Harry Potter & the Shipgirls

[darthcourt10]

Savato93

Sunny let out a long, deep sigh, sinking up to her neck into her bathtub. "Oh yeah… that really hits the spot."

Nuri sat on the rim of the tub beside her, content to let just her feet soak for now. Their other humanoid sisters lounged in the larger group bath nearby, while the destroyers were outside getting a nice hosing-down. After getting a nice hot meal to refill their tanks, it felt especially good to clean off all the blood, sweat and gunpowder that had accumulated on their trek. "It was awfully nice of the shipgirls to let us rest in their repair baths," Nuri mused. "Even if we are allies, I figured they would be reserved for the defenders here."

The Demon shrugged. "Perhaps we just got lucky, and nobody's in need of repairs at the moment. But beyond that… well, we did have to cut through some hostiles on our way here. Every enemy Abyssal we sink is one less ship free to harass scouts, threaten supply lines, so on and so forth. Even if we're just defending ourselves, we're helping them out." She gestured to the water. "This could just be their way of repaying us."

"True, true."

The girls were quiet for a few minutes, just basking in their nice hot bath after such a long trek. Eventually, there was a splash as Sunny sat up, suddenly tense. "Hey, that thing we found—is it on its way to Mom?"

Nuri simply nodded. "Packed it in a crate, labeled it a potential biohazard, and gave it to the scout plane I sent ahead of us to warn we were coming. It should be arriving in Yokosuka right around now."

Sunny relaxed with a small sigh. "Okay. Okay." She shuddered a bit. "That thing… just looking at it felt all kinds of wrong. Even after I ripped it out of the Re-class's chest, I could still feel it… pulsing, in my hand. Like it was alive. Like some kind of parasite."

"Probably not too far off from the truth," Nuri agreed with a look of disgust. "Lord only knows how Mother will react to it…"

XXXXXXXXXX

Hoppou could feel her every hair standing on end, staring at the drum sitting in front of her.

Initially, she'd been curious—hearing that her girls had found something strange while en route to Hawaii, and had sent it back to her to examine—but her curiosity immediately turned to dread, when she saw the biohazard label slapped on the drum that the military transport had brought her. Her unease was not helped by the attached note: Sunny, Nuri and their fleet had found what they could only describe as a "tumor", recovered from the corpse of an enemy flagship. A flagship whose entire bridge and CIC had apparently been remotely detonated.

Without even opening the container, Hoppou's gut was telling her that a certain Princess was behind this. Messing with an Abyssal's insides, planting bombs in them, putting in stuff that didn't belong… disgusting. If she'd known beforehand that the Mad Scientist Princess could bring herself back from the dead, she would have made sure to definitively end her the first time they met, all those years ago…

Hoppou huffed, shaking her head. There was no point worrying about what she should've done in the past. At least she knew what would have to be done, if she ever met that monstrous Princess in the future. For now… she had to figure out her tricks, make sure she didn't pose a threat to her friends and family.

And that started with whatever was in this drum.

Hoppou looked around her one last time, inspecting the warehouse she was occupying. She'd asked Admiral Goto for someplace secluded and out of the way, where she could work on this thing—and, if it somehow became necessary, neutralize it without someone getting hurt. It was well-lit enough for her to work, and rather loosely furnished, with just a work table and some chairs. A couple of shipgirl guards were stationed outside to back her up, should the need arise, but she didn't think it would be necessary.

Everything was pretty much set. Without further ado, Hoppou summoned her rigging, reached out, and cracked the lid off of the drum.

The drum was, predictably, fueled with oil. More intriguing, though, was the amorphous blob floating on top. It was about the size of a softball, and almost seemed to be… pulsating. Hoppou shuddered, feeling sick just looking at the thing… but she quashed that feeling. She had work to do. She reached into the drum and scooped the mass out of the oil, bringing it closer for inspection. Several of her imps surrounded the mass, poking and prodding it, running various tools across the surface.

Through their readings, she found the outside of the blob was a semipermeable membrane, taking in various compounds and such to sustain it. She was mildly surprised; she had been expecting to find damaged blood vessels somewhere. A quick check online had told her tumors need a blood supply to survive and grow… but this thing had none. So this was something else. An independent entity, that was nonetheless implanted inside an Abyssal, leeching off of her.

What could it be, Hoppou wondered. The preliminary signs pointed to it being some kind of symbiote… but for what purpose? Was it just a mass of unspecialized tissue, programmed to replace a vital system of it was damaged or destroyed? Was it some biological equivalent to a battery, storing energy for an Abyssal to run on if their fuel tanks were empty? A backup system to preserve memories and knowledge for sunk ships' replacements? So many possibilities…

Hoppou brought her free hand to her mouth, pulling away her mitten and setting it aside; this let her properly grip the syringe she then produced. Slowly, gingerly, she pressed the needle against the surface of the mass until it broke through, extracting just a few milliliters of the fluid within. Sample secure, she passed the syringe off to her rigging's mouth, which swallowed it whole.

It took less than a minute for her imps to process the sample… and her eyes widened at the results. They had extracted some genetic information (at least, the Abyssal equivalent) from the fluid—genetic information that matched up perfectly with a sample she'd archived years ago. One she obtained after violently dismembering its owner.

This symbiote was derived from the Research Princess herself.

Immediately, the many possibilities of what this mass might be, had narrowed to one. Hoppou quickly pulled out a scalpel and sliced open the mass to reveal what was within:

An embryonic Abyssal.

Hoppou could taste bile in the back of her throat. Her suspicion had been confirmed; this… this thing was how that wretch defied death. She made herself into a parasite—planted little undeveloped copies of herself into her own ships, letting them fester and leech from their unwilling (if not unknowing) hosts. And if someone managed to take her out, she would be reborn… almost certainly killing her own ships in the process.

Hoppou began to tremble… tremble in pure rage, at her revelation. She didn't think it was possible, but that monster was even more vile than she imagined—more than just being willing to experiment on her own followers, she was perfectly happy to steal their lives to replace hers. How many Abyssals out there had these ticking time bombs in them, just waiting for that one unlucky roll of the dice to select them to be their Princess's next sacrifice for rebirth?

Even a single victim was too many, in her eyes.

Preoccupied with her own horror and disgust, Hoppou didn't notice the mass in her palm beginning to shift. Deprived of its original host and with its protective layers compromised, a failsafe in the embryo had just been triggered. There was no chance of the Research Princess reviving with this 'seed'... but that didn't mean it couldn't still have some use to her. In lieu of receiving her mind and soul, the embryo was now set to follow a simple set of instructions: Consume the nearest biomass, grow to full maturity, and deal as much damage to its surroundings as possible before something killed it.

Hoppou was snapped from her loathing trance by a sudden barrage of alerts from her imps. The parasitic mass was beginning to move, to spread. Looking down, she was startled to see thin black tendrils extending from the mass, growing over her mitten; she also saw that the incision she'd made in the membrane had mysteriously sealed itself. She quickly wrung her hand, trying to fling it off, but it had firmly attached itself to her mitten. On a reflex, she tried to swat at it with her free hand like it was a fly.

She immediately regretted the decision, as she felt searing pain on the back of her bare hand—the mass's tendrils beginning to burrow into her skin the moment they came into contact.

Feeling this abomination's tendrils sinking into the flesh of her arm, trying to violate her very being, the little Princess's reaction was instant and violent—she released all her self-imposed restraints, asserting herself fully on the world.

For several seconds, every living thing within a hundred yards of the warehouse stopped dead in their tracks… unable to breathe, as they felt the weight of her aura pressing down on them, threatening to crush them. There was a sound almost like a shriek as the Princess's body flipped the tables on the would-be parasite—using the link it had made between them to worm into its heart, consume it from the inside out—and utterly purged it from her being. With a fling of her arm, Hoppou cast off the loosened mass of malignant tissue, letting it hit the floor with a wet splat several meters away. Her physical boundaries secured, Hoppou quickly reined herself back in, suppressing her aura until she once more gave off the air of an innocent girl… leaving a couple dozen people suddenly able to breathe again, as they tried to process what the fuck just happened.

Hoppou looked down at herself, inspecting the spot on her wrist the parasite had tried to attach itself. There was some mild inflammation on her skin, and it was uncomfortably itchy, but her imps were reporting all-clear; she wasn't going to be contracting or spreading anything anytime soon. Rubbing her wrist, Hoppou looked over to where the parasitic embryo had hit the ground—

And froze.

The mass was still moving.

More than that, it was getting bigger.

Hoppou called on all her weaponry, training it on the mass, which seemed to be growing an inch or so in diameter every few seconds. The Research Princess's seed, it seemed, was trying to take form without a host. A part of Hoppou wanted to just blast it now, erase it from existence before it could emerge and pose a threat. Another part of her wanted to call for the shipgirl guards outside to back her up, to help contain the cloned Abyssal. But she held her fire, and her tongue… because a much bigger, much louder part of her wanted the Princess to emerge, so she could vent her hatred and disgust at the witch's utter depravity.

She wouldn't get that chance, however.

As the mass reached the size of a beach ball, it suddenly stopped. Hoppou furrowed her brow in wary confusion; had it run out of fuel for its growth? Because if not, that couldn't be the full size—even if she curled up into a ball, the Research Princess wouldn't have been able to fit in it. But she kept her weapons trained regardless, as the mass began to move more energetically, the Abyssal within struggling to tear out of its sac. After just a few strong thrusts, the thin membrane split open, revealing what lay within…

But it was not the Research Princess.

It was a little girl.

With features almost identical to her own.

 

[darthcourt10]

RCNAnon

Weasley's Warship Workshop 13

Passel House, Southern England

November 4th, 2013

Duke of York woke to the smell of ambrosia, the scent of a rich, dark coffee (her delight and shame when compared to her sisters) and the delightful mixed smell of fried meat and vegetables that was a proper English breakfast. Having gotten back in late last night after a patrol, she'd not taken the time to eat a full meal and instead had ingested what Victoria had ready before a quick dip in the repair baths and then passing out in bed. Slowly blinking her eyes to wakefulness as her status reports came in, she was surprised to see a shock of red hair on the person sitting next to her bed with a rather large tray of food.

"Ron, what are you doing here?" she said, quite surprised to see him there, "It's a Monday, don't you need to be at school?"

"Good morning to you too Duke," he said with a grin, handing over the cup of coffee to her, which she promptly scooted upright for, took and sipped at without a further word. It would not do to criticize Ron over that matter. He might not do it again and as the taste of proper navy coffee filled her mouth, she realized he'd somehow gotten Victoria to salt the water and not scrub the carafe so it tasted right, she was quite certain that whatever he'd done to get here was quite worth it.

As she finished her sip she let out a sigh and then let the smile she'd developed show on her face.

"Good morning Ron," she finally said properly, "It's a pleasure to see you, though also a surprise."

Ron smiled back to her and reached out to take her free hand and give it a squeeze.

"It's good to see you too Duke. Don't worry about school though, I have the Headmaster's permission to be here, though I have to head back relatively soon."

Duke nodded even as her hand squeezed Ron's in return. The three of them knew duty, though it was usually Warspite or Duke who had to do the leaving and not Ron. The taste was always bitter and not in the pleasant manner that her coffee was.

"So to what do I owe the pleasure?" she asked after another small sip of her coffee, "Not that I am complaining, mind." She nodded to her coffee and the food he had.

"It's your commissioning day," Ron said with a grin, "So I came to celebrate with you and give you a gift."

Duke's eyebrows rose at the comment, having not expected anything largely because she rarely bothered to celebrate such things.

"I see. What did you bring me?"

Ron grinned back at her and shook his head.

"Food first, then presents. Victoria would be mad if it went to waste."

Duke couldn't help but flare her nostrils with a snort but nodded and lifted her arms so Ron could properly set the tray over her legs, providing her with a place to set down her coffee.

Reaching out for the tableware, Duke paused for a second as one of her bridge fairies finally reminded her she wasn't in uniform. Rather, she spotted her own bare arms and reminded she was in her nightie. Perfectly safe for Ron to see of course as it covered everything important but still… her face flushed slightly as she began slicing a sausage open to eat along with some of the eggs.

The meal was very much up to standard, clearly having been prepared on time so that Ron could bring it to her just after it finished. Which meant he'd been here long enough for that to happen and she smiled at the young man who had helped to bring her out of her self imposed shell of isolation.

As she ate Ron pulled three packages up from the side of the bed, which were all wrapped in red paper with a white string. The larger one was big enough it could be many things, though Duke didn't know what Ron could have bought her. The second was smaller, though not all that small and the third… was small enough to be something like a jewelry box, which was quite the surprise.

She raised her eyes up to Ron's with a questioning eyebrow raise even as she ate.

In response he simply grinned at her with the cheeky smile he could still so very easily manage and gestured to her food.

"When you're done," he said.

A race between propriety and her own wishes to discover what Ron had brought her found propriety losing, as she was also still rather hungry. Barely five minutes had passed after Ron handed her the food and the entire extra large plate was gone with hardly any effort.

Wiping her lips with the provided napkin, Duke looked up to see Ron smiling at her once more, the memory of a previous conversation dancing in her head.

"Don't say it," she said, her cheeks flushing slightly.

"I wasn't going to say anything," he said, handing over the stack of presents, "You'll want to start from the top and work down."

The bottom one seemed to be the heaviest, judging by the fact the pile had a decent bit of weight to it. Duke carefully unwrapped the ribbon holding all three together and took the top package as Ron had said. Opening the paper up in her own deliberate manner, she was somehow not surprised to see an actual jewelry box inside. What did surprise her was what was inside as she opened it.

The shine of silver hit her eyes immediately as the lid rose, nestled inside a perfectly crafted red velvet hollow. The hair clip resting there was quite possibly the nicest she'd ever seen, more than likely hand made and perfectly formed in a long curve perfectly suited for someone with a mass of hair they had to contain. What truly took her breath away was even more finely crafted etching on top of it. Her ships heraldry, done in gold and a few small precious stones. Whoever had done it must have used tiny tools but even the "Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense" was visible if quite fine to the visible eye.
Spoiler: Hair Clip

Heraldry

Hair Clip

"Ron… you shouldn't have," she said as she held the clip in her hand, "The cost alone..."

"Was less than you think," said the red head, letting his hand rest on her arm. "Not to mention you didn't say a thing when I got Warspite her earrings."

Duke closed her mouth at that, as she most definitely had not said anything when Ron gifted Warspite the lovely earrings which she wore when she had an appropriate chance. She wasn't an expert on jewelry by any means but… it still seemed like the hair clip would be more. However she quickly quashed that thought and smiled at Ron.

"No I didn't. Thank you Ron this is lovely." Delicately putting the clip back in its resting place and setting it on her night stand.

"The rest of this must be quite amazing if that was the first thing you had me open." Duke glanced back up at Ron as merely smiled at her. The look sent her boilers fluttering in a far from unpleasant manner as her hands pulled more insistently at the package.

Inside was a piece of clothing that she herself had picked out, a mix of slightly elastic red and black paneling that was designed to do one thing, keep her upper body secure. The addition of crisscrossing silver and gold thread did nothing to detract from the look, the odd shapes that she didn't understand laid out in semi-regular patterns. She raised it up out of the packaging, eyes taking everything in as she turned the garment over in her hands.

"You did it..." she said, no small amount of wonder in her voice.

"It took longer than I wanted, between the sewing and learning the runes properly but I did promise."

Duke looked over as Ron scooted closer to her, one package remaining between them.

"The last one's the best though."

Duke opened her mouth to ask what could be better than this but her breath caught in her throat as the utter sincerity of Ron's voice fully registered. Quickly but properly the sports bra was folded and put back in its box, then set to the side.

Her hands were barely kept from trembling as she took the last package and peeled it open with the utmost care, as if she expected it to fall to pieces at a touch. Inside the package was an exquisite if plainly bound leather cover with a simple but well made clasp holding it close. She stared at it for a full minute as water gathered at the corners of her eyes and her hands took in the fine texture, hesitant to even open it.

A mixture of emotions ran through her too fast to catalog, most unbelieving, a few still doubting herself and more than a few bright threads of happiness. Perhaps it had been unfair of her to not believe mere words but this… this was something else.

Her revere was broken as the bed shifted and Ron leaned up against her. Her arm automatically went around him and pulled him closer, his head nestling on her shoulder.

"It's real, I promise," he said softly, sounding as if he completely understood why she might hesitate.

"I know..." her voice was even softer, barely a whisper as she leaned down and kissed the top of Ron's head, "I know."

A few seconds later her free hand finally reached out and popped the clasp, flipping open the cover to reveal "Duke of York" in fine, handwritten script on otherwise perfectly clear parchment. She let her hand run over it carefully, knowing that there would be no smudging on the magically preserved page.

"It's lovely," she said, her voice having regained some of its strength.

"You haven't even opened most of it," Ron's voice said with a bit of humor in it.

"I know it's lovely because you never short work like this," she said with a firm conviction.

Ron murmured something rather inaudible to her that sounded like an affirmation anyway. Smiling to herself she let her hand flip through the pages slowly, not picking any particular one but choosing at random. A boiler room here, her bridge there, one of the sailors berths further in. Near the end she found the full size fold out of her hull, carefully pulling the page open so she could look at her own lines like she'd more than once looked jealously at Warspite's.

"I can't put in to words how much this means to me Ron," she finally said as she closed and flipped the clasp shut on the book.

"You don't need to," he said softly, "It's just like how you've supported me and..." he gestured to the room around them.

Duke smiled and leaned her head down so it rested against Ron's. She wasn't embarrassed for once, as it was one thing to cuddle with someone you had feelings for. It was quite another to cuddle with someone you were in love with and had shown they did in undeniable proof. Time passed and she didn't bother to check her chronometer until Ron stirred against her.

"Time to go?" she asked him.

"Unfortunately. I can still make my classes if I leave soon but I don't want to push it, Dumbledore is generous so I don't want to take advantage of his goodwill."

Duke nodded against him, letting her head rise up from his as he turned his head towards her.

"I'm glad you liked your presents," he said, a smile on his face showing happiness that simply made her boilers even hotter than normal.

"Thank you again for them," she said, as her hands touched leather once more, "All of them."

Ron grinned and nodded, standing up from the bed. Duke tugged the covers off and followed, her nightie going down to her knees as she stood to follow after him.

"I'll see you again soon," he said as he leaned in for a hug.

"I can't wait," she said, pulling back slightly after, "I think I'm going to have something to show you soon as well."

Ron's eyebrow quirked up at that but Duke managed to just grin at him for once and his own smile turned to simply pleased.

"I'll look forward to it then," he said.

Struck by sudden impulse, Duke's hands tightened around Ron's back for a moment.

"Until then..." she said leaning down closer…

Ron made it to his classes on time but for some reason even in Potion's class he had a smile.

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

AN: PLEASE WATCH ANY AND ALL COMMENTS MADE ABOUT THIS SNIP GIVEN THE CHARACTERS INVOLVED. SNIPS ON RON ARE GOING SLOW FOR A REASON.

That being said, I hope you all enjoyed and please feel free to comment otherwise.

 

[darthcourt10]

lt_agn02

It had been less than an hour than the almost fatal radio transmission, noted Aso. A six-ship girl team had intercepted the convoy and her fleet and brought it to a halt, each one inspecting everything with stern faces.

One of the bigger ones, an Iowa-class, she believed, sailed up to Guam. Out of curiosity, the Japanese carrier fished what looked like a segment of bamboo out of her pocket and placed it to her ear.

"Name, sailor?"

"USS Guam, CB-2, ma'am!" Guam answered.

The larger battleship jotted something down in her notebook. "Your itinerary says there are supposed to be six of you. Counting Skipjack, there are only five. Status?"

Guam pointed up at the bridge. "She's new, so we sent her upstairs to study the charts."

"And...care to explain the shit talking I heard over the radio?"

The large cruiser gulped. "Shit talking? I didn't do any shit talking."

The battleship crossed her arms. "Then why have I heard Brooklyn call Aso a piece of shit multiple times over the past few days? I heard you all the way from The Dungeon!"

While the battleship continued to rip the fleet a new one and sounding more and more like a battleship broadside at point blank range, Aso painfully put Yuubari's experimental "pocket sonar" back in her...pocket and sighed. This was her first assignment outside of Japan and it was already falling apart.

A certain distance away, a lieutenant entered the bridge with a cup of hot cocoa in his hand. He noticed the girl at the window just as he took a sip.

"Aso?" He asked. "You're still up here? I thought you hit the water as soon as Guam gave the password."

The girl chuckled sarcastically for a moment. "Well...I thought so too, but…"

The lieutenant nodded as he set his drink down. "Yeah, I kinda figured as much. I honestly don't blame them for keeping you up here, but they could have at least shown a little tact. Especially Brooklyn over there."

Aso nodded. "Guam said I almost got us all killed."

The lieutenant walked towards the window and grimaced at the sight below. "Yikes. I can hear Missouri from here."

"...Hai."

"Let me guess...Guam never told you the password, right?"

"...Hai…"

Shrugging, the lieutenant took another sip of his cocoa. "I swear, it's all the time with that girl. I wonder if she inherited Alaska's derpiness."

"Alaska's...what?"

"Honestly, it's not the first time she forgot to tell everyone the password. Then again, most of the time, the people assigned with her already know it. Try not to hold it against her, okay? She's normally a good girl, but sometimes I don't think her head is screwed on right."

She nodded, unable to say a word. For a short while, the two stood in silence. The lieutenant searched a few of the logbooks and retrieved a supply manifest. Aso simply watched Missouri tear her fleet a new one.

"... shore, I'll deal with you four later." Turning around to her fleet, Missouri pointed to the cargo ship. "Secure the transports. I want nothing getting in or out until we get to Pearl. Skipjack already knows submarine procedure. If a sub doesn't surface, either keep it down or put it down." She turned her head to the bridge of the ship. "Ahoy there! Aso, right? We're within operational range of the Coast Guard. Come on down and stretch your legs."

Aso jumped up and peered her head out the window. "Really? Can I?"

"I wasn't asking. Now let's go! You're not gonna get a good view of the sea if you stay up there all day!"

The Japanese carrier somehow found a small smile on her face. "Yes, ma'am!"

As she went to dash out the door, she stopped just as the lieutenant was about to exit the bridge to deliver the supply manifest. "You look like you're in a better mood. Missouri called you down?"

Aso nodded. "Hai!"

Nodding, he flattened himself against the wall to give her room. "Go get 'em, tiger."

"Hai!"

The moment she heit the water, Aso skated over to Missouri, who gave her a salute. "You're Aso, correct?" The battleship asked.

The carrier replied with "Y-Yes, ma'am!"

"I'm Missouri of Pearl Harbor." Missouri placed her hand to her chin. "I heard a lot about you from Arizona. She calls you 'The Jingoistic Jackass'."

The carrier's face flushed red. "I-I'm not that bad! ...I think…"

"When I was told by her and Admiral Smith that you would be stationed at Pearl, I had some concerns about your behavior, I will admit."

Aso visibly shrank.

The battleship crossed her arms. "But in the end, I made a bet with Arizona that by the time you go back to Japan, I would make you at least meet her standards. After all, if Pennsy can't be cured of her own negative feelings about the Japanese after 70 years, there's not much that can be done in 6 months."

"T-That's not…"

"Listen. We all have feelings leftover from the war. But negative feelings like resentment and shit don't matter as much as getting the job done. We aren't all shonen protagonists that can befriend everybody. What we need are people that can put their differences and feelings aside to get the job done, preferably without pissing everybody off." Missouri leveled a sideways glare to Brooklyn, who just gave her the finger.

Sighing, the Iowa class put her face in her palm. "I heard a lot of other things, but let's save stuff like introduction and backstory for later. We have work to do and I already wasted enough time. You'll be getting a feel for things out here. Send scouts, then do what you need to adjust. Whatever you do stay within sight of the convoy, all right? We're still in open ocean."

Aso nodded, peeling away from the transport ship to a comfortable distance where she could launch her air group. Taking a deep breath, she took an arrow from her quiver and set in on her bow. Before she pulled the bowstring back, she sent a glance to the battleship. One nod later, and the air group was in the sky.

The radio in the girl's ears crackled to life. 'Aso, this is your first time this far away from Japan, right?' Missouri asked.

'Y-Yeah.'

'Okay. Even though there are friendly Abyssals doing their part to keep the routes clear, we're still in highly contested waters here, so send your scouts on a 360 degree two-phase search pattern and check for enemies in all directions. If they spot anything, report it immediately. We need a CAP too. Think you can manage?'

'Please don't underestimate me! I can at least manage that much!'

'Now that's music to my ears. We'll be counting on you, Aso. Oh, and I'm not quite familiar with Japanese scouting procedures, but you're launching specialized scout planes, right?'

'Hai?'

'When you send out the second phase, send out bombers so you can hit them when you see them.'

'Understood.'

For the next few hours, Aso continued the pattern she learned in training. Launch, patrol, retrieve.

Launch, patrol, retrieve.

Launch, patrol, retrieve.

Each time, she found mostly huge tracts of empty ocean.

Despite the monotony of it all, she sighed in relief. It was a quiet convoy, one where she was able to relax in spite of being forced to stay topside. In hindsight, considering the squall a few days ago, it might have been more than reasonable. When that happened, the carrier couldn't make left, right, or tails of where she was. The wave height didn't help either.

Now, in peaceful waters, the carrier felt herself relax as…

'Missouri-san! I have an enemy contact!' Aso shouted into her radio. 'Abyssals coming in from the north!'

'Composition?'

'Three light cruisers, two destroyers, and a light carrier!' So much for quiet, Aso groaned internally. 'Scout bombers are beginning their run.'

'All right. Focus your efforts on that fleet. We'll pick up where you left off in scouting. Our ETA to Pearl is about three hours. Keep sending updates.'

For some while, the Japanese carrier kept fighting. Once her bomber group confirmed all six enemies were sunk, she felt a sigh of relief leave her lips.

Maybe things were going to turn out okay.

"Hey, Aso," a heavy cruiser, Salem, gestured the girl to come closer. "Close up the formation. We're coming into Pearl now."

The carrier suppressed a gulp as she headed to the vanguard of the formation.

Slowly but surely, mountains began to rise over the horizon. The island of O'ahu rose above the sea in all its splendor. Despite everything, it was going to be her home for the next six months. The closer she got, the more she could make out the details on the island and confirm them with her CAP.

The tall buildings of Waikiki were gone. None of the urbanization from the photos she studied back in Japan stood the test of Abyssal bombardment. Hell, almost nothing near the shore did.

Yet, as she looked to the store, she confirmed it. Multiple stone structures surrounded the southern entrance of Pearl Harbor, each one as circular as possible. Using her scout plane, she ordered as many pictures taken as possible. If she could analyze them, it would be useful. As soon as her planes landed, she moved to the port side of the ship, as per Missouri's orders.

Within moments, the fleet passed through the mouth of the harbor, coming face-to-face with a pristine white monument.

"Fleet, present arms!" Missouri commanded.

The ship girls extended a salute, Aso included. While she may not have participated in the attack, she knew what the monument was. It wasn't just the remembrance of a certain day. It wasn't just the product of a rock star that wanted to preserve history. It was more than that. Even as a Japanese carrier, she knew.

For the sailors and marines that day, that monument is their tombstone. By which all of them would be remembered.

Always.

 

[darthcourt10]

Wildredlifer

Excerpt of Meeting between Norihara M.D and Hoppou regarding the Survivors of Unknown Abyssal Princess.


Norihara: The Abyssal Tissue is showing no signs of Degradation or Rejection, Any theories Hoppou?

Hoppou: Sick but Brilliant.

Norihara: Hoppou?

Hoppou: What she created was a programmable tissue that was designed to Analyze, Imprint, Improve or Overwrite whatever it was implanted into.

Hoppou: It would imprint then mimic whatever it was attached to and begin to spread repairing Damage and improving to peak performance as it goes.

Hoppou: My examinations of both the Children and Adults have determined that the tissue was first applied to the abyssal implants.

Hoppou: Which was then Grafted onto them fortunately though the Biological discrepancy of the initial imprint greatly slowed the tissues repair and overwrite function.

Norihara: Slowed down the Overwrite Function? I thought she just grafted various abyssal bits on them for her perverse amusement.

Hoppou: It would have been bad enough if it was just that alone. but what tissue was doing was converting the human tissue into the class of Abyssal it initially imprinted on.

Hoppou: If she significantly improves this and gains access to a significant number of people the number of abyssals she could field could grow significantly.

Norihara: Converting human tissue into abyssal? The scans and biopsy of the surrounding tissue show no signs of that Hoppou.

Hoppou: Oh it's doing that all right luckily I've been able to modify it for the adults so the Tissue runs off the Human blueprint with the Tissue improving and strengthening them and removed the Neurological Programming embedded in it. Which means they won't become abyssals.

Hoppou: The Children, on the other hand, I cannot fully apply the fix for adults on them.

Norihara: Why can't you fully apply the cure the adults have on the children?

Hoppou: Ageing is one of the things that the Tissue would eliminate if I applied the same cure on the children as adults.
Hoppou: Though Removing the Neurological overwrite and slowing the process as much as possible gives me more time to research possibilities.

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A Courtship in Emerald (XI)

Potter Manor

25 May, 1945
Spoiler: Leaving For America

Zamarad aibnatu Alnaar took a deep breath as her eyes locked on the enchanted ring hanging on the golden chain from Delilah's neck. She closed her eyes and then opened them as she looked at her hostess. "Ila-liqaa' (Until we meet again)"

Lyra hugged her gently. "Please write once you get to America, dear."

Zamarad returned the hug of the elderly witch with tears in her eyes as she kissed her on each cheek in farewell. "I will, and thank you again for everything." Her eyes found those of the disguised scimitar as the 'House-Elf' waited at the door. "Thank you for being a friend to me when I was ripped away from so much that I am used to."

Only she saw the fractional nod and the shimmering tears in the eyes of the disguised Sabah.

With that she took a deep breath and turned to the love of her life. "I am ready to go."

Delilah nodded, and grasped the ring. Her lips moved as tears filled her eyes. "Forgive me for what must be done." With that she took a deep breath. "Please enter the ring until we come to my home."

Zamarad winced as she felt the energies linking her to the spells and enchantments binding her to the ring take hold of her very being.

She felt the freedom, the power, of the smokeless fire that she was a spirit of, unconstrained and unchecked save by her will and obedience to God's Law, be grasped by chains of magic.

Contained.

Controlled.

Shackled.

Made a servant for this voyage.

But never a slave.

Delilah would never allow it.

For an instant, as she reformed inside the ruby that was the focus of the enchantments shackling her, she thought that this must be what the lesser fires and energies that the Sons of Adam had called forth to power their machinery and industry must feel like.

As Zamarad looked up from the gemstone set in the ring, she saw unshed tears in the eyes of her beloved as Delilah threw Floo Powder into the fireplace. "Ministry of Magic, outbound checkpoint."

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

Ministry of Magic, London

As Zamarad watched with interest, a pair of wizards checked Delilah's travel paperwork and then sealed her travel trunks. "All clear Major de Breuil. And thank you for your service."

Delilah smiled slightly to them, "I served but so did you too. We all had our own part to play in the Great Crusade, and if you and yours did not stand against Naziism, well, who knows how the war would have gone?"

With that she entered the queue to the outbound transit portal.

As she stepped onto the platform, Delilah wiped tears from her eyes and her voice cracked as she spoke the words that she had dreamed of for four long years of war. "Woolworth Building, New York City." The flames flashed bright green and she squared her shoulders as she stepped into them to Floo back to her homeland.

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

Woolworth Building, New York City
Spoiler: MACUSA Headquarters


With a pop, Delilah de Breuil appeared in one of the Floo portals in the main arrival hall and stepped out, waving her wand to float her trunks behind her.

Inside the ring on her finger, Zamarad stared in awe at the massive Art Deco building around them as Delilah approached a checkpoint. Everything around her was so much larger and newer than she had expected.

"Business?" The uniformed Auror snapped out as his partner leved a wand at Delilah as per procedures.

Delilah handed over her orders and spoke formally. "Magical Congress of the United States Auror Major Delilah Naomi de Breuil reporting in from assignment to European Operations."

The Auror checked the paperwork meticulously as he compared it to a ledger. "Well ain't that some shit. Says here you ain't expected in until the First of August Ma'am."

Delilah facepalmed. "Great. Just great. Do me a favor and send a note saying that I'm back up to room 713 please Henry? Unless they moved Information Collection elsewhere while I was playing tag with Grindelwald."

The aforementioned Henry nodded. "Just take a seat over by the Memorial and I'll get someone down from your department to handle you, Delilah. Welcome back anyway. How bad was it?"

Delilah sighed deeply. "It was rough. Of the twenty who came over with me as volunteers, eleven are staying over there until and if Graves Registration ship them back to their families. And I have to tell Bearclaw's widow personally. Poor guy died in my arms."

"Ouch. At least all we have to worry about now is the Nips and some of Grindelwald's remaining fanatics." Henry agreed as he waved Delilah through.
Spoiler: Salem Memorial

The Muramasa revolver walked over to a set of statues of three women, one man and a child dressed in 17th century robes. She sat down and whispered to the curious Ifrit in the ring. "This is a monument honoring those of us who died at the hands of the No-Maj's during the Salem Witch Trials in 1692. It... left deep scars on American wizardry."

Zamarad silently nodded, her eyes intent on the statues as Delilah pulled a book of poetry that Lyra Potter had given her from her trunk and began to read.

Some time later, a brunette witch approached Delilah. "Delilah de Breuil, in the flesh no less."

Delilah looked up and smiled happily. "Tina Goldstein! I take it you got the memo that I'm in bureaucratic limbo?"

Tina nodded and sat beside her. "Yes, I got the memo. Do you want the good news or the bad news?"

Delilah shrugged. "Bad news first, I suppose."

"Your Wand Permit ran out in 1943 and you will have to reapply, Del. At least they put in a waiver for fighting the enemy overseas for Aurors and deputized wizards. Also, that will have to be done on Monday next in room 511." Porpentina Goldstein admitted, "we really didn't expect you back this soon. But since the people over in Europe don't need you, their loss is our gain."

Delilah winced, "Joy, Tina. So I'm supposed to sit on my hands until then?"

"Pretty much. The good news is that I authorized a Floo Travel Permit for you to head home and then return. Take this to the main transit station and present it, and it will take you home to see your mother." Tina grinned and handed over the paperwork.

"Aces!" Delilah smiled and hugged Tina. "I owe you one for this, Tina. I'll just grab the forms to fill out on the way out the door."

Tina returned the hug. "Tell you what. Next time you get into the Rotten Apple, we hit the Blind Pig and paint the town red a bit."

Delilah grinned smugly, "Gigglewater's on me!"

With that she headed to the desk containing the forms.

De Breuil Estate, Upstate New York
Spoiler: Homecoming

Delilah materialized in the familiar sitting room of the family estate as the Floo Portal flamed green.

Automatically she looked around the vacant room and then whispered, "you can come out now Zamarad". As the Ifrit manifested in a puff of flame, she took a deep breath and saw.

Her eyes flickered across the familiar antique oak side table with one leg showing the crude skull and crossbones that a five-year old her had carved into it while playing pirate with Aunt Jackie (and gotten a spanking for doing). The woven Navajo throw rug that she had picked up as a birthday present for Mother in 1881 from an Indian trader in Tombstone out in Arizona Territory. The family's silver dinner service that grandfather had commissioned from Paul Revere during a business trip to Boston in 1774 now displayed behind the glass of the sideboard. The Balm of Gilead trees through the window that her family had brought from the Old World to the New to put down roots here in a place free from religious persecution and open to potential.

Home.

With that, her eyes teared up and she sobbed brokenly as it all struck her like a bullet from her true body.

The news of Pearl Harbor and Schjetnan Reef hitting her like a thunderbolt on December 7th, 1941. The declaration of war against Germany and Japan, Grindelwald and Kamo. Volunteering her services to fight for freedom as the desire to liberate those in need flamed within her breast with an unquenchable fire. Meeting her sister Colombe in a London under siege from the air by the Nazis. Meeting Zamarad, and watching the jinn that she had fallen in love with get enslaved by the Nazis. Fighting in the Sleeper's Tomb to thwart the SS. Operations behind enemy lines alongside her sister in a Europe crying out for liberation. Jumping into Normandy. Battles. Watching enemies, allies, and friends fall around her. The church bells of Paris announcing liberation and seeing the citizens celebrate deliverance that they had only dared dream of. Seeing Colombe's tears when she returned to a home that Delilah had helped her liberate. Christmas under artillery fire in a foxhole holding the line against the Wehrmacht's last great push in the snow. The news that Hitler was dead reaching her in a muddy foxhole in Germany in the drizzling rain of a spring night. Storming the redoubt held by Grindlewald's die-hard fanatics. Returning to Zamarad's arms yesterday and falling into a flaming ocean of love and passion that night. The return to America.

Vaguely she felt those same warm arms supporting her as her mingled tears of joy and sadness flowed down her cheeks in an unstoppable torrent of emotion. Joy, sadness, fear, love, anger, peace, all those and more boiled within her breast with a tidal wave of emotions penned up for three and a half long years of war.

The red ball of the setting sun slowly sank into the west behind the ridges and valleys of the Allegheny Mountains as Delilah Naomi de Breuil, youngest daughter of Muramasa-no-Norimune, the Unrepentant Blade of the Mad Smith finally returned to the home that she had left to answer the call to arms of the trumpet blast of freedom. The last rays of sunlight turned Delilah's tears into flaming shards of crystal alongside the tears of wonder in the eyes of Zamarad aibnatu Alnaar as the Ifrit daughter of the jinn marveled at the first sight of her new homeland.

 

[darthcourt10]

WickedestCard

So, in lieu of a follow up snippet for my side stories, have a nice and silly crack omake with one Gambier Bay and what happens when MSSB and Magical Tiny Fairy Bullshit interact.
--------------------------------

What Happens when a Shipgirl and her Significant Other build Models.


In the San Diego Naval Base, much like many other bases around the world, one of the larger lightly or unused hangers had been converted for "Fairy Activities" use. It was essentially a place for Fairies to hang out and do non-urgent things such as training flights, group maneuvers, practicing on the radio as well as maintained on their tiny machines. They did non-military things such as broadcasting their own radio station, figuring out how to work and play on modern computers, showing off the exploits and crafts of their ships or even just relaxing at the fairy bar (though those that had been there were rather down that it didn't include the magical fairies like the popular hidden one at a certain magical school).

Today however the main event was the gathering and exhibition of the models built by the Shipgirls at San Diego. Naturally they were mostly militarily themed but they varied quite a bit, from a visiting Jersey's platoon of RC Marine Corps M48 Patton Tanks with actual working treads/suspension and cannon sounds (Crowning stopped her adding actual cannons to them) to Yorkteen's incredibly accurate flight squadrons from her mother's early training sessions. That didn't mean there weren't a large number of kinds models that included cars going from the 30's to the present, construction vehicles, civilian aircraft and even things like 40K miniatures and RPG figures.

Today though the center of attention was the detailed model of a F2M Wildcat and a F-5 Tiger fighter jet made by one Gambier Bay and her boyfriend. One noticeable feature about the two planes was that they were actually to scale to the fairies themselves. It did seem that model making companies were going in on capitalizing on Shipgirl popularity by making kits that could fit them as well as add-ons like custom decals. These two particular fighter models had on Gamby's fighter squadron numbers as well as retractable landing gear and even a sliding canopy and detailed cockpits. One of her fairies even managed to find a modern jet pilot's gear that fit him and was standing on the model to give information on it. None of them were too surprised when it was Gamby that did most of the detailing and fine work on it. Shipgirls tended to be very good when it came to making model kits and her boyfriend admitted that he himself didn't trust his hands to work on something like this.

SmolFloof was quite the happy Smol when she wheeled in the models on a tiny cart and set it up on the makeshift runway that was the usual stage for such models. She didn't stay long as she took her cart back to go get the Gunpla models. She smiled when her full size counterpart was on the receiving end of a nerd out and enthusiastic thank you from her boyfriend when he called back after opening his gifts. One which Gamby paid in full when she also started talking shop about the two planes he had gifted the Escort Carrier. It would soon prove to be an interesting time after the Smol left though.

As several other fairies came and admired the plane models and talked shop one fairy that was a bit too into eating their snack absentminded threw the balled up wrapper behind their shoulder. If anyone had been watching they would have seen the wrapper sail through the air and make it's descent into the F-5's cockpit. As it was, more than a dozen fairies jumped and yelled as the roaring sound of a turbine starting up overwhelmed the chatter.

"Hey!"
"Hey hey hey!"
"Hey!?"
"HEY!!!"

Panic started to spread throughout the hanger as the turbine fan picked up speed and the jet started proper. Mass of fairies fled the area as supposed model plane started to roll forward. However, the costumed fairy from Gambier Bay instead ran forward and hopped up to the fuselage and climbed into the cockpit. He took a quick look at the panel and controls to try and find a way to turn it off.

It was for nought as the plane suddenly lurched forward, speeding down the runway. On instinct he closed the canopy and settled into the seat and lurched the stick back all the while other fairies down the strip hurried to get the other models out of the way. Others scrambled to simply get out of the way. Half way down the runway the jet fighter managed get lift off of it's wheels and actually take flight, the roar of the jet engine rattling the makeshift mini hangers as it sped into past the entrance. The pilot even managed to a way to retract the landing gear as he soared into the sky, surprising a nearby Petty Officer and shipgirl as he banked hard right to avoid them.

As it turned out, he never did find a way to turn off the engine and simply had to wait for the fuel to run out and then glide back down the runway. Any relief the fairies felt at the ordeal being over was dashed quickly when a curious South Dakota appeared out of nowhere and grabbed the F2M, the F-5 and the fairy and made a run for her work shop.
-------

"I don't get it. For all intents and purposes this is just a well made and put together kit." a confused SoDak said as she peered at the model on her table.

"Uh...that's because it is Dakota. My boyfriend and I finished it a couple days ago. I don't see why you're so curious about it." a slightly befuddled Gambier Bay responded, not sure why she was called here.

"You weren't there Gamby, this plane flew! Actually flew and I swear it broke the sound barrier. Do you know what means for Shipgirl kind! The kind of advancements that could be made!" declared South Dakota as she started to enter the SCIENCE! Mode she and several other shipgirls were known for. Gamby however just kind of tilted her head nervously as she saw the science inclined shipgirl get that gleam in her eye. In fact, the gleam only grew as she looked between the blond carrier and the other two items she brought.

"Wait...if you two building the model could make it fly...then what about these robot models?" Dakota wondered out loud as she suddenly appeared next to another table, this holding the Gunpla models of the Wing Proto Zero and the Heavyarms EW. She took a careful hold of the brightly colored figure and inspected it closely.

SmolFloof at that though shook her head and jogged over to one of the computers in the room. She jumped around for a few seconds as the others watched her type something. Finally after a moment she stepped back and pointed importantly to the screen.

"Bay bay! Bay." She declared with certainty.

"Huh? What do you mean it'd be a bad idea...what is this video anyways? XXXG-00W0 Wing Gundam Zero?" the Battleship asked as the Smol played the video clip.
Spoiler: WING ZERO

Bonus Rhythm Emotion track

The short video was really just a quick run down on the Wing Zero from the show but what it did show the scientifically inclined battleship was the power of the twin Buster Rifle. After the video ended she took a look at the Gundam in her hand and gently took the weapon out of it's hand and inspected it as well.

"Hey Gamby? What scale is this model kit?" Dakota asked in a neutral and even tone of voice as she held the tiny plastic rifle.

"Uh...it's 1/100th to the full scale thing. But why Dakota?" the escort carrier replied, unsure of why the battleship would ask that.

"I see...hm. If I could figure out a way to sufficiently power it I may be able to find a way to mount it onto your rigging as a powerful offensive weapon! If it's even 1% of the power of the ones in the show it will one-shot almost anything!"

At those words SmolFloof facepalmed while Gamby just sighed as she tilted her head to the side again.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Brushing her twin's still damp hair from their bath, Ume hummed a little in thought, "What style of hairstyle should we use, Sakura-Nee? Perhaps a Shimada?"

For a few moments, Sakura considered the option before humming, "No, I think that we should keep that for a festival." A light blush came to her mind as she imagined her and her sister walking with Harry through such an event, the teenage boy in a Yukata and a sheathed sword at his side as such was still allowed on the magical side of the world. A true samurai and his ladies... It would be even nicer as the amount of festivals that the two had gone to could be counted on one hand despite everything, "Hai, I think that we should keep it for a festival."

Lightly blushing herself as she saw the image in her sister's mind, her twin nodded, "Indeed." Tilting her head as she continued to brush Sakura's hair, Ume smiled, "Perhaps we should invite Harry-Chan for Tanabata in Kyoto? Or perhaps for a day or two of Gion Matsuri?"

The blush deepening slightly on her cheeks, Sakura smiled, "I think that I would like that." Closing her eyes in enjoyment as she felt the bristles of the brush lightly scratch her scalp, she hummed, "Perhaps we should have our usual hime cut."

Just nodding as she considered that, Ume smiled, "Agreed." Leaning in, she sniffed a bit and smiled even more, "I do like the shampoos and soaps that Harry-Chan made us. They do smell like the flowers we share names with."

Expression brightening, her twin opened her eyes, "Hai! And this 'Sleekezy' that he provided us works wonders in keeping hair straight. Though we shall have to only use it when absolutely needed." That got her a hum from Ume before she turned as her sister finished. Sakura then picked up the comb made for Ume specifically and watched as her sister turned, "And now it is your turn, Ume-Nee."

At that, the other half of their Installation nodded and closed her eyes in quiet enjoyment as her sister began to comb her hair, later to be brush it as a finisher.

Roughly an hour later found the Twins finishing their paperwork to leave before smiling as Kitakami-Maru took said papers. Checking it quickly, the small shipgirl smiled back at them, "I hope that both of you enjoy your time in Scotland."

Glancing at each other, they giggled a bit, "We will."

With a final nod, the two entered the Vanishing Cabinet and as per the last time, there was no sense of movement as they closed the door. But soon enough, the door clicked and opened to reveal another room and as per the usual procedure that they had been briefed on, the Twins walked to where they knew that the stairs were. As they did so, Sakura tilted her head to the side with a look that contained both nervousness and excitement, "Well... we're in Britain, Ume-Nee..."

Slowly nodding, her twin had a thoughtful look on her face though she also had nervousness and excitement, "Hai." Chewing her lip, she looked back at the Vanishing Cabinet, "Though I am surprised that Aki-Kun does not have one of the male members of our family escorting us like..."

Understanding what she was saying, Sakura nodded, "Hai, like it was back then."

Both girls could remember the previous time that they alive during the 1920s. Neither of them were allowed to leave the family residence without one of the older relatives, usually male, going along with them. At times it could be... stifling. Hence their surprise that when told about their trip to Hogwarts, their little brother had simply smiled and told them to enjoy it. Neither were quite sure what to make of it after all...

After a few moments, Ume nodded, "I... suppose that it makes a certain amount of sense now. Young women of our age go to school alone after all, and out with friends without an older relative." Her lips twitched a bit as she remembered something and clenched her hand, "And it is not like we have much to worry about being able to harm us under normal circumstances."

Head cocked to the side, her twin smiled a little, "That is true, Ume-Nee. Very, very true." Also looking at her hand, she blinked a little, "It is sometimes hard to think just how strong we are now. With our abilities now..." Softly smiling, Sakura shook her head, "We truly are lucky to know Harry-Chan that he went through such for us and gave us such a gift."

Only nodding, Ume hummed some as they reached the stairs, though she noted that the basement was very clean, "Hai, that is true." The thought of the young man, no boy, never boy in their minds, brought some heat to both of their cheeks. And they could feel their boilers which powered the installation that they represented burn slightly hotter, "Perhaps..."

Simply nodding, Sakura smiled, "Perhaps." The two shared a look and some giggles as they climbed the stairs. A sudden thought occurred to Sakura and she placed a finger on her chin, "Perhaps Aki-Kun did not ask for a escort as we have one of sorts."

Blinking, her twin tilted her head some, "What do you mean?"

With a glance at her, Sakura became thoughtful, "Nagato-Sama and Hoppou-Chan are both coming along, are they not? Though it will be another half hour yet before they arrive. Perhaps Aki-Kun believed that they would be enough of an escort?"

Just considering that for a few moments, Ume nodded, "Perhaps."

Upon reaching the stairs and walking up them, they followed the directions to the desk to report in to, only for them to blink. Eyes wide, Sakura felt her cheeks flush and knew much the same was happening with her twin as Harry stood there talking with the young British soldier behind the desk, "Harry-Chan...?"

Turning, his face lit up at seeing them, "Sakura-Chan! Ume-Chan!" Quickly making his way over, Harry pulled them into a hug, "Welcome to Britain."

Even as they returned the hug, the two girls blinked before furrowing their eyebrows. Confused, Ume looked at him, "Harry-Chan? What are you doing here?"

Rather than be insulted, Harry was more amused by the question and smiled at them, "What else? I figured that I would come and greet you on your first journey overseas." If anything, that made the two turn a bit redder in the face. Head tilted to the side, Harry blinked, "Poi?"

Lips twitching, the two shared a look before giving him a kiss on the cheek, "Thank you, Harry-Chan."

It was shortly afterwards that the Twins completed their paperwork on this side of the Vanishing Cabinet and left with Harry. Though not before grasping his hands in their own as they walked outside. Exiting the house, the two looked around the English countryside curiously before they swallowed, which made Harry look at them, "Is something wrong?"

However, they shook their heads and smiled at him. Ume spoke for them both as they gave his hand a small squeeze, "No, Harry-Chan. It was just that this brings home the fact that we are not in Japan. Rather, we're in Britain now."

When he looked at her, Sakura nodded with a smile, "Hai, as Ume-Nee stated, it is now real to us. And this is... well, the furthest that either of us have ever travelled, I am afraid."

Giving their hands a squeeze back, Harry nodded, "Understood." Letting go of Sakura's hand, he pulled out a rope and held it up, "Right, well... this is the portkey to Hogwarts as a matter of fact. All we got to do is say the activation phrase and away we'll go..."

Shortly afterwards, the Twins grasped onto the rope and the thirteen year old spoke the activation phrase and they flew through a swirling vortex. On landing, Harry stumbled a bit as always, but the Twins did as well, nearly falling into him. Blushing, Ume and Sakura looked away as they steadied their feet, "Sorry about that, Harry-Chan."

Lightly blushing himself, Harry waved them off, "Don't worry about it, I'm not." Internally though, he had other thoughts, 'Thankfully, they're not mad at me... and it felt rather nice when they were pressed against me... Gah!' Proceeding to beat said thoughts using a chibi Harry with a giant spiked mace, outwardly the thirteen year old gave them both a smile and grasped their hands, "Anyways... just a bit of a walk to where the school is."

Finally, the Twins realized that they were not at the school, but rather on what looked like an old fashioned train platform. Eyebrows raising, they looked around in curiosity as Ume blinked, "Where are we, Harry-Chan?"

Chuckling, Harry smiled at them both, "We're on the platform for the Hogwarts Express as a matter of fact, Ume-Chan. This is where I get off the train at the start of the year and at the end of various holiday breaks and get back onto it at the start of holiday breaks and at the end of the year." Frowning a bit, he sighed, "Kind of wish that the train was here at the moment to show you."

Both girls gave him a smile before Sakura gently kissed him followed by Ume. Pulling back, they giggled a bit at Harry's stunned expression, "It is fine, Harry-Chan. Thank you anyways..."

Now snapping out of his stunned state, Harry cleared his throat a bit, "Um, right! So, if we'll walk this way..."

Soon, he was guiding them down a worn pathway with trees around it. Thankfully, it had not rained recently which meant that the path was dry and there was little chance of the girls getting their Kimonos wet or muddy. As they walked, the girls looked at the various flowers on the side of the path in interest. Often, they would bend down to examine them better before they would turn to Harry to ask the names of the flowers, which he answered easily.

Despite the time taken to walk along though, the three of them came into a sight of a bend in the path. Harry gave their hands a squeeze as he smiled, "Right around that bend is when you'll get your first view of Hogwarts. It's not nighttime, when all the lights are on, but..."

The Twins simply gave his hand a squeeze back and shook their heads, "That's fine, Harry-Chan."

Upon rounding the bend though, both of them gasped at the sight of the European Castle that laid on a small mountain across a dark, and deep lake. For several moments, the two just stared at the first magical school that they had truly seen before they turned to Harry. Kissing him on the opposite cheek of her sister, Sakura smiled at him, "Thank you, Harry-Chan. This... this means a lot to us."

Gently smiling, Harry just nodded, "I think that I know." Nodding his head towards the lake, he chuckled, "Anyways, we should get down to the shore of the Black Lake soon and head on across."

Reaching it, the three felt the gravel crunching under their shoes for Harry, and geta for the twins. Looking over his shoulder, Harry smiled at the awed looks of the Twins as they turned their heads and looked around. Around them, tall, dark Scottish ridges rose upwards, their tops with wisps of cloud clinging to them. When they turned to Harry, they recognized that his expression was asking them a question silently and they smiled, "This place... is amazing, Harry-Chan."

With a hum, Harry turned back to the castle, "Hai, it is." He then raised his wand with a slight nod, "Give me a moment and I'll call over one of the boats-" Feeing a hand on his arm though, the thirteen year old blinked in confusion, "Ume-Chan?"

Lips curling into a smile, Ume glanced at her sister who nodded back. Turning back to Harry, she shook her head, "Allow us, Harry-Chan." Letting go of Harry's hand, the two took a deep breath before they summoned their rigging around them. Ume then patted a spot between them, "Sit here, and we'll bring you across ourselves."

Chuckling, the teenage wizard shook his head in amusement but did as they asked. Shortly afterwards found them slowly being propelled across the water by the easy strides of the Twins. Seeing a large tentacle raise out of the water, Sakura stared at it in amazement, "Harry-Chan?"

Harry understood the question, and gave a small nod, "There's a giant squid that lives in the lake. Pretty friendly little fellow and often fishes people that fall in out and places them back on dry land."

The two former Hitobashira considered that for a few moments before nodding, though still slightly confused about it. They had heard of the creature of course, though not that it could live in fresh water. Granted, with magic, anything could be considered possible, so it did not bother them too much. Still, Hogwarts slowly rose up above them in the early morning sunlight, and the smiles of the Twins grew larger.

Finally, they stepped ashore and looked around in interest, with Harry getting off their rigging before dismissing it. Taking their hands, he nodded towards the castle, "Shall we?"

Both of them feeling a tingle of adventure, Sakura and Ume nodded as Harry slowly walked with them up the slope to the waiting main doors of the castle.

 

[darthcourt10]

NotHimAgain

Well, I've got good news everyone! The next Select snippet is almost halfway done!


Hopefully, I'll be able to ride the rush of ending the arc all the way to the end relatively quickly, similar to what happened with the Tsubaki snippets (did those last few ever get cross-posted?). For the moment, though, I've had an idea kind of pushing up against the back of my mind for a while now, so I'm going to get get my silly on and move this out of the way as best I can so I can get back to all the other stuff I have piled up on my head at the moment.
-----

"Andy, there you are, I've been looking all… what are you doing?"

Mack's younger sister craned her head around to look up at him, pausing her video game. "What does it look like I'm doing?" she asked dryly. "I'm teaching Bob Jackson culture."

With a grating sigh, Mack folded his arms. "Okay, first off, hi Bob Jackson, I didn't know you were in the neighborhood—"

The skunk ape sitting next to Andy raised a hand and grunted in greeting.

"—second off, you said culture but that looks more like Street Fighter…"

"Like I said," Andy confirmed smugly.

"—and third off, you were supposed to be doing the floors right now."

"No, I wasn't," Andy protested, "that was Minnie's job, and she skipped out on it to go out on the town with Bella again. This is just like when you accuse me of getting into your DVDs and other stuff!"

Mack frowned, but decided to let that one go for a moment. "I was under the impression that you had agreed to take over the floors for her because of that."

"Did I? I'm not so sure."

Setting his teeth, Mack breathed in, out, slowly, five times. Pushing here and now would be counterproductive, so he would have to try again later, when she wasn't as engaged and set to lash out. "Have you seen Kat anywhere?" he asked.

"You mean you haven't tried the shed yet?" Andy snorted and restarted her game. Mack nodded to himself—the somewhat ramshackle structure in the back yard was the youngest Walker's favored haunt. He turned to walk towards the back door, then paused.

"By the way, Andy."

"What's that, Mack?"

The moment was over.

"I quit watching Wing halfway through because I got sick of jumping between narrative threads, and to this day prefer Seed."

Andy dropped her controller with a clatter, not even noticing as Chun-Li hit Bison with a devastating combo. "HERETIC!" she screeched.

"AH-HA!" Mack roared in reply.

"CRUD! FLEE, BOB JACKSON, FLEE!"

Bob Jackson threw his own controller aside. Grabbing Andy and tucking her under his arm, he charged through the door and out into the vacant lot next door. Mack looked balefully at the door, once again swaying dangerously on its lower hinge. "THAT'S COMING OUT OF YOUR ALLOWANCE!" he called after the two.

"SUCK IT!" Andy replied with a high-pitched cackle. Mack groaned and returned to going to check on Kat. He needed to go to the shed now anyway, since he needed to re-rehinge the door.
-----

Mack stared at the long, bulky thing that hung from the ceiling of the shed on bungee cords. "Kat," he said, looking down at the ten-year-old who was busy with a piece of rebar that—like many of the other materials located in the shed—had been salvaged from junkyards across the Florida west coast, "what exactly is this?"

Kat looked up from her project, and responded in her usual quiet monotone. "A potato cannon," she replied.

Mack gave the "potato cannon" a dubious look-over. It was long and had a hole in one end, so one might assume that that was the whole story. However, one could never be too sure with Kat. "A potato cannon?" he repeated.

"Yes, a potato canon, like I literally just told you," Kat said. That was the closest he had ever heard her come to sarcasm as best as Kat understood the concept.

"Can I see your blueprints?" His sister handed him a battered old binder, and he leafed through it. Finally, hands shaking lightly, he closed it.

"Kat, listen to me."

"Why?"

"This is not a potato cannon. You are trying to build a railgun."

Kat stared at him in confusion. "It's a potato cannon," she repeated.

"But it fires the potato with a metal payload inside it," Mack pointed out.

"I know that, that's what makes the potato go."

"That's also what makes it a railgun."

"But it shoots potatos."

"What's inside the potato is not a potato."

"The whole thing is intended to shoot a potato," Kat insisted, "and that makes it a potato cannon."

"It makes it a potato railgun," Mack offered a compromise before another thought occurred. "Which, I find myself wondering how you found cause to build."

Kat blinked her way through his words. She didn't frown exactly, but her eyes darkened slightly as she fit it together into 'why did you make the darn thing in the first place.'

"It's for nutrias," she explained.

Mack gaped. "What the heck is a nutria?"

"An invasive species. They're bad for the environment."

"I think that a potato railgun would be worse for the environment."

"Impossible. It was made to protect the environment, so it's good for the environment."

"Somehow, I doubt that." Mack handed the binder back to his younger sister. "Can you try to think of something that's less… drastic? And less likely to summon the police again?"

Kat looked down at her blueprints, then back up at her brother. "If you say so," she said—which, given the context, Mack would have to assume was grudging— "but if I can't, I'm going back to the potato cannon."

"No you're not," Mack said, and began fishing around for hinges… wait. All of a sudden, he was getting that feeling of doom. Pulling out his phone, he dialed Minnie's number.

"—my gosh, that's someone's car—" a harried voice answered, "Mack, hi! What are you calling for?"

"Oh, just thought that maybe I should check on my sisters," Mack replied, pulling a hinge from the large cardboard box that rested in the corner of the shed and swinging it back and forth agitatedly. Kat walked out of the shed to give careful consideration to a lower-key solution to the problem of invasive species.

"Oh, that's uh…" Minnie paused for a moment, and Mack thought he could hear her screaming at someone. "That's great, really. We're fine, everything's fine, Bella's just… having a really great time right now!"

"Millicent Walker, what is going on?" Mack demanded.
-----

Minnie lowered her phone, watching her older sister slam something vaguely human shaped against the ground with a loud bang. Others in various states of consciousness littered the ground around her.

"BABY BELUGA IN THE DEEP BLUE SEA!"

Bang!

"YOU SWIM SO WILD AND YOU SWIM SO FREE!"

Bang!

"If I said nothing, would you believe me?" she asked hopefully.

"No."

"Well… In that case, I don't even know," Minnie admitted, slouching against the wall with a sigh. "Bella just went kinda crazy—actually, wait. She got this drink—"

"Minnie. You are aware that, while Bella turned twenty last week, she is still technically underage."

"Not alcoholic!" Minnie shrieked. "Gosh, no! It was—"

"Excuse me, just what is going on here?"

"Hold on a second," she lowered her phone, placing her hand over it, and turning to face the taller woman who was glaring at the scene balefully. "Can I help you, Miss—"

"Astoria?"

Minnie blinked. "Who?" she repeated to… wait a second. "I saw you on TV! You're a Shipgirl!"

"Er, yes—" the woman replied. "But—no, we'll come back to that later. I'm Colorado. I mean—what is she doing?"

"RING RING RING RING RING, BANANAPHONE!"

Minnie shrugged. "I think those people challenged her to a fight or something. All I know is that she's never ever drinking Mountain Dew again."

Colorado nearly fell over herself laughing at the statement before she was able to reassure Minnie that the Abyssal cult she and her sister had stumbled across very much deserved their treatment.
-----

Well.

Fortunately, I have a few ideas for this one if it ends up growing out of control--maybe it'll end up like the Ushio snippets instead of the Select snippets. I alays had more energy for the former, for some reason.

Well what do you think, sirs?

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A Courtship in Emerald (XII)

De Breuil Estate, Upstate New York

25 May, 1945
Spoiler: Jezabel De Breuil's Theme

A sharp gasp interrupted Delilah and Zamarad's embrace. The Ifrit turned her head from her love to see a gray haired woman in a black dress leaning on a hickory cane with the handle as a carved eagle feeding her fledgling. Green eyes surveyed her and her love in a face that still had traces of what would have been a luminous beauty in her long-vanished youth.
Spoiler: Jezabel's Cane

"Delilah! Thank God you are home at last!" Jézabel de Breuil cried out as she looked at her daughter standing in their home.

"Mère!" Delilah choked out as she untangled herself with Zamarad's help and dashed across the room to hug her mother, sobbing into her shoulder.

Zamarad gasped and cupped her hands together beneath her chin as she watched mother and daughter embrace. Fresh flaming tears trickled down her cheeks as she remembered the glowing warm green flame eyes and the soft whisper of her mother's voice.

After a few minutes of whispered conversation through their flowing tears, mother and daughter separated. The old lady then gave Zamarad a piercing stare that reminded the Ifrit of nothing so much as a desert eagle surveying a yearling ibex fawn.

"Zamarad aibnatu Alnaar, yes?" The voice was cool and controlled, and in a sudden spark of insight Zamarad realized that this was the voice of the stern but fair taskmistress that Delilah had based her entire personality and lifetime emphasis on self-control to please.

Zamarad curtsied as she had practiced under Lyra's tutelage, her hands finding the knee-length skirt of her emerald green half-shirtwaist short-sleeved dress. "Marhabaan, Jézabel de Breuil. I am she of whom you inquire." She said with banked warmth in her voice.

The green eyes narrowed as they observed her analytically, and then the elderly witch nodded sharply. "Come with me, then. Delilah, go ahead and unpack then meet us in the Blue Parlor with refreshments."

Zamarad swallowed slightly at the coolly commanding voice and followed the witch into the house. As Jézabel limped upstairs, Zamarad stepped forward. "Please, let me assist."

Jézabel gave her a cool look for a long moment and then nodded. With Zamarad's help they reached an upstairs parlor and Jézabel seated herself in a pink-uphostered hardwood armchair.
Spoiler: The Blue Parlor

Jézabel pointed to the couch, and as Zamarad sat, pulled a wand from her sleeve and began to scribe privacy wards. Finally, finishing her work, she returned the wand to her hiding spot and then clasped both hands on her cane. "I would know of you and your intentions toward my daughter."
Spoiler: A Chat With A De Breuil

Zamarad met the basilisk gaze with some difficulty and began to speak in a voice schooled to steadiness. "As you have been informed, I am one of the jinn, the spirits of Smokeless Fire." A nod answered her statement.

The Ifrit continued. "I am bound to the ring that Delilah now possesses. As she should have told you, she is seeking a way to break the enchantments binding my soul to it so I will have the free will to give her a decision without any influence over me..."

Jézabel raised her hand. "Clarify how this binding works. Delilah was somewhat vague as to the details and I would hear this from the genie's mouth, as it were." The last was said with a thin smile.

Zamarad frowned slightly, trying to explain. "My kind were created by God from marijin min na, fire without smoke or form before Adam was created. When God created humanity, some of us Fell by turning away from God's Law and Commandments to follow Iblis, the great deceiver who whispered to us that we were superior to humans." The Ifrit gestured, forming a series of figures of flame floating in midair between her hands.

As she spoke, the eyes of some of them turned pitch black and burned with a dark fire. "As punishment for our race's succumbing to Iblis's blandishments and to protect humanity from us if needed, humans were gifted the spells and incantations to fashion objects that are enchanted to bind us in servitude. This allowed the ones who fell, what we call Shayatan, to be sealed away in the desolate and secret places of the Earth by heroes among the humans aided by heroes among the jinn." Chains of fire shackled the black-eyed figures and threw them into a cage made of glowing metal.

Zamarad leaned forward as Delilah entered the parlor with a small tray containing a bottle of bourbon, three shot glasses, and a plate of gingersnap cookies. "However, since any of us can elect at any time to break God's Law and Fall, knowledge of the sealing was passed from magus to ruler, from wizard to scholar to sage." She sighed deeply as she continued, "Also, this knowledge of our weaknesses did not come with the wisdom to use it well. Some mages enslaved my kind, for the spells that were developed force me to perform any service the holder of my ring commands of me."

Delilah sighed and poured three shots of bourbon before taking a dozen gingersnaps and handing a plate of wood chips to Zamarad to snack on before sitting on the sofa next to her. "Yes, although that is very much a double edged sword. These orders must be obeyed to the letter of the command, not the spirit. And contrary to what the folk stories tell, any wishes must be performed by the jinn using her abilities. Order the jinn to say, acquire riches, and,she would rob a bank for the money, and deliberately lead the police to the owner. Etcetera, etcetera, etcetera. Hence the double-edged nature of the bindings, since I can personally attest that once ownership of that ring passes to another... well." Delilah gave a vicious smile. "Zamarad is quite capable of burning the mage who enslaved her alive with a glance once I acquired the ring from him."

Zamarad punctuated the claim by looking at the shot glass in her hand with a razor-toothed smile of her own. With a whoosh the whiskey in it ignited with a blue flame that the Ifrit sipped as Jézabel tapped a finger against her cane in thought. "I see. Add in our moral repugnance to slavery in all its forms and... well." She opened her hand and made a throwing gesture at the couch where the younger women sat.

"Yes, Mère," Delilah agreed, "I have very strong romantic feelings toward Zamarad and want her answer unconstrained by any form of coercion, like this represents." She tapped the gold ring hanging from her necklace. "I remember very well your stories to me about the pitfalls of coercion and a lack of trust in interpersonal relationships. "

Jézabel's voice sounded from the fireplace. "Yes, my greatest mistake. It is nice to see a few of my lessons got hammered through your hard head."
Spoiler: Young Jézabel

Zamarad looked in that direction and her eyes widened at the portrait of a beautiful young woman in a blue dress who winked a familiar green eye back. "Of course such experience is hard-earned at best. Or so I have been told from my future self who confides in me."

Delilah leaned close and whispered to Zamarad. "That is Mère's debutante portrait from 1849, shortly before she met Father." The Ifrit nodded as she examined the magical portrait.

The elderly Jézabel nodded and sighed. "At least something took to have Delilah avoid the great mistake that I made with her father in 1855." The elderly witch pinned the Ifrit with her eyes. "How much do you truly know of my child, though?"

Delilah answered for Zamarad, "All of the secrets that I was free to divulge. She has met my half sister Colombe du Chasteler, knows the broad outlines about Father, and most pertinently, knows and accepts who and what I truly am. As for the rest, I am an Auror of the Magical Congress of the United States, true. I trust her Mère."

Jézabel locked her piercing stare with Delilah as a clock in the corner slowly ticked. Zamarad sat, sipping the flame as she wondered what to say.

Finally Jézabel sighed, closed her eyes, and pinched her nose. "So that's it then. I just hope that you are not making a mistake dear. And even if she is the one, this matter is going to be quite delicate. There are laws against 'unnatural relationships among women' on the books under sodomy and obscenity laws for the no-maj, and her family is from Arabia, so there is that too. Never mind her being a spirit for the Congress and Rappaport's Law. I don't even need to address the citizenship issue on either side of the divide as well, do I?"

Delilah rubbed her temples and spoke in a quiet voice. "I know. Believe me I have given this quite a bit of thought in the last three years. To the first, while I want to formalize a relationship if she will have me, it won't be public for decades at best and I'll just have to be very very careful, just like I am with my true nature to avoid blackmail or exposure until those laws can be repealed. Even then I will have to deal with interracial prejudice from some elements of society. I have already made some arrangements to have her on the ICW books as the pureblood orphaned daughter of an Algerian-French family who ran afoul of Grindelwald when Algeria was occupied and is therefore emigrating to America to start a new life. She even provided service against Grindelwald as an informant, so I can leverage that with the Congress perhaps. I wanted to get your advice before I determined to try for citizenship from the No-Maj's or a Resident Alien Witch permit from the Congress. Or both, perhaps, or neither."

Jézabel nodded along. "For now, keep her secret and keep it very quiet while I see which way the winds in New York City are blowing. At least she isn't the first and won't be the last war bride to come over here to establish herself. Once you check in on the paperwork backlog on your office desk, I recommend that you take her to your ranch house for a long vacation, dear. Keep a low profile and let me pull a few strings and have a few quiet chats with people in the Congress. If she wants No-Maj citizenship, then I shall make arrangements with the county clerk's office to enroll her for the classes to naturalize herself."

Delilah hugged Zamarad around the waist and leaned into her. "I will."

The Ifrit nodded. "I defer to your expertise, since I am unused to this."

Jézabel nodded slowly. "I would normally say that I'd have a bed made up for you in one of the guest rooms, but I suspect that you would sneak into Delilah's bedroom anyway. I'll assign you one when and if someone visits to keep the appearance of propriety up as we adopt a war orphan. I do want to speak further to you when time permits about your family, your history, and your kind since you are the first jinn I have met and what little English and French-language information we have about your kind is clearly incomplete at best."

Zamarad bowed her head and spoke formally. "Thank you for your hospitality, Jézabel de Breuil."

The portrait laughed, "Don't thank us just yet. Future-me is a spider spinning her webs and our daughter is her greatest apprentice. If you want to be a de Breuil, expect to prove your worth in our little games of intrigue and secrets as well."

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

As they entered the castle, the Twins looked around curiously. This early on a Saturday morning, there was almost no one awake besides the Staff and the odd Prefect heading to bed for a few hours now that six o'clock had come and passed. Up to a year ago, there would have been a chance of running into the poltergeist known as Peeves. After all, he would have been roaming the hallways and corridors looking for someone to torment and bother.

But now there was no chance of that happening.

So the school itself was generally quiet as most students slept. Holding Ume's and Sakura's hands, Harry gave them both a smile, "What do you think?"

Looking around and taking note of the stone walls and arches above, as well as the ceiling of the hallways they were in, the two former Hitobashira nodded slowly, "It is different from a Japanese castle."

When she turned to Harry, Ume smiled a bit, "Though we are a bit surprised about how nice it is. We..." A light blush appeared on her cheeks, "We were under the understanding that most European castles are dark, cold, and damp..."

Lightly laughing, Harry shook his head in amusement, "Most of Hogwarts isn't like that. Maybe parts of the dungeons, of course, but for the most part it is brightly lit." Scratching his chin, he shrugged a little, "Though it gets cold in here in winter at times. The climate has more in common with... northern Hokkaido than most of Japan."

The Twins simply accepted that as they continued to walk and look around. Granted, they were unsure about doing so in their outdoor shoes, but accepted it for now. Spotting something, Ume pointed, "Harry-Chan, is that European Knight armour?"

Glancing in the same direction, he nodded, "Hai, want to take a closer look?" At her nod, they made their way over and Harry watched as the Twins examined it more closely and with curiosity on their faces, "Rather different than Samurai armour."

Just nodding, Sakura frowned in thought, "Hai, it is." Looking at Harry, she had a small smile on her face, "We have a few suits of Samurai armour on display in our family home, Harry-Chan. If you ever come to see it, we would enjoy showing you such."

Getting a nod in return, she went back to examining the strange, to her, form of armour.

Eventually though, the two sisters decided to continue their tour as they walked along. Noticing a bit of mistiness in their eyes, Harry frowned, "Ume-Chan? Sakura-Chan? Are you... alright?"

Wiping at their eyes, they nodded before smiling at him softly. Part of Harry noted that their eyes seemed to glow before they spoke, "Sorry about that, Harry-Chan. We're not sad but..."

An understanding expression crossed Harry's face and he gave their hands a squeeze, "You're happy. Hence they're happy tears, not sad ones."

Simply nodding though, they paused and considered. Finally, after a few seconds passed, Sakura shook her head, "Well, a little bit of sadness, I suppose." Not looking at Harry, she examined their surroundings, "For most of our lives, we dreamed of one day seeing a magical school. Being Squibs, it... hurt when we realized the truth, that we would never see one. Such things were forbidden to us. Things changed for us as well due to not having magic. But still... we dreamed of coming to one, of being able to even see such a school." Turning, there was a tear at the corner of her eye, "So being here, in an actual magic school. It... it's a dream come true for the both of us."

His expression softening still further, if it was possible, Harry squeezed her hand before pulling first her and then her sister into a hug. Both girls tightly hugged him back as they buried their faces in his neck. Nuzzling them, Harry sighed a bit, "Then this is one dream that I am glad to make come true."

Pulling back a bit, first Ume and then Sakura gently kissed him before they went back to hugging him, "Thank you."

None of them moved from there for several minutes, just hugging each other. When they finally pulled apart, they still held hands with Harry smiling, "Well, we got some time before breakfast. And I'll show you around after the game as well." Both girls perked up at that and nodded, thus the teenage wizard continued to show them around the school.

Which, of course, included some of the secret passages, which left the two girls in giggles at the idea of such.

Much to their confusion though, they found themselves outside of a girl's washroom. Tilting her head to the side, Ume gave him a confused look, "Harry-Chan? What are we doing before a girl's washroom?"

Grinning, Harry pushed open the door, "I want you to meet someone." Despite their own confusion and somewhat dismay, they followed him into the washroom only to blink as he cleared his throat, "Aunt Myrtle? I got some people for you meet!"

To their great surprise, a ghost of a girl only slightly younger than they were appeared from a stall, "You do?" Spotting the two, the ghost smiled at them, "Well, hello there. I'm Myrtle Warren, and you are?"

Quickly bowing, the Twins smiled, "We are Konohana Ume and Sakura, Warren-San." A chuckle made them look up as Myrtle smiled at them, "Is... is something funny?"

Not bothered at all, Myrtle waved them off, "No, no, just thinking that it is a bit surprising to see someone bow to me, of all people."

Despite their curious looks, however, Myrtle said nothing more. The Twins decided to shelve any questions for later, however. Instead, Ume asked the one on their mind, "Myrtle-San? Are you actually Harry-Chan's Aunt?"

Bemused, the ghost glanced at the wizard in question before shaking her head, "Not quite, unfortunately. But his Great-Uncle and myself, well... we were close." Her cheeks shone a bit more silver, "My Andrew and myself, if I had not been murdered... we very likely would have gotten together."

Reaching over, the Twins took her hands in their own, "We understand."

From looking in their eyes, the eternal teenager could tell that they were being truthful and nodded. After a few seconds, she sat down in midair with a smile, "Leaving that aside, I do recognize your names. Harry spoke well of you..."

The next fifteen minutes passed with them chatting as Harry looked on with a smile. Myrtle seemed rather happy and pleased about meeting them and, when asked, he explained that he had not brought her before because of the situation of the Caldera. After a quick explanation, she had agreed as had the Twins.

Once they were done though, Harry opened the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets. Peering down the dark tunnel, Ume and Sakura stared for a few moments before looking at Harry, "Did you actually go down there, Harry-Chan? With a monster snake being in there as well?"

Grimacing, the thirteen year old wizard nodded, "Hai, but trust me... I didn't want to be down there."

With a glance at the tunnel, and the darkness that they could feel slowly rising from it, the Twins simple nodded.

Harry did glance at them when they breathed a sigh of relief though with a slight frown on his face. But they just waved him off and he shrugged before leading them to the Great Hall. As soon as they entered, the Twins had wide eyes and their mouths fell open some, "This is..."

Rather amused at their reactions, the black haired wizard chuckled, "I know, right?" Looking up at the ceiling, he smiled, "The ceiling is enchanted to show the sky outside. And to a certain height as well so you can see rain drops as well as snow falling, but vanishing about fifteen feet up. Apparently some homes will have a room like this."

Now intrigued by the idea, Sakura glanced at her sister, "That... could be interesting. Imagine a tea room with such a charm on it, Ume-Nee. One could have tea outside in what seems to be the middle of winter without worry of the cold or weather."

Also interested and thoughtful, Ume nodded, "Hai. Perhaps ask Aki-Kun about it?" Getting a nod, they turned to Harry who smiled before gesturing at the room around them, "Where do you sit, Harry-Chan?"

Just chuckling, Harry gestured at the Gryffindor table, "Right over there as a matter of fact." As they began to walk towards it, he pointed at the other tables, "Over there is the Ravenclaw Table, and beside it is the Hufflepuff Table. At the other side of the Great Hall is the Slytherin Table." At their looks, the teenage wizard shrugged, "The other two Houses sit between us because we have a long, and often vicious rivalry with one another. Best to keep us apart just in case."

Slowly, the Twins nodded at that before they remembered something, "Is it true that some Families and Clans often go into a single House?" Upon seeing his surprise, they blushed, "When we were... younger..." Harry nodded as they meant before they became Hitobashira, "We used to read a book that contained information about other magical Schools in the world. There was not much and some of it was... odd, but it mentioned that certain families often wound up in the same House generation after generation, thus causing rivalries between clans."

While surprised, Harry gave them a nod, "That's true to some extent as some families wind up in the same Houses. The Blacks, the Malfoy, and Greengrass Families often end up in Slytherin. Bones, Abbot, and Smiths in Hufflepuff. Then you have the Davis and Lovegood in Ravenclaw." He then gesture at his table, "Meanwhile, you often have the Potters, Weasleys, and Longbottoms in Gryffindor. But not always... my Great-Great grandfather, Ian Potter, was in Slytherin for example and some of my other ancestors have been in Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw." Scratching his chin, the thirteen year old frowned, "Some families have issues if members get sorted into other Houses. But... mine has never really cared all that much when one gets down to it. And often just used that to pool experiences as each House is focused on a particular attribute."

As they sat down on either side of him, the two sisters listened intently as he talked about the Houses and such. He also talked some about how the Houses affected alliances between different families and such that he learned from family journals. When Harry was finished with one part, Sakura frowned in thought, "So... your family over the years has often kept an eye out for No-Maj Born and Halfbloods who are talented? And often buying into projects and businesses that they might start up?"

Humming, Harry gave a nod, "Hai, that is about it. While we don't often get involved with big businesses, we still have some holdings in smaller ones. And some have been very successful over the years."

Shortly afterwards, however, they found that people had begun drifting in and some of them were giving the Twins curious looks. Not that the two sisters cared much, since they believed it was because of their clothing that such looks were given to them. The three were joined after a little while by Hermione, Ron, and Neville, all three of whom sat either beside the Twins or across from Harry.

Dean suddenly sat down across from him and beside Neville before looking at first Ume and then Sakura who were happily enjoying some pancakes as well as bacon and eggs. Just shaking his head, he chuckled some, "How do you do it, Mate? I mean, really?"

Confused, Harry looked up from where he had placed some eggs onto a piece of toast, "What do you mean, Dean? Do what?"

Amused, the thirteen year old black boy gestured at Ume and Sakura who cocked their heads in confusion, "Twins, Mate. Two pairs of Twins!" Throwing up his hands into the air, he shook his head, "Seriously, what's your secret? You got to share it with us mere mortals!"

Not quite sure what he was talking about, though he had his suspicions, Harry frowned and narrowed his eyes. After a few moments though, he shrugged and went back to eating, "Not a clue what you're talking about, Dean."

Having their own suspicions, Ume and Sakura frowned at him before following Harry's example and going back to eating. Simply ignoring Dean's good natured muttering, the Twins turned to Harry and furrowed their eyebrows at what they saw him eating, "Shouldn't you eat more, Harry-Chan? You might need the energy."

With a blink, Harry paused in his taking a bite of his eggs on toast before chewing and swallowing. He followed it up by taking a drink of apple juice and then looked at each Twin, "Actually? This will give me enough to get through the game. Besides which, I don't want to eat too much and then get sick while seeking. And a full stomach is bad for that."

Considering that, the two former Hitobashira simply nodded as it did make sense.

Before long though, Nagato and Hoppou appeared, with the small Abyssal running towards him, "Po! We're here, Big Brother!"

Lips curling into a smile as she jumped into his lap, Harry shook his head before giving her a hug, "Yes, you are." Seeing Nagato come to a stop behind him, he twisted to give her a hug, "Good morning, Mum."

Softly smiling, the Battleship hugged him back, "And a good morning to you as well." Taking a seat beside Hermione, she began to pile food onto her plate, "So, excited for the last game of the year?"

Unable to help himself, the thirteen year old laughed, "You bet, Mum! We're going to get the Cup this year, I know it!"

Only nodding, Nagato gave him a smirk, "Of course, you are one of the Prides of the Big Seven after all."

That only got her a smirk and sharp nod back. Meanwhile, Ume and Sakura noticed that suddenly, Harry started to put food onto his plate. Something that confused them considering his early talk. That was, of course, until they noticed that Hoppou was grabbing some of said food. Him complaining about her stealing his food and her reply that he chose the best food for her tummy, combined with the wink Harry shot them, made the Twins giggle madly as they figured out what was going on.

 

[darthcourt10]

SkyeFire

Yellowhammer said:
Well to be fair, long before she needs to get to that point she will probably get into the shipbuilding business at Ron's direction. Or her shades and imps will mutiny after being commanded to get the whole base cleaned up to the point that her Yardmaster can eat off any flat surface on the premises.​

"Roight, then, gentlemen, let's bring this meeting to order, shall we? The issue of the day, as I'm sure we all know: the Boss Lady is driving our personnel bloody starkers trying to bring the entire base up to the same level of cleanliness as the YardMaster's office!"

"By Jove, you can say that again, guv! My groundskeepers are about to lose their sanity -- even the best cricket pitch can't be that tidy. Grass just doesn't work that way!"

"And my airfield! If I polish the runways any shinier, the planes that we're supposed to get eventually will just slide off when they land!"

"I must admit, the shipyard contingent has similar troubles. Now, I would never suggest that it's possible to perform too much brass polishing, but... just yesterday, I came across a major pipe junction whose bolts had been polished to the point that they're now circular, rather than hexagonal!"

""Hear, hear!"" from around the room.

"Now, the Lady is our commander, by word of God and the First Sea Lord, but there's no denying that she's gotten just a bit silly over all this. Now, that's no criticism of her, we all know full well why she's acting this way, but pending the arrival or training-up of a full Admin staff, it's up to us poor sods, as the senior existing department heads, to find some way to... shall we say, divert the Lady's energies into something more productive, and less... apple-polishing?"

"But what, though? Couldn't we get the YardMaster to distract her, somehow? He started all this after all -- not that I'm complaining, this all needed doing! But now, well... we've gone past the point of diminishing returns, and I think the only person who can divert the Lady's obsessive streak will be him."

"A veritable touch, that! Hmmm... well, we've these graving docks, foundries, and machine shops just lying idle. What say we put them to use, eh wot?"

"But how? Without a proper Admin staff--"

"Pish posh! Obviously we'll not be starting any battleships or carriers, but we need to get the yard dogs actual hands-on experience just as badly as we need an Admin staff! And some small craft, perhaps some Yard auxiliaries, would be just the ticket! Things we can afford to make mistakes on, take our time, and re-learn our craft by doing. Sooner better than later, because the war's not going to wait for us -- by the time the YardMaster and the Lady need us to start turning out capital ships by the flotilla, we need to be ready!"

""Hear, hear!""

"Capital plan, old chap, simply capital! However, I see one small flaw."

"Eh? Well, out with it, man!"

"How do we get word to the YardMaster? If the Lady realizes we're trying to 'bother' him, she'll put us all on lockdown. We all know how she feels about 'troubling' the Master. Silly of her, of course, but the First Lord knows, our poor lass has earned a bit of silliness."

"Hm, yes, you're quite correct. This will require... subtlety. Which means... Marine Contingent Commander? Call in the Gurkhas."

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

"Uh, Mate? Mind if we talk for a minute?"

Blinking, Harry finished his meal as he turned away from watching as Sakura worked her way through a plate of muffins to see Ron with a slight frown on his face, "You want to talk for a minute?"

The red head looked away from where he was looking at Ume with his eyebrows furrowed, "Uh, yeah..." Ron then jerked his thumb towards an area of the Great Hall, "Just for a minute or two."

Simply smiling, Harry picked up Hoppou who looked at him curiously with a sausage half in her mouth. Patting her on the head, he nodded, "I'll be right back." The small Abyssal just nodded and went back to munching as Harry walked over to where Ron had gestured. Reaching it, he cocked his head to the side, "What's wrong, Ron?"

Glancing back at the former Hitobashira, Ron frowned, "Mate, can I ask what is going on?" At the raised eyebrow, he continued, "Ume? Sakura? Weren't those the two that you mentioned being Hitobashy thingies? Though..." Narrowing his eyes, the red haired wizard frowned, "You never mentioned where."

Much to his surprise, Harry's face went completely and utterly blank for all the emotions it showed. Then, he leaned in towards his friends, "Ron, you're a friend. So know it when I say that I can't talk about it. All you need to know is that they are free to live their lives again, this time how they choose. Nothing more... and nothing less."

Frown still on his face, for a few seconds Ron considered asking. He was damn curious after all. But one look at Harry's face made him sigh, "Fine, Mate. But one day I want to know the truth."

Almost like a switch had been flipped, Harry was all smiles again and gave him a nod, "Of course. One day we'll sit down and I'll explain everything. That you can be sure of."

Lips curling into a smile, the fourteen year old wizard held his hand out to the thirteen year old wizard. Harry reaches out and grasped it and they shook on it, "I'll hold you to that, Harry. You understand, right?"

Chuckling, Harry gave a nod of his own, "I do, you don't need to worry any."

With that, the two walked back to their table, though the thirteen year old wizard noted that his adoptive mother gave him a slight nod, one that he returned. As he sat down with Hoppou leaping back into his lap, however, Ume turned to him, "Harry-Chan? Was something wrong?"

Softly smiling, Harry shook his head as he took a sip of apple juice, "No, Ron just wanted to ask me about something is all."

Even though it was obvious that she knew there was more to it than that, Ume kept her silence. Moments later though, throats being cleared made them turn to find Fred and George there with grins. Looking at his brother, George's grin widened, "Well, what do we have here, Forge? It looks like Ickle Harry-Kins..."

Fred finished for him, "Has himself a pair of twins? Why yes, it does seem so, dear brother. Though..."

With a hum, George nodded, "We wonder where he found such fine specimens? So very true."

Meeting their gaze with raised eyebrows, Ume and Sakura blinked before smirking slightly. Chuckling, Ume glanced at her twin, "Where did Harry-Chan..."

Sakura finished off, "Find us? Why it was..."

"At a certain place in Japan..."

"You see. But Harry-Chan is..."

"A very close and personal..."

With a small nod, Ume finished, "Friend."

The former Hitobashira nodded some with a smile before speaking at the same time with a stereo effect, "Of course, speaking together is much harder to do than apart as one needs to match pitch and time. Finishing each other's sentences is easy, speaking as one is hard."

For a few moments there was silence before Fred and George laughed as Ume and Sakura giggled. All Harry did was though was shake his head in amusement, 'Somehow, I feel that things will get very confusing for people.'

Everyone else besides Nagato and Hoppou just sighed as the two sets of Twins talked.

Shortly afterwards, the group was heading up to the Quidditch Stadium with the Konohana Twins holding Harry's hands as they approached it. Glancing at it, he turned his attention to the two girls, "What do you think?"

Brightly smiling as they took it in, there was a definite sparkle to their eyes as they looked at him, "Amazing, Harry-Chan." Giving his hands a squeeze, they sighed, "Our first Quidditch game."

Just squeezing their hands back, he smiled, "Hopefully you'll enjoy it."

Lips twitching, the two girls giggled as Sakura spoke for them both, "I think that we will." Head tilted to the side, she hummed, "It is against Slytherin, is it not?"

Chuckling, Harry gave a nod, "Hai, it is as a matter of fact. So it should be... exciting."

From where she was skipping along beside him, Hoppou snorted, "Hoppou is just glad that Regina is not here. Because Regina would really enjoy this."

A little confused at what she meant, the thirteen year old wizard shrugged it off. Probably not all that important anyways... It was then that they reached the doors for the stadium and Harry let go of the Twins' hands, "Well, I need to get going and get changed for the game. Hopefully you'll find a good spot."

Nagato crossed her arms over her chest with a small smile, "I'm sure that we will, Harry." Reaching over, she gave him a hug, "You enjoy yourself out there and have fun."

Grinning in return, Harry chuckled, "You can bet on that, Mum." Accepting a hug from Hoppou, he turned to the Twins who smiled at him, "Ume-Chan? Sakura-Chan? What-"

He was cut off as the two hugged him before kissing him on the cheek. Pulling back, they smiled, "For good luck."

Unable to help himself, Harry laughed as he grinned almost wide enough to hurt, "Now I'm sure to win."

Lightly blushing themselves, Ume and Sakura watched as he waved to them and left for the changing room before following Nagato and Hoppou. It did not take them very long to reach the seating area for the Gryffindor section. One thing that they noted though was the number of "Smols" also there in their own corner. Some of them munching on chocolates and the like.

Even as they watched, Minagato broke a piece of chocolate bar in half and gave part of it to a small fairy, Alli with said small being kissing the Smol's cheek before cuddling into her.

Somewhat amused, the two turned away and looked out towards the Quidditch field. Out of the corner of her eye, Nagato noticed and smiled as they seemed to almost vibrate, "Excited?"

Quickly nodding, the two shyly smiled with Ume answering for them both, "This is our first real Quidditch game." Chewing her lip, she shifted a bit, "Back before... our family didn't let us go to such for various reasons."

Having been seating himself in front of the group, Ron scowled, "Say what now?!" At their nods, he shook his head, "That is not right."

Both twins just shrugged at that, "It was just how it was."

Only continuing to shake his head and grumble, Ron didn't say much else. Short minutes later though, both Ume and Sakura cheered happily as Harry came striding out in his Quidditch uniform. Eyes wide, Sakura stared, "Harry-Chan looks quite good in that."

Watching as he shook Draco's hand before the two got on their brooms, Ume nodded, "Indeed!"

The two watched as Harry flew into the sky and the game began. Gasps were pulled from their lips every time they saw him dive into the fracas that was around the Chasers, or when he skimmed the ground at high speeds. Their eyes widened as they watched him perform aerial acrobatics as well as, in their mind, any Tengu or other creature born to the air. Both of them cringed each time as Bludgers nearly clipped him. Cheers erupted from them with each move he successfully pulled off as he hunted for the ever elusive Snitch. Hands smothered giggles and laughter at the commentary and antics of McGonagall and Lee.

Deep inside their chests, they could feel the boilers in their power plants rumble. An electrical feeling across their skin as they got caught up in the game before them. Silently, they begged him on as he played.

Perhaps it was not a professional game, but at that moment, for that time? Neither Sakura nor Ume cared. This was not just their first game, no, this was their first game watching the boy they cared so much about playing. And that was what was important.

Then, when that moment came that Harry dove for a speck of gold, the two former Hitobashira leaned forward, their fingers digging into the wood of the bench. Eyes wide, their lips moved, silently urging the thirteen year old Seeker. And when he caught it, when his hand closed shut around the small, golden ball and held it high...

Theirs were among the loudest of the cheering.

Ignoring Lee as he whooped in the commentator's box, shouting that Gryffindor had won the Hogwarts Quidditch Cup, the Twins rushed down the stairs to the field alongside Gryffindors. Still cheering, they slammed into Harry and hugged him tightly as he cheered along with them. Neither cared what it looked like when they gave him a kiss on the cheek, but still, their smiles shone brightly. Because to them...

It was perfect for their first game.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Walking along, Harry looked at Ume and Sakura as the two looked this way and that as they made their way through the various corridors in the castle. A small smile on his face as they came to a stop in front of a window, he tilted his head some, "Hopefully you're enjoying the tour."

With a small giggle, Sakura nodded, "Hai, we are enjoying ourselves, Harry-Chan."

Beside her, Ume gestured with her free hand, "And how could we not, Harry-Chan? We're living a dream in that we are exploring a magical school."

Lips twitching, the thirteen year old nodded, "Good to know." He rapped his knuckles on the window three times before unlatching it and revealing that instead of outside, it lead into a tunnel. Letting go of their hands, Harry clambered up on the windowsill before helping them up. Once inside the tunnel, he closed the window behind them, "I'm glad that you are, it is sort of fun to show people around."

Glancing around the secret passage, the Twins smiled back. After a few moments, Ume turned to him, "While secret passages are not unknown to us, Harry-Chan, as some castles and mansions back in Japan had them, there does seem to be a lot of them."

Harry hummed at that in agreement as he summoned a ball of light, "There's a number of passages all throughout the school. Most students spend free time trying to find them all, you know? Sort of fun to do as well." Both teenage looking girls nodded, "I've found six myself besides the ones others know about. Mainly because the Smols have stumbled across them or Hedwig has heard of them from her fellow owls."

Finger pressed against her chin, Sakura frowned, "That does not explain though why there are so many..."

Just chuckling, Harry gave her a nod, "That's true, and there's all sorts of stories. Remember how I mentioned that the school was added to from the original keep?" At their nods, he continued, "Some of it dates back to then. Godric wanted the students safe, so he planned out routes to use throughout the school and out of it. Said routes could also be used if needed to get reinforcements to different places. Rowena also planned some as it let her cut to different sections of the school to seemingly appear from nowhere as did Helga. Salazar... had a number as well for his Basilisk. Most though were not built until the late 1200s under the then Headmaster, Richard Macalister."

Eyebrows raised, the Twins cocked their heads to the side, "Oh?"

With a hum, Harry gave a small shrug, "He was basically made Headmaster to get him out of the way of the Wizard's Council apparently on the account of being completely and utterly paranoid with him seeing enemies everywhere. As in, once he stabbed a roast chicken with a number of daggers because he believed a Leprechaun was hidden inside and planning to kill him."

Slowly, the two former Hitobashira blinked at that before glancing at each other. After a few seconds, they turned to an amused Harry, "And they thought it a good idea to have him watch over children?"

Voice drier than the Atacama Desert, Harry gave them a nod, "Hai, because while he was Headmaster, his Deputy did most of the work." Shaking his head, he chuckled, "To their surprise, he embarked on an expansion of the castle using funds from all over the place. Then, one stormy night... he vanished. His remains were found about a hundred years later."

Grimacing, Ume shook her head, "Poor man... so his enemies killed him that night." Of all the things she expected, a snort of amusement from Harry was not one of them, "Harry-Chan?"

Only shaking his head, the thirteen year old gave a sheepish smile, "Sorry about that, Ume-Chan, it's just... that was not the full story." At her interested look, he gave a small shrug, "See, the expansion to the castle also, secretly, included a large number of secret passages. Known only to him and a small group of workers... who all vanished. When they found him a hundred years later, he had been dead for a week." With a snort, Harry shook his head, "Turns out he had some sort of break and was hiding in the passages for about a hundred years, using them to get around the castle and steal food."

In reply, the two girls stared at him for a few moments before Sakura raised a finger, "He... hid in the castle... for a hundred years using the secret passages? And no one realized he was there?"

Chuckling, Harry nodded, "Hai, that is about what happened. Though people who caught glimpses of him thought that it was his ghost. And the house elves... well, no one ever asked them about it. So they simply never mentioned anything about him still being around."

Not saying anything, the Twins simply pinch their nose at what they just heard as they finish walking through the passageway and out from behind a tapestry.
Continuing their tour and chat, the conversation soon turned to other matters with Harry raising an eyebrow, "You liked the library?"

Softly smiling, Sakura nodded some, "When we were... younger, we often sought solace in the old stories and scrolls our family had. The Tale of Genji for example among others. Seeing it... reminded me greatly of it."

On Harry's other side, Ume nodded, "That is true, but I also liked the kitchens. While we did not have house elves back home, we did have a large kitchen where the servants would make food. It brought back... happy memories, of just watching them as they worked." Head tilted to the side, she smiled a bit, "Though the Owlery is not far off either."

More than a little curious, the thirteen year old wizard raised his eyebrows, "Oh? Why there?"

Both Twins shared a look before Ume gave a sigh, "Owls were not too common when we were younger, Harry-Chan. But other birds could be used. Our family had a small room in what amounted to a shed filled with various messenger birds. And it reminds me of that."

For a few moments, Sakura considered it before nodding, "That is true, Ume-Nee. It is similar to that." Soon after, they came upon the oddest tapestry yet that they had seen. Tilting her head to the side, Sakura frowned in confusion, "Are those strange creatures being taught... ballet?"

Just nodding, Harry had a bemused look as the wizard in the tapestry was currently being clubbed between dodging kicks, "Those are trolls, and yes, he's teaching them how to dance." At the look, he shook his head, "He was called Barnabas the Barmy for a pretty good reason." Frowning in thought, the teen wizard furrowed his eyebrows, "I think eventually he got killed when they stepped on him."

If there was a clock there, one could have heard it tick in the silence that enveloped the corridor.

Finally, Sakura gave the wizard in the tapestry an odd look, "We see..." Then she paused and considered things, "Though I suppose that it is slightly better than that legend about a group of Daidarabotchi trying to perform Kabuki."

That made Harry blink for a few moments as he considered what he just heard and tried to imagine it. But he eventually shook the thought off and let go of the hands of the two girls, "Wait here..." Much to their confusion, he began to walk back and forth a few times before a door appeared. Opening it, Harry gave them a grin as he gestured inside, "Welcome... to the Room of Requirement with it in its Room of Many Things mode."

Remembering what he had told them, the two girls stepped inside and their jaws dropped at just how many items there were there. Piles of furniture and the like stretched to the ceiling high above with various artifacts strewn still everywhere they looked. Some of their crews twitched a bit at the haphazard way everything was thrown around. Others, they could tell, were simply stunned.

Bemused, Harry watched them for a few moments before taking their hands, "This way, I'll show you my workshop." Just a few minutes later, they reached said spot. It was, more just a clear area, but the Twins could see several pieces of furniture as well as furniture polish and cleaner. There were also a few rags here and there, "Well?"

Eyes wide, the two stared at the various pieces of furniture that had been cleaned and, in some cases, restored. Walking up to a rocking chair made of mahogany, Sakura ran a finger along it. Part of her took note of the elaborate carvings of flowers in it, "It's beautiful..."

A short distance away, Ume nodded as she examined a full length mirror that had a silver inlay frame with a motif at the top of the Moon and red gemstones around the top, "Hai... these are beautiful..."

Unknown to them, the boy who brought them here had an amused look on his face, "Well... if you want them, you can have them." Seeing them jolt and then boggle at him, Harry grinned and gestured at them, "Remember the deal I have with the Headmaster? I can pretty much take what I want, so if you want them..."

Once more looking at the items in question, the two girls gulped before turning back to Harry, "Are... are you sure?"

Softly snorting, Harry shook his head, "Hai, I am. Besides which there's a few items that I'm going to give out anyways to people as gifts. Though that Wooton desk over there? I'm keeping... the second I'll give to Ooyodo-Oba, she would like it."

Confused, Sakura and Ume turned to the items in question and blinked as they looked like cabinets. Seeing that, Harry walked over and unlatched it, the doors swinging open and it unfolding outwards as the Twins' eyes widened, "Oh..."

Looking around at the items, Sakura made note of some of them in her mind. It was then that a thought occurred to her, "Is this where you found those... special cauldrons?"

Lips quirked upwards, Harry gave a nod, "Got it in one." Gaze turning distant, he hummed a little, "Though what I'm going to do with the money... well, maybe it would help with an idea that I had."

There was something about the tone of his voice, almost wistful which made the two girls interested. Walking over, Ume placed a hand on Harry's arm, "An idea you had, Harry-Chan? What sort of idea?"

Glancing at her, he smiled a bit in a way that caused her cheeks to heat up, "Well... it was an idea that I have been musing on for some time." With a small shrug, Harry continued, "Basically, a combination of a small school with a potions lab. Maybe attached greenhouses. A place where Potions Masters and Mistresses can teach those people who graduated and want to improve their knowledge of potions. And also give them a place to perform their research... In my mind I keep calling it, well... the Lily Potter Institute for Potions Studies and Research. Because my Mum, my birth Mum, was a Potions Mistress, you know? And I feel like it would honour her."

Expressions turning gentle, the two former Hitobashira hugged him, "That's a wonderful idea, Harry-Chan."

Hugging them back, Harry nodded, "Thanks. I mean, it's not much, you would need maybe ten at most students per Potions Master, but... it could help a lot of people. Not just in getting more Potions Masters and Mistresses trained, but also with them doing research."

With a small nod, Ume pulled back before cocking her head, "Which country though, Harry-Chan? Japan or Britain?"

Much to her confusion, Harry chuckled, "Actually? With the amount that I have, I could have a Branch in both." He hummed a little, "Maybe put the Japanese Branch on land near Shiromizu's mountain..."

The Twins just smiled and gave him another hug before they continued their conversation.

________________________________________________________________

Loud and raucous as well as energetic.

That was the best way to describe parties in Gryffindor. Some claimed that the House Motto, Gryffindors Charge Forward, meant not into battle but into parties. And, perhaps, there was something to it.

Especially now when the Gryffindors has cause to celebrate in getting the Quidditch Cup.

Sitting on a couch, Ume and Sakura watched with amusement at the party around them. Giggling a bit softly, Sakura turned to her sister, "Could you imagine how Haha-ue and Chichi-ue would react if they saw us now? And what we are involved in?"

A serious expression on her face, Sakura nodded, "Hai, I can imagine it." Slowly, she shook her head with a sigh as Ume nodded at her next words, "They would be so angry and disappointed in us. They might even threaten us with disownment."

Both of them managed to keep their straight faces for a minute...

Until they got evil grins on their faces and laughed at the image in their heads. Let there be said there was no loved lost between them and their parents, living and dead. It was as they were calming down, however, that they noticed that Harry came walking out of the crowd holding three frothy mugs, "Harry-Chan!"

Grinning, Harry gave a laugh as he walked over to them, "Well, I don't think that I need to ask if either of you are enjoying yourselves."

Brightly smiling at each other, the Twins turned back to him, "No, you don't." Looking at the mugs, the gestured at themselves, "Are those for us?"

Lightly chuckling, Harry gave a nod and held the hand that held two of the mugs out, "They most certainly are! Nice and cold Butterbeer."

Eyes practically sparkling, the two took the offered drinks. Looking at her own, Sakura had a small smile on her face as she mused a little, "You know, our parents would hate the fact that we're about to have such a drink. And would be quite displeased..."

Beside her, Ume nodded, "Oh yes, they would be quite angry." The two shared a grin at that before she moved aside a little and patted the spot between them, "Come and have a seat, Harry-Chan."

Only shaking his head, Harry did exactly that and found the two girls leaning against him. Watching as the two girls took a sip, their expressions lighting up, he chuckled, "Well?"

Smacking her lips some, Sakura hummed and looked at her own mug in thought, "It's... good. Somewhat like that dessert we tried... butterscotch pudding, I think they called it?"

With a hum as he took a sip of his own drink, the thirteen year old wizard nodded, "Hai, the taste is very much like butterscotch. Though they serve it hot or cold in this case."

Happily taking another sip and letting the taste brush over her tongue, Sakura looked around with a small smile, "Is it normally like this, Harry-Chan?"

Amused, Harry pulled his own mug away from his lips and nodded some, "Usually, yeah. When us Gryffindors have an excuse to, we party pretty bloody hard. And this one? Probably won't be done until early in the morning." At the looks of surprise, he laughed, "I just said we party hard."

Giving the matter some thought, the Twins nodded with bright smiles. Thus far, they were enjoying themselves at this party. It was far outside their experience, yes, but... they were having fun. As the night wore on, the two of them chatted with not just Harry, but the others. After what had to be their fifth mugs of Butterbeer, though it did not affect them, the Twins were looking out onto the dance floor in thought, "Hmm..."

Just blinking, Harry turned to them, "Is something wrong?"

Sakura gave Ume a glance and got a nod before she stood up alongside her sister. Then, she smiled a bit and held out a hand to Harry, "Harry-Chan? Could you... dance with us? Please?"

Wide eyed, the teenage wizard looked from one to the other as he thought it over. With a small nod, he got up and smiled, "Sure thing, Sakura-Chan. All three together or..."

Once more, the Twins looked at each other in silent communication before Ume answered this time, "First, together... and then separate."

At that, Harry nodded and took their hands before leading them out to the edge of the dance floor. Some of the other Gryffindors glanced at him, but most of them smiled. Those that didn't, rolled their eyes instead.

Gently, he placed his arms around their hips and they leaned into him with one arm each over his shoulder before they began to sway. Lips curled up into a smile, Harry tilted his head back some to meet their brown eyes which were practically glowing with happiness, "There we go."

If anything, the two's smiles grew before they leaned forward and placed their heads on his shoulders and closed their eyes as the threesome danced best that they could. Harry drawing on similar experiences with other girls and the Twins coordinating between them perfectly. Then, when that was done, Ume took a turn for a single dance with him as her sister stood to the side.

Feeling his hands on her hips, she smiled with a slight blush, "Thank you, Harry-Chan. You have no idea what this means to us, to be able to do this..." Her voice lowered a bit, "And we have you to thank for having this chance."

Not saying anything, Harry reached up and tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear. With a slow nod, he smiled back at her, "You're very welcome, Ume-Chan. But you don't need to thank me for that."

Giggles escaped her and she shook her head with her next words confusing him, "Never change, Harry-Chan... never change."

Deciding to just ignore it, Harry shrugged it off and continued to dance with her until it was Sakura's turn, the Twins switching out easily and smoothly. For her part, Sakura enjoyed it and simply leaned her head against his with a happy smile on her face. Neither of them telling him that this was their first real dance with a boy that they were not related to.

That would come later.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

As Harry had predicted, the party had continued well into the early morning, which is why it found him and the others walking back towards the guest quarters. Rubbing the back of his neck and sighing, he turned to the Twins and grimaced, "I am really, really sorry about McLaggen bothering you. He personifies all the worst qualities that people see in Gryffindor and I hope that it didn't ruin anything."

Only shaking their heads, the Twins took his hands and entwined their fingers with his with Sakura speaking for them both, "It is fine, Harry-Chan. He did not ruin our trip in the slightest and there will always be people like him."

From where she stood on Harry's other side, Ume giggled, "Though it was funny how he backed off after you spoke to him and glared. That was very amusing, especially with how he blustered as he did so."

Lightly blushing, the thirteen year old couldn't look either girl in the eye, "He was bothering you with it making you uncomfortable. I wasn't going to let him get away with that."

Expression softening alongside that of her sister's, Ume shook her head, "And you didn't." With a sigh, she shook her head in exasparation, "I do not know why he thought that just because his Uncle is in the British Ministry that it would impress us all too much and make us join him. Or that his family is connected when much the same is with yours."

A snort escaped from Sakura and she rolled her eyes, "Or how his family goes back five hundred years. Ours and yours goes back about a thousand, not very impressive compared to that and certainly not something that one would brag about." Her lips curled into a slight smirk, "Though his expression when we told him such was amusing."

Scoffing, her twin narrowed her eyes some, "He reminded us far too much of some of... those men, who worked under Kamo. Who believed that one should be impressed with them due to their families and thought themselves Samurai because their ancestors fought in some war or another. He's a... braggart, I believe the English word is."

Bemused, Harry nodded some, "Hai, that just about sums him up." He gave a slight shrug, "To be perfectly honest? No one really likes him in Gryffindor." Pausing, the thirteen year old frowned, "Granted, his attitude is such that he does stupid things if you bet him the right way. Had to go to Madam Pomfrey after someone bet him that he would not eat a live flobberworm and did so."

On Nagato's back where she was being carried due to being sleepy, Hoppou blinked and looked back in confusion, "Big Brother... Hoppou is confused... isn't a Flobberworm icky worm thing that spits out mucus?"

Tone completely dry, the thirteen year old wizard nodded, "It is, Hoppou. About ten inches long as well and covered in mucus like a hagfish..."

Shuddering, Hoppou stuck out her tongue in disgust, "Ick! Hoppou thinks that really, really gross! And he ate one alive?!" When Harry nodded, much to his amusement, the Abyssal shook her head and made disgusted noises, "Too icky!"

Lips pressed thinly together, Nagato gave her adoptive son a look over her shoulder, "I hope that you were not involved in such a thing, Harry."

In reply, Harry cocked an eyebrow, "No, but I did see him do it as he performed it in the Common Room to prove he could. Yet, for some odd reason, no one was too impressed with him in the slightest."

The only thing that the Battleship did in reply was shake her head and sigh. Granted, she had seen much worse done to someone who annoyed other people with bragging and such, but at least Harry was not involved. Suddenly though, a thought struck her and she gave Harry a look, "You haven't done anything to him, have you?"

Head tilted to the side, Harry gave a hum, "Well... there may have been one time when we had a House Meeting that the chair he was about to sit on, and had shoved a First Year away from, suddenly slid out from under him... Resulting in him falling on his arse in front of everyone..."

For several moments, Nagato stared at him before sighing. But before she could say anything, Yamamoto came out from her hair, looked at Harry, and then grinned before giving him a thumbs up, "Desu desu!"

Glaring at him, the shipgirl scowled, "Don't encourage him to be more like you, Admiral."

All Yamamoto did was smirk back at her before going back inside her hull and leaving her to grumble.

Meanwhile, Harry snickered a little before whistling as Nagato shot him a look, something that made the two former Hitobashira giggle madly. Once they were done, they smiled at him before shaking their heads, "Though as we said, we were amused that you were able to make him back off with a glare and that tone of yours."

Shivers ran down their backs as they remembered how Harry got between them and the Fourth Year. McLaggen's comment of "Keeping all the women for himself and he should share the bounty" really pissed off Harry. The thirteen year old's voice never rose in volume, but was even in tone... and utterly, utterly frigid with a fury behind it of the storm as well as carrying an edge as keen as that of Juuchi Yosamu herself. Harry had also narrowed his eyes into a glare before they started to glow a venomous green...

The green of the Killing Curse.

Very quickly, McLaggen found somewhere else to be and did so. Much to the amusement of others that were in the room. The Twins had spotted Wood as well as some of the other Sixth and Seventh Years heading over to deal with the Fourth Year if he continued to push his luck. But since said troublemaker left, they apologized on behalf of their House and told them that they would have no further issue that night. Fred and George looked rather happy with their wide grins as they nodded in agreement, and neither girl had seen McLaggen at all for the rest of the night.

As well, they had seen Nagato and Hoppou both giving Harry proud looks for how he had handled it.

Over the next hour, much to the Twins bemusement, various other Gryffindors had come up to apologize for their Housemate's actions. Ume and Sakura found it rather... honourable in a way. But unneeded just the same, though appreciated.

Having felt them shiver a bit, Harry gave them a concerned look, "Sorry." At their confused glances, he flushed a bit, "For, um... maybe scaring you when I confronted McLaggen. I was just so... angry. How dare he talk to you as if you were objects that he could be just given. Bloody hell, gets my blood broiling just thinking about it."

Unnoticed by him, both Ume and Sakura had blushes on their cheeks. They were not about to tell him that the shiver was not from fear, but rather because it reminded them of some dreams that they had of him where he was a Lord or Shogun with them as his wives, especially when commanding Samurai or meeting an opposing Lord... Sometimes their own father.

Instead, they simply leaned over and kissed his cheeks which snapped him out of his thoughts before Ume shook her head, "We were not scared, Harry-Chan. That you did such... well, we are thankful and happy about it."

On Harry's opposite side, Sakura nodded, "Hai, thank you again, Harry-Chan."

Confused about it, the thirteen year old frowned for a few moments before deciding to just shake it off, "Um, you're welcome?"

Even more to his confusion, that got him more giggles and smiles that made him blush for some reason.

Shortly afterwards, Harry used his time turner to turn back time several hours until it was close to nine in the evening as they stood in an alcove by the guest quarters. Considering that, and how her own clocks somehow went backwards to keep match with the current time, Nagato shook her head and looked at the small device that Harry slipped under his shirt, "That... is a very useful device."

With a nod, the thirteen year old smiled a little, "Hai, very useful." Then he gave a sigh and shrugged some, "Unfortunately, I only have it for one year, though I am a bit thankful for it."

Ume tilted her head to the side in question, "Oh? Why is that, Harry-Chan? We would have thought that you would be happy."

Just shaking his head, Harry gave a sigh, "Way too complicated keeping track of everything that I need for it. And there's so many rules regarding time travelling even a short distance that... well, I'll be happy not to have the stress of it." Rolling his eyes, he snorted, "At least Ron and I managed to keep Hermione from going too nuts with it and taking actual rest periods so she does not wear herself out."

That made Sakura blink, "Is she really that bad?"

Grimacing, the thirteen year old nodded some, "If Ron and I were not there? I am almost certain that she would push herself to the point of collapse, even with the... benefits, she has."

All the others did was nod at that.

Within an hour, the group had entered the guest quarters and gotten changed for the night. Adjusting his pajamas a bit, Harry heard the door open to the bathroom and turned with a smile, "Ready for bed, Ume-Chan, Sakura-Chan..."

Both girls nodded as they walked out in their sleeping Yukata with smiles on their faces, "Hai, we're ready for bed."

Mouth slightly open, Harry blinked at how the two looked. While he had never seen the ones that they were given by the JMSDF, these ones were quite obviously fitted for them with Sakura's being a light pink and Ume's being a light purple. Them being fitted for them was also something that made a few facts somewhat obvious to Harry, 'Bloody hell... they're like Hamakaze-Chan or Ushio-Nee...' Snapping out of it, Harry brought his eyes up to meet theirs, which for some odd reason twinkled in amusement, "Well, um, that's good to hear." Calming down a little, he ran a hand through his hair with a slight grin, "After all, we need to get up a bit early tomorrow, so we need all the sleep that we can get."

Lips curling into identical smug smiles, the Twins nodded, "Hai, that is true enough, Harry-Chan. We're looking forward to seeing Hogsmeade after all."

Hands in his pockets, Harry smiled back at them even as, inside his head, a Chibi-Harry brought out a giant spiked Morning Star style mace to go after various thoughts and such, "And I'm looking forward to showing you around it, Sakura-Chan, Ume-Chan. Hopefully, you'll enjoy it."

Simply hooking their arms into his, they smiled and followed him to one of the guest bedrooms. Lips twitching, the Twins noticed Hoppou already out like a light as it was an adorable sight. They also noticed Nagato looking at them and Harry with a soft smile on her face, "Ready for bed then?"

With a nod, Harry chuckled a bit, "Hai, we are, Mum." Turning, he gave the Twins a hug, "Hope you both have pleasant dreams."

Returning the hug, the two nodded before Ume spoke up, "Hopefully you do not mind us sleeping in a separate bed, Harry-Chan. I know that the others often sleep in a cuddlepile with you, but we..."

A hand gently cupped her cheek and she looked to find that the messy haired wizard was softly smiling, "You have nothing to be ashamed of, Ume-Chan." Turning, he gave a nod to her twin, "Nor do you, Sakura-Chan. If you are uncomfortable with an idea, you don't have to do it. That is simply all there is to it in the end. And while I like such, I understand why you're uncomfortable with the idea."

Both girls had a soft smile and nodded with slightly teary eyes. First Ume and then Sakura leaned in and gave him a soft kiss before pulling back. Ume had a bright smile on her face, "Thank you, Harry-Chan..."

Sakura then took over, "For understanding, we appreciate it."

Lightly blushing, Harry scratched the back of his neck, "Um... you're very welcome, Ume-Chan, Sakura-Chan."

The two smiles that the girls had brightened a touch and they hugged him tightly before heading for their bed. Slipping under the covers, they called out their good nights and had them returned before the lights went out. Despite their excitement for the next day, the two of them soon had sleep claim them. As soon as it did, they found themselves in the "Base" that was now their spiritual selves.

Walking along in their usual clothes with their Geta softly clacking against the stone roads, they nodded to those members of their "Personnel" that they passed with said people nodding back. Here and there, they could see people hard at work as they produced what was needed and in the distance, they could see smoke rising from the smelters and factories where they were working on making parts. Briefly, the two paused before a railway junction and watched as a train went by carrying newly forged parts to fabrication where they would be put together to form the 20" turrets that Sora would need and also for Musashi's Rebuild.

As they continued their walk, they could see the small Seaplane base that stuck out, something that had been planned but never built. The hangers were built into an old lava flow. Inside, they knew, there would be their pilots training for their Seaplanes, such as the Kawanishi H8K that the base had. And around the air of the Caldera, Tengu as well as wizards and witches on brooms could be seen flying around. While against actual aircraft they would be next to useless, they would be more than capable of providing the Twins with scouts as needed.

It did not take the Twins long though to reach their main administration building. With it's red bricks, charmed not to break and fall apart during an earthquake, as well as the white stone covering above the main entrance, the doors of which were made with a rich mohagony, it resembled the headquarters in Kure. But above the rest of the building was a large clocktower, at the top of which was a clock ticking away as seconds and minutes passed. Even as they reached it, the clock struck ten o'clock, the bells slightly muted due to the time of night. Walking through the doors and over the polished stone floor, they nodded at yet more personnel working on various pieces of paperwork needed for such a base.

Reaching the office that belonged to the Base Commander, they sighed with small smiles before walking through. Inside were four desks, one of which, the Base Commander's, had a plaque with Harry's name on it. Behind said desk was a portrait of Harry himself with his usual, lopsided grin. Close by was the desk that belonged to the Twins, both of them sharing it, while one of the last two desks were occupied by American woman who flashed them a smile before chuckling, "Well, hello you two."

The Twins bowed to her with their own smiles, "Good evening, Charlotte." Once they reached their desk, they sat down into the fine leather chairs that were there. Something that they had bought with a little bit of the funds they were paid with, "How are things going so far?"

With a hum, Charlotte shuffled some of the papers around before nodding, "Things are doing good actually. We're ahead on the turrets with the second being constructed as we speak and the eighth of the secondaries complete as well. Armour plate production is also starting as well. Though the pilots want to know when they can start actually practicing. There's only so much that they can do without actually flying. Same with the gunnery crews."

Frowning, Sakura considered that before nodding, "Once we're back in Yokosuka, we'll speak with Admiral Goto about it and set something up. I'm certain that he will not mind."

Head tilted to the side, Ume tapped her finger on the desk, "What about the community gardens? And the Herbology greenhouses?"

Just standing up, the American went over to one of the filing cabinets and pulled out a folder before bringing it over to them, "The gardens are complete as are the greenhouses, so we'll be able to start producing vegetables at the least. Something that will cut down on supply usage quite a bit. One of the Tengu was a brewer before the war and wants to know if he can start up a small brewery here for the boys. You know how they are."

Flashing her a smile, Ume nodded, "That's fine. And since we're here at Hogwarts, we'll visit the herbology teacher and ask her for some seeds. They have barnicle geese trees as well as tartary lamb. We'll be able to grow those and help out with the meat situation a little at least."

Only shaking her head, Charlotte sighed, "Before dying when the Senior Home I was in was bombed during Blood Week, I would never have believed that magic was real... yet look at how the world is and my current situation."

Giggles met her mock exasparated exclamation from the two girls. Suddenly, Sakura smiled a little, "You speaking of the beer reminded me... is the club for relaxation up and running yet?" Her smile turned a little sly, "John did say that you would be one of the singers there."

Blush standing out against the pale skin of her cheeks, Charlotte thought of the man that she had loved since the 1930s when they met. If only in life they were able to... Shaking that off, she gave the two a grin, "It's coming along fine. Some of the boys and girls can play instruments so we'll have that which means entertainment for everyone, including visiting crews."

Moments later, as the Twins nodded, there was a knock on the door and they turned, "Come in."

The door opened and John walked in, his teeth shining against his dark skin as he caught sight of Charlotte, "Hey there, Hon."

For her part, Charlotte giggled and blushed a bit as she leaned against the Twins' desk, "Hello, John. Come to see me?"

Deeply chuckling, the black American pulled her into an embrace and kissed her before letting go, "Among other things." Turning towards the amused Twins, he nodded and smiled, "Me and the boys were wondering if we had permission to head out on shore leave. To blow off some steam and such."

Blinking, Ume and Sakura shared a confused look before turning back to him, "Shore leave?"

With a small shrug, John gave a nod, "Yup. Some of them heard from the other crews that there was a special bar here in Hogwarts for fairies and stuff. Wanted to go and see it."

Still blinking, the Twins furrowed their eyebrows, "But... why are you asking for permission? Couldn't you go anyways?" A booming laugh escaped from John before he was lightly slapped on the arm by Charlotte, "Was it something we said?"

Only shaking her head, the female American gave them a smile, "While you are right, it has to be done properly, dears. Which means asking for permission first."

Eyes widening, Sakura answered for the both of them as they nodded, "Of course, we're sorry about that. Go ahead, we only need a skeleton crew after all, just... make sure that everyone gets a turn, though we'll be here for two nights."

Amused, John gave them both a nod, "Not a problem, Little Ladies. Me and the boys? We'll do up a schedule." Raising an eyebrow, he frowned a bit, "Are you going to be alright here?"

Now it was the Twins' turn to be amused and they chuckled, "We have some paperwork to do, after which we'll go and sleep some... Hopefully they're nice dreams."

The two Americans simply nodded at that and soon left with the Twins going through the paperwork. And, later when they went to sleep, they dreamed about Harry and themselves.

Meanwhile, John, Charlotte, and the others all went to the Fairy Bar in Hogwarts. Walking along the walls, Charlotte shook her head some in disbelief, "[This has to be one of the strangest experiences that I ever had. Everything looks so large! And being in a magical school...]"

Simply nodding, John kept his arm around her, "[Tell me about it, takes some getting used to.]" He gave a wave to a passing Ravenclaw Prefect who blinked, and gave an unsure wave back, "[A lot better than most.]"

A loud laugh made him turn to one of the Italian-Americans that was part of the original crew, "[That's putting it mildly, John. Besides, you see how the Little Ladies were all excited? Especially with the guy that they like showing them around?]"

One of the Oni snorted at that and grinned, "[I liked how he shot down that one fool. Glorious...]"

More than one of the others of Ume's and Sakura's "Crew" laughed at that. Said boy had annoyed them after all, and more than one wanted to give him a piece of their mind. Just shaking her head at their reactions, Charlotte turned to Yamamoto who was leading them along, "[Mister Yamamoto... how much further until we reach it?]"

Smiling at her, the Japanese Admiral gestured, "[Just around that corner as a matter of fact...]"

It was less than a minute later that the group began to file into the bar, more than one of them stared at the fairies, actual fairies like those from storybooks, were going around. Following one that had very short dress on, and who winked at him, the Italian-American grinned before placing his hat against his chest, "[Lord Almighty, thank you for gifting this poor sap with the chance to visit such a place like this.]"

Another member of the crew snorted and gave him a look, "[There's a first from you, Donnie.]"

Grinning, Donnie winked at him and laughed, "[What? Can't a guy thank someone? Anyways... I'll see you boys later!]"

Quickly, he made his way over to the fairy and started talking with her, musical laughter escaping from the female being before she lead him away and he was not the only one. Shaking his head, John guided Charlotte to one of the tables and sat down with a sigh before glancing at the menu, 'Huh... wonder what this firewhisky stuff is like...'

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A.N.-This is the Ron and Ehren meet backfill story set during Operation Ehren's Reise the day after Ehren meets the Malfoys.

The Origin of Fan is Fanatic (An Operation Ehren's Reise Sidestory)

April, 2014

Entrance To Diagon Alley, London
Spoiler: To Sports Fans Everywhere

Ehren du Chasteler frowned as she surveyed Diagon Alley. She had missed her chance to speak to Miss Granger and her shipgirl friend day before yesterday about a good robe to wear to blend into wizarding society. She could pass as a false student from a wizarding school in France wearing her mother's old school uniform, but that kind of travel across borders was apparently a rarity.

Damn insular society.

Rather like showing up in Munich wearing her beloved Rot-Weiss-Essen custom-order Fußball Jersey (DU CHASTELER #1) that she got for Christmas and speaking her Hochpreussich Middle German regional dialect trying to pass herself off as Bavarian, she thought sourly to herself.

Even those damn beer-swilling Weißwurst-eating Lederhosen-wearing FC Bayern München-bandwagon fan lazy drunks wouldn't buy that. Not even at Oktoberfest. Not below the Weißwurstäquator.

She then chuckled slightly at the next thought. Anyway, considering the stereotypical view of Germans in England, if she wore a Bavarian Dirndl dress, someone would call her Heidi and that damn fictional girl was SWISS.

"Ehren?" A semi-familiar voice called from behind her.

She turned to see the young lady who she had raced on the motorcycle on the drive up from the Chunnel to London standing next to a red-haired young man. Automatically her brain remembered the French accent and she shifted languages to the lingua franca of Moulbaix. "Bonjour! Madame Jean Bart, oui?" She spoke with a polite smile and a curtsy

The tall woman with reddish eyes and a near-floor length ponytail. nodded her head and then extended a hand. "I never would have imagined you would be here." She spoke in French-accented English. "Ron, this is the girl who was racing me across Kent that delayed my consultation."

Ron, the redhead, extended his hand after she shook Jean Bart's "Ron Weasley."

She gave him a very polite smile. "Ehren du Chasteler, of Belgium."

Jean Bart blinked. "Belgium? But your accent is German, and North German at that. What are you doing here?"

Ehren nodded. "It is. Vati was from Prussia and died in the War, and I take after his speech. Mutti is Belgian and raised me and my sister Claire alone after his death." Leaving aside the minor issue of keeping my true nature concealed, which war Vati fought in and which side he was on, and the rest of the staff and family. "Mutti suffered a mischance recently," an accident named Masamune-no-Fudo, "and I was deputized to handle some business here in Diagon Alley while she recuperates from the broken leg and arm."

Ron grimaced, "Well if we can be of any help...?" He began.

Ehren smiled gratefully. "My thanks. I need to acquire post owls to keep correspondence with some Hogwarts students whom I have met," inspiration struck as she continued, "and I have an allowance for the trip so wish to see if any English Quidditch teams are worth following."

She gestured at herself. "I'm Nicht-Magisch-born, you see," If you only knew the truth. "So I grew up following Fußball rather than any wizarding sports." Thank heavens Aunt Del played on her school team in Ilvermorny and told me that the Wizarding World is mad about the sport. Rather like Fußball when it comes down to it. Except for the Americans, though, idiots don't know what they are missing by shunning The Beautiful Game.

Ron grinned and clapped her on the shoulder as he steered her toward Quality Quidditch Supplies. "Let me tell you about the Chudley Cannons. We are due for a breakthrough any year now...."

Ehren's matching grin lit her face up as she sensed the presence of a fellow die-hard fan of a sad-sack downtrodden sports franchise. Which made the day that they returned to glory all the sweeter, in her eyes. Besides, her steel had been smelted in Essen, so of course she had to support her hometown team!

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

Eeylops Owl Emporium

"You know, you really didn't have to buy this for me, Ehren." Ron Weasley said as he hefted the cage containing the Scops Owl that they had just bought.

"It is the least I could do after you told me about the Cannons and helped pick proper robes to support them. Also the store is running a special sale so that if you buy a mated pair and keep them together to help breed and continue the species, you get a discount on a third owl." Ehren responded evenly as she picked up the twin cages containing a mated pair of Eurasian Eagle Owls by the metal bar holding them together. "Also, you had enough for the owl box or to purchase an owl and so it was more efficient for me to get you an owl that can use the box to travel. What do you plan to name your new Owl?"

"I think Pigwidgeon," Ron replied. "I remember an owl named that in one of my favorite books growing up. What about you, Ehren?"

Ehren smiled slightly. "Uhu and Bubi. One can hardly go wrong with the classics, no?"

Jean Bart grinned happily, her ponytail swishing, "This will let you send mail to and from me," she said, hefting the pair of Owl Boxes. "Useful."

Ehren nodded. "Ja, they are. So now...shall we continue the conversation over ice cream?"

"Let's." Ron responded as he grabbed the box of Owl Nuts for Pigwidgeon.

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

"So, you are interested in using magic in marine engineering?" Ehren asked curiously, her spoon hard at work in her butterscotch and vanilla sundae.

"Yes I am." Ron said eagerly before taking a bite of ice cream. He then pointed to the hand-sketched blueprint of a battleship's engine room. "I have personal reasons for wanting to help shipgirls meet their designed specifications."

Ehren leaned over the table to look at the sketches, her eyes intent. "Hm. Interesting. I have a friend who knows a spell that does self-repair. Her enchanted sword is enchanted so if broken, if the pieces are put together they will grow together and reforge the sword back to its original condition."

Ron's eyes bulged. "Really? I have never heard of that!"

Ehren nodded as Jean Bart looked intrigued. "Really. I am led to believe it may be a variation of a spell that her father learned from his travels in China. The Chinese apparently have a long tradition of magical engineering and technology dating back several centuries. I can ask her when I get back home and see if she has any notes that I can pass along to you. Also Mutti traveled extensively and has a large library, including a number of esoteric treatises. She has told me repeatedly to always look for new knowledge and not assume any one school of thought has all the answers."

Ron grinned. "As I said, if you are going to buy me an owl, the least I can do is invite you and your family to visit for a Cannons game this summer before the Quidditch World Cup."

Ehren grinned back. "Deal, although I shall take you to a proper Fußball game in return when Rot-Weiss-Essen plays again. Sadly Zweite Bundesliga is in the playoff season now, and we missed the cut." She sighed in resignation and shook her head. "Again. Three points from being relegated to the semi-pro regional leagues!"

Ron squeezed her shoulder. "Always next year. Always hope. The Cannons are overdue for a breakthrough too, you know."

Ehren gave him the smile of a fellow long-suffering sports fan. "Ja. Always hope. Next year is our year for sure!"

Jean Bart chimed in as her boilers flared a little hotter at their attitude and perseverance. "Oui. The harder the road, the more sweet the prize at the end."

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

It was bright and early, with the Sun having been up for at least an hour, when Sakura and Ume walked out of Hogwarts with Harry, Nagato, and Hoppou. Each of them had their fill at breakfast, which was helped by how few people there were there. But currently, they were walking towards a carriage that would take them to Hogsmeade for a small trip. Pausing before it, the Twins looked it over before giving a small frown towards the thestral that was pulling it, "Harry-Chan? Is this the normal carriage that is used?"

With a nod, Harry pulled open the door, "Hai, it is as a matter of fact. Though in colder months and when the weather is wet, there's a sort of hood that goes over them. It gets removed when it's nicer out." Considering that, the Twins nodded before noticing his hand. When they looked at Harry, they got a nod which made them smile, "Allow me, Himes."

Much to his amusement, that got blushes from the two before they smiled brightly, with Sakura answering for them both as she took his hand, "Thank you, Harry-Chan." As she sat down, she watched as Harry helped her twin sister into the carriage as well, 'Very well mannered.'

Glancing at her sister, Ume sat down beside her before softly whispering, "Harry-Chan is very nice when it comes to manners. Like an old Lord."

All Sakura did was nod in agreement as they watched Harry help both Hoppou and Nagato into the carriage, though the last did not need it. Stepping up into it himself, he closed the door behind him and was about to sit when he found his hands grabbed by the Twins, "Hmm? Ume-Chan? Sakura-Chan? What's wrong?"

The two shared a look before shifting a bit, "Come and sit between us, Harry-Chan."

Simply blinking, Harry turned to his mother who gave a small nod, "Um, sure." As he did so, he frowned a bit as it was a little bit of a squeeze, "Is this okay? Not too tight?"

However, Ume and Sakura shook their heads with them once more speaking as one, "No, Harry-Chan, this is fine." Laying their heads on his shoulders as they grasped his hands, they sighed a little, "More than fine."

Confused, Harry blinked for a moment before mentally shrugging it off and simply enjoying the two pressed up and cuddling against him. Meanwhile, the Carriage began rolling towards Hogsmeade along the dirt road that connected it with Hogwarts Castle. Said road went around the lake towards where Hogsmeade Station was and continued on a distance from there. Soon enough, they passed through the gates that separated the castle grounds from the rest of the area. The Twins, meanwhile, watched their surroundings and had expressions of happiness as they saw various things that they never had either when they were living at home, or in their Caldera.

Part of the thirteen year old was saddened by how much the sight of a herd of deer made them gasp happily and excitedly as they passed them by. Or how they squealed at the sight of a fawn on unsteady legs. Yet, he was also happy because they were obviously enjoying the ride along. Granted, when they came back he was already making some plans regarding something that he guessed that they would enjoy greatly...

As Harry considered things, the carriage continued on its journey to Hogsmeade. Despite it being a dirt road, however, the ride was actually smoother than it would have been in a car. Finally, they reached where they would get off the carriage to walk the rest of the way into town, though Harry blinked at who they found there, "Fubuki-Nee? Yuudachi-Nee? What are you doing here?"

The blonde haired Destroyer giggled some and gave a wave as Harry got up and helped the others down and out of the carriage, "We're here to escort Nagato-San and Hoppou-Chan, Poi."

From where she stood beside Yuudachi, Fubuki nodded some with a slight smile on her face, "Hai, and to pick up some things." At the curious look from the thirteen year old boy, she scratched her cheek, "We'll be heading out on convoy escort in less than a week. I figured that we could pick up some treats and such for Fu-Chan and the others."

Grinning, Yuudachi leaned towards Harry with a glance at her fellow Destroyer, "Fubuki-Chan takes really good care of them. Just like a Kaa-San should, Poi."

Eyes narrowed at her friend, the "Mother of Destroyers" was about to say something when she paused. Instead, she grinned evily, "Yuudachi-Chan~" Seeing the confused look, she continued and turned with her voice still in a sing song, "I suppose that means that I won't do that tomorrow night when we get home~"

Jaw dropping, Yuudachi stared, "POI! FUBUKI-CHAN, NO!"

Bemused at their antics, Harry just shook his head and held out his arms. Both Ume and Sakura took them, "Shall we?"

Extremely amused as Yuudachi now began to beg a smirking Fubuki, Ume hummed some, "Hai, let's go, Harry-Chan..."

With a final wave to his mother and Hoppou who waved back, the Abyssal giggling madly behind one of her mittens, the three of them walked on towards Hogsmeade.

As they walked, Harry glanced at the Twins with a chuckle, "Well? What did you think of the ride?"

Pressing a finger aginst their chins, the two thought about it before Sakura spoke up, "It was quite nice actually. A nice trip through the countryside with nice, spring weather."

Rapidly nodding in agreement with her sister, Ume smiled, "I especially liked seeing the deer. The little fawns were quite cute after all." Tilting her head some, she hummed, "It reminded me of going around Kyoto in a rickshaw as a matter of fact. Though much smoother."

Harry considered the rides he had done in rickshaws himself before nodding, "That is true enough, I suppose. Though some of them aren't too bad now with new suspensions and the like."

The Twins just shrugged at that and smiled before turning their attention to the village around them. It was quite a bit different from the villages that they knew about, though they had never visited them and only saw them in photographs and scrolls. But... it was still a nice little village nonetheless. And one that they could see themselves enjoying walking around and experiencing. The sights, sounds, and even smells were different than what they had encountered before.

It was a grand adventure to them after all.

Just the same, it did not take them very long to come to the realization that Harry was leading them somewhere. A fact that Sakura brought up and made Harry smile at the two of them, "Well... I'm bringing you to a nice tea house that is somewhat off the beaten path of the village as a whole. It's a nice place and great for a snack early in the morning."

Considering that, the Twins nodded as it had been about two hours since they had eaten. And while before they would have been full, they still had a slight bit of hunger and being Installations? They didn't really need to worry about over eating, not in the slightest.

Which brought smiles to their faces as they nodded in agreement and cuddled a bit more closely to him.

Not long afterwards, the three of them entered the teahouse with Harry smiling to Emma, "Welcome to the Dragon's Tea Pot, Ume-Chan, Sakura-Chan."

Both girls had their eyes widen as they looked around before smiling softly. Slowly, Sakura nodded as she looked around, "This is a bit different than other teahouses we have been to, Harry-Chan. But... it is quite nice."

With a hum, Ume also nodded, "Hai, very nice as a matter of fact."

Leading them over to a table, his usual one, Harry pulled out the seats for the two of them and helped them sit down before doing much the same himself. It was just moments later that Emma walked over with notepad and quill to take their orders, "Good morning, welcome to the Dragon's Tea Pot, I'm Emma and I'll be taking your orders." She flashed a smile towards Harry and winked, "Though I already know what you will be having to drink, Mister Potter."

That got her a smile and a chuckle from the thirteen year old, "You're right about that, Emma."

Once she turned to them, both Ume and Sakura stood and did a small bow with Ume speaking first, "I am Konohana... I mean, Ume Konohana, Emma-San."

As she sat down, Sakura smiled and nodded, "And I am Sakura."

Blinking, it took Emma a few seconds to shake it off before she did a slight bow, "Thank you, Miss Sakura and Miss Ume. Do you know what you might like to drink?"

Just blinking, the two of them chewed their lips before grasping the menu and looking through it. Both of them had their eyes widen at the amount of teas, coffees, and hot chocolates there were there. Finally, they nodded some and pointed, "We think that the English Breakfast Tea might be nice, it is a black tea, correct?"

Simply humming as she wrote it down, Emma smiled, "That is correct, it is a blend of black teas from Assam in India, Ceylon in Sri Lanka, though thankfully the teas have started coming from there again, there was a dearth of them earlier in the war you know..." Remembering what she was doing, she gave a nod, "And also from Kenya. Robust, flavourful, and strong as the old English Empire."

Lips twitching, Sakura smiled back at her, "That does sound good, thank you."

After Emma left with their orders a minute later, Harry turned and gave the Twins an interested look, "English Breakfast tea? Not quite what I was expecting really..."

Raising an eyebrow, Ume smiled, "Well, what did you expect?"

The wizard considered things for a few moments before gesturing with his hand, "I suppose something like Jasmine? Or maybe Oolong?"

With a small giggle, the two girls glanced around, "Well, we did consider such. But we could also get such teas back home in Japan. As for English Breakfast tea? If our parents and Clan elders from that time could see it, they would be... very angry with us. Of course, they're no longer in power, and thus we can have such and enjoy what their reactions likely would be."

Looking at the menu, Sakura hummed, "Though if we come back later, perhaps we could have some of this 'Masala chai' that is listed here. It does sound like an interesting blend of tea to say the least."

As Harry nodded in agreement, behind the counter as she prepared the tea, Emma raised an eyebrow, 'So they chose that blend because it would aggrevate their parents and older relatives? Hmm... reminds me of some of the younger members of some of the more traditional Pureblood families and how they will secretly enjoy something they know would get their elders angry about from the Muggle world.'

Finding the blends needed, she began to work brewing them. As she did so, Emma did glance over at the two girls with Harry deep in thought. While, yes, he had brought that other pair of twins to her family's teahouse, not once did she think he would follow it up with another pair. And a pair just as beautiful, if more stately, as the other pair. Something that made her shake her head.

Especially as she could tell that the two were obviously from either a very well off family, or a very old one, probably both along with likely being one of those Natural Borns she heard about considering what their orders were.

While not an expert in foreign clothing, Emma could tell that the ones the two girls wore were very well made. As well, there was the fact that it was quite obvious that said clothes were made of silk! Probably cost more than most of her wardrobe put together really. There was also the fact of their manners, though somewhat odd, likely due to being foreigners from Japan she suspected, were also telling of their social position. Something that made Emma internally nod.

Teas done, she placed the mugs onto a plate as well as a few eccles cakes that she had baked just that morning and were still warm. Bringing them over, Emma set the items onto the table and smiled at them, "Sorry about the wait, it will be just a few minutes more for the rest of the order. But please, enjoy."

Ume and Sakura nodded at that with smiles of their own, "Thank you."

Just nodding at that, Emma left to work on the rest of the order. Turning their attention to the tea, the two took a sip before frowning and adding some honey, though they raised an eyebrow at Harry using sugar cubes for his, which he shrugged at, "It's how I like to sweeten it a bit, though I do add some honey."

Considering that, the Twins nodded before they added milk as they watched Harry do and took a sip. With a sigh, Sakura hummed a bit, "This is quite a good blend. I take it you use it to wake up?"

With a chuckle, Harry scratched the side of his head, "Hai, it is pretty good to wake up with. I don't really drink coffee unless I really, really need the caffine. Give me a nice, strong black tea instead, that will wake me up or keep me awake."

Internally, unknown to him, both Ume and Sakura made notes of that before turning their attention to the small cakes on the plate before them. They looked like they had some sort of berry in it and was covered with powdered sugar. Gesturing at them, Harry gave a nod and Ume picked up one before biting into it. Chewing it, her eyebrows raised, "What are these, Harry-Chan? In them, I mean?"

Taking his own, he took a bite before washing it down with some tea, "Currants, a type of berry, and my family grew them on our property." Looking at it, he hummed a bit, "Though there's another version called Blackburn cakes which use apples instead."

Also having taken a bite, Sakura considered what she had just been told before nodding, "That could be very good actually, Harry-Chan. Did you ever think of making some of those Blackburn cakes?"

Head cocked to the side, Harry didn't say anything right away as he took another bite. Once he was done chewing and swallowed, he made a thoughtful noise, "Not really? Though I might see how people back in Yokosuka like it..."

By the time they were mostly done with the eccles cakes, though there were only five of them, Emma returned with a large plate that she set down, "Here you go, loves. Nice, fresh carrot cake."

Eyebrows raising at the sight, and the slightly spiced scent that drifted up from it, the Twins smiled back at her, "Thank you, Emma-San."

Just chuckling, the employee nodded as Harry chimed in with his own thanks, "You are very welcome, and I hope that you enjoy." Spotting that the cups for the Twins were drained, she took them, "I'll just go and get you some refills."

Less then two minutes later, she returned with freshly refilled cups that she placed down and left to do other work. Slowly cutting themselves a slice and placing it on a plate, Ume and Sakura looked at it and then Harry before clapping their hands, "Itadakimasu."

Picking up the forks, the two each took a piece before taking a bite and slowly chewing. After a few moments, Harry leaned forward with his hands clasped in front of him, "Well? What do you think?"

Still chewing, they held up their fingers before swallowing and wiping their lips on a napkin. After which, they smiled with Ume taking another piece with her fork, "It is quite good, Harry-Chan. Different from what we have had in Japan, but quite good just the same."

Having taken a bite already, Sakura waited until she was done chewing before nodding in agreement, "Hai, Ume-Nee is quite correct in this, Harry-Chan." Briefly, she paused before a slightly mischivious smirk crossed her lips. Quickly, she used her fork to take a piece and then held it before Harry, "Here you go, Harry-Chan."

Only raising an eyebrow, Harry nonetheless took the offered piece and chewed. As he nodded and watched, Sakura took another piece and held it before her mouth with a twinkle in her eye, 'What is she up to now?"

Now grinning, Sakura glanced at her sister, "Indirect kiss."

And then she put the fork into her mouth as Harry froze as did Ume. Giving her sister a look, and getting a smirk back, Ume gained her own before taking a piece of cake and holding it out to Harry, "Here you go... take one from mine."

Even as Harry blushed, he swore that he could hear the employee giggling madly behind the counter. Yet, when he glanced at her, she was just wiping the countertop with a cloth, her expression seemingly stating she was focused on that, 'Hmm...' Shaking that off, he turned to Ume who raised an eyebrow and gestured with the forkful of cake, which he internally sighed at before taking it. And, just like with her sister, she took another forkful and ate that as Harry gulped, 'Bloody hell...'

The two girls simply grinned at that before they continued doing what they had been.

It was almost an hour later when they left the teahouse, arm in arm. As the door closed behind them, Ume took a deep breath before letting it out, "That... was quite enjoyable, Harry-Chan. Thank you for bringing us here."

Lips quirking upwards, Harry gave a chuckle as he nodded, "I'm glad that the two of you liked it, Ume-Chan, Sakura-Chan."

Glancing at her sister, Sakura moved a bit in front of him, "Hai, we did..."

Then, she gave him a soft kiss before moving back and being replaced by Ume. Both girls lightly blushed at the stunned look on Harry's face before their soft giggles snapped him out of it, though he still had a blush. However, he just laughed it off as did they before they continued their journey on in Hogsmeade.
___________________________________________________

Humming as she tore a small piece of bread from the nearly stale loaf that they had bought, Sakura tossed it towards the small pond in front of them. Almost immediately, various ducks rushed in quacking and trying to snap up the pieces which made her giggle. Beside her, Ume mirrored her actions, watching as the quacking increased briefly before looking at her sister, "This is fun."

Slowly nodding, Sakura had a bright smile on her face, "Hai, it really is." Tossing a piece, she tilted her head, "Do you know what this reminds me of?"

Curious, her sister looked at her, "What?"

Gesturing with one hand, Sakura shook her head, "It reminds me of when we used to feed the Koi back home in the pond there. Do you remember that?"

A soft smile of remembrance on her face, Ume sighed, "Oh yes, this is similar to that." Tossing a piece of bread with a deft flick towards some ducklings, she giggled softly as they swarmed the small piece of food, "Though I would like to think that our Koi had better manners, but they most likely do not."

With a glance towards where Harry was at a stall, her twin hummed a bit, "This has been a very good trip as a matter of fact. And I think that Aki-Kun would be most pleased with everything as Harry-Chan has done it properly."

Raising an eyebrow, Ume gave her a look, "Did you expect any different from Harry-Chan?" At the shake of the head she got, she nodded, "Neither did I."

Softly sighing, Sakura shook her head, "If only... could you imagine it? Had things been different and such a thing would have been possible when we were young before... that?"

Considering the question, her sister smiled and sighed as well, "Hai, I can imagine it, Sakura-Nee. To have been able to court Harry then..." After a few moments, she tossed another piece of bread towards the ducks, "And yet? I am quite happy with how things are now. Hai, it was perhaps a very long wait, but worth it in some way that it allowed for us to meet Harry-Chan. And now we have a chance to be truly happy."

Bemused, Sakura chuckled a little, "Though he does have quite the number looking to be with him."

That got her a soft snort of amusement from Ume, "And? Neither of us expected to be the lone wives of whomever we were chosen to marry, if the youngest. Or concubines, as our parents later had us believe. But unlike those situations, we do not need to fear older, jealous women attempting violence on us. Could you see any of the others harming us?"

Not even giving it a moment's of consideration, her twin sister shook her head, "No, I do not. And neither could I see Harry-Chan just ignoring it if something did, for some reason, happen. Besides..." A smirk crossed her face before she continued, "We both are quite... knowledgable due to our studies. The others might well find that of great use."

Looking at each other, they giggled madly, though with slight blushes due to what that 'Knowledge' was of, though it was from studying scrolls and books on it which they had to do for their future husband.

Once they calmed down, the two continued to toss pieces of bread to the ducks while talking. Glancing at Harry, Ume lowered her voice, "I am quite happy with that one place Harry-Chan took us, Gladrags. While most of their selection is of things that we are not... quite comfortable with, they did have some items that were much better for us than what we had to buy back home."

With a glance towards the thirteen year old wizard herself, Sakura nodded, "Hai, that is true. While Miu-Chan was nice to show us that one store where those like us who suffer from the family curse can buy certain items at, they only had a small selection of them. Not like what they had there, though I am thankful that Harry-Chan understood and stayed at the other end of the store." Cheeks red, she shook her head, "I would have been mortified to have him know what we bought!"

Just nodding in agreement and with a blush of her own, Ume chewed her lip, "It is much the same for me. Though they are quite comfortable, much so then binding them up. Miu-Chan is quite correct in that and the employee that helped us was of great help, though I wonder..." Frowning, she furrowed her eyebrows, "Is it because of diet that western women have such a wider selection of such things than back in Japan?"

Thoughtful, Sakura shook her head, "Perhaps? Though I am unsure of that in any case." With a small shrug, she hummed, "Though I do think that those 'Nighties' are quite nice. If it gets too warm and humid in the summer, they should be of great help. They're also very acceptable compared to some of the clothes that they had there. And the slippers are quite nice as well, which I think we shall enjoy when wearing them around the home."

Finger on her chin, her sister glanced around, "Did you know, Sakura-Nee, that some of the others have taken to wearing some of Harry-Chan's old clothes? Such as Hachi-Chan wearing one of his cloaks to bed..."

Eyes widening, Sakura stared at her before frowning in thought, "Do women of this era do such things normally?"

Nodding, Ume chewed her lip with a slight flush on her cheeks, "Apparently so, Sakura-Nee. From what Miu-San told me when I asked her..." At the look, she shook her head, "I told her that I overheard some other young women speaking of such things with no names. But she said that it was relatively common and that it could enflame the passions of a young man. Because wearing his clothes for bed is akin to stating, without outright saying, that they were the young man's."

Several seconds passed as her sister digested that before nodding, "I see... that could be very useful information indeed for the future."

Before they could continue their conversation much more, they noticed that Harry was walking towards them. The two smiled at him as he arrived with three cups floating behind him and a box filled with cylindrical objects filled with a white substance, "Hello, Harry-Chan."

At seeing their interested looks, he sat down with them moving apart so that he could sit between them before he floated the cups before them, "Here you go, I thought that you might be a bit thirsty and wanted a drink as well as a small snack. First, we have elderflower cordial..." Harry then held up the box, "And here we have some brandy snaps filled with cream."

Interested, the Twins took a hold of the drinks and examined the light yellowish substance within. Sakura turned to him with an intrigued look, "Elderflower cordial, Harry-Chan?"

Placing the box in his lap, Harry gave a nod, "Hai, that is what it is, Sakura-Chan. Made from elderflowers as a matter of fact."

Now really interested, the twins took a sip from their straws and their eyes lit up. Pulling away, they nodded, "It's sweet, but not too much and... there's a little bit of lemon added?"

Just chuckling, Harry smiled, "The sweetness is from the elderflower actually, and the lemon is added to help preserve the syrup made from the flowers and add a little tart to the taste."

Taking another sip, Ume nodded, "It really is quite nice." Looking at the box, she glanced at Harry who nodded before taking out one of the objects and examining it. As she expected, it was in the shape of a hollow cylinder with the middle filled with cream it looked like. The cylinder itself was a dark brown and somewhat hard. Gently, she put it into her mouth before biting down with her eyes blinking as she chewed before swallowing with a nod, "It's good."

Also taking one, Sakura gave a nod of agreement after a bite later and soon, the three teens were enjoying a small snack at the edge of a duck pond between tossing pieces of bread to the waterfowl swimming there.

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A Courtship in Emerald (XIII)

Sákpe Mázasu Pteyúha (Six Bullet Ranch)

Black Hills, Southwestern South Dakota, USA

29 May, 1945

Deliah de Breuil flashed into existence in the living room of her ranch. Tears trickled from her pain-filled eyes in her grief-stricken face. Gold glimmered around her neck as she violently ripped the necklace containing the ring from around her throat and slammed it to the surface of the side table next to the couch. Her MACUSA Auror's dress robe was next, as she almost tore it from her body to be tossed into a corner with a savage insane snarl.

Now clad in a black knee-length mourning dress, she staggered to the sideboard and yanked it open. Grabbing a bottle of 1938 Ogden's Old Firewhisky, the weeping Muramasa pulled the cork out and began to drink straight from the bottle.

Horrified, Zamarad watched her friend slam back the liquor with grim determination. She frantically battered at the spells binding her to the ring so that she could manifest. She screamed voicelessly to Delilah. "Delilah... Please! Please release me!"

Delilah couldn't hear her.

Finally finishing the bottle, Delilah glared at it murderously, and then threw it like a Quaffle at the fireplace with all her strength, turning to grab the next bottle from her liquor cabinet.

The fireplace!

As the bottle shattered on the stone, the flames flashed brighter with the dregs of the Firewhiskey in the bottle as it burned.

Zamarad strained for that fire with strength that she never knew that she had. The pain was intense, but the pain of seeing Delilah weeping her heart out on the other side of the damnable gem containing her was far greater.

The Ifrit gritted her teeth and gasped nonexistent air as she flamed brighter and brighter, reaching for the fireplace, whose flames began to flicker and shift to burn in her direction.

Just...

A...

A second emptied bottle of alcohol was flung to smash into the hearth stone of the fireplace

Suddenly, she felt the spell release just enough for her to reach out and claim the lesser Fire in the room as part of her greater essence. With a roar the fireplace surged like a blast furnace to cough up a fireball that formed itself into her avatar. Slipper-clad feet shattered shards of brown-colored glass underfoot as she dashed to cradle Delilah as the third half empty bottle dropped from the revolver's hand.

"Ssssh... sssh... I am here, love of my life..." Zamarad whispered in a warm soothing crackle and pop of embers, gently stroking Delilah's hair as she gathered the revolver to her bosom.
Spoiler: The Price Of Liberty

Delilah clung to her desperately and sobbed brokenheartedly. Leaf-green eyes filled with an ocean of guilt and pain closed as the revolver desperately whispered to the jinn. "How can you care for a monster like me?"

Zamarad hugged Delilah tighter to her. "But you are no monster."

"But I am!" Delilah shrieked in a near-hysterical voice. "You were there, you heard it!"

Zamarad closed her eyes as she remembered the scene that she had passively witnessed from within her ring a half hour ago.

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

Delilah had been delivering the personal effects of one of her men to a Native American woman in a clapboard farm house. Clearly it had been taken care of with love and care. As the woman walked to the door alongside a minister from the local church, a young boy answered the door next to the embroidered window flag with one blue star, signifying a child in the US military fighting in the war... and one gold star, signifying that second son had paid the ultimate price in the service of his country.

Now there would be two gold stars in the window.

Now there would be a young widow with a child in her arms. A child who would never know her father.

A young boy who would have to grow up too early to be the man of the house answered the door, clad in worn but mended clothes. He looked at Delilah and the minster looking at him with compassion on his face and opened his mouth.

Saying words that scarred the revolver as few other things could. "Bring Daddy back! I want my Daddy!"

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

She then opened her compassionate eyes and whispered soothingly. "It is not your fault."

Delilah shook her head in negation and screamed out in a guilt filled agonized voice. "But it is all my fault! I gave the order that sent Sergeant Bearclaw to his death! I made the decision to send him on a suicide mission to reinforce that position. And I'd do it again! I'd do it to Sis, or Jackie or even you! Or Mother! Or Myself! Because when I'm like that I just... don't... care... about people as people. All they are are numbers to me! Pieces to move on the board according to my whims and desires as I plot their fates coldly and ruthlessly like the killing machine that I am!"

Zamarad's hug stopped the babble of guilt and pain filled words. "You pay the price of freedom so willingly and spend of yourself so deeply, Delilah. And I shall pay it alongside you. You may not care when you must decide who lives and who dies, then I will care for you in turn when you must weight the price dispassionately." The Ifrit's voice was as uncompromising as a forest fire in a bone-dry forest.

A hand cupped Delilah's chin and forced the leaf-green eyes full of an ocean of guilty tears to meet the gaze of blazing emerald eyes filled with the heat of a love that could and would dry up that ocean of pain or extinguish herself in the process. "Because I love you, Delilah Naomi de Breuil-Muramasa. Because I love you and you are worthy of my love."

She gathered the weeping Muramasa in her arms and held her in her warm embrace once more. "Because a killing machine would not care or mourn or feel remorse for the price that she paid to free me and others."

Delilah nodded hesitantly as she wailed out her grief once more for the sacrifices that she had made.

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Sákpe Mázasu Pteyúha (Six Bullet Ranch)

Black Hills, Southwestern South Dakota, USA

30 May, 1945
Spoiler: An Ifrit In The The New World

Zamarad smiled at Delilah as they consumed some bacon and flapjacks for breakfast.

Delilah had eventually cried herself out and then spent the night cuddled up to her restlessly. Zamarad was content merely to comfort and warm her love by simple proximity as she privately wondered how many nights Delilah had laid alone weighted down by this inner darkness.

But yet, it was not the capability but the intended usage and actions taken with what gifts and attributes that one had given that determined their moral standing. Delilah's dark side was a tool that she had honed to serve her will as a weapon to fight greater evils than she could ever become.

With that insight, she looked at Delilah. "So, what do you plan now?"

Delilah laughed slightly. "I..." She paused, clearly weighing her words. "I have responsibilities here that must be maintained. Oaths sworn. Promises kept." Her green eyes were shrouded in bittersweet memory. as she looked out the window. "Perhaps...."

Zamarad blinked curiously. "Perhaps?" She inquired as she turned the last 'flapjack' to fulfilling flame and ash. Silently she chuckled at the disappointed look on Delilah's face when she had turned down the bacon.

Delilah rubbed her chin thoughtfully and finally nodded decisively. "You know how to ride a horse?"

Zamarad laughed. "Of course I do. I would be a poor jinn if I could not ride!"

The Muramasa got a smug smirk on her face. "Then after we wash up the dishes, we have a little field trip."

Zamarad grinned. "You wash," she snapped her finger and a fireball formed over her palm, "and I'll dry."

Delilah laughed and began to scrub the skillet with hot water and a rag. "Deal!"

Zamarad rode after Delilah up a trail across the meadow and then up through the pine woods. The air around her was filled by a vast potential full of invisible eyes measuring her. It reminded her of nothing so much as some of her family's holdings int he desolate places of the earth where the Unseen touched the world of the Seen.

Her already high esteem for Delilah clicked up a notch. Clearly this place was Guarded, and she suspected strongly that her love was one of the Guardians. Of course, if she asked, Delilah could not tell her, any more than Zamarad could speak willingly of some of her own family's responsibilities.

It would not do to have the Children of Adam tamper with the Seals against the Kin of Iblis, for along that road led the destruction of all that she held dear.

Again her thoughts went to the Shayatan that she had sensed in London. She was more wary of it now, not less. If it was smart enough to hide among the Children of Adam rather than using its newfound freedom to sate its desires and malicious cruelty and sadism....

An intelligent mortal foe was the worst sort.

Her eyes glimmered as she remembered the cost paid by her older sister and the mage who had aided her to prevent the Seal of Erta Ale from being shattered by a Shaitan.

With that, insight struck her and she started. Just as she would one day soon devote her life and her existence to eternally being the warrior on the ramparts, the watcher in the night, and the guardian of the barren places which held threats that the Children of Adam must be protected from, so too would Delilah be another Guardian until the day when her life was laid down in defense of that which she loved and allowed to receive her eternal reward.

After all, Delilah was teaching her by word, deed and example that liberty is precious because the cost is so unutterably high and yet is paid so willingly for something that gives our lives meaning. A cost that Delilah was paying with the guilt over a friend's death at her command, the burden of knowing that she had wounded his family to prevent a greater evil, and the many many other responsibilities and regrets that she labored with. A cost that she herself was paying with separation form her family, and knowing that very soon she would have to dedicate her life to being a Guardian, which one day would demand the ultimate sacrifice from her.

Zamarad's musing was interrupted as Delilah reached the edge of a grassy meadow and dismounted. "We're here."

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Holding hands with the Twins as they walked along the small park, alive with flowers with magic keeping the late frosts away, Harry gave a smile as the two girls looked at the various flowers, "Enjoying the flowers?"

Just nodding as she turned to him, Ume nodded, "Hai, they're quite lovely and smell wonderful." Looking at them, she shook her head, "There are many that I do not recognize."

Eyes closed as she leaned in towards a lilac bush, Sakura happily hummed as she sniffed the flowers, "Very lovely."

Slowly, the thirteen year old wizard nodded. An action that caught Ume's attention, "What are you thinking of, Harry-Chan?"

Glancing at her, Harry shrugged a bit with a small smile, "Maybe I should buy you a flower in a pot. You know?"

Both girls blushed at this but gave him a kiss on the cheek, with him returning it before they continued on their walk.

As they did so, the Twins continued to take deep breaths and letting them out, the floral scent of their surroundings relaxing them. Turning towards Harry, Sakura tilted her head to the side a little, "How long is there left in the school year, Harry-Chan?"

With a blink, Harry hummed a little, "How long?" Getting a nod, he frowned slightly, "Well... this week is OWLs and NEWTs, next week is for normal exams. And we head home the Monday after that on the twenty third."

Unknown to him, the Twins made a note in their calendars within their office, which Charlotte noticed and giggled at. Ignoring that, they smiled back at him, "That does sound good. But what are you going to do when you get home?"

Thinking about the question, the thirteen year old gave a slight shrug, "Not too much for a bit. I mean, there is the trip to Shiromizu's mountain on the thirtieth." Seeing the curious looks, Harry smiled, "Her Shrine is going to be dedicated and there's a small festival there dedicating when we saved the village from Kuroshi. The Abyss Riders will be there as well... though from what Asuka said, Ai and the others didn't know what to do at first when they got the invitations."

Slowly blinking as they digested that, the two girls giggled a bit at the thought.

Not long afterwards, the three re-entered the village proper and slowly made their way through it. Still chatting, the question came up of where they should go now. After all, they had visited the local Honeydukes (with the Twins buying a number of sweets for their little brother as well as family), the ice cream shop, and others.

Considering the question, Harry glanced up at the Sun and frowned a little, "Well... you mentioned going back to the Dragon's Tea Pot? We have the time after all..."

Briefly, he glanced towards his chest where the time turner was hidden and the Twins nodded happily with Sakura answering for them both, "Hai, that does sound wonderful, Harry-Chan."

It did not take the three of them very long to arrive at the Dragon's Tea Pot. Upon entering, Emma where she was serving an older lady. Said older lady, who looked rather ancient chuckled a little, "Ah, well, you know how it is, Emma my dear. I remember giving you, your OWL examinations like I did Albus'. And again this year." Pausing, the old woman nodded, "You did very well on both your OWLs and NEWTs if my memory serves correctly. Eight OWLs and seven NEWTs."

Much to the amusement of the three, Emma lightly blushed before she caught sight of them. She chatted with the elderly woman for another minute before leaving her to her business and walking over with a smile, "Well, I did not expect any of you to come back today."

Lopsidedly grinning, Harry gave a small shrug, "What can I say, Emma, we enjoyed the tea so much we had to come back."

All four chuckled at that before Emma shook her head, "Well, let's get you a seat and I'll make your orders, hmm?" Turning, she suddenly paused and turned back around, "Rather than your usual seat, Mister Potter... would you like to partake of one of our theme rooms?"

That made Harry blink in confusion and he furrowed his eyebrows, "Theme rooms?"

Somewhat amused at having gotten him a little off kilter, Emma chuckled, "Yes, they're special rooms for tea that we have in the establishment. Each one is unique and has a different theme. For example, the African Safari makes one think that they are on the Serengeti. Or the Forest Room is set up as if one was in a primordial forest somewhere, untouched by man." Lips quirking a bit, she chuckled, "Usually word of mouth lets people know, though there is also information on the last page of the menu."

Glancing at Harry who just lightly blushed, the Twins smiled a bit, "Could we see one of the menus please to make our decision?"

Lips twitching, Emma nodded, "Of course. You can even inspect the rooms as needed if that is what you wish." It took her just a few seconds to return with a menu which she handed to them, "I'll give you a few minutes."

With that, she walked off as Harry flushed and rubbed the back of his neck, "Um, Ume-Chan? Sakura-Chan? Sorry about this..."

Both girls simply shook their heads, "Harry-Chan, it's fine. We had a look through this menu and missed it ourselves." Flipping through it, they chuckled, "Which is rather easy due to the size. Ah, here we go."

Holding it so that the thirteen year old could see it, they looked at the description of the rooms. After a few moments, Harry pointed at one, "Do you want to try the Japanese room?"

Ume hummed a bit, but then nodded, "Hai, or at least see it."

A short time later, they found themselves before a Shogi door which Emma slid aside to reveal the room. Both Ume and Sakura gasped as it resembled a Japanese patio with a traditional garden beside it. Off in the distance, they could just see a mountain or two with snow on the summit. Harry meanwhile blinked before his eyes widened and he noticed a plaque. Reading it, he smiled a bit, "Heh..."

Turning, Sakura looked at him, "Harry-Chan?"

However, he just waved her off with a small smile, "I'll tell you in a bit. But the better question is... do you want it?"

Just considering, the Twins nodded and Emma bowed slightly to them before gesturing inside. Somewhat to her confusion, the Twins removed their shoes as did Harry before the three sat in seiza with Sakura looking around, "This... is wonderful."

Nodding, Harry smiled at her, "It is."

A sigh escaping from Ume made him turn, but she shook her head, "Just wishing that we had the time and instruments to perform a traditional tea ceremony, Harry-Chan. This place... would be wonderful for such." With a deep breath and another sigh, she turned to Emma, "I think though that we will order now."

Simply pulling out her notepad and quill, Emma smiled, "Of course, what will you have..."

Roughly ten minutes later found the three with new cups of tea in front of them. This time, it was Harry choosing to have the same as Ume and Sakura, the Twins having gone with Masala chai. The two girls closed their eyes and sniffed at the tea before humming. Opening hers, Sakura hummed, "An interesting smell, and a few of the spices we can identify. Cinnamon, nutmeg, and a few others."

On the opposite side of her from Harry, though also slightly in front of him, Ume tilted her head before nodding, "Hai." Taking a delicate sip of the tea, she allowed it to wash over her tongue for a few seconds before she swallowed and opened her eye, "And a very intriguing taste. Much different than the teas back home."

Having taken a sip of his own, Harry gave a nod, "Hai, then again, it is a style of tea from India, so it would be different from Japanese and British teas." Smiling and setting it aside, he picked up a plate next to them that held a number of rectangular shaped objects. Some were a pale yellow and some a light brown. And a few had been sandwiched together with cream and jam in the middle, "Here, try some of these."

Interested, Ume took one of the yellow ones and slowly hit into it. Chewing, she raised an eyebrow, "Little sponge cakes!"

With a chuckle, the thirteen year old boy nodded, "That is what they are. The brown ones are chocolate flavoured, by the way."

Taking one of the chocolate ones, Sakura examined it before also taking a bite and happily smiling. Once she had swallowed, she turned to Harry, "You called them sponge fingers, correct?"

Only humming as he took a sip of tea, Harry nodded. Taking one himself, he smiled, "That's right, because they're about the size of fingers, you see." Both girls nodded as it made a certain amount of sense, "They are pretty good though with tea."

Now thoughtful, the Twins communicated silently before turning to Harry, "You are right that they go well with tea, Harry-Chan. Do you know how to make them though?"

Blinking, Harry cocked his head to the side and nodded, "I do, as a matter of fact. I know that Natsumi-Chan learned how to make them from me and usually puts chocolate on them for tea. Aunt Rose said that once Sumire is old enough for somewhat solid food, she'll give her some since they're soft."

Sakura only nodded as she took another bite, 'They are quite soft... perfect for a baby...' Briefly, the image of her holding an infant with mixed Japanese and European features as well as messy black hair and green eyes flashed through her mind, with her feeding such a thing to them. That brought a blush to her face, but she shook it off, "That does sound like it would be a good idea, Harry-Chan."

And she did not need to glance at her sister to know that there was a slight blush on her cheeks from the same image, they were Twins, after all.

It was then that Ume decided to get her mind off what she had just imagined and to sate her curiosity a little, "Harry-Chan? You seemed to recognize this place when the door was opened."

Lips twitching, he nodded some, "I did and for a good reason though I was not there in Spring like it is now." Harry pointed towards the mountains, "This is actually the tea house of the Arashi Clan. I know because I could see those mountains from it and from the exact same angle. Also..." The teen's gaze softened slightly, "There was a plaque just outside the door stating that my Great-Great Grandfather and Grandmother were the ones who donated the money and had this room built."

Reaching over, the Twins placed a hand on his legs and gave him a gentle squeeze. Nothing needed to be said because they understood. Softly smiling herself, Ume looked around and nodded, "Your relatives, they have very good taste, Harry-Chan. I think that I would like to visit them one day and see this personally. Perhaps when the Sakura bloom."

Thinking it over, Harry gave a small nod, "Maybe, I'll see what I can do."

With a small smile, the Twins picked up another sponge finger and ate them with a hum.

An hour later found them leaving the tea house with all three thanking Emma who smiled back and waved them off. Glancing at the Sun, which was sinking towards the horizon, Harry gave a nod, "We should have plenty of time to get back to the meeting spot. Then back to Hogwarts."

Hand in his, Sakura nodded, "Hai, and Harry-Chan?" When he turned to her, she kissed him for a few seconds and pulled away, "Thank you."

Moments later, Ume also gave him a kiss before pulling back, "Hai, thank you for the wonderful date, Harry-Chan. This has been a very good trip."

Cheeks flushed, Harry chuckled a little, "Glad that you both enjoyed yourselves. That is what was important about this after all."

That got him another pair of kisses, though on the cheek before they began to walk away.

Inside the Dragon's Tea Pot, Emma bit her lip to keep from squealing at what she just said, before blinking at a sigh, "Ah, that takes me back..."

Blinking, Emma turned towards the older witch who had been there when Harry and the Twins had arrived, "Madam Marchbanks?"

The elderly witch hummed and turned to her before shaking her head, "Just some old memories." Looking back at Harry, she had a thoughtful look, "Word is that he has had other girls with him on dates this year and they all know of and have no issues with the others."

Lightly blushing, Emma said nothing.

Chuckling, Griselda shook her head, "Ah, that was all I needed for confirmation. Young Harry most certainly takes after his Great-Great Grandfather, Ian Potter. Henry was close though and got it from his father and mother... but neither Fleamont nor James had the touch. Granted, both of them had their eyes on a specific girl from when they were young!"

Furrowing her eyebrows, the younger witch frowned, "Did you know Ian Potter? Great Gran just titters when I ask about him."

A giggle came from Madam Marchbanks as she waved her hand against her face, "I do say that I can understand why she would, that charmer. Ian Potter could very well get into the chastity locked pants of the Devil's own daughter if he wanted to. Lyra as well, for that matter. Ah, the days when I was younger..."

Part of Emma did not want to know, and another really did not want to know. But before she could squash it, one part forced her to speak up, "Does that mean that you knew him...?"

She twitched a bit as the older witch tittered and blushed, "Oh my, yes, that is one way that you could put it. I was one of his examiners as a matter of fact. Nice sixty, but looking like I was in my late thirties, good genes in my family, you see. Well, it was... the September after his graduation. His NEWTs had been sent in and graded when he came to the Ministry to get some paperwork done for a trip to Japan. And, well, he was a fine, handsome lad and..." A few minutes later, she giggled, "... His skill, Morgana herself would have bowed before it." With a sigh, she shook her head, "Best three days of my life that. Of course, then we went to the bedroom for his last night in Britain before he went to Japan, though the kitchen table was never quite the same..."

Meanwhile, Emma was just staring ahead with a blank look on her face that was stating that she was internally screaming.

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A Courtship in Emerald (XIV)

Black Hills, Southwestern South Dakota, USA

30 May, 1945
Spoiler: The Spirits Of The Black Hills

Zamarad's eyes widened at the scene ahead as she dismounted automatically without thinking of doing so. Several dozen large brown-black shapes were placidly grazing the late-spring sweetgrass in the meadow or drinking from the crystal-clear stream that flowed through it. Several large bulls rolled in a dust wallow in clear joy.
Spoiler: Tatanka In The Meadow

She blinked and suddenly gasped at how massive the American Bison ahead were. To her eyes, they seemed to glow spiritually in colors not visible to humans. She felt the attention of this place, this hidden land, focus on her like a hawk flying over the desert sands of her homeland would focus on the movements of a small mouse far below.

Beside her Delilah took a deep breath, and pulled out her wand, chanting in the throaty guttural sounds of Lakota.
Spoiler: Wakinyan

As she did, Zamarad felt an avian cry of regal majesty and wild power echo through her very being. She looked up, sensing more than seeing a mighty bird, as great as a roc, lightning-crowned with its wings booming like thunder above her, measuring her spirit. She felt pinned in place, frozen in place by a greater Will as the world itself stopped moving.

Delilah finished her invocation, and then pulled a leather pouch on a rawhide thong out from underneath her clothing. Reaching inside, she sprinkled dried sweetgrass and sagebrush over Zamarad's head. Instinctively, the Ifrit flamed up to consume the sacred herbs, and as she did, her clothing flashed to flame to burn from her in drifts of ash blown to coat her body by the winds that the mighty bird spirit generated. Now nude save for the golden ring on its necklace, she felt time resume and knew what she had to do.

She stepped forward into the meadow, feeling the grass rustle under her feet. The feeling terrified her as she sensed that a test lay ahead that could destroy her utterly if it judged her as a threat.

But she trusted Delilah utterly.

Ahead of her the Bison moved as one, forming a corridor to the stream. Their eyes stared into her, measuring her as she walked between them, sensing the leashed power to shatter the ground and split the skies with the thunder of their stampede. Power far greater than she represented.

She continued her walk to the stream, gathering her courage as she traversed the gauntlet. As she did the stream writhed and shimmered, beginning to glow a rainbow color as the sunlight illuminated it.

Reaching a flat rock at the edge, she knelt and looked into the shimmering water as behind her the Bison formed a ring.

Water.

The Element of Death for her kind.

For just as Fire gave her life, and she fed on Earth with the aid of Air, Water was her opposite, her antithesis. Her Nemesis.

Summoning all the courage that she had, she plunged her hands into the stream at an unspoken command. The water was ice-cold, and she whimpered in agony, seeing her hands suddenly flicker and go out to lifeless ash and charred bone underneath the water, then reignite as a surge of power flowed through her.

"Brave, child. I am impressssed" A hissing seductive serpentine voice sounded from the depths and the water exploded in front of her as a great translucent shimmering serpent slithered from it to coil in front of her.
Spoiler: Unk Cekula

The Horned Serpent towered over her, its eyes flickering and shimmering liquidly as the shadow of its mighty horns fell across her. "I have the wissssdom and undersssstanding that you sssseeek, child. Go on and drink and you sssshall be free of the sssspellssss that bind you to that ring. You will be transsssformed into what you sssshould be." Its voice was soothing and seductive and she knew deep in her soul that the words it spoke were true in this place, this time.

The Thunderbird overhead screamed angrily in response as she lifted her cupped hands from the stream, now filled with rainbow-shimmering water.

For long moments she stared into the water's depths, promising so much that she desired, and finally closed her eyes. Tilting her head back, she raised her arms above her head, and then poured the water on her face to flow across her body.

The pain was excruciating, ribbons that were knives of cold agony flaying her as the water trickled over her body, forming patterns in the ash. She gasped for air as she faintly heard the Horned Serpent's voice whisper angrily in her ears. "Cursssse Wakíŋyaŋ for hissss protectionssss on you. You passsss my tesssst..."

She felt the buffalo crowd her now, rubbing and nudging against her as she shivered, marking her further with the dust on their hides. She was turned around by their pressure to now sit with her back to the Serpent.

Her eyes opened and she saw a single white buffalo calf calmly approach her. A blink of her eyes and she was now a beautiful young woman with copper skin and high cheekbones, long blue-black hair parted in the middle and braided on the sides, and eyes the liquid dark brown of the bison. She was dressed in a snow-white buckskin robe. with elaborate bead-work and held in her hands a carved unlit wooden pipe with feathers attached at both ends.
Spoiler: White Buffalo Woman

The woman sat before her and offered her the pipe. Zamarad numbly noted that the feathers on it shone and flashed with lightnings like those of the Thunderbird hovering overhead, and the serpentine carvings running down its length were identical to the scales of the Horned Serpent quietly hissing behind her. The smell of the sweetgrass and herbs that the buffalo had been eating tickled her nose as she took the pipe, seeing that it was already loaded with herbs and tobacco ready for the touch of her Fire to burn in savory, cleansing smoke.

The young woman gave her a gentle, compassionate smile that warmed her heart and made the lingering agonies of the Water that she had been tested by fade into perfectly centered and cleansed readiness.

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

The Thunderbird overhead that Delilah had summoned.

Air.

Looking at it, now fully visible and hovering protectively over her head; she was unsurprised to see that it had the same leaf-green eyes that Delilah Naomi de Breuil had.

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

The Horned Serpent at her back, hissing and muttering to itself.

Water.

She sensed now that what was present here was a fraction of what was buried and bound underneath these hills. A presence that Delilah was Guardian of to insure that it would not escape its bindings.

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

The Buffalo standing silently watchful with their eyes intent upon her.

Earth.

As she watched, a sweetgrass plant grew from soil fertilized by their dung to renew the life that had been eaten to give them nutrition, in an endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth.

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

Herself.

Zamarad aibnat Alnaar.

Jinn Daughter of Emir Rayhan bin Alnaar and Periezade Fakhoury.

Fire.

Born of a epic journey in the service of his father's ruler by her sire. Her mother had been raised overlooking the Middle Sea in a city whose history stretched back into the distant past and whose family had lived there almost as long, since the time when it was a fishing village next to a temple complex binding a entity of darkness and nightmares.

Conceived on a night of flaming passion between a now grown in power and wisdom Emir of the Ifrit and his beloved wife, the daughter of a Djinn Sultan, in their tent pitched in the heart of the Sea of Sand as they tended to their Guardianship, traveling from place to place to insure all was properly kept.

Raised as the baby of her family, the youngest one who was prophesied to be won by a hero of the Children of Adam in exchange for a crown of Emerald to match the earrings that her father had given her mother when they first met. Emerald that had given her name to herself.

Captured by a mage using the knowledge of the weaknesses of the jinn and forced to obey his cruel whims to lead him to a place of power that could potentially tip the balance of the greatest war in history.

Rescued by a fellow spirit, the child of artifice and ingenuity, of the sheer potential that the Children of Adam had for good and for ill. A young-seeming woman that -- she realized with shock -- had been born on the same day, the same hour, to a witch who mourned her mistakes and the heartbreak that she had given a warrior of the Light unknowingly. For just as she had drawn her first breath to fill the birthing-chamber with her cry, so too, Delilah had as her revolver body formed before her mother's astonished eyes.

A fellow spirit that she had fallen in love with, and who even now stood in grave hidden danger that she could not face alone. But Delilah would not stand alone against the darkness any more.

Never alone.

With that silent solemn promise to the spirits gathered in witness, the sagegrass and tobacco in the pipe ignited at her will as she raised the pipe in both hands to the Spirits of the Black Hills.

"Now See, Zamarad abnatu Alnaar," White Buffalo Woman spoke to her in a quiet voice that brooked no disobedience, "See and learn the Wisdom that you need, to do what you must do in service to the Light, not what you desire to do of your own wishes and whims."

With those words, Zamarad placed the pipe to her lips, and breathed in the smoke.

She Saw.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

As the Sun reached the horizon, bathing the Scottish countryside in reds and oranges, the carriage gently rocked underneath them. This time, it is as a bit more crowded than it had been on the trip to Hogsmeade as Fubuki and Yuudachi joined them for the trip back to Hogwarts. Thankfully, Nagato was able to have Hoppou in her lap with the little Abyssal dozing a little as Yuudachi sat in Fubuki's lap with a slight grin on her face. Chuckling at that, and missing the thoughtful look on the Twins' faces, Harry smiled a bit, "This was a great day."

Cuddled up into his side, Ume hummed happily even as she looked out over the countryside, "Hai, it certainly was." Placing her head on his shoulder, she sighed, "Most certainly."

On Harry's other side, Sakura nodded in agreement as she also placed her head on the thirteen year old boy's shoulder. Like her sister, she was not very tired despite all that they had done. As ghosts, they had gone a long time without rest, and as Installations, they could do much the same if they wished. Hence, them just enjoying the calm and smiling as they felt the chill, evening breeze brush against them, 'And hopefully this is just the first of many such days...'

Meanwhile the boy in question unconsciously placed his arms around the Twins making their smiles brighten as he talked with Yuudachi and Fubuki, "So, the two of you got everything, Fubuki-Nee? Yuudachi-Nee?"

Both Destroyers nodded as Fubuki spoke for the two of them, her arms around Yuudachi's midsection, "Hai, we did get everything that we needed and then some."

The Shiratsuyu Destroyer brightly smiled, "And we got plenty of treats at Honeydukes for the kids, Poi! And also ice cream in bulk at Fortescue's Hogsmeade Branch. Including Raspberry swirl! They're going to be really happy about that... and so are Ooyodo-San and Niiyodo-San!"

Chuckling, Nagato gave a nod as she remembered that her own holds were filled with orders from said places, "I would expect so. And you as well as the other Destroyers should be happy with the ice cream as they're made with real cream and not just milk. It's good that we can buy in bulk and relatively cheaply."

Even as Yuudachi nodded in agreement, Fubuki frowned a little, "I wonder though..."

Turning, the blonde shipgirl blinked, "Wonder about what, Fubuki-Chan?"

Fubuki furrowed her eyebrows and gestured with one hand, "Well, take the Cauldron cakes." Seeing the looks, she returned the hand, and the arm, to where it had been around Yuudachi's stomach, "They're made by a Wizarding company named Qizilbash Quality Confectionary, right?" At their nods, the Destroyer continued, "Except they make them in Pakistan. So how do they get them all the way to Britain in bulk and in the numbers that they do."

Now thoughtful herself, Nagato frowned, "That... is a very good question. It is unlikely that they ship them overland in any great numbers, so one would assume that they use the ocean like others. But... not how."

Harry chuckled a little and when they looked at him, he gave a shrug, "Mostly by shipping them up the Red Sea, through the Ptolemaic Canals, and eventually through the Med to Europe."

Eyebrows furrowing, Fubuki frowned, "Ptolemaic Canals? As in the Ancient Egyptians? And they don't use the Suez?"

Shaking his head the thirteen year old wizard hummed, "Yes to the first, no to the second." Upon seeing the interest, he continued, "It was mentioned, briefly, when we had to do some homework on a goblin rebellion back in the 1640s when the Ottoman Magical Government was harshly taxing the goblins using it due to a previous incident which set them off... and it did not end well for the goblins that were in Egypt as well as Greece. Especially when they killed one of the magical sons of the Sultan who was there to negotiate an end to the rebellion because he oversaw the execution of a number of goblins after they were captured ransacking a human village. They sent back his head to his father and, well... the Ottomans a few years later stated that they no longer had any problems with the goblins. And also why the goblins concentrated themselves in Western Europe."

Everyone of the others there grimaced as they could easily read between the lines at what happened. Rather than stick anymore on that, Nagato cleared her throat, "So leaving that aside... what can you tell us about the canals?"

With a blink, Harry started a bit, "Uh, right! Anyways, I sort of got interested in it because, well, you know?" The obvious amusement everyone got from it made him blush slightly, "Um, so the canal is really old. As in, Darius the Great, a King of Persia finished the first one. Later, Ptolemy the Second extended it when the Bitter Lakes, a body of saltwater the original canal connected to, was cut off from the Red Sea by the land rising. It was used by the Egyptians with Cleopatra using it to sail on, and later the Romans improved on it. For the next few hundred years it was used until a Sultan buried portions to stop a rebellion from getting support. For the most part, it stayed buried until the Ottomans dug it up in 1560 using magic. Because of how magical ingredients have a general short shelf life, or did back then, they couldn't use the spice route for them and they could get a lot of money through taxation between further east and Europe."

Tilting her head, Hoppou frowned though she was listening closely as it interested her, "But Big Brother, you said there were two canals. What about the second?"

Lips twitching into a smile, Harry shrugged, "The Second was built with ICW funds in the 1820s to allow for bigger ships to pass through with cargo. It is considered something of a wonder of the magical world as you have inscribed stones along either side the size of houses that magically block sand from burying the canals while the bottoms of the waterways have other stones with spells to keep them from clear. The first canal is about a hundred feet wide and fifty feet deep, and the second is two hundred feet wide and just as deep. Enough to let sailing ships pass through and smaller ones. All along it there's charms to keep non-magicals from seeing it or knowing that it is there and a little distance from where it attaches to the Nile, there's a lake where ships can wait for nightfall to slip past sight and into the Mediterranean." He frowned a bit, "There's also a spell that apparently hides the incoming freshwater or transforms it into saltwater so no one notices on the other end."

Interested, Nagato frowned, "And these canals still exist? As well as in operation?" At the nod, she hummed, "Interesting and useful to know."

Soon enough, the conversation turns to other things and the castle begins to loom above them. As they got off, Harry remembered an idea he had and turned to his adoptive mother with an unsure smile, "Um, Mum? I got something to do with Ume-Chan and Sakura-Chan. It should only be a few minutes..."

He glanced at where the time turner was and Nagato smiled slightly as she understood what was unsaid, "Of course, just don't take too long though."

A smile on his face, Harry gave a nod before he grasped the confused and lost Ume's and Sakura's hands and led them away. It took the two a few moments to shake off their confusion and to look at Harry with frowns, "Harry-Chan? What are you doing?"

Chuckling, the thirteen year old flashed them a smile, "Something that I know that the two of you will enjoy."

If anything though, that only made the Twins more confused. But they allowed him to keep pulling them along until they reached a rocky overhang that was just out of sight of anyone around. It took the two of them a few moments, but they recognized it as one of the collapsed secret passages. At sometime in the past, the roof had fallen in and lead to it leading close to the main door to the castle rather than inside.

Raising an eyebrow, Ume looked at him, "Harry-Chan, what are we doing here?"

Harry had an amused look on his face as he pulled out his time turner, "It's a surprise~" At their frowns, he chuckled a little, "Not convinced, huh? Trust me, you'll love it." Sharing a look, Ume and Sakura nodded before lowering their heads to allow for Harry to slip the chain around them. Mumbling to himself, the teenage wizard nodded, "Three hours should be more than enough."

With a flick of his fingers, time began to rewind around them as the Twins watched in wide eyed curiosity. They could see the odd person rushing backwards and the Sun, which had been setting, rising back up into the sky. Then the backwards movement slowed before stopping with Harry nodding. Curious, Ume looked towards him, "Now what?"

A smirk on his face, Harry held up a hand, "You two wait here for..." Pausing, a thought occurred to him and he cleared his throat, "Uh, Dipsy? Are you there?"

Out of nowhere, a house elf appeared, "Dipsy is here, though Dipsy is confused as to why Mister Harry Potter Sir would be asking for him. Because students don't normally."

Just crouching down, Harry smiled at the house elf, "That's because I need a little help, Dipsy. Could you bring me a small basket of apples and get some hay ready in the clearing for me to use?"

Eyes wide, the house elf vanished before Ume and Sakura frowned due to being lost. Obviously, Harry wanted to show or do something, but what? Just the same though, they did trust him and simply waited five minutes for the house elf to return with a basket, "Here you go, Mister Harry Potter Sir, a basket with some apples. Dipsy already has the hay in place, Sir, and also added some food if you bes hungry."

Lips curling, the black haired wizard bowed slightly, "Thank you, Dipsy. I really appreciate this." Eyes wide, Dipsy let out a small squeak before vanishing. Turning, Harry pulled out his Invisibility Cloak which he held out, "Here, its not too far, but we shouldn't be seen."

Despite their confusion, the Twins went along with it and helped put the cloak over themselves and Harry. It was certainly not because they were pressed against him due to how little room there was for two sixteen year old girls and one thirteen year old boy to hide under. Anyone thinking otherwise would be a liar.

Later, that night, Harry would likely be cursing his hormones yet again and puberty as a whole. But... right now, it felt nice. He had his arms around the waists of the Twins while the scents of their shampoo, sakura blossom and ume blossom, mingled in his nose. Not to mention the warmth of their bodies against his among other things. Part of him was disappointed when they reached the clearing in question and the invisibility cloak came off.

With a nod as he looked around, Harry smiled, "Just one last thing to do..." It was less than five minutes that found the hay strewn around the clearing in piles, "And there we go, they shouldn't be long now."

Arms crossed over their chests, the Twins frowned at him, "Okay, Harry-Chan, we let you have your fun. What is it that you have planned?"

Humming, there was a twinkle in Harry's eyes before something caught his eye. Smirking a little, he gestured towards the clearing, "Well, it was mainly because I thought that you might want to meet some friends of mine and special residents of the Forbidden Forest... who are arriving now."

Both Ume and Sakura blinked and turned only to gasp at the sight that met them as a Unicorn stallion walked into the clearing, his coat glowing nearly white under the late afternoon Sun, "Oh... by the Kami..."

The Unicorn glanced at them, as if weighing their very souls... but then snorted and walked to some of the hay and began to eat. Other Unicorns seemed to fade into existence from the shadows under the tree branches and walk into the clearing as the two stunned, former Hitobashira watched with wide eyed wonder on their faces. Mares, one or two of whom looked pregnant and about to foal, as well as foals just days or weeks old, their coats a burnished gold. Other younglings, just a few years old with silver fur, also walked with the herd into the clearing to eat the food there.

Simply watching the sight before them on wonder and awe, neither of the Twins noticed Harry smile at them before reaching into the basket. A few minutes later, he tapped them on their shoulders and made them look away from the wondrous sight. His voice soft, he smiled at them, "Beautiful, aren't they?"

Just swallowing, Ume and Sakura nodded, "Hai... they are. The descriptions on books and scrolls don't do them justice. They're... they're so pure." Rather than say anything, Harry simply hummed in agreement and they stood there for a few seconds. That was, until he poked them and held out two paper bags, which they took curiously and looked inside, "Sliced apples?"

It took everything for him not to grin, especially a few seconds later at their expressions as his next words registered, "Turns out that they absolutely love apples."

Frozen, the Twins stared at him in utter disbelief and then at the bag. Swallowing, Sakura shook a bit, her voice filled with emotion, "You mean... you mean that we could... feed them?"

Softly smiling, Harry nodded, "That's correct, Sakura-Chan. You're allowed to feed them and, trust me, they'll let you... both of you, do so." Gently, he placed his hands on their shoulders, "Go ahead."

Unsure, they looked into his eyes and then back at the herd. They could see that some of those there were watching them and the bags that they held. Shaking a bit, they took a few steps forward and the stallion from before made his way over to their. When he reached them, he stopped and they looked into his eyes. There was intelligence, if not of the human kind, and wisdom forged over decades of leading his herd. The mind behind those eyes seemed to examine them... and then softened.

Hands shaking, the two girls reached into their bag and pulled out a slice of apple each. The stallion, gently, took the slice from Ume and chewed it with a crunch before doing the same for Sakura. Both Twins brought up their hands and held them just above the stallion's snout, pausing as they were unsure.

But then, the stallion moved his head forward and nuzzled their hands with a snort before taking a step and nuzzling both girls who gasped in pure and utter joy.

Neither girl at first felt the tears running down their faces as their hands softly caressed the Unicorn's muscled neck, his fur softer and smoother than the finest of silks. And then, silently crying, they buried their faces in his mane while hugging him. Part of them had caught sight of Harry taking pictures, likely for memory's sake, but they did not care in that moment. Because in this moment, they felt everything fall away, as if they had been gently washed of all their darkness.

A nudge from behind made Sakura turn to find a mare there. Said Unicorn looked at her before nuzzling her face and gently licking the tears that were there away. That action caused the former Hitobashira to gasp a bit before another sob broke free. And out of the corner of her eye, she could see that another mare was doing much the same with her Twin. Slowly, Sakura pulled out an apple slice which the mare took making her smile through her tears.

For what seemed like hours, the two fed the unicorns that came up, hugging and caressing them. Said beings would return such with nuzzles and licks. They did spot Harry feeding one mare, who had a scar on her side, some apple as well as a yearling. It took them only seconds to realize that this must be the Unicorn that Harry had saved in his First Year as well as her foal.

Eventually though, all their apples were gone and the unicorns went back to grazing... except for the stallion, who nudged them, much to their confusion. Glancing at her sister, Ume shook her head, "I'm sorry, but... we don't have any more apples on us right now."

A chuckle made them turn to find Harry watching them with a smile even as he scratched the mane of a young foal, a sight that made the two girls' cheeks heat up a little, "It's not the apples that he wants, Ume-Chan, not right now, anyways."

Confused, Sakura shared a look with her sister before turning back to Harry, "It's... not?" At the shake of his head, she frowned, "But... what does he want now?"

Humming, the thirteen year old looked at the stallion and cupped his chin, "Hmm... unless I'm wrong, I think he wants the two of you to get on his back and ride him for a little bit."

Much to his amusement, the jaws of the two girls dropped at that pronouncement. It took a few moments for them to say something, "B-but I thought that only a pure maiden was able to ride one! And... and we're..."

Eyebrow raised, Harry gave them a look before comment in a dry tone, "Are you trying to tell me that you're not pure? Because having the unicorns come up to both of you and one offering a ride says much the opposite." His expression softening, he walked over, "Go ahead, Ume-Chan, Sakura-Chan."

Several moments passed as they looked at him before turning to the stallion. With a swallow, their voices nearly a whisper, they turned back to Harry, "Could you help us?"

The only thing that Harry did was smile.

Not even three minutes later found the two girls with their faces filled with utter rapturous joy and wonder as they sat on the back of the Unicorn Stallion as it walked through the field. Off to the side, Harry grinned as he brought up the camera and took another picture of the Twins as they rode the Unicorn, 'I think that Akiyama will enjoy these photographs quite a bit...'

When they finally get off the Unicorn, the two look somehow both so happy and yet sad that Harry felt his own heart hurt for them. But they calmly smile and walk away from the stallion until they reach Harry. Gently, but tightly, they embrace him with sniffles, "Thank you..."

Pulling back just a bit, Sakura and Ume share a look and smile before the first puts her hand behind Harry's head and pulls him into a kiss. Something that is repeated by Ume moments after she pulls back. At the end, the thirteen year old looks like his brain just got fried with how he is blinking owlishly, "Um... wow..."

Lips twitching, the two manage to smother their giggles before leaning into him with a sigh, "Thank you, Harry-Chan. Can... can we stay here for a bit longer?"

Harry simply nods and the three soon sit against a tree, Ume and Sakura leaning against him as he strokes their hair. Seeing their eyes partially closed, he chuckled a bit, "Tired?" Both girls just murmur and he kisses the top of their heads, "Then go ahead and have a small nap."

Closing their eyes, the two do exactly that we the late spring Sun shines down on them and the breeze caresses them while the unicorns nearby graze...
_______________________________________________________________

Standing in front of the window looking out over the grounds of the castle, Ume and Sakura took a deep breath before letting it out as a happy sigh. Both of them had not been quite sure what to expect from the trip after all, especially as they had never been as far from home as they currently were. And yet? They were happy with it.

Just the sight of Hogwarts and seeing the inside would have made the trip worth it to them. A magical school, an actual magical school! One that they were able to see and experience themselves. To say that was enough, because it was an actual dream come true, was putting it mildly.

Yet everything built on that making this weekend one that they were certain that they would remember for the rest of their lives. The Quidditch game, another first as their parents would not take them to one. Partially out of "Shame" for them not having magic. And partially because they disliked the game for being "Too western". But Harry brought them to one, their first, and he was the star seeker. One who won the game and a trophy cup!

Though, yes, the Twins understood that many would not see it special because it was a school trophy, to them it was special just the same.

And then came the party, oh the party! One which they had never even imagined that they could have experience. Where they could, for once, be more like the teenage girls that they appeared as and always wanted to be. The two had drank Butterbeer, which their parents would have hated and despised seeing them do, as well as eating various snacks. That was followed up by dancing with Harry most of the night. Even now, the memory made them lightly flush and wish to do it again. Never before had they laughed as much as they had during the party. Not even that one person, McLaggen, had been anymore than a dim spot. Especially when Harry stood up for the two of them, which had caused them hearts... well, power plants, to flutter in a very nice way. And which made sure that they would likely be having more dreams of Harry as a Shogun and them as his wives for some time to come.

As the next day began, the two found themselves going to a magical village, Hogsmeade!

In the village they had even more fun with the young man who captured their hearts. First, he had taken them to a lovely little teahouse where they enjoyed a British tea. Both of them enjoying the black tea that they had drunk as well as the carrot cake. And better was the company as Harry had chatted and laughed with them.

Once their meal was done and they left, they explored the village itself. The trip to the clothing store, Gladrags, was excellent. After all, they found a number of things for themselves that were hard to find back home which was a relief due to their family curse, as it were. With Harry being the perfect gentleman, neither asking what they were buying and by being at the other end of the store. They were quite prepared to pay for their purchases, but were surprised when the employee told them that Harry stated he would and called him over once they were all bagged and put away. And, the thirteen year old had done so, much to their astonishment.

Which was the other thing that flustered them. Like a true gentleman, he paid for what they wished during the day in the village. From the stale loaf that they fed to the ducks, a simple pleasure they enjoyed, to meals, and clothes. The two could still remember the sweet, yet tart, taste of the Elderflower cordial among other things which they enjoyed.

They had even picked up a few bottles of the drink to have back home and to share with their family as was custom.

After a lovely lunch and a walk through a park in full flower, which they adored with so many new flowers, the Twins were taken back to the teahouse. There, they enjoyed another new tea, which somewhat fascinated them with the spices used in it. But the room, that reminded them of home. And already they were planning on having a tea ceremony at their family compound with Harry as a guest. In their eyes, it was practically the best way to end the trip...

But then it turned out that Harry was not quite finished.

Soon after returning to Hogwarts, the young man had taken them aside and used his time turner to bring them back three hours to their confusion. After all, what reason could he have for such? It confused them even as it seemed he was amused. As if he knew something that they did not. Something that soon became apparent shortly after when they found his surprise.

Unicorns...

An entire herd of unicorns.

Even in Japan they had heard of the beings, how pure they were. It had brought the Twins to tears that they were able to see such purity in their existence. After all, they were the result of something impure, and Yuurei were anything but pure, even in their new lives and existences. Which is why they were so shocked when Harry had held out a bag of cut apples to them both to feed the unicorns with. They were positive that the pure beings in front of them would not allow it, and yet... the stallion, the herd's protector, came over and took that first one, a dam broke in them before it was shattered and overwhelmed by him nuzzling them and the mares coming up to do the same as well as gently lick the tears they shed away.

As if that was not enough, they were given permission by the stallion to ride upon his back.

It went without saying that picture they would take and place in their office with a copy in their internal base. And it was a memory that they knew they would always remember for the rest of their existence. No matter how long that would be, it would remain as bright and pure as it was that day. A balm for their souls.

The experience also had another effect. One that made them fall even more in love with Harry. That he would bring them to such a place, and help make such a thing possible... even now, they knew that if the choice had not been made before, it was now. And onwards to eternity, they would be thankful to him for what he did.

This trip... was the greatest experience in their lives, wonderful and one that would always be there in their memories.

Hearing footsteps, they turned and smiled as the young man that they had been thinking about walked up. Looking out the window at the grounds, he smiled before turning to them with a sigh, "You're going to be heading back in a few minutes."

Slowly, the Twins nodded with a smile, which was slightly tinged with sadness itself, "Hai, we are."

Unsure, Harry scratched his cheek, "Um, I would like to say that hopefully you enjoyed yourselves, but... I think that I can guess.

Eyes twinkling, Sakura nodded, "Perhaps." Walking over, her expression softened as she hugged him, soon joined by her sister, "This weekend has been most wonderful, Harry-Chan. More so than we could have ever expected."

Nodding against him, Ume sighed, her breath tickling his ear, "Sakura-Nee is right, Harry-Chan. We'll never forget this weekend. For as long as our soul will exist, we will remember. Thank you..."

Gently, she gave him a kiss followed by Sakura before the two pulled back, speaking as one, "We'll see you in a short time, Harry-Chan. Until then... be safe."

This time, Harry was the one to pull them into a hug and kiss them, "I will. See you in two weeks."

Happily smiling, Ume and Sakura stepped back and grasped the portkey and waved as Harry returned it until the portkey activated and they were whisked off.

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A Courtship in Emerald (XV)

??????????

9th Century BCE

Zamarad found herself outside a tent pitched on a narrow peninsula of land extending out into black briny waters in the middle of a darkened camp.

As she looked around, she heard the crackle of jinn voices from inside the tent.

As she walked toward the tent's entrance, a bolt of lightning from an approaching storm split the skies. She froze in terrified shock at the insignia visible on the war banner in the front in the flash of light in the darkness.
Spoiler: A Dark Council Of War...

A war banner formed by the flayed skin of a still-living human whose soul was bound into it.

Iblīs

She hastily shrank back into the shadows, and circled behind the tent, still hearing the crackle of voices.

The area was pitch dark and she did not dare risk a light. she reached out to the tent and traced the fabric with her fingertips to guide her. Suddenly she stopped and moved her hand back slightly, then her eyes narrowed as she found a seam that was already coming apart.

Her eyes flamed in the darkness and she concentrated, using her flame to burn away the few cords holding the two strips of leather together.

They parted and a dim light shone as she bent to the crack and peeked inside with one eye.

A half dozen Shayāṭīn stood arguing around a table. Zamarad's eyes were caught by the map there, showing this peninsula with a scattering of black tokens blocking off an encirclement of more numerous white tokens marked with a blue six-pointed star composed of interlaced identical triangles.

The Seal of Solomon.

Her eyes were then caught by a small carved cedarwood jewelry coffer sitting on the map. The chest glimmered with magical wards and hexes, that slowly writhed through the engravings like a serpent of flame

"What do we do now? You said that you had a foolproof plan!" The largest of the Shayṭān shook his fist at another. Zamarad shuddered in terror, for he outstripped her power as a burning city outstripped a bonfire.

"We fight the children of mud and their milksap servants! We shall win, of course, for we are superior to these insects!" A second snarled.

A third one spoke. "Perhaps, but should they prove the stronger they shall regain Yahalom and Bareket. This would undo the work we have done to free the Dark Master!" He pointed at the map with a taloned finger. "We must act!"

A fourth Shayṭān, much weaker than the others but far more cunning and cruel, smirked and spoke ingratiatingly. "We can do both. We have a fishing boat that the storm blew ashore and some slaves to work it. One of us departs with Yahalom and Bareket to keep them out of the hands of these children of mud. The rest of us and the lessers who follow us fight and feast on their entrails once we prevail. But first, a Great Work."

The first voice snarled. "We already tried that and Sulaymān ibn Dāwūd resisted us. His destiny is too strong!"

The fourth gave a vicious shark-like smile. "He may be, but his kingdom is not. And what good is a king with no kingdom?"

Evil laughter sounded. "Indeed. Once we cast the Great Work, then depart with our prizes Gaumâta! The Dark Master will be freed to lead us to our rightful domination! One way or another!"

Gaumâta nodded and scooped up the coffer in his taloned hand. "I shall. The Dark Master shill rise once more."

Zamarad gasped as she watched them link taloned hands and began to summon their power to twist destiny.

As the energies built inside she released the tent fabric and stepped backward. She could hear the whispers calling for her to join them, to cast off the shackles of the Law and make Delilah her pet forevermore as was her right as a Child of Smokeless Fire.

She turned and began to run wildly, blindly, away from what was about to happen.

Away from the whispers of Iblis tempting her.

Flattering her with all the knowledge Iblis had of her.

Promising her her deepest darkest desires to enjoy unchecked.

Whispering for that moment of inattention, that moment of weakness, that would cause her to Fall, to change from a shining emerald flame into an entity of Iblis' Dark Fire.

As the power reached its crescendo, a massive bolt of lightning struck the camp. The flash blinded Zamarad and the thunder knocked her senseless.

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

Susa, Persia, Achaemenid Empire

450 BCE
Spoiler: ...A Scheme Of Revenge...

Zamarad woke suddenly. The hallway that she found herself in was opulent with exotic blue and gold tile bas-reliefs showing a procession of human-headed sphinxes. The torch that she was manifesting herself in had the familiar smoky, tangy bite of the cedar wood from her mother's homeland of Lebanon.

A soft footstep sounded and she looked to see a beautiful dark-haired young woman with a golden tiara on her head, gold sandals on her henna-dyed feet and white robes of fine linen with gold embroidery.

Zamarad's eyes narrowed and she tried to manifest, but realized that whatever power was showing her this scene was preventing her from doing so. Sighing, she leaped from torch to torch after the young lady.

She reached a set of cedarwood doors carved with mythological beasts and at her entrance, the door guards opened them for her and bowed low. Beyond was a massive throne room

Zamarad followed, leaping to a hanging bronze brazier that briefly flared up as she inhabited it. Her eyes scanned the room as the regal young lady approached the throne. She knelt to touch the outstretched tip of the royal scepter held in the hand of a bearded man with a golden crown fashioned in the form of a castle wall.

"{What is it Queen Hadassah? Even to half of the kingdom, I shall grant it!}" The king asked the young woman.

Hadassah spoke demurely, "{If it pleases the King, let he along with his Chief Minister Haman come to the banquet which I have prepared}"
Spoiler: Hadassah And Haman


Zamarad gasped as 'Haman' entered the throne room at the king's request. To the humans, he appeared as a middle-aged bureaucrat with a bit of a pot belly, a curled blue-black beard in ringlets, and rich robes.

But she saw what was lurking under his skin in the depths of his dark, almost black eyes.

The Shayṭān that the others had called Gaumâta was speaking through him.

"{My King, you requested my presence?}" He said unctuously, and she noticed the eyes of one of the court mages sharpen.

"{Yes, we are to dine with the Queen tonight, for she has prepared a feast for us!}" Something dark and resentful flickered in Haman's eyes as the disguised Shayṭān followed the king and his other court officials, mages, and priests to attend the banquet.

Zamarad followed along the line of torches, finally watching the banquet as a silent observer while consuming the smoky, tangy deliciousness of the cedarwood torches whose smoke was keeping insects away.

"{Now what shall I grant you, my Queen? Even to half the kingdom, shall it be done!}" The king spoke as he ran his fingers through the hair of the young woman who knelt before him.

"{Merely that I shall host another banquet for you and Haman privately, My King. I shall tell you my desire then.}" Hadassah responded humbly as the party broke up

Zamarad frowned to herself as she followed 'Haman' through the streets back to his house in the flame of his torchbearer. He was much weaker than she had seen him before.

Presently she leapt inside his house to an oil lamp. Waiting for him was a female Shayṭān and ten younger ones.

"{What news, Father?}" The oldest son spoke.

"{Our plans proceed apace, my kindred. I have ingratiated myself with that jumped up insect to become his chief councilor and soon will use him to destroy the Jewish remnant here to take revenge upon them for the Great Binding.}" Haman snarled. "{Curse my immersion in the Water of Death as I fled from our setback there! I still have not learned the location of the ten other jewels, save that were captured in the sack of the Temple and that then the Babylonians were overthrown by this other tribe of dung beetles. Still we will be allowed to loot their property if they have them hidden, and put their wise men to delectable torture to find out their secrets. You have prepared the brazen pole to impale them to put them to the question?}"

"{Indeed, all is ready, we just await the order to act, Father.}" They nodded.

"{Go and rest, tomorrow I speak with the chief worm at this private banquet!}" The others left, and Haman walked to a wooden chest.
Spoiler: ...And Two Stolen Gems

Opening it, he reached inside and pulled out the enchanted coffer from earlier. "{Soon...very soon....}" He hissed as he disarmed the magical traps. Zamarad strained to look inside as the Shayṭān opened the lock.

Her emerald eyes widened in shock at the sight of two magnificent flawless jewels inside. One was a brilliant pale pink and transparent diamond, shining with an inner light from its inch-long oval body. The other was a brilliant forest green transparent square emerald filled with the promise of life and renewal in its gleams.

With that she gasped as she felt herself falling endlessly into the twin gems.....

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Waving to Ume and Sakura as the two headed off to their quarters, as well as Nagato and Hoppou, Fubuki smiled before stretching, "Ah, that was a good trip."

Lips curled into a smile of her own, Yuudachi nodded in agreement, "It really was, Poi! And we got so much stuff."

Only nodding, the other Destroyer hummed in agreement as they made their way through the tunnels before exiting them. As they walked, Fubuki noticed at Yuudachi was chewing her lip a little and raised an eyebrow, "Yuudachi-Chan? What's wrong?"

Poking her fingers together, Yuudachi pouted, "It's about what you said, Fubuki-Chan. Are you really not going to do 'that' with me tonight?"

Eyebrow twitching, Fubuki chuckled weakly, 'That is what is bothering you, Yuudachi-Chan? I mean, really?!' Outwardly, she scratched her cheek, "Well, you shouldn't tease me like you were."

The blonde Destroyer just frowned, "But it's true, Fubuki-Chan! You are like a good Kaa-San to them." Skipping ahead of her, Yuudachi shook her head, "You take care of them like a real parent. Which they need, Poi!"

Sighing, Fubuki tilted her head back and looked at the clouds above, "I... They deserve to have a good life now what with how rough theirs was. All of them, and I just... I just want to give them the life that they deserve and should have."

Bemused, Yuudachi poked her, "Hai, and what is it that a parent wants to do for their children? Face it, Fubuki-Chan, you've become a Kaa-San."

Not answering, the brown haired of the two considered the words before her expression softened, "Maybe that is what a parent would want for their children. But... besides, you know..."

A scowl on her lips, Yuudachi growled a little, "Sheo... that bastard gave you a complex, didn't he, Poi! All his teasing about being a Mother! I'm going to give him a nightmare party!"

Moments later, a hand came down on her head in a chop as Fubuki smiled, "Stop that." As a pouting Yuudachi rubbed her head, the Destroyer hummed, "But besides that... I don't really feel all that comfortable being their Kaa-San. After all, they had parents, even if they're dead now." Reaching out, she grabbed her friend's lips before she could say a word, "And I know that you are about to mention Harry-Chan as well as Nagato-San. That is sort of different."

Pulling away the hand in question, the blonde raised an eyebrow, "How so, Poi? You've basically adopted them into your family, just like Nagato-San did with Harry-Chan."

Lips twitching, Fubuki shook her head, "Perhaps, but... Harry-Chan made the decision to call Nagato-San 'Mum'. None of them have called me that any time since we brought them to Yokosuka. So they don't think of me that way." Chuckling, she gave her friend a grin, "Just the same, I'm going to give them, all of them, the childhood that they deserve."

To her surprise, Yuudachi pulled her into a tight hug, "You're a good person, Fubuki-Chan." Kissing her fellow Destroyer on the cheek, she nodded, "A very good person, and I'm glad to know you."

Lightly blushing, especially with how tight the hug was, Fubuki looked away though she had a smile on her face, "Thanks, Yuudachi-Chan." Reaching over, she took the other Destroyer's hand in hers, "And I'm glad to have you, Mutsuki-Chan, Kisaragi-Chan, and Kana-Chan with me."

Now it was the Nightmare of the Solomons' turn to blush a little, but she squeezed Fubuki's hand back, "You're welcome Poi. Though with Kana-Chan... does that mean...?"

Fubuki chuckled a little and shrugged, "It depends on her, Yuudachi-Chan." Chewing her lip, she smiled a bit, "Her Honmei Choco was good, though I don't think that she realizes that I knew the whole time. And, well... Kana-Chan is very cute."

Just nodding, Yuudachi thrust her fist into the air, "And is very cuddly with great pillows, Poi!"

Once again, the other Destroyer brought her free hand down on Yuudachi's head with a chop, "Yuudachi-Chan..." Getting a laugh back, Fubuki shook her head in amusement as their fingers entwined with each other. She really did consider herself lucky to have the others in her life, and knew that they thought the same. Looking out at the harbour, Fubuki could just make out the outline of her namesake floating at her pier. A small, black speck fluttering from mast towards the smokestack and vanishing, "They're going to be launching the Mutsuki in a couple of months."

With a hum, Yuudachi nodded, "Hai, Mutsuki-Chan is really excited to see her daughter, Poi." A soft, happy sigh escaped from the Destroyer as she shook her head, "And next year, the JS Yuudachi will also launch. My own daughter... and this time, I'll be there to see her kiss the sea for the first time."

Simply squeezing her friend's hand, Fubuki nodded, "Hai, same here."

Both of them lapsed into silence as they made their way through the naval base. Due to the time difference between Britain and Japan, while it was early morning there, it was getting on into the evening in Yokosuka. Part of Fubuki wondered what the Yokai children were doing before she shook it off as they still needed to drop some of the items that they had in their holds off at the small warehouse where Niiyodo as well as others were waiting.

It was not a very big warehouse, mostly used for smaller items that the base needed stockpiled for the most part. But it had the available space needed for Niiyodo's small store and, as they walked in, they could see the area in question with the Light Cruiser along with Mamiya, and Hinata in her true form. Neither of the Destroyers even blinked at the sight of the Jorogumo who turned towards them and waved, "Good evening, Fubuki-San, Yuudachi-San."

The two simply bowed back as they greeted her in return as well as the others. Turning to Niiyodo, Yuudachi gave a small smile, "We have the items that you sent for, Poi."

Pulling out a clipboard, Niiyodo smiled back, "Good to hear, Yuudachi-Chan."

With a hum, Fubuki walked over to a nearby pallet and rolled her shoulders before she began to pull out ten gallon bucket after ten gallon bucket until there was several stacks of them on the pallets before the three of them, "Here's the ice cream that you ordered from Fortescues. All nice and cold as asked for."

Her eyes wide, Hinata walked over along with Mamiya before the Yokai shipgirl turned to Fubuki in surprise, "How did you keep them cold in your holds?"

Moments later, a small, pale skinned fairy appeared on the Destroyer's shoulders looking somewhat tired, "Desu, desu desu desu desu."

Giving the fairy in question a frown, Fubuki narrowed her eyes, "Seaman Arashi Hikari-Kun, do not tell me that you did not rest since we got the ice cream to keep it frozen." When the fairy looked away, she sighed, "You were only supposed to make sure that the ice cream was kept frozen with small bursts of your powers. Not using them continuously."

In reply, the Yuki Onna fairy smiled and shrugged, "Desu desu desu." Yawning, she shook her head, "Desu desu desu desu desu desu, desu?"

Only sighing, Fubuki nodded, "Permission to go and lay down granted. You get some rest... you did a good job."

Just giving a jaunty salute, the fair grinned, "Desu desu, desu desu."

And, with that, she vanished back into Fubuki's hull to go and lay down for a nice rest.

Meanwhile, Fubuki herself turned to Mamiya and the surprised Hinata before gesturing at the ice cream that was there, "Well, this is the full load. Five Raspberry ripple, five Caramel sea salt, six Apple crumble..." She continued on listing the various ice creams that she brought back before she brought out a bunch of boxes, "And these would be three dozen Bombe glacée and three dozen Arctic rolls."

Happily smiling, Mamiya had her own fairies pick up the desserts and place them into her own refrigeration holds as did Hinata where the frozen treats would wait until it was time to use them. The non-Yokai of the two nodded, "These will be great for the menu."

For her part, the Jorogumo smiled herself, "They really will be. I can see a number enjoying them." As she loaded them up, she glanced to where Yuudachi's fairies were bringing out stacks of various treats with Fubuki joining. Something that made Hinata furrow her eyebrows, "If I can ask... how are you fitting so much into your holds?" At the looks, she blushed lightly, "It's just... Destroyers don't have big holds."

Glancing at Ooyodo as she brought out a stack of cauldron cakes, Fubuki shrugged, "We sort of cheat." Seeing the interested smile, she continued, "We bought a number of trunks with expanded insides and use them for storage in our holds. I have one that we modified with insulation to function as a freezer hold. All Hikari-Kun needs to do is open it every few hours and fill it with freezing cold air before closing and sealing it back up."

With a nod, Niiyodo hummed, "It certainly does help when the Destroyers go out on supply trips. Between Yuudachi-San and Fubuki-San here, they got the same amount of space as a small cargo vessel."

Eyes widening, Hinata looked between them, "That's... impressive."

Simply shrugging, the Light Cruiser looked over at her, "Well, it works as most of the shipgirls for the JMSDF have bought some, even second hand. And it practically doubles the storage space most of them have." She pointed at a locked door, "We store new ones, though most have been used, in there."

Hinata blinked at that in surprise, "I... see."

It was several minutes later before Niiyodo happily nodded as she finished off the last of her list, practically bouncing, "We have everything that was on the list! Onee-Sama will be very happy."

The sound of chuckles made her jump and turn to find Ooyodo there glancing at the stacks of supplies. Looking at her younger, flustered sister, the older of the two Cruisers could not help but grin, "As if I would ever be unhappy with your work, Niiyodo-Chan. You make me very proud after all with how far you've come."

Despite the blush on her face, the other Light Cruiser had a happy smile, "Onee-Sama..."

Gently patting her younger sister's head, Ooyodo cast her eye out over the amount of supplies in front of her. She really was not kidding, she was extremely proud of her younger sister. After all, it was Niiyodo behind the Vanishing Cabinet project that was even now being worked on. And it was also the younger Ooyodo class shipgirl who had bought up the expanded trunks to be placed on Destroyers and the like, increasing the amount of space that they had in their holds, and allowing for more to be transported.

Looking at her sister now, the older of the two could not help but remember the shy, unsure Cruiser who walked up to her with the report of the deal she had made with Honeydukes to buy various things in bulk from them. And now? Now Niiyodo had started to grow into her own.

And Ooyodo could not be any prouder.

Lips twitching at the happy sigh from her sister, Ooyodo turned her attention to the stacks of sweets and the like with a small nod, "You've both done a fine job, Fubuki-San, Yuudachi-San. While some of these will be sent to the other bases, this still helps out."

With a small shrug, Fubuki smiled a little, "Thank you, Ooyodo-San. We're happy to help out with this sort of thing..."

Beside her, Yuudachi glanced at the treats, including the massive chocolate bars and pouted, "I wish that I could get the chance to buy more from your store, Niiyodo-San. But..." She sighed and waved a hand, "You're always busy, Poi."

Chewing her lip, Niiyodo glanced at her sister and then at Hinata who blinked in confusion at the attention, "Well... I have had a few ideas with that. And I was going to bring them up to Onee-Sama when I could..."

Intrigued, her older sister raised an eyebrow, "I'm listening, Niiyodo-Chan. What sort of idea."

Not saying anything right away, Niiyodo reached into her pocket and pulled out a folder that she handed to Ooyodo, who took it. As her sister opened it, Niiyodo cleared her throat, "It's still pending to the Admiral, but... it is based with the instant buildings that Harry-Chan brought to the Fleet of Laughter. There's a space close to Mamiya's resturant that we can use and place one based on the house version. The basic design omits the kitchen on the main floor as well as the fireplace. Instead, the mainfloor is mostly cut into two rooms, one a quarter the size of the other, though there's two bathrooms as well. The backroom will be for storage and upstairs will be turned into an employee area with a kitchenette, bathroom for themselves, and lounge area."

Eyes looking over the floor plans, Ooyodo frowned a little, "Hmm... I notice that your notes state that we would need to wire in electricity for heating as well as for the fridges that you want to add?"

Just nodding, the second of the Ooyodo class pointed, "Hai, which won't be that hard really. We could even just buy one of the old, glass front fridge units and use that for cold drinks like Butterbeer and sodas. There's a Yokai in Shiromizu's village that I have been talking to who knows how to make Butterbeer and also old fashioned soda and is willing to do so if he has customers. We can sell them here and, if the response is good..."

Rubbing her chin, Ooyodo hummed, "Hai, we could spread it to the other bases as well. But what about employees? You are busy enough as it is..."

Much to her surprise, Niiyodo smiled at that, "Well, I have two ideas for that. One is that one of the sailing ships we've summoned can staff the store... And also, I have been thinking of asking Baker Eric-Kun to be there as well." At Ooyodo's surprised look, she shrugged, "We can have him staff the register and... I overheard a conversation with him where he wished he could help out in some way, but with his education and some of the other problems..."

Ooyodo considered it for a few moments before handing the folder back to Niiyodo, "Bring it to the Admiral and I am sure that he would look at it. While some of it is of a magical nature... it could work out very well. And from memory, Shiromizu-San's village also has someone who builds magical ice boxes. It can be used as a test for them to see if they can function in a non-magical environment."

Brightly smiling, her sister nodded, "Hai, Onee-Sama!"

Meanwhile, Hinata knew what conversation Niiyodo meant and smiled a bit to herself, 'Maybe, Eric-Kun... you will be able to get Sora-Chan a ring after all...'

 

[darthcourt10]

Savato93

"Your concerns have been noted, and you can rest easy. I am addressing the responsible party as we speak…. very well. Carry on, lieutenant." A quiet clack as the phone was hung up. "That makes the seventh call-in this hour."

Hoppou sat quietly in her chair, hanging her head sheepishly. In front of her, Admiral Goto leaned forward on his desk, his fingers tented in front of him. Ooyodo stood off to the side, pinching the bridge of her nose with a strained expression.

"So, one more time…" Goto said, eyebrows raised, as he put a pen to the paper in front of him. "What exactly happened?"

The Princess kicked her feet weakly. "Hoppou was… inspecting something her girls sent over. It was a parasitic clone of Mad Scientist Princess, planted in one of her flagships. Hoppou believes it's how the Princess comes back after something kills her."

Goto nodded slowly, jotting down notes as Hoppou spoke. Even if this incident had gotten slightly… out of hand, they now had some vital intelligence—they knew how the Research Princess managed to keep coming back from the dead. "Alright. What happened then?"

"The clone suddenly started trying to grow roots… probably trying to feed on Hoppou to grow to full size. It managed to get under Hoppou's skin before she could react… and Hoppou went full Princess to fight it off." She twiddled her thumbs. "Hoppou is sorry if she hurt anyone…"

"No, it's fine. You've caused a few scares, but no physical harm was done." The admiral waved a hand. "Continue."

"So when the clone tried to infect Hoppou… Hoppou thinks she infected it instead. Which caused…" Hoppou glanced beside her. "...well, this."

Sitting in the chair next to her was an Abyssal child. She was even smaller than Hoppou, looking four to five years old at best, in contrast to the Princess's nine-year-old appearance. Like Hoppou, she had long snow-white hair, a white dress, a spiked collar and bracelets, and two stubby horns jutting from her head. But there were just as many differences as similarities. Where Hoppou wore mittens over her little hands, this girl had none—her hands were rough and bony with pointed fingertips, not unlike miniature versions of Wanko's claws. She had no ankle bracelets like Hoppou; instead, she had peculiar black markings covering her left leg and arm, almost like tattoos. Her metal adornments were smaller, more compact, with her collar in particular hugging her neck quite snugly. And where Hoppou's dress was a simple gown, hers was a tube-top with markings resembling a cat's face.

But the most jarring difference between the two, Goto felt, was their demeanor… while Hoppou gave off her meekness and guilt quite clearly, the girl next to her was very visibly agitated and twitchy. Goto was pretty sure her hair hadn't un-bristled even once since Hoppou brought her in.

"Do you think she could be a danger to others?" He asked. "She seems… rather irate."

At this, Hoppou tilted her head. "Hoppou is not sure. She's been like that since she appeared… but she follows Hoppou around and listens to instructions without any complaining." She looked over to her doppelganger. "Why are you grumpy?"

The little girl folded her arms with a hmph. "...I dunno."

"Is there something wrong? You can tell Hoppou, she won't be mad."

"...I dunno."

The Princess sighed. "Will you at least be a good girl for Hoppou? Promise you won't break stuff, won't try to hurt anyone?"

The girl fidgeted in her seat. There was a long silence before she finally answered. "...okay."

Goto and Ooyodo shared a glance. "Well, then…" The admiral finally said, turning back to them, "If you believe her, I think we can at least give her a chance to show she's trustworthy. But even so… the fact remains that while she may be patterned on you, Hoppou-Chan, she is ultimately derived from an enemy's technology and biology. That makes her a security risk. As the local expert on Abyssal biology, you will have to ensure she is fully debugged before we can allow her any freedom of movement."

Although Hoppou doubted this girl would enjoy being a prisoner on the base, there wasn't really much that could be done about it. She nodded reluctantly. "Yes, sir. Hoppou will inspect her properly, to make sure there's no bad stuff left from the evil Princess."

"Very well." Goto wrote down some final notes before continuing. "Once you return with a clean bill of health for this little one, we can see about letting her move around beyond the base. Until then, however, she must be accompanied by either you or a fleet of shipgirl escorts at all times." He gestured to the door. "You're free to go."

Hoppou gave a small bow. "Okay. Thank you, Admiral." Getting up from her seat, she took her doppleganger's hand and led her to the door. "Come on, Seiko. Let's go meet Mommy."

As the Princess reached for the doorknob, Ooyodo spoke up. "Oh, speaking of which, you mother was supposed to be on her way over to—"

Too late, Hoppou opened the door to find Nagato standing on the other side. The battleship looked down… and froze.

Goto almost swore he could see a Windows bluescreen in the battleship's eyes as she slumped to the floor, knocked out cold by the sight of two Hoppous standing in front of her.

XXXXXXXXXX

"Ugh… that sound is getting annoying."

Reaching out with a bloodied scalpel, the Research Princess sliced into the throat of the Ru-class laid out on the table before her and severed its vocal cords, putting an end to its shrill screams and replacing them with a weak gurgling that she found much nicer to listen to.

What a pathetic specimen, she mused. The highest recorded pain tolerance of all the battleships she had constructed to date, yet still unable to endure this mind-numbingly simple operation to install her routine implants; this one lasted mere seconds longer than the previous record-holder before starting to scream. It appeared she was reaching the upper limits of how much she could reduce an Abyssal's ability to feel pain without compromising their ability to function—she could only deaden their nerves so much before they lost all feeling, which was problematic. If only she could identify and isolate the Abyssal equivalent of the NTRK1 gene, and reproduce the mutation the humans called CIPA…

There was a sudden itch at the peripheral of the Princess's senses. Curious, she looked inward to find the cause: the clone seed she'd implanted in the Re-class designated "Revoker" had just been compromised and triggered its failsafe.

That couldn't be right. That specific vessel had been taken out three days ago in the failed probing attack on the Northern Princess's spawn. The seed should have exhausted its supply of nutrients and broken down by now. How could it still be active and able to trigger?

She didn't get to ponder the answer to that question—within seconds of her becoming aware of it, that itch exploded into an extraordinary pain in her skull. The Princess stumbled backward, her surgical implements falling from her hands, as she clutched her head and screamed. She could feel something other in her mind… crushing her, burrowing into her, trying to consume her. She tried to sever the connection, cut the seed loose and save herself, but whatever was attacking her wouldn't let it happen—it wanted to make certain she suffered.

The Princess had no idea how long the assault lasted; it could have been seconds, it could have been minutes, maybe even hours. All she knew for certain was that it ended as suddenly as it began… one final wave of agony as she felt something tearing away, and the unknown force vanished from her mind, leaving behind only the damage it had wrought to her psyche in the process. She slumped against the wall behind her and slid to the floor, the remnants of her conscious mind desperately trying to figure out what had just happened while her brain pieced itself back together.

It wasn't long before she managed to reach a conclusion:

Something—someone—had just torn her clone from her control.

Despite being half-delirious, with lingering pain in her head, the Research Princess still managed to make a wide, gleeful smile, baring her jagged teeth… because she had a very good idea of just who that someone was.

Things had just gotten interesting.

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A Courtship in Emerald (XVI)

??????????
Spoiler: A History Of Jewels

Zamarad fell into the warm verdant sparkle of Bareket and the lustrous pink glow of Yahalom in an endless spiral. Images flickered past her one after another.

Queen Hadassah revealing "Haman's" plot to slaughter herself along the other Jewish exiles in Persia....

The Haman-Shayṭān impaled upon the pole of bronze fifty cubits high that he had intended to be used to torture his enemies, then the corrupted jinn breaking free from his human shell as it writhed in torment, only to be subdued by the waiting mages....

Soldiers and wizards storming Haman's house, capturing his wife and children to be shackled with fetters of mage-craft and bronze as they were dragged before the King of Kings to be thrown at his feet. The image of them being ritually trampled in submission and defeat before they were imprisoned in the waiting vessels of bronze to be hurled overboard from a ship would be carved into the living rock of Mount Behistun as a warning to those who would rebel against the will of God....

The search of the house revealing a coffer, which exploded into a torrent of fiery beasts as a trap was triggered. A spell that burned much of the house to ash but left two enchanted jewels intact under the ash and rubble.....

Yahalom would be found by the searchers after the flames were extinguished and set in the crown of Imperial Persia as a silent token of triumph over the forces of what the priests would call Aŋra Mainiiu, later known to Zoroastrianism as Ahriman, the embodiment of evil.....

The green-glimmering Bareket would be found by a scavenger's hands who pocketed it and then sold it to a merchant traveling the Royal Road to Anatolia....

Yahalom was captured after the last Achaemenid King of Kings lost his army, his baggage containing the crown jewels, and his throne upon the field of Gaugamela in one of the greatest and most decisive battles of antiquity only to be lost in the fording of the Hyaspedes River as the legend known to history as Alexander the Great fought his last great triumphant battle to etch his name for all time in the pages of history....

In a twist of fate, while Yahalom rested at the bottom of the river to be found a millennia later to be claimed by a Rajput lord, Bareket would in turn pass from hand to hand to finally shine upon the creamy breast of the last and greatest of the Cleopatras, the child of Alexander's great general Ptolemy who ruled Egypt in his master's name before founding a dynasty in turn....

Only for Bareket to be captured in turn in yet another of the battles that would echo throughout history when at Actium, Cleopatra VII Philopater and her lover Mark Antony's forces were smashed by those loyal to Gaius Octavius or, as he would be better known in the annals of world history, Imperator Caesar Divi Filius Augustus, the founder of the Roman Empire and the Pax Romana....

Who in turn would display Bareket as part of the captured Egyptian crown jewels in his Triumph in 29 BCE as Caesar Augustus rode through the streets in a four-horse chariot with a crown of laurel, his face painted red, and wearing the purple and gold toga picta showing that he had ended the civil wars of the Roman Republic at long last....

Yahalom would eventually reach the hands of the Mughul Emperor of India Shah Jahan, who would place it, believed to be delved from the diamond mines of Golconda, into the Peacock Throne that he would commission at a cost double that of the Taj Mahal that he would build as the eternal resting place for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal in one of the pinnacles of Indian architecture....
Spoiler: Noor-ul-Ain

Only in turn to have the Peacock Throne taken as tribute by the last great Asiatic military conqueror, Nader Shah, the Sword of Persia, who had just decisively defeated the tottering Mughul Empire at the Battle of Karnal in 1739 despite being outnumbered six to one. Yahalom would be taken back to Persia once more to serve as part of the crown jewels of the Shahanshah, the King of Kings, under its new name, the Noor-ul-Ain 'Light of the Eye'....

As for Bareket, it in turn would pass from hand to bloodstained hand, from Roman Emperor to Visigothic looter to feudal warlord to Saracen invader to Reconquista knight as the tides of history turned and shifted. Finally it found its destined place as apparently part of a shipment of fellow emeralds from the recently-discovered New World. It in turn would be purchased by another history-striding titan's agent to become part of the collection of Kanunî Sultan Süleyman, Suleiman the Magnificent, the greatest of the Ottomans....

Only in turn for Bareket to be sold by one of the last and least of the descendants of the Great Turk, as Sultan Abdul Hamid II sold it to a gem broker in France as the clouds of revolution and war gathered in 1908 and the Ottoman Empire in turn fell into decay and ruin as had the other empires which it had traveled through....

And as Bareket was shipped to the Americas to await the next page to be written in its history and as Yahalom abided in the ancient land where it had rested, Zamarad saw one final vision....

A bronze vessel, inscribed and sealed was dredged up from the sea which had kept it safe and hidden for so long with a prisoner inside who had been stewing in his own malice for centuries upon centuries. Refining his art to use words, trickery, flatetry and the whispers of his evil nature to gain the power that his long imprisonment had stripped from him until he could regain his strength. A prisoner who was now free to walk the earth once more and seek the prizes that had been torn from his taloned claws, prizes that were some of the keys to a greater evil's cage....

Zamarad sensed the Shayṭān that she had seen in London once more speeding down the same rushing river of events that she was. Speeding inexorably toward a fork in the course of destiny....

One path from that fork fell into darkness, cities obliterated in an instant in a bust of Fire sufficient to even consume the jinn. Along the other, she saw herself, decades older, sitting on a sofa next to Delilah, with an infant, the product of their love, nursing at her breast as matching rings sparkled on her finger and her love's showing the trials and difficulties that they had won through together to bind themselves eternally to each other, steel and flame united, a Child of Smokeless Fire and a Child of Adam becoming one....

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Tongue sticking out of the corner of her mouth, Fu-Chan's tail wagged behind her as she wrote before nodding, "Done!" Brightly smiling, she held out the paper to Kashima who smiled, "Here you go, Kashima-Sensei!"

Chuckling, the silver haired shipgirl smiled, "Very good, Fu-Chan. Now, just let me check over your work for a few minutes."

Rapidly nodding, the Kitsune watched as Kashima began to check over the worksheet. In her mind, the Training Cruiser was almost as cool as Fubuki and the others. Often, Kashima would come by in the late afternoon after her work at the local Lawsons to do some teaching. From what she had told Fu-Chan and the others, before becoming a shipgirl she had been saving up to become a teacher and had done tutoring work on the side. Something that was really cool to them, and often made her grin when they told her that.

After a few minutes, Kashima set down the paper and smiled at her before ruffling the Yokai's hair, "Good job, Fu-Chan. You only made a few mistakes..." Pushing the paper across the table, she leaned over it to point at the places where the young girl had been incorrect and began to explain where she had gone wrong, "... So here, you made the mistake when subtracting."

While Fu-Chan began to work on a new sheet, the shipgirl sighed a little, but was smiling. This was the sort of thing that she loved after all, teaching. And, as it turned out, the JMSDF was fully behind her becoming a teacher. Especially with how she worked with Summons to teach them about the modern day. Or Natural Borns to help keep up with their education as they fought.

Hence, she had little issue when Fubuki approached her to help get the Yokai under the Destroyer's care up to the level where they could join school.

Lips curling into a small smile, she paused and looked over at Daichi who was frowning as he worked at a math problem before suddenly brightening and performing it as he figured it out. On his head, two bear ears twitched as he finished and got started on the next problem. Part of her chould not help but shake her head a little as the boy in question was a bit heavyset. Not because he was chubby, because it was mostly all muscle.

While a bit amusing, Kashima could not help but note that he would very likely grow up to be a "Bear of a man" and was already showing signs of that.

That said, she was not worried in the slightest about it as the eleven year old was not bad tempered. One of the American shipgirls after seeing him taking care of his "Little sisters" as the rest of the Fubuki children were considered by him had commented that he was a big teddy bear... as long as you did not threaten any of the younger ones, that was. If you did, watch out!

Between him and Yoshi, who was a Sarugami, the Training Cruiser knew that the younger children would not be threatened by anything, especially as the two had started learning martial arts from Fubuki and Yuudachi. Something that she had noticed made the two Destroyers all the more cooler in the children's eyes. And also that Daichi had started to hero worship that one American, Dalt, as the coolest man he knew. Kashima wondered what might come of that...

It was then that she noticed that all the children had stopped what they were doing, though with the Oni twins, Akari and Atsuko, watching the others. Eyebrow raised, Kashima noticed that all the animal ears they had perk up and swivel towards the front door, '3... 2... 1...'

Just as she reached zero, they all quickly rushed to their feet and rushed out the room with bright smiles, which nearly made her giggle. Getting up, she poked her head around the corner in time to see the door open to reveal Fubuki and Yuudachi, who were tackled by the young Yokai, "FUBUKI-SAN! YUUDACHI-SAN! YOU'RE BACK!"

Lightly chuckling, Fubuki shook her head and patted their heads, "Hai, I am, you guys."

Yuudachi then gave them all a thumbs up, "And we brought treats with us, Poi! Enough for everyone including some that we'll have after dinner!"

Over the murmurs of excitement, the two Destroyers shared an amused look. And as Kashima watched, Mutsuki poked her head around the corner from the kitchen with a smile of her own, "And not until after supper. We don't want to ruin your appitites after all with sweets..." Narrowing her eyes, she gave Yuudachi a look, "Right, Yuudachi-Chan?"

The blonde Destroyer in question just nodded with an innocent smile on her face, "Hai, Mutsuki-Chan." All she got from the other shipgirl was narrowed eyes before Mutsuki slipped back into the kitchen. Once she was certain that her fellow Destroyer was gone, Yuudachi reached into her pockets and pulled out some candy that she gave the kids, all of whom grinned, as she winked, "Don't want to ruin appetites, Poi."

Madly grinning, all the children quickly stuffed said candies into their mouths even as Fubuki and Yuudachi ruffled their hair.

Spotting Kashima, Fubuki walked over even as Fu-Chan and Natsuki attached themselves to her legs and hips after the Destroyer had removed her shoes. Part of the silver haired shipgirl was a bit jealous at how much Fubuki made it look easy and motherly, before shaking that off, "Good evening, Fubuki-Chan."

In return, the shipgirl in question nodded with a slight bow, "Good evening, Kashima-San. Are you staying for dinner? Especially as we're expecting someone about the next few weeks."

Kashima spotted the ears of the various children wilt a little at those words, knowing that Fubuki and the others would be away on convoy escort for at least a month. She knew that they understood that, but that they still found it hard. Rather than comment, especially as she noted that Fubuki and Yuudachi patted their heads, she smiled and nodded, "That sounds good actually, from what I know, Mutsuki-Chan and the others are making Chanko."

Happily humming, Yuudachi made her way to the kitchen, though in her case Natsuki was hanging from her neck and giggling madly, "Sounds good, Poi! I'm hungry."

With a sigh, Fubuki rolled her eyes before reaching over and grabbing Yuudachi, "First, wash hands and then time for dinner."

All the pout from the other Destroyer got was giggles and snickers from the children and an amused eyeroll from Fubuki herself.

Less than thirty minutes found them getting the table set up when a knock at the door could be heard and Fubuki walked to it. Some of the children curiously poked their heads around the corner to watch and their eyes widened at the sight of a young woman with black hair and a rather large chest talking quietly with Fubuki. Daichi, for his part blushed as he realized who it was and gave an awed whisper, "Takao-Sama..."

Glancing at him, Fu-Chan only shook her head at the stunned look he had on his face at the sight of one of his favorite shipgirls. When she turned back to Takao who was taking off her shoes as she continued to chat with Fubuki, she tilted her head some. The Heavy Cruiser would have turned heads in her black turtleneck sweater and jeans, but all the Kitsune could do was internally shrug, 'She's pretty, but not as much as Fubuki-San.'

Takao soon walked into the dining room and bowed a bit to the gathered children, though she giggled a bit at the young boy with bear ears on his head and how he had an awed look on his face as he looked at her. Lips twitching, she bowed to them, "Good evening, I'm the Heavy Cruiser Takao and I'm very pleased to meet you all."

Just smiling, Fubuki walked around her and began to gesture at each one of the children in turn, "Well, since you introduced yourself... We have the twins, Atsuko-Chan and Akari-Chan, they're Oni. Beside them, we have Fu-Chan, though her name is Fubuki so we call her by her nickname, and at her side is Natsuki-Chan, a Kitsune and Neko respectively."

A grin on her face, Yuudachi ruffled the hair of the Inu at her side, "This is Kasumi-Chan, Poi. She's an Inugami."

Matching the blonde Destroyer's grin, the Inugami nodded, "That's right, Poi!"

With a sigh, Mutsuki gave the amused Heavy Cruiser a bemused look before crouching and placing her hands on the shoulders of the two smaller Nekos, "And these two cuties are Akane-Chan and Ayame-Chan. They're Nekomata like Natsuki-Chan"

Both young girls gave a slightly shy wave before hiding behind the Destroyer's legs. Meanwhile, Kisaragi gently patted the shoulders of two other girls, one older than the other and both having squirrel ears and tails, "These two are Hitomi-Chan and her Imouto, Yomi-Chan, they're squirrel Yokai."

Finally, Kana gestured at the two boys, "And these are Daichi-Kun and Yoshi-Kun, a bear Yokai and Sarugami."

Softly smiling, Takao bowed to them, "I'm very pleased to meet you."

They returned the bow and the same words as well. Not long afterwards, Takao found herself being seated at the very full table and simply watching as Fubuki and the others got everyone food. Yuudachi was putting the stew into bowls which were set in front of the children while Mutsuki and Kisaragi filled the glasses with milk. Much to the Heavy Cruiser's amusement, said brand was "Fubuki Milk" which made her lips twitch, but she said nothing. Kana, meanwhile, brought over a basket that had gently steaming breadrolls in it and set it on the table. She did note that the two squirrel Yokai were the only girls there not to be shipgirls, but didn't seem to bothered by it.

Finally, every one was seated and began to eat while various people there chatted. Takao noted that Fu-Chan was seated right beside Fubuki and looking at said Destroyer with love and worship in her eyes as the two ate and talked. Glancing to her side, she noted that Daichi was there as well. Head tilted to the side, she smiled a bit as she decided to get to know him, "So, Daichi-Kun?"

Quickly swallowing the food in his mouth, the young bear Yokai turned to her, "Hai, Takao-Sama?"

Unable to help herself, Takao giggled and wagged a finger, "Please, Takao-Nee-San or Takao-Chan. San at worst." The flustered look on the Yokai's face nearly made her giggle again... nearly, "So, from what I was told you're a bear Yokai?"

Simply nodding as he ate some more stew, Daichi hummed. Once he was able to, he scratched his cheek some, "Well, um, I'm an Onikuma to be specific, but hai?"

Interested, the Heavy Cruiser raised an eyebrow, "An Onikuma, huh?" At the nod, she continued, "I take it that means that you're going to grow big and strong then?"

From across the table, Akari nodded with wide eyes, "Hai! Daichi-Nii-San is super strong as it is! He protected us when we were on the streets along with Yoshi-Nii-San..."

Voice soft, Ayame nodded, "And, um... he sometimes got beaten up so that we wouldn't... that's how he got that scar above his eyebrow. Because that person wanted to hit me when I spilled his coffee by accident and Daichi-Nii-San stepped between us."

Eyes wide, Takao looked at the embrassed boy who was mumbling that he was just being a big brother. Sure enough, cutting through one of his eyebrows was a scar. Seeing her look, he blushed a bit, "He was wearing a diamond ring at the time, and, well... as long as I get hit, they're safe."

Much to his surprise, he felt a hand on his shoulder and looked to see the nameship of the Takao class smile at him, "You are a very good man, Daichi-Kun. Taking care of your Imoutos like that."

If anything, that only made Daichi more flustered before the conversation turned to other things.

Once the food was gone, Fubuki smiled and stood up before grabbing some dishes, "I have a treat for everyone, direct from Britain." Reaching into her pockets, she pulled out a box and opened it to show an what looked like sponge cake wrapping something, "This is an arctic roll, ice cream wrapped in sponge cake with a layer of raspberry sauce between them."

All of the kids stilled at that and stared with hungry expressions on their faces. Tail wagging behind her furiously, Fu-Chan whimpered a bit, "W-we're going to have that, Fubuki-San?'

Lightly chuckling, Fubuki cut a slice before putting it onto a plate which she placed in front of Fu-Chan, "Well, what do you think?"

Gasping, Fu-Chan looked at her and got a nod. Picking up her fork, she took a piece and put it into her mouth. Moments later, she was kicking her feet out as she closed her eyes in bliss, "So good!"

Getting a slice for herself from Fubuki, Natsuki also took a bite and nodded rapidly with a purr as her tail twitched. She was not the only one to react in a similar way as most of the kids did as well, though they were reminded not to eat it too fast. The younger Neko twins had a blissed out look on their faces.

Unable to help herself, Takao smiled at the sight and internally chuckled. Taking a bite herself, she felt her eyebrows rise, 'This... is very good.'

It went without saying that the treat was soon gone for all of them, though Fubuki was happy with the reception while making note to buy more. Together, the Destroyers cleaned up the plates and other items before putting them away, Coming back to the table, Fubuki sat down and took a deep breath, "Now that dinner is out of the way, it's time for us to have a talk."

Frowning, Yoshi glanced at the others, "Um, did we do something wrong, Fubuki-San?"

However, to his and the others relief, the Destroyer shook her head. Sighing, Fubuki sipped her coffee before frowning, "It's about what is going to happen." She gestured at the other shipgirls in the household outside of Kashima and Takao, "As you know, Yuudachi-Chan, Mutsuki-Chan, Kisaragi-Chan, Kana-Chan, and myself are all going to be escorting a convoy to the United States starting tomorrow evening."

A sniffle came from Fu-Chan and she wiped at her eyes, "W-we know, Fubuki-San. B-because all of you have a job and need to do it to d-defend Japan."

Gently placing an arm around the Kitsune's shoulder, Fubuki kissed her between her ears, "Hai." Pulling back, she gave the young Yokai a soft smile, "By escorting convoys back and forth, we can make sure that you and the others have all the food you need, as well as the rest of the nation. That said... we're not abandoning you. Because as soon as we get back, we'll spend time with all of you."

That got her various nods from the other children before Mutsuki spoke up, "However, that does put us into a position where we won't be in the house. We do trust you to take care of things while we're gone, all of you proved that. But we asked for both Kashima-San as well as Takao-San to drop in daily to check up with you. We'll leave their numbers as well as Dalt-San's, who also agreed to check in with you at times, so you can contact them if something happens."

Smiling, Kashima gave a nod, "You can bet that we'll help you with whatever you bunch might need. Trust me."

Kisaragi gently patted Akane's head as she continued, "Now, besides that? We'll be leaving behind the Mess Hall pass for all of you. That way you can get hot meals at the mess hall when you need it."

It was obvious that the children really did not like the thought of their guardians leaving the next day for a dangerous trip, but they understood there wasn't much of a choice. Still, they brightened up at the fact that Dalt as well as Takao and Kashima would drop by to check up on them as needed. The rest of the evening was a discussion of various things that would happen. Such as Fubuki mentioning that some nights the people mentioned might stay over. Which was something else that lightened spirits.
_________________________________________________________________________

Over the day, Fubuki and the other shipgirls had spent all their time with the Yokai children that they had all but adopted. And only but due to a few reasons such as wanting them to be used to the household before doing so. For hours they had done various things with them, leading to spending some time in a nearby field playing. Though some people would have stared at the fact that the shipgirls were playing with a fox, a shiba inu, several cats, two larger than normal squirrels, a monkey, and a bear.

In fact, one of the MPs had dropped by and stared at Kana wrestling said bear and explaining moves.

When the fox had waved a paw and shouted hello along with the other animals, he had waved back before getting into his car and driving off. Then he went and took the rest of the day off. The last anyone had seen of him was the poor man stumbling into one of the bars on base.

However, all good things came to an end and after an early dinner, Fubuki and the others were gathered at the launch ramp. Hugging Fu-Chan, and having tears in both their eyes, Fubuki smiled, "You be a good girl, Fu-Chan. Okay?"

Nodding even as she buried her face in the shipgirl's neck, Fu-Chan hummed, "Hai, I will, Fubuki-San."

Just pulling back, the Destroyer nodded while patting Fu-Chan's head. Doing much the same with Kasumi, Yuudachi gave a wink and thumbs up, "It'll only be a month, and we'll bring you all back treats, Poi! Stuff from the United States and Canada even!"

Daichi tried to wipe his eyes without being noticed, after all he was the oldest and had to be strong in his mind, "L-like that maple syrup?"

Bemused, Mutsuki chuckled a bit from where she was hugging the Neko twins, "Is that what you might want?" At the hesitant nod, she smiled, "Well, you'll get it then. We'll bring back a lot of maple syrup and have it on pancakes!"

Thrusting her fist into the air, Yuudachi nodded, "And waffles, Poi!"

Lips twitching, the lone Battleship hugged the squirrel sisters tightly, "Also we'll bring back other treats like chocolate bars and the like. Just for you."

Both squirrels just hummed as they hugged her back.

Over the radio, Fubuki got the signal to launch and gave a nod before sending an acknowledgment. With one final round of hugs, the shipgirls all walked down the ramp. Reaching the bottom, Fubuki took a deep breath before stepping onto the water, deciding to do a little show as her rigging appeared around her with sparkles, "Destroyer Fubuki, doing her best and deploying!"

Smiling, the other shipgirls did much the same and turned one final time to wave goodbye before heading for the convoy of ships coming from Yokohama.

Upon the shore, the Yokai children stood there waving and shouting goodbye as well as good luck. Even as the Sun reached the horizon and began to bathe the world in it's now orange light, the children stood, watching as the ships and their escorting shipgirls sailed towards the horizon. Finally, Fu-Chan let out a breath and smiled, "One day..."

With a blink, Natsuki looked towards her, "One day what, Fu-Chan?"

The Kitsune looked at the Neko and smiled happily, "One day, Natsuki-Chan, we'll be out there as shipgirls too! And sailing beside Fubuki-Kaa-San as well."

Eyes glimmering a bit with unshed tears, Natsuki nodded, "Hai! One day we'll sail alongside Fubuki-Kaa-San, Yuudachi-Kaa-San, Mutsuki-Kaa-San, Kisaragi-Kaa-San, Kana-Kaa-San... and each other. And we'll be just as pretty and awesome as they are."

About to walk off, Fu-Chan paused before turning to the sea and looking in the direction that Fubuki was heading off in before doing her best impression of a salute, "Like you, Kaa-San... Fubuki will do her best when that day comes... so wait for us."

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A Courtship in Emerald (XVII)

Black Hills, Southwestern South Dakota, USA

1 June, 1945
Spoiler: Regrouping

With a sudden start, Zamarad returned to herself from the visions, feeling a ghost of the warmth that vision-her was sharing with Delilah and her firstborn daughter linger in her heart.

The meadow was dark and silent, illuminated by the coals of a small campfire banked low and giving the odd ember and spark to join the river of stars overhead illuminating the scene. Zamarad instinctively clutched the scratchy wool of the blanket that Delilah had draped around her nude body where she sat on the rock to herself and gave the fire a commanding look, making it acknowledge her rulership of her element.

On the other side of it, Delilah sat cross-legged on a blanket like a bronze statue in the firelight, lost in her own thoughts. The Muramasa revolver had changed clothes to a shirt of unbleached deerskin, leather leggings of buffalo hide, and beaded moccasins while she had her medicine pouch resting on her slowly rising and falling chest as she stared with oddly unfocused eyes into the flames.

Delilah began to mutter to herself in Lakota, then English. "Emily... Louise.... Bearclaw.... Jackie... Sis.... Mère...." Finally she blinked and came to herself.

"Zamarad. You have returned?" Delilah's voice was hushed and reverent.

The Ifrit nodded, hearing the whisper of the night wind in the meadow grass around them like the breathing of some huge beast in restless slumber around them. "I have, Delilah. I... was not anticipating what happened."

Delilah's teeth flashed in the firelight in a brief smug smile. "No one truly is, I suppose. Truth is like that. Standing naked and exposed to the Spirits and the Universe, your very essence laid bare for them and yourself to truly judge for good and for ill.... " She trailed off meaningfully.

Zamarad nodded. "I... saw things, with the help of the Powers that you invoked, Del. Thank you." She spoke sincerely, feeling that she had emerged the stronger for the trials of her very being that she had faced to gain these fragments of understanding.

Delilah gave another brief smile. "I would be a poor medicine woman if I was unable to help a seeker achieve the insights that she desperately needs." Del's eyes gleamed. "Ah... whatever happened in your spirit walk is intensely private and I won't pry, but.... Did you get an indication that you were called to take over my handling of matters out here?" One hand gestured to the darkness beyond their circle of firelight.

In the unseen distance, a wolf howled.

Zamarad closed her eyes, remembering as much as she could of what she had Seen. "No. I can help you with your responsibilities certainly but... no. Not like that. I am...tolerated here, but I am Fire and what sleeps here... would quench me if I had to fight it to bind it, truly."

Delilah closed her eyes and her shoulders slumped. "I see. It was a faint chance, though, I suppose. It's just... " She reached behind her to lean back on her hands to look at the stars overhead. "I was planning on grooming Bearclaw to be my backup plan for here. He's Cheyenne, true, but he knows," she sighed sadly, "knew the importance of my stewardship of these hills and he was low-ranking enough to dodge the consequences that will ensnare me when the Statute comes down."
Spoiler: The Statute Of Secrecy

"Statute, Delilah?" Zamarad asked curiously.

"Ahh yes, I forgot that you don't have the context that I am used to." Delilah said quietly as she locked Zamarad's gaze with hers. "In brief, well before either of us were born or the White Man came to the Americas a decision was made to hide evidence of magic from the no-maj, humans without magic to prevent a catastrophic war and witch hunts by the far, far more numerous no-maj. You saw the Salem Memorial in MACUSA headquarters. That incident and others force me to admit that they had a point at their intentions were good, although..." The witch trailed off again and shook her head with a deep sigh.

Zamarad nodded along as Delilah continued in a soft voice, "Records were falsified, evidence suppressed, people's memories and identities were tampered with and still are tampered with to prevent the no-maj getting a clue. But it can't go on. Not only are they growing more numerous and expanding into places that we keep hidden, but communication has grown and grown. When mother was a child, news from England took months to reach America on a sailing ship. Now it is a matter of weeks or less for the newsreels, and hours for the telegraph and wireless networks, and transportation is equally fast with their steamships and now aeroplanes. It becomes harder and harder to keep the masquerade up, and all we need is one big slip-up, and then they will know."

Delilah raised herself up to stare into the fire. "Which poses some real problems for me personally. Leaving aside the massive unanswered question of how the No-maj react when that day comes toward wizards at large, whether with acceptance, curiosity, or hostility and war, I have committed well documented crimes and actions that will be seen as crimes in the pursuit of keeping the Statute going. Conspiracy, theft, Obliviations, altering memories, kidnapping, even murder. Oh yes, two days ride from here is a shallow grave that I filled with a prospector in 1873 who was looking to mine for gold in a cavern containing one of Unk Cekula's spawn that was bound. Big one too. His life was forfeit either way and a bullet from ambush in the brain-pan is a hell of a lot more merciful than the other fate. Doesn't change the fact that I shot him from ambush with no remorse to protect the statute." Delilah's voice was very flat as she finished.

Zamarad nodded and then quietly spoke. "I am... not unfamiliar with such things. My own family, mother and father's side both are Guardians of certain things that should never be tampered with. What you and your sister saw in the desert is but a tithe of Father's responsibilities and not the worst by far. Such as," Zamarad took a deep breath. "Such as what I Saw."

Delilah leaned forward. "A warning then? If it is allowed, I shall help you with, well, whatever it is. Just tell me what you can and I'll give you a hand with it."

Firelight gleamed from the Ifrit's razor smile. "Oh I can do better than that, Delilah de Breuil." She closed her eyes and gestured and the campfire roared to life and turned the emerald of her eyes. Inside the dancing emerald flames a street scene in a London celebrating the defeat of Nazi Germany formed. "I can show you. Because I sense that we are both called upon to handle the matter at hand."

Delilah's jaw dropped at the sight of Lieutenant Colonel of Aurors Ben Arnold smiling knowingly at Zamarad as she heard the Shayṭān whispers. Once more encouraging her to give in to her darker impulses. Delilah gasped out. "But I KNOW Ben! I worked with him before the War and during it. What I saw, that was Ben, just..."

She stopped and her eyes widened in shock as she finished in a horrified whisper. "Unleashed to become more than he was."

"MACUSA and MIB have no idea that Delegate Arnold's favorite son is... what he has become." Delilah's voice was glacially cold and thoughtful, with her eyes becoming hard and her brain whirring. "And he's responsible for the hunt for the ex-Nazis and Grindlewald supporters, being our on-the-ground local liaison to the Gosudarstvennyy Komitet po Magicheskim Voprosam in the Occupation Zone and has full access to all the captured files...."

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Gently patting Natsumi's currently vulpine head, Harry tilted his head to the side a little in thought, "A school project?"

With a sigh, the Kitsune nodded as she shifted a little under his hand, "Hai, and a real troublesome one." Seeing his raised eyebrow, she rolled her eyes, "It is sort of a creative project that we need to make. For the School Festival."

Moving his hand some to scratch behind her ears, the thirteen year old wizard nodded, "I see. What sort of creative project exactly?"

For a few moments, all Natsumi did was give something like a purr, which Harry liked to call a "Murr". But then she blinked and frowned, "Anything really. And that's part of the problem because we're trying to come up with something. A few of the other students are putting on a play, for instance. Some are putting together sculptures or paintings... but we don't really have much, though we're doing the cafe again anyways. This is more to raise money for a school trip at the end of the semester. Whoever gets the most actually gets an extra day and a stay at an Onsen."

Considering that, the wizard scratched his chin some, "But its you, Usagi-San, Ayaka-San, Kaku-San, Rika-San, and Asuka-San, right?"

A frown on her face, Natsumi grimaced a little, "Hai? Though because of things Nobu-San, Okita-San, and Uesugi-San are also joining us..."

His eyebrows furrowing, Harry looked at her in some confusion, "Why those three?"

Sighing, the Kitsune gave him a look, "Because, Harry-Chan, no one wants to work with Nobu-San... especially after what recently happened."

Frowning, Harry blinked, "Why? What happened?"

Once more, Natsumi sighed, "Well, you know how Nobu-San likes her prank bombs? A few days ago, Okita-San got caught in one by accident that Nobu-San made for science class..."

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

All everyone could do was stare in shock or horror as the sound of dripping could be heard... that was all but Nobu who grinned, "Well, it worked." Cupping her chin with one hand, she hummed, "That color looks good on you."

Just a short distance in front of her, Okita stared straight ahead and covered with pink paint that dripped onto the ground.

Slowly blinking, the teenage girl turned to her friend and clenched her fists to the point that people swore they heard her bones creak. Completely unconcerned, even as everyone else took a few steps back, Nobu scratched her nose, "What? Not my fault that you came late to class. And besides, it's water based paint, it will wash right off."

Okita just continued to stare at her before suddenly closing her eyes and smiling, "Haha! You're right, Nobu-Chan, it is all my fault. And this is such a nice color."

Behind Nobu, all their classmates quickly backed up until they hit the wall, though the girl who created the bomb just grinned as the paint covered teen walked up to her, "I know, right? One of my best work?"

Having stopped mere feet away from Nobu, and with her expression still one of happiness and unadultred joy, Okita nodded, "Oh yes." Before Nobu could react, her hand lashed out and grabbed hold of her head and squeezed, fingers digging in. Opening her eyes, Okita revealed them full of rage which was at odds with her oddly calm voice, "Now what did I tell you about making bombs, Nobu-Chan~"

The black haired girl was lifted bodily off the ground by Okita and struggled, "A-ah! Bombs are good, Okita's great! Please let go or my skull will break!"

Sadly, Okita just brought up her free fist which was shaking as veins pulsed on her temple, "I just washed this last night, Nobu-Chan... especially as today is picture day..."

Everyone very rapidly ran away as only the truly brave could as screaming started.

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

Harry considered what he just heard before nodding, "Hai, I can see that happening." With a small shrug as he continued to scratch Natsumi behind her ears, he frowned, "But couldn't you just have Okita-San and Uesugi-San?"

Simply laying her head on his chest, the Kitsune sighed, "Don't I just wish? Bringing in the other two would cause that Chunni to join in." She paused and frowned a little, "Though..." Eyes narrowing, Natsumi gave Harry a look, "You could join in... though I am assuming that you have a plan judging by your expression?"

Chuckling, Harry slowly nodded, "I do have an idea or two actually. Though before I do anything more, I need more information."

Eyebrow raised, Natsumi gave him a look before nodding, "That's... not an issue." Bringing her paws up and her muzzle close to his face, she hummed as he stroked her back, "What do you need to know?"

Lips curling a little, the thirteen year old boy tapped his chin with his free hand, "Well... can we have help with this? And what sort of help? Also, what sort of limits do we have on what we can do for it?"

Natsumi blinked at that and considered the questions, "In order... we can have help if you mean adults, but just the bare minimum for it. They can't actually do the work itself for us. And... there's no limit on what we can do for the project as long as we can do it with resources available to us."

Just nodding, Harry continued to think before smiling some, "I... think that I have an idea, Natsumi-Chan. How about we make a short film?"

That caused the teenage Yokai to blink and give him an odd look, "Say what now, Harry-Chan? A short film...?"

Waving a hand, Harry shook his head, "I know what you're thinking, Natsumi-Chan. But it is a simple one with the bare minimum of work and time. Heck, if needed I can use the time turner to get enough time to work on the editing. The school festival is, what? Three weeks away?" At her nod, he gave one of his own, "Then we can do this. I already got exactly the story that we need to use in order to pull it off which won't take long. All we need..." He smirked a bit, "Is two places available to us and just some resources."

Ear twitching, Natsumi raised an eyebrow, "It takes more than that to put together a short film, Harry-Chan. A lot more."

However, he just waved her off, "If we were going for something complicated? Sure, I would agree with you. But this? This is something that can be easily ad-libbed. Maybe a day or two of shooting to be honest."

Not saying anything for a few moments, Natsumi considered what he just said. Finally, she sighed as it was not like they had any other ideas, "Okay, Harry-Chan, how are we going to do this?"

Grinning, Harry nodded some, "Well, first, I'll have to talk with Naka-Nee about her onsen and using her studio. Next, we need to get access for a few hours to an old hotel with an elevator..."
________________________________________________________________

Blinking as she picked up the stapled sheets, Okita frowned a little as she noted there was really less than six pages, "That's it? That's the script?"

Arms crossed, Harry gave the group of teenagers a smirk, "That's it. The whole script."

Flipping through it, Rika began reading as did the others. Coming to the end, she flipped back to the beginning and went through it again, "Hmm... not bad really. Simple and to the point..."

Laughing, Nobu grinned, "Indeed! And yet, so very interesting! Would you not say so, Uesugi-Chan!"

Said girl adjusted her glasses and frowned, "In a way..." Looking back at the pages, she frowned, "Though I suppose that is one way of putting it. Creepy is another..."

Head tilted to the side, Asuka shook her head, "It... seems rather straight forward. No real special effects needed for it and the props are simple enough for what we would be using them for. But... what about editing?"

Jerking her thumb towards Harry, Natsumi shook her head, "We rely on Harry-Chan for that." At their looks, she shrugged and continued, "Harry-Chan has done editing for his own videos. So all he needs is access to Naka-San's studio for the sound."

When they turned to him, the wizard shook his head, "I'll need to add in certain sound effects to the film and Naka-Nee has a lot stored in her studio that we can use. It will take a day or two of work for me to clean it all up in the end. That's post-filming since the rest we can get done in a day or two of filming."

Going through it for likely the fourth time, Ayaka had a small frown on her face, "Huh... where did you get the idea for this anyways?"

Not missing a beat, Harry placed some photocopied pages in front of her, "It's from an old story actually that I came across. Never got the chance to have it pop up on my videos, and it is so short that, well... I can't see anyone making an actual movie on it. Figured it would be something short and to the point."

After several moments of thought, they all considered it and eventually nodded in agreement before they went to talking about how to make it work. None of them noticing the time that passed until an amused Kiba along with the other adults came to pick them up. It was an embarrassed group of teens who went home. And for the next week, they prepared for their work while getting everything ready and asking for some people to help them."

That Saturday, the group arrived at the Onsen/studio owned by Naka. Said shipgirl was outside with a wide grin on her face, "Well, all of you ready for filming?"

Sharing a look with the others, Natsumi pumped her fist and grinned, "You bet, Naka-San! All of us are ready for filming!"

Grin on her face, the Light Cruiser chuckled, "Good to hear." Turning she looked at Harry who was bringing out a gym bag, "Need some help, Chibi? I don't mind giving a hand if you need it you know."

However, he shook his head, "That's okay, Naka-Nee. I got this and so does Kaku-San."

The disguised Tanuki chuckled some and shook his head, "Hai." Internally though, he was signing a little, 'Because of course we would be carrying the bags.'

Only nodding, though her expression of amusement hinted that she could guess Kaku's thoughts, Naka chuckled, "Sounds good then, Chibi. Let's get you all set up for the night then. You're going to need it."

As they followed her in, Okita looked around in interest, "You have your very own Onsen, Naka-San? Really?"

Rather amused, the shipgirl nodded, "Hai, though I have a studio attached as well to it." At their looks of amazement, she shrugged, "I bought it cheap and built the studio. Trust me, it helps a lot to have somewhere to go and relax after a session. And not just for me, but my employees as well."

Stunned, Usagi looked at her, "And you're going to let us use it?! Really?!"

Laughing, Naka shook her head, "Sure! And I don't mind as your project is actually pretty interesting." She snapped her fingers towards Harry, "All I want is a copy once you're done in exchange."

Just nodding, Harry grinned back at her, "Not an issue, Naka-Nee. I planned on it anyways, though any others you're going to need to buy from us since we're selling them at the festival to raise funds."

More amused then anything else, the orange wearing Idol chuckled, "That I don't mind doing. And while you're here, help yourselves to what you want, on the house."

Several seconds later, she laughed more at the cheer that got her from the teenagers.

Reaching their room, Harry and Kaku set down the gym bags before opening them up and revealing the contents. A small smile on his face, Harry pulled out a camera and went through various checks for it before nodding, "Okay, now this is going to be the one that we use."

Thoughtful, Nobu examined it, "I take it that this is a good one?"

Glancing at her, the wizard nodded, "Hai, I've actually used it myself for when I'm doing my web shows and such. So I know that it is pretty effective and better then using a cellphone camera. That... would be a bit difficult." Pulling out another item, he hummed, "Now, this is the directional microphone that we're going to have set up. It is going to record what we say and the like. Also..." Harry brought out some wires and lights, "These, you guys are going to wear to help pick out sound. The lights will be used to help brighten the scene a little... I got my makeup and costume in here as well."

Each of the teens nodded.
___________________________________________________________________

Each of the teens bowed to the well dressed man in the hotel lobby that they stood before, "Thank you, Fujimoto-San for allowing us to be here."

Lightly smiling, Fujimoto, the hotel manager, simply bowed back with a smile, "And you are very welcome. We honestly do not mind such and according to what you stated, it would only be for an hour or two at most? Correct?"

Asuka gave him a small nod with a smile, "Hai, that is correct. We shouldn't take too long and we'll clean up after ourselves as well."

Smiling, the older man gave them a nod and a wave, "That is no problem." Clapping his hands, he gave a small nod, "I'll leave you all to it then." With that, he walked off with a shake of his head, 'Kids today... though I wonder if they will give me a copy...?'

Meanwhile, Harry turned and clapped his hands as he nodded towards the group of people. Besides the teen, there were several adults there as well. Koga was one as was Jin, Kiba, Ai, her squadron, and some of Jin's gang. There was also Kongou and Goto there as well as Yonehara. With a nod, he grinned, "Okay, just give me a bit to put on my makeup and we'll get started..."

Amused, the adults all just nodded to that before they got to work.
_______________________________________________________________________

Stepping out of the rental, Natsumi took a deep breath of air before letting it out, "We're finally here..."

A chuckle escaped from Usagi before she smiled at her friend, "Hai, we finally are. Though we're still some ways out." Looking at the driver, she shook her head, "Though, thank you for driving us, Taichi-San."

In the front seat, Natsumi's older brother just shrugged, "I don't mind giving you all a lift." A frown then crossed his face as he looks up at the Onsen and then back to all the teens, "Are you bunch really sure that you're going to be alright for the night? I'm crashing at a friend's place in the city for the next day or two after all. I'm sure that they wouldn't mind you crashing there instead of leaving you at some Onsen."

However, his sister rolled her eyes and gave him an exasperated look, "We'll be fine, Nii-San. Tomorrow night we'll be at a hotel in the city for the weekend."

Still frowning, Taichi gave her a look, "If you're sure..." At her glare, he raised his hands, "Okay, okay, you're going to be fine, understood. Just... be careful, okay?"

Getting a nod, he drove off. Once he was out of view, Nobu cackled, "Of course we'll be fine! For I, the Great Demon Nobu-Chan, will be more than able to protect all of us!"

Just sighing, Okita pinched her nose as she muttered some before whacking her friend upside the head nearly knocking the hat from her head, "Stop that, this trip is for us to relax."

Flailing, Nobu caught her hat and poured some, "Oh, come on, Okita-Chan! We are relaxing!"

Simply ignoring the two bickering in the background, Ayaka turned towards her rival, "I cannot believe that you managed to get our parents to agree to this trip!" Grinning, she laughed, "No adults, just us!"

Highly amused, Natsumi bowed, "Thank you, thank you, that is just how great I am." Laughter met that before she shook her head. "Anyways, it was not that hard. As long as we went together, our parents wouldn't have much issue because they trust us." Picking up her bag, she jerked her thumb towards the Onsen, "Anyways, we should go and get signed in..."

Talking among themselves still, the group did just that and proceeded to enjoy the late afternoon and evening.

But that night, Natsumi jerked awake in the darkened room. For a few moments, she looked around before she heard the sound again... wood being dropped on something. Beside her, Rika also woke up and looked around, "What was that?"

Frowning, Natsumi shook her head, "I... don't know." The two shared a look and soon after, the other girls were awake at the odd sound and followed Natsumi out into the corridor. There, they were met by Kaku who she looked at, "Kaku-Kun... did you hear-"

A frown on his own face, he gave a nod, "An odd sound? Hai, I did..." Suddenly, the Sound was heard again and they looked for the source, "There it is again!"

Unsure, they shared a look among each other and proceeded to walk along the darkened corridors of the Onsen. Soon, they found themselves outside and above a hill when Asuka gasped and pointed, "G-guys... w-what is that...?"

Each of them followed her finger only to pause at the sight below. There was a teen about their age before an old wagon with a blue, flickering lantern glowing somewhere inside, putting boxes into it. The source of the odd sound that had woken them. But despite the obviously non-threatening aspect, something about it... creeped them out and made the them shake a little as they held onto each other.

Which was when the Moon came out from behind some clouds and they had to hold back a scream as it turned out it was not boxes he was putting into the wagon...

It was instead Coffins.

Almost as if he head heard them, the boy their age paused before he turned and they backed up a step. In the moonlight, his skin was as pale as a corpse with his hair looking greasy as it hung from his head. And around what was almost glowing emerald eyes were black rings showing this eyes sunken in his skull. Seeing them, he grinned, though there was nothing friendly about it, and revealing yellow, broken teeth, "Why, hello there. Want to come over?" He gestured at his wagon and chuckled, "Always room for a few more."

Petrified, the teens stared in utter terror as he laughed at them before the Moon went behind some clouds again and the lantern blew out. Moments later, when the moonlight returned, the teens let out a scream and rushed back to the Onsen, a ghostly laugh following them.
_______________________________________________________________

Rubbing her eyes, a tired looking Natsumi continued to work on her laptop as she frowned. Behind her, the others were discussing what had happened the night before which had caused them to spend most of the rest of the night barricaded in one of the rooms shaking. Still going through webpages, the fourteen year old girl could hear Nobu arguing with the others, "I'm telling you, I've seen this movie! You know, the one where the young, beautiful woman goes into a home haunted by spirits that torment her and eventually kill her, forcing her to join them at the end!"

Only sighing, Okita gave her a look, "I live that movie every day since I've moved into my current apartment. But I'm still alive and sane... somehow."

Blinking, Nobu frowned, "Wait, our apartment is haunted by an evil spirit?" Throwing her arms into the air, she scowled, "Why does no one ever tell me these things..." Noticing that everyone was just giving her an even stare, the teenage girl frowned and thought for a few moments. Her eyes then widened before giving a glare, "HEY!"

That got some chuckles from the others as Okita waved her off. Even Natsumi at the computer had her lips twitch a little bit. But the conversation turned onto other matters as the lone boy ran a hand through his hair, "Still, I doubt that it is anything like that movie... and there's no well on the property, we asked."

Mumbles met him at that as they nodded in agreement. Various other old stories were talked about briefly, only to be shot down one by one. Something that frustrated all of them.

Until, that is, Natsumi sat up straight with a gasp.

Now looking in her direction, Uesugi frowned as she adjusted her glasses, "You have something, Natsumi-Chan?"

Quickly, she nodded as she waved them over, "Hai, I think I do." As they gathered behind her, Natsumi pointed at her screen which showed an odd image of a creature, "That thing we saw last night? I think... I think that it was a Shinigami."

Frowning, Kaku shook his head with his eyebrows furrowed, "A Shinigami? That... didn't look like a Shinigami."

Everyone paused at that for a few moments before turning to face him with Ayaka speaking for them all, "What the heck do you think that a Shinigami would look like?"

With a shrug, the lone boy shook his head, "Um... like a cute girl in robes?" At their looks, Kaku flushed, "What!? It's possible!"

Her expression blank, and tone dry, Usagi gave him a look, "Anime is not real, you know, Kaku-Kun."

Scoffing, Nobu raised an eyebrow at him, "If your Waifu is a Shinigami? Then your Waifu is sh-Mmph! MMPH!"

Just keeping her hand on Nobu's mouth, Okita sighed, "Please don't." Turning towards Kaku, she shook her head, "She does have a point."

Unable to help herself, Rika grinned and laughed, "A Waifu Shinigami? In this case having a Waifu would definitely ruin your Laifu."

Ignoring Kaku grumbling in embarrassment, they lightly laughed, lightening the mood. Lips twitching a little, Natsumi shook her head before sighing and pointing at the screen, "Anyways, it says here that seeing a Shinigami is a bad omen and a warning. Because they're seen before a disaster strikes somewhere. Often right where the disaster is going to happen."

Thoughtful, Uesugi considered that before nodding as she leaned in to read herself. Adjusting her glasses, she hummed, "According to this, they hang out in areas of darkness and where evil or terrible things happen. Nothing about them following someone, so... we should be safe once we're gone, though maybe warn the owners what we saw, even if they don't believe us."

At that there were nods at the others before Usagi shivered a bit, "Well, we are leaving later today, so we should be safe. And the sooner we get out of here, the sooner we'll all be safe."

Each of them nodded, though no one gave voice to the obvious last words to finish the sentence, 'We hope.'...
______________________________________________________________________

The Sun shone, but it was a group of tired teens who walked into the Hotel lobby and signed in. Beside them, Taichi frowned in concern, "Are you all, alright? You really look beat..."

Attempting to smile, and it not coming out right, Natsumi tried to assure him, "We, uh... just didn't get much sleep last night." Briefly, there was the image of all the teens bundled up and grouped together with all the lights of their room on and then it was gone, "J-just a bit tired."

Only nodding as they finished signing in, they grabbed their bags and noticed that one of the elevators was slowly closing its doors after a group of people had entered it. Rushing towards it, Nobu called out, "Hey! Hold the elevator!"

Suddenly, the elevator's doors stopped closing and opened. The group breathed a sigh of relief as they slowed down only to stop in horror as the doors fully opened. Because there, in the elevator, as a teen their age in a Bellhop uniform...

The same teen they had seen last night.

Giving them all a smile, he made a gesture at the elevator, "Why, hello there. Want to come over? Always room for a few more."

With a sigh, Taichi nodded with a smile back as he took a step towards it, "Thanks-"

However, he was stopped as Natsumi's hand shot out and grabbed his arm. Turning to the Bellhop, she gave him a weak smile, "Ah, on second thought w-we'll take the stairs."

Seeming to be amused, the Bellhop tilted his head, "Are you sure? We have plenty of room..." Briefly, his face changed to that of the ghoul from the night before, "For just a few more..."

Just ignoring Taichi's protestations about the walk up the stairs with their luggage, Uesugi grabbed his other arm, "Hai, we're sure."

The doors to the elevator began to close and the last thing that they saw was the chuckling Bellhop, his one green eye looking at them as the doors completely closed. Frowning, Taichi looked at his sister with a unhappy gaze as the elevator's indicator rose story by story, "What the hell was that all about?! There was plenty of room in the elevator and now we got to climb the stairs."

Her face still pale, Natsumi turned to him, "Uh, w-well... we... I just had a bad feeling."

Confused, her brother was about to ask when the sound of a wire snapping could be heard and everyone in the lobby turned to the elevator. The indicator rapidly went down while there was the sound of screeching metal and screams of terror before there was a loud bang and the sound of crumpling steel as a burst of dust blew past the shaken, and horrified teens. Eyes wide, Taichi rushed towards the elevator, "Oh Kami!"

Meanwhile, the teens could only stare at the reflection in the elevator's metal doors. Within them, the reflection of the Bellhop smiling at them as he looked like the ghoul from the night before, his whisper reaching them over the panic, shouts, and screams, "Always room for a few more..."

Eyes wide, they began to run for the door as his ghastly laughter echoed over the noise...
_______________________________________________________________

As the credits rolled on the screen behind them, Natsumi and the others, including Harry who had shown up just for this, grasped each other's hands and bowed to the audience, "We hope that you enjoyed our film!"

Massive grin on her face, Jin cackled a she stood up and clapped, "Fucking awesome, you bunch! I'm definitely getting a copy!" Shaking her head, she nodded, "Finally! I'm in a damn horror movie!"

She was not the only one as others also stood up and applauded the group. A fact that made them all proud. Nearby on a table were DVDs of the movie with the cover of the closing elevator doors with a green eye peeking out and the title "Always Room For A Few More..." on it.

It went without saying that they sold a number of copies of their forty minute film and made the most money in the festival, thus winning the two nights stay at the Onsen just outside of Yokosuka in a few days...

 

[UCC]

just after Harry and Co make their film with Naka.

Ramune Anyone
—-
Sasebo April 2014

Emiri Kisaki sighed as she lay against the wall. It had been a good three years.

"Miyako Senpai, are you proud of me? Did I do well?" She muttered, her eyes fixed on her egg like gem. The once colorful gem now was almost pitch black, only a few blemishes of color remaining.

"I'm just…even though I knew this was coming…I…I just…why?" She cried, "Why is this our reality?"

When the lack of responses filled the air, the blonde smiled bitterly before looking up to the starless sky. "I know…I know. We both knew the reasons. And…it…it was a good life wasn't it?"

Breathing slowly, Emiri focused her magic and sent out a wave of power, charming the people in the building.

"Leave me."

Instantly, everyone began to file out of the building. Once the building was deserted, Emiri smiled, her job complete. Finally, she could rest. She closed her eyes, just as the last specs of color faded from the gem.

—-
As the witch erupted from the roof of the building, 4 girls watched somberly.

"Let's go." Shizuku transformed before drawing her chakram.

"Goodbye Emiri-chan." Rina Rika Ayano muttered, before following her teammates into the fray.

—-
Yokosuka Middle School April 2014

"For the upcoming culture festival, you are going to be a doing a group fundraiser project." The teacher explained as he began drawing on the blackboard. "I'm encouraging you to find creative solutions to this. It can be performing a skit, writing a manga, running a food stand, or anything you think would entertain people. Please refer to your handouts for guidelines and restrictions. I am looking forward to what you bring forward."

Ishikki groaned. Great, a group project? She just lay her head on the desk and tried to pretend everyone was gone.

"So how was your befriending?"

Ishikki turned her head to her classmate. "What?"

"Well it's been a month long time skip but all the readers know about how you got befriended via angry mizuchi."

Ishikki groaned. She didn't want to deal with this kid. She just didn't make any sense, all this muttering about rivals, protagonists, harems, and how she was an anti hero.

"So what do you want?"

"Wanna make a group?"

Ishikki sent a glare at the girl. "What? Why would I want to make a group with you?"

"Because it's amusing." The girl shrugged, "Plus you need a group right?"

"I can choose whoever I want!" Ishikki insisted.

The girl gestured to the rest of her class. Ishikki hissed. Everyone else was already forming groups and finding partners. Her classmate smirked. "Unless you want to work with the Chuuni squad, I'd suggest you take my offer."

Ishikki rolled her eyes before grumbling. "Fine. What do you have in mind?"

"Well-"

—-
Adachi Ward April 2014

Ishikki groaned as she stumbled into her apartment. How did it end up like this? Somehow, she had gone from being the mastermind to the most elaborate (in her opinion) revenge plot…to being the personal grunt to a freaking Mizuchi…who happened to be her landlord.

The last month had been hell. She would be in the middle of homework or reading a book or even trying to get a nap in when the shitty mizuchi would drag her out of her room and have her do jobs for her.

Most often, Ishikki would run errands. Buying food, delivering groceries, running messages, the Mizuchi would run her all across Adachi ward.

For a tormentor, her boss was actually quite…nice? Apparently her boss was helping hide and support dozens of Yokai and magical runaways from the magical government. And so she used Ishikki to deliver supplies to the fugitives. It wasn't that bad actually.

She hadn't known that Yokai were treated as subhuman. She didn't know about their plight, about how the magical government had screwed them over so hard. Sometimes the Yokai would be kind enough to share a story, or mention how things were like at the reserves in passing. Ishikki didn't know how these people would trust her like this.

And then…sometimes Jin used her for her magical skills.

There was more than one time where Jin instructed the girl to break into local municipal offices…to steal ration books. It was scary how easily she could avoid pull it off. Cutting off her signature from heat sensors and cloaking her body from camera was just a snap of her fingers. At first she was against the idea of using her skills like this, but when Jin reminded that those books were for the fugitives and runaways, Ishikki begrudgingly agreed.

"You've spent the two years living for yourself and your little vendetta. It's time we put those talents of yours to helping others." She had said.

Ishikki generally believed her boss, but then occasionally, said boss would tell her to break into the liquor store to grab some sake. Also…why was it harder to break into the liquor store than the municipal offices?

A knock at the door pulled Ishikki out of her thoughts. She jerked up. "Yes Miss Hisakawa?"

Jin poked her head through the door…literally. Out of amusement, the bastard landlord had installed a "head" hatch (like a dog door but at head height) where she could just poke her head through the door to bother her. Apparently it was to "keep an eye on her" and "make sure she wasn't causing trouble". Ishikki thought the Mizuchi was just a sadist.

"Hey bratling." Jin's face grinned. "Don't make any plans for the weekend. We got a job."

"Sure." Ishikki offhandedly responded. "Not like I have any friends…"

"What was that?"

Ishikki jerked up, "Nothing at all Jin-sama!"

Jin smirked, "Good. Pack a bag and…maybe get a hoodie."

"Why?"

"No reason." Jin smirked as she withdrew her head slowly from the hatch.

Ishikki groaned as she finally relaxed. Damned nightmares. The moment that evil landlady spoke a word of anger, Ishikki's brain ceased to function and she was suddenly unable to resist anything that damn snake said.

It was too much. She needed sleep. Bad.

—-
Onsen owned by Naka

Ishikki's mouth dropped aghast. "What…"

A large gathering of people had gathered in front of the inn, led by none other than Harry F'ing Potter! And standing by his side, Natsumi damned fox woman Ono was directing people.

And weren't those her classmates? Rika, Kaku, Ayaka, Asuka, and…Nobu, Okita, and Uesugi.

So this is what they had in mind for their group project huh? And wait…were those shipgirls? JSDF officers? Did that man have a white admiral's jacket?

Just want kind of overpowered line up was this?

"Good thing you brought your hoodie isn't it?" Jin muttered to her assistant.

Ishikki wore an oversized hoodie that covered her head and hopefully would prevent her classmates from realizing she was here.

"Wait, you know them?" Ishikki sent a glare at Mizuchi.

"Never said I didn't. Now then, let's get to work. I'll handle the heavy lifting but you…how about you help them set up lights?"

Ishikki grumbled but got to it.

— -
"Hey Natsumi?"

Natsumi turned to Rika. "Yes?"

The nekomata pointed over to a girl wearing an oversized hoodie. "Isn't that Tamaki?"

Natsumi narrowed her eyes before raising her brow. "Yeah, you're right. It is her? What's she doing here?"

"She lives with Jin." Asuka explained. "So I guess Jin asked her to help out."

"She does?" Natsumi and Rika turn to her in surprise. "Does she know…"

"Don't think so." Asuka shrugged, "Jin just mentioned that she does odd jobs for Jin from time to time to help pay off her rent. Guess this is one of them."

Natsumi kept her eyes on the hooded girl before frowning. "Ok then. Kinda weird for her to not mention it to us."
—-

Ishikki spent the next twenty minutes helping set up lights. Carrying the large lights and cameras was rough work, but for a magical girl, it was but a breeze.

As she wiped the sweat off her brow, her boss approached her. "Nice work bratling."

Ishikki rolled her eyes. "That wasn't that bad. What's next?"

Jin gave her a smirk. "With everyone working so hard, someone ought to get them refreshments."

Ishikki's eyes widened. "No…"

Jin's grin reached 10 kilonazis. "I want you to get everyone's drink order and then go and buy it."

Ishikki looked over the crowd of children, serviceman, Yokai, and shipgirls. "There's like…30 people."

"That's right." Jin smirked, before taking out two 10,000 yen bills. "That should cover the drinks…and to make it worth your while…you can keep the change."

Ishikki stared at the pair of bills slowly before groaning. "Fine."

—-
"We're getting everyone drinks, what do you want?"

"Get me a ramune. Wait…Ishikki what are you doing here?"

The girl shrugged. "Just helping my boss out. So a ramune?"

"Y-yeah." Okita frowned. "So umm…"

"Hey Shiki!" Nobu placed her head on the blonde's cheek. "What's up?"

"Nothing. Just give me your drink order."

Nobu's brow perked up. "Ahh! The blood of my enemies, poured out in buckets-"

"That's enough Nobu," Okita dropped her hand on the chuuni's head. "Seriously."

"Whatever." Ishikki sighed. "So that's two ramune?"

Nobu smirked, "Make it one and Okita and I will share the sweet sweet romance of constant indirect kisses awk!"

"Two ramune coming up."

—-
"Potter."

"Tamaki, thanks for coming out."

Ishikki shot a glare at the messy haired boy. "Shut it Potter. Just…give me your drink order."

Harry raised his brow. "You're getting drinks?"

"Miss Hisakawa's orders."

Now Harry was concerned. "Listen, Ishikki-san, if Jin isn't treating you well, I can have a chat with-"

"Can you just stay out of my business?" She snapped.

Harry paused. "Ummm…sorry."

He actually looked hurt. Dammit, she didn't mean it like that. "No…I'm sorry. She's actually a nice boss and stuff. I'm doing this because she's paying me ok? No need to worry your little head about it."

"Well if you're sure, then can I have a ramune?"

Ishikki nodded, jotting it down on a notepad, "Got it. Oh and Potter."

"Yes?"

"Thanks."

Harry looked confused. "For what?'

"For your Kyubey. He said you made it." Ishikki shrugged, walking away. "I'll be back…good wizard."

Harry paused, trying to figure out her words before he froze. "Wait, does that mean you're a magical girl? Have you met Shima?"

—-
"What do you mean you don't have ramune?"

The shopkeeper shrugged. "Sorry, our stock was bought up a few days ago by some cultist abyssals. I think they were called the cult of the dark one. Something about it being the favored drink of their revered god."

A long pause. "I see."

—-

"Ramune? Yeah we sold out."

"Cultist abyssals?"

"Y-yeah, how did you know?"

"Just a hunch."

—-
"Those damn loonies? They bought out all the ramune?" Jin's voice roared over the phone.

"Yes. What should we do?"

There was a long pause before the voice returned over the phone. "Ishikki, I gave you an order to get everyone their drinks. Just because some crazy abyssals have them now doesn't mean you can give up."

"What?"

"Go get those ramune! Even if you have the wretch it from their fucking claws."

Ishikki hated her life.

—-
Adachi Ward: April 2014

Ishikki surveyed her target.

The only thing she could think of was "That's a lot of Abyssals."

Despite having grown up in Yokohama, Ishikki never really encountered abyssals. Sure, she had gone with her family to the shelters during raids, but she had never really met an abyssal in person.

As she looked over the gathered crowds of abyssals, she caught sight of her target. Several of the women were carrying crates of ramune towards what looked like…a massive monument? Or was it a throne?

Honestly it didn't matter. Ishikki needed those bottles. And she needed them now. But how was she supposed to get them?

Attacking abyssals head on was suicidal. Even if she never met one, she knew how strong they were. They were like shipgirls, almost nigh unstoppable…except to other shipgirls. And Jin probably.

Ishikki shuddered at the thought. The idea of Jin going ham on the forces of the abyss terrified her. Though why these abyssals were setting up their alter…in front of her apartment building eluded her. Regardless, if she wanted to avoid getting mauled by Jin, she needed to complete her mission…even if it meant fighting cultist abyssals.

She eyed the ramune crates. She needed thirty three…so about six crates. Probably the stealth option was best. But even then…how was she supposed to sneak out 6 crates of ramune out from their noses?

If only she had some sort of diversion. Or maybe some kind of way to thin out their numbers. Wait…a diversion? Ishikki paused as a plan began to formulate in her mind.

—-

Ishikki pointed her crossbow at the lock before giving it a quick double tap. The lock exploded as the bolts smashed through the thin metal covering. Slowly, Ishikki pushed the door open, leading into the basement.

Ishikki really hoped Jin would forgive her about the door. She really did. But if she was to prevent Jin from blowing up at her, she needed some extra firepower.

Turning on the light, she glanced around the basement filled with random odds and ends. Several old bikes were covered by tarps while a collection of books, gizmos, and collectible patches were scattered about. But in the middle of the room, was a familiar expandable chest.

Ishikki clicked open the latch and opened the chest before grinning. Everything was still just as she left it.

Reaching into the chest, she grabbed an enchanted drawstring bag. Pulling it upon, she began filling it with several small cans, taking care to put them in gently. Satisfied, she closed the drawstring bag and began to close the chest…but stopped.

She glanced back in the chest. Should she grab the riffles too? But then she shook her head. That would draw too much attention. Instead she grabbed a long knife and slid it into her belt. Finally closing the chest, she stood up and left the basement, taking care to close the door as best she could behind her.

—-
"PRAISE TO SHE WHO CROSSED THE BOUNDARIES OF LIFE AND DEATH!"

"PRAISE THE DARK ONE! PRAISE THE DARK ONE!"

"WHOSE VENGEANCE CROSSES THE SEVEN SEAS AND PLUCKS THE EVIL ONES!"

"PRAISE THE DARK ONE! PRAISE THE DARK ONE!"

Ishikki didn't know what they were talking about, or who this Dark One was. And honestly, she didn't want to know.

Though…if this Dark One they spoke of was so strong…

Ishikki wondered who was scarier, the Dark One or Jin. Then she decided that they both must be pretty scary. Wait…wouldn't stealing the ramune make the Dark One upset at her? That wouldn't be good. Hopefully Jin would protect her.

Wait…maybe she should side with the Dark One instead. Then they could gang up on Jin…

She shook her head to clear it. The Dark One wasn't her landlord. The Dark One didn't blackmail her into becoming her personal errand girl. Jin was. And that meant that she had to serve the dragon bitch.

Activating her stealth charms, she carefully placed the small cans around the vicinity of the park. One can per square meter, the guide had said. Which wasn't much space, but she felt confident it would do that job. Once in place, she snuck her way to the back of the throne before triggering her magic.

All at once, the smoke canisters erupted, sending yellow smoke everywhere.

"Wha-what's going on?"

"We're under attack!"

"Who dares interrupt our ritual to the DARK ONE!"

The cult was thrown into disarray as the smoke blocked their vision. Civilians who were observing ran away in terror…except for one teacher from Yokosuka.

"Hey it's MiniLector, I was initially going to stream the Cult of the Dark One's ritual to their god but it looks like someone is starting a fight. I can't see very well with all the smoke, but I'll do my best to bring you live commentary of this battle!"

Ishikki didn't care as she quickly opened up her sack and began taking bottles from the monument and placing them inside. One…two…three…

She was at fifteen when those noticed her.

"Hey! I found one! She's after the throne!" One shouted.

Ishikki's eyes widened to see a Ru class pointing in her direction.

She grabbed another bottle of Ramune, throwing it into the sack as her other arm raised her wrist mounted crossbow. Aiming carefully, she opened fire.

The pink bolts flew through the air and struck the abyssal…who paused before shrugging. Ishikki groaned. Why was every opponent due fought immune to magic crossbow bolts?

Now more abyssals had gathered, slowly surrounding her position. One had summoned its rigging, only for another to shake her head. "Put that away! The Dark One never needed weapons to defeat her foes. She used fear and brute strength! And so we must do also!"

"PRAISE THE DARK ONE! PRAISE THE DARK ONE!"

Ishikki really liked this Dark One right now.

The first two abyssals, a Ru class and a Ne class rushed her. Ishikki dropped her sack as got into a ready position. The first abyssal sent an overhead punch at her head. Ishikki dropped low, drawing her dagger and slashing at the abyssal's heel. The blade cut through the exposed flesh, causing her to cry out in pain. The second abyssal had tried to flank her from behind, but Ishikki's magical girl instincts alerted her, giving her time to dive to the side, before sending a set of bolts into the abyssal's head.

The bolts wouldn't hurt the woman in the slightest, but it just felt good to do so.

The other abyssals seemed a bit more cautious now. Ishikki took the opportunity. "If you don't want to end up like your friends, then I suggest you stay back."

"Fool! You think you can defeat the cult of the Dark One?"

Ishikki shrugged. "Your choice."

Internally the magical girl was panicking. The Abyssals were clearly not scared of her. And she was certain she couldn't pull that stunt off again.

"Get her!!"

Ishikki activated her cloaking charms and dived toward the throne. The two abyssals tackled the location she had been standing previously. Ishikki grabbed an arm full of bottles and shoved them into the sack, the glass banging together loudly.

"She's going after the throne!" One called.

"Find her!"

Hopefully that was enough, because she was out of time. Ishikki pulled the bag shut and slung it over her shoulder just in time to see another group of abyssals charging her from all sides.

Wait…maybe…

Ishikki focused her magic to create an illusion of her above the throne.

"There she is!"

The cultists charged at the illusion before leaping into a flying tackle…only to fly through the illusion and into each other, resulting in a massive crash of steel and bodies.

"Awk!"

Ishikki didn't even hesitate. She turned and ran without a second thought.

"MAY THE DARK ONE'S VENGEANCE FIND YOU AND CURSE YOU TO THE ENDS OF THE ABYSS!"

"PRAISE THE DARK ONE! PRAISE THE DARK ONE!"

Ishikki really hoped the Dark One didn't know where she lived.

—-
Naka's Onsen

It was late afternoon when she arrived.

Panting hard, Ishikki finally returned to the onsen, her bag slung over her shoulder. Standing at the entrance was her resident landlord and boss, Jin no Hisakawa. "You're late."

Ishikki wanted to punch the dragon in the face, but just groaned. "Sorry…"

Jin jabbed her hand towards the door. "They're all waiting inside. Told them you were going all the way to the next ward to get their drinks. So you'd better apologize for your tardiness, ok?"

"Ahh…is that so?" Ishikki was too tired to complain. "Nice. Ok."

"Head on inside. Oh and bratling?"

Ishikki paused, waiting for the next scolding.

Jin smirked, "I was serious when I said keep the change. Good work out there."

The pink haired magical girl managed a soft smile. "From you? What a nice thing to say."

With that, she trudged into the lobby to a crowd of thirsty workers.

—-
Harry frowned as he scrolled through SGO on his phone, "What the-"

"What's going on?" Natsumi asked, sipping her ramune.

Harry showed her his screen. "Apparently there was a riot in Adachi ward. Someone attacked the Cult of the Dark One in the middle of their ritual."

Suddenly interested, Asuka joined them, putting down her ramune. "Wait, someone attacked the Cult? But they're peaceful."

Harry pulled up the feed from SGO. "A streamer who was nearby caught the footage of the fight."

The three teens watched as the abyssals seemed to be fighting a small hooded figure.

"Whoever it is, they're quite resourceful." Natsumi muttered, "Those are legit smoke grenades right?"

Harry nodded, "Yeah. Looks like they're pacific war era too."

Asuka was focused on something else. "What are they trying to protect? Some kind of alter or monument?"

Harry frowned as he tried to zoom in on the grainy feed. "Looks like it's made of glass…or glass bottles of some sort…"

The trio of teenagers looked at the bottles they had just been drinking. And then at the worn out Ishikki laying passed out on the couch.

"So all in favor of accepting that Ishikki is actually a magical girl?" Harry muttered.

Natsumi sighed, "Still can't see why I didn't notice sooner.

Asuka frowned. "I guess? But…that still doesn't make sense. Jin is the one who told her to get drinks. And the Cult of the Dark One worships Jin. So…why didn't she just ask them for it?"

The trio paused before an angry voice interrupted them.

"Mom…slow down. What do you mean the Cult is out for blood?"

"…"

"They got attacked? So what? They're abyssals for Christ's sake! Who would be foolhardy enough to attack them?"

"…"

"A girl in a white hood attacked them? That's ridiculous…"

"…"

"They went to you, asking for you to intervene and bring vengeance upon the interloper…in my name?"

"…"

"Wait…they're mad because someone desecrated their monument made to me? Was it per say…made out of ramune?"

"…"

"…mom, I gotta go. I errm…I need to clarify something. Can you tell them to hold off for a bit? There's…there's been a misunderstanding."

"…"

"I'm serious, mom. Thanks. Call ya later. Bye."

The mizuchi ended the call before groaning. "This…this isn't good."

"I bet it isn't." Harry agreed.

Jin spun around to find the three teenagers gazing down at her with…disappointed looks in there faces.

"Mind telling us where these bottles really came from?" Natsumi smiled, but the smile didn't reach her eyes.

—-
Sasebo April 2014

"No way, another magical girl incident?"

Shima jerked her head up from where she had been laying her head. "What?"

A group of boys were huddled up, staring at a phone screen. Shima got up and peeked her head over.

"Isuzu, just who we needed. You're our weirdness expert. What's going on?"

"Hey that's not nice!" A voice interrupted them group. Shima looked over to see Rina walking over to them. "Calling someone a weirdness person is just rude."

"Ahh…" Shima tried to protest, "It's ok Rina. I like researching into magic and shipgirls. So…I am sort of…in the know if you would."

"Even so. Calling an interest in magic weird is just outright rude." Rina disagreed. "Calling her a magic expert would be more positive."

The boys looked at each other and shrugged. "Sure. Isuzu, you're the magic expert, what you think?"

Isuzu looked at the grainy image on the phone. "Well… I'm not sure it's magic. From what I can see, it's just someone with a gun and some smoke bombs."

Internally Shima was freaking out. That was the second magical girl exposed in public. She just hoped they'd buy the pink magic bolts as gunshots.

"Yeah guys," Rina shrugged, "It's not magic. Just some hooligan with a gun. Right?"

The boys opened their mouths to disagree but suddenly froze. "I…I guess so. It's not magic. It's just dangerous people with guns."

Shima kinda found it creepy, but this stuff happened around Rina from time to time. People would just go along with her ideas and whims. But it made sense. Rina was outgoing, popular, and attractive. It made perfect sense that people would agree with her ideas. Heck, Shima personally found Rina very attractive, as if there was some aching or longing binding them together.

Rina turned to the silver haired girl. "So Shima, wanna go hang out this weekend? I found this really cool art exhibit downtown!"

Shima ponded the thought. On one had, she really should check out that other magical girl. On the other hand…spending time looking at artwork and being with Rina?

"Sure, I'd be happy to." Shima replied. The magical girl could wait, right? And it wasn't like she was the only person who could do something.

 

[UCC]

After Ramune Anyone

To be a magical girl
—-
Yokosuka April 2014

Ishikki groaned as she trudged into class.

"Morning Tamaki. Praise the Dark One."

"Good morning Tamaki. Praise the Dark One."

"Mornin' Miku, Ono…Praise the Dark One…"

Ishikki greeted the Tengu and Kitsune as she sat down at her desk…

"Wait?" Her head jerked up to see two girls hovering over her desk.


Natsumi smirked. "See, I told you she wouldn't notice us."

"That was still mean Natsumi." Asuka sighed. "Hello Tamaki. Thanks for the drinks the other day."

"Praise the Dark One." Natsumi added for good effect.

Ishikki looked at the two girls in stunned disbelief. "But…how?"

Natsumi pulled out her phone and showed her a video clip. The pink haired girl's eyes widened as she watched a white cloaked magical girl engage the Cult, as pink magic and smoke flew about. "This was taken by a streamer who happened to be there. Thankfully no one seemed to make the connection. We only knew because of the ramune."

"Sorry you had to go through that." Asuka apologized. "If I had known, I would have asked for a green tea."

"Still, fighting an entire cult of Abyssals on your own? Impressive, most impressive." Natsumi commented. "We'll be watching your career with great interest."

Ishikki rolled her eyes. "Th-thanks. I'm erm…was just doing my job."

Natsumi smirked. "So…are you now a member of the cult?"

Ishikki wanted to die.

—-
Adachi Ward

"Wait…you're the Dark One?" Ishikki shouted in disbelief.

Jin's face was a bit flushed in embarrassment. "Y-yeah. Sorry about that. I guess I forgot to mention that."

"Meaning that…I could have just gone up to them and said you needed the ramune? And they probably would have given it to me? Just like that?"

Jin scratched her head awkwardly. "I guess so…so yeah….sorry."

"And why didn't you tell me about this?" Ishikki demanded. "I put my life on the line here!"

"Well…it's not something that I typically advertise." Jin tried to explain, "And like, I didn't know if it was the Cult of the Dark One or some other cult."

"Other cults?"

"You know, like the Cult of the Fiery One, the Cult of the Pure One, and the Cult of Tanaka's Steel Balls."

"The what?"

"Y-yeah…something about how he puts on his pants every day." Jin muttered. "I try to disassociate myself with them whenever possible. So like…sorry about that."

Ishikki glared at the mizuchi. "I see. I guess…I would be a bit embarrassed if I had a cult as well."

"Y-yeah."

"So…you'll forgive me for attacking the cultists?"

Jin shrugged, "Oh yeah, that's on me. Mom's already talking em down. Consider everything under the bridge."

Ishikki sighed a breath of relief. "That's good. I was worried you were going to get mad about the basement door."

Jin paused. "Wait…what's this about the basement door?"

—-

"And now I have to work extra to pay for the door repairs." Ishikki groaned, before pausing. "Wait, why I am I telling you two?"

Natsumi smirked. "Because I'm a kitsune and it amuses me."

Ishikki rolled her eyes, "Well yeah. You girls are a bunch of Yokai rich kids aren't you?"

Asuka froze as Natsumi's eyes narrowed. "Is that how you see us as?"

"Well yeah," The pink haired girl shrugged, "Yeah I get that Yokai are treated poorly and stuff. Like, I heard some of the stories about the reservations and they're not pretty places for sure. But like…you guys get a lot of perks? Long life, pretty faces, natural powerhouses, and some of you guys got powerful families and money. Me? I lost everything. My home, my parents, my sister…and all I have to show for it is these flashy little tricks that apparently can't even hurt a mizuchi. So no offense, but don't think that just because I got you drinks means that we're friends or anything."

With that Ishikki got up and left the two Yokai. She walked towards a certain classmate.

"Ahh, Ishikki, I saw you on the stream. How's the Dark One?" Her classmate greeted her.

"I don't have time for this. Look, about the project." Ishikki growled, "Remember how I wasn't really interested?"

"Yeah. Did you get a magical change of heart?"

"Har har har. Let's just say I changed my mind. I'm in." She grinned, "We need to beat those rich kids and their stupid op budget works. And I know just how we're going to do it!"

—-

Natsumi turned to Asuka, "Well that happened."

"Should we tell Jin?" Asuka wondered allowed.

The kitsune shook her head. "I don't think so. I think we should give her some space. She's clearly got a lot on her plate so…Let's talk to Harry about this. Maybe he can help her meet some other magical girls."

"Other magical girls?" Asuka wondered allowed.

"Yes, Harry knows a few of them too." Natsumi chuckled, "Hopefully they can help her with her issues."

—-
Sasebo April 2014

Shima frowned as she stared at her watch. Rina had promised to meet with her at the pier at 2:00. But now it was 2:30 and the blonde was nowhere in sight.

Maybe…she had underestimated herself. Maybe Rina had just hung her to dry. Which was a pity. She really liked Rina. Rina was outgoing, she was cheerful, and she didn't judge her for liking shipgirls and magic (some of her female classmates thought shipgirls just gave boys excuses to leer even harder). So…she was kinda excited about meeting up with Rina. She had even tried to find a nice dress to wear as well.

Well, she would wait a little bit longer and hope she would was just late.

—-
Shalimar, Emiri Kisaki's Witch Labyrinth

Rika glared at the cackling witch. "So who wants to explain how one of Emiri's familiar got away from us?"

The black haired magical girl shrugged, "Could just be a coincidence. Like a really bad joke!"

The blue haired girl frowned, "Let's just take it down before anyone finds out."

Rika raised her handmirror at the cackling abomination. "You're making me miss my date! And that really, really, pisses me off!"

—-

"Shima! Sorry I'm late!"

Shima had waited an hour in the end, but there she was. "Ahh Rina! No problems."

Rina tackled the silver haired girl in a hug. "It's not no problems! I was an hour late and didn't give any warning. You should have left by now! I'm so sorry."


"It's…it's ok." Shima muttered, blushing at the very close and intimate contact.

"Anyways, let me make it up to you!" Rina giggled as she released her hug. "You'll have my complete and undivided attention for the entire afternoon ok?"

Shima's heart rate quickened as the blonde's smile pierced through her. "H-Hai!"

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A Courtship in Emerald (XVIII)

De Breuil Estate, Upstate New York

6 June, 1945
Spoiler: A De Breuil Council Of War

Jézabel de Breuil's aged hands clenched on her cane as the final image in the flames faded as they resumed their normal red-orange color.

Beside her, the enchanted portrait of her younger self rubbed her painted fingers across her chin from the position it had been moved to witness the report that Delilah and Zamarad had just given.

Presently she gave her daughter a look. "You are certain then? I haven't seen the Arnold boy for over a decade."

Delilah sighed. "Reasonably certain, Mère. When we met in Germany, I was feeling impulses to neutralize him when he entered. Now, that is nothing new when someone enters the room with me as you know. After all, I have to suppress the impulse to shoot to kill on a fairly regular basis." Delilah's thin smile showed no warmth as she continued in a precisely analytical manner, "but I was at least as worked up as when Henry Adams was stolen from me by that Chinese-Canadian bitch Wei Ying during Fifth Year. With no good or even bad reason to open fire save for the aura of corruption that a Shayṭān apparently generates."

Jézabel sighed and shook her head. "Yes, I remember that little incident dear. Certainly not your finest hour at all. At least you managed to restrict yourself to beaning her with the Quaffle during the match the next day rather than shooting her. Somehow, since I know all too well what kind of a vicious temper you had as a girl. Still have although you keep it controlled."

Delilah sighed and blushed at the memories. "I was sorely tempted to blow that smug infuriating smirk off Ying's face with a bullet, believe me. Looking back on my scapegrace schoolgirl days, I think the main reason that I didn't was that I wasn't going to give the little Canuck the satisfaction of knowing that she had scored a big point on me. I swear, she rubs me the wrong way and I cannot pin down what it is that sets me off."

The painting coughed. "Getting back to our problem at hand rather than Del's issues with her contact north of the border. If in fact Ben Arnold is possessed or working in league with this Shayṭān, how much damage can it do? What kind of powers and capabilities does it have?"

Zamarad sighed. "I don't know the specifics, not without examining it. That would reveal my presence to it since we can sense each other, although I can conceal myself somewhat by banking my essence down to a fraction in Delilah's ring while the bulk inhabits another flame. What we can actually do depends on our heritage since certain bloodlines are stronger than others, and also how much the jinn has practiced and used her powers. I am from an exceptionally strong bloodline as the daughter of an Emir and a Sultan, but very young, the same age as Delilah in fact. So while I have the potential to overpower it, I doubt that I can unassisted right now."

Delilah nodded. "You mentioned inborn powers to me, Zamarad?"

Zamarad nodded and absently waved a hand at the fireplace. The flames there formed themselves into Arabic script as she spoke. "We are the Children of Smokeless Fire and rulers of Flame. I can master any normal fire and a fair few supernatural ones that I see and make them mine to control, ignite, or extinguish. I was even able to take control and snuff Delilah's summoning of Fiendfyre day before yesterday for a test, although that was difficult. Even among my family, I am known to have that knack strongly, though. I can also of course set objects or people on fire that I see with a glance and a command. So that makes me a dangerous combatant, but that is in some ways the least of my powers."

"Oh? Do elaborate." Jézabel leaned forward with a creak of wood from her chair.

Zamarad caused the flames to form a miniature doppelganger of Delilah. "We also have inborn power over destiny. Your folklore has tales of those blessed or cursed by fate, or destined to perform a certain deed, yes? One of us, or a group of us acting in conjunction, can alter the fate of a target with the application of our will and magic. Essentially locking our target into a self-fulfilling prophecy. Which can be... unpleasant to the target at best. My sister's husband was cursed by a Shayṭān that he fought to witness the death of my sister in child bed and then fight his cousin Colombe to the death."

Delilah's eyes widened in shock. "You never told us this, Zamarad."

Zamarad spoke quietly. "I did not want to bring up your sister's old wounds, my love. But now it becomes relevant because it shows the strengths... and limitations of that power. When Tamenokalt aibnatu Alnaar, Karl Potter, and Colombe du Chasteler fought the Shayṭān it could have targeted any of the three. However, Tamenokalt was immune to that power. As a jinn, we are masters of such things and it was not powerful enough to overwrite her but could strike her indirectly through Karl. Colombe...could have been cursed, but has a Destiny already. According to Tamenokalt and confirmed by my observations of her, she has been touched by one of the Great Powers to do certain things. Humans like her, along with the great figures of history such as King Solomon, Alexander the Great, Suleyman the Magnificent, and similar are immune and any attempt to divert their course rebounds upon the jinn quite badly indeed."

Jézabel spoke with old pain and heartbreak in her voice, "Norimune would be another then. What I know of her history is that she is a key figure and the fact that the ICW has concealed that has wounded her greatly."

Zamarad nodded solemnly, "I shall take your words about Delilah's father as truth then. But more relevantly in the case of Delilah, she has been touched by one of the Higher Powers of this land, and any attempt to meddle with her destiny that run contrary to the higher power's wishes would end spectacularly poorly."

Delilah murmured. "Yes, White Buffalo Woman of the Lakota pantheon."

Zamarad rubbed her chin. "Quite. But as Tamenokalt's example demonstrates, while Delilah and myself are shielded from direct harm with this power, we can be struck indirectly. As far as I can determine, you are vulnerable to it Jézabel."

Delilah then joined in. "Which is part of the reason why Zamarad and I came back here. We talked about this and have a plan that should immunize you from the worst that our foe can do."

Jézabel looked between her daughter and, she mentally sighed at the thought, future daughter-in-law. "Go on."

"With your permission, we will preempt that by locking your destiny into a course that will be difficult to alter." Delilah explained, leaning forward, "Specifically, Zamarad will twist it so that you reunite and are reconciled with Father with my assistance as you are now. Any attempt to curse you to a gruesome premature death, twist your body into alien shapes, curse you to fall hopelessly in love with another, and so on will bounce off that as it links you into my destiny as well as Father's. It is risky, since we would need the approval of Father's divine patron to avoid a catastrophic backlash onto Zamarad, although I sense that White Buffalo Woman at least approves of my role in matters."

Jézabel began to weep uncontrollably and the painting's eyes were shiny as well.

After a minute, the still weeping Jézabel nodded frantically. "P-please...." she choked out in a desperate whisper.

Zamarad got up and walked to kneel on the rug in front of the chair where Jézabel sat. Delilah followed and the two young women linked hands, and then each took one of Jézabel's worn and withered hands in hers.

Zamarad closed her eyes and gathered her fiery essence, feeling the reassuring cool solidity of Delilah forming a base for her to attempt this. She reached out with her very being, sensing the now frayed red strands of fate that once had woven Muramasa-no-Norimune and Jézabel de Breuil together.
Spoiler: Norimune and Jézabel

A flash of a much younger Jézabel throwing on a hooded cloak to explore the nightlife of the brawling, sin-filled boomtown that was San Francisco in during the California gold rush of the 1850s.

A blond-haired and blue eyed face, which Zamarad realized was that of Delilah's father, twisted in frustration and exasperation as Norimune asked Jézabel how she could be so stupid to nearly get 'recruited' into a brothel in the notorious Tenderloin District.

Meetings in gambling houses, bars, and saloons, where the world-weary and soul-sick sword's heroic spirit and that of a naive but confident socialite from the sheltered cloisters of the First Families of MACUSA found common ground, respect, and attraction that turned into love.

Norimune speaking to Jézabel in drunken monologues, playful banter, war stories, and eventually pillow talk as they held each other in their arms after sating their passions with each other. Each word opening up cracks in the armor of cynicism, guilt, and remorse that shielded the aching and battered heart of a true hero who had sacrificed so much for so long with so few triumphs to her name. Each word in return trying desperately to comfort and soothe agonies greater than one sword should have to bear alone.

Jézabel finding out that her father had intended to trap Norimune all along to win trade concessions in Japan. Reverting to her inborn habits of social maneuvering and passive-aggressive combat that she had learned as her training to be a future matriarch in MACUSA. Not realizing how her words would sound to the sword listening to their argument. Not realizing that Norimune would view this as a particularly bitter and cruel betrayal by someone who she loved so deeply.

Jézabel realizing that while she had argued, Norimune had fled. Letter after letter explaining her position then begging Norimune to return to her sent back unopened.

Then the awful night when she understood that her ill humors, inability to keep solid food down and growing belly were not merely an illness, but instead caused by the child in her womb who she had just felt kick. More and more desperate returned letters as her stomach swelled and her Father argued for her to have the half-human abomination aborted.

Finding the inner strength in herself to stand up to her domineering father in an argument that would hasten the onset of the fatal stroke that killed him. Before his disbelieving eyes, the young frightened timid pregnant girl that he had raised was replaced by a young woman with flashing green eyes and a will of tempered steel as strong of that that her love and her daughter had in their true bodies. A young woman who had sworn on her broken and bleeding heart, on the ruins of her true love, and on the love that she had for the infant Delilah inside her that she would not compound her mistakes and errors, but would instead live up to the potential that Norimune had seen and helped her find.

Giving birth to her only child Delilah Naomi de Breuil-Muramasa and seeing the deadly lethal weight of the revolver appearing on the table by her bed. Swearing to the ghost of Norimune in her heart that she would raise her daughter to be a fellow hero and someone that Norimune would be proud one day to be known as the father of.

Finding out that MACUSA had captured Norimune for execution for her actions in the American Civil War, and frantically pulling every string that she had available in the webs of intrigue and obligation that she had begun to weave throughout MACUSA. Saving Norimune's life at the cost of permanent exile, and having to hide her actions, only letting Norimune know that the mysterious 'Anne Winters' had managed to pay the bribes and use blackmail to set her free to return to Japan.

Decade after decade fighting battles for the soul of America and MACUSA as the director of the Magical Information Bureau and the secret head of the clandestine Winters Network. For just as Norimune had fought on the battlefield in 1776, 1812, and then again in 1861 to birth and protect the American Dream, so too would Jézabel de Breuil fight with honeyed words, poison in the cup, blackmail, bribery, and reports leaked to the press to save the soul of the nation that her great love had shed blood to make happen.

Raising Delilah as her successor, confidante, right-hand-woman and general executive officer to fight the good fight as Jézabel felt old age overtake her inexorably. Trying with all her heart to redeem the oath and promise that she had given Norimune at Delilah's birth, that one day the Unrepentant Blade of the Mad Smith would be proud to claim her youngest daughter as her own as the result of an act of heroism that produced something true, and pure, and good that could never be taken from Muramasa-no-Norimune.

Zamarad sensed more than saw a great white Dove watching her actions with interest as she and Delilah's powers combined to repair and mend what they could, using her flames and powers supported by her love's essence to reforge a formerly frayed cord of shared memories and dreams, love and pain, remorse and grief and sadness that one day would cause words to be said -- to perhaps not mend the damage, for it was truly deep and sorrowful and both Norimune and Jézabel were not now what they had been -- to at least achieve some measure of reconciliation and forgiveness and understanding.

Some healing.

-----------------------------------
Spoiler: Loved And Never Forgotten

Assam Hills, Burma

In a jungle clearing, a hungry, thirsty, dirty, and exhausted Muramasa-no-Norimune watched the campfire flicker and gutter.

She had been thinking how easy it would be to just wander off into the jungle and die.

Who would miss her, after all?

Not her sisters, not truly. Bitches one and all there.

Not her fellow fighters in the remnants of her unit as they retreated in front of the unstoppable allied advance into the collapsing Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere. One less mouth for the inadequate rations to be split between.

Not the Imperial Japanese Army and the Kamo Government who had entrapped and tricked and betrayed her. They never had deserved her loyalty anyway.

She had been thinking not even Hachiman-no-kami would truly miss losing a flawed and worthless blade such as her.

A failure.

The flames flared up emerald as one of the branches in it snapped and for a brief moment, she saw the face of a green-eyed and auburn haired witch in them. The emerald firelight gleamed from the softly glowing dove menuki on her hilt.

Jézabel.

The aching pain of Jézabel's betrayal of her was strangely absent in this moment, and she remembered the past unclouded by her regrets and failures and misconceptions of what she had shared with Jézabel de Breuil and how deeply they had loved each other.

Perhaps....

The campfire died down as Norimune rolled over in her thin blanket and tried to find some rest before resuming the retreat that would take back to her homeland of Japan.

Back to her sisters.

Back to her family.

And one day in the unguessed future ahead of her, back to her unknown to her as yet daughters and grandchildren who were seeking her even now.

Because they loved her in their own ways and despite their own flaws and shortcomings.

Because they loved her.