Bathing
darthcourt10
Well worn.
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Harry Leferts
Looking between Nagato and Haru, who was still thoughtful, Shiromizu let out a sigh. "I take it that the Gashadokuro is done for?"
With a glance in her direction as she hugged Harry, Nagato gave a small nod. "Yes, as a matter of fact it's... dead, I suppose one could say." Seeing the unspoken question, she smiled slightly. "We had help from the Abyss Divers as well as a Mizuchi who showed up to help fight it. It was something to see."
Her eyes widening, Shiromizu looked between the Battleship and Haru. "A Mizuchi? Really?" At their nods, she swallowed some. "Is... is it still around?"
Eyebrow raised, Haru shook her head. "I'm afraid not unfortunately. It left as soon as the battle was finished and the Gashadokuro destroyed."
Slumping, Shiromizu sighed some. "Oh... I wanted to talk to them." Seeing the curious looks, she shrugged some. "I had a bunch of questions that I need answered. And speaking off..." The white snake then turned to Misa and had a hurt expression on her face. "Why didn't you ever tell me that I was a Mizuchi? A Kami of a spring."
Just sighing, Misa made her way over and pulled Shiromizu into a hug. "I was trying to protect you, Shiro-Chan." Hearing the old nickname spoken with warmth helped Shiromizu relax some more. Briefly, she felt like she was once more a hatchling being gently held. "I wanted to wait until you were either strong enough, or had allies strong enough to protect you." With a look towards Harry and Natsumi, as well as a nod towards Haru, Nagato, and Hoppou, she nodded. "Allies and friends it seems are more then capable of doing so."
A frown on her face, Shiromizu looked up at the one being she would call an older sister in confusion. "But why? What difference could it have made one way or the other?"
Lightly chuckling, Misa shook her head. "You may not realize this, but such knowledge can cause changes. In fact, there is a difference between how you feel now to those sensitive to such things and how you did before. There is a... glow... now to you that was not present before. One can also feel, if they concentrate, things they did not before. It is almost like the feel of warm, running water over one's skin. The smell of a hot spring."
That made Shiromizu blink in confusion. "Hot spring?"
Humming, Misa gave a nod. "Hai, your spring has since become a hot spring though how I am not quite sure. But the pool it fills has slowly gotten bigger and will soon spill over and further down the mountainside into an actual spring. It shows just how far you have come and how strong you are becoming, Lady Shiromizu. Something that I am glad to see."
Now thoughtful, the serpent tried to sort it out in her head. "So because now I know the truth, others can tell as well? Just because of something simple like that?"
Chuckling, Haru gave a small smirk at that. "Your Onee-Sama is quite correct, Shiromizu-Chan. Such knowledge can change things after all and carries power of its own." Motioning with one hand, she raised an eyebrow. "But the question for you is... does this change much?"
If anything, Shiromizu became more thoughtful at this and placed her finger to her chin. For several seconds she was silent before looking towards Harry and Natsumi. Slowly, her lips curled into a smile and Shiromizu shook her head. "No, I don't think that this changes anything at all. Harry here is still my Otouto in my heart and Natsumi is my friend as are the rest of you. It just makes me... complete, to know it."
Lips now curling up into a full smile, Haru tilted her head slightly. "That's good to hear, Shiromizu-Chan. Not that I expected much more from you either."
Misa meanwhile was looking around with a small frown as she kept up the embrace of Shiromizu. "Perhaps we should hold this somewhere safer? I have no doubt that the Onmyouji will show up soon due to the battle and cause issues..." Trailing off when Haru shook her head, her frown deepened. "Is something wrong?"
Sighing, Haru rotated her shoulder some with a grimace. Sure, she was a five tail, but she was still getting used to the power increase that came with such. More then that, there were very few Kitsune even of more tails who ever got into a battle with a Yokai such as a Gashadokuro and lived to tell the tale. "Hmm? Well, not quite that much of an issue. During Blood Week, the strike on the Magical Diet destroyed the constructs that they used to track large amounts of magic being used. Said constructs were already running at near capacity. Both the Chinese and Korean magical governments are not much better either from what I heard. All of which means that the only ones who might have an idea that something happened is MACUSA. And they're too busy right now dealing with their own issues, so likely nothing for a week." Checking her phone, which somehow survived the battle in the metal case she had for it, Haru raised an eyebrow. "And Hoshi-San has sent me a text that she could not come because there's been... incidents... all throughout Honshu."
That caught Nagato's attention and she shot the phone a look. "Incidents?"
Her eyes narrowed, Haru frowned. "Yes, several incidents. Some Ushioni elsewhere, firebreathing spiders in a Tokyo suburb, and a few Inferi attacks for example. The Aurors are spread pretty thin, so I doubt that we need to worry about much unless they hear from other sources?"
When she glanced at Nagato, the Battleship held a finger to one ear for a number of seconds. Then she shook her head. "The JASDF and JGSDF are already moving in forces. By morning, I would not be too surprised if PSIA has a number of agents crawling all over the mountain." Her eyes then widened and she looked to the north. "And Akitsu Maru is also being transported here."
Noticing the unease of the villagers, Shiromizu held up a hand and smiled. "They're friends, trust me on that. And cooperate in whatever manner you are comfortable with if needed, they'll protect you. Akitsu Maru especially."
From where he stood, Shinji gave a bob of his head. "As you command it, Lady Shiromizu. It would be our honor to work and help out with such."
Part of Shiromizu was somewhat amused by the image of agents from PSIA in their suits being talked to by small Geckos in Samurai armor riding rats as well as the expressions said agents would have. It took everything not to laugh out loud and instead she coughed some. "Yes, I am sure that you will do so with the utmost honor." As Shinji and his fellow Imori preened under the compliment, the Mizuchi looked back at the corpse of the dead jorōgumo. "In the meantime, we should post a guard here just in case and keep an eye on... her."
While Shinji motioned for several of his troops to take up position, Haru strode over and looked down at the corpse with narrowed eyes. Her tails fanned out behind her with ghostly flames igniting at the tail tips and an Ofuda on each one with a final two held in her hand between her fingers. Closing her eyes, the Kitsune muttered for almost a minute as each Ofuda above her tails caught fire until they turned to ash. All of them except for the words which were now composed of fox fire. Said characters moved until they were around the corpse before setting themselves on the floor. More then one eye widened as lines of fire shot from each one, connecting them into a pentagram with the dead jorōgumo. Then Haru's eyes snapped open and she threw the last two Ofuda, one striking the body and the other the head before the whole thing flashed.
Once the light faded, all that was left was the ofuda which Haru nodded at as she breathed heavily. "There, now we should have to not worry about her coming back as a grudge."
Looking on with wide eyes, Misa gave a slow nod as it dawned on her just how strong the Kitsune by her was. "That's... good. That's very good."
That done, the group walked outside with Harry, Natsumi, and Shiromizu coming to a stop once they were past the broken doors. As he looked over the village, Harry grimaced at the damages and smoke rising from some places. Everywhere he looked, there was wreckage and he could see multitudes of dead spiders. When he turned to Shiromizu, Harry could see the sadness on her face. At his look though, she took a deep breath. "We will rebuild this place. And this time into a true home."
Beside her, Haru had a considering look before frowning. "I... may be able to help." At the looks, she smiled and folded her hands into her sleeves. "There is a company that is owned by a Yokai. They're a construction company and have done some work in regards to displaced Yokai, I am sure that they would be willing to help you all rebuild."
Frowning, Misa gave a look at one of the homes. "I'm not sure that we can afford it."
A snort though caught her attention and she turned to Harry who shrugged. "I can help if you need money." He then turned to Nagato and gave her a sheepish smile at the bemused expression she had. "It's for a good cause after all."
When Nagato shook her head and gave an agreement, Shinji bowed towards Harry much to the wizard's surprise. "Truly, it is obvious why Lady Shiromizu holds you in such high regards, Lord Harry. From the deepest parts of our hearts, thank you."
Scratching his cheek, Harry chuckled weakly. "Um, don't mention it." With a glance around, he grew more embarrassed at the looks being directed at him by various Yokai. It was then that he noticed that Shiromizu was speaking with one of the tsukumogami who ran off before she slithered over. "Shiromizu?"
Only smiling and chuckling, she gestured for Harry and Natsumi to follow her. "Just come this way, I have somewhere to show you where you can get cleaned." Looking at the blood and other things on her clothes, she shuddered. "I think that we all want to be clean after what happened."
Also looking at her clothes, Natsumi gave a grimace. "Agreed. And the faster the better."
Nagato frowned before looking at Harry. "I do have some extra clothes for Harry that I brought. But..."
Much to her surprise, Misa waved her off. "Do not worry about it, I have a number of clothes that I am more then willing to give up." On her face was a small smile. "And yes, that includes male clothes as I expected to give them to Harry-San here at some point."
Ten minutes later found the group walking along a pathway on the mountainside. Below, they could see a lake and then they stopped before where there was a scar in the mountain from a landslide. More then that though, there was a spring that bubbled out of the debris that was colored white and gently steamed in the night air. Looking at it, Harry turned to Shirmizu who walked to a boulder. "Is this your spring, Shiromizu?"
Looking over her shoulder she nodded. "As a matter of fact, it is my spring." Gently, Shiromizu placed a hand on the boulder and gave it a push. As it moved, steam came out from behind it and a tunnel large enough to walk through was revealed. "But that is not the actual source." Sharing a wide eyed look, Harry and Natsumi followed her while a Yama Oroshi followed with a bucket that contained various items behind them. Said Yokai was followed by a curious Nagato and Haru while Hoppou sat down outside to look out at the night. It took less then half a minute to reach the destination which was inside a small cave that contained a pool of hot water, the water from said pool spilling out and down into a mass of debris at one end. "And here we are."
Eyes closed, Harry enjoyed the heated, steamy air which carried something in it. Opening them, he was about to say something when his mouth snapped shut as Shiromizu undid her Obi. Turning his head, he coughed a bit. "Uh, what are you doing?"
Amused with a twinkle in her eyes, Shiromizu hummed. "What else? We need to take a bath if we're to get clean and have some time before my Onee-Sama returns with some proper clothing. In the meantime, you two can have a soak with me in the hot spring."
Her own eyes narrowed as Shiromizu hissed at some of her injures as she got ready, Natsumi frowned. "This is your spring though..." At the nod, her eyes widened in shock. "But-"
Turning to her, Shiromizu gave her a look while shrugging off her Kimono top. "And? I don't mind sharing a soak in the source of my spring with either of you." A grimace on her face as she could see the bruises that covered her own body, the serpent took a deep breath. "The both of you are more than welcome whenever you want."
Unknown to Harry and Natsumi, Haru's eyes widened before her expression became contemplative. 'Hmm... I wonder if she understands what that means.'
Meanwhile, Shiromizu smirked at the blush on Harry's face before he turned away from her some. "Um, thank you, Shiromizu. That sounds pretty good."
Simply nodding, Shiromizu filled up the bucket with some water before giving both her friends a smile. "And don't worry, any water we use to wash ourselves before the soak will go down the passageway we came through, not into the spring." The smirk then returned before she snapped open her fan which covered her lower face. "Just enjoy it, as well as maybe Natsumi-Chan washing your back and you returning the favor." At their blushes, her smirk widened. "Fufufufufu, already looking forward to such, hmm?"
Brightly blushing, Natsumi gave her a glare. 'Ero-Hebi.' However, several minutes later, Natsumi was groaning as she relaxed in the hot waters, Harry doing much the same beside her. "Oooh, that feels good."
Leaning against the side as she slipped the rest of her serpentine lower body into the water, Shiromizu sighed happily. Opening one eye, she hummed. "It does feel good as a matter of fact."
Nearly covered by the water, Harry chuckled. "Feels rather... divine."
Shiromizu and Natsumi shared a look before nodding. Moments later, Harry was sputtering as they splashed him. Off to one side, Nagato had a frown on her face as she muttered to Haru. "Is the water... glowing slightly?"
Just glancing at her, Haru nodded. "And that's not all, look at their injuries." When the Battleship did so and widened her eyes, the Kitsune continued. "While I am not surprised about Shiromizu healing, I am about the other two. I think though that she is using her power over her spring to heal them." A gentle smile crossed her face. "I wonder if the two know what sort of gift they have been given..."
While the three laughed and let the tension leave them as they de-stressed, the two adults just watched with amused looks.
_________________________________________________________________________
Early morning sunlight entered the van through the windows as Nagato looked into the back. In the middle seat, Hoppou was looking outside the window at the passing countryside. In the very back though, Harry softly slept alongside both Natsumi and Shiromizu. Both the kitsune and the mizuchi were clutching tightly to him while twelve year old boy held them just as much. All three were clad in clean clothing given to them by Misa as a gift while Shiromizu's lower body took up much of the van as she had not bothered to transform into her smaller, snake form.
Turning away, Nagato ran a hand through her hair. "Finally that's over."
A frown on her face, Haru sighed some and shook her head. "I thought that they would never let us leave the debriefing." Giving Nagato an amused look, she smirked. "Though after the fourth time they asked the kids to go through what happened, I thought that you were going to incinerate them on the spot."
Nagato scowled at that as she remembered what had happened. "The interviews were already complete, there was no need for more. And they needed some sleep as well!"
Only nodding, Haru let out a breath. "Agreed. Though I doubt very much that will be the last time that we'll be interviewed over the next few days. I may ask for you to watch over Natsumi-Chan though over the next few days though. With what happened, I need to inform some people who need to know and I had a meeting set up as well before all this which might still go through. What happens next though..."
Head tilting to the side, Nagato frowned. "None of them will be in trouble, will they?"
Pausing, Haru considered things before shaking her head. "No, none of them will be in trouble. Especially not Natsumi-Chan. In fact, I would not be too surprised if the tale is not already making the rounds and possibly growing in the telling. What those three managed..." With a chuckle, she smiled a bit. "Well, they're going to have attention focused on them, to say the least."
In reply to that, Nagato pinched her nose. "Great. That's just... great."
Finger tapping on the steering wheel, Haru blinked. "Not as bad as you might think actually. The jorōgumo caused a lot of problems from what that PSIA agent explained. Perhaps it might even help Harry-Chan when it comes time to enter the JMSDF as I am sure they have a file on him at this point."
Considering that, Nagato eventually nodded. "I suppose that is true enough." Her gaze then fell to a box between the seats though. One covered in ofuda which made Nagato frown. "And the stone you put in there?"
Haru was quiet for several moments before sighing. "A piece of the Sesshō seki. We may perhaps be grateful that the jorōgumo did not know what she had in her possession or else things might have gone far worse. As it is though..." She glanced at the box and took a deep breath. "Something else about it bothers me."
Eyebrow raising, Nagato frowned at her. "And what would that be? I know of the legend of the Sesshō seki but..."
Voice dropping down to a whisper, Haru shook her head. "The stone itself is nearly completely drained. That should be impossible with the amount of power each piece has. And that is one of the larger pieces that are out there of which I have seen."
It took a moment, but Nagato's eyes widened slightly and she shot a look to where Natsumi was sleeping, both tails out. "Was it the cause for Natsumi-Chan gaining her second tail? Somehow?"
Still whispering, Haru nodded. "Hai, I suspect that somehow Natsumi-Chan absorbed the energy in it, or it gave her the needed energy to ascend to a two tail. But even due to certain... aspects... regarding her, such a thing should be impossible. A Kitsune cannot give a tail to another after they have died after all, though if any could, Tamamo no Mae certainly could possibly do so. Despite everything, the old bitch still had many secrets known only to her."
Cocking an eyebrow at the name she called the infamous Kitsune, Nagato frowned. "Should I be worried?"
Much to her relief, Haru shook her head. "No, there's nothing to worry about in this case. I will mention it to Haha-ue and Chichi-ue though as well as Hoshi-San. If anyone would have an idea as to what had happened and how, it would be them." The car ride continued for several minutes before Haru spoke up with a smirk. "I do have a word of warning though."
Somewhat worried due to the playful tone, Nagato narrowed her eyes. "Oh? And what sort of warning are we talking about?"
If anything, Haru's smirk grew. "After what happened last night, I am certain that Haha-ue and Chichi-ue shall send an invite to Harry-Chan to our family estate. They wanted to meet him after all at some point in the next year. And now? Now chances are they will want to meet him before the summer is out."
Blinking, Nagato began to smirk herself. While Mutsu was the one who most people took as a teaser, her sister did have her moments. Granted, Nagato was more for trolling when she did so. "I see... I think that perhaps I will be looking forward to such an invite."
Meanwhile, Harry slept in the back seat with Natsumi and Shiromizu curled into him, the serpent having wrapped some of her coils around her two friends.
Looking between Nagato and Haru, who was still thoughtful, Shiromizu let out a sigh. "I take it that the Gashadokuro is done for?"
With a glance in her direction as she hugged Harry, Nagato gave a small nod. "Yes, as a matter of fact it's... dead, I suppose one could say." Seeing the unspoken question, she smiled slightly. "We had help from the Abyss Divers as well as a Mizuchi who showed up to help fight it. It was something to see."
Her eyes widening, Shiromizu looked between the Battleship and Haru. "A Mizuchi? Really?" At their nods, she swallowed some. "Is... is it still around?"
Eyebrow raised, Haru shook her head. "I'm afraid not unfortunately. It left as soon as the battle was finished and the Gashadokuro destroyed."
Slumping, Shiromizu sighed some. "Oh... I wanted to talk to them." Seeing the curious looks, she shrugged some. "I had a bunch of questions that I need answered. And speaking off..." The white snake then turned to Misa and had a hurt expression on her face. "Why didn't you ever tell me that I was a Mizuchi? A Kami of a spring."
Just sighing, Misa made her way over and pulled Shiromizu into a hug. "I was trying to protect you, Shiro-Chan." Hearing the old nickname spoken with warmth helped Shiromizu relax some more. Briefly, she felt like she was once more a hatchling being gently held. "I wanted to wait until you were either strong enough, or had allies strong enough to protect you." With a look towards Harry and Natsumi, as well as a nod towards Haru, Nagato, and Hoppou, she nodded. "Allies and friends it seems are more then capable of doing so."
A frown on her face, Shiromizu looked up at the one being she would call an older sister in confusion. "But why? What difference could it have made one way or the other?"
Lightly chuckling, Misa shook her head. "You may not realize this, but such knowledge can cause changes. In fact, there is a difference between how you feel now to those sensitive to such things and how you did before. There is a... glow... now to you that was not present before. One can also feel, if they concentrate, things they did not before. It is almost like the feel of warm, running water over one's skin. The smell of a hot spring."
That made Shiromizu blink in confusion. "Hot spring?"
Humming, Misa gave a nod. "Hai, your spring has since become a hot spring though how I am not quite sure. But the pool it fills has slowly gotten bigger and will soon spill over and further down the mountainside into an actual spring. It shows just how far you have come and how strong you are becoming, Lady Shiromizu. Something that I am glad to see."
Now thoughtful, the serpent tried to sort it out in her head. "So because now I know the truth, others can tell as well? Just because of something simple like that?"
Chuckling, Haru gave a small smirk at that. "Your Onee-Sama is quite correct, Shiromizu-Chan. Such knowledge can change things after all and carries power of its own." Motioning with one hand, she raised an eyebrow. "But the question for you is... does this change much?"
If anything, Shiromizu became more thoughtful at this and placed her finger to her chin. For several seconds she was silent before looking towards Harry and Natsumi. Slowly, her lips curled into a smile and Shiromizu shook her head. "No, I don't think that this changes anything at all. Harry here is still my Otouto in my heart and Natsumi is my friend as are the rest of you. It just makes me... complete, to know it."
Lips now curling up into a full smile, Haru tilted her head slightly. "That's good to hear, Shiromizu-Chan. Not that I expected much more from you either."
Misa meanwhile was looking around with a small frown as she kept up the embrace of Shiromizu. "Perhaps we should hold this somewhere safer? I have no doubt that the Onmyouji will show up soon due to the battle and cause issues..." Trailing off when Haru shook her head, her frown deepened. "Is something wrong?"
Sighing, Haru rotated her shoulder some with a grimace. Sure, she was a five tail, but she was still getting used to the power increase that came with such. More then that, there were very few Kitsune even of more tails who ever got into a battle with a Yokai such as a Gashadokuro and lived to tell the tale. "Hmm? Well, not quite that much of an issue. During Blood Week, the strike on the Magical Diet destroyed the constructs that they used to track large amounts of magic being used. Said constructs were already running at near capacity. Both the Chinese and Korean magical governments are not much better either from what I heard. All of which means that the only ones who might have an idea that something happened is MACUSA. And they're too busy right now dealing with their own issues, so likely nothing for a week." Checking her phone, which somehow survived the battle in the metal case she had for it, Haru raised an eyebrow. "And Hoshi-San has sent me a text that she could not come because there's been... incidents... all throughout Honshu."
That caught Nagato's attention and she shot the phone a look. "Incidents?"
Her eyes narrowed, Haru frowned. "Yes, several incidents. Some Ushioni elsewhere, firebreathing spiders in a Tokyo suburb, and a few Inferi attacks for example. The Aurors are spread pretty thin, so I doubt that we need to worry about much unless they hear from other sources?"
When she glanced at Nagato, the Battleship held a finger to one ear for a number of seconds. Then she shook her head. "The JASDF and JGSDF are already moving in forces. By morning, I would not be too surprised if PSIA has a number of agents crawling all over the mountain." Her eyes then widened and she looked to the north. "And Akitsu Maru is also being transported here."
Noticing the unease of the villagers, Shiromizu held up a hand and smiled. "They're friends, trust me on that. And cooperate in whatever manner you are comfortable with if needed, they'll protect you. Akitsu Maru especially."
From where he stood, Shinji gave a bob of his head. "As you command it, Lady Shiromizu. It would be our honor to work and help out with such."
Part of Shiromizu was somewhat amused by the image of agents from PSIA in their suits being talked to by small Geckos in Samurai armor riding rats as well as the expressions said agents would have. It took everything not to laugh out loud and instead she coughed some. "Yes, I am sure that you will do so with the utmost honor." As Shinji and his fellow Imori preened under the compliment, the Mizuchi looked back at the corpse of the dead jorōgumo. "In the meantime, we should post a guard here just in case and keep an eye on... her."
While Shinji motioned for several of his troops to take up position, Haru strode over and looked down at the corpse with narrowed eyes. Her tails fanned out behind her with ghostly flames igniting at the tail tips and an Ofuda on each one with a final two held in her hand between her fingers. Closing her eyes, the Kitsune muttered for almost a minute as each Ofuda above her tails caught fire until they turned to ash. All of them except for the words which were now composed of fox fire. Said characters moved until they were around the corpse before setting themselves on the floor. More then one eye widened as lines of fire shot from each one, connecting them into a pentagram with the dead jorōgumo. Then Haru's eyes snapped open and she threw the last two Ofuda, one striking the body and the other the head before the whole thing flashed.
Once the light faded, all that was left was the ofuda which Haru nodded at as she breathed heavily. "There, now we should have to not worry about her coming back as a grudge."
Looking on with wide eyes, Misa gave a slow nod as it dawned on her just how strong the Kitsune by her was. "That's... good. That's very good."
That done, the group walked outside with Harry, Natsumi, and Shiromizu coming to a stop once they were past the broken doors. As he looked over the village, Harry grimaced at the damages and smoke rising from some places. Everywhere he looked, there was wreckage and he could see multitudes of dead spiders. When he turned to Shiromizu, Harry could see the sadness on her face. At his look though, she took a deep breath. "We will rebuild this place. And this time into a true home."
Beside her, Haru had a considering look before frowning. "I... may be able to help." At the looks, she smiled and folded her hands into her sleeves. "There is a company that is owned by a Yokai. They're a construction company and have done some work in regards to displaced Yokai, I am sure that they would be willing to help you all rebuild."
Frowning, Misa gave a look at one of the homes. "I'm not sure that we can afford it."
A snort though caught her attention and she turned to Harry who shrugged. "I can help if you need money." He then turned to Nagato and gave her a sheepish smile at the bemused expression she had. "It's for a good cause after all."
When Nagato shook her head and gave an agreement, Shinji bowed towards Harry much to the wizard's surprise. "Truly, it is obvious why Lady Shiromizu holds you in such high regards, Lord Harry. From the deepest parts of our hearts, thank you."
Scratching his cheek, Harry chuckled weakly. "Um, don't mention it." With a glance around, he grew more embarrassed at the looks being directed at him by various Yokai. It was then that he noticed that Shiromizu was speaking with one of the tsukumogami who ran off before she slithered over. "Shiromizu?"
Only smiling and chuckling, she gestured for Harry and Natsumi to follow her. "Just come this way, I have somewhere to show you where you can get cleaned." Looking at the blood and other things on her clothes, she shuddered. "I think that we all want to be clean after what happened."
Also looking at her clothes, Natsumi gave a grimace. "Agreed. And the faster the better."
Nagato frowned before looking at Harry. "I do have some extra clothes for Harry that I brought. But..."
Much to her surprise, Misa waved her off. "Do not worry about it, I have a number of clothes that I am more then willing to give up." On her face was a small smile. "And yes, that includes male clothes as I expected to give them to Harry-San here at some point."
Ten minutes later found the group walking along a pathway on the mountainside. Below, they could see a lake and then they stopped before where there was a scar in the mountain from a landslide. More then that though, there was a spring that bubbled out of the debris that was colored white and gently steamed in the night air. Looking at it, Harry turned to Shirmizu who walked to a boulder. "Is this your spring, Shiromizu?"
Looking over her shoulder she nodded. "As a matter of fact, it is my spring." Gently, Shiromizu placed a hand on the boulder and gave it a push. As it moved, steam came out from behind it and a tunnel large enough to walk through was revealed. "But that is not the actual source." Sharing a wide eyed look, Harry and Natsumi followed her while a Yama Oroshi followed with a bucket that contained various items behind them. Said Yokai was followed by a curious Nagato and Haru while Hoppou sat down outside to look out at the night. It took less then half a minute to reach the destination which was inside a small cave that contained a pool of hot water, the water from said pool spilling out and down into a mass of debris at one end. "And here we are."
Eyes closed, Harry enjoyed the heated, steamy air which carried something in it. Opening them, he was about to say something when his mouth snapped shut as Shiromizu undid her Obi. Turning his head, he coughed a bit. "Uh, what are you doing?"
Amused with a twinkle in her eyes, Shiromizu hummed. "What else? We need to take a bath if we're to get clean and have some time before my Onee-Sama returns with some proper clothing. In the meantime, you two can have a soak with me in the hot spring."
Her own eyes narrowed as Shiromizu hissed at some of her injures as she got ready, Natsumi frowned. "This is your spring though..." At the nod, her eyes widened in shock. "But-"
Turning to her, Shiromizu gave her a look while shrugging off her Kimono top. "And? I don't mind sharing a soak in the source of my spring with either of you." A grimace on her face as she could see the bruises that covered her own body, the serpent took a deep breath. "The both of you are more than welcome whenever you want."
Unknown to Harry and Natsumi, Haru's eyes widened before her expression became contemplative. 'Hmm... I wonder if she understands what that means.'
Meanwhile, Shiromizu smirked at the blush on Harry's face before he turned away from her some. "Um, thank you, Shiromizu. That sounds pretty good."
Simply nodding, Shiromizu filled up the bucket with some water before giving both her friends a smile. "And don't worry, any water we use to wash ourselves before the soak will go down the passageway we came through, not into the spring." The smirk then returned before she snapped open her fan which covered her lower face. "Just enjoy it, as well as maybe Natsumi-Chan washing your back and you returning the favor." At their blushes, her smirk widened. "Fufufufufu, already looking forward to such, hmm?"
Brightly blushing, Natsumi gave her a glare. 'Ero-Hebi.' However, several minutes later, Natsumi was groaning as she relaxed in the hot waters, Harry doing much the same beside her. "Oooh, that feels good."
Leaning against the side as she slipped the rest of her serpentine lower body into the water, Shiromizu sighed happily. Opening one eye, she hummed. "It does feel good as a matter of fact."
Nearly covered by the water, Harry chuckled. "Feels rather... divine."
Shiromizu and Natsumi shared a look before nodding. Moments later, Harry was sputtering as they splashed him. Off to one side, Nagato had a frown on her face as she muttered to Haru. "Is the water... glowing slightly?"
Just glancing at her, Haru nodded. "And that's not all, look at their injuries." When the Battleship did so and widened her eyes, the Kitsune continued. "While I am not surprised about Shiromizu healing, I am about the other two. I think though that she is using her power over her spring to heal them." A gentle smile crossed her face. "I wonder if the two know what sort of gift they have been given..."
While the three laughed and let the tension leave them as they de-stressed, the two adults just watched with amused looks.
_________________________________________________________________________
Early morning sunlight entered the van through the windows as Nagato looked into the back. In the middle seat, Hoppou was looking outside the window at the passing countryside. In the very back though, Harry softly slept alongside both Natsumi and Shiromizu. Both the kitsune and the mizuchi were clutching tightly to him while twelve year old boy held them just as much. All three were clad in clean clothing given to them by Misa as a gift while Shiromizu's lower body took up much of the van as she had not bothered to transform into her smaller, snake form.
Turning away, Nagato ran a hand through her hair. "Finally that's over."
A frown on her face, Haru sighed some and shook her head. "I thought that they would never let us leave the debriefing." Giving Nagato an amused look, she smirked. "Though after the fourth time they asked the kids to go through what happened, I thought that you were going to incinerate them on the spot."
Nagato scowled at that as she remembered what had happened. "The interviews were already complete, there was no need for more. And they needed some sleep as well!"
Only nodding, Haru let out a breath. "Agreed. Though I doubt very much that will be the last time that we'll be interviewed over the next few days. I may ask for you to watch over Natsumi-Chan though over the next few days though. With what happened, I need to inform some people who need to know and I had a meeting set up as well before all this which might still go through. What happens next though..."
Head tilting to the side, Nagato frowned. "None of them will be in trouble, will they?"
Pausing, Haru considered things before shaking her head. "No, none of them will be in trouble. Especially not Natsumi-Chan. In fact, I would not be too surprised if the tale is not already making the rounds and possibly growing in the telling. What those three managed..." With a chuckle, she smiled a bit. "Well, they're going to have attention focused on them, to say the least."
In reply to that, Nagato pinched her nose. "Great. That's just... great."
Finger tapping on the steering wheel, Haru blinked. "Not as bad as you might think actually. The jorōgumo caused a lot of problems from what that PSIA agent explained. Perhaps it might even help Harry-Chan when it comes time to enter the JMSDF as I am sure they have a file on him at this point."
Considering that, Nagato eventually nodded. "I suppose that is true enough." Her gaze then fell to a box between the seats though. One covered in ofuda which made Nagato frown. "And the stone you put in there?"
Haru was quiet for several moments before sighing. "A piece of the Sesshō seki. We may perhaps be grateful that the jorōgumo did not know what she had in her possession or else things might have gone far worse. As it is though..." She glanced at the box and took a deep breath. "Something else about it bothers me."
Eyebrow raising, Nagato frowned at her. "And what would that be? I know of the legend of the Sesshō seki but..."
Voice dropping down to a whisper, Haru shook her head. "The stone itself is nearly completely drained. That should be impossible with the amount of power each piece has. And that is one of the larger pieces that are out there of which I have seen."
It took a moment, but Nagato's eyes widened slightly and she shot a look to where Natsumi was sleeping, both tails out. "Was it the cause for Natsumi-Chan gaining her second tail? Somehow?"
Still whispering, Haru nodded. "Hai, I suspect that somehow Natsumi-Chan absorbed the energy in it, or it gave her the needed energy to ascend to a two tail. But even due to certain... aspects... regarding her, such a thing should be impossible. A Kitsune cannot give a tail to another after they have died after all, though if any could, Tamamo no Mae certainly could possibly do so. Despite everything, the old bitch still had many secrets known only to her."
Cocking an eyebrow at the name she called the infamous Kitsune, Nagato frowned. "Should I be worried?"
Much to her relief, Haru shook her head. "No, there's nothing to worry about in this case. I will mention it to Haha-ue and Chichi-ue though as well as Hoshi-San. If anyone would have an idea as to what had happened and how, it would be them." The car ride continued for several minutes before Haru spoke up with a smirk. "I do have a word of warning though."
Somewhat worried due to the playful tone, Nagato narrowed her eyes. "Oh? And what sort of warning are we talking about?"
If anything, Haru's smirk grew. "After what happened last night, I am certain that Haha-ue and Chichi-ue shall send an invite to Harry-Chan to our family estate. They wanted to meet him after all at some point in the next year. And now? Now chances are they will want to meet him before the summer is out."
Blinking, Nagato began to smirk herself. While Mutsu was the one who most people took as a teaser, her sister did have her moments. Granted, Nagato was more for trolling when she did so. "I see... I think that perhaps I will be looking forward to such an invite."
Meanwhile, Harry slept in the back seat with Natsumi and Shiromizu curled into him, the serpent having wrapped some of her coils around her two friends.