker bus appeared in front of them. The fact that it was purple was less important then how in their surprise, the shipgirls had gone right into a ready stance about to summon their rigging. At the confused look that McGonagall gave them though, they slowly relaxed with Nagato coughing. "Excuse us for a moment, we were... just surprised, is all."

Simply taking that as it was, McGonagall nodded. "I suppose that everyone is a bit surprised at their first encounter with it." At having spotted the young man leaning out the door and staring at the shipgirls, McGonagall cleared her throat and gave him a glare. "Mister Shunpike! Eyes front and center!"

With a wince, said young man nodded. "'Course, Professor... Sorry about that..."

All the shipgirls and Harry did was share a look.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Moments later, the young man coughed and straightened a bit. "Er, right then! Welcome to the Knight Bus, transport for the stranded witch or wizard. Just hold out just stick out your wand hand and step on board and we can take you anywhere you want to go. My name is Stan Shunpike and I'll be your conductor this afternoon!"

Raising an eyebrow, Nagato frowned a bit. "Anywhere you want to go? Really?"

With a slight shrug as he tried to look impressive, Stan grinned a bit. "Well, can't do nuffink underwater. But if it's on land, then we can get you there." He then looked back over his shoulder. "Can't we Ernie?"

Harry and the leaned to the side to see an old man with thich glasses nodding as he sat before a wheel. But what caught their attention was that he was sitting in some sort of armchair. Quickly shaking it off, Harry pulled out his wallet. "Um, so how much for a trip?"

Puffing himself up, Stand was about to say something when he caught sight of Harry's forehead as a breeze moved his hair to the side. "Blimey! You're Harry Potter!" As he grinned, he twisted around. "Hey, Ern! This here is Harry Potter!"

Suddenly, he froze at a combination of Nagato's glare and McGonagall's own as well as the Professor clearing her throat. "Mister Shunpike! You are not giving a very good introduction to the Knight Bus to Mister Potter and others! Why, I have a half mind to inform your boss."

Only paling, Stan nodded. "R-right... Um, eleven Sickles each. But for firteen, you get a hot chocolate and for fifteen you get a 'ot-water bottle and toothbrush."

Rather bemused, Harry hummed. "Enchanted toothbrushes then? And do we get to keep the hot-water bottle?"

Turning towards him, Iku was about to say something when Stan nodded. "Tha's right. Got breath freshening charms and anti-stain spells on them, they do. How'd you know?"

All Harry did was shrug. "Well, why wouldn't you?"

With a second of consideration, Stan nodded at that in agreement. "Right-o then! And yes, you can keep the hot-water bottle. It's also charmed you see."

Glancing at his friends and mother, Harry handed over the amount for all of them and they chose various toothbrushes. At seeing the inside of the bus after picking their their toothbrushes, they blinked as it was just seats scattered here and there. Turning to Iku, Harry got a shrug. "Maybe they got some sort of magic that makes it so you don't feel the ride?"

Still frowning, Harry noticed that McGonagall quickly got in after telling Stan their destination and sat down before gripping the chair with white knuckles. Something that did not fill the young wizard with confidence. Nagato, Iku and Louisiana had sat down with Harry and Yukikaze about to when Stan closed the door. "Right then! 'Way we go!"

Before they could react, there was a bang and Harry was thrown back into something soft. He only had time to look up and see Louisiana's face before Yukikaze was sitting on his lap where she too was thrown, which itself was on the Battleship's. Throwing his arms around Yukikaze's middle, Harry didn't notice the Destroyer blush, even as Louisiana did the same with him. Thankfully, even with how they were all being thrown around, Louisiana barely moved much out of her chair. Part of Harry assumed it was MSSB and to do with her displacement.

The rest was just thankful for it.

Meanwhile, Stan just gripped the rail as everyone on the bus slid in various directions, some looking decidingly greenish. "Anyways, this here is were we were before... Somewhere in Scotland, I think, What about you, Ernie?"

Frowning, the driver hummed as the bus hit the curb and landed on the sidewalk. Thankfully, people and objects seemed to leap out of the way and not notice the bus as the driver shrugged. "Edinburgh's in Scotland."

Only nodding, Stan smiled. "Right-o!"

With a swallow as she tried to keep down her gorge, Nagato took a deep breath. "Doesn't anyone ever notice the bus though." Her hands gripped the chair tight enough there was a crack as wood splintered when they ran through an red light at an intersection and nearly hit a eighteen wheeler. "You'd think that someone might notice!"

Softly snorting, Stan shook his head. "Who? Th' muggles? Nah, they notice nuffink. Never do, ain' that right, Ern?"

Just about to comment, Iku's voice died in her throat as the bus hit the curb and went airborne. However, the fact that said bus, going at eighty miles per hour, was now flying through the air just above people's heads was the least concerning. No, what was truly concerning was the stone wall that they were heading for with a small door to a resturant. 'Gonnadiegonnadiegonnadiegonnadie!'

All Louisiana did was tighten her grip on Harry as he did the same to Yukikaze. Their eyes widened as they braced for impact... only for the door to suddenly expand wide enough for the bus to get through easily. Then the bus drove through somehow fitting as tables and people leapt out of the way and then snapped back. Nagato though noted a shocked Bismarck and Hood in civilian clothing at one of the tables and then they were in the kitchen. Meanwhile, Hood just blinked as the triple decker bus, which should not have fit in the room, vanished. "Did you just see..."

Leaning back, Bismarck frowned to herself before nodding. "A triple decker, purple bus? Ja, Hood, I saw it."

For several seconds, Hood was silent before she nodded. "Right. So it wasn't the food then."

That only got her a sigh from the German Battleship before Bismarck raised her hand. 'I need at least two more beer for this. Maybe three.'

Meanwhile on the bus, it finally came to a stop with nearly all the shipgirls being thrown forward. Nodding, Stan opened the door and climbed the staircase. "Jus' a moment please."

Sitting where she was, Iku slowly turned and looked towards Harry. "Harry-Chan..."

With a blink, Harry nodded. "Y-yes, Iku-Chan? What is it?"

Quickly wetting her lips, Iku took a deep breath before muttering just loud enough for him and the others to hear. "One... I never thought that I would be on a bus with a driver who's worse then Kirishima-San... and two... Do you want me to sit on you instead of Yukikaze-San?"

Not quite sure about the second, Harry shook his head. "Um, no. Y-Yukikaze-San is pretty soft." That got him a blush from the Destroyer and he continued. "And, um... let's never let Kirishima-Oba get into a vehicle like this."

It went without saying that everyone nodded at that as Stan walked back into view with a shaky elderly wizard who looked as green as they felt. Once he was out, Stan closed the door and nodded. "Okay! Next stop! Otterly St. Catchpole!"

Even though she would deny it, a slight whimper escaped from Nagato as with another bang, they were once more off before the bus somehow squeezed through a drainage pipe and then flew across a river from the speed. Hitting the ground, they all bounced in place before the bus turned. As it did so, Nagato could see that it had tilted so far to the side that she could see the individual grains in the pavement that filled the entire window. 'Oh Kami, I'd rather eat Hiei's, Isokaze's, and Katori's cooking then deal with this!'

Right then, the Knight Bus entered a tunnel with another bang and whipped around, at one point driving across the roof for a few moments.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Stumbling out from the Knight Bus, Harry sucked in lungfuls of air as he tried his best not to fall over. Moments later though, Iku was right there beside him with one arm around his waist as the last of their group, Nagato, left the bus which vanished with a crack. "You okay there, Harry-Chan?"

Quickly swallowing, Harry leaned against her with his eyes closed. "Yeah, I am. Just... give me a moment."

All Iku did though was smile as she kept her arm wrapped around him. "Take as long as you need, Harry-Chan. After that trip, well, I don't blame you." Blushing slightly as she felt his arm come up and around her waist, Iku glanced around. "It wasn't much fun at all."

That got a chuckle from Harry as he shook his head. "That's putting it mildly, Iku-Chan. I mean, why weren't the seats secured? At least then we could wear seatbelts or something and not get thrown around."

Blinking, McGonagall raised an eyebrow at him. "If they did that, then it would cause issues. Especially when they replace the seats with beds after nightfall, Mister Potter."
Needless to say, that bit of information got her looks from everyone with Yukikaze raising a hand. Getting a nod, the Destroyer asked the one question on hers, Harry's, and the other shipgirls' minds. "They... replace the seats with beds?"

Simply frowning, McGonagall nodded. "Of course they do. It is night time after all."

Eyes still closed, Harry only shook his head. "Right, of course."

Meanwhile, McGonagall began to walk. "Now then, if you'll follow me." As they walked, she glanced back and sighed. "I'm quite sorry, but I will have to be on my way once we arrive at the Burrow. I have a Muggleborn family in Ireland that I have to convince to come to Hogwarts rather then Púca Hill."

Intrigued, Nagato glanced to where Harry was now walking normally beside Iku, though they still had their arms around each other. "'Púca Hill?' I'm not familiar with anywhere called that."

Frowning, Harry shook his head slightly. "I know that a Púca is a type of fairy, right?"

That got him a small smile from the Professor. "Quite correct, Mister Potter." She then turned towards Nagato and sighed. "As to Púca Hill, it is a small Irish magical school, I suppose one could say. Its built out of a small keep in the Irish countryside but it's not considered a true school by the Ministry of Magic or by the Educational Office of the ICW and so is not registered as such by either."

However, that only interested Nagato even more. "Oh? Why not?" Seeing the confusion on McGonagall's face, she waved a hand. "I would assume that each country would at least have a school of their own."

Chuckling, McGonagall shook her head. "Perhaps, but that is not true in reality. For example, Hogwarts is the only registered school here in Great Britain for general magical education. Outside of that, there's smaller, speciality schools." With a glance towards Harry, she smiled. "For instance, for you Mister Potter perhaps later in life the Merge School of Underwater Spellage would be of interest. Or perhaps the Klabautermann School of Magical Seamanship."

Lips twitching as she noticed Harry perk up, Nagato shook her head. 'A school for magical sailors? Something to look into perhaps...' Shaking that off, she hummed a bit. "And this... Púca Hill on the other hand? Why are they not recognized as a school?"

With a sigh, McGonagall shook her head. "There's many such reasons, I'm afraid. The ICW Education Office has only recognized eight schools world wide, though with Mahoutokoro having been all but destroyed, that number is now down to just seven. Though last I heard there were several smaller schools now trying to take over for Mahoutokoro including one by Mount Fuji."

It took a moment, but Nagato twitched as she realized where said school was very likely located. And she could tell she was not the only one to do so either, but ignored that. "I see."

McGonagall though just continued. "As to Púca Hill, however, it's mostly just a symptom. They've been around for about five hundred years now in Ireland, but they've been more aggressive in trying to get students in recent years. I suspect that it's related to how the Irish wizards and witches have been trying to create their own Ministry of Magic outside the British one. And that is only possible due to all the trouble that the Abyssals have caused."

Rapidly blinking, Louisiana turned towards the witch and frowned. "I am sorry, but... Ireland is under the control of the British Ministry of Magic? I was under the understanding that it is separate from Britain..."

Only shaking her head, McGonagall chuckled. "No, I'm afraid not, Miss Louisiana. Perhaps it is on the non-magical side, but on our side of the divide, Ireland is still very much a part of Britain."

Very slowly, Nagato nodded as she made sure to file that tidbit of information away. "I see..." Just as she was about to continue asking questions, they came around the corner and whatever she was about to ask died at the sight of the building in front of them. It looked like it had started out as a stone building of some sort, but rooms and levels had been added haphazardly. Several stories tall, it looked out over the surrounding landscape as it leaned so much that the only way that Nagato could see it not falling over was through magic. Even from where she was, she counted at least four chimmnies with smoke gently wafting out from them.

However, it was the small sign at the edge of the road which stated "The Burrow" which told her that it was their destination. Beside her, Harry just stopped and blinked. "Huh, so Ron wasn't pulling my leg when he described it." Then his eyebrows furrowed. "Wait, does that mean that there's an actual stone tower nearby with a magical family living in it?"

That got him a thin smile from McGonagall. "The Lovegoods, yes. They call their home the Rookery since it looks much like the chess piece." Simply turning towards Nagato, she nodded slightly. "Since we're here, I'm afraid that I need to go. I'll be back in several hours though."

All Nagato did was nod and give her a smile. "Thank you, Professor, I appreciate all that you've done for us." Once McGonagall vanished with a pop, she then cleared her throat. "Well then, I suppose that all we have to do now is to head on up."

Harry nodded and was about to say something when he caught a flash of red in one of the windows. But when he turned to look, it was already gone. 'Wonder if that was Ron or someone else...'

By the time they got to the door of the Burrow, it was already open and a red haired woman waiting for them with a smile. A similar smile bloomed on Nagato's face as she walked up and grasped the offered hand. "Molly, it's good to see you again."

Lightly laughing, the woman shook the Battleship's hand with a smile of her own. "And it's good to see you as well, Nagato."

Surprised as he was that Nagato knew Ron's mother, Harry paused for a moment which was all Nagato needed to gesture at him. "Let me introduce the others with us. Molly, you know my Son, Harry."

With a growing smile, Molly pulled him into a hug. "Of course I do! Ron and the the others told me all sorts of things about you." Pulling back some, she looked him over before shaking her head. "You look so much like James, but there's quite a bit of your mother in you as well."

Eyes wide, Harry stared at her. "Wait, you knew my dad? And my biological Mum?"

Only nodding, there was a small amount of mistiness in Molly's eyes. "Not as well as perhaps I should have. We were in different years you see, Harry. But I knew them somewhat I suppose." Then she turned to Nagato and gave her a chuckle. "You've done a wonderful job with him."

As she shook her head, Nagato only smiled. "I only tried as much as I could."

That got her a snort from Molly. "And that is about as much as can be asked for, believe me." Patting Harry on the shoulder, she then turned to the others before tilting her head back some to take in Louisiana with slightly widened eyes. "Hello there..."

Understanding the unasked for question, Nagato waved a hand at Louisiana. "This is Louisiana, BB-71." Behind her, Ooi poked gave a wave with the Battleship giving her a nod. "And this is Ooi." She then gestured at the other two, with Iku grinning at them. "And these are Iku and Yukikaze."

Shyly waving, Yukikaze gave a sheepish smile. "Um, hi..."

Moments later though, she was pulled into a hug as was Iku and Ooi. "It's good to meet you all." Letting them go, she nodded. "Don't worry though, I've made plenty for breakfast before we go to Diagon."

Looking between them, Harry frowned for a moment. "Um... how do you two know each other? I mean... I've never seen you meet."

That got him a slight laugh from Nagato. "I met Molly last September, Harry. She was on the platform and the two of us got to talking about things."

Only nodding, Molly smiled a bit. "Then we started talking about our children and, well..." She gave a small shrug. "We hit it off from there." Turning, Molly looked over her shoulder and it was at this point that they could smell her cooking. "Now then, come in dears and have something to eat."

Sharing a look, they followed her into her home with Lousiana closing the door behind them.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts Omake: "Lily the Hooligan"

Sirius tilted his head to the side and slowly nodded. "You know, this reminds me of this one time with your mother, Lily. James had to go down to the police station and bail her out after this one football game."

That caused Harry to turn away from the brawl going on in front of him and blink. "Wait, really? Mum had to get bailed out of jail?" Getting a nod, he raised an eyebrow. "Why? How?"

Rubbing his chin, Sirius considered what he had been asked before shrugging and ducking under a flying shipgirl. "Apparently she got drunk and participated in the after game riot that happened. At some point, they flipped over a police car, set it on fire, and Lils stood on top of it singing 'We are the Champions'. Because her team won, you see." Then he shrugged. "Then she decided she was hungry for Chinese, flipped the car back over, and had them push it to the nearest Chinese food place."

After a moment, Harry frowned. "Wait, was the car still on fire or not?"

With a grin on his face, Sirius nodded. "Yeah, that was why the police had issues stopping her. Because the car was on fire, even as she was at the wheel... Thankfully, she was too drunk to use magic." Seconds later, he started to laugh. "Of course, after he got her out of the Station, Prongs asked her if she liked the food sarcastically... To which she replied that they were good noodles, but spicy."

The only thing Harry did was facepalm.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Stepping through the door, Ooi looked around curiously and eager for her first sight of a magical home. Oddly, it didn't seem all that magical though it was cluttered and exuded a feeling of warmth that made her sigh. Just about to take off her shoes though, Ooi blinked as she realized that Harry and Nagato had kept theirs on as did Louisiana. "Uh... shouldn't we take off our shoes?"

With a cough, Nagato shook her head. "That's one of the differences between Japan and England. You... don't necessarily have to take off your shoes when you enter someone's home." Seeing the widened eyes, the Battleship smiled. "I know how you feel."

After a moment, and fighting years of ingrained habit, Ooi just nodded and went along. "I... see, um, okay I guess." Just then, she noticed Iku staring at a clock and blinked before looking at Louisiana. 'Wait, wasn't she just over there?'

Having seen Iku, Yukikaze tilted her head to the side. "Something catch your eyes, Iku-San?"

Only nodding, the Submarine pointed at the clock. "I just noticed that there was no time on the clock. Instead it seems to be... Monitoring people?"

Just smiling, Molly walked over and glanced at said clock which had most of the hands at "Home". The only ones out of place were "Charlie", which was at "Travelling" and "Bill" as well as "Arthur" which were at "Work". Placing a hand gently on it, Molly nodded. "This was a wedding gift from my Mother. It works pretty well for my family."

Walking over, Nagato scanned the various parts. 'Let's see... Garden, Home, Lost, Prison, Work, Travelling, School, Mortal Peril... and Base?' At seeing the last one, she raised an eyebrow. "Interesting... Why Base?"

Molly gave a small chuckle. "Ron spends quite the amount of time with Warspite at her residence. So... I added it. Much better then Dentist like Arthur did." Moments later, Nagato had a bemused expression on her face as Molly muttered to herself and walked off. "A shame that when I tried to add Warspite's hand it pointed at Mortal Peril so often. Poor dear... Worries me sick and Ron too."

Simply sharing a look with the other shipgirls, Nagato followed Molly into the kitchen and it was for the first time that Ooi found magic at work. Over on what looked like a wood stove with blue flames, eggs and bacon were being cooked in one pan while in another there were pancakes. What caught her eye though was how the spatula and pans were all moving along on their own. On the wall though there was another clock, though that one too did not tell time as it were. Instead, it was marked in things such as "Time to wake the children", "Time to feed the Chickens", and so on. Meanwhile, the radio announced it was nearly time for Daily Home Magic for the Housewife. "Oh wow..."

Pride could be seen on Molly's face as she smiled at them. "Thank you, dearie." Then she frowned and sighed as she looked at the stairs. "I'm afraid that we'll be having breakfast outside as there's too many right now. I hope that's okay."

Nodding, Nagato gave a slight chuckle. "We don't mind at all. And it is a lovely day out for it, after all."

That got her a nod as Molly headed towards the staircase. "Just give me a moment." Seeing her take a deep breath, they were about to ask when she shouted. "PERCY! FRED AND GEORGE! RON! GINNY! IT'S TIME TO WAKE UP AND COME DOWNSTAIRS TO BREAKFAST!"

Moments later, there was loud banging and other sounds from upstairs. But when a howl echoed down, Iku looked up the stairs herself with a blink. "What was that?"

All Molly did though was shake her head and turn towards the food. "That would be the ghoul in the attic." Missing the looks of surprise, she chuckled. "It can get loud at times, especially banging the pipes when it thinks that things are far too quiet."

Needless to say, that got her looks from her guests before they slowly glanced at each other and shrugged. Footsteps rushing down the stairs though caught their attention and they turned in time to see the Weasley children come down with Ron at the head of the pack followed by the Twins and Percy. However, one group of footsteps paused just out of sight, though Harry didn't notice as Ron walked over and grabbed him in a one armed hug. "Hey there, Mate. Ready for today?"

Chuckling, Harry nodded some. "Yeah, I'm about as ready as I'll ever be." Then he noticed a young girl peaking around the corner. When she realized that he had spotted her, there was a soft "Eep" and the head disappeared out of sight. "Um..."

With a sigh, Ron shook his head and walked over to the bottom of the stairs. "Come on, Ginny. You did want to see him after all."

From where she was at the stove, Molly nodded some. "Listen to your brother, Ginny. You're being a bit rude after all." With a sigh, she shook her head as she looked at her guests. "You'll have to excuse Ginny, she's... a bit shy."

Much to everyone's surprise though, it was Ooi who walked over to the stairs and looked up to see a red haired girl there. For a brief moment, she was replaced by a much younger Ooi and she had a flash back to years before the war, when she first met Kitakami. Softly smiling, she reached out a hand. "Hey there, I'm Ooi. You're Ginny right?"

Slowly nodding, Ginny swallowed. "Um, yes... I'm Ginny."

Keeping the smile on her face, Ooi chuckled. "Well, Ginny-Chan, your brothers talked all about you on their visits to the base. We're not so scary you know."

After a few seconds, Ginny slowly walked down. "They talked about me? Really?"

With a grin on her face, Ooi shook her head. "As a matter of fact, they did. I know that Harry-Chan's got a scary face, but he's a big teddy bear."

Eyes widening for a moment, Harry huffed a bit. "No I don't, and I am not, Ooi-Nee! You're the scarier one!"

That caused Ooi to grin. "O-ho! Really now, Harry-Chan? Want to bet on that?"

More confused then anything else, Ginny looked between them and frowned. "U-u-um... Chan? Nee?"

Humming, Ooi nodded. "Their honorifics back in Japan. Chan is something affectionate... mainly for friends and such. Nee is short for Nee-San or Nee-Chan and means Sister I suppose."

If anything, that caused Ginny's eyes to widen. "Sister? Harry Potter calls you sister!?" Realizing how that sounded, she shrank into herself a bit. "Um..."

Placing a hand on Ginny's shoulder, Ooi only smiled. "Yup! Harry-Chan calls most of the Destroyers and Light Cruisers back on base his big sisters. And we see him as our little brother... Though the others he'll call Auntie and such."

Still confused, Ginny nodded at that as she tried to make sense of what she was just told. Off to the side, Louisiana continued to watch as Ooi talked with Ginny, the girl losing some of her shyness. Leaning towards Nagato, she whispered to the other Battleship. "I must admit, I am surprised that Ooi is..."

Glancing at her, Nagato smiled. "Good with children? Well, she is a Light Cruiser and we used them as Destroyer Leaders. Despite her reputation, Ooi is pretty good with children after all." Then patting her on the shoulder, Nagato turned to the outside. "Anyways, we should probably help set up the tables for breakfast..."

It was several minutes later that Ron noticed that Harry was on his cellphone doing something and tried to look over his shoulder. "What are you doing over here, Mate?"

With a snicker, Harry held it out and showed Ron what was on it. "Aso was in another thread causing trouble. So... I took care of it and had some fun."

Raising an eyebrow, Ron looked down at the screen and frowned in confusion.

■

Topic: A New Thread
In: Boards ► Northwest Pacific Theatre ► USN Vs. JMSDF Baseball Game
XxBushido_MasterxX (JMSDF)(BANNED)(Sockpuppet)
Posted On Aug 8th 2012:
You all are an insult to Japan! This obsession with this... this... foul American creation should cease! All of you
[/Snipped by Mod]



(Showing page 5 of 5)


►DoingHerBest (JMSDF)(Flagship)(Mother of Destroyers)(吹雪)
Replied On Aug 8th 2012:
Really? You just got banned not even two pages ago for this.

Edit: Dammit! Who the heck added that tag!?


►Nightmare of Solomon (JMSDF)(Poi)(夕立)
Replied On Aug 8th 2012:
She did, Poi.


►Faithful Pheonix (JMSDF) (WWII Survivor) (響 )
Replied On Aug 8th 2012:
And here I came on to see the current scores for Kaa-San before we went to bed.


►Peanut_Butter_Lover (Miko-in-Training)(Verified Reimu Clone)
Replied On Aug 8th 2012:
Are we ever going to get back to discussing the upcoming game and current scores? Or is this going to be another Aso derail?

@DoingHerBest: I know your pain about tags.


►DoingHerBest (JMSDF)(Flagship)(Mother of Destroyers)(吹雪)
Replied On Aug 8th 2012:
... Seriously?


►Peanut_Butter_Lover (Miko-in-Training)(Verified Reimu Clone)
Replied On Aug 8th 2012:
Yup. I blame Harry, he's probably behind it.


►The_Great_Susanoo! (Moderator)(Moderati)(Wizard)(Totally not in a secret Cabal)(Anime Fanatic)
Replied On Aug 8th 2012:
HUZZAH! AND WHAT IS THIS!? THE EVIL DOER, ASO HAS RETURNED TO THIS SITE!? NOT ON MY WATCH! SECRET SUSANOO STYLE ULTIMATE MOVE! SUPREME LUNAR SOLAR STORM SMITE! SU-SA-NO!

AND IF YOU WISH TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE GAME, GO HERE!


►The Big Stick (USN) (Verified Badass) (Museum Boat) (Movie Star) (Post-War Veteran) (Natural Born) (BB-61)
Replied On Aug 8th 2012:
Huh. You got the scores up? Sweet!

Edit: ...


►The Fleets Idol (Moderator) (JMSDF) (Natural Born) (Gamer Boat) (那珂)
Replied On Aug 8th 2012:
Goddamit, Harry. I don't know if I should laugh or hit you next time I see you.


End of Page. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5


■​

'... Okay? Wonder what that was about...'

Meanwhile, the table was nearly set up as Molly spoke with Nagato. "So where are you going to be staying? I'd offer the Burrow but... we don't really have the room." Looking around, she furrowed her eyebrows some. "Unless I can borrow a wizarding tent, that is."

Waving her off, Nagato shook her head. "No need for that Molly. Depending on the answer that I am waiting on from the Headmaster, we might stay at Hogwarts for at least one night." At the look, she shrugged her shoulders some. "I have a few reasons for it. Such as looking up some of Harry's family in the library there. If not, then we can stay at the Leaky Cauldron."

A frown on her face, Molly pursed her lips. "Still, maybe I can find something..."

Just wanting to change the subject, Nagato cleared her throat. "So, what is this about wizarding tents? Being military, I'm rather familiar with the normal sort."

Latching onto that, Molly began to explain as Nagato listened, though she did raise eyebrows. 'Expanded insides? Something like a two room apartment for the smaller ones? Hmm... something to look into...'

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Stumbling out of the Floo, Ooi grimaced a bit and held a hand to her stomach. Sure, one of the benefits that she had found she had as a shipgirl was that she could eat as much as she wanted without worrying about getting fat. But at the same time, British food was unfamiliar and heavy on the stomach. Quickly though, she moved to the side and watched as Louisiana came through followed by Ginny, Ron, and their three brothers. But when Iku came through and looking around with a frown, Ooi began to think that something was wrong. A feeling that only increased as Molly, who was supposed to be last, came through.

It was Ron though who put mention to their fears. "Uh, Mum? Where's Harry?"

Eyes wide, Nagato began whipping her head around to look around them before she turned to look at Molly who was also looking. "Molly? Did Harry come through the Floo?"

Furrowing her eyebrows, Molly nodded some. But before she could say anything though, Yukikaze began having something of a minor panic attack. "No, no, no... It happened again. It's happening all over again. I shouldn't have come, I shouldn't have been in his escort. This always happens."

Quickly moving, Louisiana grabbed Yukikaze and pulled her close. "Its okay, Yuki. Just relax, ma chère. Every thing will turn out fine and we'll find him."

When the Battleship looked up at Molly, the red haired woman nodded as her expression shifted to a stern one. "It must have happened when Harry entered the Floo. He coughed so some soot might have gotten in at the time." Then she frowned a bit and looked around. "However, because of how the Floo works, he would have come out somewhere nearby."

Arthur, who had joined them after getting some work done chewed his lip before looking towards Nagato. "Would Harry head towards a visible landmark? Especially if lost?"

Relaxing just a bit, Nagato slowly nodded. "He would, it's something that I taught him a while ago." She then checked her cellphone and grimaced a bit. "Especially as there's no reception down here." For a brief moment, Nagato considered her options and then nodded. "Okay, chances are Harry will either head for the Leaky Cauldron or Gringotts. But he might be anywhere. I need someone to stay here with Iku just in case Harry shows up while we look for him. If he does, she can contact the rest of us on the radio."

Much to her surprise, Percy took a step forward and nodded. "I can do that, if you want."

Surprised, Molly soon smiled at her son. "Thank you, Percy. I am sure that we all appreciate it."

Nodding, Nagato gave him a smile. "I know that I certainly do." Then she cleared her throat and turned to the others. "Okay, that sorted out... Yukikaze, Lousiana? You're in Blue One. I need you to head down Diurn Alley to see if Harry arrived there. Molly and the rest of us will head for Gringotts. Ooi? I know that it's not usual but-"

The Light Cruiser nodded some, her expression not giving away her worry. "I'm a Light Cruiser, my job is to go scouting. Don't worry, Nagato-San, I'll find him."

Only sighing, Nagato gave her a thankful look. "Thank you, Ooi." She then waved a hand. "Let's head out."

Soon, they were outside and Molly opened the alley for them. For her part, Ooi's eyes widened some as she took in they busy shopping district and then they hardened before she walked out into the crowds. As she passed between the various shoppers, she kept an eye out for Harry but couldn't see him as a distance behind, Nagato and the Weasleys did the same. If anyone noticed tiny beady eyes poking out from the Light Cruiser's hair, they probably dismissed it as them seeing things. All too soon though, Ooi reached what she assumed was Gringotts, especially if the small beings in armor at the doors were anything to go by. However, there was still no Harry in sight, which made her even more worried. 'Where are you, Harry-Chan?' A tight feeling of fear gripped her, but then she shook it off. 'No, stop that! He's not about to just disappear like that.' With another glance though, she caught sight of something and blinked. Not too far away from Gringotts, there was another alley. But where Diagon was well lit and crowded, this one was much darker and with barely anyone around. It was almost like night and day the difference between the two. After a moment of thought, Ooi made her decision and nodded. '{Nagato, come in, this is Ooi.}'

There was some static but then Nagato chimed in, worry and hope coloring her voice. '{Did you find him? Is he at Gringotts?}'

With a wince as she knew how that she had a bit of bad news, Ooi steeled herself a bit. '{No, he's not here. But I'm going to check some place out for him and I'll contact you once I'm done.}'

Once more, there was several seconds pause. But then Nagato answered her back over the radio. '{Very well, Ooi. But keep safe and anything happens, inform me. I think that I know where you might be going and you should be careful.}'

Just chucckling, Ooi nodded some. '{Don't worry, I will. Besides, I'm a Cruiser, this is what I do. Out.}'

Not saying anything else, Ooi began to walk into, unknown to her, Knockturn Alley in search of Harry. Almost as soon as she walked into the Alley though, Ooi narrowed her eyes as she glanced around. In various shadowed areas, she could see people looking at her. In one such alcove, there was what looked like an old crone looking at her before licking her lips in hunger. 'I suppose that they think that someone who looks like they belong to a non-magical school would be easy.'

Pretending not to notice the three pale men who appeared behind her and were about to grab her, Ooi hummed to herself. Before they could react, Ooi suddenly whipped around and grabbed two of them in one hand, and the last in the other. "URK!"

Simply ignoring how they were trying to break her arms, Ooi raised an eyebrow at the fangs in their mouths. 'Vampires? Seriously? Huh... I thought that they were pulling my leg.' Internally shaking that off, she went into what she knew people had termed 'Yandere Mode' and pulled the faces of the three men close. All three just froze at the almost psychotic look on the face of what they thought was easy prey with at least one being uncannily reminded of Bellatrix LeStrange. Unknown to them, of course, Ooi had created and refined the look over many years before her and Kitakami became shipgirls seeing as one of the areas they had to go through to get home was a 'Bad part of town'. The fact that it scared off shipgirls and other military personnel as much as it did gangers was just a benefit.

A snarl broke escaped from Ooi's mouth as she glared at all three, noting that her watchers suddenly found other, more interesting places to be at. Speaking slowly as to be understood, Ooi narrowed her eyes. "Now... I am not in the mood to deal with shitstains like you. Right now, I am looking for my little brother. Which means that I am too busy to see if it was possible to rip out your spines and hang you by them. Or tear off your arms and beat you to death with them. So kindly, fuck off."

Then she just gently tossed them down the alley. Granted, 'Gently' for one with her strength meant that each one flew nearly twenty feet and landed hand on the cobblestone. Ignoring that, Ooi turned and began walking again as she continued to give off Yandere vibes. Within only two minutes though, she spotted two people walking down the alley. One was a massive man who she recognized as being from Harry's school. But the other one that caught her attention was Harry himself who she rushed towards. Surprised, Harry blinked as she seemed to teleport in front of him. "Ooi-Nee?"

Looking him over, Ooi finally relaxed and placed her hands on his shoulders. "Are you okay, Harry-Chan? You're not hurt or anything, are you?"

Slowly, Harry shook his head and gave her a small smile. "Um, no, I'm actually perfectly okay, Ooi-Nee."

With a sigh of relief, Ooi nodded some. "That's good, we were worried when you didn't come through the Floo." She then looked up at Hagrid and gave him a small smile. "Thank you for fiding him."

Flustered a little bit, Hagrid only rubbed the back of his head and chuckled. "Ah, don' yeh be worryin' abou' it. Wasn' no trouble at all." The massive man then gave a small smile. "'Sides, I was aroun' here anyways. Only place ta get flesh eating slug repellent."

That caused Ooi to blink for a moment in confusion. 'Flesh eating... slug repellent?' Just shoving that aside, she took on position on Harry's other side. "Anyways, Nagato-San is waiting at Gringotts with the Weasleys. I'll just let them know that you've been found." Even as Harry nodded, Ooi activated her radio. '{Guys? I found Harry, he was in that alley by Gringotts and Hagrid-San found him. I came across him escorting Harry on their way out of the alley.}'

Over the radio, there was a sigh of relief as Nagato spoke up. '{Thank you, Ooi. You were a great help in going to find him, we'll be waiting at Gringotts. But could you stay close to him until then?}'

With a slow nod, Ooi chuckled a bit. '{Will do, Nagato-San. You didn't even need to ask.}'

Iku's voice then came over the radio, relief apparent. '{Thank the Kami. Percy and I will be there as soon as we can. Hermione-San showed up by the way, she brought her parents and Vanguard-San along as well. She was waiting here with us until you found him just in case, so we should see you in a few minutes.}'

It was then that Louisiana spoke up. '{We'll meet you there.}'

Between Ooi and Harry, there was almost no room as the Light Cruiser was keeping close while keeping an eye out around them. Placing a hand on Harry's shoulder, Ooi gave him a small smile. "Let's not keep the others waiting, hmm?"

Just nodding, Harry smiled up at her as they hurried along. Needless to say, between Hagrid being there and Ooi's previous performance, no a single person bothered them. A few minutes later, they had re-entered Diagon Alley and Nagato rushed over to hug her adopted son. "Oh Harry, you're safe. I was so worried." Looking up at first Ooi and then Hagrid, Nagato gave them both nods. "Thank you both so much."

There was a blush on Ooi's face as she nodded alongside Hagrid. "Um, don't mention it." Then she turned towards Harry with a slight frown. "What happened?"

Grimacing, Harry shook his head. "Um, can I wait for the others to get here?" Each of them nodded and they waited until the others got there. Once they did, Harry rubbed the back of his neck. "Anyways, um... I was saying Diagon Alley when some soot got into my throat and I coughed. Next thing I knew, I fell out of the fire place in this store filled with all sorts of creepy things. They even had a Hand of Glory there."

Confused, Yukikaze furrowed her eyebrows before looking at the others. "Um, Hand of Glory? What's that?"

Harry winced a bit and let out a sigh. "Er... well, a Hand of Glory is something from folklore. It's a pickled and preserved left hand of someone executed for a crime. Supposidly, if you place a candle made from fat of the person who the hand came from, with one of their hairs as a wick and lit it, it would provide light only for you. Other stories say that it can paralyze anyone but the holder who sees the flame."

Needless to say, there were more then one disturbed and disgusted looks given to him from the Japanese ships while the others were just somewhat disturbed. Finally, Arthur coughed a bit. "Um, the second one is usually made from the wand hand of an dark witch or wizard actually... Though I do wonder how you know about that."

All Harry did was shrug. "I do a series of Podcasts for Naka-Nee every August called 'Summertime Shivers' where I tell ghost stories and spooky folklore from outside of Japan. My next one is on Hand of Glory and such with Bloody Mary at the end of the month."

Eyebrows furrowed in confusion, Arthur only nodded. "I see... Well, I suppose that does make some sense."

Shrugging, Harry continued. "Anyways, I was trying to find my way out when I heard some voices nearby. With all the creepy stuff, I decided to hide in this wardrobe and watched as Draco's father was talking with someone. He mentioned that Mr. Weasley had raided his home and he needed to sell some items before he got caught or something. Apparently he had them hidden in a secret compartment under his floor."

With a scowl on his face, Arthur shook his head. "Dammit, I knew that he was hiding things somewhere." Seeing the looks, he sighed. "Lucius has been suspected of still being involved with the Death Eaters and Amelia approved the raid. I'm not surprised that he had time to hide what we were looking for... If only Mad-Eye wasn't retired..."

Waiting for a few moments, Molly cleared her throat and glanced around. "Perhaps we shouldn't discuss such things around here and should wait for a more private setting? We still need to get our money out for shopping after all."

That got her nods from the others and, if anyone noticed that Iku, Louisiana, and Yukikaze were staying closer then they should to Harry, no one commented. Walking up the stairs, Ooi took note of the barely hidden contempt and hostility that the guards to the bank were showing her and the other shipgirls before snorting. 'Just try something.' Once they were inside though, her eyebrows raised at the sight that met her. "Okay, this is something from a fantasy novel..."

Beside her, Louisiana nodded some as she also looked around while Hermione and her group headed to a teller to exchange their money. "Oui, it does indeed look like it belongs in a fantasy novel or movie." When they came to the carts though, after standing in line for some time, the Battleship frowned a bit. "Hmm... We may need more carts."

Examining the carts, Iku frowned a bit as the Weasleys went to another set of carts that pulled up. "Hmm..." Finally, she nodded some and pointed to the last cart. "Um, Nagato-San, if you would get in there with Ooi, we can all fit."

Simply raising an eyebrow, Nagato nodded and got into said cart while Yukikaze got into the one in the middle. Then Ooi climbed in besides the Battleship and then Iku motioned Harry to get in the middle one. Once he did, the Submarine quickly clambered in and then took a seat in his lap to his confusion. "Um, Iku-Chan?"

One finger raised into the air as an amused Louisiana climbed in, Iku nodded. "I'll keep you both in the cart and safe as anything will need to go through me."

Her finger then tapped on Harry's leg and he frowned as he translated the morse code. 'And Yukikaze got her turn?' At that moment, the cart began moving towards the lip of the abyss in front of them and Harry placed his arms around her middle. 'Oh, Iku-Chan.'

Behind them, Ooi only grinned widely as she looked around. 'I wonder how this will compare with the rollar coasters that Rika and I used to go on.' Then they were at the edge and they could all see the rails head nearly straight down. "Okay... this is going to be awesssooooooommmmeeeeeee!"

And with that, they were on their way to Harry's vault.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

The base was utterly quiet this late at night, the only things around being the usual insects and the odd guard doing a patrol. In fact, there was almost no one active at this time of night. Above, the Moon and stars kept watch over the base.

It turned out though, that things were not what they seemed.

Under one lonely street lamp, Haruna stood with Rose by her side. Suddenly, the Battleship turned and looked towards a nearby alley between two buildings. "Haruna sees that you've finally arrived..." Two shadows stepped out revealing CarDiv1. "Akagi-San."

With a slight frown, Kaga looked towards Rose. "Rose-San, it's good to see you tonight. I just wish that it was under better circumstances then this."

Slowly, Rose nodded with a soft sigh. "As do I, Kaga. But we must do as we must."

Meanwhile, Akagi and Haruna were staring each other down before the Kongou narrowed her eyes some. "So, Haruna wonders if Akagi-San has it with her. What is needed."

Closing her eyes, Akagi reached into her clothes and then, with a flourish, pulled out an envelope. "Of course." With a small snort, she opened her eyes and smirked a bit before holding it out to Haruna. "After all, it is time to settle things."

Eyes narrowing a bit more, Haruna took the offered envelope and looked at it. "Haruna sees. But Haruna also hopes that Akagi-San is ready for what happens next. After all, Haruna sees Akagi-San as a friend usually."

Her own eyes narrowing, Akagi frowned. "I see you as a treasured friend and comrade, Haruna-San. But in this? In this, we are enemies, fated to our Duel of Destiny." For some odd reason, the wind seemed to pick up and move Akagi's hair around her in a dramatic fashion. "And so, we shall meet on the field of battle."

Beside her, Kaga scoffed a bit and tilted her head as she closed her eyes. "Battleship against Carrier." One eye snapping open, Kaga smirked. "Are you ready for this? Ready to face the might of Carrier Division One? We're not Fifth Division after all."

A stern expression on her face, Rose frowned. "We're ready, Kaga. Myself and Haruna will meet you where we need to."

Placing her hand on her girlfriend's shoulder, Haruna smiled. "And Haruna and Rose-Chan shall defeat you in true battle. We trust in each other and our burning love to carry the day!"

Simply nodding, Akagi smiled a bit. "Then I look forward to it, Haruna-San, Rose-San. For you are both worthy foes."

Then she turned and began to walk away with Kaga following, said Carrier giving them both a jaunty wave. "We shall see you there, be prepared. One shall stand, and one shall fall."

Looking at Haruna, Rose gave a nod. "And it will be us who stand tall at the end, Haruna."

Haruna gave her a smile. "Of course, we will. Because Rose-Chan will be there right beside Haruna in this fight."

With that, the two of them walked away from the light and into the darkness. Battle plans were to be drawn up after all and a lot was being carried on this...
_________________________________________________________________________

At the same time in England, and not knowing what was transpiring back at Yokosuka, the Gringotts cart with Harry and his group slowed to a stop. Getting out, Harry handed his key to the goblin who took it and opened his vault which caused Ooi, Iku, Yukikaze, and Louisiana to widen their eyes. It was Louisiana who put their thoughts into words as she boggled at the piles of gold and silver. "Bon Dieu..."

Turning, Harry gave them a smile before gesturing at Ooi. "Um, Ooi-Nee? Can you come here please?"

Confused, Ooi walked up to him and frowned. Granted, she kept on glancing at the sheer amount of money in front of her. 'I know that Nagato-San said that Harry-Chan had a lot of money but this... This is ridiculous.' Upon reaching Harry, she blinked as Harry handed her a bag. "Um, Harry-Chan?"

Shaking his head, Harr pointed at the piles of gold in front of them and nodded as he whispered. "You said that you wanted to get something for Kitakami-Nee while you were here, right? Well, go ahead and get some gold."

Eyes wide, Ooi stared at him for a moment. "I, I can't do that, Harry-Chan. This is your money, your family's money!"

However, Harry just raised his eyebrows at her and snorted. "Um, Ooi-Nee? You are my family you know. You and he others." He then shrugged some. "Besides, it's not like I don't have any to spare."

Jaw working for a moment, Ooi finally sighed and gave him a look. Harry did notice that her eyes looked suspiciously shiny though. "You're really going to not let up unless I go ahead and do this, are you?" At his grin and nod, the Light Cruiser chuckled a bit and then reached out. "Fine, I guess I'll take, um.... A handful or two."

Doing just that, Ooi placed the bag in her clothing where it would be safe from any would-be thieves. Walking back to the cart, she did note that Harry gave a small amount of coins to the other three shipgirls, surprising them as Nagato looked on in amusement. Then they got back into the cart, once more with Iku in Harry's lap as they headed back to the surface. Hitting a turn, Harry frowned a bit. "You know what would make this trip even better?"

Pushed into him by the turn, Yukikaze only shook her head in confusion. "No, what would make this trip better, Harry-San?"

A grin on his face, Harry laughed as they went over a curve in the track. "What else? Some Eurobeats would make this better and more like Haruna-Oba's driving!"

Only shaking her head, Lousiana smiled a bit as they hit another turn. Beside them, there was a massive, gaping chasm that seemed to disappear into the depths of the Earth. Looking down at it, the Battleship frowned a bit. 'I wonder how deep these mines go...'

It didn't take long for them to reach the surface once more. Spotting Ron there as his mother discussed something with Hermione's, Harry walked over. "You okay there, Ron? You seem a bit put out."

Glancing around, Ron pulled out his letter and unfolded it. "You see the list of supplies?" When Harry shook his head, the red head pointed to a section. "Look right here at the books for Defense Against the Dark Arts."

With a frown on his face, Harry blinked. "Gilderoy Lockhart? Who's he?"

Ron rolled his eyes and snorted a bit. "He's this wizard who wrote a bunch of books. Mum loves him, but I think that it's because he looks good and stuff. But his books are expensive and with this much..." He then shook his head. "I'm buying some stuff for Ginny though."

That caused Harry to raise an eyebrow at him. "Really? You're buying some stuff for your little sister?"

Ears turning red a bit, Ron nodded. "Well, yeah. I mean, she's my sister and she's just starting Hogwarts. 'Sides, I got enough money for my tournaments and I don't want her to go through what I did." Rubbing the back of his head at the slight grin on Harry's face, Ron continued in his thoughts. 'And seeing what you did for Hoppou, I can't let you beat me as a big brother.'

Looking to the side, Harry spotted that the giant woman by Hermione was watching him and soon walked over. Once he reached her, he looked up and then smiled as he held out his hand. "You're Vanguard, right?"

As she blushed, Vanguard nodded and took Harry's hand in her own and shook it. "Um, yes? I'm HMS Vanguard... But how did you know."

Simply grinning, Harry shook his head. "Hermione, once she told us what she was, told us all about you. She really liked to do so and said that she was super proud of how far you've come."

If anything, that caused Vanguard's blush to deepen and she smiled softly. "She did? I didn't know that..." Glancing to Hermione, the Battleship saw the Light Cruiser give her a slight smile and nod. 'That... makes me happy.'

Meanwhile, Harry shook his head in amusement. 'Hermione is definitely her Momboat, that's for sure.' Hearing Nagato call out it was time to head out into the alley, he rushed over to her followed by the others. "Okay, Mum! We'll be right there!"

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Walking back out into the sunlight, Harry stretched a bit before sighing. A glance to the side though caused him to frown some as he noticed the expression on Yukikaze's face. "Yukikaze-Chan? Is something wrong?"

Rapidly snapping out of it, the Destroyer waved her hands around. "Ah! It's nothing, Yukikaze is okay."

Eyes narrowing, Harry turned to Iku who caught his look and then leaned in. "She was a little put off when you disappeared. Because of her history with escorting..."

It took a moment, but the black haired boy suddenly realized what she meant and his eyes widened. Then he became thoughtful as he glanced around the alley. 'Hmm...' Slowly nodding, Harry suddenly smirked a bit. "Mum? Before we really start my shopping, can we make a stop?"

Nagato raised an eyebrow at him, but then nodded as she caught his eye. "Of course we can, Harry. Molly mentioned that her family is going to split up a bit."

Grabbing Yukikaze's hand, and not noticing her blush, Harry began pulling her along. "Great! We're going some place, Yukikaze-Chan!"

Even though she could have easily stopped Harry, the Destroyer let herself be pulled along through the crowds. She did realize that the others were close behind, though mostly she was focused on how someone was holding her hand. Moments later though, they came to a stop in front of a store. Frowning, she read the sign out loud. "'Sugarplum's Sweet Shop...'" Then her eyes widened and she looked over at Harry. "W-what? Why are we here?"

Still holding Yukikaze's hand, Harry began to pull her inside. "Well, you look kind of down. And candy always seems to help lift spirits, so why not go and get some." Just as Yukikaze was about to say something, Harry reached up and placed a finger to her lips. "No takebacks. Now let's go and get some candy. I got to get some for Hoppou anyways."

Blushing, Yukikaze only nodded and walked inside the store with Harry with the others just behind them. It was several minutes before Yukikaze and Harry walked out, the Destroyer smiling with a massive bag of candy in her hands. "Some of that's amazing! And I can't wait to share some with Shinano-Sama, Hamakaze-Chan, and Isokaze-Chan! And White-San and Louisiana-San as well!"

All Harry did was nod as he glanced at his own bag of candy which he put away. "Yeah, though I didn't expect for them to be holding a contest for free candy. Or for one of the prizes being a ten pound bag!"

Only smiling, Yukikaze nodded before she pulled out one of the pieces of candy and looked it over with a slight frown. "Some of those are odd..." Unwrapping it, she quickly popped it into her mouth. "These ginger newts are pretty good though."

That got her nods as behind them, Nagato smiled at their interactions. Looking down at her list, she frowned a bit and looked around. "I suppose that we should visit the apothcary first. And not just for school, but also to refill for the project that you're doing with Akashi-San."

Interested, Iku looked over at Harry. "Isn't that the potion's thing?" At his nod, she frowned a bit and placed her arm over his shoulder. "How are things going with that anyways? Akashi-San mentioned us testing some things out."

With a shrug, Harry glanced around. "Well... at the moment I'm not the greatest at potions. But Akashi-Oba thinks some of them are useful. Like, bruise paste helps take care of dents in hulls. And she said that Pepper-Up if used in small amounts can keep a shipgirl much warmer in really cold conditions from her tests alongside scarves. So shipgirls can be more comfortable when doing things in the far north."

Needless to say, that got him widened eyes before Nagato looked towards the sky. 'That... would be very useful. I wonder what other things could work...'

However, when they walked into the apothcary, Ooi came to a stop and paled as she took note of one bin. "Harry-Chan... are those Unicorn horns in that bin?"

Blinking, Harry looked over and nodded some. "Yeah, those are Unicorn horns." Ooi was about to say something when Harry continued. "They collect them every two years when the Unicorns shed them."

Almost immediately, Ooi's mouth snapped shut as Louisiana turned to Harry in surprise. It took her a moment before shaking her head. "Mon chéri, did you just say what I think that you did? That Unicorn horns fall off?"

Slowly, Harry nodded as he looked through the bin. "Yeah, we asked last year. They're kind of like antlers on deers and stuff, they fall off and regrow every two years. Hagrid actually collects them in the Forbidden Forest and sells them to apothecaries. Apparently, killing a Unicorn for it's horn can lead to very, very bad things. Using the horn from one killed for it is nearly as bad as drinking a Unicorn's blood."

There was a thoughtful expression on Yukikaze's face for a moment. 'I wonder what will happen when the Statute falls then...' Shaking it off though, she began to look at the various other items. Walking up to one bin, her eyes widened as she grabbed a tooth that looked like it belonged to a Tyrannosaurus Rex. 'Dragon's teeth!'

It took some time, but the group slowly worked their way through the alley grabbing various items for Harry. At one point though, Harry noticed Ooi looking over a stand set up in the Alley and examining various bits of jewelry. The stand next to it was selling photos though, and Harry bought a wizarding one of whales leaping into the air which Iku grinned at. "For Taigei-Nee-San, huh?"

Nodding, Harry looked at the photo and then at Iku. "Think that Taigei-Chan would like it?"

All the Submarine did was pull Harry into a hug and laugh lightly. Then she gave him a small smile. "I think that she'll love it, Harry-Chan."

Soon after, the photo was joined by toy whales for Ryuuhou, though in this case they were animated and would swim through the air in the room they were released in. The whole time letting out whale songs. A fact that Iku was grinning at as she could imagine how Ryuuhou would react to them. Soon enough though, they reached Flouish and Blotts and Nagato blinked at how the bookstore was absolutely filled. "Odd... it wasn't that full last year."

Eyebrows furrowing, Yukikaze looked around. "Um... is it normal for it to be mostly women? And not students?"

That caused the group to blink in confusion as Molly came up and let out a soft squeal. "Oh my! Gilderoy Lockhart is actually signing his books today! And we should just be in time!"

Just staring at her for a moment, Nagato frowned before shaking her head. It took some time, but they managed to get all the books and were about to head for the cash register when Nagato stopped and stared at the head of the line. "What in the world...?"

Looking in the same direction, Harry tilted his head in confusion. "Uh... Mum? Is that a real life Bishounen there? Or is it just me?"

For a moment, Nagato blinked and then snorted. "Um... I don't know, Harry. But I was looking at the woman beside him."

If anything, that caused Harry to stare at her before turning to look. Sure enough, there was a tall, rather muscular woman standing just behind Lockhart leaning against the book case. A scoff caused him to turn and see a woman glaring at the one who caught his mother's eye. "That's Roya Queenie. Supposedly she's his bodyguard, but everyone knows that she just wants in his pants and his money. After all, what would he need with a bodyguard, he would be more then able to take care of things! Hmph! The nerve of some people."

Something about that seemed off about it and, as the woman who just commented walked off, Harry turned back to "Roya Queenie". Frowning, he closed one eye until it was open a crack and focused some magic. It took everything not to gasp as he noticed a hull of what looked like a Battleship overlaying the woman. But not the somewhat blurry image of a unawakened Natural Born.

No, this was the image of a fully awakened, or summoned, shipgirl. "Mum... Is that a shipgirl?"

Very slowly, Nagato nodded and frowned. "She is, and not one who hasn't awakened yet either." A gasp caused her to turn to see Hermione staring at the shipgirl and Nagato raised an eyebrow. "You recognize her?"

Only nodding, Hermione suddenly frowned. "I do... that's Royal Sovereign. But... What's she doing here? No one even..." It was then that Royal Sovereign turned and froze at the sight of the shipgirls. "And I think that we might be getting answers soon then we think."

Quickly tapping Gilderoy on the shoulder, Royal Sovereign pointed to them with wide eyes. But before she could say anything, the blond haired man caught sight of Harry and smiled in a way which caused his teeth to sparkle. Getting up, he began to walk over to them. Just beside Harry, Iku hummed to herself with a slight smile. 'Now this should be interesting...'

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Laughing some, Gilderoy shook his head in disbelief. "Why, it can't be, can it? Harry Potter?" There were excited mutters from the crowd and Royal Sovereign winced a bit. Just as Gilderoy reached them though, Ooi stepped between the two of them. "Hmm?"

Not even a second later, the wizard felt a shiver go down his back at the glare that the Light Cruiser was giving him. "May I ask what you were doing with my little brother?"

It took a moment, but then Lockhart remembered hearing that Harry was adopted and a glance at Nagato caused him to realize why Royal Sovereign had been trying to get his attention. 'Right, he was adopted by shipgirls.' All of this went through his head and he straightened a bit with a nonchalant smile and shrug. "I was simply coming over to greet him, that's all. And perhaps have a photograph of us both as together we're worth the front page of the Daily Prophet!"

When she glanced at Harry and noticed his resigned expression, Ooi internally grimaced. 'Dammit...'

To her surprise though, Gilderoy didn't grab Harry, but just looked towards the camera. "Just smile, Harry. A nice big one."Holding out a hand, Gilderoy gave a smile as Harry shook it. Nearly a minute later though, Lockhart let go as he stood up and spread his hands out. "Now then, Ladies and Gentlemen, this is the perfect time to make an announcement!"

As he continued, Nagato raised an eyebrow. 'We stopped here to get his autographed book? Laying it on a bit thick there. Though I suppose with how we came in during his signing...'

However, his next words caught them by surprise. "... Him and his fellow schoolchildren will, in fact, be getting the real magical me! Yes, you all heard right! As of this September, I shall be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! And I shall, of course, be bringing along my assistant as always!" There were several claps and cheers and Gilderoy leaned in and winked as he whispered to Harry. "Thanks for playing along and don't worry, the books are free." Clapping another hand on Harry's shoulder, he smiled in a way that made his teeth sparkle. "So don't worry, Harry, I'll teach you everything I know!"

With a wave of his wand, the entire set of books came over and landed hovered in front of Harry with him taking them. Then Gilderoy swept off back to the crowd as Harry just blinked. "Did... did that actually just happen?"

Rubbing the side of her head, Nagato nodded with a slight sigh. "Yes, yes it did." With a deep breath, she looked towards Royal Sovereign and then frowned. "I suppose that we'll have to wait until school starts for one mystery to be solved..."

Suddenly, a rather unwelcome voice spoke up behind them. "You probably liked that, didn't you, Potter?" Turning, they were confronted with a sneering Draco. "Famous Harry Potter, can't even go into a store without making the front page."

From her spot just behind Harry, Iku scowled. "Harry-Chan's not the least like that, you know!"

Malfoy only scoffed a bit. "Ooo! Got a girlfriend, Potter?"

With a glance at Nagato, and a slight nod from her, Ooi smirked. "My, my, are we trashtalking? Or could it be that you're jealous?" There was a mock thoughtful look on Ooi's face as she chuckled a bit. "Maybe... Um, whoever you might be."

Eyes narrowing, Malfoy glared at the Light Cruiser. "Malfoy, Draco Malfoy. Then again, I'm not surprised that you don't know that."

Blinking, Ooi then shrugged. "Yeah, yeah... Um, whoever you are. Seriously, I just forgot your name nearly as fast as you said it. Must not be that important."

As Ooi and Draco continued though, Harry caught sight of the Weasleys and frowned as he also spotted Draco's father there. Said man reached into Ginny's cauldron and pulled out a worn textbook while sneering at Arthur before saying something that Harry couldn't hear. Moments later though, Harry did hear the crash as Arthur grabbed him and the two men tumbled into a book case. 'Blistering blue barnicles!'

It turned out that Harry was not the only one to have seen it as Nagato rushed over to where Arthur was and began to help Hagrid pull the two apart. Also making his way over, Harry barely noticed when Draco tried to shove Iku, only to bounce off her and hit a bookcase himself. Nor did Harry notice the slight smirk on Iku's face. By the time that they reached where the fight was, they were only in time to see Lucius shove a book into Ginny's cauldron and then glare at Arthur before he called out. "Come, Draco! It's time to leave."

Now close enough to hear what his mother was saying, the black haired boy only blinked as Nagato rubbed the side of her head. "Dammit, Arthur. I know his type and what you just did is only giving him what he wanted."

Beside her, Hagrid nodded some. "Aye, she be right, Arthur. Those Malfoys, you know that they're bad blood."

Grumbling, Nagato shook her head. "Ironic considering their views on blood..." Sighing, she finally shrugged though. "Nothing for it, I suppose. We'll just have to cut the trip short after this."

Much to her surprise though, Molly shook her head and grabbed her husband's arm. "No, there's no need for that now. After all, we caused the problem, not you." She then gave Arthur a look that he winced at. "We just need some air I think and some time to cool off. Perhaps we should meet after you finish your shopping over at Carkitt Market. We'll either be at the Hopping Pot or in the Museum of Muggle Curiosities." Giving her husband another look, Molly frowned. "Hopefully, that will help you calm down."

Slowly relaxing, Nagato gave her a wry smile. "Thank you, Molly. That actually sounds wonderful and we'll meet you there once we're done our errands."

With a quick nod, Molly began to guide Arthur away along with her children as Yukikaze glanced around. "Um... So we just need a few books, right?"

Lips twitching, Nagato gave her a nod. "That's right, we just have a few books to pick up and then maybe make a trip into Diurn Alley right quick. We have something else to pick up after all."

By the time they left, everything was cleaned up and Harry glanced back at Lockhart. Much to his surprise though, said person only looked excited with what had happened and was talking with Royal Sovereign who was smiling back. However, what caught Harry's attention was the own that alighted on his mother's shoulder and made him raise an eyebrow. "Mum?"

Spotting the letter, Nagato took the envelope and then read it. After a few seconds, she smiled a bit and turned to him. "It looks like Dumbledore is going to allow us to stay at Hogwarts for the night. He's also going to come and transport us to Hogwarts himself."

That got her a grin from Harry as he looked at Yukikaze, Ooi, and Louisiana. "Sweet! I can't wait to show you guys around. You'll love it and the school is awesome!"

A small grin on her face, Ooi reached over and ruffled Harry's hair. "Heh, can't wait to see it, Harry-Chan. Especially after all the stories that you told us about it."

Not long afterwards, they reached Diurn Alley and Harry was looking around before stopping as he spotted one store. "Mum?" Glancing at her and seeing the nod to continue, he did so and pointed at the store. "Can I head over there? I won't be alone, promise!"

Raising an eyebrow, Nagato turned and blinked at the sight of the toy store there. With a hum, she looked at the girls and then nodded. "As long as... Yukikaze, Iku, and Ooi go with you, it should be okay. I won't be long though inside."

Just noddng, Harry grinned a bit and began to pull Ooi along. "Not a problem, Mum! We'll be there waiting for you." As the Light Cruiser easily kept pace, Harry looked up at her. "What do you think?"

Upon entering the store, Ooi looked round and noticed various toys including plushies. Slowly, her lips turned up into a massive smile and her eyes sparkled at the sight of said toys being animated. "I think... I think that In found the perfect spot for Kitakami's gift! Now to find it!?" Gasping, she ran over to one and grabbed it before holding it up. "Look at this! It's a big, fluffy dragon!" Wiggling in her grasp, said plush let out a squeaky roar and flapped it's wings. "Eeeee! So Kawaii!"

Giggles caused her to turn to see a brown haired, motherly woman standing nearby. "I see that you like our dragon plush. He's quite popular."

Only smiling, Ooi grinned a bit. "I can see why, he's adorable!" Rubbing her face against it, and not caring that there were snickers from the others, she sighed. "And it will be more adorable to see Kitakami with it!"

Chuckling, the woman shook her head before suddenly gasping and holding out her hand. "Where are my manners, I'm Winnifred. Winnifred Poe, owner of Childhood Magic."

With a smile on her face, Ooi shook said hand and smiled a bit as she shifted the dragon over to one arm. "My name's Ooi... just that." She then looked back at the dragon plush in awe. "This is just amazing, I've never seen one like this before."

There was a proud look on Winnifred's face as she nodded some. "Thank you, it's nice to have my work appreciated." Reaching out, the woman gently stroked the dragon. "And it warms my heart when each of my creations gets a loving home."

Almost missed was the considering look on Ooi's face before she slowly nodded. "Well, I think that this little one has found just that. Is there anything that I need to know in order to take care of him?"

If anything, that make Winnifred more happy. "Well... not too much. I've worked in self-repair charms as well as self-cleaning and water repellent. Besides that... the animation spells should last for several decades as long as it's taken good care of..."

While she continued to explain to an interested Ooi, Harry watched as Yukikaze grabbed beaver one and Iku took a whale one. Smiling, Iku winked at him. "I think that Taigei-Nee-San will love this one to cuddle with."

Said whale then waved it's fluke up and down as if in happiness at that.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Another day on the base, another day of practice for the various Carriers there. On the Kyūdō Range at Yokosuka, Kaga lined up an arrow at the target and took aim. Then... she released, the arrow flying true and straight at the target. In a burst of fire, the arrow transformed into a Reppu and let loose with a burst of machine gun fire that caused the target to shudder before it pulled upwards. If one could have seen Kaga, they would have noticed a very tiny smile on her face before she glanced to the side and blinked. 'What in the world...?'

To most humans, all they would have seen would be Shinano sticking her tongue out a bit as she took aim with her own arrow. But Kaga was not 'Most Humans' and could see activity on Shinano's hull and her eye was caught by one bit in particular. Mainly, one of Shinano's Shidens was on her deck with some of her maintenece crew working on it. That in, and of itself would not have been too odd. However...

It looked like they were attaching fuel drums to where a bomb would normally go. They also attached what looked like a modified drop tank. The problem with that, of course, was that today's practice did not involve bombs, nor need drop tanks. So pretending not to notice and to line up another shot, Kaga had one of her fairies look over at Shinano as unobtrusively as possible with binoculars. Firing off another shot, which was perfectly made, Kaga internally hummed as her fairy reported what looked like tiny propellers on the tanks and fuel drums. 'Odd, I wonder what the reason for those modifications could be.'

Kaga's own fairies only made sounds of confused agreement as they couldn't figure it out themselves. Despite that, it continued to bug the Fleet Carrier and Kaga kept an eye on it. When Shinano's crew began doing the same to another Shiden, she became more interested. It went without saying that Akagi, from a long time having associated with Kaga, caught sight of her expression and contacted her over the radio channel the two used for privacy. '{Is something wrong, Kaga?}'

Glancing at her, Kaga went through the motions even as her mind chewed away at the issue of what, exactly, Shinano's pilots and aircrews were doing. '{Don't be obtrusive, Akagi-San... But have one of your fairies look at Shinano's deck. In particular, one of the air crews though it should be obvious which one.}'

Several moments later, Akagi blinked as she fired off her own arrow with a form as perfect as Kaga's own. '{Is she strapping bombs and drop tanks?}' Then she furrowed her eyebrows slightly. To most, they wouldn't have noticed it. However to Kaga? It was the equivalent of her shouting out loud. '{No, wait a moment... Those are modified drop tanks and fuel drums? What is she doing?}'

Just then, Shinano fired off one of her planes which attacked the target and then rose upwards. Unlike Kaga's own planes, which were only a few thousand feet in the air, it continued until it was over 30,000 feet up. Something that caused Kaga's eyebrow to raise a little. '{Hmm... Now isn't that interesting?}'

A snort came over the radio carrying Akagi's amusement at it. '{Very interesting. Why go so high in a practice? Perhaps she's doing a little training off to the side?}'

Giving it some thought though, Kaga shook her head. '{No, I don't think that it's that. But whatever it is...}'

Wth giggles, Akagi shook her head with a slight smile. '{It's really going to bother you until you solve it, isn't it?}' At the grumbles, she giggled again and then glanced at Ryuuhou beside her. '{Hmm... actually, perhaps you might be onto something.}'

Eyebrow quirked just a little, Kaga frowned slightly as she went through the motions again. '{Oh? How so?}'

Akagi hummed for a moment before answering. '{Look at Ryuuhou. In particular her Zeros that she is getting ready to launch.}'

Needless to say, Kaga did so and then blinked in utter befuddlement. '{She has the same thing as Shinano-San, except no drop tanks. What are those two up to?}'

Head tilted to the side, Akagi gave a slight shake of the head. '{Now that, is the question isn't it? But it does make some sense.}' Getting a raised eyebrow from Kaga, Akagi continued. '{Shinano-Chan has been teaching Ryuuhou, has she not? So it would make sense that if Shinano is doing something...}'

Slowly nodding, Kaga frowned. '{So would Ryuuhou. Yes, that does make some sense I suppose... But it still does not solve exactly what they are doing.}' Watching, she could see one of the Zeroes with the fuel drum launch off Ryuuhou's deck and into the air. The process appearing to normal humans as the shipgirl firing off a arrow. Then, she observed said plane climbing up to where Shinano's plane was. '{... I need to know.}' Once the practice was over, Kaga cleared her throat as Shinano and Ryuuhou were putting away their gear. "Shinano-San, Ryuuhou-San, may I speak with you for a moment?"

That got her a wince from Shinano before the giant Carrier took a deep breath and straightened her back a little. "Um, yes, Kaga-San? D-did we do something wrong?"

Beside Kaga, Akagi shook her head and chuckled. "No, you actually did quite well, the both of you." She then gave a nod to Shinano, her next words causing the Yamato to blush. "In fact, you should be quite proud, Ryuuhou is doing extremely well under your teaching."

A blush on her face, Shinano gave a small smile as she fiddled with her skirt. "T-thank you, Akagi-San." Then she frowned a bit and tilted her head to the side. "But... what seems to be the problem then?"

Glancing at Akagi, Kaga cleared her throat. "We noticed a few modifications that the two of you made to a few of your aircraft and were wondering about them. In particular, concerning drop tanks and what looked like fuel drums."

If anything, Shinano blushed as Ryuuhou shuffled a bit in place. With a deep breath, Shinano placed her hand on the much smaller Carrier's shoulder and then looked at Kaga. "We... we were making ice cream. To give to our escorts when on Sortie." Biting her lip, she swallowed. "We don't have ice cream makers, so..."

For a moment, both Kaga and Akagi just blinked. Neither of them had expected that answer to say the least. Furrowing her eyebrows, Akagi frowned. "You were making ice cream? How does that work?"

With a nervous look, Shinano reached into her clothes and then pulled out one of the drop tanks and held it out. "I read about it in a book about the War and it was something that the Americans did. Um, see the propeller on it?" When the two older Carriers nodded, Shinano took a deep breath before continuing. "When the plane goes above 30,000 feet, it's really cold, so what is in the tank begins to freeze. T-the propeller drives a turbine that churns the mixture and causes it to become ice cream. Kaa-San tried it and said it was really good. And, um, Hamakaze-Chan and Isokaze-Chan seem to really enjoy it... Harry-Chan also liked it the few times that I gave him some."

All Kaga did was blink and slowly nod. "I see..." Internally though, she narrowed her eyes a little bit and could tell her own engineers were looking closely. 'Perhaps I can do much the same. Something else to hold over Fifth Carrier Division...'

Inside Akagi's mind though, there was a different thought. 'I wonder how Fubuki-Chan and the others would react...'

Both Fleet Carriers decided to ask for Shinano to teach them, if only because it was interesting.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Opening her eyes, the first thing that Ooi spotted was the canopy of the bed she was laying in. It took a few moments, and a quick review of her logs, but she remembered where she was and gave a slight smile. At least part of it had to do with the bed that she was currently in. Ever since becoming a shipgirl, Ooi had been to many different places around the world. And the bed that she was in currently ranked up there for comfortableness. There was only one thing, in Ooi's mind that is, which could have made it better.

Unfortunately, Kitakami was still back in Japan which meant that her normal cuddle buddy was not there.

That said, Ooi just laid back with her arms behind her head as she enjoyed slowly stretching the various morning kinks and such out. A nice, restful morning was more then what she wanted. Relaxing some, Ooi's mind drifted back to the night before. Shortly after seeing the Weasleys home, they had enjoyed some 'Gnome Throwing'. Even though the shipgirls and Harry had been unsure, after one bit Harry, they got into it. Of course, considering that the things were being chuckled upwards of fifty feet away, perhaps they had gone too far.

It did not help matters much when Ron commented it might take them a few days to get back to their burrows.

By the time that Dumbledore had arrived though to pick them up, it was getting to be late afternoon and they decided to pick up Haru before coming to Hogwarts. After that, Harry had given those of them who had not been to Hogwarts before a tour of the place. Much to their surprise though, the castle was not as empty as they had thought. Besides the ghosts, Filch, Hagrid, and Dumbledore himself, the Librarian was still there. There were also at least a dozen or so magicals also living at the castle over the summer. Apparently, wizards and witches would come from all over Europe to spend the summer months using the school library for research.

A number were also there to do gather and harvest magical materials from the Black Lake and the Forbidden Forest. Ooi had been surprised to find at least one person was using the summer to do research on the merfolk. That was also not mentioning how the Quidditch Patch was used by some teams for practice out of the public eye. Said thought reminded Ooi about the picture she had taken with the Hollyhead Harpies. Despite the fact that she knew that Kitakami would tease her over having about a dozen fit young women hanging off her, Ooi looked forward to it.

Most though did not stay in the castle overnight though, instead staying in the nearby town of Hogsmeade. Someplace called the "Three Broomsticks Inn" apparently being filled to compacity during the summer months with other cottages being rented out. Which meant, of course, that they had most of the castle to themselves after a certain time of night. It went without saying that they had decided to make use of the dormatory that Harry had used during the school year to sleep in. Granted, before they had retired they had a meeting with Dumbledore, in which they had told him about the incident with the house elf. Something that had made him concerned and he stated he would keep an eye out

Now though, there was only one thing that Ooi wanted and that was a nice breakfast. Moments after making her decision, she threw her blankets to the side and opened the bed's curtains before hopping out. A glance to the side though caused her to smile a little bit. "Good morning, Haru-San."

Looking up from her book, the Miko gave her a smile. "Good morning, Ooi-San. Have a good sleep?"

With a hum, Ooi stretched a bit and was rewarded with cracking noises as her joints realigned. "Hai, it was actually pretty good." Glancing back at her bed, she made a show of becoming thoughtful. "Think that they might miss one of these beds?"

That got a soft laugh from Haru as she shook her head, a twinkle in her eye. "I think that they might miss a bed or two. Though I have to admit, I am rather tempted myself to swipe one. They are very comfortable beds after all, though perhaps a bit too much so."

Snickering, Ooi nodded some. "True enough. Ah well, something to think on." Just pulling her overnight bag out from inside her hull, Ooi began to strip off her sleeping clothes until she was just in her underwear, not even bothered by Haru being there. Nor was she really bothered by Harry being asleep in the next bed over with the curtains closed. Being in the military had pretty much knocked out such worries within a few weeks after all. "So how did your watch go? Anything of note?"

Haru gave a small smirk as she tilted her head towards the door. "Oh, it seems that a certain mischievious spirit that Harry-Chan warned us about attempted to visit us. Sadly for it, he ran right into the wards I had set up. Let's just say... he had a shocking relevation about things and leave it at that."

A grin split Ooi's face as she considered what she had been told and bit back loud laughter. It was easy to guess what had happened to the poltergeist when he had tried to enter to prank them in the middle of the night. Grabbing a change of clothes, she walked over to the nearby bathroom and walked in. "I can imagine that."

Roughly forty minutes later, a refreshed Ooi walked out with clean clothes on to find Nagato speaking softly with Haru. Upon seeing her, Nagato gave a small nod. "Good morning, Ooi. Enjoy your shower?"

With a sigh, the Cruiser nodded some. "Well, of course. I mean, I don't even need to worry about running out of hot water after all. Do you know how often I get the chance to have a hot shower for as long as I want? Not very often." Then she narrowed her eyes some as she noticed that Nagato was also in clean clothes. "Where did you go?"

Smirking a bit, Nagato hummed before chuckling. "While you were sleeping, I was making use of the bathroom belonging to the Headboy and Headgirl when they're Gryffindors. I believe that the term 'Opulent' best describes it." Her eyes then became hooded. "A lovely bubble bath with scented water, bath salts, inside of a marble bathtub that is more like a small pool."

For a moment, Ooi froze as she considered what she had just been told. Then she playfully scowled at the Battleship who's smirk grew just slightly. "Lucky."

Simply lightly laughing, Nagato shook her head some. "Well, we might be spending some time here later, so perhaps before we head home you can make use of it yourself."

Needless to say, Ooi had a grin on her face before she turned to the bed where Harry was sleeping. "Harry-Chan not up yet? It's getting a bit late in the morning."

Also turning to said bed, Nagato shook her head and opened the curtains enough to look in at the cuddlepile. Said pile consisting of Harry laying on top of Louisiana with his head on her chest. On either side and cuddled up close with Lousiana's arms around them were Iku and Yukikaze. The soft, relaxed expressions on all four just caused Nagato to smile at them. "Hmm... perhaps it is time for them to get up." Her eyes then became slightly distant. "Though considering what we are doing today, I am not sure if I shouldn't allow for them to relax a bit more..."

Ooi caught the unstated portion of what Nagato was saying and sighed. "That's right... We'll be visiting the graves of Harry-Chan's parents today, aren't we." At Nagato's nod, Ooi frowned a little bit. "I... brought along the flowers that I helped Harry-Chan pick out." Seeing the Battleship's surprise, Ooi gave a small smile. "I... know a lot about the language of flowers, let's just say."

Slowly, Nagato nodded and gave her a small smile. "Thank you." With one last look at the bed, she let out a breath. "I think that this morning, we should have breakfast down in the Common Room, just all of us."
That caused Ooi to only nod slightly in agreement.
___________________________________________________________________________
Watching as Harry kneeled down by the gravestone of his parents and began to softly talk to it, Yukikaze shuffled a bit from one foot to the other as she looked around. At the same time, she wrung her hands a little bit until a hand on her shoulder caused her to jump a bit before she realized that it was a worried Louisiana. "Is something wrong, ma chère?"

Embarrassed, the Destroyer took a deep breath before whispering a bit. "I've never been in a western graveyard before and... Well, I've seen pictures of them before, but I didn't expect it to be like this. It's so different from..." Her eyes trailed over to a statue of an angel. Said statue was sitting in a throne-like chair with it's head in it's hands showing grief. Just the sight of it sent a shiver down Yukikaze's spine. "Um... back home."

Slowly, Iku nodded some as she looked around. "Yeah, it's pretty different from the ones back home." Blinking, for a moment Iku could have sworn that she saw a woman from the far end of the graveyard watching her in interest. Said woman wore a white cloak which seemed to softly glow in the light. Then, between one blink and the next, she vanished. Something that caused Iku to feel a shudder crawl up her keel. "A lot different."

Frowning, Nagato glanced at them before letting out a sigh. "It's also a very old graveyard. Harry's ancestors are buried here as well, right up to about eight hundred or so years ago. His parents are just the most recent of them to be buried here."

Eyes wide, Yukikaze stared at her as did Iku. But it was Ooi who spoke first in surprise. "Harry-Chan's family is that old? Really?" At Nagato's nod, she shook her head in disbelief. "Wow, tht's just... wow."

With a slight chuckle, Nagato gave a small smile. "It surprised me when I found out just how old his famiy really is. But they have unbroken records right up to nearly a thousand years ago, though apparently at least one ancestor, Paverell who is also buried here, lived just before a thousand years ago."

That got her stares from each of the Japanese shipgirls and even Louisiana seemed surprised at that information. Then the American Battleship became thoughtful and glanced around in consideration. "Hmm... There is a lot of history in places such as this. Have you checked the church books?" When Nagato shook her head, Lousiana frowned. "They would record deaths and burials. Perhaps it would be nice if Harry was to know where they might be buried in case he ever wishes to visit them."

Several minutes later, Ooi noticed that Harry was waving at her and moved over. At his motion of what to do, she kneeled down beside him as he waved between them. "Mum? Dad? I want you to meet Ooi... I mean, Yuuko-Nee-San. She's one of my big sisters in a way."

Even though she felt like there was a lump in her throat at the fact that Harry was introducing her as such to his parents' grave, Ooi felt honored that he did so and bowed slightly. "Hello, Lily-San, James-San. As Harry-Chan said, I'm his big sister and he's my... my little brother that I never had." Reaching over, she placed her arm around Harry's shoulders and pulled him into a hug. "And I love him just as much as if we shared the same blood. You don't need to worry, whenever I am around, anyone will have to go through me to get to him. Because us big sisters need to protect our little brothers..."

Harry leaned into the hug a little and nodded. "Yeah, and Yuuko-Nee-San is an awesome big sister..."

As Harry continued to speak, he missed how Ooi's eyes seemed wet. But there was also a smile on her face as she swallowed. 'That's right... I got a family now. One that won't leave me or abandon me...' Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath. 'A real family.'

Oddly, when they left the graveyard with her arm over Harry's shoulder, Ooi felt the most at peace with herself then she had in a very long time.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

As for those wondering about the Shrine...
__________________________________________________________________________________

A frazzled Natsumi glared out at the Shrine grounds as she took a stance. "Shiromizu-San... thank you. Thank you my friend, for being here at the end of all things. At this, the final battle for the Shrine against the evil forces arrayed against us. We fight for honor and good!"

Blinking, the transformed white snake turned to the kitsune. "Uh... Natsumi-San? Aren't you taking this perhaps just a little too seriously?"

Slowly, Natsumi turned her and glared. "Taking this too seriously... taking this too seriously!? We are fighting an alliance of Yokai who wish to attack the Shrine! It is my sworn duty as the Miko in charge to defend it!"

Once more blinking, Shiromizu pointed at their foes. "... We're fighting an alliance of Yanari and Bakezōri." Then she frowned and tilted her head to the side. "I'll admit though, that Seto taishō leading them is actually pretty smart... Though, uh... where did he get the Waniguchi he's riding?"

Natsumi took a deep breath and then let it out. "That's one of the ones that Oba-Chan was storing away..." Suddenly she threw her hands into the air. "BESIDES! WHO CARES!" The kitsune then pointed at the Seto taishō who cheerily waved back. "These guys are trying to take over the Shrine! And you're ruining the mood!"

In reply, Shiromizu coughed and then scratched her cheek as she looked to the side. "Right... um, sure I am. Just, uh, making sure." She then glanced back at the group of yokai. "Besides... it's kind of cute." At that, the Seto taishō wrote something on a sign and held it up. "..."

With a slow blink, Natsumi turned to it. "'Do we have a little taishō in us?' Uh, no..."

Moments later, Shiromizu's eyebrow twitched as the little tsukomogami flipped with the sign around. "'Would we like to?' I... that... are you seriously hitting on us!?"

Reaching up, it wiped off the expression on it's face. Then, using the marker, put a new one on. Facepalming, Natsumi sighed. "Considering it's expression it just gave itself..."

Just brining her baseball bat up, Shiromizu took a deep breath. "How about no, you fucking perverted little ceramic shit."

Yet again, it wiped away it's expression before drawing two dots for eyes and a thin mouth. Then it added two slanted lines above it's eyes before writing something on it's sign and holding it up. "'Ha! You two boney ar-'"

Before Natsumi could finish, Shiromizu went red and snarled. "YOU SAY WHAT NOW!? THAT IS IT, I AM KICKING YOUR ASS ALL THE WAY TO THE DUSTBIN!"

Then the kitsune blinked at what it did next. "Aaaaand, it just drew an ass on it's face. Lovely. Oh, look, and now it's holding up a sign which has what looks like... Okay, you have to be kidding. That is beyond lewd and rude right there."

Holding up one hand in front of her face, Shiromizu cracked her fingers. "Let's beat this little perv."

With a hum, Natsumi brought up her broom in a manner to wield it as a weapon. "Yes, let's do that. Mind giving me a lift?"

Shiromizu just grinned and held out her baseball bat. "Sure, I can do that. Alley oop!"

Grinning herself, Natsumi leapt onto the bat before Shiromizu catapulted her into the air. While they were distracted by the flying kitsune, the white snake then charged into the midst of the tiny army. The chaos was only increased as Natsumi landed and swung out with her broom, sending Yanari and Bakezōri flying in all directions.

Meanwhile, at the Shrine gate, Hoppou was munching on some popcorn between sharing it with chirizuka kaiō who had caused all this.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Walking through the corridors of Hogwarts, Ooi sighed a bit as she worked out a kink in her keel, or was it her back? Shaking off those thoughts, Ooi gave Harry an amused look. "Are you positive that I can't be like one of the American Submarines and steal one of those beds? Because they are seriously comfortable."

Lightly laughing, Harry looked over at her with a grin. "I'm pretty sure that you can't, Ooi-Nee. But you might be able to find out where they got them."

Much to Harry's amusement, as well as the others, Ooi had an expression of deep thought on her face. "You know... I might just do that. Or see if I can't bring Kitakami-San here next time to try one of those beds."
Grinning, Louisiana shook her head. "You just wish to have an excuse to cuddle with her, Mon Petit. It's as obvious as the hairs on your head."

In reply, Ooi grinned back at her. "Can you blame me? Kitakami-San is very cuddly, trust me on that." Sighing, she wrapped her arms around herself in a hug. "Ah, just the thought..." Then thrusting a fist into the air, Ooi laughed. "So next time, I am so bringing her! Not to mention that bath..."

When she turned towards Harry, the black haired boy snickered and shook his head. "No, you can't steal the bath either. Where would you even put it?"

Tapping her chin, Ooi finally shrugged. "Don't really know, but I would find somewhere."

Everyone was smiles as they continued to walk towards the Great Hall, eventually, Yukikaze turned towards them with an expression of curiosity on her face. "So, um... what are we going to do today?"

Simply glancing at her, Nagato finally shook her head. "At the moment? Nothing really. We'll be heading back to Yokosuka in a few hours so I thought that we should take it somewhat easy for now. So simply relax and enjoy yourselves."

Now thoughtful, Louisiana nodded before turning towards Harry with a slight smile. "Perhaps we should see that tree that you mentioned to us, mon chéri."

That caused Harry to blink a bit and then look at her. "Wait, you mean the one by the lake?" At her nod, he smiled a bit. "Sure! And maybe wade around a bit in the shallows..." Head tilted to the side, Harry frowned a bit. "Kind of wish that we had swimsuits though. The giant squid likes to play a bit and toss people into the air so they can splash back down in the water."

Very slowly, Haru turned to him and blinked. "... The giant squid likes to play with swimming students..."

Having not noticed the looks, Harry nodded some. "Yeah, you know how when you're playing in the water and tossing around your friends? The giant squid does the same with students. It also plucks any drowning and puts them back on the land while keeping any dangerous things away."

For several moments, Iku stared at him and then had an odd expression partway between amusement, confusion, and a grimace. "That's... I got nothing. How about you girls?" Getting shakes of the head, she nodded. "Thought so."

A grin on his face, Harry snickered a bit. "How about it's very ticklish?"

Pinching the bridge of her nose, Nagato only shook her head in amusement. "I would ask how you found that out, but I am rather frightened at the possibility of what I might hear. That said... I am amazed that something that's normally a predator is that friendly."

Beside her, Ooi scratched her head. "Or how it even lives in a lake. That's just weird."

Haru gave a small snort of amusement before shaking her head. "Here you are in a magical castle that doubles as a school for wizards and witches, and you're calling that weird? Perhaps we're just desensitized about things I suppose."

Glancing at her, Nagato hummed a little bit. "Speaking of... I forgot to ask if you found anything in particular while in Harry's storage shed. You were awfully quiet when you arrived at Hogwarts."

For almost a minute, Haru was silent as she considered her thoughts. "There was a rather large number of items of interest in that collection. More then a few are going to be raising eyebrows, of that you can be sure. But before I go any further, I shall be contacting someone that I know who... specializes, in antiques. He has quite the reputation in several circles and him confirming things would more then settle any issues with some groups."

Tilting his head to the side, Harry frowned for a moment. "What about Kurosawa-San?" At their looks, he shrugged. "She was part of the Archives staff at some point, right? Wouldn't she also be able to help?"

After some thought, Haru slowly nodded with a very small smile on her face. One that suggested that she was up to mischief of some sort. "That is true enough, I suppose. Yes, I think that I shall let her have a look at what I have gathered as well."

While Harry frowned at the kitsune in confusion, Nagato sighed. 'And no doubt use this to tweak the noses of her old superiors at the Archives at how she is getting first crack at them. Then again, considering how they sometimes act... I cannot blame her.'

As that thought went through her mind, Harry placed his hands behind his head and grinned some. "Hopefully Jane likes the Sea Chest that I got from the storage shed for her. I'm going to give it to her for her birthday after all."

It was then that they noticed Victory walking alongside Dumbledore, the two speaking in low tones to each other. Upon noticing them, the old shipgirl gave them all a smile and a wave with her arm. "Good morn to each of you."

Needless to say, the Japanese shipgirls all gave a small bow to the sailing ship before Nagato straightened a bit. "And a good morning to you as well, Victory. Hopefully you've been having a good day so far."

Understanding the unasked question, Victory only nodded some. "I've having a pleasant morning, besides Bumblebee here being his usual self. But then again, that's one of the perils of being friends with him."

Just blinking slowly, Harry turned to Dumbledore and raised an eyebrow. "Bumblebee?"

Simply coughing into one hand, Dumbledore tried to straighten up a bit. "Quite, she often calls me that." Then he had a mock thoughtful expression on his face. "Then again I suppose that it is normal for the elderly in regards to remembering names."

Reaching up, Victory gave him a flick to the ear. "You're a fine one for talking about being old and forgetful, Bumblebee." Only ignoring the smirk on Dumbledore's face, she turned back to Nagato and the group began walking again. "I was mainly here on some business unfortunately. You'll be happy to know that Dumbledore has already spoken to us in regards to your warning."

Eyebrows raising at that, Nagato turned to Dumbledore who's eyes began to twinkle. "As it turns out, there is a number of sailshipgirls in various navies that do not do much. No one would question if they went on a... paid vacation of sorts to perform security somewhere."

If anything though, that only caused Nagato even more amusement. "I don't suppose that some of these shipgirls would not be flying a particular black flag? Or be of a slightly... mercenary bent?"

A grin on her face, Victory raised a hand. "As the Americans say, ask me no questions and I shall tell you no lies. But I will say that they have been getting rather bored..."

Needless to say, that got her looks of amusement from everyone. However, Ooi placed her hands behind her head and nodded some. "I got to admit, that surprisingly makes me feel a lot better about things. They won't fuck around at least if something needs to be done."

Dumbledore had a serious expression on his face. "That would be my hope and I am going to try my best to prevent any problems this year. However, this would be just in case it does need to be done."

Waving a hand around, Victory shrugged. "Anyways, enough of the really serious stuff. The other reason I might as well mention as I am sure that Harry would inform you otherwise once he gets back to school. Mainly, the Royal Navy is making a donation to Hogwarts."

That caused Harry to stare at her in surprise. "Wait, the Royal Navy is making a donation? What sort and how?"

Lips twitching, Victory hummed some. "As it turned out, your friend Ron had mentioned to Warspite about what happened to a Mister Longbottom. And after some talks with Dumbledore, I found out that part of the issue is that the brooms were all generally old and donated to the school. Not one is the same type nor of the same condition, though they're all a bit banged up."

Slowly nodding, Dumbledore chuckled with a twinkle in his eye. "Indeed, it has been a bit of an issue. Up until a decade or two ago, I was able to use the money that would have gone to Binns for such things, but then things unfortunately changed and it was decided that said money should go... elsewhere, as it were. And with the war and such? Well..."

Interested, Harry looked between them with wide eyes. "So the Royal Navy is buying brooms for Hogwarts?"

With a smirk on her face, Victory nodded. "That's right, Harry. Or, rather, the shipgirls of the Royal Navy are 'Donating' enough new brooms to replace all the old ones. We did ask that Madame Hooch accompany us to buy them, but what happened to your friend shouldn't. Of course... We are making sure that it is known exactly who is donating them.'

Furrowing her eyebrows, Haru turned towards Dumbledore in confusion. "Wouldn't that cause issues? I mean, the Royal Navy is non-magical..."

Eyes twinkling, there was a rather large grin on Dumbledore's face. "You would be, of course, correct, Miss Haru. The Board was not quite happy at first. But then Madame Longbottom made several good points regarding it. And I may have mentioned that this may help convince shipgirls to join the magical world in a more... official stance. I perhaps did not mention that it may go the other way as well due to how young minds are."

There were amused and knowing looks all around at that as chuckles were shared.
______________________________________________________________________

Leaning back against Harry, Iku let out a sigh as the Sun warmed her skin. Eyes closed, the Submarine hummed gently as she felt the cool breeze brush against her skin. Since coming back, she like many shipgirls had found themselves enjoying the more simple things in life. More the one shipgirl loved to simply doze in such situations. Opening her eye a crack though, Iku could only smile at the sight of Harry reading a book. The two of them were leaning against Louisiana, who herself was leaning against the large oak tree Harry had chosen as his on the banks of the Black Lake.

On the Battleship's other side, Yukikaze was laying with one of Louisiana's arms around her. Eyes closed, the Destroyer's chest rose and fell with each slow breath. None of the three shipgirls nor one human boy really spoke, they were simply enjoying the lazy few hours before they left for home. Moving, Iku pushed Harry's legs apart enough and then laid down with her head against his stomach. Looking down at her, Harry smiled a bit with a raised eyebrow. "Comfortable?"

With a grin on her face as she nodded back, Iku let out a soft breath. "Yeah, I'm pretty comfortable." Then wiggling a bit, she looked up at him. "Especially as I have a great pillow right now."

Rolling his eyes, Harry just shook his head before placing his hand on her head and running his fingers through her hair. As Iku's eyes became hooded, Harry let out his own sigh. "Thanks, I'm glad that you're enjoying yourself, Iku-Chan. There's a reason why I like this spot after all."

Unknown to him, for a brief moment there was an image in Iku's mind. It was the same scene except Harry was older and several other shipgirls that were not there, had joined them in Iku's mind's eye. Hachi was one of them and cuddled into Harry's side with a happy smile on her face as she joined Harry in reading his book. Then the scene was gone, though Iku stored away the memory to use later on during lonely patrols of the North Pacific.

Just like she was doing with the current time as it always made things a bit easier to have them. Memories of warm, lazy and sunny days which chased away loneliness and cold. 'Dear Kami, I don't care if we're just friends or something more. Please always have him with us and giving me times like this.'

Louisiana then hummed a bit as she looked out over the Black Lake. Every so often, she spotted what looked like mermaid children leaping out of the water only to splash down. "It is quite lovely out. The Sun, it is quite warm and but not burning. But we also have a refreshing breeze to cool us. It is... perfect."

Turning a page, Harry smiled a bit. "Well, it is the Scottish Highlands. They don't get as hot or humid as back in Yokosuka."

When he looked up though, his eyes widened some and he placed down his book. Iku noted that it had two weasels in cloaks on it with one having a staff of some kind. Around there were a number of some kind of rodent with fangs. "Something wrong, Harry-Chan?"

Just glancing at her, Harry nodded in the direction he was looking as he pulled out his phone and brought up the camera. "Looks like Ooi-Nee has a few visitors right now. I got to take some pictures for Kitakami-Nee!"

Blinking, Iku looked in that direction and felt her eyebrows raise as a frozen Ooi stood in front of a group of Unicorns. As she watched, one of them stepped forward until it was inches away and simply waited for Ooi to act. Slowly, the Light Cruiser reached up with one hand until it stopped, hovering just above the fur. Then, very gently, Ooi brought her hand down onto the shining white fur and her expression shifted to one of pure awe and happiness. Expression soft, Iku shook her head. "I think that is the best end to this trip for Ooi-San that could have happened."

Only watching as Ooi seemed to be silently crying as she placed her hands around the Unicorn's neck and buried her face in it's mane, Harry just nodded and put away the phone. "Dess, I think that she really needed this."

With some final looks, every one turned their heads away to give the Light Cruiser some privacy as the Unicorn nuzzled her some. It went without saying that Ooi, when she came back to where they were, had a smile on her face which showed just how happy she was with everything. Though Harry did not expect the day after she got back to Yokosuka, for Kitakami to hug him and thank him for everything he did. Something that confused Harry before he simply shrugged and hugged her back.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

There was a smile on Harry's face as he looked down at the package in his hands. Said package was not very big and was addressed to him, but most would have wondered why he was so happy to get it. In all actuality, most wouldn't have known that he was happy that it got there when it did as it made some plans he had much easier and gave him more time to see them through. "They're going to be so excited for this..."

Before he could do anything else though, Harry heard the sound of flesh hitting stone alongside steel and was just turning when a weight slammed into his back. "GARURURU!" Wrapping her arms around his neck, RO also wrapped her legs around his waist and grinned a bit. "You should have kept an eye out for Submarines, Harry-Chan!"

Stumbling forward, Harry just managed to catch himself before he looked over his shoulder at the unpentant RO. "Guess that you're just too good, RO-Chan."

A grin on her face, RO reached back and flipped some of her nearly bleached blonde hair over her shoulder. "Of course I am. But it is good to see that some accept it." Then she spotted what was in Harry's hands and tilted her head in curiosity. "What's this now?"

With a smirk on her face, Harry reached back and tapped her on the nose with made her sneeze before wiggling it. "It's a surprise for someone, RO-Chan. But I can say that it's not for you or any of the Submarines."

Pouting a bit, RO closed her eyes and huffed a bit as she continued to hang on while leaning bacl some. "And you're not going to tell me? No fair, Harry-Chan." Cracking open one eye and seeing his grin, she then went back to being pressed close to his back and staring at the package as if she could see into it. "Just a hint? Please?"

Unable to help himself, Harry gave a laugh. "It's a gift for some people who might otherwise be very bored while I am at school. I'm setting up something just for them really."

Only raising an eyebrow, RO laid her chin on his shoulder. "That doesn't really narrow it down much. We'll all be bored while you're at school." In reply, Harry just shrugged and so the Submarine hummed a bit. "We are going to miss you, Harry-Chan. Last year was bad enough."

Sighing, Harry gave a nod as he looked up at the blue sky above them. "I know, but I need to learn magic since it might help me become an even better Admiral! And Akashi-Oba thinks that the potions and such that I am learning could help all of you out a lot."

Just huffing a bit, RO gave him a small squeeze. "I guess." To Harry's confusion, she closed her eyes and gave a serious nod. "Then there's only one thing for me to do!"

Before he could ask, RO buried her face into the crook of his neck and began to hum. Squirming just a bit at the sensation, Harry blushed slightly and gave her a look. "U-um, RO-Chan? What are you doing?"

Frowning, RO opened one eye and Harry was struck by how her deeply tanned skin made the blue of her eyes stand out. "What else, Harry-Chan? If you're going to be leaving again then I need to recharge my Harry-Chan reserves!"

That caused Harry to blink a little in utter confusion, but also amusement. "Recharging your 'Harry-Chan Reserves', RO-Chan? Really?"

Once more, she gave a serious nod. "Ja, I need recharging of my Harry-Chan reserves and so do the others. That way, we can last through until we can get some more of you." RO then pointed at something off to the side. "Just like the Fuso sisters are doing with Shigure-San for their trip back to Sasebo. They're recharging their luck from her after all."

With a slow blink, Harry turned to look in the direction she had pointed and raised an eyebrow. Sure enough, there were Fuso and Yamashiro sitting on a bench with Shigure between them. Both Battleships were holding one of the Destroyer's arms against their chests as they squished her between them with their faces buried in her neck. Eyes closed, they seemed to be almost vibrating while Shigure had an mostly unreadable expression on her face. There was definetely a lot of resigned amusement there though. Giving a wave, Harry got a nod from her and a slight smile. "Huh..."

However, having turned away, he missed RO give Shigure a knowing smirk and a wink. Both of which caused the shipgirl to blush and look away best that she could... which only caused her nose to be buried into Yamashiro's hair and for the Destroyer to freeze. 'Hehehehe, success!' Then RO turned back to Harry and raised one eyebrow. "You've gotten a lot stronger, Harry-Chan."

Blinking at the odd comment, Harry looked over his shoulder at her. "I have?"

Slowly, RO nodded as she raised a finger and tapped him on the chest. "You're carrying me, after all. And with no trouble! I remember a time when you couldn't!"

As he frowned and looked at her, Harry shrugged. "Maybe. Then again, I'm twelve now and you're pretty light." He tilted his head to the side as he noticed RO blush some and look away. 'Wonder what that was about?'

Then RO just tightened her hold a bit and set her chin back down on his shoulder with a small, soft smile. "Danke." Giggling some, she shook her head and gave him a bright smile. "But you have gotten a bit bigger, Harry-Chan!"

Smiling back, Harry nodded. "Yup! And one day I'll be even bigger! Then I'll be able to carry all of you."

Lips twitching, there was something in RO's eyes that Harry could not identify. "Maybe you will, Harry-Chan. Maybe you will." After nearly a minute during which RO had a distant expression on her face, she shook it off and turned back to Harry. "By the way, Harry-Chan, are you going to be coming over tonight?"

Head tilted to the side, Harry hummed a bit. "You mean over to the Sub Pens?" At her nod, he grinned a bit. "Sure! I don't mind, it's been a little bit."

RO quickly nodded some with a smile. "Well, we're all here for a couple days. Shioi-Chan, Iku-Chan, Hachi-Chan, Imuya-Chan, Maruyu-Chan, me, Taigei-Nee-San, and Ryuuhou-Nee-San. And you did just spend a few days with Iku-Chan after all." Tapping him on the nose, she giggled as his eyes crossed. "And you shouldn't spend a lot of time with just one of us, it might make us all jealous!"

Blinking, Harry furrowed his eyebrows. "Jealous? Poi?"

With a serious nod, RO gave him a frown though her eyes twinkled in amusement. "Ja, jealous. You want to know something, Harry-Chan? Something that you need to keep a secret?"

Just nodding, Harry looked at her directly. "Sure! What is it?"

Leaning in, RO glanced around before whispering in his ear. She pretended not to notice as he gave a small shiver. "Keep this a secret, but the others? They're looking forward for when you're older because we want you as our Admiral. You've treated us good, so don't forget about us Submarines when you make your fleet!" When she pulled away, she gave him an odd smile. "But no matter what, we'll always be there for you, Harry-Chan."

After a few moments, Harry just gave her a smile. "And I'd love to be your Admiral, RO-Chan. Yours and the others... Though I don't know how Goto-Oji-San would react to me poaching you."

To his confusion, RO let out a bunch of giggles and tapped one finger against her chin. "Oh, I think that Teitoku already knows~ And I don't think that he minds at all." Shifting around on his back some, she let out a soft sigh. "Just keep noticing us, okay?"

Suddenly, it was her turn to be surprised as Harry placed his package under one arm and then reached up with the other before grasping one of her hands tightly. "Don't worry about that, RO-Chan. I'll always notice you and the others, always. I promise."

Brightly blushing, RO looked down some and whispered as she tried to ignore how her engines felt like they were about to redline. "Ja, I know. And so do the others." Closing her eyes, she just laid her face in the crook of Harry's neck and closed her eyes. Slowly, she relaxed due to the feeling of Harry's movement under her with each step as he continued to walk. 'We all know, and that is why...'

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Having needed some new movies to watch that night, Taigei had headed to the one place on base where she could easily get some. Naka's quarters in the Light Cruiser Dorm. However, being as she was not there, Taigei had made her way over to Naka's office and, upon reaching it, was about to knock on the door when she stopped at hearing Sendai's voice. "I really don't know what I am going to do, Naka-Chan! I've really started pulling out the stops!"

Not usually being one for spying, Taigei was still as interested in gossip as anyone else and so leaned towards the door to listen in. Inside, Naka chuckled a bit. "You really got it bad, don't you?"

On the other side of the connection, Sendai grumbled. "Yes, but can you blame me? I'm really interested in him and he just keeps dodging! Sure, we've gone out on some dates, but he keeps turning down Yasen... Yasen! With me! And it is driving me nuts! The fact that he keeps doing this is making me only more interested!"

Inside the office, Naka leaned against her fist and smiled a bit. It wasn't often that she saw the "Oldest" of her sisters get as frustrated as this, but when she did it was a real treat. Especially considering the reason. 'Guess this guy somehow managed to figure out the right buttons to keep her interested. Then again, every other time a guy or girl gave in, Sendai basically dropped them soon after.' Sipping her soda, Naka shrugged a bit. "Maybe you should get him interested somehow or something. I mean, after that incident at the beach-"

Face having become pink, Sendai glared at her. "You swore not to talk about that! Do you have any idea what getting bit on the ass feels like?"

Her own expression blank, Naka shook her head. "No, I don't. And I'm not about to get involved in something like that."

Unknown to Sendai, Naka grinned internally at the sight of Sendai growling with a metaphorical storm cloud over her head. "Shut up." Then she waved her hands around and Naka choked a bit on her soda. "I've tried everything! Do you know how hard it is to sneak a cake into someone's place without them knowing, get into a bikini, and then climb into the cake so that you can jump out and surprise them when they come into the kitchen!? It's not easy, let me tell you that!"

Coughing a bit, Naka pounded her chest before gulping down some air. "Uh... No, I'm afraid that I don't know how hard it is..."

Not having noticed the wierded out expression on her sister's face, Sendai huffed a bit and crossed her arms. "I'm considering sneaking into his room after one of our dates, wrapping myself in ribbons, and asking if he wants to unwrap me. Seriously, he's interested, but he just won't give in!" Moments later, she blinked as Naka facepalmed. "Something wrong?"

Slowly shaking her head, Naka sighed with an utterly blank expression. "No, nothing is wrong..." Internally though, she was groaning. 'Guess his screen name is well chosen with a will of iron like that...'

Outside the door, Taigei blinked before turning and rapidly walking away. 'Nope, I'm just heading back to the Sub Pens. I don't need any new movies or such as it would just bother Naka...'

Meanwhile, at the Submarine Pens, Harry frowned and tilted his head as he looked at the odd device in front of him. "Uh... what is this?"

Grinning a bit, Iku giggled some. "It's a magical ice maker I picked up on our trip. See, it makes large blocks of ice, which we take out and put... right over there in that netting." She pointed towards cargo netting hanging above the surface of the water. Small streams of water came from them as above, there were several fans. "Those fans are hooked up to the solar panels and a wind turbine we got. They blow air across the ice, cooling it with the internal circulation system then distributing it throughout our rooms! It's keeping us nice and cool compared to the rest of the base."

For several moments Harry considered what he had been told before slowly nodding as he could feel a small amount of goosebumps on his skin. As he watched, another block of ice was pushed out from the ice maker by some fairies in winter clothing. Placing said block into a basket, it was pulled upwards and then along a rope that crossed the ceiling until it reached the net. Then with a yank, the bottom opened up and the ice dropped out and onto the net. "Huh... that's kind of neat."

A bright smile on her face, Iku nodded before patting him on the shoulder. "Anyways, we should be heading to the others! And Maruyu-Chan wants to show you something!"

Not quite sure what she meant, Harry allowed himself to be pushed along until they reached the Submarine's common area. Upon entering though, he stopped as he noticed Maruyu. However, before he could say anything, the small Submarine rushed over and gave him a hug. "Harry-Chan! Guess what?"

Suddenly, Harry grinned a bit and hugged her back. "You got your Kai rebuild?"

Blinking, Maruyu looked up at him in both surprise and confusion. "I... How'd you guess!?"

Only looking her over, the black haired boy shrugged a bit and then snickered. "Well... it's just a difference I guess." Seeing the confusion, he rubbed the back of his head. "Um, you know how you might notice that someone has had a slightly different haircut then normal or something? But that they're surprised that you did notice? I guess it's kind of like that?"

Maruyu just gave him an odd look at that. "Really? Because that's kind of weird, Harry-Chan." Before he could say anything though, she just hugged him even tighter. "It's nice though that you noticed."

Hearing a sound, they all turned to see Taigei walk in with a slightly disturbed expression on her face. At seeing them though, her usual one of a smile returned. "Sorry, I was... unable to talk with Naka-San, so I think that we might need to just make do with what we have."

Just shrugging, Imuya rolled her eyes. "It's not that big of a deal, Taigei-Nee-San. We got plenty of stuff to do anyways."

With a yelp though, she was pushed to the side as RO leapt forward and thrust a fist into the air with a shout of glee. "Never mind that! Let's get this party started! Who's with me!"

It went without saying that she got shouts of agreement from everyone there.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Pulling the metal tankard away from his lips, Harry licked the foam and droplets of amber liquid on his lips away. As he set it aside, he noticed Taigei grab the bottle in front of her and then give it a spin. Going around and around, the bottle spun in the middle of the circle in front of them. Eventually, it began to slow and finally stopped on Ryuuhou. Reaching for a card in the pile of them, the Light Carrier gave her twin a betrayed look. "I... chose this one."

When she flipped the card there was only a moment before she grimaced and groaned. Taigei meanwhile poked her fingers together with a unsure smile. "Um... sorry?" At the look she got, she blushed some. "You did pick that card after all."

All Harry could do was snicker for a bit before Ryuuhou spun the bottle again. This time though, it landed on him and he blinked. Leaning forward, Hachi pouted some as she drank from her own foamed up tankard. "Hach-Chan was hoping that when it was my turn to spin the bottle it would land on Harry-Chan."

Scratching her cheek, Ryuuhou looked at Harry who was staring down at the pile of cards as RO resorted them and set them down. "Well... we've been playing for a while so, um... it might get to be your turn? Or maybe Harry-Chan's spin will land on you?"

Expression brightening, the blonde haired Submarine nodded some. "You're right!" Turning to Harry, she smiled a bit and leaned against one fist. "Come on, Harry-Chan! Get finished so you can have it land on me!"
Just chuckling, Harry picked one of the cards and then narrowed his eyes before flipping it. Blinking, Harry felt his eyebrows raise upwards as he frowned. Meanwhile, beside him, Imuya frowned and shook her head. "Now that is a hard one, Harry-Chan." Then she patted him on the shoulder. "But I'm sure that you can do it."

Narrowing his eyes, Harry took a deep breath and then hummed. Glancing up at the others, he bit his lip some. "Um... I'm really not used to this..."

Giggling, RO gave him a thumbs up. "Don't sweat it, Harry-Chan! Besides, you're pretty good at this!"

A small blush on her face, Maruyu nodded some. "Hai, she's right. Mogu, mogu."

With a wink, Iku nodded some. "Yeah, so show Ryuuhou-Nee-San what you got! Strike fast just like me, the Sniper of the Seas!" Now grinning, she was bouncing a bit. "Do it! Do it! Do it!"

Slowly blinking, Harry grabbed his drink and then took a deep pull before he set it down. "Okay..." Taking a breath, he let it out before slamming his finger down on the silhouette on the card. "It's a Gearing class!"

Everyone held their breath as they looked towards Iku who had the answer sheet in front of her. Gently picking up Harry's card, she compared it with the silhouettes on it before narrowing her eyes. "Is that your answer, Harry-Chan?" At his nod, Iku was all smiles. "Yup! It's a Gearing!"

Patting his shoulder, Imuya laughed as she shook her head. "See, Harry-Chan? We told you that you could do it!" Finishing off her drink, she held the tankard high into the air. "Another drink, Taigei-Nee-San! Please?"

Only giggling, the Submarine Tender got up and took the tankard and glanced at Harry who drained the rest of his. "Thanks, Taigei-Chan! I really love your ginger ale floats!"

Simply giving him a smile over her shoulder, Taigei nodded. "I'm glad that you like them so much, Harry-Chan. Though you really should also thank Ryuuhou-Chan. After all, she made the ice cream that I'm using."

Internally chuckling as Harry did exactly that to the smiling and bashful Light Carrier, Taigei rinsed out the tankards quickly and then began refilling them with ginger ale. 'I'm so happy about us laughing and enjoying tonight.'

While Taigei was making more floats, Harry leaned back a bit and looked at the game box. "This is a pretty hard game, Dess. But a lot of fun!"

Giggling, Iku nodded some as she pulled away her own tankard, a mustache of foam on her lips with soon canished with some licks. "It really is, Harry-Chan. Told you that 'Up Pariscope' was a lot of fun. Most shipgirls besides us Submarines don't really have a good chance at it though."

Softly snickering, Hachi smirked. "You should have heard about the time that Harder got Jersey to sit down and play a game with some of the American Subgirls. Apparently Jersey eventually threw her hands up and stated she would kick all the ships' asses and be able to use 'Fucking American Grade-Fucking-A Radar just like God intended' before leaving. Harder and the others were laughing so hard."

Harry turned to look at said box and read it outloud. "'Up Periscope! Pacific War Edition! Boggle your friends with your ability to identify ships simply from silhouettes just like Submariners! Over fifty different classes of ships from patrol boats up to Battleships and Carriers!'"

At least part of Harry's amusement was the image of Ryuujou on the cover in a pose and winking at the viewer with the words 'Check out my silhouette, isn't it unique?' Taking a bit from a cracker, Shioi nodded some as she leaned back on both hands. "It's pretty hard to identify a ship just from the silhouette though at times. And this is nothing compared to doing it out at sea, at night, with barely any light."

That got her nods from the other Subgirls as Taigei walked back over and set down the tankards in front of Harry and Imuya. "Here you go." Once they thanked her, she sighed a bit and sat back with a small smile. "Okay, Harry-Chan. Now your turn to spin the bottle."

With a nod, Harry grabbed the bottle and spun it... with it landing on Hachi who grinned. "Yes! My turn!"

Grinning, Harry shook his head a bit. "Yup! Your turn, Hachi-Chan! Now show us what you got!"

In reply, Hachi gave him a thumbs up and then placed her hands down on the pile of cards. "Okay... Hacchan will place her trust in the Heart of the Cards! HA!" Yanking one out, she looked at it and then grinned before showing it. "It's Kaga!"

Claps came from those around as it was easily recognizable as said ship. When she spun it though, the bottle landed on Shioi who grinned and grabbed a card. Laughing, the Submarine shook her head. "I got the same card as Harry-Chan! A Gearing!"

Slightly frowning, Iku looked at the card and narrowed her eyes. Checking it against the sheet, she suddenly smirked. "Nope! You misidentified it! It's actually a Allen M. Sumner class!" Eyes narrowing, she pointed at the shocked Shioi. "And you know what that means!"

Mouth working for a moment, Shioi looked at each of her friends only to see them all grinning. "L-look, I'm sure that I got it right! I'm positive!"

Only shaking her head, Iku sighed and then flipped around the sheet she was holding and held the question next to first the silhouette for the Gearing and then next to the silhouette of the Allen M. Sumner. Frowning, RO narrowed her eyes and then slowly nodded. "Ja, Iku-Chan is right, Shioi-Chan. And you know what that means..."

Brightly blushing, Shioi looked around again. "Mercy?"

However, Harry shook his head and wagged a finger at her. "No. No Mercy, Shioi-Chan." Leaning forward, his eyes glowed malevolently. When Shioi glanced over at Hachi, said Submarine adjusted her glasses with the light reflecting off them evilly. "And you know what happens next..."

Simply hanging her head, Shioi wiggled a bit in her spot as her face burned. Then, sighing, she got up and walked over to an open spot of the floor. Still grinning, Iku shook head as she reached to her side. "Sorry, Shioi-Chan, but that's the house rules. No bad feelings, ne?"

Glaring, Shioi stomped one foot as the others all snickered. "You all suck! SUCK I SAY!" With a shrug, Iku pressed play and the Vengaboys song "We like to Party" started playing. Still pouting, Shioi started to do an odd dance that Harry knew was from some commercial for a theme park in the United States. By the time the annoyed Submarine was done, everyone else was laughing or giggling madly. Sitting back down, Shioi glared at them all. "I hate each and every one of you."

Moments later though, her blush was for a different reason as a snickering Harry grabbed her into a hug. "Aw, that's okay, Shioi-Chan! After all I still love you and so do that others!"

To his confusion though, Shioi hid her face in her hands though he could see a hint of a massive smile behind them. Clearing her throat, Iku also had a blush on her face before she raised a hand. "Um, right then! Five minute break from the game."

Just shrugging it off, Harry then turned towards Taigei who seemed really amused. "Taigei-Chan?" Getting a nod from her to continue, Harry did so. "I heard that Akashi-Oba figured out your new Kai form since Ryuuhou-Chan is here."

It took a few moments, but then Taigei nodded with a sparkle in her eyes. "Well... Akashi-San thinks that she can add a lot to my hull to make be better able to be a Submarine Tender. Stuff like small forges and workshops so that if the girls need minor repairs, I can manage that. Oh! And she thinks that she can make me a combination Destroyer and Submarine Tender for my Kai Ni, but she is still trying to figure that out."
Eyes wide, it took a moment before Harry was all smiles again. "That would be so cool, Taigei-Chan! You'll be even more awesome then you are already!"

All the Submarine Tender did in reply was to blush and scratch her cheek. "Thank you, Harry-Chan." Glancing at the clock, she slowly shook her head. "Anyways, we should probably get back to the game. We'll be heading for bed soon enough."

Throwing her hands out, Iku grinned. "Oh! That reminds me! I found this awesome bunch of magical sleeping bags on sale! They keep you cool when it's hot out, warm when it's cold, and dry when it's wet! And best of all, you can take several, unzipper them, and then zipper the sleeping bags together to get this one big one!"

Several moments later, all the Submarines were smiles as they realized what it meant for cuddlepiles.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Having just gotten home from his sleepover at the Submarine pens, Harry was just getting himself a drink when there was a knock at the door. A frown on his face, Harry twisted the cap off the bottle and then opened to the door only to blink at what met him. "Jane? Kiyoshimo-San? What are you two doing here?"

To his confusion, Jane snickered before winking. "We heard that you got back and it took a bit to convince Mutsu-Mama to come down here. Though she needed to talk with Aunt Nagato about something rather important~"

Simply raising an eyebrow, Harry frowned a bit before blinking. "Is this about Uncle John finally laying some keels in her slipway?" At the shocked expression on Jane's face, he snickered. "What? Didn't think that I would know?"

For her part, Kiyoshimo only blinked in confusion. "Wait, how did you know? She only found out two days ago!"

A smirk on his face, Harry grinned a bit. "I have my ways."

Quickly shaking off her shock, Jane huffed a bit before also grinning. "Yeah! Mutsu-Mama is going to have Twins! Just like I said and I already know that they're going to be adorable."

With a small sigh, Kiyoshimo then pointed at Harry. "By the way! We're here for what we asked for you to pick up for us!"

Nodding, Jane clinched her fists in excitement. "Dragon's milk! So that we can drink it and grow up into Battleships!"

There was silence before Harry scratched his cheek. "Oh yeah, Dragon's milk... Right..."

Expression falling, Jane narrowed her eyes at him. "You did remember to pick it up, right Cuz? I mean, you didn't forget it or anything."

Rolling his eyes, Harry let out a sigh. "No, I remembered and got some for you." All Harry did was walk over to the fridge and open the door before pulling out a small bottle of a white substance before placing it onto the table. "Here you go, normally it's used in stuff like upper end burn healing potions and the like."

While Kiyoshimo examined it, Jane frowned and looked towards Harry. "That's it? That's all that you managed to get?"

Harry just gave her a look. "Do you have any idea the looks I got for getting just that much? And for asking if it was fit for human comsumption? And this is from an actual apothecary in Diagon." He then narrowed his eyes a bit. "I also had to slip this past Mum, because I know how she might react to you two using it."

Softly snorting, Jane shrugged. "Whatever, we'll drink it and grow up into Battleships. After all, if normal milk makes you grow big and strong, then dragon's milk would make you huge and super strong, in other words a Battleship!"

Only shaking his head, Harry sighed a bit. "Whatever." Suddenly, he snapped his fingers. "Right! I found that sea chest that you wanted."

Excitement coming back, Jane perked up a bit and began to push Harry along. "Show me! Show me! Because from you say magical trunks and stuff are awesome! And I can't wait to see it!" Looking over her shoulder, she gestured at Kiyoshimo. "Come on, Kiyoshimo! You've got to see this!"

Glancing at the bottle of milk, Kiyoshimo looked back at Jane before following. Unnoticed by them, Inazuma was right outside the apartment and poked her head in with confusion on her face. "Jane? Kiyoshimo-Chan?"

Behind her, Ikazuchi looked around and frowned. "Uh, where did they go? I heard them just now after all..."

Hibiki gave a small nod. "Da, I heard them as well, and I want to talk to Harry-Chan..." Then she noticed that the door to Harry's room was open and could hear voices inside. "I think that they went in there."

With a smile, Akatsuki nodded and walked in with them following. "Well, let's go greet them!"

A frown on her face, Inazuma just waved them on. "I'll wait out here for you. Just in case Kaa-San shows up and I need to tell her where you went."

Giving her sister a nod, Ikazuchi walked to the door and opened it. Seeing Harry, Jane, and KIyoshimo around what looked like a chest, she grinned. "Hey guys! What's that?"

Just jumping a bit, Harry blinked and looked over at her in surprise. "Ikazuchi-Chan? When did you get back?"

Softly smiling, Hibiki pointed the way that they came. "We just arrived an hour ago, Kaa-San is giving a report to Teitoku." Tilting her head to the side, the white haired Destroyer blinked as she looked at the chest. "What's this?"

Patting it, Jane grinned a bit. "It's the new sea chest that Cuz got for me. It's pretty awesome as it has expanded insides and is charmed to make sure that stuff doesn't get knocked around when put inside. You know, in case of storms and stuff."

That got her an awed look from Akatsuki who made her way over to look at it. "Wow! That's amazing..." Blinking, she turned to Harry with a hopeful expression. "This is something for real ladies, where did you get it?"

While he scratched the top of his head, the black haired boy frowned a bit. "I got it from the storage shed at my family's property..." Seeing her face fall, Harry waved around his hands. "But I'm sure that I can get more elsewhere!"

Eyes wide, Akatsuki hugged him with a smile. "Thank you, Harry-Chan!"

Hugging her back, Harry only shrugged. "You're welcome?" Internally though, he frowned a bit. 'Now where to find them? Because I guess that would make for a good Christmas gift...'

Snapping her fingers, Kiyoshimo jumped to her feet. "Right! This is cool and all, but not what we came for. Jane? Forward! To Battleship-hood!"

Also jumping to her feet, Jane joined Kiyoshimo in charging to the door, only to blink as they noticed Inazuma holding a bottle to her mouth. Seeing their stares, she blushed a bit. "Um, sorry... I was really, really thirsty, Nanodesu."

With a shout, Kiyoshimo rushed forward and grabbed the bottle before hanging her head. "She drank almost three quarters of it..."

Hands waving in the air, Inazuma panicked a bit. "Hwawawa! Sorry! I didn't know that it was yours!"

More then a little amused, Harry walked forward and snickered a bit. "Actually, it's something I bought for them... And it's not that big of a deal."

Jane took a deep breath and nodded. "Yeah, at least you didn't drink all of it." Taking the bottle from Kiyoshimo, Jane swished the contents around a bit and then grimaced. "Okay, I'll take half and you take the other half?" At the nod from KIyoshimo, she tilted back the bottle and swallowed about half of what was left and then handing it to the Destroyer who chugged the rest. Meanwhile, Jane hacked a bit. "Ugh! Why does it taste spicy!?"

Blinking, Inazuma scratched the back of her head. "Um, I kind of liked it myself, Nanodesu." With a small frown on her face, she turned to Harry. "What kind of drink it is?"

Only watching as Kiyoshimo stuck out her tongue, Harry rolled his eyes a bit. "Dragon's milk."

It was then that a watcher from the door spoke up and caused them to turn to see a bemused Tenryuu there. "Dragon's milk. Seriously?" At the nod, she pinched her nose. "Okay... first, why did you get that?"

All Jane did was give her a look. "So that we could drink it and become Battleships, duh. Milk makes you grow up big and strong, especially if you drink a lot. So dragon's milk, because it comes from dragons, would be way better at that. So then we'll grow up to become Battleships."

That, if anything, only caused Tenryuu to become even more amused. "Right, of course. I suppose that makes sense. And if Harry got it for you, I am sure he checked to see if it was safe to drink?"

Giving her a look, Harry scowled and crossed his arms. "Of course I checked! Jane is my cousin, so I'm not going to give her something that could hurt her!" Then he tilted his head in thought. "Though the witch at the apothecary gave me looks and shook her head when I asked."

Slowly nodding, Tenryuu hummed a bit. "Right. Just the same though I'll get some Tums or something, just in case." At their looks, she rolled her visible eye. "Because drinking or eating something that you're not used to can make your stomach upset, duh." Turning back to Harry, Tenryuu raised her eyebrow. "So then... Where the heck does dragon milk come from?"

In reply, Harry shrugged. "A gland on their belly that leaks out from between their scales. They apparently coat their eggs in it to add another layer to the shell once it dries. Then when the young do hatch, they just lick it up from the belly patch."

Tenryuu was just able to hold back loud laughter at how green Jane and Kiyoshimo turned at that information. But then she facepalmed as Inazuma licked her lips with a thoughtful smile on her face. "It tasted pretty good actually."

With a sigh escaping her, Tenryuu pinched her nose. 'Why, Ami-Chan... Just why?'

Then Jane turned to Kiyoshimo with a frown on her face. "So? Feel anything?"

Closing her eyes, the Destroyer hummed a bit and had a look of concentration on her face. Then Kiyoshimo's shoulders slumped. "No... nothing at all."

Her own shoulders slumping, Jane nodded. "Yeah, I don't feel any different either." She then turned to Inazuma with a slight frown. "You drank more, how do you feel?"

For a moment, Inazuma frowned and tapped her finger against her chin. Then she nodded. "Um, I'm feeling thirsty still, Nanodesu."

Snapping her fingers, Jane huffed a bit. "Shoot." Moments later, she perked up and looked at Harry. "Hey, maybe we just need to drink more! Like regular milk."

For a second, Harry was silent before jerking his thumb at the bottle. "That cost me four Galleons. It's not cheap! I mean, you are talking about getting milk from annoyed mother dragons guarding their nests..."

At the looks on Jane's and Kiyoshimo's faces, Tenryuu had to turn and hold one hand on her mouth to keep from laughing.

 

[darthcourt10]

Snippet 1: S0ngD0g13

The earlier discussion about a War Demon challenging Gibraltar to a duel got stuck in my head and grew like kudzu mainlining Miracle-Gro. Of course, something that Epic can't be properly told all in one go, so here's Part One.

..............................................

The Demon's Honor, Part 1

The Northern War Demon glared back along her route and saw the smoke of her last escort as the destroyer burned; she'd heard the shots echoing and the screams of her fellow Abyssal as the Shipgirl fleet pursuing her caught up and gunned it down. A single boom rang out over the southern Atlantic and the destroyer's dying howls cut off abruptly. At least someone back there had enough heart to give Rotte the mercy-stroke; she was bold as a lion, that Ro-Class, but burning was her greatest fear...

She shook her head and turned her bows south again, flicking a half-hearted burst of flak at the seaplane tailing her with her one functioning AA gun as she limped down the coast of Spain.

Two weeks, now... Two weeks they've dogged my trail south from my home-waters, whittling away at my fleet and myself from range, never content to stand and fight! Death by a thousand cuts! Cowards, all of them! My battleships, Tatzel and Rukh, torpedoed in the night! Nebel, that mad bitch of a cruiser, ran down by those damnable torpedo boats and torn apart as she turned at bay! At least I avenged her; I hope I hit their handler when I hurled the dogs' heads back at their formation...

The Northern War Demon limped on...

It was three days later that the people of Gibraltar saw an unheard-of sight; a bleeding, ragged Abyssal steaming toward their harbor, a string of signal flags flying that indicated a desire to talk.

As a crowd gathered, the Abyssal called out in a booming voice, "I call upon the Hospitality of the Rock and ask Sanctuary from my Foes on this Neutral Ground!"

A woman stepped out of the throng, tall and dark of hair; those that saw her would swear her face was at once young and maiden-like, motherly and full-grown, and aged with the weight of years. The woman called out to the Abyssal. "Would a Pirate ask Sanctuary of me? Why should I allow you in my harbor, Bloody-Handed Reaver?"

The Abyssal smiled a red-fanged smile and brought her right fist up to her chest in salute. "Well Met, O Goddess of the Rock. I'll not deny I've slain my share and more than my share; I am what I am, no more and no less. But I have come to your door from without your waters, Gatekeeper of the First Sea, nor have I brought harm to any under your aegis, neither by Word nor Deed. I am Athirst, and I Hunger. My limbs are weary and my spirits low; I ask again for Sanctuary and Succor."

A fleet of Shipgirls rounded the harbor's northern point, and a pair of girls sailed forward. "Abyssal! We finally have you cornered! People, clear away from the pier!" the shorter of the two shouted in the Queen's English. Her taller counterpart slewed her main battery into position to cover the War Demon.

Gibraltar roared aloud, "KMS Bismarck, HMS Hood, you will stand down Now! This Abyssal has invoked my Neutrality and asked for Sanctuary; you'll not violate that." She turned to face the War Demon. "I do not trust you, Abyssal, but your words ring true. Forty-eight hours I'll grant you on my shores, and not a minute further. Harm none in that time and you'll not be harmed. Harm so much as a single hair on a monkey's head and I'll personally destroy you utterly. Agreed?"

The War Demon nodded and saluted once more. "Agreed, Gatekeeper, and I thank you for your Hospitality."

Gibraltar nodded back, her wine-dark eyes hard. "Do not thank me, Abyssal; in two days' time you'll be gone, and I'll be glad of it."

 

[darthcourt10]

Snippet 2: S0ngD0g13

A Houshou omake
........................................

"Good afternoon, Mister McAmis," said Houshou as the short American jogged up next to her on her afternoon walk, a trio of lanky, long-legged scent-hounds capering around his legs. Japan's first Carrier took in his appearance, the thin-but-wiry build on his short frame, the bark-brown hair just starting to grow out from its customary medium-fade cut and speckled at the temples with a slight dusting of gray. She took note of his crooked nose and the thin scar on his upper lip that traced through his moustache, and the ever-present hint of laughter in his hazel eyes.

He'd been jogging this same route every other day for as long as she could remember, exercising himself and the dogs he was Lead-Handler of. He nodded politely as they came to a bench and paused to rest. "Hazard, Bombard, Assail; sit, you three." Once the hounds, personifications of three Admirable-Class Minesweepers, had sat and been duly rewarded with strips of jerky from the pouch at McAmis's belt, he turned to Houshou and smiled. "Afternoon, Miss Houshou; how've you been?" His voice was soft, and still carried the accent of his youth in East Tennessee. His face split with a smirk. "And how many times do I have to tell you, 'James' is just fine; no need to go callin' me 'Mister'."

Houshou chuckled warmly as they settled into their normal routine; for as long as she could remember, the pair of them had sat to rest on this bench and chatted. "At least once more, James. I've been well, and you?"

James idly scratched Bombard's head as the Black-and-Tan laid her head on his lap. "I've been doing well myself, Houshou. Jaw's getting ready to graduate in a few months; looks to be Valedictorian. Mike's coming in on leave to see the ceremony."

Houshou smiled and petted Assail as she replied. "I'm happy for you, James. I'm sure you're very proud, and I'm sure their mother, Rest her Soul, would be proud of them and you as well."

James nodded. "Proud fit to burst. How about you? I heard Shinano's been doing good work over Yokosuka-way." He whistled sharply to call Hazard back as the Redbone Hound started after a squirrel.

Houshou reached into her sleeve and withdrew a photograph of Shinano and two other Carriers. "You remember how Shina-Chan was right after she was summoned, James? How White Plains helped her gain confidence, along with Nagato's son?"

James nodded and looked at the photo. "I remember; they really helped her out. Not that I doubted they would, mind you. I couldn't tell you 'bout White Plains, not having met her myself, but Harry's a good kid. Who's that third Carrier?"

"Ryuuhou; she was summoned very recently, and she had quite a few of the same issues as Shinano did."

"White Plains is helping her, too?"

Houshou shook her head, smiling brightly. "She's helping, but Ryuuhou's lead tutor is Shinano."

James smiled a boyish, ear-to-ear smile (that Houshou privately thought took twenty years off his face) as he laughed. "Hot-Dog," he commented, as always a gentleman and censoring his language. "I'm proud right along with you, Houshou. She's growing into a fine young woman, your tall daughter."

As the two chatted on, James felt a fat drop of rain splash down on his head and looked up. "I don't care for the look of those clouds... Looks like a storm might be rolling in." He faced Houshou and smiled slowly. "Guess we're going to have to cut our talk short, Houshou. Unless..." He trailed off with a thoughtful look.

"Yes, James?"

"Well, if it wouldn't be too forward of me, my house is only a few blocks from here, and I've got a pitcher of tea and a front porch with a roof over it; would you like to accomp'ny me, Miss Houshou?" He offered her his arm.

The Mother of Carriers smiled, a faint blush tinting her cheeks, and accepted his arm. "I'd be delighted, Mister McAmis. Maybe you can tell me how your youngest got the nickname 'Jaw'..."

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

A pitable groan escaped from Jane who was currently slumped on the table as a somewhat amused and resigned Mutsu rubbed her back. "Ulp... Oh God... my stomach..." Tilting her head some, she gave a small glare at Harry. "I... Uh... blame you, Cuz."

Just as Harry was about to say something, Mutsu shook her head and spoke up. "Jane, while Harry is partially to blame, what with having gotten that stuff for you." She glanced at Harry who looked down at his feet as Nagato shook her head. "I will at least give him that he checked to see if human consumption was safe. The rest of the blame though sits with you and Kiyoshimo for having both asked for, and for drinking it."

With a glance to the side, Harry could see Musashi standing over the Kiyoshimo who was also moaning due to her stomach. Adjusting her glasses, Musashi nodded some. "Yes, this Musashi agrees with you. Let this be a lesson to you, Kiyoshimo-Chan."

Slowly nodding, Mutsu turned back to Jane. "You really should have known better, Jane. After all, you've drank pasteurized milk all your life, so drinking unpasteurized milk would obviously not agree with you. Add in where it came from..."

Moaning again, Jane tried to tilt her head to see Mutsu. "Can't you give me something? Anything?"

However, Mutsu only shook her head. "No, because dragon's milk is magical. So we don't know how stuff like normal stomach relief medicines would react." Leaning down some, a small smile played across her lips. "Let this be a lesson to you, Jane for the next time you have an idea like this and be thankful it's just a stomach ache."

Just nodding, Musashi looked down at Kiyoshimo who was looking at her in hope only to slump in despair at Musashi's next words. "This Musashi believes that if you're going to do something, then you should take your lumps. That is what Battleships do after all."

Over at another part of the room, Tenryuu stroked Inazuma's hair as she sipped a drink from what looked like a mini-oil drum. Said Destroyer had an even worse upset stomach then the other two. "Yeah, they're right girls. And Ami, you really should know better then to just drink something that you don't know what it is."

Pulling the straw from her mouth, Inazuma grimaced a bit. "It looked like and smelt like milk... I just couldn't help myself..."

As she put the straw back into her mouth, Ikazuchi began jumping on their mother's back. "Kaa-San! Kaa-San! Since Ami-Chan is sick, you should rely on me more! Kaa-San!"

Tenryuu simply sighed and shook her head. 'Oh boy, here we go again...' Suddenly, she perked up some as a thought occurred to her. "Actually, you want me to rely on you?" Quickly pulling a notepad towards her, Tenryuu began writing some stuff down. "How about you and Harry-Chan over there head to the pharmacy and get this stuff for me."

Ripping off the paper, she handed it to Ikazuchi who grinned before saluting. "Ha! You can rely on us, Kaa-San!" With that, she rushed over to Harry and grabbed his hand before dragging him from the apartment. "Come on, Harry-Chan! Let's go!"

Behind them, Hibiki stood up and began to follow at a much more sedate pace. "Da, I think that I will go with them."

Simply smirking, Tenryuu shook her head and chuckled. At the looks, she grinned a bit at Nagato who raised an eyebrow. "He's shopping with Ikazuchi who wants to help. Can you think of a better punishment?"

After a few moments, Nagato gave a snort and smirked a bit. "No, I suppose not. She'll tire him out if nothing else and it should get the lesson hammered in."

There was a small frown on Mutsu's face as she glanced at Jane. "Are you sure that it would be safe for Jane though? I mean, I trust you, but..."

With a snort, Tenryuu smirked a bit. "It is something passed down through my family through generations! A secret to cure all upset stomach aches through it's mystical, secretive processes! It's handed from mother to daughter in a ceremony that must be kept away from prying eyes!"

For a few seconds, Nagato frowned before raising an eyebrow. "How do you make a home made stomach ache cure sound so Chuuni...?"

Before Tenryuu could retort, Jane nodded from where she was sitting with her head on the table. "Yeah, that was Chuuni. Totally Chuuni."

Huffing a bit, the Light Cruiser stuck her nose into the air. "Hmpf! No respect, you bunch. None whatsoever." Ignoring the snorts and snickers, Tenryuu then focused her eye onto Mutsu and smirked a bit. "Though moving on, congratulations, Mutsu. Trust me when I say that you'll fit in as a mother just fine."

A blush on her face, Mutsu, ignored the soft squeal from Nagato. "How did you know? I just found out two days ago!"

Within Tenryuu's visible eye, there was an odd glint. "Fufufufufu. It's my super, mystical Kaa-San powers, grasshopper. Goes without saying that it makes me an awesome one at that." Seeing Mutsu frown in confusion, Tenryuu rolled her eyes. "I got my ways. Besides, it's written all over you."

Now blinking, Mutsu looked herself over. "It is?"

Slowly, Tenryuu nodded before snorting. "Yeah, you got the glow of a woman who just got pregnant. Aaaand, you keep rubbing your stomach like most new mothers."

Unable to help herself, Mutsu blushed deeply as she paused in actually rubbing her belly. "Oh..." After a few seconds though, the Battleship hummed slightly. "Speaking of... Considering that you are the only shipgirl I know of who has, um... been pregnant... let alone with twins..."

Raising an eyebrow, Tenryuu smirked a bit. "You're asking me for advice? Me?" At the nod, she let out a low chuckle. "Sure, I guess. If you can handle the crazy badass Matsuda School of Being a Kaa-San."

Lips twitching, Mutsu gave a small giggle. "I think that I can handle it."

However, she blinked as Tenryuu grinned. Somehow, the Light Cruiser's teeth seemed sharper then normal and there was a glint in her eye that sent a shiver down the Battleship's keel. "I'll remember to remind you of that when you're cursing my name in every language you know and a few that you didn't. Fufufufufu."

Somehow, Mutsu couldn't help but feel like she was going to both regret, and be thankful for the advice. Meanwhile, Nagato was just lost in her own little world as she tried to decide which footsies to get for her future nieces...

 

[darthcourt10]

Snippet 3: S0ngD0g13

The Demon's Honor, Part Two
...................................

The Northern War Demon, having been granted two days' Sanctuary, first went to a cafe after dismissing the more bestial portion of her rigging. I've not had a meal in four days, and not a proper meal since before I was hounded south...

The proprietor of the cafe stared in fear as she sat down at one of the outdoor tables. "Sir," she said, "could you please bring me your house special, as much as this will buy?" She pulled from her hold a dozen gold coins, old Spanish Pieces-of-Eight, and slid them to the man. "And a Tappit Hen of your best port, please."

The owner stood still for a moment before taking the coins and speaking. "I lost family to your kind; I can honestly say I hate you. But times are hard. My poverty consents, but not my will."

The Demon nodded. "I understand. I pay thy Poverty, and not thy Will."

A few minutes later the owner came back with a platter heaped high with lamb rolitos, and his son behind him carrying a glass and the two-and-a quarter-litre bottle of wine. The Demon nodded her thanks and uncorked the bottle as the men scurried away. She poured her glass full and raised it as If in toast. "To my fleet; you were good comrades and true, and Warriors every one of you. I hope to meet you all again, in the next life." She poured the wine out into the gutter, then filled the glass again and drank it dry.

....................................

After having eaten her fill at the cafe and drained the bottle of port, the War Demon moved on to the next eatery, and the next. Focus on repairing my propulsion systems and weapons; my armor is secondary, she told her imps as she walked. As she skirted a courtyard, however, the Northern War Demon heard a sound that she knew all too well...

She ducked into the courtyard and saw two men moving around one another like warships seeking position, darting in and out with thrust and dodge and parry as they fenced, the rapiers in their hands little more than streaks of light in the morning sun. The Demon stood and watched from the back of the crowd, and when the pair of fencers had finished and were passing the hat, she surprised everyone by dropping four gold coins in and nodding respectfully. "An excellent match, gentlemen. You both are quite skilled with the blade."

"My papa's the best fencer in Gibraltar!" piped up a small voice from beside her. She looked down and saw a little girl, no more than seven or eight years old, standing boldly as she looked up at the War Demon. If the fencers' panicked expressions were any indication, the girl was related to them.

"You needn't worry, gentlemen. I gave my word that I'd do no harm, and I do not break my word lightly." She knelt and met the girl's eyes. "I don't doubt that he is, Girl."

"I'm Celeste," said the girl with a grin and the boldness of youth. "You're the 'Byssal, right?"

The Demon nodded. "I am; I'm Skadi, the Northern War Demon."

"Cool.."

........................................

"I've been tailing you all day," said Prinz Eugen that evening as she sat on the pier next to the Abyssal.

"I know. You were subtle, but not very subtle. Didn't trust me?" Skadi grinned sardonically as she sipped a bottle of beer.

"No, I really didn't. I still don't, in truth. May I?" She gestured toward the cooler.

"Drink deep and slake your thirst, Shipgirl." Skadi sipped again. "I've a question, Shipgirl. The last Abyssal from my fleet; someone gave her the mercy-stroke. Who?"

Eugen startled for a second before answering. "The Ro-Class? It was me who finished her; a shell from Fraulein Hood set her alight. No one deserves to die by burning."

Skadi nodded. "Well would you know that, Prinz Eugen of the former Kriegsmarine. I imagine it got hot indeed, in that little lagoon in the Marshalls. But, I must thank you. Rotte was a brave destroyer, but she feared burning. Thank you for granting her the last mercy."

Eugen shivered despite the heat as she remembered that day in '46, the flash and the heat... She shook herself as if to clear her mind. "You are welcome; as I said before, no one deserves to die aflame." The German Cruiser sipped her beer and sighed. "You know Hood und Bismarck have sent for reinforcements; by the time limit you'll be even more outnumbered. You don't have to fight, though."

Skadi shook her head. "Oh, but I do, Prinz Eugen. War is my purpose, battle my passion. To surrender... That is anathema to one such as I. I live by the sword, and someday I'll die by it."

....................................................

The second day passed much the same as the first, with Skadi gorging herself on food and drink as her crew rushed to repair her. She was unfailingly polite to all around her, paying compliments honestly and adhering not merely to the letter of her agreement, but to the spirit, also. She watched Celeste's father, Rodrigo, and her elder brother, Ignacio, fence again.

She made sure to have food and drink sent to the Shipgirls that were following her, on her bill.

That evening found Skadi sitting on the pier again, watching the sun sink below the horizon. Eugen sat down next to her and passed her a bottle of ale. "The destroyers enjoyed the plate of Japonesas you sent them, not that they'd admit it," remarked the German. "You'll fight, tomorrow?"

Skadi nodded. "I'll fight. A favor, Prinz Eugen? A small one, though important?"

Eugen nodded. "Ja? Was fragst du von mir?"

Skadi reached into her hold where she'd stored it, and withdrew a scabbarded sword of Viking make. "This is my sword, Seeadler; it's served me well over the years. I've distant kin in waters far from here, and I'm well-aware of my odds tomorrow."

"You want me to deliver the sword to your kin?" Eugen asked the Abyssal.

She was surprised when Skadi shook her head. "No, not to her, not directly. Hoppou is still young, yet. If you could, see that my blade is given to the one she's adopted as her mother, to hold until my cousin is ready. Please, would you do this favor for me?"

Prinz Eugen looked into Skadi's eyes and saw the War Demon's Warrior Spirit...

"Ja. I will see your sword delivered to Nagato und Hoppou, Frau Skadi. Sie haben mein Wort, auf meine Ehre".

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Softly humming as she washed dishes in a sink, the elderly Japanese woman barely even flinched as two muscular arms wrapped themselves around her waist. With a small laugh at the whiskered face that kissed her on the cheek, she turned and smiled at the elderly man hugging her from behind. "I suppose that I don't need to ask if you're done for the day, Nagisa? Hmm?"

Lips twitching, the man shook his head and kissed her again on the cheek. "Yes, I finished my fish deliveries today with the naval base. Tanaka-San wants to send his regards to you, Kishiko-Hime. Apparently the meal you made for him and his girls was quite good."

Blushing a bit, she only shook her head. "Ah, he's a wonderful young man, isn't he? And he really cares about those girls of his." Only getting a hum, she smiled a bit. "So how were they today? Have they been getting enough?"

With a chuckle, Nagisa smiled a bit. "They've been doing well enough I suppose. Though those shipgirls have been getting attention from some of the local boys which seems to have annoyed them."

Eyebrow raising a bit, Kishiko snorted a bit. "Just the boys?"

That caused her husband to laugh a bit. "Some of the men as well. Don't see the point of it myself. After all, I got the greatest and most beautiful woman in all of Hokkaido, if not all of Japan, right here in my arms."

It said something that he felt a burst of pride at how his wife blushed at the compliment. Taking a moment, she dried her hands and then turned to put her arms around his neck. "You old charmer. I know that I'm no where near as beautiful as those shipgirls at my age."

Snorting, Nagisa shook his head and then softly kissed her before pulling back. Moments later, his hand came up and cupped her cheek as the thumb traced the winkles and laugh lines on her face. "It's no lie, Kishiko-Hime. You're as beautiful as you were when I met a fifteen year old you on the shore."

Expression soft, she ran on hand along his face with a sigh. "That was almost a half century ago, Nagisa. I'm old now and worn, not like you."

Before her eyes, the years seemed to melt away from Nagisa until where a sixty some year old man stood, a much younger one now did. Then two ears popped up on his head and a muscular, otter tail slipped out. With a snort though, he shook his head and grinned a bit. "Says you, Kishiko-Hime. To me, you have never been more beautiful. And every day is one that I thank the Kami for bringing you into my life, and another day I fall in love all over again. There is nothing, not a shipgirl, nor a yokai who could compare to the divine beauty before me."

There was a wetness to the elderly woman's eyes. "Even though I am nothing but an old woman?"

Just scoffing, Nagisa shook his head. "That only makes you more precious in my eyes, Kishiko-Hime. You are the one that I love, whom my heart beats for. And nothing will change that. The only thing that comes close to how wonderful and beautiful you are is the children that we have had together."

With a sniffle, she leaned in and laid her head against his chest. "I suppose that this silly human needs to be reminded of that once in a while, ne?"

Gently lifting her hand to his lips, he smiled and gave it a kiss. "Something that I am more then willing to do again, and again my hime." Simply giving her another kiss, Nagisa pulled back with a small smile. "Now then, what has brought this on?"

Lightly laughing, eyes sparkling, Kishiko shook her head. "Nothing, just a few comments from some of the other women in regards to their husbands. Also... I've been feeling my age lately." Her finger then pressed against her husband's lips. "I know, we still have a good number of years ahead, but it's been more on my mind lately."

Frowning, Nagisa shook his head. "Let me worry about that, and it's not a big worry at all."

Only smiling, the elderly woman nodded some before laying her head onto his chest. Moments later, the Kawuso placed his chin on top of her head and gave it a kiss. "Mmm, that does sound good." Closing her eyes, she sighed before chuckling. "Oh, our youngest gave me a call earlier."

Eyebrow raising, Nagisa softly grinned. "Oh? And what news is there from Yokosuka?"

It did not surprise him in the slightest that his wife shook in laughter. "Mostly to complain about the recent festival. Apparently he somehow found his stall placed directly across from Mamiya-San's stall. You can no doubt guess the rest."

That got a rumbling laugh from Nagisa as he tried only nodded his head. "I can imagine! Those two compete all the time over the silliest of things."

With a scoff, Kishiko smirked. "He acts like he dislikes her, maybe even hates her you know. But I know my son, he's as stubborn as the two of us. It's obvious that he is in love with her, but not sure where to go."

Stroking his hand along her grey hair, Nagisa shook his head and laughed again. "Obvious to you, and maybe to me. But to our son? Ha! He'll learn though soon enough. Can't want to see the grandchildren we'll get out of it."

Just humming, the old woman cracked one eye open as a song came across the radio. Her lips curled upwards as she recognized it and could feel the rumble in her husband's chest as she knew he did too. "Do you remember that song, Nagisa?"

Now closing his eyes, Nagisa nodded as the two began to sway from side to side. "How could I forget, Kishiko-Hime? It's the same song that we danced to so long ago when we first entered our home after marraige." Opening one eye, he leaned down and nuzzled her before giving a soft kiss. "It's a message for us. The Kami telling us that not only will we both be seeing our grandchildren, but that our son will be as lucky and happy as we are in time."

Returning the kiss, Kishiko smiled. "Hai, I understand that."

Then leaning back into her, the two of them continued their slow dance in their kitchen. A fisherman and his wife, still as in love with each other as they were fifty years before. Each day falling in love with each other again and again.

 

[darthcourt10]

Snippet 4: S0ngD0g13

Another Houshou Snippet
.........................................

By the time James and Houshou made it back to his house, the storm had hit and rain was coming down hard. The pair ran up and onto the porch, and James shook himself like the hounds before laughing. "Mercy, it's like someone knocked the bottom outta the sky; it's certainly not iced-tea weather. Come in, Miss Houshou, be welcome in my home. I'll put a pot of hot tea on to warm us up, unless you're more of a mind for coffee?" He opened the door and held it for her.

"Thank you, James. A hot cup of tea would certainly help." She looked down and frowned. "Oh, dear; I'm dripping water on your floor..."

James chuckled as he hung up the dogs' leashes. "Not the worst thing that's ever been tracked in; Jaw once got dragged head-first through a mud-bog by Rebel, Admirable, and Hazard when he was six. Now that was a mess, but he learned not to try and walk too many dogs at once. There's towels in the linen closet there to your left if you want to dry off."

As Houshou dried up the worst of the water, James went in the kitchen and started water boiling for tea. "I'm a bit short of green tea; would you prefer Irish Breakfast, Earl Grey, or Redbush?"

Houshou smiled and looked around idly, taking in the decor. "Earl Grey, please?"

She looked at the cluttered bookshelf, books on naval history and archery mixed in with Louis L'Amour westerns and James Lee Burke mysteries and William Shakespeare's plays. A dog-eared copy of The Tin-Roof Blowdown sat on the end-table by the faded green recliner in the corner, atop an equally-worn hard-back of Homer's Odyssey.

Houshou looked up at the plaque over the kitchen door, letters burned into the oak in a child-like hand, and read it softly aloud. "No one who enters my house with Empty Hands, will leave my house with an Empty Stomach..."

James came out with a blue enameled-tin camp-style coffee pot and two matching mugs. "Tea's up." He saw the plaque his guest was looking at and smiled. "It was a Father's Day gift, many years ago. The quote's my policy on hospitality, as taught by my dad."

Houshou and James sat down at his kitchen table, and he poured tea, then got the sugar and milk in case Houshou wanted some. Houshou sipped her tea and raised her eyebrow after James sat back down. "So, how did your youngest get the nickname 'Jaw'? I don't think you ever told me. I recall his given name is 'James', like you..."

James laughed. "I'd love to say there's a funny story behind it, but truth be told it's just his initials as an acronym. He's named after my grandfather on my dad's side. James Aubrey Wilson McAmis. Hence, 'Jaw'."

James started to continue, only to be interrupted by his phone ringing. He looked at the cellphone and frowned. "That's my brother's number... Pardon, Miss Houshou, but I need to take this; a call from Tennessee now, when it's the middle of the night there, is probably not good news."

He stood and stepped out of the room into the hallway. "Hello? Louie? Whoa whoa whoa, slow down, Louie. Slow down, deep breaths... Now tell me what's got you calling me this late. You saw who? Where at? We talkin' 'saw', or 'Saw', Louise? That's what I was scared of... Whose clothes? I see... Listen, Louie, I can't do ought from here in Kure to hel--"

James was cut off mid-word as every one of the minesweeper-hounds lifted their heads in unison and howled long and mournful...

 

[darthcourt10]

Snippet 5: S0ngD0g13

The Demon's Honor, Part Three
........................................

The time had come; Skadi's two days were ten minutes from expiring, and Prinz Eugen had taken the destroyers back to the Shipgirl fleet riding at anchor out beyond the strait. The Northern War Demon flexed her hands as a crowd gathered by the pier and breathed deeply of the warm Mediterranean air, fixing the scent of the salt-spray in her memory. There's something about it, the air down here. It feels more alive than back home... All the same, I miss my iron-grey sea...

"Your Sanctuary is soon to end, Abyssal. Are you ready?" asked Gibraltar from the landward end of the pier.

Skadi felt her imps moving within her hull, making ready. "I am. I thank you for your hospitality, Gatekeeper; neither yours nor that of your people was in any way wanting."

The Goddess of the Rock smiled and inclined her head in a slight nod. "I must admit I am surprised; your behavior while on my shores was beyond reproach. You could stay, if..."

Skadi nodded, breathing deeply. "If I were to surrender. The which none of those Shipgirls out there would allow me to do, owing to the vast amount of blood on my hands. The only one who might accept my surrender is Prinz Eugen, and she is but one Cruiser among many Battleships." Skadi looked out toward the fleet awaiting her. "No, the moment I step foot outside your waters they'll kill me. They fear me so much that they'll not give battle, as Warriors ought; they know the range of my guns and they'll shoot me down like a dog from beyond that range."

"I would accept your parole, if you gave it," replied Gibraltar with a calm voice.

The Demon simply shook her head. "I would not give it. I am a War Demon, and as I told the German, War is my purpose and battle my passion. To me, surrender is anathema. Gibraltar?"

"Yes, Abyssal?"

"I would ask a final boon of you. Fight me, Gibraltar, and let me see the strength of the Rock. This boon I ask, and this challenge I offer. Fight me."

...........................................

"What do you s'pose they're talkin' about?" asked Belfast to Eugen. "Reckon the Demon's going to surrender?"

"I don't believe she will," said Tirpitz from nearby. "And who here would accept it if she did? We all know her works; the Northern War Demon is no Hoppou or Wanko."

Eugen shook her head. "She won't surrender; it would sting her pride too deeply. Und Frau Tirpitz, I know she's not like the Abyssals who've allied themselves to us, but I have spoken with her; she has her honor, no different than yours or mine."

She would have continued, had evacuation sirens not began to wail from the port. The Shipgirls, thinking the Abyssal had broken her word, rushed forward only to be brought up short by Gibraltar herself roaring, "Shipgirls, stand fast! A challenge was offered and that challenge accepted! Let none interfere! My people are evacuating for their own safety!"

As the Shipgirls looked on, stunned, the Spirit of the Strait faced the Demon, her voice echoing over the water. "Who are you, that you think to challenge me? Know ye not who I am? I am Gibraltar, Gatekeeper of the First Sea and Guardian of the Pillars of Herakles, Warden and Defender of the Mediterranean! I have stood my post for millennia, and I was here when Mankind first braved the Waters in boats of wood and reed and skin! Who are you that seeks to face me?"

Skadi smiled a wide, fang-filled smile, her red eyes alight with battle-lust and glowing like twin coals in her corpse-pale face. All who heard her answer (and it was many who heard it, for a brave news-crew were broadcasting from an orbiting helicopter) could hear the wild joy in her voice.

"I am Skadi, Northern War Demon of the Abyssal Fleet, called the Devil of the Grey North Sea! A hundred-score ships have I sent to the bottom, and a thousand-score lives have I claimed! I was among the first of the Abyssals to emerge from the Deep, and none have ever bested me in open combat, Steel-Hull or Shipgirl, Man or Woman! Face me now, that I might show the world that even Gods may bleed!"

As Skadi moved to take her place, Gibraltar softly spoke. "I won't hold back..."

Skadi nodded. "I'd be insulted if you did."

.........................................

Skadi and Gibraltar faced one another, silently, intently; each awaiting some signal to begin their combat...

A lone seagull cried, high above.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

In front of her screen, Naka winked at the camera before raising a finger. "Ohayo, everyone! Naka-Chan, Idol of the Fleet here reporting in on the current event going on! On the scene is my very own Co-Host, Potter Harry! One of the Cutest little Co-Hosts ever!"

The screen suddenly split to show Harry who was wearing a fight suit and helmet making a Victory sign with his fingers while winking. "Hi, Hi! Harry-Chan, Desu!" He then shifted the camera to reveal that he was in an ultra-light. "And with me is the one of the two fluffiest dragons ever... Souryu-Oba!"

Said Carrier gave a small wave as the camera focused on her. "Hi everyone! Hey, Hiryuu-Chan!"

Chuckling, Harry turned the camera back on him. "Well, we're here in the mountains for a heck of a race, Naka-Nee! Currently, Team Red Party is racing Team Sip and Ship! And boy, are they going at it!"

With a blink, Naka tilted her head to the side. "'Team Red Party?' 'Team Sip and Ship?' Where did those come from?"

All Harry did was shrug on the camera. "Came up with them myself actually. Red Party is Akagi-Oba and Kaga-Oba while Sip and Ship is Haruna-Oba and Rose of course! I ship them."

On the screen, Naka facepalmed and shook her head. Off to the side, she could see Goto just groaning and holding his head in his hands. "Um, right then. So how goes the race now?"

Reaching up, Harry flicked a switch and the camera view shifted to one mounted on the bottom of the ultralight showing two cars speeding along the road at extremely high speeds. Just then, they hit a corner and the first, a sport's car, whipped around the turn. Behind it, Haruna's car drifted around the corner and sped onwards. "As you can see, both racers are being extremely aggressive in their racing."

Naka's eyes widened as they hit another curve and just barely missed the guardrails. "Holy sh-shoot! Did you see that, Harry-Chan!? Those two are insane!"

Slowly, Harry nodded as he narrowed his eyes. "Hai, I saw it, Naka-Nee. What is in that Eighty-six of Sip and Ship's? They're taking those corners so hard, I am almost afraid that they'll go airborne at any moment!" A grin then spread across his lips. "I got goosebumps running up my back!"

Just nodding, Naka frowned as she clicked several keys to reveal internal cameras for the cars. "Hai, I'm shivering here and I'm nowhere near them! But Haruna-San is being aggressive, as expected from a Battleship and Driver of her caliber!"

Inside the lead car, Kaga glanced into the mirror and hummed a bit. "Huh... they're staying with us."

Hitting a turn, Akagi pulled the car through it into a drift and nodded as they hit a straightaway and pulled ahead. "It's to be expected from Haruna-San. That car of theirs does great in the turns, but we're faster in the straightaways. But it depends on who manages to get far enough ahead of the other!" When they went through another turn, Akagi smiled at the sight of Fubuki there waving a flag for her. 'See you at the finish line, Fubuki-Chan.'

Behind them, Haruna narrowed her eyes some. "Hmm... Haruna is impressed with Akagi-San's driving." Calmly leaning one elbow against the door, she pulled the car into another drift. "Still, there's some tricks left."
With a nod, Rose smiled some as she glanced at the map before giggling as Eurobeats throbbed through the speakers. "Still, this is so invigorating! So much better then such races were back when I was with my... Third Mistress and we used to visit some country tracks to watch them race!'

Giggling, Haruna glanced at her before glancing at the speedometer which continued to slowly, but surely, tick upwards. "Hai! Haruna finds this great fun!"

140...

141...

142...

Another turn approached as Haruna worked the pedals and the clutch, once more making it through as shipgirls and humans, as well as a few hidden yokai, watched and cheered them on. Up in the Ultralight, Harry's eyes nearly popped out of his head. "Blistering blue barnacles! Did you see that, Naka-Nee? Now that was a great attack!"

Eyes also wide, Naka only nodded. "Hai! I saw it and got shivers down my back when they nearly hit the guardrail! Those four got no sense of fear on the downhill. Simply amazing!"

Biting his thumb, Harry narrowed his eyes and hummed. "True, but they're evenly matched right now. Sip and Ship's car is unbelievably fast! But on the straightaways, Red Party's car can pull ahead. It's still anyone's race right now..." Then he frowned and looked toward the cameras. "You know, I can't wait until I become old enough to learn how to drive."

Only raising her eyebrow, Naka frowned a bit. "Thinking of racing them, Harry-Chan?"

The Light Cruiser could only imagine Nagato tensing until Harry's answer as he started to laugh. "Nah, I'm not that crazy, Naka-Nee." Where she watching, Nagato relaxed some before Harry spoke up again. "But I am so getting Haruna-Oba to teach me to drive! Just like Jane is!"

Where she sat overlooking the road, Nagato groaned and facepalmed. The sound of flesh meeting flesh as well as steel hitting steel could be heard. "Over my sunken hull, Harry... And I am sure that Mutsu and John are thinking the same thing about it happening with Jane..."

Beside her, Hoppou sipped at her drink before nodding. "Big Brother too silly."

Down in her car, Akagi looked up at the rearview mirror and frowned. "Hmm... As long as we keep ahead of them in the turns, we'll be fine. We're faster then them on the straights."

Narrowing her eyes, Kaga glanced up from the map and shook her head. "We'll have to keep them from passing us in the next bit. There's a large number of hairpin turns right ahead."

Akagi only nodded and tightened her grip on the steering wheel before smirking. "Of course... But what will you do now, Haruna-San? What will you do now...? Show me that burning inside you with your Kongou boilers!"

Meanwhile, Haruna frowned a bit as she received the same news from Rose as Kaga had given Akagi. "Haruna sees... our only chance will be in the next couple of turns. However... Haruna will need to get past Akagi-San first, which will be tricky." Then she smiled a bit. "But Haruna has a plan of attack!"

Raising an eyebrow as she gripped the handrest above her head going into another turn, Rose smiled a bit. "Have a plan, Haruna?"

The Battleship only smiled and nodded before her expression became serious. "Hai, Haruna has been on this road before and noticed something. Now, hang on Rose-Chan, because things Haruna is now going to reveal her full attack!"

Smile becoming a grin, Rose nodded. "Burning Love! Full Battleship Tea Attack!"

Above them, Harry blinked and frowned a bit before turning to the camera. "Sip and Ship seems to be speeding up... But why? Is Haruna-Oba going to use her famous 'Battleship Turn'?"

On the screen, Naka bit her thumb before shaking her head. "Couldn't be. Haruna-San agreed before the race that she would not use it. So what..."

Eyebrows furrowing, Akagi kept one eye on the car behind her. "They be doing?" Seeing how the car was moving only confused her more. "Is she trying to pass me on the inside turn?"

For her part, Kaga was also confused. "That's insane though. They'll never make it at that speed."

Haruna though only smiled as she brought her car close and close to the inside portion of the turn. Just before they reached it, the Battleship brought it the last little bit and, with a clunk, the wheels on her side slipped into the gutter at the side of the road as they turned. With a grin, Haruna only continued to fight the wheel as they caught up to Akagi. "Haruna's got you."

For a moment, everything seemed to freeze as Haruna, Rose, Akagi, and Kaga all looked at the group in the opposing car.

And then it was broken as Haruna pulled ahead and then brought her car back onto the road shortly before hitting another turn. Up in the air, Harry's jaw dropped as he continued to report back to Naka. "Bloody... Did you see that, Naka-Nee?! Did you just see that!?"

Slowly, Naka nodded as her own mouth was open wide in sheer shock. "I... I did. That was some Initial D bullshit right there! But how..."

In her car, Akagi started to laugh as she kept just behind Haruna. "She used the gutters to pass me! Brilliant move, Haruna-San, just as expected from a Kongou! Win or lose, no regrets! I've enjoyed our battle!"

 

[darthcourt10]

Snippet 6: S0ngD0g13

The Demon's Honor, Part Four
...........................................

"I would ask a final boon of you. Fight me, Gibraltar, and let me see the strength of the Rock. This boon I ask, and this challenge I offer. Fight me."

Gibraltar's eyes widened. "Fight you? To what end? To what purpose?"

Skadi smiled a faint smile, and closed her eyes. "I've been driven far from my home, my fleet slain along the way. My choices are Surrender or Death, and I'll not bend the knee. But if I must face Death, I'd rather it be in battle against a worthy foe, a fight fit to echo in the sagas for ages to come, and not the nameless dog's death I'd be granted by the Shipgirls." Her eyes opened and met the Rock-Goddess' own. "I'm a Warrior, Gatekeeper. Let me meet a Warrior's Fate."

Gibraltar nodded. "If it's battle you wish, then I will oblige you. I will evacuate My people, however."

Skadi nodded, her lips quirking into a crooked smile. "By all means, do so. I'd not risk the distraction of civilians making you sloppy, nor would I repay their hospitality with destruction."

The sirens began to wail, and the people of Gibraltar began to flee north. The Shipgirls started moving toward the port until the Gatekeeper's roaring voice stopped them short. "Shipgirls, stand fast! A challenge was offered and that challenge accepted! Let none interfere! My people are evacuating for their own safety!"

Gibraltar faced Skadi squarely, and softly spoke. "Shall we tell all who witness this battle, just who it is that fights this day?" She smiled and raised her voice, booming out across the waters, "Who are you, that you think to challenge me? Know ye not who I am? I am Gibraltar, Gatekeeper of the First Sea and Guardian of the Pillars of Herakles, Warden and Defender of the Mediterranean! I have stood my post for millennia, and I was here when Mankind first braved the Waters in boats of wood and reed and skin! Who are you that seeks to face me?"

Skadi smiled a wide, fang-filled smile, and she could feel her eyes begin to glow as the battle-thirst rose in her. Her voice was saw-edged and shot through with a raw, feral elation as she responded.

"I am Skadi, Northern War Demon of the Abyssal Fleet, called the Devil of the Grey North Sea! A hundred-score ships have I sent to the bottom, and a thousand-score lives have I claimed! I was among the first of the Abyssals to emerge from the Deep, and none have ever bested me in open combat, Steel-Hull or Shipgirl, Man or Woman! Face me now, that I might show the world that even Gods may bleed!"

As Skadi moved to take her place, Gibraltar softly spoke. "I won't hold back..."

Skadi nodded. "I'd be insulted if you did."

...................................

When the gull wheeling above them cried out, Skadi lunged forward into the attack, her eyes locked on her opponent as the Ghost Fleet of the Pillars began to form.

The earliest ships advanced first, Egyptian Sun Barges, Biremes and Triremes and great Quinquiremes in the livery of Greece and Carthage and Rome, their oars churning the sea as they charged her, bronze-clad rams seeking a target. At their bows stood armored Shades, ready to shoot, or to draw blades and board, if they could.

Skadi didn't waste her ammunition on these the first wave; she lowered her shoulder, roared at her imps for more speed, and bored into the press like a falling shell. They want to ram... I'll show them the way of it!

Skadi slid to her left to avoid a hail of stones flung by the slingers aboard a Rhodian vessel and lashed out to either side with her claws, tearing massive rents in hulls as she passed; a pair of biremes angled to pincer her as the Demon crashed through a quinquireme, splitting it in half in a hail of splinters. Skadi snatched a floating sweep from the water and whirled it as martial-artist might a quarterstaff, clearing decks until her weapon shattered.

Skadi cleared the press and saw galleys and feluccas surrounding tall schooners and three wooden frigates who bore the American Flag at their masts. The first to fire on the War Demon was a 12-gun schooner; as the sailship turned away to clear the line of fire for the frigates, Skadi could see at her fantail the name of Enterprise. Skadi swivelled her secondary guns into position and loosed a single shell that tore the ship apart, just as the frigates finished forming line-of-battle.

The flanks of the line were held by Congress and President, and in the center rode the Constitution; their hulls were engulfed in fire and smoke as they, three of the United States Navy's First Six, unleashed their broadsides.

Skadi twisted and turned, dodging what fire she could even as she felt the impacts of what fire she couldn't avoid, 12- and 24-pound round-shot hammering at her hull. Her secondaries targeted the schooners and galleys as the smaller ships closed the distance and opened fire with their own cannon. Secondaries, fire at will! The Abyssal's gunners poured out shell after shell, crushing wooden hulls and the iron men who sailed them, shattering planks and sending cannons pin-wheeling into the air.

By this time the frigates had switched from coordinated broadsides to each gun firing at will, and it was into this continuous roll of thunder that Skadi charged, grinning savagely as she dove headlong into the cloud of gunsmoke that obscured the frigates' hulls, their masts and the Stars and Stripes each flew the only part of them visible to the observers.

From the smoke-cloud came a tremendous crash of steel-on-wood and two titanic flashes and booms, and the masts began to fall as the explosions flung away the smoke. The War Demon had rammed Constitution and hurled two depth-charges into the hulls of Congress and President, tearing Old Iron-Sides in two as her sisters were consumed in twin magazine explosions.

But Skadi had not emerged unscathed. Her AA guns had been mangled by grape-shot and chain, and a round-shot fired point-blank had shattered the left lens of her rangefinder, blinding her in that eye.

But still she moved forward, fangs bared. Ahead of her more ships awaited, ghosts of Warriors and Warships past and present, every ship to ever wet their keel in the waters of the Mediterranean. Skadi saw the aircraft rise from the carriers far to the rear of the spectral formation and angle toward her.

........................................

"She's finished," said Bismarck to her sister. "There's no way one Abyssal can survive such an onslaught."

"Why is she even trying? What purpose could this, this Wahnsinn possibly serve?" asked Tirpitz as she watched.

She'd meant it rhetorically, but the German Battleship was surprised when Eugen answered it. "Das ist kein Wahnsinn; Das ist Tapferkeit, Frau Tirpitz." The Heavy Cruiser turned to face Tirpitz more squarely and continued. "This is Bravery, Tirpitz. Skadi may be an Abyssal, but she has her pride, her honor, and to surrender would have meant casting away both. We would not have offered true battle had she faced us; tell me I'm wrong, tell me that you, your sister, Hood, und Warspite didn't plan to kill her at range." Tirpitz's silence was all the answer Eugen needed. "As the Americans say, this is Skadi's way of going out with her boots on."

.......................................

Arrayed against her Skadi could see frigates and destroyers; there were cruisers aplenty, be they armored or protected, light or heavy, and battleships swung every gun to bear on her. Above her flew Swordfish and Avengers, Fieslers and Messerschmidts and Italian Folgores, Spads and Fokkers, Warhawks and Mustangs. They flew alongside jets from the Korean War to the present day, and leading that aerial swarm, so thick as to overshadow the sun, were three Gloster Gladiators in the livery of the Hal Far Fighter Flight.

Skadi howled aloud and seemed to explode as all her guns opened fire at once. Her main battery, her secondaries, what few AA guns remained operational; all her guns were firing as the Abyssal charged forward into a hailstorm of bombs, torpedoes, and shells from Gibraltar's Ghost Fleet.

As explosions rocked the Strait and ship after ship was sent to the bottom, Skadi's voice rose over the din, ringing loud and clear over the battlefield in a Nordic tongue...

......................................

Tirpitz had gone pale, staring wide-eyed at the battle sweeping the strait. "Oi, Tirpitz," said Liverpool, "you spent time enough up north to learn the lingo, right? What's she singin' about? It sure don't sound like 'the Dwarf from Dover'..."

Tirpitz started translating as the others crowded round.

"I am the warrior Skadi! My blade, it bites my foe-men! Long have I been a-viking along the foam-flecked whale-road; much have I fed the sea-wolves, and made them fat with feasting! Now I go to battle, to seek once more my true home! To see once more my comrades, who ever stood beside me!

O one-eyed Lord of Warriors, see that I am fighting! Judge me not unworthy, send me not to Helheim! My foe is strong before me! Bold she is, and skillfull! She meets me in the battle, and I face her unafraid!

Ye Valkyries, be not a-thirsting, for the red-ale and the salt-wine, they are freely flowing! Drink deep; I give them gladly! This is my final battle! This is my greatest glory! I die unafraid!"

Belfast crossed herself reflexively and murmured low, "A Thiarna Dia na Óstríomhairí..."

.................................

The Straits of Gibraltar were awash with flames and debris, a hellish inferno from Pillar to Pillar. Skadi had worked her way steadily through the wall of steel between her and her opponent, but she had paid dearly in the doing of it. Her armor, largely un-repaired during her stay in Gibraltar's domain in favor of her guns and propulsion, was holed in a dozen places, and her starboard shafts were barely holding together after numerous hits. Her outfit was ragged and torn, smoldering in places and burning in others, and stained with her blood in still more places. The War Demon was flooding, slowing, and her other rangefinder lens had bloody oil streaming over it from a graze on her forehead, half-blinding her, while her left arm had been shot away at the shoulder. Skadi had long-since expended all her guns' ammunition, and now wielded her own anchor as her only weapon; still she moved forward as the Goddess of the Rock finally brought her shore batteries into play with only a few hundred yards left between the combatants.

As the battle had raged on, it had drawn in nearby Abyssals, one of whom tried to make a sneak-attack on Gibraltar while she was distracted. When the Abyssal leapt from under the waves, however, it was gutted by Skadi's anchor, hurled by the Northern War Demon and accompanied by a vicious roar of, "She's Mine!"

The anchor had passed so close to Gibraltar's head that the Guardian of the Pillars felt it rustle her hair; the shock of it, and the startled realization that her opponent had saved her, threw off her concentration just long enough for the Abyssal to close the final distance and strike. Skadi's talons raked down across Gibraltar's face, scoring four bloody lines from over her left eyebrow, down across her nose and cheek to the right corner of her mouth.

Gibraltar reeled and her shore-guns fired by reflex, missing Skadi entirely. All who witnessed it gasped and all fell silent; the Abyssal War Demon had made the Goddess of the Rock bleed...

In that silence, a soft thump was heard as Skadi sank on boneless legs to the beach, then collapsed sideways and lay sprawled on the shore at Gibraltar's feet, her breath shallow and gasping. "I... I did it... I..." She trailed off as she looked out to sea, and the Gatekeeper of the Med knelt at her side. "Thank... Thank you, Gi- Gibraltar..." Her breathing slowed and her eyes dimmed. "Tatzel, Rukh... my old comrades; Nebel, Rotte... It's time to go... Home."

There were tears in Gibraltar's eyes when she rose, and a command went out to her shore-batteries. The massive coastal guns elevated their muzzles...

The Shipgirls present outside the Strait came to Attention and their own guns pointed toward the heavens...

As the Shipgirls saluted, Gibraltar's shore batteries fired, thundering out a final salute to the Warrior who'd fought so boldly...

............................................

Just at the shoreline of Gibraltar's western side, there's a grave, tended to by a tall woman with ancient, wine-dark eyes and a scarred face. At the head of that grave is a marker of armor-steel, and upon it are these words engraved:

HERE LIES
Skadi Járnbrauð, Abyssal War Demon

HONOR SHE HAD, STRONG ENOUGH TO WOUND A GODDESS

 

[darthcourt10]

Jaegerkin

Time to introduce a new boat i suppose.
Last of her kind having served in both world wars as a supply ship, and a long life as a cargo ship.
fittingly, she was the first ship to bring relief to oslo after the fighting stopped to start rebuilding after the war.

----
When the smoke had settled over St. Brendans isle, when the shipgirls had come, and the fighting was done for now.
When the inhabitants of the island came out of their shelters to pick over what remained of broken homes and ruined shops.
that was when she felt she could be useful.

She was walking point of the first convoy of supplies to the islanders, with wood and construction equipment, as well as food and medicine.
All donated by the Norwegian goverment to help the citizens of st. Brendans get back on their feet after the invasion attempt.

Protecting her were some of her old friends of the royal navy, she knew them well, for they had protected her before as well.

When she donned the livery of war for the second time to carry Food to hungry soldiers.

She wore what looked like a British uniform, but the flag she flew was that of Norway, and while she never worked the line, living her life in the frozen North sea, she carried a few barrels of akevitt she had managed to trade from some of her many aquantances.

From up Ahead, one of the British destroyer girls waved to her.

"Hey! Horsie, almost there now"

DS Hestmanden smiled indulgently at the anticipation on the girls face.

As was her habit since she awoke, she had promised each of the shipgirls protecting her, and the bigger normal cargo ships she led, a glass of the sea brew on safe arrival.
Not surprisingly, it meant there was never a shortage of shipgirls willing to escort the old freighter anywhere she needed to bring her cargo.

Almost there, turned out to be an hour of sailing, before St. Brendans revealed itself.
And the happy faces greeting her and her Flock of cargo ships warmed her boilers better than any coal had.

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

Just a short one. figured reconstruction efforts should get started on Brendans.
Wouldn't do for them to not get back on their feet as fast as they can

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts Omake: "Speedbump"

Since I'm not going to have time for a full chapter, and we were talking history... have a little something:
___________________________

Sighting the approaching shipgirls, the Abyssal grinned in glee. Sharp, bloody canines glinted in the dying light as it came closer and closer. It's dark furred body blended with the dark waters and it targeted the smallest of them. Eyes aglow, it raised it's hand up with it's chosen weapon as the incoming shipgirl was nearly close enough. It was just about to attack when...

*Crunch*

Blinking, Sammy frowned and looked around which caused Jersey to look at her. "Something wrong, kiddo?"

Quickly, the Destroyer-Escort shook her head. "Nope! I think that I ran something over though."

Jersey just shrugged a bit. "Probably just a log or something. There's a lot of them around." There was another crunch as she ran one over. "See?"

Meanwhile, behind them, the Abyssal sank back into the ocean, all life gone from it's broken body, a rock clenched in one clawed hand.
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Because humans have been sailing on the open sea for at least 800,000 years, maybe longer (with some evidence pointing at more then a million years ago). In other words, before Homo Sapiens even arose.

And now I cannot help but imagine the girls on vacation somewhere heading out due to reports of Abyssal sightings. Finding nothing, and grumbling about missed vacation time, they return to find Harry, Rose, Natsumi, Shiromizu, Goto, Yonehara, and maybe Richardson as well as Jane standing on a pile of the Abyssals from above.