Harry Potter & the Shipgirls

[darthcourt10]

K9Thefirst1

The Special Experts

It took some time for the good people of Halifax to settle down. It was one thing for Humanity to gain such a boon as to crack the code in summoning installation girls. It was quite another for that installation to be their own home town. Copious amounts of alcohol was consumed, plus the shot in the arm of morale on top of what was already the norm for Natal Weekend, and it was expected that the number of births come May would be above average by a statistically significant margin.

But for the Installation Woman Halifax and her friends, it was rapidly business as usual. Georgie quickly took up the cause of personally inspecting the anti-air and anti-sea defenses of the harbor (while humorously enough fighting off the attentions of a goodly portion of the male population… Leaving her defenseless to the imminent combined and coordinated advances of Ontario, Empress of Asia, and Malaya, to Hali's secret amusement), Peggy tended to the local fishing villages, and the Privateer Girls dove into getting caught up on their missing history. And Hali herself? She did her thing.

It was no small secret that the lads at the shipgirl yards were keen on Halifax's assistance. On her own she more than doubled their dock space for shipgirl repairs without having to similarly increase resource demand. Add in the strides she made on tackling various engineering problems just by existing and the Powers that Be suddenly felt that the Abyssal War just might be finite, and in their lifetimes too!

But that didn't mean that her boys knew everything. While she was intimately familiar with anything in the arsenal of the European and American powers (and the Japanese just due to their ships being heavily influenced by the Royal Navy), the alliances with certain fleets of the Abyssals posed the Installation Woman with a daunting task – loath though she would admit it: The truth was that there weren't any widely available records of the hulls of the Abyss. Sure there were studies based on wrecks, but that only told part of the story. If the Abyssals were to fight side-by-side with the shipgirls, then Sweet Georgia they deserved just as good care from her and her yards. And so, when word came in that the Americans wanted to send 'special experts' to her to educate her and her engineers on Abyssal Anatomy, she refused to let something as petty as pride get in the way of accepting. It meant there was something to occupy her active mind. And there was the intrigue of how any meetings with their guests were so classified she wondered how her engineers were to actually learn anything.

Which brought her to the present – the shipgirls that fought off the Abyssal incursion during her summoning had long been repaired and sent on their way, her engineers were starting to finish their first run of drafts of their projects, and Halifax was starting to get bored. So it was with a touch of anticipation as the fairy-sized C-46 Commando came in for a landing at the giant woman's airstrip. As the twin-engined transport powered down, Halifax sent a complement of MPs and a limo to escort these "special experts." Things went well enough, the door opened, the American MPs marches out… And then they did something rather curious. The pulled out from the plane a series of large black screens, and arranged them so that no one nearby – save for Halifax herself – could actually see the occupants as they exited the plane. The Installation narrowed her eyes at that, but said nothing. Though now she was especially interested in who these men were.

And then an Abyssal Imp exited the plane and made for the limo. Then a second. And a third, until finally nearly ten of the damned things had left the plane and hopped into the limo.

"Eh?!"

And all the while Halifax stared bug-eyed at the sight.

'Still…' she thought as the Limo wound through her rigging's streets before disappearing into her pocket, 'I guess that would make them experts in Abyssal ships…'

"Excuse me, Hali?"

Halifax was pulled from her thoughts by a now familiar voice, a night guard who seemed to be making a point to visit on his way home from his shift each morning.

"Well hello th-!"

While Halifax on the outside continued about her normal day, inside Halifax met with the men in charge of her yards, and their… Guests.

Her fairies were more than familiar to her, all of them brilliant men from all over the world, the best of their field in the 1940s from both sides of the conflict, and now working as one against a common enemy. And all of them only permitted in this meeting after rigorous background checks, NDAs, and gag orders. But the Abyssal Imps… With their pitch-black skin, glowing blood red eyes, craggy teeth and various numbers of horns… To say they were an uneasy sight was an understatement. It was clear that her fairies weren't entirely enthused with this turn of events, but her countrymen were to polite to say anything (insert joke). After an awkward silence Halifax sighed and broke the ice.

"Major," she said, addressing the American officer that came with the Abyssals, "I do not believe that we have been introduced to our new arrivals. If we could have the honor?"

"Of course," the American said, turning to the biggest and burliest Imp of the bunch, in a USN uniform of all things, "Allow me to present our Special Experts in Abyssal Construction and Operations, led by Chief Engineer Azog Wraithghoul, Lieutenant First Class, USN, formerly of the Abyssal Grand Atlantic Battlefleet. Chief?"

Azog stepped forward, producing a folder that he placed on the desk of the installation director for him and everyone else to examine, and Halifax noted that, had the room been big enough for her to stand up straight, Azog was almost tall enough to be even with her bust. That was… An odd notion, to one who was used to being able to look down on the rooves of single story buildings.

"Gentlemen. As you know, I am an Imp of the Abyss. My men and myself, along with some hundred others, defected to the United States after the capture of our ship, the Re-Class battlecarrier Resignation, BCV-204. In late April, 2011, our fleet was ambushed by another Abyssal fleet, likely over resources and territory. The results of the battle are unknown, save that Resignation received a debilitating hit amidships and was captured approximately six days later off the coast of Delaware.

Halifax stood behind her staff as they each passed the documents and photographs contained in the folder. The documents all detailed the capture and dry minutia of the incident and the immediate aftermath, and would have been entirely comprehensible to Man and Shipgirl. However, in the outside world, the photographs would have been of the braindead hulk of a Re-Class with an obviously fatal head-injury under tow by American shipgirls, with the cigar-chomping Vulcan beside her. But to Fairies and Halifax, the pictures showed the sagging superstructure of a mighty capital ship, an unholy demonic fusion of a super-battleship and an aircraft carrier, being towed by American battleships and ocean tugs, the relatively miniscule shape of the repair ship Vulcan almost lost next to the behemoth. And looking at the damage, Halifax and her engineers whistled at the sight.

For nearly the entire port side shell plating was gone from just forward of the navigation bridge to aft of the rear fire director, from above the middle deck up to the weather deck. And midships the superstructure sagged like a depressed birthday cake, with twisted wreckage that had once been anti-air batteries and secondary gun turrets. The three funnels characteristic of the "Starboard Flight Deck" Re-Classes were equally mangled by the force of the blast, and the middle one having actually fallen, only to get tangled in the wreckage below.

"Huh," Halifax said, "looks a little bit like Arizona after the bomb hit at Pearl Harbor. Must have been some blast to gut the ship's internals like that."

"How in the world did you lot survive that?" one of her staff asked Azog.

"Forget them, how did that happen?!" interjected another, "And why didn't the ship go down right away?"

Azog cleared his throat to regain everyone's attention.

"One characteristic of the Re-Class' armor scheme is the use of external fuel bunkers on either side of the hull. They double as a secondary layer of armor regardless of whether or not they have fuel in them. The bunkers stop about at the deck below the weather deck. The American South Dakota-Class battleships have a similar layout, hence their characteristic inset row of portholes amidships. Unfortunately, this results in a similar chink in the armor, provided that a sufficiently heavy shell at just the right angle hits that spot above the bunkers but below the weather deck."

Azog moved his mouth to continue twice, but seemed to be unable to force himself to continue. The American Major stepped forward to continue the narrative.

"What we think happened, was that one such hit took place, on the port side. While it would have been bad enough, it should not have resulted in this sort of damage. According to survivor's testimony the ship was low on munitions for the main guns when the battle took place, so our working theory was that there was a transfer of shells or powder from the aft Magazine to the forward guns. In order to facilitate rapid movement of munitions in a combat situation, it is common practice to use the aviation elevator and transfer tunnel facilities on the strength deck. It's likely that such a transfer was in the area of the strike, setting off a much larger blast. Fortunately, the avgas hoses run below the strength deck and thus were unaffected, and even if they were, the Re-Class' fire suppression systems automatically vent the aviation fuel overboard in the even of a fire.

"The reason why more of the ship wasn't damaged, if not outright destroyed, is due to both it's size and armor layout. Given the merged nature of the design, the strength deck – which on a battleship would normally be the weather deck – is actually below, so that it seamlessly merges with the hanger deck of the carrier side. As the ship was under battle conditions, all hatches moving through the deck would have been closed, and all vents would have been sealed, as is normal for Abyssal ships. Therefore, the blast would not have been able to go down, and so it could only go to the sides and up.

"In a three-hundred sixty-degree arc around the blast zone, bulkheads were blown aside for up to 15 meters, before the explosion met resistance, and was redirected either straight up or back out the port side from where the impact came and out the ship. And straight up were the relatively thin decks underneath the superstructure. With the bulk of the structural support destroyed and the remains rendered glowing hot by the blast and the resultant fires, the midships section sagged and keeled over as shown in the pictures. This area contained the CIC and battle-bridge, resulting in the entire command staff killed, all intra-ship comms being cut-off, and massive loss of power, rendering her effectively dead in the water.

"Another affect of the explosion was the ignition of anything flammable in the immediate area. Paint, wood, cloth, anything and everything. Lieutenant Wraithghoul and his men, being in the machinery spaces, were spared the worst of the disaster, and when the fire alarms rang they followed procedure and activated the fire suppression system, which in addition to dumping the avgas includes dumping water from the sprinkler system and flooding the magazines, purging the spaces of oxygen rich air, and spraying retardant foam. Yet despite these efforts Resignation reportedly burned for over an hour. If there were any other survivors they likely abandoned ship after the entire commanding staff were killed.

"On May third, 2011, a routine patrol found the floating hulk, and boarders discovered the survivors in engineering, who then surrendered and sought asylum in the United States. After that Resignation was brought under tow to the Washington Navy Yard."

Azog gave a small cough. The major looked aside to him. At his nod, the fairy stepped aside and returned the presentation to the Imp. Who had another folder on hand.

"After that, we cooperated with the American Navy on their efforts to study the Re-Class, figure out how they tick, their quirks. And to restore her to combat readiness."

That caught everyone's interest, Halifax's especially. Azog handed the second folder to the Installation Woman, who yanked the contents out and shared them only when she was done with them. Once more there were documents and pictures. All of the documents detailing observations on the damage, comparisons with the ship's blueprints Azog and his men provided, comparisons with human ships and shipgirls, and draft work on the repair process. And in the photographs was a very different-looking ship indeed, squeezed into a river cutting through mountainous terrain.

The full-length deck was replaced with a try at an angled flight deck like what the Essex girls got after the war, which Halifax deemed 'admirably sufficient but improvable' at once. The three funnels that reminded her of the NoCar's had been fused into a single boxy funnel that blended seamlessly into the entirely new superstructure, one that looked more like a typical aircraft carrier island (making the girl look a bit more like the "Portsider" Re-Class so common in the Pacific). Every single secondary turret was replaced with American five-incher double gun turrets, and in typical American style, she was sporting a forest of bofors 20 and 40mm AA gun wherever there was room. Not even the top of the new navigation bridge was spared.

Halifax looked at the before and after photos, her brow furrowed and her mouth slightly agape at what she was seeing.

"This is the most disgusting thing I have ever seen." She said, to the Americans' shock and the Imp's anger. "I'm serious. This is the most revolting, heinous thing I have ever had to encounter… And it's so bitching!"

Azog, despite his time around shipgirls, was thrown by the one-eighty, and thus didn't resist when Halifax grabbed him by the shoulders and shook him.

"Tell me! Tell me all of the things! This is so cool I could kiss someone! Oh Hell-!"

And that was how Azog got his first kiss.

The fairies, being native to the sorts of shenanigans Shipgirls – and apparently Installation Women – got into when excited at something relevant to their interests, were utterly unaffected.

"May I ask why this is secret? And why is it being revealed to us now?"

Halifax was greatly disappointed that she was being deprived of her fix on awesome engineering if her sigh and groan of frustration was anything to go by. Nevertheless, the American Major took over.

"The initial intent was to scrap Resignation as was typical of more mangled hulks captured. However, after the survey of the hull, the Chiefs of Staff agreed that it would be worthwhile to look into rebuilding her, to see if she could be turned into an asset. This being before paper ships started coming out of the woodwork. And even now, more guns and more decks are more guns and decks. However, there was no real way to predict what would happen over the course of the project, so it was kept as a need-to-know basis, with only the highest levels of the US Military, and those of our allies, being to have full knowledge. Though everything we learned was shared among our allies as soon as we ourselves knew it.

"As for why now, after seeing how the ship developed after the reconstruction, it was decided by the Secretary of the Navy to commission the Re-Class into the US Navy as USS Rhode Island."

The room filled with a dull murmur at that, the men at the table once more circulating the various photos of Resignation and Rhode Island. Halifax examined her own copy of Rhode Island, mentally chewing on the information at hand. Thinking about the various logistical quandaries this ship was going to present to her… And something else…

"What is she like, this Rhode Island? And what are her thoughts on the… Changes?"

All conversation stopped, and every eye turned to her before turning to the American Major, who in turn looked to Azog. Nonplussed, the Imp stood up straight, and spoke with the conviction of an engineer who knew his boat better than he did the back of his hand.

"She's a good ship Your Highness. Better than she ever was with the Abyss. There's nothing left of the woman who, looking back, was a heartless bitch. In her place is a sweet girl, with a heart of gold, who sees Humanity as her people, as her new country as her only country. When the time comes to tell her, she'll take up arms beside her new family as assuredly as she would have if she never knew. She will serve you well Your Highness."

Halifax hummed at that, though there was no sign of disapproval in her face, the title he called her nod immediately registering in favor of more important things.

"So she's ignorant of her past then?"

The major stepped up, regaining the floor.

"It was a calculated risk. It was decided – based on suggestion of South Carolina, who has all but adopted the ship as one of her own – that it would be for the best to let Rhode Island form her own identity, one without influence of the knowledge of where she came from or who she had been. The idea is that she be told sometime before she is officially unveiled to the world. No date has been laid down yet, but it is the President's hope to have it happen sometime between Veteran's Day – I believe that's Remembrance Day in the Commonwealth – and New Year's.

"In the meantime, with the repairs and conversion completed, Azog and his men are left with very little to do. And with the recently established alliances with Abyssal Fleets in the Atlantic and Pacific, it was deemed prudent to start spreading their intimate experience with Abyssal ships throughout the relevant departments. The bulk have been quietly filtered among the various repair shipgirls in the US fleet, while the superior officers, Azog and his men with me, are to be assigned to here, with Halifax."

The Installation Woman nodded magnanimously, addressing the Major, but looking Azog in the eye with a confidence smile on her face. "Much obliged Major, I look forward to covering the particulars with Chief Wraithghoul in the coming months. And what about our allies?"

"Well Halifax, your successful summoning determined the first priority. The plan is that Azog and his men – in a clandestine manner you understand – will educate yourself and your own specialists in their knowledge. And for the foreseeable future after Rhode Island is revealed, whenever that turns out to be, three will remain here while the remainder are split between Europe and Japan, with Azog likely to be sent to the Far East, given the bulk of our most important Abyssal Allies seem to be congregating in that region."

Halifax, whose eyes never left the increasingly uncomfortable Azog, stepped up to the Imp and shook his hand, a hungry smile on her face.

"Excellent. Lieutenant Wraithghoul, I look forward to working with you. And your men of course. I'm absolutely tickled at the prospect at what engineering marvels you have tucked inside your brain."

Azog didn't say anything for a long while, choosing instead to nod in agreement, a placid expression on his face. Finally he found his voice.

"And I look forward to sharing with you Your Highness."

"I apologize," one of the German Fairy engineers interjected, "but why are you calling Halifax that?"

Azog looked around, and noted that the faint look of confusion was shared among the fairies, while the Imps seemed more confused that their peers were confused. Then the penny dropped.

"Ah. Sorry, force of habit I suppose. You see Halifax, you exert an aura similar to that of Central Atlantic Princess and her sisters, the other Elder Princesses."

One of Halifax's fairies was about to drink, but his glass fell from stunned fingers.

 

[darthcourt10]

U.N.Spacy000

Because Juuchi's panicking and I felt like writing this. Have Juuchi gathering allies and prepping for the inevitably disappointing confrontation while stalking Harry through the high school culture shipgirl festival!

****

Juuchi Prepares for the Storm

"Okay, first thing – you need to go after our Lord and follow him," Juuchi said as she nibbled her lower lip a little. "You have your cell phone, right? Try to stay out of sight, and I'll get to you as soon as I can."

"Uh, alright senpai," Tsukiakari said as she began to move toward the door while keeping Juuchi in her field of vision. "What are you going to be doing?"

"Recruiting," Juuchi said before she moved to Harry's room.

There, in her terrarium, half lounging on a rock underneath a sun lamp, was Shiromizu.

Juuchi kneeled down so she could press her face against the glass, tapped it insistently with a finger, and said, "Hey, wake up."

Shiromizu cracked open an eye, took in her newest supplicant, judged that her time would be spent better doing other things, and closed her eye to go back to sleep.

This was a slight miscalculation on the Mizuchi's part as Juuchi decided her next course of action was to pick up the terrarium and spin it so it was upside down. Gravity did its work, and Shiromizu, her rock, her little home, and everything else in the enclosure all came falling out. It took a moment for Shiromizu to figure out what was going on. She felt the falling sensation and figured she would be waking up soon. That was what happened in dreams, after all. She had just gone back to sleep, and Juuchi would not really do something as rash as to dump her terrarium out on the floor just because she snubbed the sword. Right? But moments before she hit the floor, the Mizuchi realized no, this is not a dream. She then impacted on the floor, and the worldly possessions she kept in the terrarium quickly followed after her raining down from the sky with the exception of the sun lamb since it was clamped onto the terrarium's side.

Hedwig watched everything unfold with a dispassionate gaze from her lofty perch.

"The hell!" the angered Mizuchi roared as she sprung up from the floor in her partially human form and launched herself at the impudent blade.

"Harry's in danger, and I need your help," Juuchi said with an obscene amount of calmness that reminded Shiromizu of the eye of a hurricane as the two women pressed their foreheads together.

Shiromizu recoiled and said, "What?"

"Well, actually, I need your mentor's help do things like set up alarm ward and other things around the base for a specific threat, but I need to be on hand to physically protect Harry and someone to convince your mentor to do this for me, so I came to you," Juuchi said serenely with a smile.

"And what makes you so much better at guarding Harry than me?" Shiromizu asked with narrowed eyes.

"I know for a fact that I can physically come in contact with – with my sister," Juuchi said as though the act of admitting she was related in some way to the threat against Harry physically pained her. "We do not know if you can fight her or if you are susceptible to her attacks. If we fail, the best case scenario is that everyone forgets Harry ever lived."

"That doesn't sound very 'best case' to me," Shiromizu said.

"It is when it gets worse from there," Juuchi responded. "Now, are you going to the temple or are you following me?"

"I'll get Haru," Shiromizu said with a frown. "Which of your sisters are we preparing for?"

"Kyoshu," Juuchi said, and some of the anger and bloodlust slipped from her control.

"Right – you've got your phone with you, right?" Shiromizu asked, and when she got a nod in reply, she made her way to the door with indecent haste. "In that case I'll call you if something comes up and see you later."

Juuchi nodded her head in satisfaction, left the apartment, deliberately locked the door, checked her phone for her kohai with the 'find a friend' app, and then ran. Down the hall, down the stairs, through more halls barely managing to sidestep a couple insignificant battleships, out the front doors, and into the naval base at large. Juuchi flew through the thoroughfares, past rows upon rows of dorms/barracks, outraced a golf cart, caused a number of skirts to be flipped up because of the displaced air caused by her going so fast, and she neatly stopped next to Tsukiakari.

Tsukiakari did not squeal like a little girl in surprise. Not that Juuchi was paying attention to her kohai so she could tease the younger sword later. She was too busy mucking about with her cellphone, and after a few seconds of ringing, the phone was picked up on the other end.

"Honjo," Juuchi said almost out of breathe before the other sword could get in the first word. "I need you."

Honjo was silent for a few seconds before she said, "This is not how I saw my day going. Ever. Uh, look, I'm flattered, but, uh, it wouldn't work out. We sort of hate each other. I think."

"But I respect you, and you're the only one I can turn to," Juuchi said plaintively in what was not begging. "I help to protect my Lord – and even if I did have any of my sisters' numbers, which I don't, you'd still be one of the first people I'd call for this!"

"Wait, what?" Honjo asked in shock as the mood and need whiplashed. "Oh. You meant – oh. Yes, okay, I'll be over soon. You've got your phone, yes?"

Juuchi nodded before realizing technology was not quite that advanced before she said, "Yes."

"Right, I'll find you soon enough," Honjo said. "Who are we protecting him from?"

"Kyoshu," Juuchi said.

"Fuck."

"Senpai?" Tsukiakari asked when she heard her other favorite senpai curse over the phone.

"Hey, uh, you're still with those fuddy duddy historians who shipped all the other swords back to their families, right?" Juuchi asked.

"Yes?" Honjo said uncertainly.

"Do you think you can grab their addresses so we can get in contact with the others?" Juuchi asked in a quiet voice. "I want all the help we can get."

"I'll see what I can do," Honjo said. "I'll be there soon."

"Bye," Juuchi said before the line went dead.

"Is this really-" Tsukiakari began to ask before Juuchi cut her off.

"Yes," Juuchi said as she began dialing another number. "Rose?"

"Ah, Juuchi," Rose said from the other end of the line. "I was not expecting you to call."

"I need you to write this down, and I need Haruna to enter it into her log or whatever," Juuchi said briskly as she and Tsukiakari followed the gaggle of school children surrounding Harry. "It's important."

"Ah, alright," Rose said uncertainly.

"If you forget big, important things – like how you got from England to Japan, you need to assemble a hit team to kill – or more likely just slow down – Kyoshu Muramasa and flee," Juuchi said.

"A hit team?" Rose asked in shock. "Juuchi-"

"I've learned that the sister who likes to torment me by killing off and torturing the families I serve occasionally visits," Juuchi said as she pre-emptively cut off the tea set's demand for an explanation. "Also, I'm going to need the phone number of those guys that ran security for your wedding."

"I, yes, of course," Rose said shaken. "I'll text it to you."

"Thank you," Juuchi said before hanging up and then dialing the number Rose sent her.

Tsukiakari looked physically ill at the thought of a Muramasa coming to kill Harry, and a few of the things Juuchi had said – how proud she was of Tsukiakari for waking her master and saving his life when she was so young – suddenly took on a new meaning.

A short time later, Honjo walked up to the pair of blades while Juuchi spoke into her phone and said, "I have arrived."

"It is good to see you again, Honjo-senpai," Tsukiakari said with a short bow. "I think Juuchi-senpai is really serious about this."

"As she should be," Honjo said with a distant look in her eyes before refocusing on Tsukiakari. "Who is she speaking with now?"

"The group that provided security for Rose and Haruna's wedding," Tsukiakari said as the trio trundled along. "I think she's trying to get either a security detail or a group to provide surveillance and call her when they see Kyoshu."

"That fucker!" Juuchi roared as she made to hurl her phone to the great beyond before Honjo stopped her.

"S-senpai?" Tsukiakari asked.

"When I finally got around to dropping Kyoshu's name, that fucker burst out laughing and hung up on me!" Juuchi said vehemently.

"I suppose she continues to have a fearsome reputation in even this age," Honjo said sadly. "It seems we are on our own for the time being."

"Yes," Juuchi said through gritted teeth. "Hopefully Shiromizu will convince Haru to help us – her own niece is going to have a target painted on her head since she's with Harry so often."

"So, uh, what does Kyoshu look like, anyway?" Tsukiakari asked.

"Right, right," Juuchi said as she reigned in her emotions again before she started to tell her adorable kohai all about what and who Kyoshu was while Harry sang along to the opening strains of "Space Battleship Yamato" in support of Shinano much to the blushing support carrier's delight.

 

[darthcourt10]

Lord K

Looking in the mirror, Kogamaru frowned and adjudsted his baseball cap one last time, before then putting on his polarised sun glasses. It was rather different from his normal preferences for traditional apparel, but it would do. With sneakers, jeans, t-shirt, Tokyo U varsity jacket, all concealing sunglasses, and his normally free-flowing hair pulled into a pony-tail and shoved down the back of his jacket to disguise it's length. Now he barely looked anything at all like Kogamaru, Ninth Koshaku of the Hokubu Okami.

Turning around, Kogamaru then looks to the others. "How do I look guys?"

Ai just rolls her eyes. "You couldn't look any harder like a celebrity trying to dress incognito if you tried."

Kiba gives a thumbs up. "You're rocking the look pretty well. No one will ever know."

Chisuheri gives a shrug as she goes back and forth from the van Akutoku has hired for the group for the day. "It's passable as disguises go."

The Okami just facepalms at the sweeping range of opinions. "Thanks guys really."

Off to the side, Jin laughs. "Oh ignore them. You'll be fine. We only know it's you, because only you'd be enough of a dork to dress up like it's still the 80's."

"Thanks Jin. You're a great friend."

The mizuchi preens. "I do my best."

"Speaking of which," interrupts Chisuheri as she passes by again. "I must thank you for volunteering to help look after Kyoshu. While Umitsubame would normally prefer to have one of our own looking after her...." The Bloodlust Blade grimaces. "Unfortunately something this big requires running herd on Akutoku, and the others all either want to go to specific stalls that are only here for today, or are busy elsewhere."

The dragon shrugs. "Meh, it's no problem. I can always check out what the rest of Fleet Week has to offer. There's still six more days. And besides, it's not all the different from babysitting for Porkchop and his Missues to be honest."

Glancing to the side, all eyes turn to the current conversation taking place between Akutoku and the vapidly smiling Kyoshu, while the Sword of Corruption hurriedly looks through one of her bag as part of a last minute check for something.

"-so let's go over this one more time. I know it's Monday, and so it's technically me and Umitsu's turn to look after you, but today you need to go with....?"

Akutoku trails off expectantly, waiting for Kyoshu to fill in the gap. Frowning in serious concentration, Kyoshu's eyes then light up.

"It's Monday, so that means if I get lost, I ask for you and Umitsu-chan!"

Akutoku facepalms, the number of times this cyclic attempt to drill into the Sword of Faded Memories the change of her schedule has happened, is hinted at by the increasing redness of the hand-shaped patch on her forehead.

"Okay, this isn't working." Pulling out a pen from her bag, Akutoku then gently takes her sisters hand and begins writing on Kyoshu's palm.

"Hah! The tickles!"

Work done, Akutoku pulls away. "Okay! So! Today, if you need anything or get lost, who do you got to or ask someone to help you find?"

Kyoshu tilts her head and frowns uncertainly at the characters messily scrawled on her hand, upside down from her perspective. "If.... found....see... Jin.... the..... mizuchi....?"

The Sword of Memories blinks idly, starring at the writing on her hands before looking up. "I need to see a mizuchi?"

Looking back down at her hand, Kyoshu then gasps. "Akutoku! Somebody wrote on my hand! We should go find Norimune in case it's a curse! She knows all about curses, right?"

The sword of Faded Memories pauses as she notices something. "-oh. It's upside down."

Akutoku facepalms, while Kyoshu first does her best to turn her hand upside down, and then attempts to turn the inked kanji instead. The sum of her efforts is smudging her hand, before finally actually reading the thing with her head tilted. "Aha! It says.... If Found.... See.... mou, I can't read that one anymore.... The Mizuchi."

Immediately her gaze light up with childish glee. "Did I win something?!"

Turning around she then spots Jin who is currently checking something on her phone, and excitedly levels a finger at the ex-water kami. "She's a mizuchi! Does that mean I win something if I go to her?"

Akutoku sighs. "You know what? Fuck it. Good enough. Yes Kyoshu. You win a prize if you find the mizuchi."

"Yay!"

Just then however, Jin finally looks up, and bites out an worried curse. Looking at the mizuchi in concerned surprise, Ai raises an eyebrow.

"Is something wrong?"

Jin gives a nod, as she immediately begins fishing around in her jacket for her motorcycle keys. "Shiromizu just called me- Asking about wards, and ways to get around memory editors, and a bunch of other weird shit. It sounds serious, so I gotta go."

As the mizuchi hurriedly moves to grab her helmet while she rambles, Akutoku glances up in shock. "What! But we're just beginning to make progress here!" she cries with exasperation, pointing at the ever confused Kyoshu.

Heedless to the blade's pleas, Jin is already heading to her bike on the other side of the garage. "Sorry! It sucks but the kohai comes first! Besides, it's not like she remembers me anyway! So I gotta go seeyouguysbye!"

"Oh what the fuck!" exclaims the Sword of Corruption as Jin takes her leave like a draconic whirlwind, with the swiftness of her flight shown by just how quickly the scream of her motorcycle begins fading into the distance. "Now she's just gonna be confused!"

"Who's going to be confused?" asks Kyoshu with a tilt of her head.

"Exactly!"

"Mou...?"

Sighing with heavy resignation, Chisuheri turns to the front of the van.

"Norimune!"

Lazily, the nodachi leans out of the driver side window. "Yeah?"

"You're staying behind."

Immediately, the Unrepentant Blade sits up, alert and incensed. "What!? Why!? I wanted to go!"

"Akutoku's replacement minder just had something urgent come up," supplies Chisuheri. "We're defaulting back to you."

"That's unfair! Why does it have to be me!"

"Because somebody has to keep an eye on her in a public place this big-" supplies the resident Buddhist.

"Hey! I'm not that bad!"

Chisuheri ignores said topic of conversation. "Umitsubame and Kagotsuruhe still have to leave Tokyo, and will not be here for a while yet. Ergo, of those of us present, I judge you the most likely to end up being riled up into doing something inane and harebrained in public at Akutoku's needling anyway."

Norimune bristles. "That unfair! I wouldn't.... well.... not as easily as...." Gnashing her teeth, the nodachi growls, while Akutoku laughs.

"She's got you there sis!"

"Screw you! Don't make me get out of this van!"

The Sword of Corruption just grins. "Don't you need to get out to stay behind anyway?"

"I'll make you stay behind you overgrown butter knife-"

As the jaded Disciple of Hachiman gets out of the driver's seat, Chisuheri imposes herself between the two with a resigned sigh. "Enough, both of you. If at all possible, could you find in yourselves, the restraint to at least get to where we're going before making a scene?"

Norimune sulks and kicks at the ground moodily. "She started it."

Akutoku simply pokes out her tongue cheekily and blows a raspberry. Interrupting her however, is how Kyoshu then tugs on the other sword's sleeve.

"Akutoku! Akutoku! Look!"

"Look at what?"

Merrily, Kyoshu rolls back her own hoodie's oversized sleeves to show off the messy scribbles on her hand. "Someone put a message on my hand! We have to find the mizuchi!"

The mangaka artist sighs in realization. It took most of the morning to get the message through Kyoshu's goldfish-brain, and now they've had to change plans and won't have time to make sure she remembers the new details instead.

"The Mizuchi's gone Kyo. Don't worry about it."

Kyoshu tilts her head in confusion. "Mou... is that where you're going then? To find the mizuchi?"

Akutoku facepalms. "You know what? Yes Kyo, I'm going to find the mizuchi. I may be some time, and if you stay here with Norimune until Umitsubame or Kagotsuruhe get here, I may come back with something for you. Alright?"

"Mou...." Kyoshu pauses in a silent thoughts for a few moment, which usually bodes for something amazing for good or ill. "So does that mean you win a prize if you find the mizuchi?"

Akutoku frowns in momentary confusion. "Who wins what if they find the mizuchi?"

The Sword of Faded Memories' eyes light up with wonder. "I can get a prize if I find a mizuchi?!"

Kyoshu then pauses and frowns in confusion. "Why are we looking for a mizuchi?"

Looking downward in depth though, something catches her eye. Pulling back her sleeve, Kyoshu then gasps at something on her hands.

"Akutoku! Akutoku! I've been cursed!" worriedly, she then looks to the largest of the four Muramasa blades present. "Norimune! You know about curses right?! You have to help!"

The three more sane (for a given definition) sword spirits stare at each other for a long moment. Then Akutoku throws up her hands defeat. "Fuck it, I'm done. Good luck Norimune. I'm out. I got a release event to go to."

As she leaves, Kyoshu looks at her ink marked hand with a squint, before then perking up with excitable curiosity. "Oh hey, it says something!"

Looking up, she then spies her two sisters still currently present.

"Norimune! Norimune! where's Akutoku."

The obvious answer is 'already in the van' but, but instead what comes out is "Er.... why do you want to know?"

"We need to go find the mizuchi! And Akutoku needs to come, because she's who I'm supposed to be with today!"

Norimune sighs and facepalms with resignation. This is going to be her whole morning, she can tell already.

"We're doing something different today, okay Kyo-chan? You're staying with me for now okay. Just until Umitsubame gets here."

"....but it's Monday? It's always either Akutoku or Umitsubame on Monday...." Kyoshu still can't help but frown in innocent confusion. "Mou.... it is Monday, right?"

Pulling up her sleeves to check her watch that also helpfully tells the date, Kyoshu's eyes then widen.

"Norimune! Norimune! Somebody's put a curse on my hand!"

The Unrepentant Blade resists the urge to start headbutting the nearby wall.

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

A few hours in, and Norimune is increasingly proud of the fact that she hasn't put any holes the Zuchi House.

Or brutally murdered poor Kyoshu with cruel and sadistic intent.

It's not her fault that she is the way she is. Well.... except for the fact that she had once been unrelentingly evil bitch, who's karma finally came back to haunt her when she attracted the interest of even big and more evil fish.

Irony much.

Anyway (as she had to remind herself for the nth time that hour), an inanimate house now where near old enough to any kind of magic or spirit, and an amnesiac imbecile where far beyond her purview of individuals worth fighting for. She was a disciple of Hachiman, even if the world didn't really care for such things and ways anymore.

Also, in the distraction of her mental soliloquy as to why putting holes in her sister's friend's house (and her other sister), the food had started burning.

"Oh what the fuck!?!"

Hurriedly slamming a lid on the bowl, Norimune rushes the aborted dish to the sink and begins filling it with water.

"That was supposed to be an exquisite salad. Why the fuck was there fire?!?"

With a disappointed sigh, Norimune defeatedly dumps the remains of lunch into the bin, where it joins the remains of her other failures so far. A good warrior knows when she is beaten.

Morosely, she then slouches into the lounge where she left Kyoshu with the tv going and some of Akutoku's art supplies. Hopefully that shinier paper Akutoku always seemed to have, would amuse the forgetful sword longer and more easily than the normal stuff that was in the Zuchi house's office.

"Hey Kyo-chan, I'm orderin' take out! What do you want?!"

Noirmune waits, only to receive no response.

"Kyo-chan?"

Frowning, Norimune begins to feel a prickle of worry as she begins paying more attention to actually searching out for her wayward sister.

"Oi! Kyoshu?! Nobody's playing hide and seek! You can come out now! ....Kyoshu?!"

Wandering around the coffee table, Norimune then pauses as something catches her eye.

"Oh motherfu-"

Bursting into a sprint, the Nodachi grabs her physical form and it's sheath, then slings both over her shoulder into their disguised holster for going about the muggle world; a converted carry pack for a kyudo bow due to her blade's large size.

"No, no, no, no, no-" Rushing through the halls of the Zuchi House, Norimune then freezes as upon being confronted by what she hopped she wouldn't find. "OH COME ON! FOR THE LOVE OF- ARGH!!!"

Looking back down, the nodachi then double checks the words scrawled onto the paper she grabbed from the lounge coffee table.

'Gone to Akutoku, so we can find the mizuchi'

Glancing at the winding road leading up over the hill to Yokosuka, the Unrepentant Blade then facepalms upon the realization that she can see a bus with a worryingly familiar figure in an oversized hoodie in the back.

"Oh hells.... Umitsubame and Chisuheri are gonna kill me," she moans.

A desperate flash of thought occurs to her.

What Umitsubame and Chisuheri don't know, they can't get angry about. And if she can get Kyoshu back soon enough that the Sword of Faded Memories forgets her little adventure, before Umitsubame and Kagotsuruhe arrive....

Norimune checks her watch.

The next bus doesn't arrive for another fifteen minutes.

The Unrepentnant Blade then looks at the looming hills that divide the peninsula, and the bus that will be over the top in a few more stops.

"Fuck me, this is gonna suck."

Well, at least she won't need to do cardio for a while.

Norimune takes off at a run.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Frowning, Harry narrowed his eyes as he looked around. 'Now, where are they...' At a tap on the arm though, he blinked a little. "Natsumi-Chan? Something wrong?"

The Kitsune though shook her head and gave Harry a look. "Not with me, but I could ask the much the same question, Harry-Chan."

Blinking, he tilted his head to the side. "Poi?"

With a sigh, Natsumi gave him a look even as she ignored Asuka asking Ayaka what Poi meant. "Because I know you too well, Harry-Chan. That's why."

However, before Harry could answer her, Asuka raised a finger and spoke up. "Wait, you understood what he meant?"

Just blinking, Natsumi gave her a look. "Wait, you couldn't?" After the two stared at each other for a few moments, she had a look of comprehension. "Oh! I see, you don't understand Poi."

Utterly lost, the Tengu gave her a look that was mirrored by the other Yokai. "Understand... poi?"

Nodding, Natsumi hummed a bit. "Yeah, Poi is less a word and more..." Finger against her chin, she thought it over before frowning. "More a conceptional language, I think. Its a bit hard to understand fully unless you are very immersed with Poi. But I can get the basic meaning now after so long with Harry-Chan and Yuudachi-San."

Beside her, Harry nodded rapidly. "Yeah, Poi."

Still lost like the others, Usagi was about to say something when a voice shouted. "POI!" When they looked, Yuudachi was making her way through the crowd with Fubuki and Mutsuki following at a more sedate pace. "Harry-Chan, Poi!"

Grinning, Harry opened his arms wide. "Yuudachi-Nee, Poi!"

With a laugh, the Destroyer pulled him into a big hug. "Poooooi!" Once she let him down, she placed her hands on her hips. "Poi?"

Only motioning with a hand, Harry chuckled. "Poi! Poi, poi poi poi!"

Expression brightening, Yuudachi nodded. "POI~!"

As they looked on and watched, the two started talking in a conversation composed entirely of Poi, hand gestures, Yuudachi's hair flaps, and Poi with hand gestures or hair flaps. It went without saying that the other Yokai outside of Natsumi just sort of stared with uncomprehending looks. Eventually, Rika turned to a nodding Kitsune and pointed. "Um... Are they talking entirely in Poi, hand gestures, hair flaps, which sort of look like canine ears, and poi with hand gestures or hair flaps?"

Natsumi gave her a look and nodded. "Hai."

Looking back at them, the Inugami of the group took a deep breath. "Are... are you serious, Natsumi-San? Really?"

More then a little amused, Natsumi grinned. "Poi."

When Harry and Yuudachi looked at her and nodded seriously before going back to their conversation, Kaku sighed and pinched his nose. "I do not even know any more. Especially due to this."

Just shrugging, Natsumi chuckled a bit. "Could be worse, really. I mean, I've seen Yuudachi-San with her sisters such as Shigure." At the looks of unsure interest, she continued. "They sometimes talk entirely with hair flap movements. Harry-Chan usually acts as a translator though at those times as he understands it." Placing her hands on her hips, Natsumi gave a sharp nod. "Though I've finally gotten good enough to speak it myself!"

For almost a minute the other teens boggled at her while in the background various form of poi-ing could be heard. Opening her mouth, Asuka paused for a moment and thought it over. Then she closed it before turning to the others. "I... I am not even sure if she is joking or not."

Shaking his head, Kaku sighed and held up both hands. "Neither am I, but I get the impression that she is somewhat serious at least."

Just grinning, Natsumi was cackling inside her head at the group. For once, being used to shipgirl shenanigans meant that she was able to cause others to boggle. Not long afterwards, Harry waved Yuudachi goodbye only to find Natsumi once more looking at him. "Well? So what is the matter, Harry-Chan?"

Briefly frowning, Harry sighed and shook his head. "We're being followed."

It went without saying that none of them expected that and blinked, though Natsumi nodded some. "Yeah, I thought that we were. I wasn't too sure about it though, but if you're feeling it then we are for certain."

Looking between them, Usagi narrowed her eyes and looked around. "Are they dangerous, do you think?"

The black haired wizard considered her question and tilted his head to the side. "Dangerous? Yeah, pretty sure that they are dangerous and very much so. A better question would be if they are dangerous to us though. And that? I don't think that they are. But they're good no matter who they are."

Finger tapping her chin, Natsumi thought it over some. "Hmm... could be one of the shipgirls or perhaps one of our families, I guess. Don't know who else it might be."

Staring at one spot, Harry's frown grew. "Actually? Now that I think about it, maybe it is Juuchi. It would be just like her after what happened, she did seem worried. And to be honest, it would not surprise me at all... Still, going to keep an eye out just in case." Clapping his hands though, he smiled. "Anyways, where do you guys want to go first? There's different things happening after all."

More then a little thrown by the change in subject, it took a few moments for the other teens to shake it off. Riko frowned and gave a glance around before shrugging it off. "Where do you suggest?"

Head tilted to the side, Harry hummed in thought. "Well, Tenryuu-Oba, Tatsuta-Oba, and Hibiki-Chan all are supposed to have summoned their hulls. So if you want, we can go have a look. They're also going to be having cruises as well later on in the day. Mum's going to start doing the same tomorrow afternoon each day after sixteen hundred until twenty one hundred until half way through the week when it will be all day. So is Kongou-Oba."

Interested by what he was hearing, Kaku gave a nod. "Those do sound interesting, though they'd probably take up most of the day if we did that. Anything else?"

Chuckling, the wizard gave a shrug. "Sure, besides them there's some tours of the JS Fubuki as well as JS Kaga now that they're done their sea trials. And there's going to be Zodiac rides as well around the waterfront for example. Or if you want something more adventurous, the Submarines have what is basically a two person submersible that they will pull along in the harbour under the water on the opposite side of the base from the others for a twenty minute trip." Pointing to where something was taking off into the sky, Harry smiled some. "Kaga-Oba and Akagi-Oba also have some of their planes out and taking people for rides up into the sky as well. So is Enterprise as well." Seeing the surprised look, he shook his head. "They can have their planes and stuff grow to their original sizes. There's an area for them to take off from and land on the small airstrip here. Pretty cool to be honest.

With a nod, Natsumi took over. "There's also plenty of activities and tours around the base so people can see behind the scenes. No one is in the Repair Docks for example, so Akashi can let them see around them with her as a guide. Some of the old tunnels well away from anything important are also open with tours."

Placing his hands behind his head, the black haired teen nodded. "Not to mention the fun and games around. In one of the warehouses they got a Maritime simulator that puts you on the bridge of a ship with your friends. And another lets you take control of plane in a WWII flight simulator."

Suddenly there was a shout which made them turn to a booth where an older teen in a white shirt and black pants with an armband around one arm was waving at him. "OI! HARRY-SAN! OW!"

Next to him, a scowling girl whacked him upside the head. "Stop bothering people, Hiroshi-San!" However, next moment she was also waving at Harry who walked over. "Good day, Harry-Kun."

Frowning, Hiroshi looked at her. "How come you can talk with him and I-OW!"

Only shaking her head, Natsumi turned to the others. "They're in the Junior Civil Defense Corps with Harry-Chan. Both of them are older then he is, so they're higher up."

That made Usagi nod a bit. "I get it, their his Senpais and he's their Kohei." With a small chuckle, she shook her head some. "By the way, have they actually got a uniform out for the Civil Defense Corps yet? Last I heard that was sort of a big thing."

Moving her hand from side to side, Natsumi frowned. "Not really? Besides their tan and orange coveralls that they wear sometimes when performing drills. Though from what Harry told me, they've mostly adapted white button shirts and black cargo pants as their unofficial dress one with patches on the sleeves. No one is sure if that is going to become official yet or not though. They're only a few years old after all."

Simply frowning, Asuka shook her head at that before looking at the booth that was beside the one Harry was. It was the one for the full fledge Civil Defense Corps and she could see a truck not unlike an ambulance with the official logo for the Defense Corps. However, what really caught her eye was another booth. "Civil Air Service?"

With a blink, Natsumi looked in the same direction and nodded. "Yeah, they're sort of new and attached to the Civil Defense Corps. They fly civilian aircraft from what I've been told in support of the Civil Defense Corps to free up the military ones. The government is sort of happy with that as they can also be used for disaster relief and the like alongside the rest of the Civil Defense Corps. They've been talking about a junior one as well, but that one would mainly be with helping with getting people and supplies onto and off aircraft, though maybe some ultralights or something as well."

Asuka slowly nodded at that with a thoughtful look on her face.

 

[darthcourt10]

NotHimAgain

Fumbling Towards Story

Sayaka stared down at her plate, trying to hold back revulsion. Mom couldn't have forgotten, could she? She couldn't have just decided to have this out of nowhere, could she?

"Sayaka," her father said gruffly, "eat up. I thought you liked hamburger steak." She turned to look at him agape, and he averted his eyes as if uncomfortable. This was…

"I…" she attempted. "But I… It was her…"

No one spoke. Mom and Dad looked between each other, either sad or annoyed. Both, maybe. Sayaka had felt like that a couple times in the past few months.

"Sayaka," Mom said, leaning forward, "Your father and I have talked about this, and… you can't keep behaving this way. Momo is gone, yes, but the world hasn't ended. We…" she shook her head sadly. "We need to move on with our lives."

"Move on? Sayaka exclaims, horrified. "Are—are you kidding? She was family! We can't just forget her—A-and this, do you even care?"

"Now wait a minute!" snapped Dad, but Sayaka couldn't stop. Emotions were boiling over, seeking release.

"You don't care that she's gone! You never loved her anyway!"

And with that, Sayaka could no longer be in the room. She stood up, knocking her chair aside to the protests of her mother, and ran, storming into her room and slamming the door behind her. The shouting match began as ever, but Sayaka could barely hear it, hugging and sobbing into her pillow.

The shouting quieted, and Sayaka released her pillow with one hand, pulling her phone out and looking at the time. She could go get something from a convenience store later. If she was hungry. She wasn't really feeling it right now.

-----

"… No, see, because Kings have the highest value," Reiko said, holding up the card in question. "So if you want to damage it, you're going to stack two cards of equal or higher value."

"Who created this game?" Benio asked, examining the chessboard scattered with playing cards. "Why does the joker card have an instant death range, and why is it on the board in the first place?"

"Well, the one who created it was Airu," Reiko admitted. "She spent last weekend binging Yu-Gi-Oh! and came up with this the next day. And she… follows a unique philosophy."

"I hesitate to ask."

""What,"" Reiko air-quoted, ""will drive everyone to insanity in the worst possible way?" Like when it rains, she rolls around in the mud and then chases people around trying to hug them. And she makes footprints all over the ceiling. And then one time she followed me home and replaced my sister's photos of Kobayashi Aina with pages from an old volume of Maria-Sama she had lying around the shrine for some reason. And if she's somehow driving a car with the top down? Don't get in it with her. She will somersault over the windscreen and sit on the—"

"I get the picture," Benio cut her off. "So… that's who you work for now?"

"Preeetty much," Reiko grumbled. "What's on TV?" She turned, fumbling with the remote.

"… were harmed, but several of the swords displayed in the exhibit were stolen. We now go to the scene."

"The History of Swords exhibit was intended to run for two weeks—"

"Huh," Reiko said, watching as the reporter discussed the crime with the head curator. "Say, were there any magic swords or in there or something?"

"Hmm?" Benio asked. "Oh, no, not that we could find anything on. We snuck into the museum a few days ago with Tonbo, and as far as we know there was nothing really special in there. Besides, if this is some kind of crazy magic-sword-stealing-spree, it'll end up working its way back to us. Weird stuff always does."

"Oh! Can't believe I forgot to bring this up before, but are you any good at calligraphy?"

"I'm… passable. Why are you asking?"

"Well, I'm still having a little trouble with ofuda..."
-----

Well what do you think, sirs?

 

[darthcourt10]

Snippet 43: S0ngD0g13

Kaylee smiled as her group readied their instruments on their stage at Yokosuka Fleet Week. On one side of the stage were Alabama, fresh-in from leave, Azuma, and Hunley, along with their fellow ex-Confederate Shipgirls Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Nashville. On the other side were Monitor, Housatonic, Tuscarora, and several of the City-Class Ironclads from the Union River-Fleet.

Virginia stepped forward at center-stage and took up the microphone. "Ladies and Gentlemen, my name is Virginia, and welcome to Fleet Week, and I hope all of you are having fun. There's ships and Shipgirls here from all over. As you can all see, we Girls up here are all from the American Civil War, Union- and Confederate both, originally, though nowadays we're all Yankees, 'cept for Azuma there, who's Japanese-Navy. During our old war, music played a huge role. Songs were played and sung in cities and towns, aboard we ships, in army-camps and even on the very battlefields; music lifted spirits, inspired men and women, gave comfort and hope to people far from the ones they loved.

Samuel Heintzelman, who commanded the Union Army's Third Corps at Williamsburg, remarked of his musicians and how their songs had rallied the Union troops that they were 'worth a thousand men' on his side; Robert E. Lee himself once said, 'I do not believe we could have an army without music'. Army bands in camp would often duel with one another from across the battlefield, trading volleys of song like cannon trading salvos, until they found a song that both sides loved. Because in the end, the boys were just boys, and Blue-Belly or Gray-Back didn't matter.

So, here are two bands, one Union and one Confederate, here to sing songs from and about our war, in a musical duel."

She stepped back and watched as the Confederates fired the first salvo, launching into Bonnie Blue Flag.

We are a band of brothers, and native to our soil;
We're fighting for the liberty we gained by honest toil;
But when our rights were threatened, the cry rose near and far,
To hoist on high the Bonnie Blue Flag
That bears a single star!

Hurrah! Hurrah!
For Southern Rights, Hurrah!
Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star!

The Union band returned fire with John Brown's Body...

John Brown captured Harper's Ferry with his nineteen men so few,
And frightened 'Old Virginny' til she trembled through-and-through;
They hung him for a traitor, they themselves the Traitor-Crew,
But his soul is marching on!

Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!
Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!
Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!
His soul is marching on!

The Confederates bristled, but smiled as they responded with Song of the Rebel Irish...

O'Neill's red hand shall purge the land,
Rain fire on Men and Cattle,
Till the Lincoln-Snakes in their own Cold Lakes
Plunge from the blaze of Battle...

Which lead to the Yankees playing the Fighting 69th...

So we gave them a hearty cheer, me boys,
It was greeted with a smile,
Singing here's to the boys who feared no noise,
We're the Fighting Sixty-Ninth!
And when the war is said and done
May heaven spare our lives,
For its only then we can return,
To our loved ones and our wives;
We'll take them in our arms, me boys,
For a long night and a day,
And we'll hope that war will come no more,
To sweet America!

The Confederates fired back with Maryland, My Maryland, and the Union with Marchin' Through Georgia, until all at once both bands started playing the same tune, Monitor and Azuma stepped forward to flank Virginia, and the trio sang Home, Sweet Home...

Mid pleasures and palaces though we may roam
Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home
A charm from the skies seems to hallow us there
Which seek thro' the world, is ne'er met elsewhere
Home! Home!
Sweet, sweet home!
There's no place like home
There's no place like home!

An exile from home splendor dazzles in vain
Oh give me my lowly thatched cottage again
The birds singing gaily that came at my call
And gave me the peace of mind dearer than all
Home, home, sweet, sweet home
There's no place like home, there's no place like home!

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Pushing her sister along, Moriko smiled down at Sachiko who was looking around in interest from under the brim of her sunhat. Her lips curled a bit at seeing her sister rubbing her belly though. "So then, did you have enough to eat with your second breakfast?"

Lightly blushing, Sachiko gave a sheepish smile. "Um, sorry?"

Simply punching her twin in the arm, Suzume ignored the faked whimpers of pain. "Don't worry about her, she's just teasing. Besides which, its good to see you eat so much and we're happy to see it." Smiling softly, she poked her sister in the arm. "You need to, what is that saying? Put some real meat on those bones?"

Giggling softly, Sachiko gave a nod. "Hai, or that is what Enterprise-San said." Head tilted to the side, she patted her stomach again. "I've never eaten nearly as much as I have been before."

Only shrugging, Moriko smiled. "Like Suzume-Chan said, we're happy to see it." From the corner of her eye, she spotted some and chuckled. "Well, there's one of their misting tents."

Interested, the wheelchair using Okami looked in the same direction and smiled. "So that's one of the places we go to if it gets too hot then?"

With a hum, Moriko nodded. "Right."

Suddenly, she frowned and furrowed her eyebrows as she glanced around. Having spotted the movement, Suzume also glanced around. Not seeing anything though, she leaned in towards Moriko. "Is something wrong?"

Head tilted to the side, the large Okami frowned in thought before shaking her head. "No, not really. But... I sense something out there. Its not aggressive though, whatever it is. More, protective, I guess? Not really sure myself."

Looking up at her, Sachiko blinked before shrugging it off. Due to her martial arts training, her sister did have the odd knack to be able to sense things. She claimed it was a sort of chi sense, but Sachiko wasn't so sure herself one way or the other. All the wheelchair using wolf knew was that her sister often felt things before they happened. It was then that she heard the sound of music as Moriko slowed to a stop.

The three sisters had to blink before smiling as various small Escort shipgirls in Dress Whites marched past with White Plains in her Dress Whites leading them, medals on their chests. Said small Carrier was twirling a baton in one hand to the beat of the music before coming to a stop. Turning, she nodded to her fellow Escorts as everyone watched. With a nod, her escorts then began to play "Danger Zone" as White Plains kept up the serious face, not stopping her marching in place nor did they. With a twirl, she tossed her baton in the air and caught it to various ahhs and ohhs.

Soon after, the group continued their march as various people recorded or took pictures. Only shaking her head, Moriko looked at her sisters. "I don't know if that was cool or adorable."

Chuckling, Sachiko shrugged some with a twinkle in her eye. "How about both?"

Only sharing a look, the other two Okami smiled and walked on as the crowd dispersed with Suzume shaking her head. "Both sounds good."

After a couple of minutes, they came to one of the demonstration spaces for fighting. Spotting the look of interest on Moriko's face, Sachiko smiled a bit. "How about we stay and watch for a bit."

Blushing just a touch, the MMA fighter looked at her sister. "You sure? We don't have to if you don't want to."

Just smiling, Sachiko hummed a bit and giggled. "I don't mind, it is something that you're interested in. Besides..." Looking at where they were setting up targets, the Okami tilted her head to the side some. "I'm sort of interested myself."

It was then that the various personnel bowed to Inazuma who stepped up and the Destroyer bowed back. Once they were out of the way, Inazuma turned to the crowd with a smile on her face. "Good morning to everyone and welcome to Yokosuka Fleet Week. I am the Destroyer, Inazuma of the Akatsuki Class Destroyers, hopefully you've all be having a good day?"

Frowning as the crowd clapped or thanked her, Suzume looked at Moriko who was watching intently. "What do you think she's going to demonstrate? From what you tell me, she's a Master at Aikido."

Curious, Moriko leaned against Sachiko's wheelchair some. "Not sure. But the fact that they have targets set up? More likely some sort of weapon."

Sachiko spotted something else though and tilted her head in that direction. "Uh, Onee-San? That person over there, are they a Ryuu? Undisguised?"

With a chuckle, the older Okami shook her head. "You're imagining things, Sachiko-Chan. No one would..." Her words died though at seeing Toby there in the crowd cheering on Inazuma. "The hell?"

Even though some people glanced at him, most shrugged it off as the visitors from the far off island of Saint Brendan's were well known. Both due to their appearances at Mutsu's wedding and more recently when a dragon-man was interviewed on the news. More then that though, footage had been leaked of the "Battle of Saint Brendan's" and more then a few people were extremely impressed with their armed forces, small as they were.

It certainly did not hurt that Otaku and the like were all over the island and its inhabitants.

None of that was really known to the three Okami though, nor how Ikazuchi was just behind Toby just in case some magical tried something. Moriko's attention though was pulled away as Inazuma finished her introduction and summoned her anchor and chain as she spoke into the microphone. "Now, most shipgirls use their guns and torpedoes as weapons. However, there are some of us who also use other weapons as well. My Kaa-San for example uses a sword and my Oba-Chan uses a glaive, a European weapon not unlike the naginata. Myself though?" She swing the anchor just above the ground and smiled beatifically. "My personal alternate weapon along with my twin's is our anchor and chain."

Blinking, Sachiko leaned forward some. "She uses her anchor and chain? As a weapon?"

Still swinging the anchor, Inazuma looked around the interested crowd. "Now, most of you may not realize this but despite the apparent size, my anchor weighs much the same as a normal one. That means that it is more then a ton of metal with two prongs on it." With practiced ease, the Destroyer stopped the anchor from swinging. "Now, that is just the anchor alone, the chain as well is several tons. Which means that when I hit something with it, said something will feel it."

Out of the corner of her eye, Suzume frowned as she noticed some teenaged boys snickering and nudging each other with their elbows. Even from here she mocking Inazuma. "Hear that guys? Its heavy."

Inazuma, as it turned out, also heard them and just smiled. "Perhaps you boys would like to try and lift my anchor? Hmm?"

Now called out, the three noticed people looking at them and flushed a bit in embarrassment. The biggest of them then huffed and took a step forward. "Sure! We've can lift your anchor easy."

A giggle escaping from her, Inazuma winked at the crowd and stepped forward placing her anchor on the ground, with small cracks appearing in the pavement, she gave them a wink. "Well then, go ahead and try. If you're going to jerk my chain, then do it properly, Nanodesu."

If anything, that made the three flush more with their leader grabbing the anchor. "Fine! Gaaaah!"

Despite having a good grip though, he was unable to life said anchor. Moments later, his two friends joined in and tried to help him. "COME ON! MOVE!"

Head tilted to the side, Inazuma smiled with her eyes closed while giggling. "Aren't you going to move it? I mean, big strong men like you surely can?" When they three finally lost their grips, she shook her head some. "Well, perhaps it is heavier then it looks, I suppose." With one hand, the Destroyer lifted the anchor with ease before striding back to the center of the demonstration area while the teens skulked off. Easily swinging the anchor, Inazuma nodded. "Now, my twin and myself use these in much the same way as one would a Kusarigama. And in that, it is highly effective against Abyssals. With the chain, we can trip them up in a fight, or using the anchor itself, we can bash in heads or puncture hulls among other damages."

With a final look around, she took a deep breath and began to twirl her anchor and chain around in various patterns. At one point, she swung her chain and wrapped it around a target before pulling it down. Then Inazuma took aim at a steel covered concrete block away from the spectators and threw her anchor at it. Said anchor punching right through the steel and shattering the concrete with ease. Eventually, her demonstration came to an end and Inazuma bowed to the crowd who bowed back and then applauded her demonstration. Stars in her eyes, Sachiko looked up at Moriko. "Oh wow! What did you think of that, Onee-San?"

Moriko rubbed her chin in thought before nodding. "That was impressive. Very impressive as a matter of fact. But while she is right that she is using it as a Kusarigama... most of that is original. So that had to have taken a lot of work to figure out."

Beside her, Suzume gave a nod in agreement before the next demonstration began...

 

[darthcourt10]

Lord K

Pinching the bridge of her nose, Jin then tents her fingers while inhaling deeply, a movement the expresses just how much consternation she feels for what she has just heard. "Boi.... I mean girl I guess. Look, Shiromizu, run that last part by me again."

The younger other the two dragons looks at Jin with outraged confusion. "How is this so hard to believe! Harry is in danger, and it's because this other Muramasa wants to get to Juuchi through him!"

"And this other Muramasa," Jin asks with surprisingly baffled confusion. "The one that Juuchi Yosamu- the Juuchi Yosamu is afraid of, is definitely called Kyoshu. The Sword of Faded Memories."

"Yes!" cries Shiromizu in frustration. "Why is that so hard to believe!?"

"Because I'm pretty sure Kyoshu legitimately qualifies for being some kind of imbecile."

Shiromizu has to blink a few times, to make sure she just heard right. "Er, what? No! That can't be right, Juuchi was going on about some kind of monsterous sadistic fiend! She sounded like she was pure evil!"

Jin shrugs offhandedly. "Oh yeah, that basically used to be her to a T. She hasn't been that way in a long while though, and thank fuck for that, even if she is little bit sad and hilariously pathetic to watch."

Shiromizu now feels utterly lost and like she's missing something. "Okay.... and how is it you know this?"

"Oh, Chisuheri plays babysitter for her somtimes, so every now and again, we have to help look out for her over at Zuchi."

The smaller of the two mizuchi freezes, as a horrified thrill runs through her.

She remembers what Juuchi said. That this 'Kyoshu' was a master manipulator of memories. That she could not just make you or others forget, but manipulate the thought and memory of others on a mass scale as well. Changing what you knew, even if her ability to erase wasn't already more of a fine artists tool, far beyond any clumsy and hamfisted Obilivation by comparison.

Have.... Have the JNHRO already been subverted?

Shiromizu trembles nervously. "S-Sempai?"

Sensing something amiss, Jin raises an eyebrow. "Yeah?"

For a long moment, Shiromizu can only quake in her metaphorical boots, suddenly very aware of the differences between herself and her sempai. While Jin had always bemoaned that she was reduced from what she once was, and espoused with pride how the younger dragon was all but certain to one day eclipse her tutor once full grown into her powers and skills....

It didn't change the fact that Jin was experienced. Jin had an age and wisdom about her that few noticed and understood until failing to do so was their downfall. This was a dragon who cheated death out of pure, furious will while on the verge of her last breath, then overcome the countless debilitations and limitations that resulted, until they were advantageous outside context problems to anybody expecting a normal mizuchi. This was a fallen kami that could crush smaller Abyssals like tin cans, and even go toe-to-toe with a Gashadokuro without immediately being killed.

So though Shiromizu technically holds a "type advantage" of sorts, in the way that Positive Energy and Healing can mess up undead and certain Negative Energy things in D&D, the younger mizuchi holds no illusions as to who would win in a fight between them.

It is in the middle of this fearful internal reflection, that Jin promptly de-rails her student's train of thought by throwing her head back and laughing.

"Hold on- is this? Do you think my memory's been modified?"

The younger mizuchi shifts, still on her guard but uncertain what to say. "S-Sempai...."

"Ahahaha, oh that's great. I don't know why you're so worried." Bemused, the older dragon wipes a tear from her eye. "Look, Shiromizu. Even in the unlikely event Kyoshu could ever hold a train of thought long enough to decide she wanted to do that to someone these days, I'm immune."

A flash of hope runs through the smaller dragon's heart. "Really?"

Jin nods and taps at her chest. "Just because this is flesh and blood, doesn't mean I entirely am. My soul technically makes me something more along the lines of a kami-version of an onryo, remember. And Kyoshu-"

"-can't effect ghosts and the dead!" Finishes Shiromizu with greatly relieved excitement. Letting go a breath and releasing the terrified tension she hadn't realised she'd been gathering, the younger dragon then looks to her tutor in confusion. "But then.... If you're memory hasn't been altered- why are you hanging out with this Kyoshu person?"

Shiromizu shakes her head, now completely at a loss. "The way Juuchi was describing her..... She sounded like an absolute monster. Juuchi was trying not to show it, but she seemed terrified of her."

Jin grimaces. "Well the thing is, that was probably the old Kyoshu she was talking about."

"What do you mean 'old'. This is still the same sword spirit we're talking about, right."

"Technically, sure." The older mizuchi then gives an uncomfortable shrug. "The thing is, Kyoshu hasn't been that way in decades. Not since the war."

Something jogs in the back of Shiromizu's at the other mizuchi's words. ".... since the war?"

"Yeah. No one really knows what happened, least of all Kyoshu, that's for sure. Either she went in search of 'entertainment' and lost track of her actual value to those she thought she could twist the arms of for her amusement, or the big monster in the small pond finally fell prey to the bigger monsters she underestimated. Either way, her mind is basically gone. It hasn't come back since either, to be honest. I suppose that's what happens when you get tortured and experimented on beyond the point of insanity."

"Um.... Don't you mean 'to' the point of insanity?"

Jin shakes her head. "Oh no, whatever they did to her, they broke her physically and mentally. There's parts of her that are not just missing, but some chunks of her blade are outright snapped or chiseled off. Some people call her the 'Sword of Goldfish Memory' for a reason. She has the memory recall of a leaky sieve, and a mental development somewhere between "excited child" and "late stage Alzheimers patient". She's been that way ever since she finally reappeared in the late '40s."

Shiromizu feels her jaw drop. Suddenly it makes sense.

"Oh shit!"

Jumping slightly at her Kohai's unexpected expletive, Jin looks at the increasingly pale Shiromizu in shock. "What?"

"Juuchi and Honjo don't know...." she whispers.

"What?" Jin looks at her fellow dragon in disbelief. "How can they not know?! Everyone knows!"

Shiromizu's gaze races as she suddenly connects the dots. "If 'everyone' knows, what if everyone thought somebody else had already told them? I'm not all that familiar with older magical goings on. Tsukikari had never heard of her either. Juuchi's been out of the country for centuries. And Honjo was taken just after the war ended."

"Oh fuck me!" Jin facepalms. "And Kyoshu's at Zuchi because most of the Muramasas wanted to either come to the festival, or keep an eye on Akutoku at her collab event."

"Well..." offers Shiromizu weakly. "At least this Kyoshu's on completely the opposite side of the Pennisula. As long as we can track down Juuchi and explain things before she becomes 'proactive' in her preparations to protect Harry, we should be fine!"
---------------------------

Wheezing and wiping the bile from the corner of her mouth, Norimune forges on and refuses to stop, even as she leaves a little bit more of her breakfast on the side of the road.

"Fuck-" *wheeze* "-Me-" *gah* "-This-" *oh god* "-Was-" *ugh* "A Terrible-" *nng* "-Idea-"

Next time, she was just going to say 'fuck the Statute', and get to Yokosuka the logical way.

I.E. hurling herself like a magically enhanced javelin a few hundred meters at a time, and simply dismissing her avatar and then reforming at her landing site with each leap.

Speaking of hurling though- "-hurrk!!!"

Norimune stumbles on, severely revising her assessment of how much cardio she needs. All those stories of heroes coming back from decades of 'the call to agriculture' with no problems were bullshit.

"-Fuck this- why is- it always- gotta be- me?"

Repeatedly flash stepping during even the most lengthy and drawn out of battles was one thing, but then consecutively keeping it up for ten minutes trying to catch up with a bus was another. Especially when breakfast had been a rather heavy feast of pancakes, eggs and ice cream that morning.

So sue her, she hadn't expected chasing a god damn bus to be part of her routine this today!

Speaking to buses though.....

"Oh thank fuck." Allowing herself to slow down, Norimune takes a moment to catch her breath. Or to be more precise, she gives up and bonelessly faceplants into the blessedly cool shade of the bus stop for a few seconds of much needed recovery.

Okay. The bus obviously stopped here, but everyone's already off. And one of the gates to Yokosuka is just a bit further up ahead, on the other side of the park.

So it's onto the final stretch then! Kyoshu is too easily distracted to follow the crowd or keep to a single path. So that means she's probably in the park.

Getting lost in all likelihood.

Well, hopefully that should just make things easier. Kyoshu's too much of an oddball for most people to deal with, and even if somebody did decide to help her, she'd probably forget their directions within the next two minutes.

As long as she hadn't already gone into the festival, things were still salvageable. Not only would it be like trying to find a needle in a hay stack if she went in there, but the chance of Umistubame and Chisuheri learning over what happened via anybody outside the base recognizing her was practically nil.
---------------------------

Hand nervously held at her side, and ready to draw her concealed real form with lightning speed at a moment's notice, Tsukiakari tries to look casual as she patrols the perimeter of the base, even as her nerves remain shot and high-strung with paranoia.

The things Juuchi had said.... what kind of monster was this Kyoshu?

What kind of cruel, calamitous intent existed in such a horrific and sadistic soul as this thing-in-woman's/sword's-shape, who her sempai dreaded to even acknowledge as her sister.

To what ends would she go, just to wound her sister out of spite, for pure, malicious entertainment?

The one thing that Tsukiakari found mildly a relief, was that according to Juuchi, her sister would be more than distinctive enough, even if she were moving incognito. From all descriptions, Kyoshu was a proud and narcissistic creature, who's arrogance and self-important superiority was only barely reigned in by her intelligence. More often than not though, her near god-complex like behavior was what undid her plans. Although, with the sheer strength and unusually exotic danger Kyoshu possessed and posed against most people, foiling the cruel games of the Sword of Faded Memories normally only came about because somebody noticed the damage that had already been done.

According to Honjo, in the centuries Juuchi had been absent from Japan, Kyoshu had only grown in malignant sadism and sense of perverse amusement.

Not even the implementation of the Statute of Secrecy had reigned her in.

The Masamune had shared a rumor she had heard, shortly before the turn of the 20th century, that Kyoshu had once even tricked the ICW into thinking they had control over her. That she was their agent, cowed by their power, and now a tool that could be put to use, helping erase the evidence of magic from living memory.

So the story went, that hadn't ended well for anyone, muggle, onmyoudo, or foreign wizard.

Still, if there was one long running theme of Kyoshu, it was that she was too full of herself not to make a statement. She would dress to stand among the best, if only to prove she wasn't just 'superior' than the sisters she took a perverse enjoyment of lording her abilities over, but also better looking at the same time. Apparently this was the source of her animosity, turned gleeful long running torment of Juuchi in particular. With her sister surplanting all others that came before as the 'pinnacle' of the more magical blades developed by the Muramasa school of swordsmiths, Kyoshu had reveled in tearing down one who was supposedly superior to her, especially in the early days when Juuchi still had yet to develop the magical weight and veneration to develop and avatar, while the older of the two Demon Blades already had.

It is in the middle of this worrisome reflection of everything she has learned, that Tsukiakari then comes across an extremely odd sight.

A rather confused looking young woman, standing in front of a map board in the middle of the path, and worrying at the ends of her overly long sleeves as she glances about in different directions, as if uncertain which way to go. At first, Tsukiakari brushes off the sight. The girl looks nothing like what Juuchi and Honjo told her to expect. Her hair is a mess, filled with twigs and looking like she might have fallen through a bush at some point, her hoodie is a ridiculous shade of pink, her socks are mismatched, and one of her shoes is untied. It's in the middle of idly noting that the lost lady's back pack is a legitimately signed piece of "I Can't Believe It's Not Love" merchandise with the author's signature, that Tsukiakari then freezes in horror.

Because peaking out of the top of the bewildered twenty-something's back pack, is the hilt of a sword.

This isn't a young woman. This is a sword spirit.

One Tsukiakari does not recognize.

And who has also just noticed her frozen watcher, and shifted her strangely blank and empty gaze to look at Tsukiakari in turn.

For a moment, the Potter blade feels a chill of forboding run down her spine, causing her to fear if she has just gravely erred by allowing herself to be seen.

Them to her immense relief, and mild guilt, the mystery sword spirit shuffles with child-like confusion, and gestures at the park around them with her oversized sleeves helplessly. "Ah.... could you help me please? I.... I think I'm a little lost...."

Tsukiakari honestly isn't sure what to say to that. The park's big, sure, but it's not that big. "Er... okay? Where were you trying to get to?"

The eyes of the mystery sword spirit then light up with relieved happiness.

"Oh! That's easy, I was trying to... trying to get to.... " Quietly, the other blade's brow then knots in ponderous confusion. "mou.... where was I going again?"

Suddenly, Tsukikari's dread comes back full force. "You 'don't remember' where you were going?"

A confused head-tilt is the response she gets.

"Was I supposed to be going somewhere? Oh, wait, there was... something.... about...." Suddenly, a brief spark then lights up in the other sword spirit's eyes. "Oh! Now I remember Akutoku was supposed to.... Akutoku needs to find the mizuchi!"

If Tsukiakari had actually veins, ice would be flooding them right about now. 'Shiromizu!'

Meanwhile, the hoodie-wearing sword spirit's expression then returns to it's apparently standard state of perplexed confusion, as the spark fades once more and she now squints as if to read something smudged onto the palm of one of her hands. "It must be important.... Akutoku even wrote it down.... But then I forgot...."

"I-Is that so?" asks the apprentice-blade, watching the apparently named 'Akutoku' with uncertainty. The name rings a bell, which only makes her feel sick. Didn't Juuchi mention one of her sisters was called Akutoku?

A childishly happy nod is what she receives in return. "I definitely remember that! I don't remember very well though.... big sis just laughs and says I'm forgetful."

With mounting horror, a theory begins to form in Tsukiakari's mind.

"Okay.... Akutoku?"

Pausing, the amnesiac sword spirit glances around the area as if searching for something, before looking back at her with a mystified frown. "Where's Akutoku?"

Tsukiakari shivers with stunned revulsion. What kind of despicable monster could do this to her own sister.

What kind of unspeakable fate then, could she have in store for Juuchi-Sempai and Master Harry.

The Potter blade shakes her head and focuses on the here and now.

"Akutoku?"

"mou...?'

"I think I can help you find the mizuchi you might be thinking of."

"Yay!"

"But before I can, I have to check something." Tsukikari then slowly points at the sword hilt poking up out of her back pack. "Can you draw yourself for a second? I just need to check something."

Giving a blank blink, a vapidly complacent smile spreads across 'Akutoku's' face without complaint. "Okay!" she answers with a childishly enthusiastic nod.

Reaching behind herself, the mentally ruined sword spirit produces a sword in a surprisingly cheap saya from her back pack. Then, with a single smooth movement, that seems almost more reflex and any consciously controlled action, 'Akutoku' draws herself from her scabbard.

Tsukikari's response is to recoil in horror.

"What in the-"

Her logic had been rather well founded. Before setting out on her patrol, Juuchi had managed to produce a highly detailed and accurate sketch of Kyoshu's true form, that Honjo had confirmed to be still accurate to the best of her knowledge. The train of thought had been that with how swords such as the Muramasa's generally changed very little over the centuries (unless the tastes of an owner or necessity diverged greatly from respect for tradition), then with how much of a prideful narcissist Kyoshu was, she'd probably look exactly the same, and may have even been wearing herself openly.

The blade unsheathed by the sword spirit in front of her is obviously a Muramasa of some kind. There's enough traits which remind Tsukikari of Juuchi, to make that fact undeniably recognizable even at a distance. Something which is then lent further credence by elements that look almost as if they were shared with the Kyoshu which Juuchi sketched.

The differences though....

Enchanted Muramasa Blades were renown for their durability, almost as much as their curses and powers. It was a necessity for the swords meant to survive the magical abuses they would inflict.

'Akutoku' however.... most of her koshirae is definitely not original, and shows all the signs of being much newer replacement parts. The pieces of her that are original however.....

As a fellow sword-spirit, the damage is not just horrific. It's is down right nightmarish.

Breaking herself from her stunned silence, Tsukikari watches as 'Akutoku' re-sheaths herself, and then lazily ties the saya containing her chipped and damaged true form to her belt, rather than putting herself back in her back pack. Looking up, 'Akutoku' then tilts her head as she stares at Tsukikari with confusion.

"mou.... is something wrong?"

"N-No!" stammers the Potter sword as she reclaims her nerves. "Not at all."

"Oh." Looking around uncertainly for a moment, 'Akutoku' then gives Tsukikari a helplessly embarrassed, questioning look. "Um... I... uh... I don't want to be a bother, but. Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Where are we?"

"Yokosuka Memorial Park, remember?" answers Tsukikari smoothly as she surreptitiously retrieves her phone from her pocket and begins typing.

"Oh... so then...." trailing off uncertainly, after a few moments, the sword-spirit then gives a confused pout. "....mou... I can't remember what I'm supposed to be doing again."
---------------------------

Watching as Juuchi glances at her phone, Honjo stills as she notes how Juuchi pales and freezes in a way that to the untrained eye looks like battle-readiness.

To the experienced witness of pre-battlefield ritual however, the Masamune recognizes it for what it is. The point at which someone trying to reign in their trembling fear and fury of an anticipated foe, reaches the point where they cannot physically express it without nearing some form of explosion.

"Juuchi?"

Face pale, the Muramasa looks to her rival. "Stay with Harry and keep watch over him. Call me the instant you think you see anything funny going on."

Honjo raises an eyebrow. "And where are you going?"

"To find Tsukikari." Sickened pain, and yet another promise for revenge added to the countless others burning in her eyes, now flares in the sword spirit's eyes. "She thinks Kyoshu's afoot, and that she just found a victim."

 

[darthcourt10]

NotHimAgain

"This is quite enjoyable!" Himeyuki smiled, looking up at the singing American Shipgirl. Secured in her sling, Mai laughed and waved her arms. "Oh, you think so too, don't you?" Ichiro smiled at his wife and daughter, and Himeyuki turned to face him. "It's too bad that Hojo-san didn't want to come along."

"Well," Ichiro shrugged, "he says that these sorts of things aren't really for him. Lots of sounds and smells can overwhelm him just a little bit, so he prefers to stay at home."

"Inu," Mai explained sagely.

"Is that so?" Himeyuki cooed, this looked to the side for a second. "Inu?" she asked herself.

"I wonder if Harry's here…" Ichiro said thoughtfully. "I mean, his Mom probably is, but…"

"Harry?"

"Oh, you know, Nagato's son? She adopted him right around the time that Namiko Awakened, so we ended up… kinda acquainted." Ichiro paused and chuckled. "Sometimes, I wonder if that's a good thing." Himeyuki frowned, considering his words.

"Is he…"

"No, no, of course not! It's just that sometimes, he can be a tiny bit…" Ichiro thought. How did he explain Harry Potter-Nagato? "He can be a little over the top at times in the things that he does." Himeyuki raised an eyebrow. "Tell you what. If we find him anywhere, I'll introduce you. He'll probably love Mai anyway."

"Very well then," Himeyuki replied, still looking slightly dubious. She paused, and turned to look over her shoulder. "What is that girl wearing?"

By the time she had Ichiro pointed at whoever she had noticed, they had disappeared into the crowd.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts Omake: Grabbing the Crown

Have an omake or a look into the future:
______________________________________________________________________

Drawing, Akutoko sighed a bit not noticing the now eighteen year old Asuka poke her head above the couch. A grin on her face, the Tengu leaned forward. "Do it..."

With a glance at her, the Muramasa blinked and frowned. "Do what?" In reply, Asuka held out her phone and showed her something. Slowly, the sword spirit's expression changed to a curious version of shock, dismay, and some disgust. Then, she turned towards Asuka. "No."

Just as she turned back, Asuka leaned towards her. "Do it... You know that you want to."

Continuing her work, Akutoku sighed and shook her head. "No, I am not going to do that."

On the opposite side of the Tengu, Norimune rose upwards. "Come on, Akutoku... do it. Don't worry about anything else, just do it."

Nodding, Asuka grinned. "Yes, do it..."

Expression utterly blank, the Blade of Corruption took a deep breath before speaking. "No."

"Do it..."

"Draw it..."

"You know that you want to..."

"Just think about all the fun you could have with it."

Suddenly, Kyoshu popped up from behind Akutoku's laptop screen. "Um, do it?"

With an unamused expression, Akutoku sighed. "Do you even know what I am supposed to do?"

Frowning for a few moments, Kyoshu suddenly nodded. "Hai! Draw it!"

Eyes closing, Akutoku facepalmed before growling. "I am not drawing it. I am not having anything to do with that stupid meme. Besides which, I am the Sword of Corruption. Its the other way around!"

However, Asuka just leaned in before using her air manipulation to make sure that her whisper entered the sword's avatar's ear. "Do it... do it... It would be so easy Akutoku. Just draw it and see how the world will enjoy it."

Licking her lips, Norimune gave her a hooded look. "It would not take long for someone as... talented as you, to do so. And everyone else is doing it."

Rapidly nodding, Kyoshu giggled. "YEAH!" Then she blinked and frowned. "Um, do what?"

Only facepalming, Akutoku groaned before giving them the stink eye. "I AM NOT DOING IT!"
______________________________________________________

Five hours of pestering later, Umitsubame noticed the tengu as well as Norimune leave with smirks on their face. Meanwhile, Kyoshu just looked really confused. Eyebrow raised, she peaked into the room to find Akutoku drawing something. "What are you doing?"

Akutoku looked up at her and then groaned. "I'm doing... it."

Her eyebrow still raised, Umitsubame frowned. "It?" Then she had a realization. "Oh, so Asuka finally got through to you then?"

Throwing her head back, Akutoku let out a cry. "HOW THE FUCK DID THEY CONVINCE ME TO DRAW BOWSERETTE AND OTHER GENDERBENT MARIO VILLAINS WITH THE SUPER CROWN?! HOW!?"

 

[darthcourt10]

RCNAnon

Hey all, another offering from me. This one's a bit bigger so I'll just let you read and enjoy.

Ron, Duke and Warspite 3.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Ron waited patiently as his father and two aides finished sorting themselves out for their Portkey to St. Brendan's. He was already packed with clothes and plenty of paper for writing down whatever he might need, which he expected to be plenty given that his basic studies into runic magic at Hogwarts had already given him a number of ideas.

"Is there anything else?" Arthur asked his two aides.

"No sir," said George Higgs, the tall gangly blonde haired man not all that much older than Percy and covering up his nerves with protocol. Ron was pretty sure he'd been chosen because he was too nervous to say anything offensive to the people of St. Brendan's.

"I think we're good Arthur." The second aide, Harriet Jones, was a matronly brunette woman who had spent time on St. Brendan's and was familiar with the locals like his dad.

"Alright." Arthur turned and looked at Ron. "You ready son?"

"I'm good dad." Ron nodded and patted his bag.

"Lets get to it then, I'm sure they're expecting us." Arthur held up a classic Portkey, an old boot. The four of them held on and after a brief disorientating trip later, Ron was doing his best not to stumble to the ground. The group from Britain took a moment to orient themselves and then turned to find their welcoming party.

They'd landed in the middle of a field just outside the largest town on St. Brendan's. The surrounding area contained a few farms but this one was what looked like grazing area or a simple grass field. Their waiting party was led by a cat woman and what Ron was pretty sure was a shipgirl of some kind from the way she stood. Several others stood behind them but as his dad approached the group, he was clearly focused on them.

"Arthur, it's good to see you again." The cat woman spoke first and Arthur inclined his head to her.

"Mr. Weasley." The shipgirl spoke with an accent that sounded vaguely German to Ron.

"Katrina, Radetzky. It's good to see you both."

"Shall we get this over with?" The cat woman seemed more… amused than anything.

"Right." Arthur cleared his throat and began to speak more formally. "As a duly appointed representative of the Ministry of Magic I have come to investigate your ongoing ties with the muggles." There was a brief but noticeable pause in his fathers speech, as if saying something distasteful. "As well as to make sure that nothing you do reveals the magical world or violates the Statute of Secrecy."

"As the representative of the Isle of St. Brendan's I welcome you and your staff and assure you that all rules and regulations are being followed." The cat woman seemed ready to laugh, though she delivered her lines with a mix of aplomb and barely held sarcasm.

There was a brief moment of quiet between the two groups before the cat woman broke into another smile. "That was very well done Arthur, I could tell you practiced not rolling your eyes."

"I appreciate you not outright laughing at the idea the Ministry of Magic could truly enforce trade regulations in times like this." There was a levity in Arthur's tone that Ron realized was fully genuine.

Higgs looked back and forth between Arthur and Katrina, clearly confused at what was taking place. Harriet merely smiled and shook her head at the young man. "You get used to it George."

Before Higgs could speak, Katrina tilted her head and squinted her eyes. "Is that you Harriet?"

"It's been a few years Kat but yes, it's me." Harriet waved to the cat woman.

"That means you're Mr. Higgs." Katrina's gaze moved to the tall blond man, who managed a brief nod.

Then her eyes moved to Ron. Ron met her gaze as evenly as he could, which was surprisingly not hard despite the intensity in her cat eyed pupils. "That must mean you're Ron. I understand you're interested in studying some of our Runic magic and meeting Thunderchild?"

"I am." Ron nodded his head. "I've taken an interest in naval engineering and several of my friends could use some help I think runes can provide."

Radetzky turned and looked closely at him. "You're the one who fixed Lady Warspite yes?"

Ron smiled and nodded again. "That was me."

Radetzky glanced at Katrina and gave a small tilt of her head.

"Let me welcome you all again to St. Brendan's Isle. I do hope you enjoy your stay." Katrina said, this time sounding completely sincere.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

After their entire party had been lead to the building where they would be staying for two weeks, Ron found himself without anything to do. Instead he was waiting outside the building, leaning against the wall watching life go by in town. In the large part it was just like any other town he'd been to. People went about their business in a relatively busy pace, though it wasn't like Portsmouth or London in the sheer craziness. The only things that stuck out to him were the lack of vehicles and the fact each and every one of them had some kind of animal like feature. Which made him the object of curiosity for those that noticed.

It wasn't until a woman with a fox tail and a naval uniform approached his building that Ron recognized somebody and he hastily stood up from where he'd been leaning against the wall.

"Ms. Thunderchild." He said with a note of surprise.

"You must be Ronald." The fox like woman gave him a polite smile and offered her hand.

"Yes that's me." He took her hand and shook it, then adjusted his bag. "I didn't expect to meet you so soon but it's a pleasure."

"You didn't? I was under the impression that came to learn about our runic magic."

Ron nodded. "I did but I expected that there would be some classroom or book learning first. I've got some basics but I'd not claim to be more than a novice."

Thunderchild grinned a bit more than she already was and then gestured for Ron to follow her.

"There's not much in the way of full on magic schooling on St. Brendan's. People know things and share it with others. Together we make sure that the children learn the most common things. Specialized knowledge is more like a master and apprentice than the book learning you've done."

Ron followed after the fox-like woman and nodded as she wound her way through town, his steps only somewhat hurried until he found himself moving by her side. She continued to speak as they made their way past others who nodded to them and towards what Ron could only assume the ocean.

"Though from what I understand you've done quite a bit of self learning. Radetzky and some of the others have read about how you fixed Lady Warspite. I've mostly heard about it from them but it's clear that you have a great deal of natural talent."

Ron felt his cheeks flush a bit. "I spent a lot of time learning what I needed for Warspite. I'm not sure if it was talent or being stubborn."

"Sometimes there's only a little difference between stubbornness and persistence." Thunderchild glanced over at Ron with a knowing look. "From what Radetzky has told me nobody else ever managed to diagnose Warspite properly much less fix her, that implies talent. Which is why I'm here. We think you have what it takes to jump in the deep end. Well, at least the middle parts."

Ron's step perked up a bit, fire burning in his breast as he realized what he was being entrusted with. "I appreciate the trust you're giving me."

Thunderchild looked at him again and then nodded but was silent. Ron followed after her, respecting the sudden quiet from the fox woman as she led him further and further from where he'd shown up. Eventually they made their way down to the water and Ron found himself looking at Thunderchild's hull. As much as she was older and smaller than Warspite, there was still a deadly grace in her form, only made more real by Ron knowing that a large number of her crew and their companions on other ships had bled and died for the island.

"What do you think?" Thunderchild spoke for the first time in minutes.

"You're an impressive ship." Ron spoke sincerely, glancing over at her.

"Given what you must have seen, I'm somewhat surprised at how sincere that sounds." Thunderchild spoke almost as if she was asking Ron a question.

"Every ship I've looked at is impressive in its own way. Just because I know one better than the other doesn't make it less true." Ron looked over at Thunderchild again. "I can tell just from your hull just how much care they put into you."

Thunderchild looked at her own hull somewhat wistfully before she spoke again. "A great deal of the people who laid so much care into me are dead. They're still with me of course but their legacy, I, am all that is left of some of them except for the people they protected." Thunderchild turned to look at him. "You will honor their legacy properly." It was not a question but a statement of fact. A demand.

Ron nodded to her. "Of course."

Thunderchild looked Ron over one more time and then nodded in return.

"Then lets get started. There's plenty to learn and not very much time."

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Thunderchild had not been kidding when she'd told Ron there was plenty to learn about runes. There were layers of runes on each bit of her, interlocked in ways that had clearly been thought out and planned fully before someone even dreamed of placing them on her hull. From the way power spiraled out of her engines to how her guns were properly covered for maximum firepower and compensation, every rune had been laid with exquisite care. A testament to her crew and the situation St. Brendan's was in to require her services.

A week through their stay and Ron felt like he was barely scratching the surface of what Runes could do even though Thunderchild was impressed with his progress. Where his father had been spending eight hours a day in meetings, Ron had been spending at least ten hours a day either studying with Thunderchild or going over his notes and what literature he could gather from St. Brendan's.

Unfortunately he'd reached the point where the line between persistence and stubbornness had become blurred. Staring at a page of notes which he knew should make sense but were simply bouncing off his eyes, Ron lay his head down with a sigh. This wasn't going as well as he'd hoped it would.

"Are you ok Ron?" His father's voice caused Ron to perk up and turn his head.

"I'm fine dad. Just having a bit of difficulty with this page of notes." He gave a tired smile.

Arthur came over and looked at what Ron was doing, pulling out the page of runes he'd been looking at and then shaking his head.

"Ron, this is the same page you were looking at last night." There was mild exasperation in his voice.

"No it's not its..." Ron paused, then realized that it probably was. "Oops?"

"You need to get out of the building for a while Ron." Arthur let the page slip back to the table and pulled Ron's chair out from the table. "Go see the sights, get some sun. Do something other than looking at these runes."

Ron thought about arguing but between the fact that his father's voice carried the edge of command he rarely needed to use and the fact that Ron knew he was right stifled any argument that he might have had. Instead he stood from his chair and nodded to his dad.

"Yeah, that's probably a good idea." Cracking his neck, Ron looked towards the door and then back to his father. "Do you know if there's anyone around who might be willing to lend me a broom? I think a nice flight might clear my head."

Arthur nodded and then pointed towards the door. "Lets go find Katrina, I'm sure that she knows somebody who can loan you a broom." Then he paused and looked to Ron. "You have eaten?"

"Yes dad. I did remember to eat lunch." Ron grinned cheekily at his father.

"Come on then. We'll get you your flight and then you can get back to working on whatever it is you're doing for Duke." Arthur shook his head at his son.

"I told you it's not just for Duke dad." Ron sounded just like what he was at the moment, a young man being teased by his father.

"Your mother says she's found you asleep on Duke's blueprints Ron, so don't give me that. We stopped believing you when you said it was nothing important years ago." Arthur, contrary to what many believed, had a good sense of humor when he wasn't constantly overworked.

Ron just grumbled as he followed his father downstairs.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

As Ron soared through the clear blue sky, wind in his face and the sun warming his skin, he felt a sense of peace flowing through him. Focusing on the runes had been productive but he'd forgotten to properly rest and this simple flight was showing him that. Curving through the sky over a mix of hills and forests he felt his mind wander freely, occasionally touching runes but more admiring how beautiful and peaceful everything on the island was. He'd have to properly thank Katrina when he got back for finding him the broom.

Lowering himself down to a promising looking meadow, Ron pondered what he should do next. Katrina had suggested that he take the rest of the day off, given that was what she and her father were doing. It wasn't a bad idea overall, even if it did conflict somewhat with his natural desire to slam through things. Not that it was helping so much with runes, they were much too complicated when done properly to simply slam through.

His feet touching soft green grass and a few wildflowers, Ron slipped off his broom and looked around. Surrounded by the whisper of the wind through the trees and the sound of birdsong Ron was reminded of a few other memories, like the time he'd recently spent with Duke and Warspite in Japan. He gave a sigh as he remembered the good times he'd spent with them and how even a bright sunny day was made better by their presence. They'd had to return to Britain of course, there was still a war going on.

Sliding the broom over his shoulder, Ron headed to the shade of the trees. Katrina had told him there was no need to worry about anything in the interior, as it had been cleared of anything dangerous to the residents years ago, to the point they didn't even go into some of the deeper wilderness regularly. Settling in against the side of a tree, Ron closed his eyes and began to let his mind wander to the sound of birdsong until things slipped away.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Some time later Ron woke up, the sound of something moving through the trees alerting him that he wasn't alone. Instinctively he kept his eyes shut, listening to whatever was crackling the underbrush. Though he wasn't by any stretch of the imagination a naturalist or tracker, it sounded as if the creature was rather large by the noise it was making. As it got closer Ron opened one of his eyes, only to have his blood freeze.

Of all the things he'd expected to see, an Abyssal Princess was not one of them.

She was massive, easily the size of Wanko and proportioned much the same. Her legs were covered in the strange black chitinous metal that abyssals used for everything. It reminded him of Duke and her tights, except for the fear he had running through him. Covering her body was a dress as pale white as she was, freely flowing except for where it clung to her chest. Her arms and shoulders were bare, the only covering she had a set of chitinous gloves. Around her neck was a collar of some kind, no it was a… scarf. The same strangely beautiful quality that many humanoid abyssals had was evident in her face, with long pale white hair that lay across her shoulder. Topping it all off was an enormous white sun hat with a big blue and black flower on it.

Ron remained frozen, terror running through him and causing his heart to pound wildly now that his moment of shock had passed. The Princess hadn't noticed him yet and he very much wanted to keep it that way. Warring with instincts that made him want to flee, he did his best to not move at all. Instead he kept only one of his eyes open to track the enormous creature near him.

The Princess carefully, as carefully as someone of her size and color could at least, moved to the edge of the trees before removing her enormous hat as she peered up to the sky. It seemed like she'd noticed him come in somehow or maybe she was just always this careful about being seen. It was one of the ways she could have hid out for however long she'd been here. After what seemed like forever but was likely only a minute or two at most, the abyssal seemed to relax and actually smiled.

The sight of the smile and the slight flush of her face as she dared lean further out into the sun caused Ron's terror to wane for a brief moment. Just for a second she reminded him of Harry's abyssal friends, happy and enjoying the sun with others. Then something fell out of the tree he was sitting against, causing a rustle and drawing the attention of the Princess.

Again terror flooded through Ron as her pale blue eyes met his own darker blue. A moment of silence passed between them as they both processed the fact that they'd been spotted. Ron's mind raced, thinking of all the things he still wanted to do with life. Still needed to do in life and suddenly he was scrambling upright against the tree, trying to grab his broom and wand at the same time so he could attempt an escape.

He managed to get upright before the Princess reacted, her hand reaching out towards him in what seemed like slow motion, surely to crush his skull or take him prisoner for a terrible reason. Then his wand was in his hand and he screamed "Stupefy!" The blue light flashed from his wand, missed the Princess completely and crashed through the trees. Ron cursed internally, still fumbling with his broom as the Princess…

"EEEEEEEPPPPPP!!!!"

As the Princess screamed in terror.

Ron froze, his eyes drawn to the sight of the formerly terrifying abyssal scrambling backwards in a blind panic and attempting to hide herself behind a tree. Unfortunately for her the one she chose was more of a sapling. Given how big she was both in height and width, she looked ridiculous trying to crouch behind something that was perhaps six inches thick. With her hat forgotten and now lying on the ground between them, her hair mussed from the sudden panic and the tears of fear in her eyes, she was the picture of a terrified woman. Except for the fact that she was easily eight or nine feet tall fully upright and likely able to rip him limb from limb if she was so inclined.

Ron remained frozen, his hand trembling as he kept his wand pointed at the abyssal. Adrenaline still beat in his chest, heart pounding from the sudden fear and action. The abyssal remained crouched behind the small tree, what sounded like a few whimpers coming from her. Everything Ron saw, everything Ron knew from studying shipgirls and what he'd seen from Harry's friends screamed that this Abyssal, this girl, was actually scared of him. Either that or she was the worlds best actor and he'd never seen an abyssal act. Nearly all of them wore their hearts on their sleeves. Even if it was bloodthirsty and heartless, especially if it was bloodthirsty and heartless.

Then there was what he knew from his father and other wizards. Anything above an abyssal destroyer was at best a target for multiple trained aurors. Battleships and up were the target of dozens. He wasn't even sure a Princess level had ever been successfully engaged in the first place. If she wanted him dead, he would be.

So he lowered his wand. Slowly and with his fight or flight instincts screaming at him he managed to put it back in his pocket. The abyssal seemed surprised by this and the whimpering stopped but she remained "hiding" behind her sapling.

Taking a breath Ron forced himself into a less tense state and he raised a hand to her in an open palm wave.

"Hello." His word sounded lame to his ears but he wasn't sure what else to say at the moment.

The abyssal remained where she was but one of her hands, large and chitin covered as it was, gave him a meek wave in return.

Progress, at least that's what it seemed like.

"Can you understand me?" It was easier to speak now, the tightness in his chest loosening more and more with each passing second.

The Princess didn't move for a moment but eventually nodded, the way her hair kept falling in her face making her look like a distressed movie damsel instead of a terror from the deep.

"I uh… I'm sorry I startled you." There was no way for him to have known that she wasn't going to kill him at the time but it seemed appropriate to say now.

The Abyssal nodded again, the fear in her eyes finally lessening somewhat. She dared to stand, becoming much more imposing to his eyes but given that she was still clearly nervous and hiding behind a tree the effect was lessened.

Not making much more ground purely through speaking, Ron fumbled for something else to do. Her enormous white sunhat was still on the ground so he took a couple steps and picked it up, dusting it off as he did so. The Princess tensed up as he approached but she hadn't darted away.

"You dropped your hat." He held it out as best he could, the size of it imparting an awkward weight at the end of his arms. Yet it was just in reach of the large woman and she dared take it from his hands. The way she took it was remarkably gentle, not jerking it from his grip. She promptly put it in front of her face and chest, only her eyes peeking out over the edge.

"I'm Ron." He pointed at his chest. "Ron."

The enormous woman didn't say anything but there was a slight nod.

"Do you have a name?" It was a reach but getting her name seemed like it would be a big step in the right direction.

A negative shake this time, though her hat slipped down underneath her nose.

"You don't?" Every abyssal he'd been introduced to had a name, some of them quite a bit more flowery and thoughtful than he'd expected.

"...Don't remember." She was quiet and her voice was a bit darker than he'd thought it would be given her actions but he was now making progress.

"Do you have anything you'd like to be called?"

Another negative shake of her head.

"Would you ah… like if I gave you a name?" Another stretch but he wanted to keep the conversation going.

"….Ok." Not exactly a ringing endorsement but it worked.

If he'd had more time, if he wasn't so rattled by what was going on then Ron might have put some more thought into it. Instead he quickly took in what she was wearing, the big flower and the gentle warmth that still filled his body.

"How about Summer? Does that sound good?" Not very creative but hopefully it would work.

"Sum...mer… Summer." The large abyssal nodded, her hat sliding all the way off of her face so she was simply clutching it to her chest. "You… are Ron."

"Yeah my name is Ron." He attempted a small smile for her, more of a mild curl of his lips but he tried.

Summer nodded and gave her own small smile, which managed to light up her face more than he thought it would.

"So uhm… what are you doing out here Summer?" Ron wasn't sure she'd answer the question but he was curious about how she'd managed to get to St. Brendan's.

"...Don't remember." Her mood seemed to darken, her hat rising back up over the bottom of her chin.

"Oh, sorry." Ron felt a bit chagrined but he pressed on. "Do you remember anything at all?"

Summer actually had to think on that, her hat disappearing underneath her chin as she pondered.

"I remember… scary things. Scary people. They hurt." She reached up to touch the back of her head. "I remember..." She looked down at her hat. "I remember flowers. Flowers are pretty." She smiled and touched the big blue one on her hat. "I remember… how to fix… fix… others." She frowned and shook her head. "Then I remember… here. Remember Ron." She nodded, as if finished.

"I uh… I fix things too." Ron reached for what seemed like something they had in common, that she might want to keep talking about. He reached into his pockets, suddenly glad he always carried a jar of his oil with him. "I made this to help fix people." He held out the jar, offering it to Summer.

The Abyssal Princess seemed to pause for a second and then took a step towards him. Given her size it was more than enough to cover the ground she needed and she gingerly took it from him. As she brought it to her face, she examined it closely. The nerves she'd displayed disappearing as she looked it over, then open it and sniffed.

"It's… a good fix. Good." She nodded and then turned back to him. "Can… I keep it?"

"Ah, sure." Ron nodded. "I can make more."

Summer smiled and placed the jar in her pocket, causing Ron to gulp.

"So… ah..." Ron stuck his hand behind his head and scratched his hair. "Hmm."

"Is… something the matter?" Summer seemed to catch that Ron was running out of things to say.

"Well I was just wondering… if you've ever thought of going into town?" Ron gave another hopeful smile. "There's a lot of people there and you wouldn't be alone up here all the time."

Summer suddenly flushed and hid herself fully behind her hat, as if for protection. There were some muffled words from behind it but Ron couldn't understand them.

"I couldn't hear what you said." Ron leaned to the side, hoping Summer could hear him.

Summer pulled her hat back down from her face, at least enough that he could see her mouth again.

"There are scary people down there." The fear in Summers eyes fully returned, to the point she was almost about to cry.

Ron took a minute to realize what she meant. There was an entire fleet of KuK girls now staying on St. Brendan's. Even if they were somewhat older and less powerful than the major players, Summer had been scared of one child wizard with a wand. She was probably completely incapable of contemplating the journey on her own.

"Well… what if I go with you? I can take you into town and you can sign some things that will make sure the uh… scary people won't hurt you." Ron did his best to put a positive spin in his voice.

"The scary people won't hurt me?" Summer perked up immediately. "Really?"

"Yeah. There's a few other people like you and all you have to do is sign some paper and then nobody on our side will try to hurt you." Ron smiled encouragingly. "We take care of our friends."

"Friends..." Summer looked to Ron and then pointed between them. "We are… friends?"

"Of course." The words were out of Ron's mouth before he could think of the implications, though even if he'd had time to think it wouldn't have been different. "We're friends. We both fix things right?"

"Yes… friends." Summer nodded and dared to smile again, placing her hat back on her head. "Friends..."

Ron let out one last sigh, finally rather sure that he was completely safe.

"So… do you want to go back to town with me? My dad is there and I'm sure we can get those papers signed." Much more relaxed, he finally tilted his head a bit to look Summer over… and realized he's going to have to explain all of this to his father, mother, Warspite, Duke… the list was a lot longer than he thought.

Summer nodded in response, though she briefly hid her eyes behind the brim of her hat. "Yes… You will… protect me before the paper is signed?"

"Of course. That's my job." Ron felt a surge of confidence, it wouldn't be hard to protect her given he'd just have to stand in front of her or go on ahead. In the moment, he didn't notice the look Summer gave him. One that was more contemplative than she'd been giving him before.

"So… where do we go…?" Summer asked, looking around in multiple directions. "I do not know where town is… from here."

Ron flushed slightly, realizing he wasn't sure either. Thankfully he had his broom. "Stay right here, I'll be back. I promise!" Hopping on, he went straight up, Summer stepping out of the trees to watch him as he ascended. Spotting what seemed like their goal, Ron made sure to get his bearings and then lowered himself back down to the ground.

"We have to head that way." He pointed roughly south-south east from where they were. "Hopefully it won't take too long."

"Yes." Summer nodded, falling in behind Ron as he lead the way towards town.


/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Hours later Arthur Weasley stared at the sight in front of him. He'd been getting progressively more worried about Ron as the sun sank toward the horizon. Katrina had even offered to send up some of her people but just before he'd given in, they'd received other news.

Now, along with Katrina, Radetzky, Thunderchild and a number of other residents, he was attempting to process the sight of a massive Abyssal Princess trying to cower behind his son and failing miserably.

Finally just accepting that it truly was happening, he pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes.

"Ron, I'm sure you have a very good explanation for this?" He was pleased by how level he kept his voice.

"Yeah." Ron nodded quickly, a not all that sure smile plastered across his face. "Just ah, one thing before I start telling you."

"And what might that be?" Arthur felt his patience waning.

"You get to tell mom and not me."

"Why would I do that?" Arthur felt a throb developing behind his eyes.

"Otherwise you'd have to explain it to Warspite and Duke at the same time instead of me."

Arthur opened one of his eyes, catching his son with a withering stare. Unfortunately he was most probably right and Arthur had much more experience dealing with Molly.

"Alright, I promise." Arthur felt the throb lessen somewhat, even if he did have to pinch the bridge of his nose harder.

"Well you see it all started when I went and landed in a clearing..."

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

AN:Yes this has been run past Harry and is canon. It's actually been in the works for months as an idea, we just needed to get to the right point in the story.


Comments, questions, concerns, critiques, inquiries on my sanity etc are all very welcome.

 

[darthcourt10]

Barricade Omake: Summer's first cup of tea

Harry Leferts said:
Huh... I am now wondering about her reaction to tea...​

*-*-*-*
Warspite quickly put her hands over Ron's ears, only a fraction of a second before Duke's joined hers. And while it was too quick to mutually plan, both had their junior engineering fairies start using grinders out on their decks.

"Warspite? Duke? What are you doing? I wanted to hear what Summer thought of the tea I brewed for her."

Mutually glancing over his head before blinking as one, it took only a moment for one of Duke's Senior Chiefs to wiggle free from her neckline and trot over with a sign for Ron to read:

'Got a radio report of immature mandragoras dropped off as a prank nearby.'

One of Warspite's own Noncoms popped up with his own sign as well, before the lad could start panicking.

'Don't worry. Response teams are already on it.'

"Ah, okay."

It still made him tilt his head quizzically at how both Chiefs were failing at holding back snickers, nearly to the point of tears. 'I guess they thought it was a good prank.'

Weirdos. He made a note to himself to remind the two that Mandragoras were no laughing matter, and should instruct their crews more thoroughly.

Meanwhile he watched, in silence as Summer held her cheeks in delight, saying something rather enthusiastically about the flavor of the tea from what he could parse together. Was a bit odd though that she was rather shy about having a second cup. Or why a group of junior ratings nearby suddenly tripped over themselves.

Or why she never acted like that again, but did heavily blush and bite her lower lip whenever he shared some blends with her.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Placing the money down, Harry smiled at the cashier before walking out with a box and covered thermos in one hand. Once he was out the door, he sighed a bit at the teens who were standing there. "Sorry about that, I had to pick up something for Wokyuu from here. She likes Tim Hortons."

Somewhat confused, Usagi looked from the small trailer like shop to Harry and then back. "Um, right. But... how did they get here?"

With a hum as he shifted around what he had, Harry blinked and raised an eyebrow. "Oh, that's easy." Once they looked at him, he continued. "This is one of the Canadians' rapid deployment Tim Hortons."

That got him blank looks for several moments before Kaku furrowed his eyebrows in utter confusion. "Rapid... deployment Tim Hortons?"

Harry only nodded at that. "Hai, it turns out that the Canadians really like their Tim Hortons, or 'Timmies' as they call them. I don't really understand it beyond them wanting to have a taste of home. But that was why they came out with these, so that they could set them up quickly and start serving stuff."

Facepalming, Rika shook her head. "That is one of the most ridiculous things that I have ever heard of. I mean, I can sort of see it, but still." Pulling her hand from her face, she frowned at the store. "They actually came up with this."

All the wizard did though was shrug and shake his head. "Not the worst that I have heard of."

While that did get him looks from the others, Asuka looked around and frowned at the small Aircraft Carrier nearby. "That's the Canadian Aircraft Carrier?"

Giving it a look himself, Harry nodded some. "Yeah, that would be the HMCS Prince Robert of the Prince class Light Carriers." At the looks, he tapped the side of his head. "I'm used to identifying ships from sight. Besides which, the Canadians only got four of them and they're based off the America class."

Head titled to the side, Kaku frowned some. "I thought that the Canadians had more Carriers then that though?"

To that, Harry shook his head. "Not yet, but they are building larger Carriers. These ones just have Harrier IIIs on them as aircraft besides helicopters. From what I heard, they're considering Sea Gripens for the ones that they're building now."

Even though they were interested, something else came up as Asuka pointed at the box of Timbits and small thermos of coffee. "Um, but why did you go and get those? I would have thought that you had enough to eat..."

Much to her surprise though, Harry chuckled and shot her a grin. "Actually? These aren't for me." Lifting up the items in question, he gave a nod. "They're actually for Wokyuu."

Confused, Ayaka looked at him with a frown. "Wokyuu-San? She's here?" When Harry shook his head though, she blinked. "Wait, so she's back on her island then?"

Smiling, Harry gave a small hum. "Yup, it was decided that it would be for the best if she was not around for this Fleet Week, even though most have gotten used to it. Hence her wanting me to send her some. She even gave me a list of what to get."

With a soft snicker, Natsumi nodded. "Turns out that Wokyuu likes Tim Hortons." Then she frowned some and her next words got her looks of befuddlement. "She used to go and get some at times from what I heard..."

A frown on her face, Asuka looked around and then back at him. "Send it to her? How?"

Just continuing to smile, Harry raised his free arm into the air. More then a few people stopped to stare as Hedwig appeared and alighted on it, careful not to dig in her talons. "Thanks, Hedwig. Could you deliver this to Wokyuu? I'm sure that she'll appreciate it." Bobbing her head, Hedwig grabbed the box of Timbits in one talon before leaping off her owner's arm and hovering in place with beats of her wings. Once she had the thermos in the other talon, she lifted herself into the sky and soon vanished despite people taking pictures. "And there we go."

Facepalming, Asuka groaned some. "Really? Do you realize what that can be taken for?"

The wizard only snickered some. "What? Being a falconer?" At her look of surprise, he winked. "I do know how to keep certain aspects hidden in a way that most people would not really notice all that much."

Asuka opened her mouth to reply, only to pause and shut it. Giving the matter some thought, she then shook her head. "I guess?"

Soon enough though, their attention turned to other matters. In particular, when they came across a small stage. Said stage was not a big one, more like something used for puppet shows. Noticing the growing crowd, Rika tilted her head to the side before turning to Harry. "Any idea what everyone is here for?"

Now grinning, Harry let out a soft laugh. "Actually, they're here for the next show, which will be in a minute or so."

Utterly lost, the teens blinked before Natsumi noticed something and made a choking sound. Waving off the worry, she pointed to the side. "That's one of Naka's fairies right there."

The other teens turned and stared at the fairy clad in what looked like an old fashioned diving suit at a tiny DJ station. As well, they noticed that the area was actually shaded which made them all blink before lights came on as did a small fog machine. Before their eyes, the curtains pulled back to reveal Minagato and the other Smols there with Allie. With a look around, Minagato gestured at a jar nearby. "Gato, gato gato gato gato gato."

With a slow nod, Harry chuckled at seeing the amount of money in the jar. "Nice, it seems like that they have gotten a nice amount of money."

Opening her mouth, the Tengu of the group tried to say something only to shake her head and close it with a sigh. She did note though that various people had brought out cellphones and were now filming. Not to mention that ShiNano as well as Smolgina had small blushes on their faces. With a final look around, Minagato pointed at Naka's fairy. "Gato!"

Just saluting and giving a nod, the fairy then started up the music as the screen behind them came on. On said screen were rings of different coloured light vibrating in time to the music as it started. And the teens were not the only ones bobbing their heads in time to the techno beat as the Smols along with one fairy then started to dance to the beat. Much to some people's surprise, they were coordinated perfectly with each other as they danced. At times, the background changed to different ones.

Head bobbing to the beat, Harry grinned as he glanced at the others. Mainly because he was recording the whole thing. "Not bad, huh?"

Natsumi gave a grin herself as she watched Smolgina breakdance alongside ShiNano. "Yeah, they're really good at this. Did they practice this?"

Chuckling, Harry nodded at that. "Yeah, it was something to see. Though they had to change some things up with Smolgina and such showing up. I mean, today is dancing, tomorrow is a play, followed by dancing on the next day." He frowned for a moment. "Though the recitals for it were something else. Seeing the Smols at the time in their costumes brought Mum to a level of Super Nagamon beyond Super Nagamon... But we decided to call it Super Nagamon Two."

Eyebrow raised, the rabbit of the group snorted and gave him a look. "Did you seriously just make a Dragonball Z joke?"

Now grinning, Harry nodded. "Why yes, yes I did."

Only boggling, Asuka stared at the sight before her and then to Harry. "Uh... where did they get the idea for this?"

That got for her a shrug from the black haired human. "They got the idea from Jane's smols actually. See, they do this sort of thing for Fleet Week in Sasebo believe it or not and its pretty popular."

Very slowly, Asuka blinked at that and then turned back to the Smols as a new song began and they started a new dance as various people clapped or cheered them on. 'Um...' Then a thought occurred to her. 'I wonder what Ai and the others will think of this?'

 

[darthcourt10]

Lord K

Tearing up the driveway on her motorcycle, Jin hits the breaks hard enough to leave a black trail of smoking rubber when she sees the sight before her. The door to the Zuchi House wide open, and no one is detectable to her spiritual senses. Dismounting and tearing off her helmet, while Shiromizu emerges from inside of her jacket, the two mizuchi enter the empty house with growing worry.

"This is so not good."

Shiromizu bites her lip and nods in agreement.

"Norimune?!" striding through the halls, opening doors and glancing into rooms, Jin hurriedly searches for the Muramasa blades they left behind only a few hours ago. "Kyoshu?! Where are you guys?!"

Ending up outside on the back porch, Jin eventually reached scaning the beachfront after exhausting all possible locations the two could be hidden or distracted within the house. "Oi! This is important! Where the fuck are you?!"

A lone seagull's caw is her response.

The noise of hurriedly rippling scales across the floor however, then makes Jin turn around. What she finds is Shiromizu, rushing towards her in lamia form and holding something in her hands. "Sempai! You need to see this!"

Even at a distance, Jin can see the crayon on the paper. There's only one person at Zuchi who would use crayon.

'Gone to Akutoku, so we can find the mizuchi'

"Oh fuck me." Jin's eyes widen in terrible realization. "Akutoku's gone to Yokosuka for a doujin release event at the Fleet Week Festival!"

Understanding and horror then dawn upon Shiromizu's face in turn. "That's where Juuchi went! To keep watch over Harry!"

"You gotta be fucking kidding me..." Hurriedly, the mizuchi begins fishing through her pockets. "I gotta call Chisuheri before she gets there!"

Shiromizu nods in panicked agreement. "And I should call Juuchi and Tsukikari!"
----------------------------

Kogamaru was having a good day.

The sun was shining, the food at the festival was good, Akutoku was behaving herself knowing that he and Chisuheri were out in the crowd watching her current panel, moving through the stalls had given him a nice opportunity to pick up some various games, manga and anime he'd been meaning to pick up for a while, and even better, there was nobody to make fun or complain about him doing things that were decidedly 'un-Koshaku'.

Yes, that was probably the best part. A chance to, for just a few hours, be a nameless face in a crowd. Someone unknown and without scrutiny from his fellow strangers. He wasn't the Nnith Koshaku, the heir of the Northern Wolves, the descendant of Ezomaru and Royomaru, or the Clan Head of the Hokubu Okami, or any of those other things. He wasn't even Kogamaru. He was just a another dude in the crowd, looking to buy some stuff and seeing what was on special.

Yes. Today was definitely a good day.

It's just as he's thinking that, when Chisuheri, midway through sipping a cup of coffee and checking her phone, then violently spit-takes.

Kogamaru does his best to dodge and save his accumulated Festival-booty. Unfortunately, he fails at the later, and in doing the former, causes a fellow member of the current line for Akutoku's merchandise, some poor girl in a wheelchair, to get caught in the spray as well.

"What the hell Chisuheri!?!?!"

Kogamaru looks over his shoulder in disbelieving shock the now ruined back of his letterman jacket, and then at the unfortunate, already sickly looking waif who has been caught in the crossfire thanks to his selfish maneuver. At least his games and box sets were saved.

"What was that for?!?!?" he asks with baffled outrage.

The sword in question simply drops her coffee, now causing his shoes to become splattered as well, and takes off into the crowd at a run. "KYOSHU'SINTROUBLEIHAVETOGO!"

"CHISUHERI?!?!" Starring after the now vanished daisho sword set in confusion and disbelief, Kogamaru sighs.

Well, at least his baseball cap protected his shades.

Turning back around, Kogamaru then winces in guilt.

Right. The girl who got tagged when he dodged.

Thankful for one of the many things his father impressed upon him when he was younger, as one of the staples of the man who is always prepared, Kogamaru fishes around in his pockets and then procures a clean handkerchief.

Granted, he never thought he'd actually have need to help lady with the things. His father always used to make him carry the damn handkerchiefs until it became habit, just because his nose ran a lot as a kid.

"Oh jeez, I am so sorry about that. I don't know what happened with my friend back there. Somebody sent her something, and then she just took off."

The girl accepts the square of cloth gratefully, and does her best to wipe up her half of the aftermath of Chisuheri's projection. Unfortunately, it is quickly becoming apparent that her shirt is more readily absorbent than how quickly she can get to the rapidly growing stains with Kogamaru's handkerchief.

"Ah- well... I guess these things happen. Kinda. I mean... er." Awkwardly she gives a shaky smile but can't quite meet his eye, no doubt trying to hide how embarrassed and humiliated she must feel after getting utter soaked in spat coffee.

It's already ruining her top- oh boy.

Now it's Kogamaru's turn not to be able to meet her gaze.

Gentleman that he is though, Kogamaru begins shrugging off his letterman. Damaged as it is, at least it will better preserve her modesty than a wet t-shirt, and it's not like it's as important to remaining incognito as his shades and cap. Seeing what he's doing, the girl then starts.

"Oh- um, you don't need to-" She blushes, and even Kogamaru can't help but flush a little as her realizes what a hilariously shoujo story-esque move this is. He's literally offering his shirt to a random girl.

"I m-mean, my sisters and I are nearby and live. I-I-I mean they're probably nearby and we live nearby as well! It's no problem-"

"Don't worry about it. I have more jackets anyway."

'Smooth one Kogamaster' he mentally snarks to himself as he resists the urge to facepalm. 'Way to sound like some carelessly rich ass.'

Being anonymous must make him more open that usual though, as something shows on his face judging by the way the girl gives a stifled giggle, even as she begins rummaging in one of the bags in her wheelchair for something, eventually procuring a phone.

"I suppose it wouldn't hurt to wear it until my sisters get here.... Then I can just cover up with something of theirs if the coffee hasn't dried."

Kogamaru chuckles and rubs at the back of his neck weakly. "Ahehehe... yeah.... that sounds like a plan."

Still blushing slightly, the girl reaches out to accept the offer jacket.

By chance however, their fingers touch, just as she takes it by the offered neck. For a brief moment, there is a spark, and in mild surprise, the two of them finally look up in tandem.

For the first time, their gazes actually meet.

At that very moment, Akutoku chooses to end her current panel by leaving some music running.


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

Following Kyoshu's trail, Norimune curses as the meandering path leads her stumbling through another hedge row and set of flower gardens. Her shoes are a mess, matched only by how unkempt her hair is at this point, but at least she is catching up, judging by the increasing freshness of the trail. In fact....

Stumbling through the latest set of obstacles Kyoshu no doubt haplessly wandered through after becoming distracted by something or confused as to her original course of travel, the Unrepentant Blade looks up and gives a sigh of relief.

"Oh thank fuck."

There in the distance is Kyoshu. Looking confused as ever, and cyclically rambling on about something to what she suddenly realizes is another sword spirit. One who is now looking at the Blade of Faded Memories with a mixture of uncertainty, unease, and baffled pity in equal measure.

Awesome! It's somebody who doesn't recognize her!

Her luck might just be looking up for once!

Taking a step forwards, Norimune then trips on a root and faceplants into the flower bed. As she looks back up with a groan, a horrified shock proceeds to make her freeze, and runs through the Unrepentant Blade like a lightning bolt.

Because entering the park through the base-ward gates behind Kyoshu and her mystery helper is a third sword spirit. One who she recognizes as well.

It has been centuries since they last crossed paths, but even after all this time, Norimune instantly recognizes her. Juuchi Yosamu. The greatest and most deadly of the Demon Blades. The 'Ten Thousand Cold Nights', which cuts all without discrimination. The most terrifying and feared of their creator's infamous creations.

Juuchi Yosamu, who also had the most horrific and victimised relationship with the Kyoshu of old, out of all of them.

Who is now striding towards the two.

And possibly doesn't know yet.

"Oh shit!" Scrambling to her feet, Norimune takes off at a run. "Hey! Wait! Stop!"

It is only a split second, but even if Norimune can't hear what is said, she can see the moment Juuchi realizes who the sword spirit in the oversized hoodie is, as Kyoshu finally turns around.

She can see what is about to happen, before it does. The rush of fear that blinds all logic, until the only instinct is fight or flight. The shifting of weight to prepare to flash-step. The lightning fast motions, readying to strike an ambushed foe down in a single overwhelming Iaido style strike.

And in the same moment Juuchi prepares to cut her down, Kyoshu continues to blankly stare with beatific confusion.

Norimune blurs into a flash step of her own, but knows she won't reach in time.

"KYOSHU-"
----------------------------

Rushing towards the park with as much haste as she can manage without standing out among the festival goers or arousing suspicion, Juuchi does her best to ward off the cold sweat that makes her skin clammy and nerves shiver.

'Why Akutoku?' The question circles around and around in her brain, not with out answer, but more with too many.

Was it simply to get at her? An opening act to either unbalance her through a fearful reminder, or could it be some kind of pragmatic play to deny Juuchi possible allies? Alternately, was Kyoshu fulfilling some sick, twisted version of 'doing the rounds?' Was she still cyclicly tormenting everyone in turn, even in this day and age? Or was this purely dumb lack and tragic happenstance?

Tsukikari had mentioned that Akutoku was trying to find a Mizuchi. Had Kyoshu somehow learned of Juuchi's efforts to stymie her, and Akutoku had paid the price for trying to warn her or disrupt the Sword of Faded Memories plans? Or could this part of some greater trick or sadistic stratagem? The paranoia is enough to drive Juuchi up the wall, as her mind races with an endlessly unhelpful series of circuitous thoughts.

At least she has a vague idea as to why Akutoku could have possibly been here to begin with. While she probably saw the other sword less than most of the others, due to Akutoku's less directly offensive or battlefield oriented nature, she still remembered the Sword of Corruption as being without at care for provocativeness and societal norms.

Since coming back, and especially with all the advertisements in the lead up to the Fleet Week Festival, Juuchi had felt that there was something strangely familiar about the lead writer and author of the manga-turned-anime "I Can't Believe It's Not Love", Muramasa Courage, and her alternate-works ego of Sword of Corruption. Juuchi had thought it almost too obvious and stupidly blatant to be the real Akutoku.

She supposed now she was about to find out if it was true or not.

So distracted is Juuchi, that she almost missed the fact that she has actually now arrived in the park. Following deeper into the wooded area along the meandering concrete pathway, Juuchi at last stumbles across her apprentice, conversing with another young woman who's mildly bedraggled fashion disaster of a form has her back is to her.

Seeing the expression on Tsukikari's face, for a moment, Juuchi feels relief. The younger sword, while admittedly looking a worried and nervous, also bares a slight smile on her face as she apparently attempts to comfort another of Juuchi's long lost sisters. As near as the Muramasa can see, there is nothing untoward or of ill intent going on here at all. Noticing her sempai approaching over the other sword spirit's shoulder, a look Tsukikari then gives her a look of relief, and points her out to her strangely confused looking conversation partner.

"Oh, look! It's my sempai!" Following the youngest Potter blade's finger curiously, the dark-haired form begins to turn around. With a smile, Tsukikari moves to introduce the two, just as for the first time in centuries, Juuchi finds herself meeting the gaze of another Muramasa.

The thing is, it's not the cocky stare of red-eyed brazenness she expects to see.

"Sempai, this is Akutoku"

No

"Akutoku, this is my sempai, Juuchi Yosamu."

No!

"Ah.... hello there!" The clothes are wrong, the hair is a mess, something about her expression is off..... but Juuchi immediately recognizes that voice from her darkest nightmares across the centuries and those terrible, terrible, eyes.

"Sorry for the bother...." Says 'Akutoku' "....but I think I forgot my way home."

It's like she's been punched in the gut. She can barely hear over the sound of her heart as it struggles to flee her chest, leaving her short of breath and with a feeling of ice cold pins and needles that are almost painful as they spread through her body. Her perception of the world narrows to just herself and the one thing she has ever truly feared, returned like a childhood horror from her past.

"mou..... or did home for get me...? It's supposed to be Akutoku and Umitsubame today.....?"

Juuchi misses that last part.

"Oh dear.... I think he just forgot his way home.... and his home just forgot him."

An instinctive horror courses through her as the other Muramasa smiles beatifically, a reaction born of decades of helpless fear and torment that would usually follow such an expression.

Juuchi doesn't hear her phone as it begins to ring. She doesn't see the figure sprinting towards them out of the bushes at the other end of the path.

All she knows is

That

Is

Not

Akutoku


"Tsukikari! MOVE!"

Dust flies and pavement cracks as Juuchi throws herself forward, blade already tearing out of her scabbard as she launches herself into the flash step.

She has to kill her!

She has to strike her down now!

SHE HAS END KYOSHU BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!!!

The world slows, as her perception of everything becomes a moment drawn out into an eternity. She can see the slowly morphing look from shocked confusion to realized horror in Tsukikari' face. The way Kyoshu's expression slowly begins to change from her disguised mask of dimwittedness, to uncertainty and what Juuchi hopes will be the comprehension she has failed in her dying moments.

And then a shout breaks the silence.

"KYOSHU- DRAW!"

At the unknown approaching cry, Kyoshu moves.

Hand reflexively darting to her side, the Sword of Faded Memories reveals just how complete her efforts at this deception have been. Juuchi doesn't recognize the saya Kyoshu draws herself from, nor many of the changes to her hilt, and she could almost swear Kyoshu's blade looks shorter.

What she does recognize though, is how the blade the sword spirit in front her draws, then shifts with lightning speed to an unearthly darkness. Blacker and more solid than anything should be capable of being, as her foe somehow pulls off an impossibly fast block.

Sparks fly and reality screeches in tandem with the grinding of metal, as the unstoppable force meets the immovable object. The blade which cuts all without discrimination, clashes with the sword which defies knowing and imposes it's own, until finally both rebound away from each other.

Juuchi leaps away and hastily backsteps to gain some distance, but Kyoshu rides reality's forceful rejection of their clashing true selves. As the darkness her blade has become inverts, in turn her steel becomes ethereal and ghostly, an effect mirrored by the weightlessness and transparency her avatar takes on. Almost like something out of a wuxia film, Kyoshu ghosts through the air, before finally drifting down atop a lamppost some distance away with nary a whisper.

"Mou... that's not very nice.... do I know you?"

Juuchi feels sick, and furious, and on the verge of panic all at once.

This is what Kyoshu does. She mocks, and needles, and toys, both for entertainment, and to get others off their game. She can almost imagine that behind that 'confused' head tilt is a sadistic, taunting smile. One that only grows larger when her 'helper' arrives.

"Hey..... Juuchi..... been a long time, yeah? Sekigahara, right?"

The realization of who is accompanying her almost makes Juuchi's head spin. "What the hell are you doing here?! And why are you helping her?!"

Less than subtly keeping a hold on the Kyudo bow holder on her back, Norimune weakly tries to make a calming motion with her free hand.

"Now, I know you and her have some history, but if you'll just calm down a second, I can explain-"

"We're going to see the Mizuchi!"

"Not now Kyoshu!"

'Shiromizu!' is the panicked thought that runs through her mind.

Juuchi's breath is almost ragged as she glares. Glares at the one foe she has never surmounted, up upon her perch. She can almost imagine that Kyoshu did that on purpose. Just to lord herself over Juuchi, from a physical height and position of power once more.

From up on the lamppost, Kyoshu then grins gleefully as something lights up in her gaze. "Wait- I do remember you."

For some reason, this seems to throw Norimune for a loop. "You what?"

Tapping a finger thoughtfully, Kyoshu then looks at Juuchi in a way that if the Muramasa didn't know her sister as well as she did, might have somebody else thinking that she was uncertainly posing a question from how she awkwardly smiles.

"Hello.... Juuchi....?"

Kyoshu smirks as the ground shatters around her, unbowed and unharmed by what should have been a perfect surprise attack, only to be intercepted by a blade of blackest madness made manifest. Looking past their clashing blades, a mocking smile tugs at the Sword of Faded Memories' lips, that is almost contemptuous in her indifference to Juuchi's efforts.

"Hello Juuchi..." purrs Kyoshu, with promises of evil glinting in her unconcerned eyes. "It's good to see you."

"-empai! Sempai, what's wrong?!"

At the sword of Tsukikari's cry, Juuchi realize her hands are shaking, and her hands are trembling. Whether from rage or fear, she can no longer tell.

It also seems that however Kyoshu has forced Norimune into becoming complicit in this endeavor, the Unrepentant Blade is also still in possession of her strategic faculties.

"Kyoshu! We need to go back to the house!"

"Mou.... but we just got here?"

Unlike her sister, Norimune is extremely aware of the fact that Juuchi looks very nearly on the verge of a full blown Muramasa berserker rage just from the unexpected 'family reunion' now taking place. Considering how such events between the Demon Blades used to go, especially when Kyoshu was involved, Norimune doesn't quite blame her.

"I'm not fucking around Kyoshu! GET OFF THE LAMPPOST!!!"

The Sword of Faded Memories pouts and holds out her hand to show Norimune the smudged writing on her hand. A gesture that to Juuchi on the ground and further away, looks like a gesture in the direction of the festival taking place on the base behind them.

"But what about my prize?" she whines.

Were she in a calmer state of mind, Juuchi might have realized there was something off about the dynamics at play here. Norimune ordering Kyoshu around, and with such crass and demanding language? Kyoshu had always mocked and derided Norimune as an instrument of overcompensation and bribery from what she had heard.

Unfortunately, barely riding the fine line of self-control that threatens to be overtaken by incoherent fury and panicked rage in equal turns at any moment, Juuchi fixates on one part of Kyoshu's words in particular.

"Prize?.... your prize?!?!" Starring up at her self-appointed tormentress for most of her first century of existance, Juuchi no longer resists the red creeping over her shrinking vision.

"Is that what this is about?!?!" she screams. "YOU THINK YOU CAN TAKE ANOTHER WIELDER- ANOTHER MASTER FROM ME AGAIN?!?!"

Up on the lamppost, Kyoshu tilts her head and blinks, not doubt mocking her as she always does with her strange fondness for faux-curiousness that she has apparently picked up since Juuchi last saw her.

"I took something important from you?" she asks, causing Juuchi to grip her hilt hard enough for the wrapping to protest.

"Kyoshu- just SHUT UP and let's go!"

"NO!" Roars Juuchi, as she levels her blade at Kyoshu. "This time we settle this! When we last fought, I was in search of a master, and you were a master of only yourself. Now I have found a line worth being the blade of, and masters worth serving, and that is a strength you can never have!" Looking up at her sisters, Juuchi seethes as her voice practically becomes a hiss. "It is a strength I will kill you both to protect if need be!"

Norimue begins backing up. "She's not fucking around Kyo!"

The Sword of Faded Memories however, just looks downward at the Unrepentant Blade quizzically. "She can't kill us. You and Akutoku try to kill each other all the time, and that never works."

'"Don't dismisses my promises as threats 'sister'," growls the greatest of the Muramasa blades, a fact that Juuchi is increasingly sure she ought to remind her sister of anyway.

"See!" crows Kyoshu with lackadaisical excitement. "She just wants to have some fun with us!"

Norimune just gives up on Kyoshu entirely at this point.

"Juuchi- come on- I think there's been a bit of a misunderstanding here- I'm not sure if you've heard but-"

"But I think I've heard enough," Juuchi hisses. "To fight alongside her speaks more of you than I ever thought possible."

"Who's fighting who?" asks Kyoshu with yet more aggravatingly fake confusion, as if it wasn't obvious that Juuchi could fight either of them without issue.

"I can take you both on!" she roars in defiance, as magic begins gathering in her blade.

"Juuchi! Wait-' shouts Norimune, only to then be interrupted by Kyoshu shouting and posing dramatically atop her perch on the lamppost.

"Show me ya moves!" she declares as she points at her younger sister.

Juuchi freezes.

"Show me your strength," croons Kyoshu, her voice that would have been sweetly demure from any other girl, instead laced with cruel and sadistic mirth and disdain. "Is this really the Will to wield a Muramasa?"

On the ground in front of her, Juuchi's latest owner screams, as Kyoshu drives the blackened form of her blade even further through his perforated hand and into his head. Furtively he resists against the slow erosion of his memories, but against Kyoshu, there is no escape. There is no reason for him to be able to resist either. What is at first a glimmer of hope, is in fact Kyoshu pointlessly drawing out the inevitable, already nightmarish torture, into an even more inhuman perversion and offering a false-hope simply because she can.

On the ground where she ended up after her master was disarmed only moments ago, Juuchi screams and rages with the silence of steel in agony.

"True.... maybe that is enough."

Ripping her blade free of his head and hand, Kyoshu's blackened blade leave no mark or wounds of the physical kind, as her slack-faced master slumps to his knees, one arm still raised in a futile, disorientated attempt to fend the Sword of Faded Memories off. Then however, Kyoshu turns her true self not to it's ethereal state, but for once back to cold mortal steel.

With horror and anguish, Juuchi realizes how the Sword of Faded Memories plans to answer her pleaded requests.

This time when she slashes downward, there is a pause as if the world were holding it's breath and awaiting the aftermath. The silence that follows is more terrible than any tortured screaming or agonized mumbles as the mental degradation took effect.

Something red drips from the tip of Kyoshu's blade.

And then, with a gushing spray of blood that coats the ground around her, Juuchi can only watch as her master's head and hand separate from his body.

"Fufufufu..... now as for you dear sister....."

"ARRRGGHHHH!!!!"

Pouring her hate, anger, and all of her sorrow into her true form, Juuchi's edge blazes with a cuttingly bright light, that leaps from her blade as she slashes it through the air. Hurtling down the pathway like a scythe, a trio of magic crescents composed of, and directed by a pure and unbridled desire to cut all in their paths, scream towards Kyoshu.

With a yelp, Kyoshu goes intangible and leaps to the limb of a nearby tree, while Juchi's attack promptly trisects the lamppost she was standing on, loudly sending it's upper portion to the ground in pieces.
----------------------------

"You missed! Nyeh!"

Norimune can only watch in horror, free hand fumbling to go through the motions of setting up muggle-repelling and concealment wards, even as she rips all two unwieldy meters of her true form out of her Kyudo holster in a panic. "ARE THE TWO OF YOU OUT OF YOUR MINDS?!?!? THIS IS A PUBLIC PARK! THERE COULD BE NOMAJS ABOUT!!!"

"I'LL KILL YOU!!!" is Juuchi's reply, as she throws herself across the space between the herself and Kyoshu, to lock blades with a blatantly magic enhanced leap.

"I shouldn't have gotten up today, shouldn't I?" Norimune asks herself rhetorically.

Finally pulling her scabbard off, the Unrepentant Blade then assess the situation. Two of the greatest and most exotically dangerous members of their sisterhood are now fighting. Neither of whom she can actually touch. No biggy.

More seriously, Kyoshu will stop fighting the instant she is out of any situation where she knows or has to remember that she was fighting.

Ergo, also she needs to do is distract Juuchi long enough to let Kyoshu run away and get lost/forget that she was fighting in the first place. After that, she then only needs to not get turned into shrapnel by her other sister, make her own escape, then lay low long enough for Juuchi, Chisuheri, Umitsubame and everyone else to stop being mad at her.

Hmm....

That could take a while.

And be a bit hard to avoid.

It's been a while since she went overseas.

She's never actually been to Britain before now that she thinks about it.

That always was a missed opportunity of her Napoleonic Wars era travels.

Speaking of opportunities, oh look! An opening!

"Neener! Neener!"

"THIS TIME YOU'LL BE THE ONE TO WISH YOU WERE NEVER FORGED!!!"

"Damnit! Will both of you- OH SHIT!"

Aborting her planned attempt to charge in and clothesline Juuchi with the flat of her veritable polearm of a blade, Norimune skids to a halt, just in time to meet edges with a much different blade instead.

The design reminds her of one of those mass-produced and el-cheapo pieces of muggle junk the army was using in the 1800s. Someone however, has done a lot of nifty spellwork to the blade in the time since then. It actually reminds her a lot of Juuchi to be honest.

With an appraising raise of an eyebrow, Norimune then gives a shove and watches as the sparks fly from where their edges meet. Shifting her attention to the avatar wielding herself against her, the Unrepentant Blade notes that however much she has been enchanted to emulate the greatest of the Muramasas, she either apparently isn't quite the real deal, or just isn't Muramasa enough to trump a legit enchanted Muramasa, produced by the original swordsmith or his apprentices.

Norimune grins. Close but no cigar.

"I'm sorry, but I think there's been a grave misunderstanding here. Now, no offense, but out of the four of us, you're really out of your league here, so if you'll just step aside-"

Tsukikari glares, finally giving in to the nodachi's greater size and weight by unlocking their blades, only to then immediately use her smaller size and nimbleness to try and slash at Norimune before the nodachi can compensate or recover.

"I-I won't let you gang up on sempai!" she declares, even as her voice and gaze give away how much she fears the Unrepentant Blade's words might be true.

Norimune can only grimace and sigh.

Greeeaaaaat. A well meaning, but incorrectly informed ally, to go with her sister's understandable, but apparently tragically out of the loop hate-boner.

Because she totally needed this in her life on top of everything else.

This day just kept on getting worse.

 

[darthcourt10]

Lord K Omake: Darth... Hachiman?

gaea said:
Also, but damn was old Kyoshu a bitch. Exactly how gone is the old Kyoshu, because some of those lines are perfectly on point with what happened in past confrontations.
*-*-*​

It's less the old Kyoshu being there, and more just bad luck she keeps on using without realising, phrases and wording close to things she's said Juuchi in the past on reflex/impulse/what vague lingering memory remains. It doesn't help that Juuchi is panicking and raring for a fight at the same time, and so it's all too easy for her to fixate of certain details, and miss others.

i.e. The fact that this Kyoshu dresses, behaves and speaks nothing like the old one, even if she still generally looks and sounds the same.

gaea said:
Also, Koga and youngest sister (I can't remember her name!) interactions were cute. Im wondering if more then one pantheon's love deities jumped on that chance to make it happen.
SkyeFire said:
Hm... does that qualify under the same rule as "What else can possibly go wrong?!?" Because I can't be sure if Norimune just accurately summed up the situation, or jinxed it.
*-*-*​

Looking downward through the clouds, Takamimusubi grins and admires his handiwork. Beside him, Amaterasu gives a happy bark and expresses her opinion at yet another job well done.

A match made in heaven, if they did say so themselves.

Idly, the Kami of Matchmaking and the Red String of Fate, and the Sun doGess of the Shinto Pantheon then glance over at another nearby figure. "Hey Hachiman, how's things coming along on your end?"

The God of War doesn't look up, a grin on his face as he answers some supplicant's question "I am altering the day. Pray I do not alter it further."

Looking back to each other, Musubi and Amaterasu then shrug. Even the more positively aspected war deities and their followers can be weird.

 

[darthcourt10]

mikelima777

With I believe Harry's approval, a flashback to a traumatic experience in Halifax:

*-*-*

Halifax, Nova Scotia
3 Years after Blood Week.

The City of Halifax and its massive port had endured Blood Week, but the scars of those dark days were still around. While reconstruction slowly removed evidence of the fighting in the urban areas, there were quite a few craters left from stray shells dotting the surrounding landscape. The Royal Canadian Navy had been mauled along with the maritime RCAF squadrons and army units, but despite that, Canada stood in defiance.

The arrival of the shipgirls helped push the Abyssals mostly out of Canadian waters, allowing those living on the coast to breathe a little easier. At CFB Halifax, the once derelict housing at Shannon Falls was being converted into a dedicated facility for the shipgirls to operate from, with housing, repair facilities, offices, and recreational facilities. As part of the war effort, and to build up the relationship of the shipgirls with the civilian populace, members of the local cadet organizations, primarily Royal Canadian Sea Cadets, were tasked with hanging around with the shipgirls, interacting with them to learn about their histories, and perhaps reconnect cadets with ancestors that served aboard those ships. Sadly, it led to something being introduced to the Canadian shipgirls, with their handlers struggling to avoid its spread around the world.

No one knows who passed the first drink or which shipgirl was the first to experience the terrifying rush of liquid sugar. All that was known was that one normal evening, chaos erupted as blurs vaguely resembling destroyers, frigates, and corvettes ran around causing mischief. Toilet paper was everywhere. Illegal fireworks were lit up and caused traffic on the nearly A. Murray MacKay Bridge to crawl to a standstill as commuters watched. A truck near the mess hall was ransacked as the shipgirls drank more and more sugary drinks, including more of the fruity drink that started it all. One could barely hear the crazed, sugar-induced chanting over the torrent of noise, though occasionally a shipgirl or two were seen getting chucked out into the water.

Staring at the scene, Commodore Diana Lombard, who was inspecting the facilities at Shannon Falls, facepalmed while the base commander of CFB Halifax had only one thing to say after removing a pair of sunglasses:

"Mother of God."

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Walking away from the International Pavilion, Atlanta gave a glance at the sky above and had a small smile on her face. It was a hot day in Yokosuka, as per usual at this time of year. However, being close to the ocean meant that most of the humidity as well as heat was blown away by the ocean breeze. With two Styrofoam bowls in her hands, she weaved through the crowds with practiced ease.

It did not take her long to reach her destination as Akatsuki was sitting on a bench looking around in interest. The sight of the Destroyer swinging her legs back and forth caused Atlanta's lips to twitch a bit as she smiled slightly. 'I wonder how much she knows she looks like a little girl.' After a moment of thought though, she shook her head. 'Probably not that much as she wants to be seen as a lady. I wonder when she realizes that she already is one...?'

Upon Atlanta reaching her, Akatsuki looked up with a smile on her face. "Atlanta-San! You're back!" Then she flushed as the American chuckled some and cleared her throat. "I-I mean, I was wondering where you were."

Just sitting down on the bench, the Cruiser let a sigh escape from her lips as she relaxed. "Sorry about the wait, Akatsuki. There was something of a long line up at the pavilion so it took some time for me to reach the counter." Amused, she shook her head. "It would seem that they're rather popular."

Shrugging, Akatsuki shook her head. "That's okay, Atlanta-San. After all, I'm a lady and real ladies don't mind waiting a bit." Part of her wondered why Atlanta blinked at that before internally shaking it off. "And I'm not surprised that there is a lineup. People do like to try things from far off places after all!"

With a chuckle, Atlanta smiled at Akatsuki. "That is true enough, I suppose, Akatsuki. Especially as most people have not gone far from their home nations in recent years. So a place such as the international pavilion during Fleet Week might be the closest that they come to having a taste of far off lands." With a final shake of her head, she handed one of the Styrofoam bowls to the small Destroyer. "Here, I bought you an ice cream."

To Atlanta, the wait was worth seeing Akatsuki's face light up in joy at receiving the cold treat. Of course, it was helped when said Japanese shipgirl turned and bowed slightly after taking the bowl. "Thank you, Atlanta-San."

Only waving it off, Atlanta gave Akatsuki a head pat. "You are very welcome, Akatsuki." Plucking her spoon, she looked over her own ice cream before noticing her companion giving the one she had an odd look. "Is something wrong, Akatsuki?"

Head tilted to the side, the purple haired seemingly twelve year old looked up at her and blinked. "Um... I'm just wondering what sort of ice cream this is?" Leaning in, she examined the ice cream with a frown as she could see swirls and blobs of yellow, blue, and purple. "I've never seen ice cream like this."

Eyebrow raised, Atlanta considered that before humming. "I suppose that you wouldn't as this is an ice cream made in Atlantic Canada, the other side of their nation from the Pacific." Pointing a spoon at it, she smiled a bit more. "They call it 'Moon mist' ice cream."

Blinking, Akatsuki gave her ice cream another look. "Moon mist?" After a moment, she gave a small nod. "I suppose that it looks sort of mystical?"

This time, the other shipgirl lightly laughed. "I guess so. As for what it is made from, it is a mix of banana, grape, and bubble gum ice cream. All mixed and swirled together."

Surprised, the Destroyer took a spoonful of the ice cream. "Banana, grape, and bubble gum? Really?"

Nodding, Atlanta smiled a bit as she took a bite of her own ice cream. "Indeed. While I have never tried it myself, its a favorite of most of the shipgirls on the East Coast when they visit Halifax for convoy duty. A couple of those that escort the convoys up and down the East Coast will often grab large tubs of it to bring back home for others."

Eyebrows raising, Akatsuki now looked at the ice cream in thought. "Wow."

Slowly, she put the spoon into her mouth and let the tastes roll across her tongue as it melted. While part of her wanted to laugh at the expressions crossing Akatsuki's face, Atlanta kept it in. "Well? How is it?"

With a swallow, Akatsuki gave her a bright smile. "Its really good!" Taking another spoonful, she held it out. "Here, try some!"

A slight blush on her face, Atlanta stared a bit at her. "Um, try some?"

Rapidly nodding, the Destroyer giggled some. "Hai! You did say that you've never tried some after all." Gesturing with the spoon, her smile widened some. "So go on and try some of mine."

Biting her lip, Atlanta looked around before sighing and shaking her head some. 'What am I worried about? No worse then some of the Destroyers back home offering me some food.' Seconds later, she leaned down and took the spoon into her mouth before pulling back. After a few moments, she swallowed and nodded. "I must admit, it is not a bad taste. Different from what I am used to, but still good."

Just giggling, Akatsuki smiled. "I know." Taking another bite, she hummed at the flavors. "But Kaa-San is always telling us to try new things. Especially as a lady must not be afraid to do so!"

This time, it was Atlanta who giggled some. "That is true enough, Akatsuki." Having just taken a bite of her own ice cream, Atlanta blinked at the interested look on Akatsuki's face. "I take it that you want to know what sort of ice cream that I'm eating?"

Finger against her chin, Akatsuki gave a nod. "Hai. It looks like vanilla, but has those brown specks in it."

Lips twitching, the American gave a small chuckle. "And it should as it is grapenut ice cream."

Somewhat lost, Akatsuki blinked. "Grapenut ice cream? You mean as in the American cereal?"

Humming as she gathered up another spoonful, Atlanta smiled some. "That's right, its sort of a Canadian and Northeastern American ice cream. I don't get enough of it on the West Coast." Once she had enough on her spoon, she held it out. "Here, try some."

Even though she was unsure, after all it was cereal in ice cream, the Destroyer leaned forward and took the spoonful. Once she swallowed it, Akatsuki gave a small, surprised nod. "It is good!"

With a light laugh, Atlanta shook her head. "Well, of course it is." Taking another spoonful, the American allowed the cool, tasty ice cream to spread across her tongue. "Mmm, nothing like a nice, cool treat on a hot, summer day."

Both shipgirls sat there as they continued to eat their ice cream until Akatsuki noticed an odd expression on Atlanta's face. It was an odd mix between remembrance and deep thought. Eventually, she tapped the other shipgirl on the arm. "Is something wrong, Atlanta-San?"

Giving a blink, Atlanta looked at her. "Something wrong?" When she got a nod, the Light Cruiser thought it over before giving a rueful chuckle. "Just thinking over this and how impossible it would have seemed."

A frown on her face, Akatsuki tilted her head to the side. "What do you mean?"

While she understood the confusion, the American gathered her thoughts some before turning back to Akatsuki. "I mean the situation that the two of us are in right now, and to a lesser extent the rest of our navies." Seeing that the confusion had not disappeared, Atlanta continued. "Think about it for a moment, Akatsuki. Imagine telling our past selves, before we got summoned, that one day the two of us would be sitting on a bench eating and sharing ice cream together."

Furrowing her eyebrows together, Akatsuki looked at her slowly melting ice cream. "I suppose that makes sense? Um, if I talked to myself before meeting you then I am sure that she would be shocked at the thought and think that I was insane. Or something like that..."

Only nodding slowly, Atlanta sighed and chuckled. "The same with my past self, Akatsuki. Especially if we're talking about the me before I got sunk. In fact, I am pretty sure that she would declare me a traitor to my nation for doing so."

Akatsuki gave that some thought and frowned a bit more. "Hai, I am pretty sure that if I met my past self that she would say the same to me." Then she gave Atlanta a smile while patting her on the thigh. "But I like the fact that we're now all friends."

Softly smiling, the Light Cruiser had an odd look on her face as she nodded. "You know what, Akatsuki? So do I, so do I." Taking another scoop of ice cream, she chuckled. "Anyways, that is a bit too heavy for right now, I think. And best to eat our ice cream before it all melts in the heat."

Eyes widening, Akatsuki gave a quick nod. "Right! Because eating melted ice cream is not very lady-like at all!"

Giving Akatsuki a headpat, the American turned back to her own ice cream as the talk went on to lighter subjects as the two former foes, now friends, chatted with each other.

 

[darthcourt10]

Savato93

Apologies for the wait since my last snippet, and sorry I don't have much today. Just been suffocated by my courses recently...

XXXXXXXXXX

"Is it still following us?"

The Re-class lifted her head, scanning the skies above. Slowly turning in a circle, she eventually let out a sigh. Out in the sky behind them was a seaplane, just barely visible, keeping pace with them. "…yes."

The destroyer groaned in annoyance. "Why won't they leave us alone? We're not bothering anyone, nobody lives on these islands."

"They know we're here," the Re-class replied softly, resigned. "That's all the reason they need to pursue us."

The destroyer's annoyance was immediately forgotten, in favor of concern at her friend's tone. "Come on, flagship, don't talk like that." she drifted next to the Re-class. "At least they're not actually attacking us…"

After a moment, the Re-class nodded numbly. "I guess..." She reached out to touch the destroyer's flank, hoping to take comfort from petting her…

But she paused.

She was not met with the familiar feeling of the destroyer pressing against her hand, as it rested on the Abyssal's hide. In fact, the destroyer didn't seem to even notice the touch. She did, however, notice her flagship's silence. "Is something wrong?" she asked.

The Re-class stared at the destroyer with her head tilted, looking confused. "You didn't… feel my hand on you?" she asked.

"What?" Shifting slightly, the destroyer noted the Re-class's outstretched hand, the fingers still brushing against her flank. "…That's odd…" Turning around fully, she presented her snout to the flagship. "Try my face."

Uncertain, the Re-class reached out again, resting her hand on the destroyer's broad snout. "Do you… feel this…?" She asked.

The destroyer blinked rapidly, confusion evident in her subtle body language, as she nuzzled against the hand. "I… I kinda do…?" She started hesitantly. "When you press harder, I feel it normally, but aside from that? It feels… faint. Like there's something between you and me… a curtain, or a mesh screen."

"Is… is something wrong with your sensors?" the Re-class asked, starting to worry. "Could you be sick?"

"I don't think so… aside from this, I feel fine. Great, even. Not hungry, or dizzy, or anything." The destroyer perked up at the sound of propellers closing in on them; the recon planes, coming nearer to investigate their sudden halt. "…I'll run a diagnostic for now. Let's just keep moving, get to land." Although she was still very much concerned for the health of the one friend she had left, the Re-class reluctantly let the matter drop. Nothing more was said as the pair began to pick up speed and continue to the next island, but they were both thinking the same thing:

What the hell is going on?

XXXXXXXXXX

"You heard the news that's been going around, of late?"

Gangut tilted her head slightly, eyebrows furrowed. "…No, I have not. What is it?"

"Some of the lighter ships, the ones who are assigned to patrol the far edge of the Okhotsk? They discovered a Re-class moving through the Kuril Islands."

Gangut's gaze snapped towards the destroyer leader beside her, eyes wide. "A Re-class? Right on our doorstep? How could one of those monsters ever get that close without drawing attention?"

"First sighting was about two weeks ago, on Urup," Tashkent explained. "Reconnaissance claimed to have spotted a couple of Abyssals landing at the southern end of the island and moving through the ruins, one unknown and one destroyer; however, making landfall and searching the area the next day turned up nothing but a campfire. The sighting was briefly dismissed as being Abyssal in nature, considered as possibly some batshit insane person … right up until the same two Abyssals were seen leaving the island from the north two days later, heading for Brat Chiporyev. And a day or so after that, the pair was observed jumping to Broutona."

The dreadnought cocked an eyebrow. "…If they were just heading north, they could have jumped to Chirpoy, immediately adjacent. They must be going island to island deliberately." She folded her arms, thinking. "…Could they be looking for something?" she asked.

"That is currently the running theory, yes. But nobody can make a good guess as to what they're seeking." Tashkent shook her head. "And there's another thing odd about it…"

"What?"

"They're avoiding us. I don't just mean they decline to engage in combat—they outright run away when someone gets close enough for them to detect. They don't even try to shoot down the reconnaissance planes, just hide from them. None of us could work out what could be causing them to act so… cowardly, until…"

Gangut waved a hand. "Until?"

Reaching into her hold, Tashkent pulled out a photo and showed it to the dreadnought. "One of the planes recently managed to get a good image of the two Abyssals, before they fled. It's how we managed to identify the unknown as a Re-class. But she is…" Looking at the photo herself, Gangut's eyes widened. The Re-class… barely looked like a Re-class, anymore. Its hull was visibly deformed, the once-daunting armor belt reduced to a collage of patch jobs and worn, scorched plating. Only a handful of its guns looked even remotely close to functional, and the flight deck elevator was now just a gaping hole in the Abyssal's aft deck.

"Up to this point, we were baffled by the lengths they were going to, to keep away from us …" Tashkent continued. "But now we know why: this Re-class is already more or less mission-killed. There are stories of shipgirls being stuck in repairs for days, even weeks, with damage less significant than this; it's a miracle she's still afloat. Now, we're wondering who or what did… this to her, and why she hasn't fled to wherever her home base is to be rebuilt yet."

Gangut tapped her chin, thinking. "You are assuming she has a home base to return to? That she's not feral?"

The destroyer leader shook her head again. "Unlikely. A feral Re-class would have attacked anything that got close, if she wasn't already dead before that point..."

"And a rogue Re-class would likely have surrendered herself to the first Abyssal fleet she could find in hopes of being recruited and repaired…"

"Unless she was persona non grata. An exile, barred from all fleets."

Gangut nodded. "But to cast out a Re-class of all things? What would she have done to merit throwing away such a formidable fighter, blacklisting her?"

"Perhaps it has something to do with the damage she's sustained?"

The pair was quiet for a while, pondering the mysteries posed by this crippled, rogue Re-class. "What's the plan to handle her?" Gangut eventually asked.

Tashkent tilted her head, lips pursed. "Well, she doesn't seem to be communicating with anyone, and her current path does not take her through any inhabited areas. For now, we're just going to continue our observations, try to find some clues as to what she's looking for."

"And if she changes course?" Gangut continued. "Comes further inland?

"…worse comes to worst, her condition should reduce the odds of casualties in an engagement."

 

[darthcourt10]

Barricade

Ah, so you did decide to keep that Yvonne bit.

-=-

"Say, wasn't there a massively popular alt-universe series that came out, roughly the same time as Sky's novels, that had a completely different setup for the Abyssal war? Something about Enterprise sneaking into Japan?"

"Oh yeah, Greatest Generation. Its one of the favorite novel series with our the carrier girls, with how the techno-thriller-esque situation is setup, and that famous step-by-step recreation of Midway where we get stuck playing the role of Nagumo while the Abyssals are Spruance."

"Yeah that one. Took me until you mentioned that to remember the name. And....except we brought half a dozen extra carriers with dumbfire rockets. Perfect way to offset the loss of radar. Gangut must have been incredibly smug when she heard about her novel counterpart's role in coming up with 'Operation Katyusha'."

"Oh, she was. She was indeed. Now if only we could get Yamato to read it."

"What? Why?"

"Well there was that long running 'will they, won't they' UST thing between 'Yvonne' and Yamato that was never resolved, considering the author left it open-ended as to how to intepret that last line. Or how Yamato suddenly in the last two books had to deal with her sudden and rapid promotion past 'Yvonne' that reversed the Senior-Junior relationship."

"Ah. That. No wonder she hasn't read it."

"If it wasn't for the fact that Musashi AND Shinano both somehow immediately know when she tried picking any of them to look at, only to look over her shoulder with smiles that would make anyone with a sister flinch from memory....yeah. She's too embarrassed to even look at it now."

"I wonder what Enterprise thinks about it?"

"I'm not sure. Although we've had to add it to Yahagi's personal 'List' of things."

"Why the hell would that be?"

"Five words for you my fellow Admiral. Five words: 'Massive Yamaprise Yuri Shipping Fangirl'."

"Oh. Oh! Oh god, and she's one of Yamato's closest escor..."

"Exactly."

"Let me guess? Yamato walked in on Yahagi doing some reading?"

"Ayup."

"Yeah. No wonder she's too embarrassed."

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Sitting on a bench, Ooi was looking out at the ocean with a thoughtful look on her face. In fact, she was deep enough in her thoughts that she did not notice someone coming up to her until they cleared their throat and made her jump. When the Cruiser turned though, she could only give Kitakami a sheepish smile. "E-eh? Rika-Chan?" It was then that she realized the time and winced at the bemused expression on her long time friend's face. "Um... its my turn to go around to sell drinks then?"

With a raised eyebrow, Kitakami glanced at the modified ice cream cart before opening it to remove a bottle. "Hai, I've done it for most of the morning. Besides, we need to make sure that everyone stays hydrated and it is pulling in some money."

Much to Ooi's surprise though, she sat down next to her with a sigh before handing her the bottle. Taking it, the brown haired shipgirl frowned. "Rika-Chan?"

Only leaning forward, Kitakami gave her a knowing look until moving close. Moments later, she took Ooi's free hand in hers. "Yuuko-Chan." Seeing the blush, she smirked a bit. 'So easy.' Then the Cruiser sighed and frowned a bit. "What's bothering you?"

Rapidly blinking, Ooi gave her a confused look. "Bothering me? What are you talking about?"

Giving her friend a look, she frowned. "You've been acting a bit off recently, Ooichi. Like right now, just staring at nothing." Then squeezing the hand in hers, Kitakami continued. "What has been bothering you?"

Lightly laughing, Ooi shook her head. "Nothing has been bothering me." Placing the bottle between her thighs, she opened it with one hand with practiced ease. Mainly because this was not the first time that the two had a conversation like this and Ooi had long since learned how to do things with one hand. "Just... deep in thought about something."

Now frowning, Kitakami leaned towards her. "Deep in thought about something? And what is that now?" Poking her, her frown deepened. "Also, why do you keep dodging the question?"

Head tilted to the side, Ooi was silent for a few seconds before answering. "I've... been thinking about Harry-Chan's offer. To adopt me into his family the way he talked about."

Eyes widening slightly, her friend's expression softened. "Ah, I see." Smiling softly, Kitakami hummed. "And your decision?"

Taking another sip of her drink, Ooi swished it around in her mouth before answering. "I haven't come to one yet. Which is why I've been in deep thought about it."

Nodding slightly, Kitakami gave a sigh to that. "Because of how big a deal it is for you."

Softly smiling, Ooi chuckled weakly. "Yeah, roughly that." Turning her attention to the bottle she was holding, she blinked away some tears. "It... hurts, not really being able to call someone actual family. Your family is close, but..."

With a small nod, Kitakami only gave her an understanding look. "But they're not in that way." Her free hand clenched and she let out a hiss. "I hate them, Yuuko-Chan."

Voice nearly a whisper, the other Light Cruiser swallowed. "I know."

Kitakami though shook her head with a scowl. "I don't think that you know just how much I hate them, Yuuko-Chan. There's probably no words to describe just how much I despise those two... I would take a page out of Harry-Chan's British book and call them wankers, but that is too good to compare them to. Especially after what they did to you."

Lips pressed together thinly, Ooi let out a sigh. "Yeah, being disowned was... yeah."

However, Kitakami shook her head with her scowl deepening. "Not just that but two years ago, what they said to you on the Obon when you went to visit your grandparents' grave. That was beyond uncalled for!"

The memory of that brought some more tears welling up. "That I shouldn't visit them anymore because... because..." With a shuddering breath, she continued. "Because I do not have any grandparents any more."

Knuckles creaking under the strain, the other Cruiser let out a hiss. "I will never forgive them. Never!" Then a vicious smirk crossed Kitakami's face. "Not that they are having a fun time of it."

Narrowing her eyes, Ooi gave her a look. "What did you do?"

In reply, Kitakami placed her hand onto her chest. "Me? I did nothing to them at all." Her eyes glinted with something dark. "Well, besides discussing it with my parents in a nearby café. At the time we were having a snack around lunch time you see."

Only shaking her head, Ooi gave a snort. "Right, Rika-Chan."

Shrugging, the dark haired shipgirl gave a giggle that had nothing nice about it. "What? Anything that happened is due to them and them alone. Though from what I heard, all of a sudden they have felt themselves not... welcome, anywhere. And rumor has it that their bosses only keep them around because there's a lack of manpower due to the war and everything. In time though..."

Yet again, Ooi gave a snort and shook her head. People who believed that she was the one to watch out for had never seen a truly enraged Kitakami. While she would get physical, Kitakami was... far more vicious in ways that Ooi could not match. Part of her almost pitied her former parents, but the rest couldn't be bothered to even feel that. Especially not as she had the idea that they were planning to marry her off to raise their status, as well as their treatment of her.

Another, darker part deep down was glad that they were reaping what they sowed.

Just shaking that off, Ooi took a deep breath and let it out. "Anyways... I've been thinking about what Harry said since then." Turning, she gave Kitakami a small smile before squeezing the hand in hers. Placing her drink down, she then rubbed the back of her head. "Don't get me wrong, Rika-Chan. Your parents are great and everything and... and I would love to call them Otou-San and Okaa-San. Just like they offered when they brought up adopting me into your family. Its just..."

Within Kitakami's eyes there was a knowing look as she smiled. "It would make certain aspects... hard. Much more so then they are now, what with how things are changing, hmm?"

Chuckling weakly, Ooi nodded. "Hai, especially after, well, Haruna and Rose."

Simply chuckling herself, the other Torpedo Cruiser leaned into her friend some more. "Yes, I suppose so." Chuckles changing to a hum, Kitakami smiled slightly. "Though we do have time for that to be honest."

Now frowning, Ooi shook her head. "I still don't know how I feel about that, though..." Turning, her frown turned into a small smile. "As long as I have Rika-Chan, Kitakami at my side, that would not be too bad. And my Otouto will be around for a long time as well."

Giggling, Kitakami nodded. "Exactly." She then tapped the side of her cheek in mock thought. "Potter Yuuko really does have a nice ring to it."

Brightly smiling now, Ooi giggled as well. "It actually does, and I would not mind having that name. I would be honored to have that name and would do it honor."

Finger still against her cheek and a sparkle in her eye, the other shipgirl gave a smile to her friend. "I think that you have already decided, Ooichi. In your heart of hearts, you already know what you're going to do. Just like I know as well and support you in."

At those words, Ooi felt the clouds on her lift some and she laughed. "Yeah, I guess that I have. The only real question is when I would go for it, whether to go with Harry-Chan's ritual, or to wait a few years to be added to his registry." With a quick look around, she leaned towards Kitakami. "Thanks, Rika-Chan. " Before Kitakami could do anything, she gave her a peck on the cheek. "I needed that."

Despite the slight bit of redness in her cheeks, Kitakami only nodded some. "I'm glad, and like I said, I will always support you." Standing, she pulled Ooi to her feet and brushed her off. "Now then, we got some stuff to do though later..." Winking, the shipgirl continued. "We can go and check out the rest of the festival, though we got all week."

Giving her a thumbs up, Ooi grinned. "You betcha!" Still grinning, she got up onto the bike and nodded. "See you around for your next shift, Rika-Chan!"

With that, she pedaled off with it while Kitakami stood there. Almost a minute later, Ooi returned with a sheepish look as the other shipgirl handed her the drink she had been having with an amused smirk. "Here you go."

Sheepishly grinning, Ooi thanked her and then drove off again as Kitakami shook her head with amusement on her face.

 

[darthcourt10]

sasahara17

Here's another very quick snippet I wanted to hammer out after being… inspired.

Obviously non-canon. Obviously SO non-canon.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Naka had made it no secret that she wanted to start a revolution in the Japanese Idol industry. The old, cutthroat and chauvinistic practices that had treated the dreams of youths as nothing but disposable assets appalled her. For her dreams, and the dreams of so many young girls like her, Naka needed to take a stand.

Since becoming the world renowned 'Idol of the Fleet', Naka had made great strides towards her dreams. Her status as the world's first ship girl entertainer, ship girl idol, had allowed her the base she needed to launch her career into heights she never could have dreamed of. Both at home in Japan and abroad, she had become a household name. All attempts by those soulless corporates to emulate her or bring her down had failed.

Her fans were legion, her legend already set in stone… her star, shining as a beacon for all to follow.

It was her hope that her example could inspire others to follow in her footsteps. Idols who would be unafraid to strike out on their own and carve their own paths, away from the machine was the idol industry. Idols who were unafraid to be who they wanted to be and allow their talents to flourish, instead of moulding themselves to what big business said they should.

That was what Naka had wanted. However, she was about to learn why the old saying 'be careful what you wish for' was a very popular saying.

In the dark of night, long after lights out where Naka was doing some overtime to make sure the video editing for her new PV was perfect for tomorrow's release… the ship girl came face to face with something out of her worst nightmares.

"So, uh… hello Naka-san. We're Franchouchou, an up and coming idol group from Saga Prefecture, and we'd like to do a… Collab with you?" The redheaded girl that was the apparent leader of the idol group that was standing in the doorway to Naka's recording studio stammered out nervously.

Naka, one hand still on the handle of the door, stared at the seven girls before her with open mouthed horror. In fact, Naka's whole body was beginning to shake.

"Hey, uh, Sakura," A tall girl, with long blonde hair with orange and green streaks that as tied into a pony tail prodded, the apparent leader, "That ship girl idol of yours looks like she's about to have a heart attack. I don't think she's taking us showing up in her doorstep very well."

"Of course she isn't, Saki" A short haired girl with blue hair snorted at the blonde's observation, "I told you guys that showing up without our makeup was a bad idea! But noooo, you wanted to show her our true forms to prove we're a bunch of 'supernatural idols' like she is as a show of solidarity!"

"But Ai-chan, we are supernatural like she is!" The redhead, 'Sakura', protested.

"Yeah, but she's a ship girl, a ship spirit that protects humanity. We're freaking zombies!" Ai shouted.

"Uhhhhhh…" One of the girls moaned before turning to Ai and chomping down on her friend's shoulder like ravenous zombie from a Romero film.

"Damn it, Tae! Not again!"

"At least she isn't biting me this time."

Then, for some inexplicable reason, despite there not having been any adverse weather just minutes before, lightning struck.

The hallway was illuminated in an eerie light, illuminating the hallway the seven visitors were in just the right way to highlight their greenish skin complexion, gaunt features, unnaturally red eyes and a whole bunch of things that made Naka completely aware that there were a bunch of honest to goodness zombies standing in her doorway.

The stench of decaying humans drifted through the air. The low ghastly moaning of the undead moans coming from Tae's throat as she gnawed on Ai's arm more deafening than the Thunder raging outside. The feeling of dread and death that permeated the atmosphere…

"Oh, come on Tae-chan, You're embarrassing us!" Ai growled as she attempted to stop her colleague from trying to eat her arm, "We're trying to put a business proposition to a fellow idol! Get off!"

"Uhhhhhhh… AH!" Tae responded, and then proceeded to ignore Ai's request entirely in favour of pulling Ai's right forearm completely off her body and proceeding to gnaw on it.

"Oh for… don't just stand there, someone stop her from eating my arm!"

Naka could only watch as the girls before her scrambling to stop one of their members eating the other with more fear and horror she had ever experienced before in her entire life… and considering she had actually fought the Abyssal Fleet before, that was saying something.

Zombies.

Zombies existed.

"So, uh, I know this looks pretty bad, but we really want to do a Collab with you!" Sakura said to Naka with as much cheerfulness as she could muster while the rest of the girls attempted to get Tae back under control, "We saw how successful you were as an independent idol, and we knew we had to partner with you for something. We were so excited, we got Kotaro-san to apparate us right here to meet you in person right away!"

"Damn it Tae, stop eating Ai… oh damn it she's chewing on my hair! No one touches my hair," Saki growled whipping her leg out and punting Tae's head, and only Tae's head, down the hall… leaving Tae's decapitated body to flail around uselessly, "Uh, whoops. Didn't mean to do that."

Naka's eyes followed the efforts of her visitors to corral the still moving, headless body of their colleague, while Saki chased after the still moaning head that had been sent flying.

Zombies.

Zombies existed, and actual freaking zombies were standing in front of Naka right this moment.

"Uh, oh! Kotaro-san is our producer. He's also a wizard!" Sakura supplied helpfully, clearly thinking Naka's silence was out of confusion and not out of pure, unstilled fear, "He's trying to help us become idols as to being hope to the Youkai of Japan. Everyone can be a star, even zombies like us!"

Naka opened her mouth. She closed it. She opened it again.

Words… what were they again?

"Us supernatural idols have to stick together, right!" Sakura stuck her hand out hopefully, "What do you say, Naka-chan? Let's work together to make our dreams come true."

There was a moment of silence.

Then…

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!! ZOMBIES!!!" Naka howled at the top of her lungs as her rigging materialized around her,"F***ING ZOMBIES!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

Then the shooting began.

"I TOLD YOU THIS WOULD HAPPEN!" Ai screeched as the seven undead idols were sent running.

"I DON'T WANT MY HEAD TO EXPLODE!" Sakura screamed in terror.

"SHUT UP AND RUN!" Saki bellowed.

And run they did.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

As the world's first ship girl idol, the first supernatural being to make it big in the idol industry, it would only be natural that every other supernatural idol wannabe would seek Naka out for advice, guidance or a collaboration. Unfortunately, in many, many cases, 'supernatural idol' means that there is something very… wrong with the aspiring idols in question.

Like being a bunch of zombies for instance.

Now this is how you do a zombie idol anime.

 

[darthcourt10]

Lord K

A.N./ Sorry for the delay. I originally wanted to have had this out by, like Thursday, and more of the fight done by now. But, well, life happens.


Standing apart from the crowd while they waited for Suzume to turn up, Sachiko did her best not to think about the blush that was still coloring her cheeks while she pulled the mystery gentleman's letterman closer about herself. While it was a nice day, long ingrained habits and the historical delicacy of her health, meant she still preferred to err on the side of caution when it came to avoid any possibility of contracting a cold. At least on the bright side, it being warm also meant that her chivalrous helper wasn't suffering for being left with his t-shirt and arms exposed to the late summer air.

Sachiko wasn't exactly complaining. For such a lither figure, the guy was also surprisingly toned. Not obviously so, to the point that he was ripped, but.... she wondered if he worked out or did some kind of martial art like her sisters.

Then she realizes her knight in coffee-stained armor is looking at her awkwardly. "They are pretty nice, aren't they? I see you are a fan of culture too."

Sachiko turns redder than a tomato, and prays for the earth to swallow her up in that moment.

With mild embarrassment, the guy winces. "Ah.. sorry. I didn't realize you were... ah.... I guess that's 'for a friend' then, or something?"

Blinking in confusion, Sachiko then realizes that he isn't talking about his biceps. "H-Hold on, what's for a friend?"

Wordlessly, he points down at her lap, and one of her bags of purchases. Faintly through the plastic can be seen one of the special edition box sets she picked up earlier.

"Oh...."

Well. That's embarrassing.

"What did you think I was asking about?" he asks with a mildly confused raising on an eyebrow behind his tinted shades.

Sachiko just doubles down on her prayers for the ground to open up beneath her. Somebody kill her now.

Thankfully, a distraction arrives in the form of one of his own purchases that she notices.

"Wait- is that-" Frowning at the corner of protective-film covered volumes peeking out of one of his bags is indeed, Sachiko realizes that it is indeed what she thought she saw.

"Is that a Greatest Generation light novel collection?"

The guy pauses for a moment, taken aback before then guiltily opening his bag a little to give her a better look. "Uh- yeah actually! Five-Year Special Edition, with a whole bunch of the fun extras and omake volumes. You're a fan too?"

Sachiko gasps, embarrassment and self-consciousness momentarily forgotten. "Am I?! Where did you even find that?!"

Seeing her excitement and eagerness for a shared interest, also seems to draw the chivalrous letterman donater out of his own shell as well. "There's a stall all the way back over that way that had these. They only had around five of them when I went by. It was expensive as all hell though."

If she could, the okami would have gained stars in her eyes. "Ohhhh. So much want."

The guy chuckles, and with the ice broken and common ground found, the two happily launch into a debate of their favorite parts and elements of the series.
------------------------------

The grounds of Yokosuka's Blood Week Memorial Park are alive with the sound of battle.

The sound of steel on steel rings out across the lawns and wooded wooded pathways, periodically interrupted by the intermittent sound of spellfire.

The one thing the Auror can take comfort in, is that someone has apparently already set up muggle repelling wards and illusion charms all over the place.

Sighting a pair of figures sharing what is almost certainly a military grade (if outdated) Omnioculars set, and observing from atop the roof of a toilet block near the edge of the park, the lead Auror directs his team to home in.

"Kanagawa Auror Department! Hands up and wands down!"

One of the two figures, a surprisingly elderly witch, complies, but in the same movement, procures a badge displaying a metallic emblem on the upper half, and an ID card listing credentials on the lower.

"I'm ICW and she's with the MACUSA Embassy. We were in the area to monitor American shipgirls and magicals at the festival, when this broke out."

The Auror takes a moment to examine her badge and card, before deciding they pass muster to the relevant spells and checks to confirm the older of the two witches at least, is legitimate and who she says she is.

"Good to have you on board Investigator. Thank the kami somebody was nearby and on point enough to hide the disturbance. We're stretched thin enough as it is with all the people we've been hemorrhaging since the riot. I can assume the situation is rather serious if you haven't intervened?"

"Indeed."

Some of the more novice Aurors startle and curse as off in the distance, something explodes. A flash of light scythes through a grove of trees, promptly felling pines and oaks alike, as if they were chaff and wheat, while on another side of the park, a brief fiery flare is seen before something seemingly bisects and cleaves the overcharged incedio spell in two. One half of the fireball goes skyward before detonating like a firework, while the second hits a fountain judging the by the eruption of steam.

"What the hell is going on in there?!" asks one of the less experienced recent recruits, and now rather unnerved magical law enforcement agents.

The older witch grimaces. "Apparently Juuchi Yosamu recently returned to Japan. And it seems she has inadvertantly crossed paths with her sister blade, Kyoshu, while still somewhat out of the loop regarding her situation."

The lead auror spittakes, to the confusion of some of his men.

"What, the goldfish-memory sword spirit?" asks one of the younger wizards in confusion. "How does a meeting between a missing sword and Miss Forgets-alot result in that?!"

As if to emphasis his point, another tree becomes victim to another violent garden makeover. One of the other Aurors in the group however, of an inclination toward historical factoids and trivia more than his fellows if the leader remembers right, now looks at the ongoing fight with new eyes and groans. "Well, that would probably explain it."

Taking a moment to assess the situation and options available, the Lead Auror then turns to his team. "Alright everybody. Here's what were going to do. Perimeter duty and wards, but other than that, you are to prioritize not getting involved and to keep bystanders and other potential fighters out. We'll let the Demon Blades sort their issues their way for now, as long as it stays in the park."

One of the newer Trainees, who's family he knows has a more hardliner approach to the Statute, looks at him in disbelief. "Have you lost your mind? You want to let a bunch of Tsukimogami duke it out right next to one of the biggest muggle gatherings of the year in Yokosuka?!?!"

In counterpoint, the Lead Auror thumbs over his shoulder. "You want to get in the middle of that? Go ahead, be my guest. Before you do though, I have to ask, would you prefer to be returned to your family in a small paper bag, or in a shoe box?"

As if to exemplify his disbelieving question, Yokosuka Blood Week Memorial Park loses yet another tree, this time to a veritable storm of slashes that somehow miss their intended target, despite reducing the greenery behind whatever they were aimed at, to a rapidly disassembling pile of lumber and splinters. Any further discussion about intervening however, is then interrupted by shouting from the back of the still hastily being set up Auror cordon.

"Wait! This area isn't safe! Turn around and- Hey! HEY! STOP!!!"

Spinning around, the Lead Auror and his elderly counterpart have just enough time to see a sprinting figure flawlessly dodging past two of the outermost guards. Deftly leaping the fence at the edge of the park with the uncanny skill of a martial master with combat honned reflexes, the fair-haired woman lands in a crouch, that for a brief second affords them a look at the coldly determined glare behind her bespectacled gaze. Holding a scabbard with a still sheathed sword in one hand, the woman practically dances between his men, on a course towards them, and the conflict further inside the park. Seemingly recognizing the saya and hilt of the blade she wields, the senior ICW inspector stares in shock and shouts out a warning.

"Dodge!"

Deciding to trust the judgement of a woman who is obviously many years his veteran, and has the instincts honed from such experience, the Lead Auror follows suit, diving to the side, followed by the younger foreign witch following their lead.

The more zealous of his trainees and recent recruits whoever, makes the potentially unwise decision to stand his ground.

"K-Kanagawa Auror Department! STOP!"

The Lead Auror honestly has to take a moment to stare. "MOVE YOU FOOL!"

Apparently whoever trained this kid, did not instill the phrase 'dodge' as well as they should have, as he then precedes to move in a different manner than expected and preferred when given such a request. "Pr-Pr-Protego Maxima!" is what he reflexively manages to stammer out, conjuring a shield between himself and the headlong rushing woman.

For a brief moment, the Lead Auror is almost certain he's going to have to make good on his query of picking between a paper bag or a shoe box. For one thing, even if 'Protego Maxima' wasn't more intended for use in combination with 'Fianto Duri' and 'Repello Inimicum' against ranged curses and spells, the correct usage of 'Protego Horribilis' for a single incantation against a dark object such as a Muramasa Blade might not have been the best option either.

Because he was pretty sure that the sword spirit approaching them was a Masamune.

"Discerning Strike!"

Lightning fast, the sword spirit draws her herself from her blade mid-run, slashing through the air with speed to put Iiado practitioners to shame, before instantly returning herself to her saya, with a single maneuver of grace and swiftness. Light arcs out along the path she path traces through the air, and with a sound of shattering glass, it cleaves a rend through the trainees' shield like paper. Horrified, he stumbles backward, barely having time to process what is happening before the light passes through him as well.

And yet, though it rent through his shield as if it were nothing, it harms neither him, nor the hedge behind him, or even the passing butterfly the Auror idly notes was caught up in the attack as well.

The Masamune hasn't stopped running either. Even as everyone still processes this turn of events, and the trainee moves to raise his wand once more, the sword spirit drops into a baseball slide that carries herself straight between his legs. Catching a rock in the dirt with her foot once passed, the Mamamune then somehow converts her momentum into a return to her feet, instantly followed by a kick that sends her flying into the air, and leaping over the hedge, further into the park.

Still attempting to process all this, the Lead Auror turns to the ICW investigator, who closes her own mouth after an uncertain pause. "I don't want to say I am one hundred percent certain.... but I am almost one hundred percent certain that that was Honjo Masamune."

The Lead Auror stares. Before he can even come up with anything to say in response to that bombshell, there is another shout from the edge of the hastily reassembling cordon.

"You! Stop! Don't- HEY! WE GOT ANOTHER- OOF!"

Hearing what sounds like somebody being painfully body-checked, the Lead Auror turns around, wondering what latest fresh hell has apparently decided to visit Yokosuka Blood Week Memorial Park today now. What he expects to see, is maybe the shapes of his men grappling with some new magical or maybe another sword spirit through the rails of the park fence and the nearby gate.

What he instead gets, is yet another feminine silver haired figure, only this time the latest sword spirit to enter the game has two blades at her hip. A katana and wakizashi daisho sword set combination that she isn't actually holding. This is primarily because her bare fists are glowing, and she just entered the park by bodily charging through the metal fence like the Kool Aid Man, rather than leaping over it like her predecessor. Also she isn't stopping.

"PR-PROTEGO MAX-"

Somewhere out there, the Lead Auror reflects, there is a village being deprived of it's idiot.

Before the Trainee can complete his spell, the glowing from the the sword spirit's fists increases, and on her left side, a vibrantly colorful design that almost looks like some sort of Shinto-Buddhist mandala made out of light forms about her shoulder.

And then she promptly shoulder barges the hapless rookie.

It's like watching a car get hit by a train. There is absolutely zero effect on the charging sword spirit's momentum, as he promptly get picked up and taken along for the ride, while she continues along inexorably on her path. Idly, the Lead Auror notes the poor butterfly that was spared by the Masamune's attack, now becomes collateral roadkill as the Muramasa daisho set (plus unwitting passenger) barrel onward. In a further divergence from the other sword spirit to pass their way, rather than taking the elegant solution of going over the hedge, the tsukimogami presses on with her brute force approach by instead simply going through it, like an out of control truck with a wizard stuck to the grill.

Watching the ensuing arboristic destruction, after a few moments to make sure nothing else is coming, the Lead Auror then walks over and peers through the hole left behind in the hedge. A veritable trail of collateral damage leads further into the park, and left behind in the middle of it like a roadkilled deer, is the now battered and groaning lump of bruises and scratches in torn robes, that was once a Trainee Auror.

Grimacing, the Lead Auror looks back at the rest his squad and thumbs towards the hole punched through the hedge.

"Anybody else want to go play in the park?"

This time, there are definitely no takers.

Glad to have that sorted out, the Lead Auror now turns his thoughts to more pressing matters. Namely, how the hell to even cover up this fight, if it ends in a timely manner at all. The swords already present were causing reckless amounts of damage that would have been problematic to clean up, even with magic, nevermind the fact that they were outside a base packed full of shipgirls, some of whom were capable magic users themselves apparently, and might notice such things. And now to add further fuel to the fire, two more Sword Spirits had turned up. And even if one of them normally was a pacifist (of sorts), the other was a Masamune.

The Masamune-Muramasa rivalry was infamous. Who knew what kind of fuel could be added to the fire by what was possibly the Honjo Masamune, turning up to the same fight the Juuchi Yosamu.

How the hell were they even supposed handle this anyway? Who the fuck was going to charge a bunch of Muramasas and the greatest of the Masamunes with risking the Statute in this day and age? Who would even be dumb enough to try and serve such a charge against Honjo and Juuchi Yosamu especially?

Even before the Abyssal War, he would have preferred a small army to have his back before even contemplating anything that could cross either of those two blades. And right now, most of those he had at his back were predominately undertrained and wet behind the ears trainees and recently graduated rookies. A situation that effected most of Tokyo's remaining Auror Corps if he was honest. To borrow a phrase from the Germans, most of those left at this point were a mix of 'old meat and new greens'. Breaking up a fight with spiritual embodiments of perfect weapons of war, who's emotions were high and skills were honed by centuries of fighting and experience, and then potentially fighting them anyway, was not gonna fly in any capacity.

'This day just can't get anyway worse,' he thinks to himself.

Which is right about when a speeding Prius with a pair of figures inside, leaps the curb of the nearby street at the calmly impassive driver's command, and then smashes yet another hole in the fence as it barrels into the park.

 

[darthcourt10]

K9Thefirst1

Hoo boy... I've been getting some bad timing with my recent snippets. Coming on the coat tails of Lord K is not a place I want to be. Especially when I've got stuff I'm certain is going to make waves.

Either way, once more I'd like to thank Harry for helping me work out these negotiations, and for giving everything a once-over to be sure it didn't step on any plans of his.

Also, a reminder: This meeting is taking place in Early July, before Haruna and Rose's wedding.
------

The Negotiating Table Part II

The following morning the dignitaries had their breakfast in their rooms, each consulting their notes from the meeting the previous day and conversing over phone or Skype with their respective governments. Around ten in the morning they were called to begin the second day of talks. All of them had been gathered save for the star of the production. Private Geoffrey Rush of the Royal Marines – age 18 – had been tasked with beckoning Her Highness to the meeting. With the appropriate amount of force, he knocked on the door.

"Enter." came the voice he recognized as the Princess'.

"Your Highness." Geoffrey answered, minding the protocols of decorum the men from Oxford and Cambridge drilled into the team selected for the mission, "I ha-. Have… Um…"

At the summons Private Rush entered as requested – noticing far to late that there was a second voice begging that he stay outside – and saw that Her Highness was leaning out her window, taking in the view.

And she was… Er, as the Abyss intended. And one part of the Private's mind noted that from his vantage point Her Highness appeared to be Panamax. Correction – she most certainly was not, and was in fact Super Panamax. Time seemed to freeze for the young private, as everything in his field of view zeroed in on that glorious aft and the smooth lines of the hull that rose from it, and the fine proportions of the propeller shafts descending below it. On the fourth or fifth pass over the hull, his brain remembered that Private Rush was supposed to be doing… something. And on the tenth he noticed that Her Highness had turned to face him, and it all came back to him.

"I-i-it-it-" he stuttered, panicking at the prospect of being caught ogling a foreign leader. "Time. It- It time meeting Booty-Beauty! I-I-I meaaannnnn….!"

And just as he was getting a hold on himself, Princess Atlantia turned to face him fully, subjecting the poor defenseless Private to a Fully Frontal Assault from her Primaries, which were easily comparable to the mightiest guns on any Battleship, and any of them would be hard pressed to exceed Her Highness.

Meanwhile, Porta just looked at the drooling, wide-eyed teen before her. Losing her patience, she crossed her arms under her bust to show her slight agitation… But all that accomplished was producing a choking sound from the boy and – somehow – having his eyes grow even wider. Demon was no help at all, choosing instead to just stand in the corner with her face in her hands for some odd reason. This caused the Princess to roll her eyes and shift her weight to one wide hip, which she rested one fist on.

Annnnnd now the boy was drooling like an invalid.

Honestly, was this some sort of insult? Or were the humans such bleeding hearts they let the mentally deficient play such an important role as guard in their foreign relations functions? Then she noticed the time.

"Ah, Day Two begins."

And thus Porta collected her robe – and nothing else – and secured it just as she left the room.

Ocean Liner Demon took pity on Private Geoffrey Rush and helped the boy walk into the hallway and down the stairs.

"You all right there soldier?" she asked, and anyone back home would have been stunned at the genuine concern in her voice as she guided the lad after the Princess.

Private Rush shook his head to clear the cobwebs in his mind, and her face took on a full blush.

"Y-yes ma'am. I um… It's just that I'll be going to Church from now on."

"Why is that?" Demon asked, feeling something in her soul die as she did so.

"It's just that I found proof that God is real, and that He loves me."

"Oh dammit all to Hell," Ocean Liner demon whispered.

"Oh bollocks. I just buggered myself haven't I miss?"

The taller Abyssal sighed in resignation.

"Not to worry boy. Her Highness wouldn't be offended, even if she realized what your… 'issue' was. And rest assured, I won't report it either. It was my fault for not reacting fast enough. Just… Just make sure her habits don't make it into the public eye, okay?"

"S-sure miss. Mum's the word… Not that anyone would believe me… Say, can I ask you something?"

"…Fffiiiiinnne." One could have ground flour between her teeth.

"Is Her Highness in the market for a Trophy Husband?"

It took a great exertion of power and will for Demon to avoid shoving the lad head-first through a wall or six.

Not out of offense on Her Highness' behalf, but out of fear that she just might consider it.
------

Meanwhile, The Mothball Fleet, Great Meteor Seamount

Among the racks and bunks, scores of Abyssals of all types and classes were stored away in a coma-like state, their crews either serving on other ships, or training for the eventual return to the war. Among them lay a single Wo-Class aircraft carrier, with head injuries so grave that the yard crews had to demolish her down to the strength deck. The result was a case of body horror for human, shipgirl and Abyssal alike, as the top of her head was cut away down to near the brainstem. With her command spaces gone, the carrier was little more than a hulk… Except for one oddity.

Despite the boilers being snuffed out and the ship not receiving power, her radio rooms – which along with the CIC was intact, being situated below the hangers – were still active and receiving transmissions. Though with the antennae damaged as they were, she was only receiving certain frequencies. And as the roll of the die would have it, those stations…

Master of Puppets / I'm pulling your strings! / Twisting your mind / Smashing your dreams!

They all played Metal.

-shz-

Through the Gates of Hell / As we make our way to Heaven / Through the Nazis Lines / Primo Victoria!

And her radio kept shifting stations at a near constant rate.

-zshz-

Master! / Apprentice! / Hearthborn! / Seventh Seeker!

-zshz-

And she's climbing a stairway / To Heaven

-zshz-

I shed the Blood of the Saxon Men / I shed the Blood of Four-Thousand Saxon Men!

-zshz-

Ich bin Vulgaris! Magistralis!

-zshz-

No one knew it, but when she was rebuilt, the carrier was going to come out of the yard… A touch odd…
------

Isle of Man

The talks carried on much as they had the day previous. Delegates relayed the responses of their governments to queries and proposals given the day before, counter-proposals were offered, negotiated, and tabled for the next day.

Talks continued through a light lunch. And around one o'clock the Spanish Ambassador brought up a topic Porta had been hoping to get to.

"Señora, yesterday you mentioned reparations, and trade opportunities with your fleet. His Majesty's government desires more detailed information on how you hope to provide both, when as-yet you have no industry."

"Qui," Admiral Chirac concurred, "and the President and Premier are both curious about the oil that was included with the other tribute you sent with the late crew of HMS Ocean. Where did it come from? If you have been collecting oil from sunk wrecks, it is not possible to have enough for trade, non?"

Porta smiled warmly as she nodded to Reivana. "I am happy that you asked gentlemen. You see, the oil is actually synthetic. Organic oil, collected from algae by my own personal process."

"A process that I've sent to the British Patent Office last month, and we expect it to be approved within the next week or so!" The Re-Class contributed cheerfully.

The room descended into a dull roar as the delegates and their aides conversed amongst themselves, or tried to ask their questions before their colleagues could. Porta leaned back in her seat and smiled serenely and took a slow sip of her tea, relishing the sensation of being respected for her contributions that didn't involved meaningless slaughter. After decades living with her belligerent sisters, and the past eight years with nothing by sycophants – enjoyable sycophants, but still sycophants – surrounding her, having peers was… Pleasant. In time, everyone managed to calm down enough that someone could talk and be heard.

"Reivana, if you would please…"

With a nod Reivana and Stab set up a stand and stack of placards. She then proceeded to give a small presentation on the process, the science behind it, briefs of human efforts at the method, and the key factors that made the Princess' variant able to produce more fuel than it took to create. That done, Porta nodded at her diplomat and took the floor.

"Along with the oil, my territory will have access to, and efficient ability to exploit, certain resources unique to the open sea. Such as manganese nodules, the whale waste used in perfumes, fishing rights, sea salt, and the trace amounts of precious metals suspended in the water column. Once the war is over I will have a population in need of something to occupy their time that will not involve bloodshed. Already I have a handful of such individuals dabbling in architecture, literature and art, with the others with shared talents being encouraged to follow suit as I find them. In short delegates, I have the elements of an active economy… Save for the economy. I cannot as yet mint currency until I have something to back it with. So for the time being, I shall pay off my debts with the admittedly primitive use of barter – I give you items that you want, in exchange for items I want, in this case being bauxite and less debt and foreign currency that I can in the future use to back my own currency with.

"To accelerate that process, I want to open up my territory to foreign investment in infrastructure and exploitation via the issuances of leases and licenses. Furthermore, once the patent for my Oil Synthesis Process is complete, I will also begin selling excess oil on the open market. As well as selling licenses to human energy companies so that they can also begin to convert to it. Given that all of the carbon released upon burning was already in the atmosphere a few weeks or months prior, it's much more friendly to the environment, as opposed to traditional oil, whose carbon has been locked away for millions of years. Something which I expect will make my process very popular with all but staunchly anti-oil holdouts."

"A capital idea your Highness," the British delegate of the Opposition said, though with a hint of incredulity in his tone, "but I doubt you have much room to improve with oil. We're not going to be needing it for long you see."

The other Minister of Parliament managed to look to his colleague in exasperation without being obvious, but he took sadistic joy at the man's change of expression at what the Princess said next, all smiles.

"You mean the fusion reactors now being installed in military steel hulls. Oh yes, marvelous that. And most assuredly a most important step. But I'm not worried about being unable to develop my economy accordingly in time. After all, I believe the numbers I saw – the conservative numbers you see, the reality is likely much more than that – said that a single ship-grade fusion reactor is almost three times the cost of a more conventional gas turbine or diesel powerplant for now. The nature of the beast I'm afraid when introducing revolutionary technology. Start up costs are so off-putting! That's why fission reactors for merchant vessels never really took off you know… Well, other than the fact that the Cold War made the industry optimize on elements like Uranium and Plutonium in order to help build the stockpile for nuclear warheads, rather than elements who decayed into things like Lead, which would have made reactors safer as they were used, and made waste disposal much more ecologically friendly.

"And I have heard of talk of land-based plants in the US, Canada, and the Continent. But – and correct me if I am mistaken minister – but I believe that it will be another seven years or so before any of them are in a position to come online, is that right? And odds are that they will still be experimental for at least a decade after that."

The other diplomats looked to the Opposition MP. He wasn't pouting, that would be impolitic. But it was clear that he was humiliated. And Princess Atlantia wasn't done yet.

"Besides, fuels are only the most famous use of oil. Outside of niche markets such as survival or camping gear, vintage vehicles, and emergency backup generators, once fusion supplants gasoline, diesel, butane, propane, and kerosene – which I predict won't be for another seventy years to a century – the world will still need plastics, fertilizers, lubricants, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and a host of other products that oil byproducts are used in. And since fuels would no longer be a vital product, the excess amounts not needed to feed those niche markets will simply be funneled back into the furnaces, making the process even more efficient!

"So you don't need to worry about me and my subjects Mister Minister, I think we'll be fine. Especially once the economy is diversified to where oil production isn't the only meaningful part of it."

The Princess smiled innocently, looking for all the world like a naïve maiden, unused to the workings of the wider world, while the minister was a touch red at the tips of his ears, and his jaw was noticeably clenched.
------

After that, the conversation moved on, with the representatives of the UK, Spain and Portugal giving their initial estimates of what reparations the Princess owed them. The number was… Shockingly low. The largest bulk cost came from Portugal, due to her having sunk the task force sent to unseat her within weeks of her capture of the Azores. But of all the infrastructure damaged in those islands during Blood Week, nearly all of it had been repaired at the Princess' direction by the time she pulled out seven months later. The rest came from raids her fleet made to either take resources from ships or ports. And even damages made during genuine attacks, the damage was – comparatively – light due to how the Princess had only half-heartedly carried through. Such attacks were at the demand of her sisters, and Porta had never believed in the war to begin with. So what battles her fleet were involved it were little more than skirmishes compared to the more desperate struggles elsewhere in the world during those early months.

The sum still ran in the high hundreds of millions at the conservative end, but it wasn't anything compared to the trillions of damages made during Blood Week alone.

Granted it was only the initial estimates, with the final total likely to rise as further costs were included, but no one expected it to be by much.

Then they broke for dinner, a sumptuous feast that encouraged a more light-hearted atmosphere. The French Admiral Chirac ate without the battleship Richelieu beside him. Porta suspected it had something to do with the young woman with red and blue locks of hair she saw the battleship dragging down the hall – an aircraft carrier if she wasn't mistaken. The pair would not be seen again until dessert, with Richelieu looking quite pleased with herself but the young woman looking most disheveled and blushing madly. Chirac looked amused, and Porta was quietly pleased at having guessed correctly at the unadvertised puzzle.

Dreadnought and Lord Fairbank sat across from Porta, and the three made amiable conversation, with the Mother of All Battleships asking about Porta's own daughter. Having never experienced such a conversation, the Abyssal Princess wasn't sure how to play it, and so defaulted on honesty. And as the conversation moved, she found that talking about her Angband with a fellow mother to be very pleasurable. A conversation that didn't revolve around politicking, plotting, and negotiating still being fun. Who knew? She almost didn't even notice the hints of hostility Dreadnought's daughter Warspite had for her.

Almost.

After dinner the talks resumed. For the better part of an hour it consisted of the envoys naming prominent business men and organizations that would be very interested indeed in what the Princess was offering – a new, virgin market in which to conduct trade and to invest in. There was a notable lull when Atlantia insisted that all such contracts would be required to include clauses where the infrastructure and capital would transition to her own government, but no one was willing to make a fuss when, in the end, they had no stake in the outcome.

Then Admiral Douglass stood and addressed the Princess.

"Your Highness," he said, once again mentally cursing at how this Political bullshit was not his thing, "I do have one area that the United States government is interested in your answer in. Now, you have mentioned that the hard numbers of your fleet are… Very high. And earlier today you implied that you plan to retire a part of that same fleet in order to transition them into the civilian sector. If you have any concrete numbers Your Highness, by how much do you plan to downsize your fleet?"

The Princess, perhaps for the first time, was not smiling as fully as she had been, though her expression was still pleasant.

"Given that I still intend for my realm to have a military of some description in order to police my territory, or to defend it in the event of foreign or domestic hostilities, I imagine that there would be enough retained in order to do so, and to also cycle through a third on duty, a third on leave, and the last third on refit and repair. So if I was required to give numbers… At this time, all circumstances and factors being equal, for now I imagine that I would retain a third as my military, and the other two thirds as civilian."

"That's not good enough."

All eyes turned to the man from the British Opposition. The MP looked severe, and utterly unimpressed with what he had just heard. His counterpart from Her Majesty's Government stared at him incredulously.

"Your kind have been the source of the greatest bloodshed in recorded history. And given your claims that you are the last of the ones in overall command over your Race, and how you have neglected your duties to make them stop the war, as far as my constituents and myself are concerned you have no right to anything save a firing squad unless I see a full demilitarization."

"Very well," Princess Atlantia said, her face totally placid, and the First Sea Lord felt a chill run down his spine that he had only felt when in the presence of Her Majesty the Queen, and even then only rarely, when she was Most Displeased, "How many do you want? And what price are you offering?"

Lord Fairbank quickly caught on to what she was talking about, and a glance around showed that most of the others in attendance had a similar notion, along with the MP of the PM's government. He strained just a little bit to see if the Opposition MP had as well, and was disappointed.

"What?"

"How many of my subjects to you want? And how many British Pounds is your government willing to pay per individual? After all, is that not what happens in this sort of situation? The military assets are taken and sold off? I realize that the Slave Trade has been out of service for under two-hundred years but surely the concept is not that difficult to grasp Mister Minister."

The table was silent. And Fairbank noted more than a few of the other diplomats hiding very awkward expressions on their faces. As if they had been thinking about asking the same thing, only to realize just now what it sounded like, and were thankful that they hadn't been the ones to open what was suddenly a can of worms. The First Sea Lord subtly looked at the African-American Admiral Douglass beside him, who had gained a severe look of his own as he craned his neck to get a better look at the Opposition MP, to better gage his reactions. Admiral Chirac, bless him, tried to iron out the unexpected wrinkle.

"I am certain he did not mean anything of the sort Your Highness."

The Princess looked to the Frenchman coolly before looking with only her eyes at the rest at the table.

"Ah… I see. So it's a French Terror situation, where so many are butchered that the streets are turned into rivers of blood."

Chirac balked, and sputtered.

"Very well. Name your date and I will ensure that a guillotine is ready for your approval Minister Robespierre. How many do you believe should die at my command before my remaining subjects and I are exonerated?"

Behind her, Reivana and Stab looked to each other in concern, and the Re-Class turned to Ocean Liner Demon.

"She-she can't be serious," Reivana whispered, "Right?"

"I don't care," the Demon whispered back, "It's only the warships that will be affected."

Reivana gulped and turned back to the table.

The Envoy from Portugal barked a desperate, humorless laugh. "You jest Madam! No leader would do such a thing to her own people! It's barbaric!"

For the first time since the conversation started, Porta moved a facial muscle – her right eyebrow, raised at the Ambassador.

"If it will secure the lives of the rest of my subjects? In a heartbeat. I believe that you humans have a name for a certain model of Morality: Utilitarianism – Do the most good for the most people, while doing the least harm to the fewest people. I believe there is a popular television franchise named Star Trek that termed it better: The Needs of the Many, Outweigh the Needs of The Few. Or the One.

"The Conquistadores," she continued, gesturing to the Spanish Ambassador, "collectively wiped out millions of indigenous peoples in North, Central, and South America. This provided Spain the power vacuum to take their place and establish the first Empire Without Sunset, and their silver and gold exhilarated the economies of Spain and through them all of Europe."

Then she gestured to the American Admiral.

"Had the United States invaded Japan, between their death culture glorifying death for the Empire and the Shame of Defeat, along with the years of declining food stores and oncoming famine, the Americans would have achieved on accident what the Germans failed to do deliberately: the total extinction of an ethnicity and culture. And that doesn't even touch on any of the losses their servicemen would have taken in the doing. Compared to that, a quarter million killed directly or indirectly from two nuclear bombs is a bargain."

The hand moved to the German diplomat, and he avoided her gaze in preparation for what he expected.

"No rational person would blame people who were not alive when their forbearers acted anymore than they would call that dumbass Austrian short a testicular a sane person, but if we were to look at things from his perspective, he would have whole-heartedly believed that the untold billions of yet-to-be born generations of Germans would have benefited from the six-million murders he ordered. Another bargain of astronomical future gains for a rock-bottom price."

Her Highness then moved her hand to the British contingent. Lord Fairbank was at first surprised that she would attack the first state to recognize her, but given the trend he was beginning to see, it made sense that she would want to avoid being seen as playing favorites. Besides, if the man from the Opposition was going to throw stones, he should have first considered the glass house of History.

"I wonder, how many tribes in Africa were eradicated by a few platoons armed with machine guns during the scramble for Africa. But then, they were clearly not using the land to the most gain, so it would be for the best if a more civilized people were to use it, correct? A few thousand savages is insignificant in the march of Progress."

It was a fair cop, though a little weak if Fairbank was to be the judge. She likely grabbed the first thing that came to her head that wouldn't be immediately called on. And she moved her hand onward, and Admiral Ferdinand Chirac was in her sights.

"'Liberty, Fraternity, Equality' such lovely words. Then everyone started killing everyone they didn't like, and a little man from Corsica restored the rule of Autocracy, throwing France and Europe into a constant state of war over the next twenty years. All to spread 'Democracy.'"

The pale hand of judgement passed on to the representative from Russia, and still the Princess spoke evenly and matter-of-factly.

"In the 1930s, Stalin was concerned about the growing Ukrainian Nationalist movement. These days the artificial famine he orchestrated is called The Holodomor. And it was so successful that, when the Ukrainians revolted and welcomed the Germans as liberators, their numbers were not large enough to successfully repel the Red Army. Thereby helping ensure the Allied victory in Europe, and the resultant peace deals cementing the Proletariat Revolution as a world power for the next fifty years. An inspiring beacon of Communism to the downtrodden Workers. A worthy prize for a couple million peasants starved to the point of cannibalism."

Lord Fairbank could only imagine if Her Highness was resisting the urge to inject sarcasm into the last few sentences. The Russian shrugged, perhaps in agreement, or perhaps as an acknowledgement. Regardless, the Princess then moved to the Turkish Ambassador.

"The Arminian Christians, to the minds of the men in power in the Ottoman Government, were a threat. And had it not been for French intervention, they would have extinguished that threat."

And finally, the hand moved to the Canadian Ambassador.

"As for you… Unless I am mistaken, there is the matter of The Lost Generation of Indigenous children taken from their homes for forceful integration… Or was that Australia? Or… Perhaps that was both of you?

"'The Needs of the Many outweigh the Needs of the Few,' ladies and gentlemen. So long as the numbers are equal to or less than forty-nine point nine-nine-nine repeating percent, what happens to them is irrelevant, if it means the remaining fifty-point-zero-zero-zero whatever one percent or more is benefitted by their sacrifice. And if you call me monstrous and barbaric for applying that morally superior philosophy of Utilitarianism, then I am humbled that the species that defined all of those terms, the masters of the craft, would see me as worthy of being counted amongst their ranks."

The room was silent. The Princess looked around to each ambassador at the table, and none found that they could meet her eye. Finally, Princess Porta Abysseum Atlantia turned back fully to the Minister of Parliament in Opposition to Her Majesty's Government. A man that, just minutes beforehand, was confident and belligerent. And now stunned and insecure.

"Now then, Minister. I ask again. How many slaves is the British Government willing to buy from me? How many of my subjects do you want me to execute. By my own hand if you so desire. How many do I need to sell into bondage, or the grave, so that the rest of them can buy the Rights of Life, Liberty, and The Pursuit of Happiness?"

The Minister gawked, worked his mouth, and faint choking noises came from his throat as if he were about to speak. But nothing came. And all the while the Princess – the only one in the room in fact – was completely unphased by the discussion, and deadly serious. At long last, the First Sea Lord took pity on the man and spoke up.

"Ladies, and gentlemen… While the concern is… Legitimate. I would like to remind everyone here that any discussion about the Princess demilitarizing her fleet is ludicrously premature at this time. After all, she is siding with us in order to fight the Abyssals in the Atlantic. And she cannot do so without a fleet. I move that we table such a conversation until after hostilities are resolved."

The other delegates all but screamed 'AYE!' as if in a race to second the motion first.

Admiral Douglass, of the US Navy, was next to speak up.

"Furthermore, we have covered a lot of ground today. And I know that I am not alone in that I need to relay todays talks back to my government. I move that we end a little early today, and start again in the morning."

"I second the motion." The Russian Ambassador declared, raising a hand. And without waiting for a vote, the rest of the gathered delegates stood up and made for their own quarters. The only one to remain in his seat for some time was the Minister from the Opposition, whom Lord Fairbank took to be more than a little shaken at the way the discussion turned.
------

"Oliver, how's Percy?"

"Well enough your Lordship," the Minister of the Government replied as he sipped his brandy, "we knew we needed a strong presence of the Anti-Abyssal faction and he understood his role in putting the squeeze on the Princess, but I don't think he expected her to turn the vice herself in order to get him within arm's reach."

Lord Fairbank nodded in agreement. Truth be told, he doubted any of them expected her to answer the way she did. It wasn't unlike someone putting a gun to his head during a standoff and making demands. Fairbank took his own nightcap from Dreadnought, taking the opportunity to brush her fingers with his. Warspite sat on another sofa on the other side of the room. Duke of York being on Night Guard duty. Oliver Price was pacing, thinking.

"To be honest…" He said at last, "This is… I won't say expected, but in hindsight it should have been. After all, at no period in history has anyone had to deal with a nation whose people, were also their weapons."

Fairbank leaned back and rubbed his chin in thought… It did make sense.

"Yes… Yes, the usual methods of demilitarization won't be cleanly applicable here. We aren't even sure removing their weapon mounts won't do some sort of harm as yet. And Her Highness did raise a valuable point that, for her people, selling the warships or scrapping them would be a horrendous atrocity if it were to happen to a human nation."

Oliver looked at the rest of his tumbler of brandy, then downed the whole thing in a few gulps.

"I needed that. I need to look over my notes from the PM and the Queen, and then I'm going to bed."

They said their goodnights and Minister Price left the room. The quartet sat in silence for a few moments before Dreadnought stood and moved behind a modesty screen to change into her nightclothes.

"Spitie?" she called out from behind the screen, "You have been quiet ever since last night. What's wrong? Are you still upset over not getting to practice dancing with Ronald?"

"No. Well. Yes. A little. But it's that- That!- That horrible woman! Do we really need that Princess as an ally? We were doing just fine without her."

"Yes," Lord Fairbank answered, "but having an ally means that the enemy has someone else to shoot at. To say nothing of what it will mean if she delivers on even half of her promises elsewhere."

"For as long as it's convenient I'm sure. Did you not hear her all but admit to killing her own child! And what about her attacking St. Brendan's last year?"

"Power is as power does I'm afraid Spitie," her mother answered as she stepped from behind the screen, donning her night cap, "and with a fleet as big as she claims, even a little unrest cannot go unchecked. And she was right – We learned a great deal just by watching the St. Brendan's fight off that fleet. Practical experience trumps speculation any day of the week."

Warspite crossed her arms petulantly and glared. "She dresses like a whore."

Fairbank took a long pull from his tumbler in lieu of having to reply. But Dreadnought first looked at her daughter in confusion, then softened in maternal amusement as she saw something that her lover apparently missed.

"Oh Spitie. You don't need to feel threatened so. Ronald is a good sort. He only has eyes for you love."

"Wh-what?"

"Now, now, a mother can tell. You don't need to feel jealous. After all-" Dreadnought deliberately crossed her arms under her considerable bust, "you are young yet, and you are my daughter. You still have some growing to do."

"Mother!" Warspite barely avoided dropping her glass of wine, face red with a scandalized expression.

Maybe it was the brandy talking, or maybe he felt a growing Paternal urge to tweak noses. Either way, Lord Fairbank found himself speaking without missing a beat.

"Personally, I think that it was all those pregnancies."

Dreadnought sent a glare his way as Warspite sputtered incoherently, but Fairbank merely smiled cheekily.
------

All her life, Reivana had put the Princess on a pedestal – she was a goddess, an ideal to strive for despite never being able to attain it. But that night, as she looked at her Princess, curled into a ball, sobbing and clutching to her Demon like a drowning woman, an expression of abject terror on her face, the Re-Class felt herself having to readjust to factors she never thought could exist.

"W-will she… Is the Princess all right Ocean Liner Demon?"

"She will be…" the Demon replied distractedly as she rubbed Porta's back, "She just faced one of her nightmare scenarios is all. Once she gets some sleep she'll be fine."

Despite having work of her own to do, Reivana couldn't bear the thought of leaving her Sovereign in such a state. And so, shyly, she sat down behind the Princess, and wrapped her arms around her middle. And Stab, in an uncharacteristic display of empathy, followed her lead and wrapped his body around the three of them. Ocean Liner stiffened at the contact… But relaxed when she saw the small signs of improvement she saw in her liege.

They sat that way through most of the night, until the Princess cried herself to sleep.

 

[darthcourt10]

Weaver

A/N: Had an idea and this is the result.

As military installations go, the Heugh Battery wasn't anything special. A small coastal battery, one of three built in 1860 to defend the port of Hartlepool and the only one surviving to the present day, its main claim to fame was as the site of the first death in action of a soldier on British soil in World War I and the only coastal battery to engage the enemy. It had been modified several times over the years to keep up with changing military technology, the last time being during the Second World War. It was closed in 1956 and later became a museum, a place for family outings and school trips to look at the guns aimed out to sea and the other things in its collection.

In another world it would have remained that way. But in this one that ended suddenly one August day as war came from the sea to attack an unprotected stretch of coast. Well, almost unprotected.

As those who moments before had been enjoying a summer day out ran for cover, no one noticed as the long disused guns aimed themselves at the targets out at sea. When those same guns repeatedly fired despite not containing any ammunition a lot of people probably did notice but mostly failed to correctly identify the source of the noise.

The Wo-Class who took one of the rounds that shouldn't have existed to her head right as she was about to deploy her aircraft however definitely did notice, albeit only for the briefest of moments. Other members of her fleet also noticed and returned fire. By the time that first attack ended, the Heugh Battery and the surrounding area had been shelled repeatedly and both of its guns had been destroyed. But another of the enemy had been sent to the bottom of the North Sea by a particularly lucky shot, three more had taken significant damage and the time and ammunition spent attacking the battery was time and ammunition that wasn't used attacking elsewhere. As high as the casualty count on that first day was, it could have been a lot worse.

By the time round two kicked off, most of the rubble had been cleared away, some of the few surviving pieces of heavy artillery from the museum's collection had been taken away to be refurbished and pressed into service, and the battery had a temporary new gun. A few months later girls who walked on water and wielded the weaponry of warships emerged from one of the harbours it protected. The breathing room their presence provided allowed the battery to be repaired properly with two new permanent guns mounted in much the same locations as its old ones and for new recruits to be trained to man it.

None of them see the woman in the WWI army uniform who often stands by one gun or the other, looking out to sea. Nor do the girls who walk on water. No one does.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

"Eeeeee!"

Looking over his shoulder, Harry had to blink some as he noticed Asuka bouncing in place with excitement. "Asuka? Something wrong?"

Her eyes wide, she turned and gave a shake of her head. "Wrong? Of course not!" She then pointed at a nearby booth. "But I got to go over there, like right now!"

With a raised eyebrow as he looked at the others, the thirteen year old boy shrugged some and followed. "Sure, I guess?" Once they reached it though, Harry had to chuckle. "Huh, a Aviation Collection booth. Makes some sense to have one here."

Only humming as she looked over what was there, Natsumi tapped her chin. "Yeah, some of these are rather nice."

Softly scoffing, Asuka gave her a look. "More then nice, especially if they have..." A gasp escaped her and she gave a squeal of joy. "They actually got it!" Grabbing an item, she held it up to them. "F-15J(S)-Chan stuff! Both from Nendoroids and actual figurines!"

Now looking himself, Harry pointed at the wall. "They also got wall hangings for her and posters."

More then a little amused, Usagi shook her head and looked at one of the figurines in thought. "You know, it is funny when you think about it." At the confused looks, she raised the figure of F-15J(S)-Chan she was holding up. "These look so much like Ai-San does. And..." With a quick look around to make sure that no one was close enough to listen, the Inaba leaned in. "And when you consider the truth? That they modeled a flying being after her? It gets even more amusing."

With the F-15J(S) plushy she had held close, the Tengu of the group giggled some. "It is kind of funny. But also sort of awesome as well. Ai just facepalms when it gets brought up though." Looking down at the plushy, she gave a shrug. "I enjoy the game though and she's one of my favorites, though..."

Lips curling up to, Harry shook his head and shrugged. "I don't blame you to be honest. I play Kantai Collection and Mum is one of my favorite shipgirls in it of course though..." Frowning, he shrugged. "I got her levels maxed and the only way to boost them is to give her a ring. And that's just sort of weird to be honest. World of Warships I also have a Nagato who is one of my favorites."

Blinking, Kaku raised an eyebrow at that. "You play in World of Warships? Really?"

Just shrugging, Harry shook his head with a grin. "Yeah, I do. A bunch of us here on the base play it, though you might be amazed at who plays what though."

Interested, Rika blinked and if she could have, both her tails would have twitched in interest. "Oh? Such as what?" At the looks, she jerked her thumb at herself. "Cat here."

Ayaka snorted some and crossed her arms while raising an eyebrow. "And? Curiosity killed the cat."

Smirking, the Nekomata snickered at that. "Yes, and? Satisfaction brought it back. Besides..." Tapping her chest, she continued. "Nekomata, I know about bringing dead things back to life."

That caused Asuka to shudder some. "Um, no offense? But that is sort of creepy, you know. I mean..."

However, to her surprise, Rika shrugged and shook her head. "And? Believe it or not I can fully understand that you find how we can animate dead bodies and stuff creepy. But it can be pretty useful to have as a skill. Especially now in the present day or once the Statute finally falls."

More then a little intrigued, Asuka tilted her head to the side reminding them all of a curious crow. "Really? How so?"

Chuckling and crossing her arms, Rika glanced around and gestured for them to lean in. "See, remember how I said my Tou-San works for the NPA. In particular, he works with investigating homicides. And being as he is a Nekomata like myself..."

Eyes widening, the Tengu stared at her in shock. "Wait, he actually talks to the dead to solve their murders? Seriously?" At the nod, she frowned. "Wait, how does that even work with muggle law? I mean... that would not be evidence now..."

A small glint in her eyes, Rika grinned. "Because it gives him a starting point from where to go regarding finding the people who committed the crimes. Because one's soul sticks around for a time before the Shinigami comes to take it, they can often have information that the police might not know about. Such as where they might have disposed of the murder weapon if its missing, how they committed it or why, stuff like that. If nothing else, it gives Tou-San a point from which to go from when gathering information. Tou-San has actually got one of the best records for finding murderers and the like and catching them. And the cases are always airtight as he does not rely on his abilities, just using them as a supplemental."

There was a realization in Asuka's eyes as she gasped some and looked around quickly to see if anyone had heard. When no one did, she turned back to Rika. "Wait, just like how Ai uses her abilities over wind when in regard to flying you mean?"

With a slow nod, the Nekomata snapped her fingers. "Exactly. Granted, we have been talking about what happens after the Statute falls. I mean, he'll have to come forward with being a Nekomata. What our abilities mean for laws... none of us really know."

Head tilted to the side, Asuka frowned some. "Um, I don't know either? I mean, I know Ai might have an idea or Tsukino-San might. Huh..."

Only shrugging, Rika shook her head. "Just one of those things to be honest." Placing her arm over Asuka's shoulders, she then pointed at the booth. "Anyways, I think that the guy behind the counter is wondering if you're going to be paying for that."

Blushing, Asuka noted that the person behind the table was, indeed, giving her a raised eyebrow. At a tap on the shoulder though, she looked over at the black haired English born boy. "Harry-San? What is it?"

Simply smiling a bit, Harry shook his head. "Well, I would advise you not to spend all your money here. There is at least one other place that you might want to go to first."

Confused, the teenaged Daitengu blinked. After paying for the plushy and a few other items, including a Doujin featuring F-15J(S)-Chan, Asuka followed him through the crowd. "Um, where exactly are we going? And why would you think that I would want to see it?"

Looking over his shoulder, a grin crossed Harry's face. "Why? Because it is right up your alley." Even though he could easily see that she was lost, the thirteen year old did not say a thing. Within less then a minute though, he watched as Asuka's jaw dropped. "Well? Worth the money to spend for it?"

Rapidly nodding, Asuka practically rushed over to the booth for the JASDF that was set up. "Is it ever!" Now looking over the table, she gasped and took in her hands one of the models of JASDF that was on sale. More then one of the others felt themselves smirk at how it was a F-15J(S) in Abyss Diver paint. "Okay, I got to have this..."

Harry had noticed that she went silent as she noticed something else and coughed a bit to prevent himself from laughing. Mainly at the reaction to seeing a poster of Ai in her uniform performing a pose. Beside it, was a wall hanging with shows Ai as well. Part of Harry did note though that he could see a second wall hanging with all the Abyss Divers in front of a F-15J(S). Tapping her on the shoulder though, he then pointed. "You might also want those."

With a blink, Asuka looked at him and then where he was pointing. For what felt like the hundredth time, her jaw dropped at seeing figurines of various famous JASDF pilots. In a cocky pose with one hand on her hip, a smirking Gyaru was looking out at the populace while beside her a serious looking Ai was posed with her arms crossed. Behind them, a grinning Kudzu was posed with his hands on either one's shoulder. Fingers twitching, Asuka looked at the boxes below the three. "So much want."

Picking up one of the video games that was on display, which was a sort of flight simulator in which you flew with various members of the JASDF, Kaku hummed. Looking over, among the examples was the Abyss Divers. "Huh... now this is kind of neat." With a look at Harry, he frowned. "How did you know that this stuff was here?"

As he watched Asuka go from one display to another, the black haired wizard gave a shrug. "Honestly? Niiyodo-Chan and myself helped out with the organization some, so I know where a lot of the various things are as well as some of what is being sold. So I figured that Asuka might want to come here."

Only nodding, said Yokai gave him a thumbs up. "I do! Thanks!"

 

[darthcourt10]

SoulessScotsman

A/N: Well. Hurricane Michael utterly destroyed the grid where I live, but we got power back. No internet, but I still have my phone. And my house. And my life.
————————————————————————
Anderson sighed as he sat back in his chair. Preparation was done, a flight was in order, and everyone was up to date on all their travel necessities. All considered, he was actually ahead in his work. For once.

When his gaze drifted to the folder that his new bars were pinned to he felt the beginnings of a headache seep in.

"Damn, damn and double damn," he muttered tiredly as he rubbed his face.

A knock on his door broke him from his tired reprieve. He heaved a sigh once more.

"Enter."

His door swung open and closed as a statuesque brunette stalked in, long legs causing wide hips to sway in a familiar (and deliberate) manner. She wore the same thing she had when he had met her in the aftermath of Blood Week; combat boots, painted on leather pants, a too-tight grey tank-top and an open leather jacket. Her chocolate-brown hair was bound in a loose pony-tail with a two locks of hair framing her beautiful, if sharp, features.

Anderson stood, "Sparrow? This is a surprise. CIA decide you didn't need a minder?"

Her red lips curled in a smile, "I am not 'ere as 'Agent Sparrow, French Intelligence', William. I am 'ere as Amelie, visiting 'er friend, who 'appens to be in ze American Military."

"We're 'friends'?" he snarked.

Her lips pulled back more, baring her teeth, "'Friends' sounds so much better zan 'occasional fuck-buddies', don't you zink?"

Anderson's expression soured, "Firstly; Jesus Christ, Amelie. Secondly; you know I don't think of it like that. I'd try, if you'd let me."

Amelie laughed, the sound bright and clear, "You are a sweet man beneath all ze dourness and professionalism, William, of zis I 'ave no doubt," the Frenchwoman strode forward and pecked him on the cheek as she embraced him, "But it would not work. You know why."

Anderson hugged her back, "I know," he pulled back an let a mournful look cross his face, "I just wish we could."

"I 'ave no doubt zat you will make some woman incredibly 'appy, someday," she smiled sadly, "I regret only zat it will not be me."

She sighed wistfully, twisting away from him, "But! I am not merely 'ere to reminisce! Non non! I am 'ere as a personal favor. To you, if zat was not obvious."

The newly minted captain rolled his eyes as he leaned on his desk, "You don't do favors for anyone else, Amelie."

"True! So, ze heart of ze matter, no? Zey are not as decimated as we 'ad 'oped. Some of ze vile 'ellspawn survive. Ze only reason it took zis long to confirm it is because of our more defensive focus of the last few years. We simply were not looking for zem."

Anderson froze.

"Zey seem to have congregated under zat big princess, Gateway or somezing. So. As far as Allied Command is concerned, zey are off limits. But, well, what Command does not know—"

"No. I agree with Command."

"—cannot 'urt zem-what?" Amelie leveled a shocked look the suddenly tired and old looking Trooper, "William, we are talking about ze Abyssals zat murdered dozens of your brozers and sisters in arms, not to mention the countless innocents at Marseille. And you want to let zem go?"

Anderson cast her a baleful look, "Hell no. I don't want anything of the sort. But I sure as hell don't want to take the chance I'll leave my daughter an orphan twice over. I have been strenuously reminded that I can't go off half-cocked into situations better left to the appropriate people. Even if it grates me in ways I cannot even begin to describe. Command wants to make nice with the bastards? Fine. I won't like it, but fine. That's the end of it."

"William! You cannot be serious! After everyzing zey did?"

"Enough, Amelie!" he barked, "Thank you for telling me, but it wasn't necessary. We can't do anything about it. It's out of our hands."

Amelie glared at him, burgundy eyes almost looking red, trembling with rage.

"You fucking coward," she spat and stormed out.
————————————————————————
Amelie LeBreton leaned against the wall outside her sometimes-lover's office, feeling so, so old. Where had the kind, witty and shy boy so full of passion and fire she'd met all those years ago gone? Where had this hardened, angry and cold man come from? He didn't smile, he didn't have that warmth that had drawn her to him when she had crossed his path so long ago. The William she knew would have jumped at the chance to hunt the Abyssals that had slaughtered his unit and killed so many others. But now, this man?

Amelie barely held back tears.

"Are you alright, dear?"

Amelie whirled around to face who had spoken, startled by the sudden reminder that she was very much so not in a private place.

The speaker turned out o be a stunningly beautiful red-headed woman in a sweater dress, concern writ on her face and in her emerald eyes.

Quickly plastering a smile on her face, Amelie shook her head, "Non non, I am fine, Madame! Right as rain!"

"Hmm..." the woman hummed, "No. I don't believe you. Come with me, dear. I know something that'll cheer you up."

So said, the woman grabbed Amelie by the wrist in a surprisingly strong grip and dragged her off.

"Ah, you don't need to concern yourself—!" the Frenchwoman tried to protest.

"And I vigorously disagree! Whatever made such a pretty girl like you so upset is very much my concern! Oh, but where are my manners? Everyone calls me Connie, dear. You may, as well. Come along, now. I'll make you a cup of something hot and you can tell me what that damned idiot said to upset you so."

"But—!"

"Ah ah! I'll hear nothing of it! I insist."

Amelie followed, utterly confused as to how she came to this point.
————————————————————————
A/N:To be continued. I need to take a break from writing this on my phone or I will go nuts.

 

[darthcourt10]

gaea

Uhh, hopefully this snip stays...

/////////////////////////////////////////////

Arthur Crowning leaned back after grading yet another freshman's paper. While he knew that the Dean had to be seen doing something after the Department of Defense leaned on them when there was talk of letting Crowning go because he was spending more time helping the Navy then teaching classes (and didn't that set off some of the other Professors. Crowning understood that it looked bad when the military threw its weight around when dealing with a college, but at the same time it was HIS job being protected…) Crowning knew the Dean wasn't actually pissed at him. If he was actually pissed and forced to keep Crowning, "Well, at least its only summer Freshman Lit. Classes. It could have been worse, it could have been freshman remedial literacy." Shaking his head, Crowning thought to himself, 'how do you get into college without being able to read or write?'



Deciding that he was procrastinating, Crowning looked for the next paper to grade, taking the one offered to him, "Thank you."

"Jer"

Crowning skimmed the first page before he registered the reply. Lowering the paper, he looked at the person on his desk.

"Jeer-see!" the Smol New Jersey posed before tossing her hair back, sparkle appearing around her.

"You're, you're a Smol, a Smol of New Jersey," Crowning stated, taking in the Smol version of his girlfriend dressed in her original Beauty Pageant that he had first seen in Jane's Fighting Ship-girls.

"Jer" Smol New Jersey asked him expectantly.

"No, I don't have a cutesy short name for you, I wasn't expecting you to appear," Crowning told her. "Jeeerrr!" the Smol turned away from him, sniffling. "Really. Smols only appeared to Jane and Harry, one of which has an un-Awakened Ship-girl for a mother and the other we are pretty sure was also un-Awakened. My mother, as far as I can tell, isn't an un-Awoken Ship-girl," Crowning continued ignoring the theatrics as the Smol draped herself over his coffee mug, sobbing uncontrollably. Crowning leaned back, thinking about it, "I think I have one. How does MiniJersey sound?"

"Jer!" MiniJersey spun around, all signs of the crocodile tears gone. "Jer jer jer, jer?" she chastised him, before asking a question.

"Blame your larger self. I can tell when she is hamming it up with the noble woman act. Also, no. Just because 'M' comes before 'N' I don't think that automatically makes you better than your large self." Mini Jersey stomped her feet before someone knocked at the door and opened up.

"Hey Arthur, I'm going to kidnap you away from your grunt work for luuuu…..nccch. Who the Fuck is that?" Jersey started before she got sidetracked by the sight of her Smol.

"Hey Jersey, Lunch sounds great," Crowning smiled at his shocked girlfriend, "Also, meet MiniJersey."

MiniJersey posed and smiled with the sparkles reappearing before Jersey pointed at her and started swearing, "Hey Fuck you! Just because 'M' precedes 'N' doesn't make you better than me!" MiniJersey just raised her hand to her face, pulled out some shutter shades, and started laughing.
Spoiler: laughter

/////////////////////////////////////////////

"Damn it, why did you bring her and why is she wearing that?" Jersey grumbled as she waited for her burger.

"Well, she's adorable, like you, and I really have no idea," Crowning looked at his girlfriend, who blushed and covered her response of "not 'dorable" as she drank some soda. Hearing his phone go off with the sounds of a text message and a media message being received he fished out his phone.

"Who is it?" Jersey asked as she leaned over to look at his phone, ignoring the overburdened waitress bringing them their food.

"It's from Gale. Looks like a Smol Wash showed up…and what is she wearing?"
Spoiler: what is she wearing

"What, let me see?" Jersey grabbed the phone and looked. "Oh man! That's what she had while they were trying to figure why she and North Carolina vibrated so much!"

The sound of a chainsaw starting up stopped the couple. They turned to SmolJersey who now was sporting shark teeth as she sized up a burger. "Wait you little shit! That's!" SmolJersey, with the sound of a chainsaw going full throttle, hurled herself at the burger before New Jersey could finish.

 

[darthcourt10]

Snippet 48: S0ngD0g13

Midshipman Fourth-Class James Aubrey Wilson McAmis was... confused. One minute Jack Tarr, one of his classmates, was giving him grief about being a country boy, and the next minute Jack was yelping as if he'd been stung in the rear. The same thing had happened the day before, and the day before that, as well. Either Jaw McAmis, Annapolis Middie, had a mysterious stinging-insect defending his honor, or...

"Zui! Zui-Zui, Zui~Kaku!"

Yup. That is definitely a Smol Zuikaku standing there, holding up a sign with my name on it, and lookin' ready to take on all comers...

Jack Tarr started to speak, another inane joke about how Jaw was so much of a redneck that his family tree didn't fork. SmolTurkey (Poult?) dropped the sign, took aim, and drew her bow. Jack delivered the punchline. Poult loosed.

"YEOW!"

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

 

[darthcourt10]

sasahara17

Sorry to everyone who wondered why this disappeared.

Here's a bit of an admission on my part: after a while I started feeling, really, really guilty for bullying Gambier Bae so badly, so I decided to take the snippet down and rework it until it had a nicer outcome for Gamby before re-uploading it. Here is the revised snippet for your perusal.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

It was ten in the evening when Hogwarts received its' latest visitor.

Ever since young Mister Harry Potter and his generation had started attending Hogwarts, ship girls had become something of a common sight at the ancient wizarding school.

Whether those ship girls were visiting friends and family for the students, the ship girl guards that now patrolled the corridors, or simply visiting dignities out to build relationships between the muggle world and the wizarding world, Professor McGonagall now found having to deal with ship girls was something she had to do on a regular basis. For good or ill, ship girls were coming to Hogwarts, and this was something she, as Professor Dumbledore's deputy, had to deal with.

"U-Um, excuse me, in-intimidating Witch lady? I… I'm just on a vacation and want to ask for directions. And e-everyone I've met in this big scary castle so far told me you were the right person to ask. I-if it wouldn't be too much trouble…"

This was, however, the first time any ship girls had come at Hogwarts clearly trying to be a tourist.

The timid looking young woman standing in McGonagall's office had been found wandering the halls with an upside-down map, looking hopelessly lost as she tried to get her bearings.

The young woman, her blonde hair tied into two comically fluffy pig tails, was dressed in a coat that seemed far too large for her while carrying a large backpack that contained all her effects. How she got inside the castle was a mystery, particularly since school was out and not even most of the staff and students were in, but now that she was here, she was McGonagall's responsibility until Dumbledore got back from his last-minute meeting with the Minister of Magic.

This was the last thing McGonagall expected to do when she woke up this morning.

"I see. So, you want to ask directions, Miss…?"

"G-Gambier Bay, ma'am," The ship girl stuttered out nervously, "I'm really, really sorry for bothering you like this, especially since your school seems to be closed and everything!"

"It's no trouble at all, Miss Gambier Bay," McGonagall replied soothingly, mentally astounded by the fact this was, by far, the timidest ship girl she had ever met. Most of the ship girls carried themselves with such confidence, but this poor thing had none of that. "I am surprised that you found your way to our castle, though. We have security measures to stop intruders to protect our students. That you so casually found your way inside is a bit of a surprise, you understand."

"I'm sorry! I don't know what happened! One moment I was trying to find my way to the Lord of the Rings place, but suddenly I found myself here," Gambier Bay sniffled, "I've never been good at following maps, but going from outside to indoors in one bus ride is a new one even for me."

McGonagall paused, her mind taking in everything the ship girl had said.

There were… quite a few things that were slightly odd about what Gambier Bay had just said.

"Sorry, Miss Gambier Bay, but did you say you were trying to find that 'Lord of the Rings place'?" McGonagall asked, "Could you be a bit more specific?

"B-Bay?"

"In case you may have noticed, we're in a magical castle that teaches students witchcraft and wizardry," McGonagall clarified patiently, "Lord of the Rings has many fantastical elements, so I am going to need you to be a bit more specific with where you are trying to get to."

"A-Ah, I see," Gambier Bay shuffled apologetically as her face flushed with embarrassment, "Um, I'm trying to get to Hobbiton. Sammy went there before, and told me it was only two hours south of Auckland. I didn't think it would be too hard to get to, but then I got lost!"

"I'm sorry, did you say Auckland? As in the city of Auckland, New Zealand?"

"Yes, Here!" Gambier Bay held up the map she was carrying for McGonagall to see, "I didn't think New Zealand was a very big country, and the map didn't look too complicated. I-I was supposed to use public transport on the way there, and the Bus driver was really, really nice, but I think there was a mis-misunderstanding when I told him I wanted to go to the 'magical place where all the stuff happened'. When I got off the bus, and then suddenly I was inside this castle. T-Then when I turned around, the B-Bus was gone! Then, when I tried to call for help, my ph-phone didn't work."

"Oh, dear." McGonagall muttered as she resisted to urge to palm her face.

This wasn't just a lost tourist ship girl winding up in the castle.

This was a lost tourist ship girl who somehow, after taking a magical bus, somehow crossed half a globe to wind up half a world away in Hogwarts. Without going through immigration. Without notifying any of her friends or acquaintances of her sudden change in location. Without intentionally doing anything except trying to get to her destination.

How on earth could anyone, let alone a ship girl who had her own internal radar and navigational equipment, manage to get this lost?

"This is going to be an international incident," McGonagall lamented softly to herself, "I'm sorry Gambier Bay, but, how long ago was this?"

"Um, I set off from my hotel at seven in the morning, and its' around ten now… do you think maybe I headed in the wrong direction? Maybe I went north when I should have gone south," Gambier Bay said, "If I got my directions all mixed up again, Sammy is never going to let me live it down!"

McGonagall wasn't sure how to respond to that. After all, Gambier Bay hadn't just gone North. She'd hone so far north she'd crossed an entire hemisphere. There was a twelve-hour time difference between the United Kingdom and New Zealand. Because she had been stuck indoors ever since she had arrived in Hogwarts, the lost child that was Gambier Bay hadn't noticed that day had turned to night, and that the seasons had completely changed.

There was getting a lost, and… whatever this was.

"Um, this wouldn't happen to be really far from Auckland, would it?" Gambier Bay said nervously, "I was supposed to meet a few of the friends I was on vacation with for d-drinks later… even though I don't want to… and I need to get back or they'll get a-angry!"

McGonagall paused.

"I'm sorry, Miss Gambier Bay. Did you say that you were with some friend?" McGonagall asked evenly as she slowly took in the new facts that were before her.

"Y-Yes. I was going on a tour with my friends from J-Japan," Gambier Bay replied, feet shuffling worriedly, "P-Pola isn't from Japan though. She's from Italy. We came here to see the H-Hobbits… and drink the wines, although I don't really like the last bit though."

As the old teacher listened to Gambier's words, McGonagall's frustration about this incident slowly giving way to something different. Something familiar. Something protective.

Something angry.

"I see. You had friends with you on your vacation? Shouldn't they be with you?" McGonagall said, feeling rather cross with Gambier Bay's friends. "Where are they now?"

After all, it seemed that Gambier Bay's horrendous sense of direction was well known by the people she was with. Yet, despite being part of a group, it seemed that her friends were all too willing to leave Gambier Bay alone to find her way to a major tourist spot.

Those friends of hers had better have a good reason for leaving someone as timid and fearful as Gambier Bay alone, or McGonagall was going to give them a piece of her…

"Well, Chito-sey, Jun-yo, Nachi and Pola all d-drank a lot yesterday night," Gambier Bay whimpered, looking physically ill as she seemed to relive the horrible memories she had of the pervious day while both arms cradling her abdomen (or more precisely, her liver) in pain, "I-I tried to wake them up this morning, but they were all hung over and didn't want to see the Hobbit place. So I let them sleep in, even though I was w-worried I would get lost… which I did… Bay…"

Minerva McGonagall was going to give those ship girls a piece of her mind.

When McGonagall was through with those irresponsible ship girls, who would dare let this lost child wander around alone, they were never going to drink to excess ever again.

"It's not their fault though," Gambier Bay quickly spoke, apparently having noticed McGonagall's darkening expression, "I knew I had a-a bad sense of direction, but I went out anyway… because I really, really, wanted to see the Hobbits and it was going to be my second last day in New Zealand…"

"I see," McGonagall decided as she stowed her anger into a pent up box and schooling her features into something less intimidating, "Well, I can assure you, Miss Bay, that whatever words I wish to share with your friends will not be as important as getting you back on track to your destination."

"Really?"

"Yes, indeed," McGonagall nodded courteously.

She would have someone, probably one of the house elves, send a note to Dumbledore and the ministry so that they could arrange transport for Gambier Bay. Discretely of course. It was fairly clear to McGonagall that this lost child was of the panicky and timid sort, and it wouldn't do to distress the poor thing more than she already was. While there would most certainly be trouble later, until that time it wouldn't do to punish Gambier Bay for something that clearly was an accident. As such…

"But since you are already here, would you mind if I showed you around?" McGonagall offered kindly, "I just need to send a few messages to arrange transport for you. However, while we wait, I could give you a guided tour you are already here."

"Really?" Gambier Bay's expression brightened. The expression of childish innocence on her face was so beautiful, McGonagall felt her heart melt.

That look on her face? That was why she became a teacher.

"Well, I can't have you going back to tell your friends that all Hogwarts was is just a big spooky castle that intimidated you," McGonagall said with a hint of a smile, "There are quite a bit of wonderous things to see here that we are proud of, and it wouldn't do if you left without seeing any of the sights. You are on a holiday, after all."

"T-thank you, Witch Lady!" Gambier Bay bowed earnestly.

"My name is Professor Minerva McGonagall," The witch informed her guest politely, "I probably should have given it to you before, so I am sorry that it slipped my mind until now."

"N-No problem at all, Professor! T-Thank you for being so kind to me!"

What a good child. If only the rest of her students were as polite as Gambier Bay, McGonagall's job would have been a whole lot easier.

"Now, Miss Gambier Bay, while you wait for me to send those messages, would you like to try out some of the local sweets? I believe I know where the Headmaster keeps his Lemon Drops…"

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Behold, the new improved version! Hopefully it is better than the last one.

I got the whole 'Gambier Bay's liver is slowly being destroyed by her Drinking Buddies' thing from a certain series of chat logs which I found amusing. Poor Gamby.
Spoiler: Gambier Bay and her Circle of Friends

Just so you know, before the 'Drinking Buddies of Yokosuka' (including Gambier Bay) departed for New Zealand, Sammy B extracted a promise from the four drinkers that they would make absolutely sure nothing happened to Gamby. If anything happened to poor old Gamby, those liver destroying ship girls would have to answer to Sammy B.

Gamby is now on the other side of the planet. If/When Samuel B. Roberts finds out about how the Drinking Buddies lost Gambier Bay, how badly do you think she is going to react?

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Hammer swinging down, it struck a nail in the board. A second swing caused said nail to embed itself into the board that the one it was in was meant to be anchored to. Taking a moment to breath, Aso reached up and wiped at her forehead with one arm. With a nod, she leaned down some and stretched out her hand. "Next nail, please."

Smiling, the Hannya that was there reached into a box and pulled out another nail which she handed to Aso. "Here you go, Aso-Sama." As the Carrier placed the nail into the correct position, the former human tilted her head to the side. "Um, may I ask a question, Aso-Sama? If that would be alright?"

With a blink, Aso gave her a glance before nodding. "Of course, go right on ahead."

The Hannya took a deep breath before letting it out. "Thank you." Pausing for a moment, she then continued. "I... was wondering why you were here?"

Needless to say, that made Aso take a breath before looking down. The whole time, ignoring the pain in her chest at being asked that. "Why? Do you not want me here?"

Rapidly, the Yokai waved her hands around. "Of course not, Aso-Sama!" Frowning, she chewed her lip some before looking away. "I... was just wondering. On the radio it mentioned something called... Fleet Week, over in Kure? And from what it stated all the shipgirls free are there."

Head tilted to the side, a frown grew on her face. "Yes?" Eyebrows furrowing, Aso shook her head. "But what does that have to do with your question?"

Just taking a deep breath, the other woman glanced to where some of the children were. "If all the shipgirls at at this festival it sounds like, then why are you here? With us?"

That brought a pause to Aso's thoughts as she rolled them around in her head. Rather then answer right away, she turned back to her work. All the houses in the village were damaged from the time spent without anyone in them. Each one needed work in order to make them livable. Which was why she had come with plenty of lumber, nails, tools, and other building supplies. "Why am I here..."

Slowly, the hannya nodded. "That is what I am wondering."

After a moment, Aso hammered the nail again. "I am here because I wish to be here, to help you. All of you."

Eyebrows furrowing, the Hannya shook her head in confusion. "But why?"

The head of the nail coming flush against the lumber, Aso checked her work before nodding. "Because, back in Kure at the moment I am not... neither wanted nor needed at the moment. No one would really care outside my Kaa-San and a handful of others that I have disappeared to parts unknown. I took leave for the week and will be staying here out of sight... how many would prefer."

Her eyes widening, the Hannya sucked in a breath. "But... that is not right! Why would they not care where you disappeared?"

Climbing down the ladder, Aso let out a sigh. "Due to... things that I have done, I am afraid. I will admit that I am at fault for a certain reputation that I currently have. A fault that I am now ashamed of greatly, for I realize how wrong I was at the time."

A frown on her face, the Hannya tilted her head. "Fault? For what, Aso-Sama."

Simply rolling her shoulders, Aso then gave her a bitter smile. "For my own inability to accept that the past is just that. And that I should not be making excuses for it any more." Looking down at the hammer in her hands, the Carrier felt not the weight of it. But rather the weight of many other sins that bared down on her shoulders. "A lesson that I have learned now, one which has marked me."

In the eyes of the Hannya there was a look as if she could almost guess what that was. Then her face softened as much as it could. "Was it due to..."

Taking a deep breath, Aso continued to look at the hammer. "Hai. I was a victim of those people... long ago, or those like them. At the time, I wanted my death to mean something, for it not to be due to madness. It has colored the views that many have had in regards to me... And thanks to what that happened, I was forced to see the image in the twisted mirror before me for what it was, and not what I had wanted for it to be."

Only nodding, the Hannya sighed. "I see, I do not blame you for such thoughts, Aso-Sama. After all..."

When the Hannya had trailed off, Aso looked towards her. "What?"

Looking into the distance, the Hannya was silent for some time. When she did, her voice sounded so small. "After all, I do not think that there was one of us who did not have such thoughts, until they were finally forced from us due to the darkness we were under. I..."

Aso took a step and placed her hand on the other female's shoulder. "Suki-San, you do not need to say any more."

Much to her surprise though, Suki shook her head and gave her a teary look. Taking the Carrier's hands in her own, she swallowed. Eyes locked on the pale, clawed hands, the former human shuddered a bit. "All of us who had lives before those monsters twisted us into what we are now. We all wondered if there was something that we had done to deserve it. If we were at fault for what happened... if there was a reason for all the torture we were put through."

Eyes widening some, Aso's stared at her. "Suki-San..."

Her yellow eyes now meeting Aso's, the Hannya had an understanding look. "For so long, each one of us when brought in went through... stages, in our darkness. Tried to convince ourselves that there was something there, that it was not for madness and pure evil. That what happened to us would bring some good to Japan, to the world. That the world was right for what happened... And each one would be slowly, painfully stripped away by reality. Until there was nothing there. Nothing more then the fact that we suffered because there was no reason. There was no good in what happened to us. Being transformed as we were and to be... used... by those men. Nothing more then a way to breed their soldiers. Watching as our sons were taken from us when young, only to see them once they had been made into yet more monsters. To know that our daughters were only seen as yet more ways of creating an army."

Gently, Aso tightened her hand on Suki's. "I... I am sorry. I know that those oni I killed were your children and-"

Shaking her head, Suki let some tears escape. "They were not our children, Aso-Sama. Not anymore, all that was left were twisted beasts. If anything, we believe that you freed them as much as you freed us. And... and we think that they are now at peace. That they were saved because their lives on this Earth were ended before they truly committed evil that would have stained their souls. For that, we thank you and the Kami."

Just closing her eyes, Aso felt some wetness in her eyes. "I wish that there was another way."

With a slow nod, Suki sighed. "As do we all, Aso-Sama, so do we know. But this was for the best. And we are now free. Not just those of us such as myself, but also our daughters. All playing in the light of Amaterasu's Sun, breathing the free, clean outside air. Eating a fill of food, good food, instead of just scraps!" Reaching up, she placed her hand on Aso's cheek which made the shipgirl open her eyes. "And we have you to thank for it."

Placing her own hand over Suki's, Aso swallowed. "Yet..."

Suki though shook her head. "As I said, we understand, Aso-Sama. All of us went through the same thing. Each one of us, believed as you had. And while, perhaps, we might not have said anything but to each other, I can easily see us, if in the outside during those times, doing much the same as you had all but said."

Openly her eyes, Aso's met Suki's and saw nothing but understanding there. Understanding... and sympathy. Pulling her into a hug, Aso gave a nod. "Thank you, and as I have stated I will protect you. From any and all who would harm you."

Hugging her back, Suki gave a chuckle. "I know this, Aso-Sama. You have done so much since you have brought us here to this hidden place. Though we have worried for you, sneaking around as you have."

The Carrier pulled back some and shook her head. "I would not worry, no one pays attention to me if they can. Which is why I am the only one that knows that you are all here. And I will do my best to make sure that it remains such unless absolutely necessary." Both of them stood there for a bit before Aso pulled back and coughed, wiping her eyes while doing so. Something that Suki pretended to not notice. "Yes, well... I really must get started on the next bit of repairs."

Just humming, Suki tilted her head to the side with a slight curl of her lips. "Yes, some of the walls do need repairs and I believe that your crew are already with preparations to cut the drywall and begin to put it up."

Clapping her hands, Aso nodded as they walked around the building and the shipgirl could see some of the younger hannya with pinwheels in their hands. They were laughing as the pinwheels turned in the wind. Those that caught sight of Aso gave waves, with her waving back with a smile on her face.

At the same time, the weight on her shoulders lifted just a bit more.