Harry Potter & the Shipgirls

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

Roelof_V said:well. he's whipped
Funny you should say that....

A.N. -- And here's the last of this miniarc. Enjoy!

A Reward For Heroism (III)

Malfoy Townhouse, London

August 16th, 2014

"BRANDY, n. A cordial composed on one part thunder-and-lightning, one part remorse, two parts bloody murder, one part death-hell-and-the-grave and four parts clarified Satan." -- Ambrose Bierce, The Devil's Dictionary
Spoiler: A Matter For Celebration

In a explosion of green flames from the fireplace, Lucius Malfoy appeared in the entrance hall of his townhouse. Lucius nodded sharply to his valet while Narcissa appeared behind him. "Goyle! I shall be expecting Arthur Weasley momentarily, when he arrives, bring him directly to my study."

"Of course, sir." Goyle said obsequiously before departing.

Lucius then cast a privacy ward and then smiled at Narcissa. "I'll see you after you talk to your niece then?"

Narcissa kissed him and then adjusted her dress slightly with the help of a nearby mirror. "I need to speak to Nymphadora. She may know if the Aurors have gotten a whiff of trade in the potion ingredients Cousin du Chasteler and Ehren mentioned. Plus any reports of unusual activity, of course. I'll pop back here after I do." She said with her eyes sparkling and eagerness in her voice.

Lucius nodded back. "Good, good. Best to keep this quiet until we get more information. Keeping it inside the family -- and those who will be family soon enough -- is a wise policy. People who don't know the extent of your plans can't reveal them."

Narcissa smirked. "You're in a good mood, Lucius, You really think our son and the du Chasteler girl will wed?"

Lucius leaned on his cane and grinned happily. "I view it as probable with her mother on board. It's cute how they ducked out during her visit to the manor to have a private conversation, and think that we didn't notice." Narcissa gave a matching grin, then the Malfoy patriarch continued in a more serious voice as she began an analysis of the match. "As for Ehren, as I have told you before, she's a very good match for him. For the members of our faction, we just play up the Malfoy link to the du Chastelers and hint that she's pure-blood, certainly her mother can be spun as a witch and her father is now dead so a spot of record changing after a few bribes and then... well."

He chuckled happily before continuing. "As for the more serious future plans, she brings a lot of valuable family ties with the pro-Muggle de Breuils as a nice bonus, as well as her mother's ties to the European Muggles in business and elsewhere. France plans to honor both her mother and her for dealing with Verdun too. The Order of Nostradamus will look good in our family when the Statute falls, plus whatever the Muggles hang on our cousins for being suicidally brave over and over again. Most importantly, Ehren's got guts and knows how to keep her mouth shut." He finished the analysis as Narcissa used her wand to make a tally in the air of a point being scored.

Narcissa smiled and responded in a thoughtful voice, "She's utterly loyal to her word, so her marriage vows with Draco...?"

"Exactly. She's a Malfoy through and through, both loyal to her family and her honor. She won't let Draco wander too far off the straight and narrow when he takes over. If our family's threatened, she is the third most deadly female I have known behind only you and then her mother. Although the de Breuils are formidable too by all accounts." Lucius said with a smug grin.

"Flatterer. Now off with you before Arthur Weasley arrives." Narcissa said with a shooing motion before grabbing the Floo Powder.
------------------

Lucius hummed happily as he reached his study. After a thoughtful pause, his grin widened, and he pulled out one of the bottles of the Sarajishvili 1896 Cognac that Colombe had gifted him and two snifters. He had been waiting for the perfect occasion to uncork this vintage, and the time was at last at hand,

After all, he spoke to himself as he pulled out of his pocket a gold bar that he had borrowed from Niobe to use to persuade Arthur Weasley of the importance of acting on his behalf, if you can't drink to your son's romantic prospects advancing and a few million dollars and thousand Galleons falling into your lap, what can you truly drink to? He laughed and poured himself a snifter full of Russian brandy, admiring the light sparkling through the caramel-colored liquor and breathing the aroma of vanilla, oak, and cinnamon before taking an appreciative sip.

The liquor lit a comfortable fire in his belly and he laughed again as he finished the snifter. Perhaps drinking this bottle was wasteful, but no less wasteful than Colombe sharing that bottle of priceless Armagnac with him as they schemed how to enrich their families and bind their children closer together to the mutual benefit of both. He decided on a refill, and matched actions to thoughts, humming to himself as the liquor splashed merrily in the cut crystal of his favorite snifter.

His hand warmed the liquor nicely, allowing it to emit its intoxicating aroma and a flick of his wand caused a box of Cuban cigars and cutter to float to hover beside him. Narcissa would fuss about the smell of smoke, of course, but he could justify it as celebration over the de Breuil woman's pregnancy resulting in Cousin du Chasteler being an aunt, he decided decisively as he took another sip of the liquor and then cut and lit a cigar. Narcissa was going to go gaga over the addition to the family anyway, so a man was entitled to his pleasures.
------------------

When Arthur Weasley arrived a half-hour later, Lucius was quite mellow and the bottle was empty. Lucius waved genially with the hand holding a half-smoked cigar as he sipped the last of the brandy in a padded chair by the fireplace, "Arthur! Come in, come in! Make yourself at home!" Lucius declared in a jolly and mellow voice.

Arthur stared in disbelief, then walked in a daze to the offered stuffed armchair as Lucius squinted at the emptied bottle. "Bother, that won't do! Goyle, my good man! Bring up the other bottle of Sarajishvili from the cellar now. Chop-chop!" Lucius commanded in that jolly voice.

Arthur sat down gingerly as the valet departed, then rotated the empty bottle to read the Russian label. His eyebrows climbed as he read the date of 1896 on it, then he spoke hesitantly. "Ahh... good day Lucius. Your note said that you needed to see me immediately about a matter of urgency?" His tone of voice suggested either a man finding a ticking bomb, or wondering who slipped the drugs into his afternoon tea.

Lucius nodded drunkenly. "Capital day, Arthur! Capital!" He declared grandly.

Arthur nodded along for lack of anything better to do. "Yes, quite. Your business, Lucius?" He spoke hesitantly, which caused Lucius to light up like a Christmas tree.

"My cousin Colombe, marvelous woman that, called me in on a matter of some importance. She had a run-in with her ex in Africa, beastly business, simply beastly, and came into possession of a large pile of gold that he stole from... somewhere. Bloody Nazis, as bad as Gaunts they are, almost as much a magpie as a Potter. Anyway, she needs a way to turn it in to be properly assayed for a reward, there's a brick of it over there on my desk so you know I'm not trying to knacker you." Lucius exclaimed in that happy jolly voice.

Arthur stood, walked over and retrieved the gold bar, whistling at the weight, then frowning at the eagle and swastika. "Bloody Hell, Lucius. I'll talk to the person I went through at the Mint to get in touch with you; you said there's more?" He sat back down absently with a dazed expression on his face.

Lucius nodded with a broad grin as Goyle appeared with the requested bottle of brandy. "Niobe packed it up in her hold, tons and tons worth. She's going to marry my boy, saw her trying to suck his tonsils out when I went down to the ballroom to speak to him. Draco's getting married to some fine girls, so come on and share a drink with me, Arthur!"

Arthur, finally realizing that the cause of Lucius's unexpected good mood and even more unexpected intoxication was that the little git of his son was getting married allowed a snifter of Russian brandy to be poured for him. "I'll have that drink, Lucius. I can toast your son's happiness if nothing else." Arthur said diplomatically.

"Capital old chap, capital!" Lucius took a large swig of the now-refreshed brandy. "Nothing else today, Goyle! Be a good chap and buy a little something for the missus!" Lucius fished in his pockets, came out with a handful of Galleons, and handed them to the shocked valet. "Arthur can keep me company!"

Arthur desperately wanted to be anywhere but keeping this strange version of Lucius Malfoy company. "Um, so, Lucius. Your cousin married a Nazi?" He said after casting about to find a semi-safe subject and taking a very small sip of his (admittedly excellent) brandy.

"Oh yes, has a daughter with him too. Sweet girl, and she's head over heels for my Draco. Say Arthur, this whole feud thing between our families is stupid, you know. Perhaps it's time to bury the hatchetman, patch up those...wound thingies, formalalize a peace treaty." Lucius's waving arm left a trail of cigar ash on his Turkish carpet as he gestured to punctuate his slurred speech, "You have some strapping young boys and my Nimi's single, perhaps I should see if she has a thing for redheads and is amenable."

Lucius paused to drain his brandy snifter and take a long puff on his cigar. "Oops, I said that out loud didn't I? This is some good brandy, you know, Arthur. Another drink?" He blinked owlishly at the pale-faced Arthur. "Put some color in you, man, so chest up!"

Arthur looked at his barely touched snifter like it had grown fangs and a rattle and spoke firmly. "No thank you, Lucius, I have plenty. Your cousin and the Nazis?"

"They're up to something," Lucius said in a drunkenly serious voice. "But we have their gold. Nazis, Nazis, how'd that tune I heard as a boy go?" He began to hum Colonel Bogey as Arthur just shook his head in disbelief.
-------------------------

Narcissa was greeted by the sound of loud male singing upon arrival.

Very VERY bad singing.
Spoiler: Drunk Lucius Singing

"Hitler has only got one ball~~!"

She marched toward the study as the off-key serenade continued.

"Göring has two but very small~!"

She threw the door open to see Lucius, his face flushed, standing and swaying with a cigar while sloshing liquor on the now-dirtied rug as he sang enthusiastically.

"Himmler is rather sim'lar~! But poor old Goebbels has no balls at all~! C'mon Albert, sing along with me!"

Arthur Weasley looked at Narcissa Malfoy with an expression reserved for prisoners getting a visit from the hangman. Then Lucius' next words caused him to turn white as a sheet.

"Wifey! Great timing!" Lucius hiccuped and stage whispered with a leer. "Where's your Naughty Nurse outfit because Doctor Love is in the house~~!"

Narcissa looked at Arthur Weasley who started to hastily sidle toward the door. She spoke in an icy voice. "Lucius's business is concluded. I'll handle matters now. I suggest you go home."

Arthur fled for his life, pursued by a potent incantation of power, dread, and terror when spoken in earshot of any husband or son.

"LU-CIUS AB-REX-US MAL-FOY!!!"

The Burrow

Molly turned as Arthur Weasley entered the house with a shell-shocked look. "Bad day, dear?"

Arthur responded absently, "Surreal." He walked over and kissed his wife, who frowned slightly at the smell of brandy and cigar smoke on his coat.

"What happened?" Molly asked with concern.

"Lucius Malfoy happened." Arthur said, still in that absent mood. He paused, then continued, "If I ever express interest in five star antique Russian brandies, be a dear and knock some sense into me until I relent from that madness."

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Breathing deeply, and steadily, the shipgirl was utterly still for a few moments. That was, until she suddenly blurred into motion. Again and again, her Bokken lashed out into various kata and movements as she fought with imaginary opponents. Eventually, she slowed and stilled once more, this time breathing even deeper.

There was a sheen of sweat across her skin made Ayase's clothes stick to her, but just the same she had a grin of joy on her face. Part of it was from the light burn she could feel in her muscles from her exercises. No matter how many times she had felt it, it felt good to her. Because that feeling meant that she was alive and that she existed in this world.

Her thoughts went to why she existed and, once more, felt a rush of gratitude which caused her cheeks to flush from more than exertion.

Quickly shaking off such thoughts, Ayase went back to her stance and continued with her exercises in the early morning sunlight. Flowing from stance to stance, move to move, she felt herself settle a little into an almost meditative state. And that was also as she started to grin even more at the feeling of accomplishment she was feeling. With each day, she got better and better at the sword. As well, the closer she got to her goals.

Because one day... one day, she would become good enough that Tenryuu would clear her to use a sword in combat or even to walk around with it. The Light Cruiser being the one that would test anyone wanting to use a sword or any other weapon out on the water. And Tenryuu was extremely strict when it came to such things. Not only did you have to be a certain level in ability, but you also needed to have the right attitude.

According to the rumour mill, some Destroyer once decided that they were going to use a sword because it was awesome. Tenryuu had shown up and demanded to see them actually use it. Being as said shipgirl had never used a blade, it was not good... and led to the Light Cruiser literally grabbing said Destroyer by the scruff of the neck. Growling, she brought their face close to hers and told them that she was not about to let them head out with a sword and get someone killed, most likely themselves. Because while an item, such as a normal sword, held by a shipgirl would become durable enough to use, one had to know how to use it.

Not to mention, she apparently tore a strip off them for disrespecting the Way.

The Destroyer had mouthed back at her, asking what right she had to do so. After all, didn't she start using a sword because it was cool? And it is not like she was trained either in its use! Yet she was one of the most well known shipgirls with regards to using her blade, Waterline.

Of everything said person expected, it was not for Tenryuu to start laughing in their face before she grinned. While, yes, she used a sword because "It was fucking awesome", not once did she disrespect it. More, she actually learned how to perform at least the basics of how to use a sword before she actually did. The Light Cruiser had put blood, sweat, and tears into using it. So like hell she was about to let someone who didn't have a damn idea how to use a blade head out and do so. Because that sort of thing lead to bullshit like deciding that you would have Abyssal POWs line up and cut off heads to show off how awesome you were, and it was not going to happen on her watch.

Shortly after, a new rule went out for shipgirls. Not one of the funny "Rules" that happened because of shenanigans. No, this one was officially sanctioned from the very top, coming from not just Admiral Goto's desk, but the JMSDF Chief of Staff. Any shipgirl who wished to use a weapon first had to be cleared by either Kiso or Tenryuu if a sword, Tatsuta for polearms, or Ikazuchi and Inazuma in regards to anchors. There was no argument, it would be one of them who would decide, and any who did not follow such rules would see them punished harshly.

During one conversation, Ayase had asked Tenryuu about the Carrier shipgirl Aso, after all she heard that she had a sword. The Light Cruiser had a smile on her face and had chuckled at the question. According to her, Kiso had, quite literally, beaten it into Aso the basics as well as how to hold respect for one's blade. Not to mention, said Carrier had been told that if they ever heard of her drawing steel against an ally for anything less than self-defense, and it had to be one where she would get badly injured? Both Tenryuu and Kiso would be coming for her ass.

Thanks to having actually seen video of both Light Cruisers taking down a Battleship Princess together in close combat with their swords when ambushed, all the Sendai could do was pray that if Aso did so that it would be quick for her.

Add in tales and video of such things as Tenryuu taking down a Re-Class as well as fighting a "Light Cruiser War Demon", or Kiso cutting a Ta-Class in half while decapitating a Ru on the backswing? There was very good reasons why the two were considered the penultimate swordmasters in the JMSDF. Granted, both laughed it off claiming that they weren't masters, not by a longshot, but still. A number had a different opinion, especially the PR department if the postures and figurines of Tenryuu and Kiso posing with their swords said anything.

Jumping as she was brought out of her thoughts by a throat clearing, Ayase turned to find that the Light Cruiser she had been thinking about was standing behind her. For some odd reason, Tenryuu seemed rather amused with her, even as she bowed, "A-ah, Tenryuu-Sensei! I didn't know that you would be here!"

Only chuckling as she waved it off, Tenryuu grinned a little, "Don't sweat it, Kiddo. I've been here for a few minutes watching you practice." Ignoring the deep flush that spread across her fellow Light Cruiser's face, her next words made Ayase's eyes widen, "Good job on the form though. Taking your crew's experiences to help?"

Brightly smiling, the Sendai nodded, "Hai, Tenryuu-Sensei! Some of my crew... they know how to handle a sword and I have been learning from their experiences. Though a number were teens when they died and still learning..." Part of her realized how that sounded and flushed, "B-but I have been practicing hard at it as well! "

Amused, Tenryuu shook her head at that, "I can see that, Ayase-San. And I gotta say, I'm impressed with ya. Good form and attitude, what one needs with the Way." Then, she gave a small nod, "Won't be long before I clear ya to carry around a blade on patrol."

Eyes wide, Ayase bowed deeply, "Thank you, Tenryuu-Sensei."

Lips quirked a little, the eye patch wearing Cruiser shrugged, "It's the truth, you've been putting in the work." She then ran a hand over the sweaty shipgirl in front of her and cocked an eyebrow before jerking her thumb towards where the dorms were, "Anyways, you should probably go and hit the showers right quick."

Blinking, Ayase furrowed her eyebrows, "I... should?"

Now even more amused, Tenryuu chuckled some, "Well, considering the time..." She then leaned forward and grinned before tapping her wrist, "Because you are heading to the Kiddo's birthday party, right? Or at least Hibiki told me that you were invited to it."

It took a few moments, but the Sendai's eyes widened as she checked her internal clock, "GAH! I LOST TRACK OF THE TIME! I'M GOING TO BE LATE FOR HARRY-SAN'S BIRTHDAY!"

Unable to help herself, Tenryuu started laughing as she watched the girl rush around putting stuff back into her gym bag in a panic. Though she did note that Ayase carefully put away her bokken before zippering up said bag and storing it in her holds. Watching as the Sendai literally hauled stern as she ran full speed towards the dorms, Tenryuu shook her head, "Okay, that was hilarious." Scratching under her eyepatch, she hummed, "Should head home myself to get ready." For a moment, the Light Cruiser paused a little, 'Hmm... probably a bit too late to invite Lieutenant Matsuda to the party unfortunately...'

Elsewhere, on the base, Tatsuta felt her cheeks redden and looked around furitively as she had the odd feeling that her sister was doing something embarrassing for her involving a certain man.

Meanwhile, Ayase ran at full speed towards the Light Cruiser dorms. Skidding to a stop in front, she twisted before quickly making her way through the door. As she passed her sisters, both dressed for their jobs at the Edo themed maid café on the base, though she did give them a wave.

Waving back, Otonase shook her head as she turned to her sister, "So, what do you think happened, Minase-Nee? She forgot again?"

Only nodding, the other Sendai giggled a little, "Hai, she was likely so into sword practice that she lost track of time. You know that she does that at times." Then she gave a small shrug, "But she'll make it for the party."

That only got her a nod in return from her twin sister. At the same time, Ayase barreled into her room. Placing her hands on her knees, she panted a bit before nodding, "Made it... in time..."

After she caught her breath, Ayase stood up and walked to her dresser before pausing as she realized that there was a book poking out from her sheets of her futon. Eyes widening, she grabbed said book and looked at the cover and blushed heavily as it showed a Onna-Bugeisha cupping the cheek of a Daimiyo with the two looking at each other in lust. Said woman's clothing was also partially opened as well.

For several moments, the Sendai stared at the book as her blush deepened remembering reading it the night before. Said book about an Onna-Bugeisha who had pretended to be a male in order to serve as a retainer, and eventually Hatamoto. Until she was found out by said Lord, and it turned into a lustful, whirlwind and forbidden romance between the two. One that left Ayase blushing heavily the night before even as she read more of it under a flashlight secretly.

Looking around, she bit her lip before looking at the book. Quickly, though, Ayase reached behind the dresser and pulled out a small locked box before opening it. While somewhat expensive, to her mind, it had been more than worth it to buy the storage item with expanded insides. Furitively looking around, she placed it in said box... besides a rather good sized collection of similar books. Some were of female Samurai, some were Kunoichi, and there were even one or two western books telling of female Knights serving Kings and the like. All of them, however, had said relationships bloom into forbidden romance between the servant and their Lord.

With another look around, the Light Cruiser closed and locked said box before setting it back into place. Sighing, she shook her head a little, "Good, none of them would have seen it."

Unknown to her, unfortunately, every single one of her sisters had seen said books and knew, they just kept silent out of amusement.

Not knowing that, Ayase opened her dresser and grabbed the items in question before heading into the bathroom. A few moments later, she was standing under the water of the shower with a happy sigh as she cleansed herself of the sweat and grime that she had built up during her practice. While doing so, her thoughts drifted back to what Tenryuu had told her, about how soon she would be cleared to use a sword.

Her lips curling into a happy smile, she barely held back a squeal at the thought. Soon! Soon she, too, would be cleared to have a weapon. It was something that she was truly looking forward to. Though... first, she needed a sword, which made her frown a little. Unlike Tenryuu and a few others, she was not summoned with such a weapon. Nor could she rely on her crew for such, as none of them had blades as they had not been in the IJN or JMSDF before her summoning. Which meant that she needed to get such a weapon on her own, unless someone gifted her with such.

Almost unbidden, as she worked shampoo into her hair, her imagination brought up an image. In it, Harry was in a Kimono with his own blades sheathed at his side as she kneeled before him. Then, he had a smith walk forward and present her with a masterwork blade, telling that now it was time for her to serve with honour. Lips curling, he reached down and gently cupping her chin, having her look at him, though he was suddenly older, "And now... you can serve me as my Hatamoto..."

Due to her imagination, the Light Cruiser felt like her face was on fire. And also her neck and part of her upper body as well. Flushed, she brought up her hand and did the only thing that she could...

Which was to reach for the dial and turn off the hot water completely, leaving the shower freezing cold.

Jumping a bit at the temperature, Ayase shook her head before leaning forward and placing her hands against the shower wall as she took deep breaths as the cold water washed over her. After a few moments, she rubbed her hand against her face and muttered a little to herself. There was a part of her that did wonder when she had fallen for the young man whose birthday party she was going to.

Maybe... it was always sort of there? When she stood on the summoning pool, looking at the faces around it, she had held back a gasp as she noticed Harry, recognizing him from the void. While she couldn't really call it 'Conscious', she did have memories of a sort from then. She remembered the golden cords that extended from his chest to her and her sisters, as well as others. How they slowly... came to actually be. That they became more than some half-formed wraiths.

Then, there was the meeting with the Admiral afterwards where it was revealed that they existed because of him. That he had given of himself, somehow, so that they could walk among others. How he had somehow taken power from an evil man, purifiying it with himself and his soul, before using that to bring them life. Any person would have been thankful to him. And whom could blame her for feeling indebted to him? Because without him, she would not exist, nor would her sisters or others. Thus, upon finding out that his goal would be to become an Admiral, she internally swore that she would repay him by serving under him.

But then, from talks with her older sisters Naka and Jintsuu, she found out more about the young man. When finding out what happened to his biological parents, she had shed a tear for him. Then, she found out that he had faced the monster that did it, a deathless and evil sorcerer, at least twice since. How he had fought and killed a massive serpent equal to any uwabami to save a young girl he barely knew, nearly dying in the process. That he had fought, and slew, a insane Jorogumo who commanded a Gashadokuro alongside a Kitsune and a Mizuchi.

And then there were the more recent things as well. Such as how he had slain a hundred Dementors. Or, more recently, with what had happened in that dark bunker. She had been one of the shipgirls out on the bay at the time, ready to fight if needed even as she guarded the Battleships, Carriers, and Heavy Cruisers who would bombard the area if Harry and the others had failed.

Fail, he had not, even when faced with the resurrected pelt of Tamamo no Mae herself!

Each thing he did was something that, alone, would have seen the person to accomplish it raised into legend itself. To become a Hero that future generations would look to and honour. And yet, it was not just one incident, but multiple! Each time, he rose to the challenge and triumphed!

It must be said that despite the fact that she had issues believing he was involved, she was not surprised that he was victorous each time.

Yet, most recently, he had caught her interest still further with how he had taken up the blade. She had even watched him sometimes when catching sight of him practicing. His form was rough, very much so. But he went to it with the determination, the stubborness, that she had expected. Seeing that was when she started to realize that, maybe, what she felt ran deeper than just respect and thankfulness. While she had dreams before with her as his Hatamoto, they really kicked into gear then.

Reaching out, she turned off the water and stood there for a few moments before drying herself off and putting on her bathing suit. For a few moments, Ayase stood in front of the mirror in the main bedroom, just looking herself over. Like many shipgirls, she didn't have any unnecessary fat on her body and her skin was clean and clear. After all, crews always considered their ships the most beautiful, which apparently carried over. But in the Sendai's case, much to her joy, all the Kenjutsu practice had caused her to gain some lean muscles as well. Something that she was very pleased by and that her dark orange two piece showed off.

Her thoughts going back to what she had been thinking of in the shower, she gave a small sigh as she put her hair up into the usual topknot, "If only... Harry-Dono." A slightly sad smile on her face, Ayase nodded to herself as she threw on some jeans and a shirt, "I'll have to make due with just serving you best that I could as a modern Hatamoto and nothing more."

With that, she walked out of her quarters she shared with her sisters before jogging towards where she knew that the others invited to the party would be waiting.

 

[darthcourt10]

lt_agn02

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Harry Leferts said:
During one conversation, Ayase had asked Tenryuu about the Carrier shipgirl Aso, after all she heard that she had a sword. The Light Cruiser had a smile on her face and had chuckled at the question. According to her, Kiso had, quite literally, beaten it into Aso the basics as well as how to hold respect for one's blade. Not to mention, said Carrier had been told that if they ever heard of her drawing steel against an ally for anything less than self-defense, and it had to be one where she would get badly injured? Both Tenryuu and Kiso would be coming for her ass.
-+-+-
*-*-*

Around the same time in Pearl Harbor...

Aso awoke with a start, the sweat glistening off her forehead. Slowly, she emerged from her bed and walked toward the sword stand that had appeared months ago. She reached for her katana Kyoufuu out of instinct and paused.

She emitted an audible gulp. Her hand retracted as she remembered all the stinging welts that Kiso gave her during every sparring session and the lectures she gave her.

All because she wanted to have a sword of her own but didn't show an ounce of respect to the sword itself.

"...Sorry, Kyoufuu. Not today," she whispered gently as she grabbed the bokken next to it. "I'll be training with Youfuu again. I...I still don't feel ready for you yet."

Bowing toward her sword, the carrier picked up her bokken, Youfuu (洋風), and walked out of the dorm. It was strange having this urge to practice in the middle of the night. But, if Sendai was willing, maybe she could indulge in some light sparring before heading back to sleep.

As she left, the omamori attached to the left-behind katana swung left and right like a pendulum despite the lack of a breeze. As it came to a stop, the charm spun on its cord until the words written on it faced the entryway.

"Success"

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A.N. -- Well since people finally figured out Ehren's future romance, I can post this future snip without spoiling that plot twist for Ehren...

Ehren-Tikki-Tavi

Malfoy Manor

Spring, 2027
Spoiler: A Bedtime Story

"Time to change into your pajamas, everyone!" The cool soprano command in German-accented English cut through the babble of the children who had taken over the family room to play after dinner.

"Aww, Mutti Ehren!" a chorus of plaintive children's voices sounded as blond heads turned to the slender wheat-blond woman wearing a black Chanel silk dress with pearls at ears and neck standing in the door giving them a cool look. "Can't we stay up a little longer?"

Ehren du Chasteler-Malfoy smiled happily inwardly behind her cool and reserved face at the normal efforts from her children to bend her iron will. "The longer you take getting ready, the longer before I give you a bedtime story, Meine geliebten Kinder! I have picked out a very special story from India that you will enjoy, after all." She responded in that cool soprano and winked one steel-blue eye.

Using her combat reflexes, she was able to dodge out of the way of the stampede of the older children toward their rooms. She then nodded to Cleopatra as her co-wife scooped Hélène-Morgraine up to help her get ready for bed as the gold-haired cherub toddled after her older brothers and sisters. Niobe and Johnston followed in "Mummy Cleo's" wake to help supervise the nightly operation and referee any squabbles.

That left her alone with Draco for the moment, so she stole a kiss from her husband before carefully removing his questing hand from her knee-length skirt. "Later, after the children are asleep." She gave him a smouldering look filled with love and desire before continuing. "I must get ready for this one."

Draco nodded with a smirk at the promise she had made. He then looked curiously when Ehren pulled out a pair of her hilt pins from a hidden pocket and placed them next to a leatherbound book from the library. "The Jungle Book?" he asked curiously.

"Ja, the older ones are old enough for some Kipling, and as for the youngsters, I have something special planned for them." Ehren's steel blue eyes sparkled as she handed her wand to one of the two additional avatars that she was manifesting and then walked to the center of the room, shuffling the chairs, sofas, piles of cushions and other items of childhood play around with a series of quick wandless spells.

"Now to set the scene," she said absently in stereo to herself. "Expecto Patronem!"

With a silver flash a six foot king cobra shimmered into being at the end of the wand that her second avatar was holding. It blurred, then a second, illusionary cobra Patronus flickered into being beside it. Then, the third Ehren present shifted into the form of a mongoose.

Draco grinned slyly in anticipation as he watched the snake Patronuses and mongoose form of his wife hide behind the vase next to the fireplace.

His grin widened as the original Ehren cast layers of illusions to turn the large wood-paneled room into the image of a tropical garden from India in the days of the British Raj.

He remembered one of his personal favorite stories as a boy and laughed as he realized her plan to enthrall their children. Such a subtle and deliciously clever mind, love! he thought as he remembered how she had nearly been Sorted into Slytherin. He nodded in respect to Ehren as her second avatar controlling the serpent that was her Patronus shimmered and vanished under a concealment charm. "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi then? I'll help with the birds and the family if you want." He said to her.

"Ja, Es ist Rikki-Tikki-Tavi. Danke, das wird sehr geschätzt, Bärli!" (Yes, It's Rikki-Tikki-Tavi. Thanks, that's much appreciated, Bärli!) Ehren said in a voice showing subtle strain as she sat in her favorite chair. Draco nodded and pulled out his wand to prepare to cast illusions to help her.

The thunder of distant running feet heralded the first wave of Junior Malfoys sprinting toward one of their favorite family 'before bedtime' traditions.
---------------

After the milk and cookies (vanilla, oatmeal, and chocolate chip) were distributed by the parents, the pajama-clad children got settled on their favorite resting spots.

Doctor DOOM pajamed four-and-a-half year old Bastian claimed Mother Niobe's lap to plot World Domination via Oatmeal Cookie. Hélène-Morgraine was cuddled in Mum Cleo's arms so she could nibble on a chocolate chip cookie as she waited for her second birthday next month. Meanwhile five-year old Julia Clarisse and Ernestine Electra cuddled on either side of Ma Johnston while their four year old sister Claire Cygne rested in the destroyer's lap. The cluster of seven-year olds (Johnston Junior, Maximilian Narcissus, Thutmose Anton, Markus Seti, and Taube Lupa) took occupancy of a pillow fortification.

Ehren looked at the sea of eager faces and smirked internally. Let the show commence!, she thought to herself smugly. She then nodded to Draco as he stood in the background to supply the images of Grandpa Lucius, Gramma Narcissa, and Daddy (as a boy) as the other players in this act and opened the book to the marked page.

Her strong, rich voice filled with love sounded through the attentive audience. "Tonight I have a story from India that was told to me as a girl your age by Oma Colombe who heard it from Rudyard Kipling when she met him over a century ago in India." It was a lie since she had actually first read this story at Moulbaix, but a white lie to make it more real for her beloved family. Ehren's lips curled in a smugly happy smile as she began to read.

"This is the story of the great war that Rikki-tikki-tavi fought single-handed, through the bath-rooms of the big bungalow in Segowlee cantonment. Darzee, the tailor-bird, helped him, and Chuchundra, the musk-rat, who never comes out into the middle of the floor, but always creeps round by the wall, gave him advice; but Rikki-tikki did the real fighting."

At a mental prompt, the part of her that had transformed into her mongoose animagus form suddenly scurried out into view 'from the bushes' and sat on her back legs to cock her head curiously at the enthralled children.

"He was a mongoose, rather like a little cat in his fur and his tail, but quite like a weasel in his head and habits. His eyes and the end of his restless nose were pink; he could scratch himself anywhere he pleased, with any leg, front or back, that he chose to use; he could fluff up his tail till it looked like a bottle-brush, and his war-cry, as he scuttled through the long grass, was: 'Rikk-tikk-tikki-tikki-tchk!'"

As Ehren read, she suddenly scratched her chin with a back leg, then groomed her neck with her forepaws. The children giggled in delight and amazement as she scurried around, fluffed up her tail and then chattered at them. "Rikk-tikk-tikki-tikki-tchk!" She suddenly darted into Taube's lap, looking at her curiously, then suddenly dashing to Thutmose and Markus to be petted and then squirmed free to 'investigate' the children.
---------------

Spoiler: Ehren-Tikki-Tavi Versus The Cobras

"'We are very miserable,' said Darzee. 'One of our babies fell out of the nest yesterday, and Nag ate him.'

'H'm!' said Rikki-tikki, 'that is very sad—but I am a stranger here. Who is Nag?'

Darzee and his wife only cowered down in the nest without answering, for from the thick grass at the foot of the bush there came a low hiss—a horrid cold sound that made Rikki-tikki jump back two clear feet. Then inch by inch out of the grass rose up the head and spread hood of Nag, the big black cobra, and he was five feet long from tongue to tail. When he had lifted one-third of himself clear of the ground, he stayed balancing to and fro exactly as a dandelion-tuft balances in the wind, and he looked at Rikki-tikki with the wicked snake's eyes that never change their expression, whatever the snake may be thinking of."

Shrieks of excitement, fear, and surprise rang through the room as suddenly a glowing silver King Cobra Patronus slithered out and raised its hood to confront Mongoose Ehren who leapt back in 'surprise' as her fur fluffed out.

"'Who is Nag?' said he. 'I am Nag. The great god Brahm put his mark upon all our people when the first cobra spread his hood to keep the sun off Brahm as he slept. Look, and be afraid!'

He spread out his hood more than ever, and Rikki-tikki saw the spectacle-mark on the back of it that looks exactly like the eye part of a hook-and-eye fastening. He was afraid for the minute; but it is impossible for a mongoose to stay frightened for any length of time, and though Rikki-tikki had never met a live cobra before, his mother had fed him on dead ones, and he knew that all a grown mongoose's business in life was to fight and eat snakes. Nag knew that too, and at the bottom of his cold heart he was afraid.

'Well,' said Rikki-tikki, and his tail began to fluff up again, 'marks or no marks, do you think it is right for you to eat fledglings out of a nest?'

Nag was thinking to himself, and watching the least little movement in the grass behind Rikki-tikki. He knew that mongooses in the garden meant death sooner or later for him and his family, but he wanted to get Rikki-tikki off his guard. So he dropped his head a little, and put it on one side.

'Let us talk,' he said. 'You eat eggs. Why should not I eat birds?'

'Behind you! Look behind you!' sang Darzee.

Rikki-tikki knew better than to waste time in staring. He jumped up in the air as high as he could go, and just under him whizzed by the head of Nagaina, Nag's wicked wife. She had crept up behind him as he was talking, to make an end of him; and he heard her savage hiss as the stroke missed. He came down almost across her back, and if he had been an old mongoose he would have known that then was the time to break her back with one bite; but he was afraid of the terrible lashing return-stroke of the cobra. He bit, indeed, but did not bite long enough, and he jumped clear of the whisking tail, leaving Nagaina torn and angry."
---------------

Ehren's cool happy smile widened as she continued to read, describing the action as Rikki-Tikki-Tavi fought the wicked cobras through the garden and the house. She secretly enjoyed being the center of attention, and every eye was turned to the show that she was putting on as Rikki managed to kill Nag and then faced his wife Nagaina with the life of the boy who had rescued him at stake. A boy, it should be noted, that looked remarkably like a young Draco Malfoy just like his parents looked like the grandparents watching the show from the door silently.

Ehren's voice grew strong and fierce as the final confrontation happened both in the book and in the illusionary story that she was bringing to life. The children were enthralled by what they were seeing and hearing and their mothers, father, and grandparents were all hushed with happy smiles as they shared this magical moment as a family.

"'Rikki-tikki, I led Nagaina toward the house, and she has gone into the verandah, and—oh, come quickly—she means killing!'

Rikki-tikki smashed two eggs, and tumbled backward down the melon-bed with the third egg in his mouth, and scuttled to the verandah as hard as he could put foot to the ground. Teddy and his mother and father were there at early breakfast; but Rikki-tikki saw that they were not eating anything. They sat stone-still, and their faces were white. Nagaina was coiled up on the matting by Teddy's chair, within easy striking distance of Teddy's bare leg, and she was swaying to and fro singing a song of triumph.

'Son of the big man that killed Nag,' she hissed, 'stay still. I am not ready yet. Wait a little. Keep very still, all you three. If you move I strike, and if you do not move I strike. Oh, foolish people, who killed my Nag!'

Teddy's eyes were fixed on his father, and all his father could do was to whisper, 'Sit still, Teddy. You mustn't move. Teddy, keep still.'

Then Rikki-tikki came up and cried: 'Turn round, Nagaina; turn and fight!'

'All in good time,' said she, without moving her eyes. 'I will settle my account with you presently. Look at your friends, Rikki-tikki. They are still and white; they are afraid. They dare not move, and if you come a step nearer I strike.'

'Look at your eggs,' said Rikki-tikki, 'in the melon-bed near the wall. Go and look, Nagaina.'

The big snake turned half round, and saw the egg on the verandah.
'Ah-h! Give it to me,' she said.

Rikki-tikki put his paws one on each side of the egg, and his eyes were blood-red. 'What price for a snake's egg? For a young cobra? For a young king-cobra? For the last—the very last of the brood? The ants are eating all the others down by the melon-bed.'

Nagaina spun clear round, forgetting everything for the sake of the one egg; and Rikki-tikki saw Teddy's father shoot out a big hand, catch Teddy by the shoulder, and drag him across the little table with the tea-cups, safe and out of reach of Nagaina.

'Tricked! Tricked! Tricked! Rikk-tck-tck!' chuckled Rikki-tikki. 'The boy is safe, and it was I—I—I that caught Nag by the hood last night in the bath-room.' Then he began to jump up and down, all four feet together, his head close to the floor. 'He threw me to and fro, but he could not shake me off. He was dead before the big man blew him in two. I did it. Rikki-tikki-tck-tck! Come then, Nagaina. Come and fight with me. You shall not be a widow long.'

Nagaina saw that she had lost her chance of killing Teddy, and the egg lay between Rikki-tikki's paws. 'Give me the egg, Rikki-tikki. Give me the last of my eggs, and I will go away and never come back,' she said, lowering her hood.

'Yes, you will go away, and you will never come back; for you will go to the rubbish-heap with Nag. Fight, widow! The big man has gone for his gun! Fight!'

Rikki-tikki was bounding all round Nagaina, keeping just out of reach of her stroke, his little eyes like hot coals. Nagaina gathered herself together, and flung out at him. Rikki-tikki jumped up and backward. Again and again and again she struck, and each time her head came with a whack on the matting of the verandah, and she gathered herself together like a watch-spring. Then Rikki-tikki danced in a circle to get behind her, and Nagaina spun round to keep her head to his head, so that the rustle of her tail on the matting sounded like dry leaves blown along by the wind."

Ehren matched actions to words as her mongoose body and her Patronus cobra struck and 'fought' in the climax of the story in a deadly ballet of fang and tooth, agility pitted against venom, intelligence against hunger.

The children watched intently, cheering every time that Ehren 'dodged' a killing stroke of the cobra's deadly fangs and gasping in shock as suddenly Nagaina grasped her egg and fled with Rikki-Tikki in pursuit to her hole underground.

"No! Don't go down there!" Taube gasped in shock, and then cried out to her Mutti's avatar as she followed Nagiana into the den.
---------------

"When Rikki got to the house, Teddy and Teddy's mother (she looked very white still, for she had been fainting) and Teddy's father came out and almost cried over him; and that night he ate all that was given him till he could eat no more, and went to bed on Teddy's shoulder, where Teddy's mother saw him when she came to look late at night.

'He saved our lives and Teddy's life,' she said to her husband. 'Just think, he saved all our lives.'

Rikki-tikki woke up with a jump, for all the mongooses are light sleepers.

'Oh, it's you,' said he. 'What are you bothering for? All the cobras are dead; and if they weren't, I'm here.'

Rikki-tikki had a right to be proud of himself; but he did not grow too proud, and he kept that garden as a mongoose should keep it, with tooth and jump and spring and bite, till never a cobra dared show its head inside the walls."

There was a general rush to pet the insufferably smug mongoose sitting before the audience of children as the story ended and Ehren closed the book with a thump as the living room began to return to normal.

While the illusions faded, Ehren took the opportunity to wipe sweat from her brow subtly. She then gave her family a happy triumphant smug smile before dismissing the avatar that had controlled the magical special effects such as her Patronus. She waved her hand to summon her wand so she could hide it again in her long sleeve as she stood from the chair.

Draco walked over and kissed Ehren on the lips lovingly, as they watched their delighted children clustered around 'Rikki-Tikki-Tavi'. The rest of their wives joined them and linked hands at the sight of the magic of childhood with loving smiles and glistening eyes.

Over the babble of the children talking about the wonderful story rose a 'request' from Julia, immediately echoed from her twin sister Ernestine followed by the rest of her siblings in chorus.

"Wanna mongoose!! Pleeeease?!"

Draco smirked and responded. "If you go to bed now and are good boys and girls for us, I'll write Santa to ask about maybe getting you a mongoose for Christmas..."

 

[darthcourt10]

MagisterAurelius

Ship of Fools Special - The Hangover

Malfoy Manor the morning after

A tremulous hand rose above the top of the low stone wall. Slapping around until it gained enough purchase to allow a second hand to grip the stone parapet, the fingers of the two hands clenched as if in agony as a head containing two bleary and blood-shot eyes rose to squint in pain at the rays of the morning sun.

Lucius began to moan, only to cut off midway, clutching his aching head and grimacing as his mouth felt full of dry cotton. He staggered to the french doors that opened onto the back porch. Frowning as the doors seemed to be locked and refused to open to him, he reached to find that he seemed to be missing his wand as well. He stopped to try to think, but another wave of hangover induced nausea washed over him, forcing him to empty his stomach into the shrubbery nearby. He heaved again, missing the french doors fly open and Narcissa walking out onto the porch.

"Oh good Lucius, I see you're up."

Lucius turned to see his wife make a few wand movements and suddenly he felt invisible hands pick him up and carry him through the house into the study. On the way, he did get a glance at where he had apparently slept after Narcissa had gotten home last night. For on the porch was a somewhat dingy cheap looking plywood doghouse with a name etched over the entrance. His name. He winced as he was plopped without ceremony onto the Turkish rug. His ears rang in pain as Narcissa raised her voice to project it throughout the house.

"Children, please come to your father's study." When Draco and Nimue arrived, Narcissa smiled at them and pointed at Lucius with her wand. "Today is a special lesson. Your father has decided to demonstrate the results of imbibing too much hard liquor."

Nimue chimed in. "So we get to laugh at Father for getting completely sloshed? I'm not sure, it depends on if he did anything. After all, I got to glimpse the hangover Step-Daddy had when he got dragged home from Montreal."

"What did Flynn do in Montreal, Nimi?" Draco asked, as there were still many questions in his mind about some of the stories that his tutor had hinted about.

"Well, he celebrated a successful job and ended up wrecking an entire floor of a five star hotel. He was found with two empty bottles of Cobra Chicken Whiskey, and in a state of public indecency and inebriation covered in Elmer's glue with three equally indecent and inebriated Sasquatch prostitutes." Nimue just shrugged at Narcissa's raised eyebrows and Draco's shocked expression. "Step-mom Esme was used to that sort of thing, so she just chained him up in the basement for I think it was two weeks that time."

At first Lucius just boggled at what Nimue had said, until he caught the flat unamused glare from his wife. "Well, Lucius certainly hadn't gotten to that level yet. But he was INDISCRETE in sharing details of marital relations in front of Arthur Weasley last night." Lucius' mind raced, trying to remember everything he might have said last night, until he recalled one detail. He suppressed an urge to visibly shiver, as that might let Narcissa know he had possibly hinted at the existence of Nimue in front of the elder Weasley, and more importantly what her reaction might entail.

Her next words brought him out of the internal reverie. "It does though, make up my mind. You see Lucius, I was inclined to give you a hangover enhancement potion I spent last night brewing. But I've changed my mind. Here's a normal hangover potion." She handed Lucius the potion, and in doing so, subtly waved her wand at her feet. Lucius failed to notice the slight wooden clonks her feet made as she stepped back and he downed the hangover potion. In a couple of minutes of grimacing he felt the fog of the hangover lift.

"Oh Merlin thank you my love..."

"Yes, you need to be punished and a hangover isn't enough."

"Narcissa, I-I don't understand..."

"Lucius, I can only think of one thing that will truly remind you to never get that drunk again. Dutch foot-wear."

Lucius paled as nearly all the blood drained from his face as he whispered, "No... please Narcissa! NO!"

"Yes, Lucius, it's the only way you'll learn." Narcissa lifted the hem of her dress to reveal a pair of wooden Dutch clogs.

Draco and Nimue's jaws dropped as Lucius Malfoy, their father, shrieked like a little girl, began to do a strange hopping dance that involved clapping his hands together pat-a-cake, chanting a series of nonsensical phrases and inflicting a double titty-twister on himself.

"AAAAHHHH! Hot potato, off his drawers, pluck to make amends. OWWWW.."

"Clogs!" Narcissa hissed again.

"AAAAHHHH! Hot potato, off his drawers, pluck to make amends. OWWWW.."

"Father? Do you really have to say that every time someone says that?"

Narcissa patted Nimue's arm. "It's a piece of leftover trauma from a trip your father took to Amsterdam, and where he somehow annoyed Lily Potter."

"Huh." Draco rubbed his chin in thought. "So just saying 'Clogs'.."

"AAAAHHHH! Hot potato, off his drawers, pluck to make amends. OWWWW.."

"..makes Father do that?"

Lucius recovered just enough to interject at this point. "Yes! Draco, Nimue, that's why you must never say that word around me. If you must mention those things, call them Dutch footwear or Netherlands shoes...."

"Just not clogs?"

"AAAAHHHH! Hot potato, off his drawers, pluck to make amends. OWWWW.."

Eventually, Narcissa and the children stopped saying that word. After dinner.

-0-0-

So I was doing a re-read and I ran into an early snip where Harry went over Lily's diaries and found out that Lucius got a paralytic phobia of clogs during Voldy's war and in Amsterdam. So over course I had to use that as Lucius' punishment for embarrassing Narcissa. And included a big of Blackadder as well.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Standing beside the pier where the motor launch from Nagato waited, puffs of smoke coming from the smokestack as it waited, Harry had his hands in his pocket. Already, he had been onboard the pinnance and helped out with the checks much to the amusement of Nagato's crew that were on it. Upon hearing the familiar throaty growl of a motorcycle, Harry turned and waved as Jin pulled up with Asuka behind said undead dragon which was followed by Kiba's car which had Ai in the passenger seat, "Asuka-San!"

The teenage Tengu pulled off her helmet and got off the bike with a grin, "Harry-San!" Walking over, her grin widened, "Happy birthday!"

Lightly chuckling, Harry nodded back at her, "Thank you." Seeing her looking at the boat, he gave a small shrug, "It's one of Mum's boats, she had it brought out to take us to Sarushima.

Only nodding, Asuka continued to chat with Harry as the others slowly arrived, though she sighed at how Natsumi's younger sister was looking at her with a slight scowl for "Stealing her name". Granted, it made the Kitsune look cuter for it... and the scowl only lasted until Hoppou arrived, at which point her, her twin, and the young Abyssal were chattering like mad with Seiko sometimes speaking between times of being grumpy. Something that Harry could not help but smile at.

Natsumi, meanwhile, walked over to Harry and gave him a kiss on the cheek, "Happy birthday, Harry-Chan."

Eyes nearly glowing in happiness, Harry returned the gesture which made her smile as well, "Thank you, Natsumi-Chan."

Both of their attention as the car that was owned by Okita's older brother pulled up. The three teens getting out with smiles, or, in the case of Nobu, grins on their faces. Holding out her arms, Nobu gave a laugh, "Hello my friends, my friends hello! A wonderful day to have a birthday!"

Amused at her friend's antics, Okita went to the open trunk and pulled out a bag which had their gifts as well as an instrument case, "As she said, happy fourteenth birthday, Harry-Kun."

That got her a nod from Harry who was happy to see it. Looking at the case though, he raised an eyebrow, "Wait, is that Nobu-Chan's guitar?"

Grin on her face, said former Warlord nodded, "It is indeed, Harry-Kun!" Nobu made a motion with her fingers, "I'm ready to head to the beach and shred some tunes when it comes time."

Right then, it was when Okita's brother, Ryouma, got out of the car and leaned against it, "I'll admit, she can really play that thing." Walking over to the passenger side, he opened the door for his wife who stepped out, blinking slowly, "Thanks for inviting myself and Oryou-Chan along."

Small smile on her face, his wife bowed a little, "Hai... thank you, Harry-San." Reaching out, she took her husband's hand in hers, "We really appreciate it." Suddenly, Oryou blinked and turned towards where Jin had paused in talking with Ai and was now looking at her, "Hmm?"

Walking over, Jin came to a stop before Oryou and leaned forward to look at her. The two didn't look away from their staring contest as everyone watched in befuddlement and utter confusion. After a minute or two, Jin blinked and stood up scratching her head, "Huh... so that's where those parts went to, huh? Fucking Old Me would be so damn confused... granted, Old Me was a fucking moron too, so..." Giving a shrug, she held out a hand, "Nice to meet you, Oryou."

Just nodding her head a little, Oryou took the offered hand and shook it with a small smile, "And it is nice to meet you as well... Hisakawa-San. And thank you."

Confused, Ryouma looked between them, "Wait, how did you know her name... Oooo, so she's the one?" At the nod from his wife, he scratched at the slight stubble on his chin, "Huh. Nice to meet you as well, Jin-San."

Despite her friends asking questions, all Jin would say is that her past self was an idiot, though it worked out in this case much to their confusion. Not even Shiromizu was able to get much more out of her than that, which only caused more people to be befuddled. Though Taiyang had a thoughtful look on her face.

And speaking of said Dao, she bounced up and gave Harry a hug, which made Natsumi's eyebrow twitch a little, "Happy birthday, Harry-San! And thank you for inviting this Foxy Blade to your party~"

Muffled mumbles came from Harry as the two tailed Kitsune next to him grit her teeth some, 'Dammit! Stop that!' Almost as if she knew what her Master was saying, Taiyang smirked at her, 'Grrrrr!'

Thankfully for Natsumi's blood pressure, it was then that Shinano and Regina arrived, with the two kissing Harry on the cheek and wishing him a happy birthday after giving him a hug. And they were not the last shipgirls or Abyssals as, soon enough, the others going to the birthday party arrived as well.

Nearly as soon as Akimi's car came to a stop, Ume and Sakura got out and made their way over to Harry before hugging him, "Happy birthday, Harry-Chan. Welcome to fourteen."

Hugging them back, the teenage wizard laughed a little, "Thank you, Ume-Chan, Sakura-Chan. Doesn't feel much different from thirteen, but still nice." As he pulled back, Harry gave them a once over and chewed his lip, "You're okay, right? I mean, I heard some stuff happened..."

Just sharing a look with her sister, Sakura turned to him and smiled thinly, "There was a small issue regarding our family. But myself and Nee-San... handled it quite well."

Beside her, Ume nodded with her own thin smile, "We don't believe that it will be an issue again."

Relieved at that, Harry sighed and kissed them both on the cheek, "I'm glad to hear that." Shortly after, he noticed Ayase jogging up and he grinned, "Ayase-Chan!"

Lightly blushing, the Light Cruiser came to a stop, "Harry-D... San, a very happy birthday to you." She then bowed a little, "Thank you for inviting me."

Waving her off, Harry laughed a little, "I don't mind, besides... you're a friend." His expression softened a little, "A close one, so those are the best to invite."

Granted, he was confused as she became bright red. Looking away, she twiddled her fingers a little, "I, uh, thank you." Clearing her throat, Ayase took a deep breath before smiling, "Still, thank you for inviting me to this, Harry-San. I truly do appreciate it."

Harry gave a small shrug at that though he was a bit confused at her reactions, as well as the knowing looks that he saw Ume and Sakura giving her. Just shrugging that off, however, he gave her a smile back, "Like I said, it's better with friends." Pausing, he realized something, "Speaking of... is your birthday when you got summoned? Or have you chosen another?"

Blinking at the question, Ayase had to give it some thought before nodding, "Ah, I think that myself and my sisters have chosen our summoning... I mean, other than Sendai-Onee-Sama, Jintsuu-Nee-Sama, Naka-Onee-Chan, and Naka-Nee-Chan."

Part of her was confused as the teenage wizard nodded at that with an thoughtful look on his face.

A few minutes later, he heard a car pull up and turned to find that it was Haruna, with the Battleship parking it. Bright smile, he made his way over even as Rose got out of the passenger side and was opening the doors to the back, "Aunt Rose! Haruna-Oba!'

Turning, the teaset Tsukumogami smiled at him, "Master!" Enveloping him in a hug, she hummed, "A very happy fourteenth birthday to you, and may there be many more."

Smile on her own face, Haruna walked over and also hugged him, "As Rose-Chan said, Harry-Chan, Haruna hopes that you have a very good birthday party." Hearing gurgling sounds from the backseat, she giggled a little, "And I think that Sumire-Chan wishes you the same."

Lips twitching, Harry leaned over to see the infant looking at him and happily gurgling as she waved a stuffed fox, "Why thank you, Sumire! I think that I will be very happy as well."

If anything, that caused the baby to laugh and wiggle around even more.

Chuckling a little, Harry took a step back to allow for Rose to take her daughter from the baby seat. He did tilt his head a little though as he looked at the tsukumogami and then at the Battleship, "Are you sure that it's okay for her to come? I mean, I don't want her to overheat or anything." Turning to Rose, he frowned a little, "And didn't you catch some sort of stomach bug, Aunt Rose?"

On Rose's face, she had a soft smile, "It is nothing, Master. Just a bit of an upset stomach, though I am hoping that it clears up as it has been a week or so." A slight grimace on her face, she shook her head, "Perhaps I caught something at that resort Haruna and I went to when Kongou and the others watched over Sumire for a few days."

Placing a hand on her wife's shoulder, Haruna gently rubbed it through the light shirt she wore, "Haruna just hopes that Rose-Chan feels better soon." Then she smiled and looked at Harry, "But Haruna also thinks that some Sun will help Rose-Chan feel better sooner as well. And Haruna wants to thank Harry-Chan for worrying about Sumire-Chan, but we already planned for it." Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out a sunhat and placed it on her daughter's head, as well as a pair of sunglasses, which made Sumire gurgle happily, "See?"

Unable to help himself, the teenage wizard coughed to hide his amusement, "I see, that should help out." Glancing towards Nagato, he noted that said Battleship was looking at the infant Tsukumogami with a blush on her face before taking a picture, 'Oh, Mum...'

Once the last guest had arrived, Nagato gave a small nod before gesturing to the launches, "Thank you all for coming to our celebration of Harry's fourteenth birthday. Please, board the launch and we'll head over to Sarushima." As her adoptive son got onto her launch, however, she cleared her throat, "Harry? You forgot something..."

Lost, the fourteen year old looked at her, "I did, Mum? What did I forget?"

Reaching into her clothes, Nagato pulled out a Captain's hat and placed it on his head. At his stunned look, she gave him a wink and saluted, "For today, my pinnace is yours to command, Captain Potter~"

Stunned, Harry reached up and pulled off the hat. For several moments, he just stared at it before looking back to the Battleship, who simply nodded which made him swallow, "Thank you, Mum..." He then snapped a salute to her, "I won't disappoint, Harry will do his best!" That only got Harry a nod from his adoptive mother. Stepping onto the launch first, he got salutes from the grinning spirits there, which he returned. Once the first group were onboard, he cleared his throat, "Very well... let us be off then."

Moments later, the pinnace pushed away from the dock and began to make its way to the island with Harry at the helm.

Unknown to him, Shinano, who was beside the boat as it made its way towards Sarushima, had a blush on her cheeks as she looked at him, 'Harry-Chan looks so much like a Captain...' A glance told her that Regina was also looking at him with just as much of a awed look, 'I think that Regina-Chan agrees with me too...'

As they got closer to the island, Nobu placed her hand to her brow to shield her eyes from the Sun. Blinking, she turned back to where Harry was in the small wheelhouse, "Hey, Harry-Kun!" Seeing that she had his attention, the reincarnated Warlord jerked her thumb towards the approaching island, "Is that Louisiana-San on the island?"

There was a slight grin on Harry's face as he nodded and walked up beside her, "Hai, that's her alright. She's been there since earlier this morning working on the barbecue."

Confused, Okita leaned against the gunwale, "Barbecue? But why would she be doing that? It only takes a few minutes on the grill."

If anything, her confusion deepened as the teenage wizard's grin widened, "That's a grill, Okita-Chan. What Louisiana is doing is southern style barbecue from the United States."

Somewhat interested, Uesugi raised an eyebrow at that, "There's a difference?"

Much to her surprise, it was not Harry who answered. Rather, it was Natsumi as she licked her lips some with a glazed look in her eye, "Hai... a big difference. The meat is so tender and juicy that it just falls off the bone. And the taste..."

Upon seeing her drool a little, the three reincarnates shared a look before shrugging, though Okita promised herself to try it.

It took several trips to get everyone back and forth, but they managed. And as the last group disembarked, Harry walked down the gangplank and smiled at his mother, "Thanks, Mum."

Giving him a hug which he returned full heartedly, Nagato smiled back, "You are very welcome."

After he pulled back, Harry watched as Nobu, clad in a red shirt, pumped her fist into the air with a grin, "Now, let's get changed and get this party started! Whoo hoo!"

That got her laughs from some and a facepalm from Okita... with said former Shinsengumi smacking her friend in the back of the head afterwards to even more laughter.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

As he pulled away from the hug with a smile on his face, Harry took in the group that was milling around on the beach. Ryuujou was chatting with Junyou and, as expected, the other Light Carrier already had a drink in her hands. Both shipgirls turned and gave Harry a small smile, however and walked over to him. Hands on her hips, Ryuujou looked around before speaking in her usual drawl, "Well, it seems like tha' is the last of them. Time ta put up the spells ta keep attention away." There was a glint in her eye as she grinned, "Want ta help, Harry-Chan?"

Before he could say anything though, there was a small burst of fire accompanied by a song that lifted everyone's spirits. From the dying flames came a red and gold bird that landed on a piece of driftwood. Unable to help himself, Harry stared and was about to say something when he paused. Puzzled, he frowned and leaned in a bit closer, "... Wait, this isn't Fawkes..."

Eyebrow raised, Nagato had a frown on her face as the phoenix was looking up at her, "No, it's not." Furrowing her own eyebrows, she blinked, 'Why is it that I can't help but think that it is a "Her" though...?'

Meanwhile, Junyou was also watching before gesturing with her bottle, "Well, whomever the pheonix is, they got packages and a letter."

Nearly as one, everyone blinked as they noted that, yes, said phoenix did, indeed, have said items under it. When Harry looked at Ryuujou, the Light Carrier nodded and walked up alongside Hoshi. Together, the two cast spell after spell onto the items, much to the apparent amusement of the phoenix. Once they were done, Ryuujou frowned a little, "Well, they're clear. Don't know who they're from however."

Walking up, Harry took the packages and letter from the mystical bird before looking at it, "Would you like to stay at least until it is time to open the gifts? That way I can send a thank you back to whomever sent it?" Getting a nod, he smiled a little, "Thank you..." Briefly, the wizard paused before giving the pheonix a look, "Is the one who sent these your partner?"

Confused, Uesugi scratched her head a little, "Don't you mean Master? Like with you and Hedwig?"

However, the wizard shook his head, "No, I mean partner." The next words seemed to amuse the firebird to no end, "According to Professor Dumbledore, you're not a Master over a phoenix, you're a partner... or it's pet."

That got him a warble of amusement from the bird even as various people shook their heads.

Junyou took another sip of her drink before grinning and clapping her hands, "Right! Let's get the spells set up so that people can go and get changed for the par-tay!"

Laughs answered her as both her and Ryuujou, with some help from Harry and Hoshi, set up spells to keep people from knowing exactly what was happening on the island. Once said spells were up, the Kyuubi nodded, "Okay, and we're done!"

Unsure, Fu-Chan looked up at Fubuki, who nodded with a smile, "You don't need to hide anymore, Fu-Chan. Go ahead and change."

Almost immediately, two fox ears popped out of said young Kitsune's hair followed by her tail appearing as she jumped in excitement, "Yay! Thanks, Fubuki-Kaa-San!"

More than one set of eyebrows raised in surprise at that, and raised even further when seeing Fubuki smile and gently pat Fu-Chan on the head along with the others calling her such. Giving a happy shout, Kongou gave her a thumbs up, "Alright, Buki-Chan! Kongou-ulations on accepting being a Kaa-San!"

Lightly chuckling, the Destroyer rubbed the back of her neck, "Thanks, Kongou-San." Suddenly, Fubuki smirked a bit, "Though a bit odd that I'm younger than you and already such..."

Raising her finger, Yuudachi grinned some, "Shots fired, Poi!"

For her part, Kongou fell to her knees in shock with her hands held to her chest as if she had been shot, "I..." Leaping to her feet, she grabbed Goto, "Teitoku! We cannot let Buki-Chan get ahead of us!"

Eyes closed, Goto hummed a bit, "Hoppou? If you would?" Moments later, his girlfriend was soaked via hoses from said Abyssal, "Thank you."

The Abyssal in question just gave a shrug, "Hoppou thinks that Kongou was being silly."

Needless to say, that got snickers and laughter from various people as they shook their heads in amusement even as the British born Fast Battleship attempted to ward off the water from the hoses before they headed to the change rooms.

Before he headed into one, Harry walked over to where Louisiana was in her bikini top and jean shorts before he gave her a hug, "It's good to see you, Louisiana."

Softly smiling, Louisiana hugged him back, "And it is good to see you as well, mon Chéri. And a very happy birthday." Feeling him move, she blinked as he shifted a bit back, "Is there something the matter?"

Lips curling into his own soft smile, the teenage wizard shook his head, "No, nothings the matter." Then, before she could react, Harry cupped her cheek and gave her a kiss which he deepened a bit more than usual. As he pulled away, he chuckled a bit as her face was red and steam was leaking from her ears, "Just thanking you."

Rapidly blinking, Louisiana slowly came back to herself, "Ah..." Then, noticing that Harry was still close, she leaned back in, "Oui, then I suppose that it iz time to give you a birthday kiss as well..."

It was several minutes later that Harry shed his shirt and pants to reveal himself in swimtrunks though he still had a blush on his face from what happened with Louisiana.

However, it had calmed down some and so he walked out of the change room before placing his clothes into the locker for him. Part of him did note that Nobu was looking at a overturned crate marked with "Changing" on it that had a hole in one wall covered by a curtain. And, on top, was a stone to keep it there. Walking over, Harry raised an eyebrow at her, "Something wrong. Nobu-Chan?"

Glancing at him, the former warlord straightened and Harry noted that she was in a black and gold two piece, "Hmm?" With a shrug, she shook her head and gestured at the crate, "Just wondering what this is for, that is all."

Lightly chuckling, Harry shook his head, "Can't be helped." Those words got him a snort from Nobu before he continued, "Anyways, that's the changing room for the Smols."

That got him a confused blink from Nobu, but before she could ask Okita's voice spoke up, "Smols?"

When the wizard turned, he noted that Okita was there in a blue and white two piece with Uesugi behind her. Slowly, he nodded with a smile, "Hai, the Smols."

Before any of the three reincarnated teens could say anything, the curtain pulled aside and Minagato came out wearing a one piece with Alie leaning against her, "Gato! Gato gato gato!"

Also walking out, ShiNANO nodded as she adjusted her glasses with one hand as she wore her own bathing suit, "Shina."

Various other Smols walked out and Harry nodded a little, "I'll dig the bunch of you a small hole to relax in, okay?"

Hearing that, Minagato gave him a thumbs up, "Gato."

With that, they walked off and the birthday boy nodded before turning to the three other teens, each of whom looked stunned. Blinking, Nobu pointed at them, "Wait... those are Smols?"

Just shrugging, Harry grinned a bit, "Hai, they're Smols because they are very... smol."

Crossing her arms, Nobu hummed as she nodded, "I see! I see!" A frown appeared on her face and she rubbed her chin, "I wonder how one can get such beings... would make it easier to take over Japan after all."

Facepalming, Okita groaned, "Nobu-Chan, no!"

In reply, however, the former Oda Clan Head cackled, "Nobu-Chan yes! Always yes! Yahtzee!"

Rolling his eyes, Harry sighed a little, 'Why am I not surprised?'

Only shaking her head at her friends, Uesugi turned to Harry with a small smile, "By the way, Harry-Kun, did you bring your copy of The Hobbit? I have been meaning to read them as well as the Lord of the Rings trilogy as you recommanded since my grasp of English has gotten better."

With a small shrug, the fourteen year old wizard nodded, "Sure, I brought it in my bag so if you want to read it later, you can. I also got the trilogy to read. And if the others want to read them, they can as well."

Placing her hands behind her head, Nobu closed her eyes, "Eh, read them? I don't bother with novelizations as they're just the scripts, sometimes older versions, with some descriptions tacked on. And mostly, they're one hundred percent shit." Wiggling her finger in her ear, she frowned, "If I wanted to enjoy them, I would just watch the movie-ARGH!" Suddenly, a hand clamped down on her head and squeezed, "OKITA-CHAN!"

However, when she opened her eyes, she found that Okita was blinking with wide eyes. Slowly, Nobu turned her head to find Harry glaring at her with glowing eyes, "What the hell did you just say?"

Despite the shiver that went down her back, Nobu gave a shrug, "That I wouldn't read the Lord of the Rings novels because movie novelizations are shitty-OW! OW! GAH! STOP BEFORE MY SKULL BREAKS!"

Tilting her head to the side as she watched the trainwreck, the former Shinsengumi blinked, "Huh... so that's what it looks like from this end."

Just adjusting her glasses, Uesugi nodded, "Indeed."

But, thankfully for Nobu's skull, one of the change rooms opened up and Natsumi came out in her two piece, "Harry-Chan?"

Looking over at her, the teenage boy blushed a bit and dropped the groaning Nobu before smiling, "Natsumi-Chan!" Wiping his hands on his trunks, and ignoring how Okita was now poking a face down Nobu in the head with a stick, he gave the Kitsune in front of him a once over, "Um, wow... that looks even better on you than it did last year."

Unable to help herself, Natsumi blushed as well as she held her hands behind her back, "Thank you, Harry-Chan." Walking over, she gave him a once over and blushed a bit more before kissing him on the cheek, "You're looking better than last year as well, Harry-Chan."

Inside her head, she could almost feel Tamamo lick her lips, 'Oh yes~ And just think... in just a few years...'

At the image that popped up in her mind of an eighteen year old Harry, the Kitsune flushed deeply, 'ERO-KITSUNE!' Ignoring the laughter from the ancient vixen, she turned to Okita and Uesugi before nodding, "Those are nice swimsuits." Hearing a groan, Natsumi blinked and looked down at Nobu, "Um... what happened to Nobu-Chan?"

Bright smile on his face, Harry gave a shrug, "Just a difference of opinion in literary subjects, that's all. Can't be helped!"

Only looking from Nobu to him and back, Natsumi blinked slowly, "Um, right..."

Moments later, Uesugi helped her friend to her feet, "Here we go, Nobu-Chan. Up we go..."

Swaying in place, Nobu blinked some, "Ah, Okita-Chan... could you help me?"

Confused, said former Shinsengumi nodded, "Sure, Nobu-Chan. What do you need-"

Before she could finish, Nobu leaned against her, head on top of the pale haired girl's chest, "Ah... much better. Let me rest for a bit..."

Eyebrow twitching even as her face went red, Okita took a deep breath before sweeping Nobu's legs out from under her and walking off. She returned a few seconds later with a hose in hand which she used to spray her friend, who yelped, "How about you cool off!?"

Harry and Natsumi watched as the former warlord yelped and tried to get away even as the grinning Okita continued to spray him with cold water. Looking at each other, they began to laugh. Which only became louder as they saw Nobu attempt to wrestle the hose away from her friend, getting them both soaked before they tripped... ending up with Okita landing face first in the former warlord's chest. Even Uesugi was snickering madly at that.

Placing her hand on her hip and cocking it to the side, the Kitsune smirked, "Guess that you can't keep you hands off each other?"

Just shrugging, Nobu grinned madly, "Can't be helped!"

With a huff, Okita pushed off her friend and got up before looking towards the grill and barbecue, "You know what? I think that I'll go and get something to eat first."

Quickly scrambling to her feet, Nobu gave a nod, "Haaaa, that sounds good." Throwing an arm around Okita's shoulders, she grinned, "And at least this time I don't have to empty my wallet for you-UGH! MY SKULL!"

Only shaking her head, Uesugi sighed, "Sometimes, I wish that I could say that I don't know them."

Meanwhile, Harry and Natsumi shared a grin and a snicker at that before their attention was caught by Taiyang's voice from the changing booth, "Oh Master~ Your ever foxy blade is ready to make an appearence~"

Eyebrow raised, the wizard looked towards the Kitsune beside him, "Uh, Natsumi-Chan?"

Before they were able to get any further, however, that was when the doors to the changing booth opened and Taiyang launched herself out and into a series of flips. Coming down, the Dao grinned as she landed revealing her in a blue bikini with fox head patterns on the top, "Master! What do you think of your Taiyang?" Bouncing on the balls of her feet... she bounced which caused a number of eyes to watch her, "Well~"

When he turned to Natsumi, Harry could see such a look of suffering on her face that he had to turn away with a snort. A reaction that got him a punch to the arm from his friend, "HARRY-CHAN!"

Unfortunately, that only made him laugh. Laughter that only increased as Taiyang tackled Natsumi and brought her into marshmellow hell, enough so that he fell over.

 

[darthcourt10]

KiMaSa

In response to Nagato chan and Harry's Birthday, Nagato chan has been given the chance to give Harry a present that no one else can. Please Enjoy:

One Precious Gift

Nagato chan frowned, staring at herself in the mirror, scrutinizing every inch of the dress uniform she wore. She felt like a little child playing dress up in her mother's uniform but she put that aside as she assured herself that her appearance was completely in order. Her attire, pristine, shining like a newly minted coin. Outside, Yamato chan and Little -E were also in full dress uniform. Stingray looked at them all with amusement.

"What's up with the uniforms?"

"It's my birthday present to Harry!" Nagato chan explained. "You see, mom was originally supposed to attend one of those political dinners in Tokyo. Politicians want to look good so they like to be seen around a National Hero. The Defense Forces want happy politicians and so they wanted mom to attend. I convinced Mom and Admiral Goto that I was perfectly capable of going in her place and to make the deal better, Yamato chan and Little E are coming too. So that means mom can stay at the party with Harry and Hoppou!"

"You're all volunteering to spend an evening with a bunch of politicians and a plate of plastic vittles?" Stingray shook her head.

"It's for family." Nagato chan agreed.

"Don't ever change, you guys. Just don't." Against all principles, Stingray saluted.

 

[darthcourt10]

Kab2

I bring you the next part of Sofia's life
-------------------------------------------
Resolution

"Let's go" said Sofia, still trembling with fear "I don't want them to harm you"

"But it is my duty to fight your enemies, Master" replied Jen grabbing her true self, as black as a new moon night "Let me fight them to offer you time to escape."

In that moment, Sofia stopped trembling and said with resolution "No, I won't allow anyone more to be hurt because of me." she went to the door while she continued to talk. "Come with me, but don't fight them, at least this way they won't harm you."

Not content with that, Jen only sighed "As you wish, Master. But I'm bringing my true self and that is out of discussion."

They reluctantly went to the beach, where three abyssals were standing in the water.

One was a torso emerging from a collumn-like jaw armed with turrets, and where the torso's head would have been, it was a metallic plate with teeth in it's place.

Another was a beautiful pale woman with black hair and glowing green eyes dressed in an sleeveless suit, with turrets at her back and in her hands she carried two turret columns as tall as her.

And the one in the middle was the more normal one, as she was the only one that hasn't summoned her rigging yet, a black dress that started just over her breasts and finished just below her knees, with two slits at the sides with red motifs along them, mesh at her arms and legs, her boots decorated with spikes at the ankle as well as her bracers, a horn protuding from the left side or her forehead, long black hair fluttering in the air.

"So you have come." said the one in the middle "I was expecting you to run again."

"It would be pointless, Demon" said Sofia, accepting her fate "I knew it was you when I hear you voice. You are much faster than me so I don't have any chance to escape"

"Oh-ho, looks like the little sub reminded her place in the fleet" said the Demon laughing, the other two laughing with her "But this is boring, so you have to entertain us for a while." with that she made a sign to the Ru-Class battleship. "Ruthless, make them jump."

Jen was at her limit, she waited for the moment they will shoot to approach them and stick her true self in their faces, she knew that they won't hesitate to kill her if they had half the chance, and judging them, her intuition told her that in one to one combats, she may slay the torso one, Ruthless would be very difficult, but the Demon will be impossible to defeat as she was now, but if she caught them by surprise...

'Why should I fight?'

Gritting her teeth, she prepared to jump, but before she did anything, Sofia moved between Jen and them.

"Please wait." said Sofia, determination in her voice "Do with me whatever you want, but leave Jen alone."

"Hmm" said the Demon, approaching Sofia. "You have changed little sub, before you never replied to anything we told you and did whatever it was told, what changed that now you stand against us?"

When the Demon stopped in front of Sofia she began to talk "Well, you see I just found tha---Offf!" Sofia was interrupted as the Demon's fist made contact with her stomach.

"Do you think I care?" said the Demon laughing, trimming her hair with her right hand "You are a traitor that betrayed the princess so you deserve to die!"

"Fucking woman, leave my Master alone!" said Jen, sword at hand she made a jump to attack the Demon from above.

"Heh, a valerous human that know that we are the superior race" the Demon then evaded the attack and thrusted a kick in her side, making Jen retreat a few meters. "Don't move and your 'Master' won't receive more suffering than necessary."

"Please stay put Jen" said Sofia, still embracing her stomach. "I'm used to this harsh treatment, so please endure it for my sake"

"If it is what you wish" said Jen visibly angered by her lack of power, her hand gripping the hilt so hard that hurts.

"That is how humans should be, obedient filth for our entertaiment. Now" the Demon turned to where Sofia was "I will impart you discipline, but not the same that I had to give to that stupid Hi-Class that questioned our mission, as the princess stated that she wants you alive"

At the last sentence Sofia's eyes widened "So it was you who killed her!"

"Oh, so you found the corpse, what a coincidence." she put her hand at Sofia's neck, grabbing and then lifting her "She dared to say that your search was worthless, that we will be killed by the others who help the humans, so I had to whack some sense in her, I thought she was more resilient but she was." in that instant the demon threw Sofia against the ground, causing her to cry in pain. "So this time I'll be very careful not to kill you." then she began to stamp her foot on Sofia's back.

While Sofia endured the physical torture, Jen was struggling with herself, for one part she wanted to jump and kill that 'Demon' that was hurting her Master, for other she knew that she was no match for her, and for the last, the question that always acomppanied her was resounding in her head as hard as it could.

'Why should I fight?'

Having to see her Master hurt because of those that should be protecting her, her family, if she could she would slaughter all of them because the pain Sofia has gone through.

"Here, catch!" the Demon said, kicking Sofia with enough strengh for her to fly a few meters, directly where Jen stood.

Catching her, Jen saw all the bruises that Sofia had, they went from light cuts to a big bruise that was already turning purple at her back.

And she only could grit the teeth.

Anger boiling, almost reaching the no-turning-back point, she felt a hand caressing her cheek.

"Don't worry about me" said Sofia with a gentle voice "I'm not worth to die for, try to live however you want without thinking about this failure of friend, I was happy the time I spent with you."

That sounded like a death sentence for Sofia, but the worse wasn't that, the worse was the self-deprecation that Sofia just said.

And that was the last straw it needed.

Something inside Jen snapped as the anger and hartred rised to unknown levels, crying at her lack of power to prevent any of this.

And with that snap a memory of her past came forth.

************************************************************************

In a battlefield where soldiers fought, one side were clad in black armor while the other side was in white, from the outside it looked like they were equal in forces, none of them giving an inch, but the battle was over, as the leader of the black army was in the ground, coughing blood as his left hand pressed a wound in the stomach, in his right a black sword.

In front of him, clad in a white armor, was the leader of the white army, in his right a sword bathed in blood that was the twin of his rival's black sword, a steel sword with runes carved in its blade, its guard bathed in gold and a blue handle with a gold pommel, and in the knight's left side was hanging a beautiful golden scabbard riveted with blue lines, with runes from the same language as the ones in the sword carved in the middle.

"How you defeated me?" the black knight said with difficulty "This sword should have been superior to Excalibur and I still lost!" his maddened eyes locked into the white knight.

Rising his visor to discover a beautiful face with deep green eyes, the white knight said "Because you failed to discover the true purpose behind being a King; you only seeked power and that isn't the solution, I fight to protect the people of this country and I try to eventually bring them peace to this land."

"Nonsense, no king protects the people, the people serves the king however he pleases." his breath turning more light each passing second, pointing that his end was near.

"And that is why you rebelled against me, but you ultimately lost"

"I know, but I lost fair and square this time, so with my last strengh I'll stop this fight." said the black knight, he raised himself from the ground despite his wounds by his willpower, leaning on its blade he shouted "Soldiers of mine, surrender your weapons! I have lost so I recognize Arthur as the legitimate King of Britain, serve him as well as you have served me!" and with this he knelt, his strengh spent "King Arthur, please send my dead body to my family along with this sword, I want it to be buried with me" and with that last sentence the black knight finally fell, his life ended at last.

"It will be done, althought you did it to gain power for yourself, you tried the best to keep Britain from falling, this little merit I'll acknowledge." said King Arthur as the memory began to fade. "Rest well, lord -----" and before he said his name, the memory ended.

**************************************************
Spoiler: Resolution

Back from the memory, Jen looked at Sofia's face and with the hate and anger receding the old question came to her.

'Why should I fight?'

The question that nagged her heart and soul since the beginning now seemed pityful; at the light of the memory she just retrieved and the clash with her twin she understood something.

That wasn't the right question to ask.

She was forged to fight, but for what?

To protect her Master, who in spite of the time passed between their births had a similar past like hers. She who answered her call from where she was buried.

Her only friend as she finally understood its meaning. And for that reason only, her friend will sully her hands with the blood of her family.

'What is worth fighting for?'

That was the real question all along, and with that revelation, she felt something unlock inside her like like a mist dissipating in her mind, something locked since her forging.

Her other nature; she was a sword, but also a magic battery, designed to accumulate magic from its wielder as a mean to power the sword.

And with that her plan was clear.

"Mast- no, Sofia, can you stand?" said Jen in a gentle voice, devoid of any of the hate and anger she felt before.

Sofia, strangely worried about the sudden behaviour change of Jen replied "Yes I can"

"Good, let's talk a bit while they are gloating over our fate." with that said she helped Sofia to stand.

"It's no use, let them have their way with me, them maybe they will spare your life." said Sofia in a lifeless voice, already resigned to her fate.

"Listen carefully Sofia, I'm about to do something reckless that should buy you time to escape." Jen saw that Sofia was going to protest, but she put a finger in her lips."Let me finish first, if is goes well they should be confused for a while, giving you time to make way, in the worst..." she didn't say it, but both knew what would happen to Jen, but she anyways began to whisper in Sofia's ears her plan, all this time the three abyssals enjoyed Sofia's pained face and secretly plotting how to make her suffer more.

When she finished whispering, Jen confronted the three abyssals giving her back at Sofia, and started to walk towards them.

"Why? Why do you risk your life for someone like me who is a failure to their kind?" asked Sofia, tears rolling down her cheeks, but unable to stop her friend.

"Do I need a reason to help a friend?" replied Jen turning her head to Sofia, with a smile never seen before in her face "Don't worry, it will be over soon." and with that she focused all her feeling of anger and hatred to the Demon.

"Oh, so you have finished your farewells" said the Demon, visibly amused by Sofia and Jen's behaviour. "Are you prepared to die, lowly human? Or have you come to plead for your live? Either way we could have some entertaiment." the three started to laugh, like those who like to bully the weak.

"I am not here for your entertaiment." Jen said dryly. "I'm here to make you pay for what you have done to Sofia." with that said, she prepared her true self in and horizontal pose, its tip pointing backwards.

"You, make us pay? This is hilarious!" they started to laugh, but soon the laughs stopped "What a joke! But for humoring us I'll even let you strike the first move" 'Not that you can harm us in any way with that giant toothpick'

"I won't dissapoint you, this I'll promise" Jen's true body ignited, her red motives shining brightly red as she started to absorb magical power, the only visible physical change in her avatar was a surge of power around her, but...

*********************

Meanwhile, in other place in Britain, two sister were sightseeing their homeland after a long time away from it, anyone who saw them knew they were twins, the only difference between them was their hairstyle and cloth style, one wore a very elaborated hair bun, her cloth style tending to blue colours while the other wore a ponytail tied with a black string in a white outfit.

They were chatting between them when suddenly the blue one turned her head to the west.

"At last" she said with a gentle smile in her face. "She has awoken."

"You mean the black one?" asked the white one with enthusiasm "Can we go and meet her? I want to see if---" she was interrupted when Blue patted her head.

"She makes a good wife for Carn?" said Blue finishing her sentence, the only reply White gave was a pouting face. "Don't worry Val, something tells me that our fates will cross someday, then you can see how she is for yourself, but for now we will go and inform Pr- I mean Gwen about her."

"Okay Lib" said Val making rapidly a smile "That way we can see her face to face, it has been a long time since we saw her."

"A long time indeed" said Lib, reminiscing about that last time.

**************************
Spoiler: Jen's power

The first thing she noted was the sound, a howl made by the magic being forcibly absorbed and compressed inside her true self, which was shining darker and darker, the magic compressed to the extent that it was made visible, growing outside the blade to form a sword of complete darkness.

This was her true power, a power that she knew shared with her golden twin, capable to demolish a fortress to shreds, so in theory it would be enough to kill those three eyesores.

"What.. what the fuck is that!?" said the Demon visibly shaken by the sight, the others quickly ordering their imps to cover inside their hulls, fear filling their minds.

"This" began to say Jen, a smug smile in her face, her sword howling as it grew, its form like an rough cross that swallowed all the light around it "is the sword of a promised victory against you, to break Sofia of her past to begin a new life far from you."

With that said, she swang her sword towards them, unleashing the onslaught of magical power that engulfed the three Abyssals.
------------------------------------
I hope you like it, thoughts and comments are always welcomed.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Still snickering, Harry walked away from where Natsumi was currently being glomped by Taiyang and unable to do much. Oh, he could tell that the Dao knew exactly what she was doing. It actually made it all the funnier to him as well, though he knew that he would pay for it.

Whatever, that was future Harry's problem, present Harry had something else in mind as he walked towards where the waters lapped against the warm sand.

As he walked, however, the newly fourteen year old teen blinked as he realized that the various Potter weapons were lounging on blankets. Waving, Harry chuckled a little, "Hey there, guys!"

From where she sat in the shade of the umbrella, Dracul grinned a bit which showed off her fangs, "Harry birthday, Master! I cannot wait to sing you Happy Birthday~"

Her arms crossed, Goldie nodded with a small smirk, "Indeed! We shall sing it together, for this is a special day for the Praetor! Umu."

Nearly as one, the other weapon spirits that were there turned to the two with blank expressions before speaking, "No, you will not."

Coughing to hide his amusement, Harry only shook his head as he took them in. He did raise an eyebrow a bit in amusement at the sight of Sheff sitting in Saki's lap with her wearing a one piece. Glancing around, he caught sight of Kansha up at the cooking area and seemingly enjoying himself. However, a frown grew on his face as he looked around, "Where's Catherine? I know that she came with us..."

Juuchi took a bite of her blood orange and gestured to the waves, "Oh, she already headed into the water to swim."

Right as he was about to ask, Catherine appeared on the back of a dolphin, both flying into the air as drops of water sparkled around her. Harry noted that she was wearing a white one piece with black strips along the side, which definitely showed off her figure in a way that her normal baggy clothes did not and got her a number of looks. Throwing her arms out wide, the French sword laughed, "Yes! Jump for Big Sister!

The dolphin answered even as the two went back under the waves.

Slowly blinking, Harry stared even as the two breached into the air again, leaping over a giggling Kenshō who was in an inflatable ring. Bright smile on her face, the Kogatana reached up and had her fingers touch the dolphin's belly, "YAY!"

When the wizard turned back to the other blades, they shrugged with Carnwennan seeming to be amused, "She does that sort of thing, Master. No one knows how or why, so..."

Deciding that, perhaps, it was best to ignore it, Harry nodded, "I see, well... okay." Then he caught sight of Jin and Ryuujou facing each other, the two staring each other down, "Wait, are they going to-"

Before he could finish, the two flexed themselves into a pose, shredding their clothes and revealing the bathing suits they wore underneath... and showing that the two were absolutely flat.

Ai pinched her nose and sighed as she shook her head, "I do not believe this... it happened again..."

Meanwhile, thankfully for Harry's sanity, he felt a tap on the shoulder which distracted him as the undead dragon and Light Carrier communicated through their... flatness. Turning, he found himself flushing as he was confronted by the sight of Ume and Sakura in their own swimsuits, both black one pieces which stood out against their pale skin. The only difference between the two were the fact that one had pink petal designs on theirs and the other had purple one.

Realizing that he had been staring, the teenage wizard shook it off, "Um... sorry about that, Ume-Chan, Sakura-Chan. I... er... didn't mean to stare. B-but..." Taking a deep breath, Harry smiled at the two blushing girls, "You really do look good in that."

Shyly shifting from one foot to the other, Sakura shared a look with her sister before humming, "Thank you, Harry-Chan. It's nice to know that we do look good."

Beside her, Ume nodded in agreement, "Hai, especially as, well, we've never worn something like this before." Looking around, her expression softened, "Or been to a beach."

Yet again, Harry found himself cursing their parents and the Elders before shaking it off. Then he walked over and gave them a hug, "Well, trust me when I say that the two of you look beautiful in them. And I'm glad that you get to enjoy the day at the beach."

Hugging him back, the Twins smiled as they buried their faces into the crook of his neck, enjoying how the embrace felt with all three of them wearing swimsuits. Internally, Sakura sighed towards her sister over their shared connection, '{This... is really nice, isn't it, Nee-San?}'

A happy sigh answered her back as Ume gave a mental nod, '{Hai, it really does feel nice.}'

When the two pulled back, they paused only to kiss him on the cheek before giggling, "Well, happy birthday, Harry-Chan, from us both." Then they gave him another tight hug, "A very happy birthday."

Grinning, Harry's next words got them flustered, "It really is, because the two of you are here as well."

Only sharing a look at that, the Twins shook their heads before realizing something. Frowning suddenly, Sakura looked him over, "Harry-Chan? Are you wearing sunblock?"

Eyes widening, Harry smacked himself in the forehead, "I knew that I was forgetting something." Looking back at the changing rooms, he grimaced, "It's with the rest of my stuff."

Reaching down, Ume took a hold of his hand while Sakura did the same on the other side, "How about we go and get it? We could even apply it to your back and, um... you can do our backs as well."

Flushed, the teenage boy could only nod in agreement as he headed back towards the lockers. Upon arriving at the lockers, Harry realized who else was there placing her clothes into one and blinked, "Ayase-Chan?"

Her own eyes widening, Ayase turned around, "Harry-San?" Seeing him standing there in his swim trunks, she lightly blushed a bit, 'He... looks really good...'

Unknown to her, Harry was also looking her over with a slight blush as she was wearing a dark orange two piece with the top looking like a wrap. Blinking rapidly, he rubbed the back of his neck, 'Huh... all that sword practice has been great for her.' After a moment, he coughed a bit, "Um, you look great, Ayase-Chan."

If anything, that made the Light Cruiser blush more, "Thank you, Harry-San. You look good in your swimsuit as well."

Lightly chuckling, Harry continued to rub the back of his neck while, behind him, Sakura and Ume shared a slight grin with each other.

Ayase smiled a little bit before she looked around and furrowed her eyebrows some, "Wait, I thought that you were heading to the water's edge?"

Blinking, the teenage boy gave a nod, "Hai, I was, but then Sakura-Chan and Ume-Chan reminded me that I hadn't put on my sunblock." Grimacing, he shook his head some, "I really don't want to burn... Sure, I could heal it with burn cream, but still."

Somewhat surprised, Ayase raised her eyebrows in interest, "It works for that as well?"

Just humming as he walked over to the locker that was his and opening it, Harry nodded, "As a matter of fact? It does work for sunburns and you don't need to use much of it at all. Still... not fun to have one." The shipgirl could only nod at that as she understood it was painful, "Anyways, Ume-Chan and Sakura-Chan offered to help do my back and I do the same for them."

Unseen by them, the Twins shared a look at that before clearing their throats, "Harry-Chan?" When he turned to them, they continued, "We could get it done a little bit quicker if Ayase-Chan helps. She does your neck, and we do your shoulders and back."

Sakura had a smile on her face before gesturing at Ayase, "And then you can do Ayase-Chan's back as well in return like you will for us."

Considering that for a few moments, Harry turned to the Sendai in question, "Would that be a problem, Ayase-Chan?"

Taking a deep breath, the Sendai gave him a smile, "No, it wouldn't be a problem, Harry-San." After being given the bottle, Ayase squeezed out a little into her hand before moving some of his hair aside. Once that was done, she began to rub it into his neck as he worked at his arms, 'I-I'm really doing this...'

With a look over his shoulder, Harry smiled, "Thanks for helping, I really appreciate it."

Briefly, the Light Cruiser paused before nodding with a smile, "I don't mind helping, Harry-San. Because... because it is you."

Puzzled over her words, he just nodded and found himself blushing a little as he felt the Twins work his shoulders and back and his next words got a smile from her, "Still though... thanks."

It did not take long for them to finish and a few minutes later found Harry squeezing out some sunblock into his hands which he began to rub in along Ayase's spine. Feeling her shiver a bit, he gave a nod, "Sorry, I know that it's a bit cold."

Not looking at him, Ayase hummed even as her face felt on fire as she rubbed sunblock into her arms, "Um, hai... just a little."

Only nodding, the wizard smiled a little as he worked before moving up to her shoulders and doing those as well, 'Wow... I know that she does a lot of practice with a sword, but I can really feel it...' Shaking that off, he chuckled some, "At least it is better than getting sunburned, right?"

Eyes closing as she felt him rub her shoulders, Ayase gave a sigh, "Hai, that is true." Once he was done, she looked over her with a smile, "Thank you, Harry-San."

Her eyes sparkling a little as she moved over so that Harry could do the same for her, Sakura hummed some, "Ayase-Chan? May I ask you a question?"

Rubbing sunblock into her arms, the Light Cruiser in question nodded, "Um, sure? I don't mind if you have a question for me."

Just raising an eyebrow, Sakura gave her a slight grin though she let out a sigh as Harry began to work at her shoulders, "W-well, I was wondering why you call Harry-Chan using -San? He is a friend, right?"

That made Harry perk up a little as he listened. For several moments, Ayase didn't say anything before she nodded, "Well... I was not sure if we were close enough."

In response, the teenage boy raised an eyebrow and looked over at her, "Ayase-Chan? Didn't you say that I could use -Chan for you?" At her hesitant nod, he smiled, "Well, you can use whatever honorific that you want. We're good friends after all, just like I am with Natsumi-Chan and the others." Much to his confusion, Ayase blushed at that, 'Wonder what that is about...?'

Meanwhile, inside Ayase's mind, she remembered seeing his kiss Natsumi and his other female "Friends". A fact that made her engineers worried about the pressure in her lines. Once she had herself under control, however, she turned to him and smiled, "I... would not mind that, Harry-Chan." Inside her head, she sighed, 'I can't really call you Harry-Dono, after all...'

Only nodding, Harry brightly smiled back at her which caused her lines to be in danger once more. He then cocked his head to the side, "Oh! By the way, you're coming along for the expedition to the Potter Orchards, right?"

Blinking, it took the Light Cruiser a few moments to remember, but she nodded, "Hai, I am." Then she chewed her lip a little, "I... was wondering if you would like me to bring my bokken with me?" Poking her fingers together, the Sendai continued, "So that we might practice a little?"

Expression brightening, Harry gave a nod, "That sounds great, actually. And I wouldn't mind it at all."

All that got him was a happy smile from Ayase, though he was somewhat confused at the giggles from Ume and Sakura.

________________________________________________________________

Reaching the water's edge after Ayase went off to get some food, Harry smiled towards Ume and Sakura who were looking at the lapping waves with unsure expressions, "Well?" Taking a few steps back so that the water lapped at his calves, he chuckled, "Come on in."

Once more looking at him, the Twins took a few steps as well, following him until the water reached their knees. Feeling the sand between their toes, they giggled a little, "This... is rather nice."

Suddenly, Harry gave a shout, "Ume-Chan! Sakura-Chan!"

Both of them looked up in time to get water to the face which made them stumble back a little with a squeak. Rapidly blinking away the water, they stared at the grinning Harry with Sakura speaking for them both, "Did... did you just splash us, Harry-Chan?!"

Grin widening, Harry laughed, "Hai!" He splashed them again, more laughs coming from his mouth as he watched them try to shield themselves from his onslaught, "After all, it's one of the things that you do at the beach."

The two Installations blinked at that before sharing a look of pure befuddlement. One that soon melted into smiles before they reached down and splashed him back, "Got you!"

Laughing, he shielded his face from the two and then splashing them again. It soon turned into a splash fight between the three with Ume and Sakura giggling madly as they soaked him and were soaked in return. They were having fun! Now they could see why people talked about going to the beach as something to enjoy if this was the sort of thing that happened and was done there.

What made it even better was that they could almost feel their father's disapproval from the other side, which only made them laugh more.

For his part, Harry was also laughing between spitting out salty water. The fact that the two were enjoying themselves made it all the better for thim, as was their laughter. Just as he had hoped when he had splashed the two of them.

However, as he moved, he didn't notice that the Twins were trying to do the same and so all three of them collided and fell back into the water, with Ume and Sakura on top of him. Unthinking, he brought his arms around them as they sat nearly chin height in the water with them on top of him. Shaking his head, he blinked owlishly at them with them doing the same. Then, slowly, grins appeared on their faces and all three of them began to laugh which got them smiles from those watching.

As the laughter calmed down, Harry realized something and flushed as he realized where his hands were, "Um... Sakura-Chan? Ume-Chan? Er... sorry about..."

Much to his confusion, despite their blushes as he moved his hands away from where they had been behind them, the Twins simply smiled and shook their heads before kissing his cheeks, "It is fine, Harry-Chan. We... we did not mind."

Swallowing, Harry gave them a nod as he moved a bit, "O-oh..." Getting to his feet, he helped them to theirs before he gave them a smile, "Well, you got me there."

Giggles escaping hers and her sister's mouth, Ume nodded with her eyes sparkling in joy, "Hai, we did." With a deep breath, she grinned, "That... that was so much fun!"

Lightly chuckling, he gave them both a hug, "The beach usually is."

Hearing his name called, the teenage wizard turned to find Inazuma running towards them with the rest of DesDiv6 following, "Hawawawa! Want to play with us and a beachball, Harry-Chan?"

Out of the corner of his eye, Harry noted that Ume and Sakura looked curious, "I wouldn't mind it, but... maybe explain a bit for Ume-Chan and Sakura-Chan? I don't think that they have ever played with a beachball before."

Eyes wide, Ikazuchi boggled, "They haven't?" At the nods from the two girls, she huffed, "Well, we'll just explain so rely on us!"

With that, Inazuma and Ikazuchi began chatting with their fellow twins who listened with interest. Just smiling at that, the fourteen year old made his way over to where Verniy was standing in her swimsuit, though he did give her a look over before he gave her a hug, "Hey, Hibiki-Chan." Giving a glance around, Harry gave her a quick kiss, which made the silver haired girl blush, "I'm glad that you're here."

Cheeks flushed and still somewhat surprised, Verniy only took a few seconds to respond as she smiled warmly at him and tightened the hug, "Da, as am I, Harry-Chan." She didn't even both looking around before giving him a kiss, "It is very Khorosho after all."

His own cheeks warm, Harry chuckled before looking around, "Hey, Hibiki-Chan? Where's Suzu-Chan?"

Amused, and guessing why he was asking, the Destroyer pointed, "She's over there with Akatsuki-Chan and Atlanta-San. Kaa-San and Oba-San are off getting some food."

Turning, Harry looked and blinked a bit at the sight of Akatsuki as well as Atlanta chatting and looking perfectly at ease with one another. But what really raised an eyebrow was the sight of Suzu-Chan, now a full grown phoenix... one whom was currently sipping from a juice box, 'Huh... must have grown to like them after Hibiki-Chan sharing hers with them all the time.'

Snickers escaping him, he turned back to Verniy in time for the beachball to hit him in the back of the head, making him stumble and fall on top of her as their lips collided. Behind him, he could hear Ikazuchi gasping, "This is just like one of my animes!"

Inazuma chimed in a few moments later, "Hawawawa! It really is, Nanodesu!"

Pulling back, the teenage wizard sighed and shared an amused look with Verniy before both of them stood and turned to the other two members of the Akatsuki Class. Then, picking up the beachball, Verniy spoke in a soft tone with a Russian accent, "Da, and now we shall break you."

The other two Destroyers only had time to widen their eyes before the beachball hit them in the head, richocheting between them, and Harry catching the ball, "Hai, we shall... And it will be very Khorosho."

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A.N. -- And back to the romantic (mis)adventures of the eldest du Chasteler-Potter girl. Prior chapter is here: Harry And The Shipgirls: Goblet of Feels (A HP/Kancolle Snippet Collection)

Only My Buttervioline (V)

Panathinaïkó Stádio, Athens, Greece

25 May 2036 (Qualifying/Seeding Round)
Spoiler: Qualifying Round

The flags fluttered in the breeze swirling through the stadium as Therese du Chasteler-Potter grasped her last arrow in her gloved right hand.

Her recurve bow flexed as she smoothly nocked and drew it.

The bowstring caressed her chin and nose as she stood in the late-afternoon sun like the marble statue of an archer.

For an endless moment all was still as she -- in the words of Grandmother Toku who had helped develop her gift -- found herself.

She was one with the stadium, the wind, the crowd, the arrow, the bow... the target.

Seisha hitchū

True shooting, certain hitting.

The bow rotated in her grip while the last of her seventy-two arrows flew through the air in a perfect arc to pierce the gold center ten ring of the target seventy meters away from her for the maximum score of ten points.

She gave a small smile as she stepped back from the line and racked her archery equipment. She then drank a bottle of water and wiped sweat from her brow nervously as she waited for the score tally to come up.

Then she gasped in shocked pride as she looked at the electronic scoreboard as it updated with her score.

Six hundred forty points! A new personal best for her!

She turned to the stadium with a broad, happy smile as her eyes scanned the stands. A familiar cluster of faces caught her eye and she waved happily to them. Mother was there with a broad, beaming smile and a wave. Behind her Father cupped Mother's swollen belly with his hug while he gave her a grin and thumbs-up. Next to her parents, Grandmother Colombe and her siblings Jacques, the Brat Quartet of Henriette, Giuseppe, Franz, and Amélie, and young Yoko all waved Belgian flags with their own smiles and cheers for Best Big Sister's triumph. A row behind them were the du Chasteler-Malfoy throng of her blond cousins under the supervision of Aunts Johnston, Cleopatra, and Niobe all flanking Uncle Draco.

Then her heartstrings soared in happy arpeggios of joy at the sight of a visibly proud and happy smile splitting Aunt Ehren's face and a matching smile of pride on Grandmother Tokunotakai's lips. Her personal coaches and role models who had pushed her to live up to what they saw in her, who had set the bar so high in front of her.

A bar that she had just managed to clear as her dedication, hard work, and effort paid off.

Then the crowd roared and applauded at another archer.

Curious, she looked over at the line to see who had generated that reaction. Her smile widened at a familiar face lowering her bow with her own happy smile.

Antigone Koustris had just put her own last arrows in the ten ring too.

The Greek girl grabbed her own bottle of water and silently walked over to the daughter of her mother's friend. "Hey Terri! Well shot!" she said in her soft and quiet voice.

Therese smiled back and shook her friend's hand before hugging her. "Well shot! I scored a six forty, what did you get?"

Antigone gave a small quiet laugh as she looked at the scoreboard. "Six forty too. One point better than my previous best. Did your family manage to make it?"

Therese nodded as they sat down. "I saw them in the crowd over there." She pointed to the Du Chasteler contingent and both girls waved to them, then grinned at the returning waves from the Belgian invasion. "Your parents?" Therese asked politely.

Antigone pointed in the other direction. "Right there, next to Aunt Medea," Antigone blushed a pale pink at the next name, "Artemis, Athena and Apollo." Therese glanced over that direction and suddenly grew faint at the sight of the bronzed mystery man grinning proudly at her next to Antigone's family. He was surrounded by the beautiful women that she had seen at the Opening Ceremony.

Then her brain processed her friend's words.

Wait.

Apollo?

APOLLO?!?

"A-antigone?" Therese squeaked, totally missing the subgirl shyly blushing as she stared at an equally enthralled Artemis.

"Whatizzit, Terri?" Antigone asked absently.

Therese mustered all her courage and blurted out in a rush, "PleasetellmeyouknowMisterApollo'snumbersincehehasmyglassesandhe'ssodreamyandohGodthoseeyesanddoyouthinkhelikesviolinmusicbecauseIwanttoserenadehimsobad." Suddenly her brain realized that she had said that last out loud and she blushed red as a tomato.

Antigone murmured in a dreamy voice as her blush deepened and she gave a goofy smile, "I'll have to ask Artemis that for you when we go hunting next. Hey, Terri? Would you like to come along with me and my Mom and Artemis on a hunt after the Games? We can ask your mom to go along with maybe. My Mom says that she likes that."

"Yeah, Mother likes bow-hunting sometimes. I'll ask Great-Aunt Del or Aunt Ehren if we can maybe go visit them for some bow-hunting for deer." Therese said as her brain rebooted, still blushing heavily.

"I was actually planning to use one of Mom's properties up in the Rhodope Mountains in Thrace, Terri." Antigone said with her own nuclear blush as she waved to Artemis.

"Oh. Oh yeah, I'd like that." Therese said. She then nibbled her lip and asked hesitantly. "Does Mr. Apollo like Vivaldi or Paganini more? I mean I like Paganini's Caprice #7 but then Vivaldi is better for a hunting trip..."

Antigone laughed. "I don't have the foggiest clue; I'll have to gather intelligence then for you. Anyway, Terri, you are such a dork! C'mon, let's head back to the Olympic Village before they throw us out of here for lingering after our time on the range."

Therese nodded, and scooped up her bow case and violin case. "Yeah. So, what do you think they will have for dinner for us tonight?"

Antigone licked her lips as she walked alongside her friend to the bus taking them back to the athletes' lodging. "I'm hoping for baked lamb with potatoes, personally. You?"

Therese giggled as they sat side by side. "Moules marinière-frites, of course. I love a good mussel broth with white wine as a base, and you can't go wrong with potato fries. Mother cooks up the absolute best mussels, although you haven't lived until you have had one of her Sachertorte birthday cakes. Chocolate, apricot jam, and whipped cream." Therese sighed happily, and then continued. "I'm turning into a dab hand with her Apfelstrudel pastries too. Um... does Mr. Apollo like apples?" She blushed.

Antigone gently bopped Therese on the head. "I'll have to get you to meet him so you can ask him yourself, you hopeless dork!" She said with fond exasperation and a warm smile.

Therese gave her friend a hope filled stare and clenched her hands under her chin. "Would you pleeease?" She asked desperately.

"Of course I will you dork!"

 

[darthcourt10]

KiMaSa

I've reworked several of the SV snippets into one hopefully cohesive piece. Do note that this takes place several weeks prior to the current in story time.

Enjoy!

Cast of Characters

Former Negishi Community Center

With Toei proposing an attempt to summon the set from the 2005 film Yamato, Toho, fearing being 'left behind' on the matter of 'Set Summonings', had finally dropped their previous conditions on summoning the sets for Akagi and Hiryu and in fact, had released a public statement that 'Toho studio was fully committed to providing whatever assistance it could render to those defending the nation in these troubled times,' as the pair joined Nagato and Amagi in the Japanese Setgirl Program.

"Lucky timing on that," Hornet noted. "You don't suppose someone at the Defense Ministry let it slip about the summoning at Kure, do you?"

Nagato nodded. "It makes sense."

"So? Are you excited to finally meet her?"

"You mean Nagato-sama?"

"Of course! Who else?" Hornet smirked.

"Excited and a little nervous," actress Nagato admitted. "IF it actually happens this time," she added.

Hornet sighed at the reminder that yet again plans that their handlers declared 'Set in stone' had been canceled at the last minute. While she and her fellow American 'set-girls' were not uncomfortable in their expanded dormitory, their efforts to be more directly useful to the war effort had so far come to no avail. True that the British 'Decoy' ships had joined them and the two groups had plenty to teach each other but yet again, plans for the set-girls to go to Yokosuka had been upended by an emergency sortie. Nagato was, by this time getting very frustrated as she had yet to meet the REAL Nagato, her idol.

"I can see that. In a way, she's like your mother."

"M...mother?!" Nagato froze, simultaneously awed and terrified by the notion.

Hornet chuckled. "Yeah, I understand. She's singularly awesome. Lucky for me is that I've met USS Hornet and she's kinda shy really. Her sisters on the other hand! Let me tell you! I have been made very clear to understand that I am to portray their sister with full respect and that I not only represent her but them and every other American carrier! No pressure there..."

Nagato blinked and shook herself. "I don't even know what to say to her."

"Hello usually is a good place to start," Nerka put in.

"As much as I hate to agree with her," Hornet admitted. "She's right." Hornet then turned to Nerka. "I don't suppose there is anyone here you want to meet?"

Nerka grinned. "Why, Naka of course! That girl has talent! Speaking of talent, I wonder if they'll get Yamato or Mushy-tits to go to Kure with us? OW!" Nerka winced as Commodore slapped her in the back of the head.

"Belt up! Ye little shit!"

Nagato shook her head at Nerka. You are many things, my American friend but you are certainly 'unique' As for myself? Am I anything but a nod to her existence?

Hornet sighed as yet again plans that their handlers declared 'Set in stone' were canceled at the last minute. While she and her fellow 'set-girls' were not uncomfortable in their expanded dormitory, their efforts to be more directly useful to the war effort had so far come to no avail. True that the British 'Decoy' ships had joined them and the two groups had plenty to teach each other but yet again, plans for the set-girls to go to Yokosuka had been upended by an emergency sortie. Nagato was, by this time getting very frustrated as she had yet to meet the REAL Nagato, her idol.

Gathering in the Mess Hall after PT and before afternoon classes, everyone was grouped in their usual clusters. The Decoys claiming three tables to themselves, leaving a spot for HMS Centurion. Their mentor was the only true warship among them and was currently on an actual mission. The Decoys and the Set-girls had developed a good-natured rivalry, with the decoys pointing to their actually BEING ships while the set-girls pointing out that they at least knew how to convincingly ACT the part of a real warship. Hornet, Oklahoma, and Arizona shared a big table with Nagato, Amagi, Akagi, and Hiryu, Tirpitz and Muroc Maru squeezing in as well, although Tirpitz kept glancing back at the table where Nerka and her recently arrived partner in crime, Copperfin, clustered with the X-craft. Commodore sitting with the recently arrived Recruit and the 'Great Lakes Battleship'. After all, the public appearances and tours had to continue for appearance sake. 'Central Island Hime' was one of the few human actors who regularly ate with them, being quite grateful that Illinois knew how to pull a punch. Considering that Yokosuka was where Northern Princess was and the number of non-hostile Abyssals now in Japan, a grinning Illinois had proposed that 'Hime' do a heel-face turn. The effects crews were now working on creating a completely animatronic 'Lemurian Princess' to take the role of villain from Hime.

As it happened, 'Hime', in reality, a lovely young woman named Susan Nakamura, had a bit of news for everyone.

"We've got new blood coming in," she said with a touch of amusement.

"Oh?" Hornet asked, trying to think just who they might be getting. She couldn't think of any of their kind that might even possibly be available for years yet. It was the irony that in an age of CGI, set-girls were likely to remain very small in their numbers.

"You'll see. She should be here any minute!"

A tall girl with white hair timidly walked in. At first almost no one noticed her but as more heads paid attention, the more she seemed to shrink. What particularly got everyone's attention was the peculiar Gold uniform shirt with the distinctive arrowhead over her left breast and the two and a half stripes on her cuff.

Nerka, strode over. "Hey!" She said, sticking out a hand. "I'm Nerka!"

The young lady gave a chippish smile, wondering how she was going to get through tomorrow, meeting REAL shipgirls when she was already a bundle of nerves meeting other set-girls. "I'm Enterprise... NCC-1701."

Several heads turned at this. "So? How did you get here?" Copperfin asked the newest arrival as she jabbed a French fry in her direction.

Enterprise shrugged. "I was in the Smithsonian and late one night, a group of men in long robes... They kind of reminded me of Landru's goons, by the way, stole me out of my case and next thing I knew I was in in a dark room hearing voices. Somebody said something about 'the offerings', which I think included one of my transporter pads. 'D' is going to be upset when she finds out they took it... Then there was a big stack of DVDs and videotapes and books, there were lots of books. One guy wanted to add more to the 'summoning pile'? But the others said they had already discussed that fan productions weren't 'canon'. There was some chanting and a flash and I'm sitting in an exact replica of my Captain's chair, staring at myself. Next thing is that the leader offers me tea and then tells the others to get my other self... My hull back to the museum. And then two more people in robes pop in out of nowhere and start waving sticks around! Then they carry me off to another dark room. Asking me weird questions about 'magic', threatening to 'obliviate' me if I don't tell that what they want to know. I keep telling them! I'm the Starship Enterprise! And they keep saying that it's impossible because I was only created fifty years ago! Then finally one of them said it must be because having millions of fans provided extra 'spirit energy'? I really don't get any of this. But they finally turned me over to somebody from the Navy and now I'm here!" She looked at Copperfin. "So? What about the rest of you?"

"Well," Hornet smiled. "Do you know what a shipgirl is?"

"Commander Tolliver explained it to me. I'd say it was too incredible to believe but..." She gestured to herself.

"Right. Okay... Not counting Miss Nakamura, who is human, despite the make-up and appliances..."

"Oh! Trust me! I KNOW about that!"

"Good! Well, not counting her, there are thirty-four of us here, aside from you. Seventeen, those British girls there are all real shipgirls but fake warships. You see, they were decoys in their original lives. They fall in the normal guidelines for summoning or manifesting. The next group are Illinois, Commodore, and Recruit. They were all 'landships' actively crewed by the Navy and using some real equipment. All of them also meet the normal summoning parameters. That leaves fourteen of us to explain. Copperfin and I were built during WW2 to approximate real Navy units. While our production teams and casts are smaller and less of a duration than an actual crew, they help form a 'core' around which energy from fans can gather. I know you know about that!"

Enterprise nodded and Hornet continued.

"Nerka is our next case. She was created in 1958. Now some say that technically, Nerka is outside the viable time frame to be summoned BUT her sets were constructed with surplus period equipment and her externals were all done with WW2 appropriate ships. So add that with cast, crew, and associated fan energy and here she is!"

"You're welcome, world!" Nerka beamed.

"Get over yourself!" Oklahoma cried.

"She can't help it. It's the Clark Gable in her," Arizona replied. "And I knew, even as I said it, just how wrong that sounds."

Hornet rolled her eyes. "Ahem! As I was saying, Our next contestants are Nagato and Amagi... Now, Amagi was intended to be Akagi but they kinda made her a mirror image rather than an exact copy so she looks like what Akagi's sister would have looked like had she been completed and served alongside Akagi. Anyway, Not only did they produced 1:1 sets, they also built 1/16 scale replicas to represent them, much like the use of real Navy subs added weight to Nerka and Copperfin, although to a lesser degree but like how your thirteen-foot hull was a usable core. They were built in 1969, considerably too late to be summoned despite the casting, the production crews, and everything... Except for a little experiment in temporal acceleration. Wizards worried about nuclear war wanted to see if areas could be 'radioactively cleansed' by accelerating time in a contaminated area. They used the Japanese built sets as a testing ground. The results are still classified but apparently added enough temporal weight that an attempt to summon the two succeeded. And they're a credit to us all."

Nagato blushed slightly at that, hoping that the REAL Nagato would be as proud of her.

"Once that worked out, studios began looking for more of us 'set-girls' It seems we're a thing these days. So they realized that sets for the Battleship Yamato and Battleships Arizona and Oklahoma existed and they used the temporal acceleration technique on them! Don't ask me how that works, I'm an actress, not a wizard'" she smirked. "But anyway, because of that, we got Ari and O-Boat there and if all goes right, we'll have our own Yamato! Of course, that only works when you have an actual set. Naturally, you could build a set but without the energy from production staff, cast, fans, et al... There just won't be enough 'weight' for summoning so, that limits options." Hornet shrugged. "But that leaves six of us: Muroc Maru was constructed in 1943 and was used for seven years. Unfortunately, the attention she got after being built was not the friendliest. She tends to feel more comfortable here than in the States."

"This is home," Muroc answered simply.

Hornet nodded in acceptance of the ersatz cruiser's reasoning, "Akagi, Hiryu, Tirpitz, and her X-craft over there are harder to explain. One thing about a 'set-girl' is that she has a problem similar to so-called 'paper ships' that are now being summoned with a bit of extra magical help. Paper ships have NO solid existence and no crew to help form a core. Basically, unless they're natural borns, and I don't even KNOW how that happens! they're all plans, intent, and a whole lot of magic and sheer will! In the cases of the remaining girls, the added magical impetus required was not as strong as that required to summon a 'paper ship' but had to be supplied somewhere! In the case of Tirpitz and the X-craft, Well... you can say that the summoning attempt was helped by the fact that the actual Tirpitz and X-7 were present at the summoning on the advice of a magical consultant retained by the Royal Navy. " Hornet then cast a speculative look on Hiryu and Akagi. "And that leaves me with my remaining two partners in crime: Hiryu was constructed in 1960, Akagi in 1953. Both were at Toho studios. Both sets have long been torn down and their filming models also apparently lost. So! The question is: 'How did they get here?'." Hornet chuckled.

"The current theory is that the movie star Toshiro Mifune, who worked with both of them, may have been a wizard who simply found acting a more appealing calling than spellcraft. Others think he had an admirer on the Toho lot who was a magical and throwing off magical energy. It might even be Mifune's sheer force of will manifesting in this way. We don't know. But here they both are!"

"So..." Enterprise asked. Anybody got an idea what they might do with me? I don't exactly look like an aircraft carrier."

"I'm sure they'll think of something," Hornet assured her.

As Enterprise took a seat next to Hornet, she noticed Nagato looking a bit subdued, picking at her food.

The starship turned to her would-be mentor. "Is something wrong?"

Hornet sighed. "You know how I said that the battleship Tirpitz was there when they summoned OUR Tirpitz at Pinewood?"

"Uh-huh?"

"Nagato has been trying to meet the original Nagato for MONTHS. Every time something gets arranged for us to go to Yokosuka, things fall through. We were actually going today but that got canceled because of an emergency sortie. It doesn't help that as just 'entertainers', we have to go through an officious prick of a Lieutenant who seems to think we're wasting his time." She avoided mentioning the fact that said same prick was officially in charge of the Japanese Girls. He had no choice but to let them come here for practice and rehearsals but he made it clear that he would not 'allow them to be coddled' like their American counterparts, said after a rather vocal argument between him and Lieutenant Kirby, who was in charge of the American girls. "So, yeah. She's a bit depressed."

Enterprise looked at Nagato and smiled, gently putting a hand on her shoulder. "You know... I may not make a convincing aircraft carrier... But I know a little about convincing little bureaucrats to pay attention. Let me make some calls."

Illinois looked at her co-star and then at Enterprise. "Hold up a bit... Let me talk to our f/x team. If 'Lemurian Princess' is ready, I think it would only be appropriate that we invite some special guests to our new show. If the f/x guys are ready, do you think you can get our invitation to the right ears?"

Enterprise grinned. "Hailing Frequencies open!"

"Good. Come with us," Susan told her. "I have an idea for the act and you're in it!"





A/N

As discussions of threadmarks are primed to cause headaches for the Great Kaiju, I will post the links to the previously released parts of this arc here for reader convenience. I'm only including the stuff that has been already posted to SB because I will be sooner or later get both the Nagato chan and Jingo Arcs posted here.

So:
1) War of Morale
2) Of A Kind
3) Birth of a Notion
4) Testing the Waters
5) Queen of the Loony North

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

A frown on her face, Fubuki moved her hands a little, "Okay, put your arms though the holes and... there we go! All done, Fu-Chan!" Letting go of the shoulder straps, the Destroyer stood and smiled down at the Kitsune who was twisting this way and that, "Well? How does it feel with your tail out?"

Eyebrows furrowing, Fu-Chan frowned a little, "Feels weird..."

Concerned, the shipgirl bent down again, "Weird? How so? Is it uncomfortable?"

Only shaking h er head, Fu-Chan had confused look on her face, even as her tail swished behind her, "Doesn't feel bad... Just feels weird."

Relieved, Fubuki gave a small sigh and stood, "I think that I know what the issue is." Seeing the younger girl look up at her, she smiled and continued, "It has probably been a few years since you wore a bathing suit. So you're just not used to it."

Head cocked to the side, the Kitsune blinked, "I guess...?" Scratching her head, she missed Fubuki's slight grin, "Still feels weird." Then, Fu-Chan gave a shrug and gave the Destroyer a curious look even as she shyly smiled, "Um... how do I look?"

Lips twitching, Fubuki patted her between her two ears, "You honestly look very pretty, Fu-Chan."

Brightly smiling now, Fu-Chan bounced on the balls of her feet, "Thank you, Fubuki-Kaa-San!" Then she flushed a little with a shy smile on her face, "Though not as pretty as you."

Now it was the shipgirl's turn to blush at the compliment, but she still gave her a smile, "Thank you, Fu-Chan, if you say so then it must be true."

That got her a happy smile from the Kitsune and she turned to the mirror in thought. Looking herself over, Fubuki had nod a little to herself. Over the past year or so, she had finally begun to actually develop some. She had heard the term "Late Bloomer", but still had never thought that it would apply to her. It was still something that the Destroyer was rather pleased about, especially as her two piece, which she finally had enough courage to buy one, showed. Sure, she would never be equal to, say, someone like her half sister ship, Ushio. Not even really equal to Yuudachi either.

But still, she was happy to be currently able to match Murakumo in development and that was more than enough for her.

Her lips curling into a smile, she gave a chuckle as she moved her hair, now out of the usual ponytail she wore it in, over her shoulder, 'Looking good, Fubuki.' Turning to the side, Fubuki bit back a giggle as Fu-Chan was standing in front of the mirror, attempting to match poses with her. Just covering it up, she patted the Kitsune on the head, "Let's head out to see the others, hmm? We don't to waste the day away in here after all."

Nodding, Fu-Chan reached up with her hand, which Fubuki took before the older of the two opened the door. As they walked outside, they noticed that the most of the others were there already. Granted, the Destroyer smiled a bit at seeing Yoshi there, though as always she was reminded of how that one boy looked when partially transformed into a monkey in that movie.

Just shaking off that thought, the Destroyer watched as Natsuki gasped and came over, "Oh, wow! You look really pretty in your swimsuit, Fu-Chan!"

Shy smile on her face, the Kitsune hummed as she swayed back and forth, "Thank you, Natsuki-Chan. You look really pretty too."

Embarrassed giggles escaped from Natsuki before she walked over and gave Fu-Chan a hug, both of them smiling.

Only shaking her head, Fubuki walked over to where Mutsuki was in her own swimsuit, a one piece unlike hers. Glancing around, she raised an eyebrow, "Where's Yuudachi-Chan and Kasumi-Chan?"

Arms crossed, Mutsuki sighed a little, "Yuudachi-Chan and Kasumi-Chan are still getting changed." Then she gave a small shrug as they could hear a Poi from inside the changing room, "But it shouldn't be too long."

Fubuki just nodded at that before feeling a tug, "Hmm?" Looking down, she saw Ayame looking up at her, her nearly white hair swishing a bit, "Yes, Ayame-Chan? Is something wrong?"

With a glance to her sister, the Nekomata flushed a bit, "Um, Fubuki-Kaa-San... are we pretty too?"

A small smile on her face, Fubuki crouched down, "You're not just pretty, you're also very adorable. Super adorable even!"

Their expressions brightening, that got her giggles from the two before Akane turned to her sister, "See? I told you! Just like Kisaragi-Kaa-Chan told us!"

Happily humming, Ayame nodded before hugging the two Destroyers and running over to where Fu-Chan and the others were. Watching them go, Fubuki sighed a little, "It's good to see them laughing."

Beside her, Mutsuki gave her a half hug and a kiss on the cheek, "Hai, and you're the one who gave them a life that lets them do so, Fubuki-Chan."

Right before Fubuki was about to say something, two arms went around her neck and she found two round, soft objects pressed against her shoulders and neck, "Hai, Mutsuki-Chan is right, Fubuki-Senpai." Turning her head, the Destroyer found herself blushing at the sight of Kana in a black bikini, the Battleship smiling down with her own blush, "You're giving them the type of life that lets them be happy."

Despite her blush, the "Mother of the Modern Destroyer" still smiled before reaching up with one hand to cup Kana's cheek, "Thank you." Sharing a soft kiss, which left Kaga's twin flustered, she pulled back, "Thank you, Kana-Chan." Turning, she kissed Mutsuki as well, "And thank you as well, Mutsuki-Chan."

Only a few seconds later, Yuudachi's voice came from the change rooms, "We're done, Poi!" When she came out, she was in her usual Shiratsuyu two piece with Kasumi beside her, "And here we are, Poi!"

Throwing her hands into the air as her tail wagged behind her, Kasumi nodded, "Hai! We're done, Poi!"

For her part, Fubuki had to place a hand over her mouth to hide her wide smile. Mainly due to how the Inugami was wearing what was basically a one piece version of Yuudachi's own, 'I should have expected this...' Shaking her head, she cleared her throat before nodding, "Good to hear, though now we got to put sunblock on everyone. Don't want anyone getting sunburned!"

Wrinkling her nose, Fu-Chan grimaced, "Aw, but it always makes me sneeze..."

In reply, Fubuki shook her head, "Sorry, Fu-Chan. Sneezing is a lot better than a sunburn."

Even though she didn't like it, the Kitsune nodded and allowed Fubuki to apply the sunblock to her as the others got to work with the other children. Though, as she stated, when the Destroyer rubbed some on her nose, she sneezed with her tail puffing out, much to everyone's amusement. Once it was done, however, she waited until the others were done and took Fubuki's hand alongside Natsuki's, "Okay! Let's go to the beach!"

Lightly laughing, Fubuki nodded as they began to walk towards the crystal clear water, "Sure, that does sound good."

With gentleness, every other step she easily picked Fu-Chan up by the arm and said Kitsune giggled madly, a rather musical song to the Destroyer's ears. Soon enough, they reached the edge of the water. Nearby, Fubuki could see Harry laughing as he was in an odd splash fight with Ume and Sakura as well as Verniy on his side. On the opposite side, she could see Inazuma as well as Ikazuchi and that dragon boy that Inazuma was interested in. It was somewhat amusing as they were also tossing a beach ball back and forth between splashes.

Granted, Fubuki raised her eyebrow at seeing Ume and Sakura in their bathing suits, 'They're like Ushio-Chan...' Shaking that thought off, she turned to Fu-Chan and laughed a little as she watched the Kitsune rush forward as the waves pulled out, only to scramble back when they came back in. Grin on her face, she gave the young girl a grin, "You know that you're supposed to get into the water at the beach, right, Fu-Chan?"

Tail swishing behind her as the ears on her head twitch, the young Yokai grinned back, "Hai, Fubuki-Kaa-San! But this is fun!"

Slowly, Fubuki raised an eyebrow, "But do you know what else is fun?"

Confused, Fu-Chan cocked her head to the side as she furrowed her eyebrows, "No? What else is fun, Fubuki-Kaa-San?"

Now widely grinning, the Destroyer's eyes lit up with glee, "This!" Before Fu-Chan could do anything, Fubuki lunged forward and grabbed her, easily lifting the young girl into her arms as she quickly strode into the waves, "Time for a swim!"

Squeaking madly as she squirmed and tried to get free, Fu-Chan threw her arms everywhere, "Noooo!" Upon seeing the stunned Natsuki, she reached out for her, "Natsuki-Chan! Save me! Fubuki-Kaa-San is going to dunk me!"

In response, the Nekomata rushed forward into the waves with a determined, and cute, expression, "I'll save you, Fu-Chan!"

Moments later, she jumped Fubuki who was up to her stomach in the water. Laughing, the shipgirl tumbled back with Fu-Chan flailing, "Argh. You got me!"

Right before she hit the water and was dunked by the falling Fubuki, the Kitsune had time for one last no. Back on the beach, Yuudachi grinned at Kasumi, "Let's go and have some fun!"

Madly grinning, the Inugami nodded, "Hai, Yuudachi-Kaa-San! Let's go, Poi!"

Extremely amused at the antics, especially with how the others were now rushing in to get involved, Kisaragi giggled before looking down at Akane and Ayame, who just had their water wings put on by Mutsuki, "Well? Do you want to join in with the others?"

Both young Nekomata looked out at the water and shook their heads to chuckles from the two shipgirls who took them a bit aside and into the waves outside the developing melee though Mutsuki made sure to take video.

Up the beach a bit, Akimi could only smile a bit as she shook her head, 'Looks like they're having fun.' Out of the corner of her eye, she noted that Miu had sighed, "Something wrong?"

The crane Hanyou gave a small shrug, "Not really, just watching my Oba-Sans over there with Harry-San. They're definitely enjoying themselves to say the least." Taking a sip of beer, Miu sighed some, "I'm not against them being happy, anyone knows that they deserve it. But still... they got better luck than I do."

Only humming noncommittally, Akimi shrugged. After a few moments, she sighed, "True, but I'm not exactly looking for a relationship."

Head tilted to the side, Miu suddenly grinned, "You know... after the party is done, I do know where there's some of those Marines. I'm certain we could snag one for each. Besides..." Her grin turned hungry, "When was the last time you had some?"

Considering that, the Battleship grimaced, "Too long." Suddenly, she smirked, "Though we are sailors... but if you want to try something..." Akimi gestured with her bottles, "Those guys from the Abyss Divers are single. And we are in different branches, so..."

Said men had a shiver go down their back as the two magical shipgirls grinned at each other before moving towards them.

Up near the front of the line for the food, Taiyang's ears twitched as she grinned madly at what she just heard. Internally, she was giggling a little, 'Well now, that could be interesting~' Outwardly, the Dao shook it off as she looked at Natsumi, "So we're going to have some of this barbecue, Master?"

With a nod to her, Natsumi smiled, "Hai." Licking her lips, she hummed happily, "Hopefully the chicken as it's sooo good... You'll love it, trust me."

Rather amused at that, the blade spirit nodded as they finally reached the front of the line, "I'll take your word for it, Master." She then looked around in interest. Off to one side, Enterprise was at the grill making burgers and hotdogs as well as sausage, the meat sizzling as she worked. But what caught Taiyang's attention was Louisiana, whom was at her smoker in front of them. The Dao looked the Battleship, who was wearing a bikini top and jean shorts, up and down before humming in her thought, 'Hmm, oh yes, Master does have fine taste it seems~'

At the same time, a smiling Natsumi walked up to Louisiana and hugged her, "Hello, Louisiana."

Happily returning the hug, the American nodded, "And a hello to you to, ma Chérie. Here for some food, non?"

Lips quirking a bit, Natsumi nodded before kissing the shipgirl's cheek right on the corner of her lips, "Hai, and also to come and say hi to you as well as introduce you to someone." That got her a happy smile and she gestured towards Taiyang who was watching in interest, "Louisiana? This is Taiyang, my new sword. Taiyang? This is Louisiana."

Bouncing a little on the balls of her feet, Taiyang gave her a bright smile, "Hello there, Louisiana-San~ Master has told me so much about you~ Mikon!"

Part of the Dao was happy that the Battleship barely blinked at what she did, and just nodded before bowing slightly, "It is good to meet you, Miz Taiyang. Ma Chérie has mentioned you to me and I wanted to meet you before now."

Taking the offered hand, Taiyang smiled in some bemusement before turning a teasing smile onto Natsumi, "Ah, Master cannot help but talk about her foxy blade~"

Warmly chuckling, Louisiana turned to Natsumi with an amused expression, "I take it that you want some chicken, ma Chérie?" Once more licking her lips, the Kitsune nodded which got another warm chuckle from the American before she opened up the smoker, "Well then, thankfully for you, the chicken is done."

Short seconds later, barbecue chicken was placed on two plates and handed to Natsumi and Taiyang, who took them. Already, the Dao's nose was twitching and mouth was watering. For her part, Natsumi gave Louisiana a kiss on the cheek, "Thank you, Louisiana-Chan. Hopefully later you can come down to the water."

It went without saying that got her a nod and a promise. Moving to the side, Natsumi only paused to grab a drink as did Taiyang before coming to stand besides Usagi, who had various grilled vegetables on her own plate. Grinning at that, the Kitsune snickered, "I see that you went for the usual."

Snorting, Usagi gave her friend a look, "Of course, not all of us are carnivores you know."

Meanwhile, Taiyang glanced at her Master with a smile before turning back to the food on her own plate. Since being unsealed in this time, she had come across many different foods, ones that were strange to her, but many of which were good. Part of her mused that her Master, Tamamo, would have been intrigued and likely tried different dishes, especially the meat ones.

But she pushed aside that thought as she looked at how others were eating the same food. Picking it up with her hands, Taiyang licked her lips as she smelt it. For a fox, chicken was one of the best meats after all. Swallowing her saliva, she closed her eyes and hit into the meat.

Only for said eyes to snap open with pure bliss in them.

Taiyang could taste not just the spices and herbs that were in the sauce, the slight tang to them. But also the meat itself! And speaking of the meat, it was so tender and juicy that it seemingly burst with taste in her mouth. Eyes closing, she shuddered a bit and moaned, not noticing that the two teens beside her had paused in their conversation and gone red. As she chewed, she had one thought besides how good it was. Oh yes, her Master has chosen one of her concubines well indeed~

And she was looking forward to more meals like this in the future.

_______________________________________________________________



The water fight/beachball match with Inazuma and Ikazuchi done, Harry was currently swimming slowly along lazily. It was a nice day with sunny weather, so it was warm and the water was cool, but not too much so as well. Just... perfect, in his mind. Stretching a bit, Harry paused though as he caught sight of a flash of red out of the corner of his eye.

Suspicious, Harry turned and swam a bit, but there was nothing in sight, though he caught the flash from the corner of his eye, 'So that is how it will be, hmm?'

Eyes narrowed, he waited and continued swimming until he came to an stop and floated there. After a few moments, he heard a slight drip behind him and then twisted around, pulling a surprise Imuya into a hug, "Eep!"

Unable to help himself Harry laughed a bit even as he hugged her, "Sorry, Imuya-Chan, my ASW has only improved with age~"

Flustered, Imuya gave a huff, "No fair." It was then that she noted that Harry glanced to the shore and then back at her, "Hmm? Harry-Chan-"

She didn't get any further than that as he brought her close and then kissed her. After a moment, he deepened the kiss a little, which made her hum. Pulling back, Harry had an unsure look on his face, "Um, was that okay?"

Blinking slowly, Imuya's face was nearly as red as her hair as she nodded, "H-hai, that was good... really good." Internally, she squeed a little, 'Hachi-Chan was right!'

As she placed her arms over his shoulder and wrapped her legs around his waist, the fourteen year old wizard blinked, "Hmm? Imuya-Chan?"

Grin on her face as she pressed close, his hands on her hip, Imuya giggled some, "Now it is my turn, Harry-Chan. Happy fourteenth birthday..."

With those words, she leaned forward and kissed him as he had her. Something, Harry found, he did not mind in the slightest and quite the opposite. As she pulled back, he found that he was now blushing as much as she was, but still gave her a smile, "Um, thanks."

Just biting her lip some, the red haired Submarine nodded, "You're welcome." Inside her head, as she gave him another kiss, she sighed, 'Though I wonder whom is getting the gift here...'

Both teens broke apart, once more blushing, but with smiles on their faces. Hearing a splash, Harry looked over his shoulder to find a grinning RO there, "RO-Chan?"

Her grin widening, RO placed her hands on his shoulder as she gave both him and Imuya amused looks, "Oh? Are we giving Harry-Chan his birthday kisses to celebrate him being fourteen?"

Much to her confusion, she got a grin from Imuya, "Actually... not quite."

Cheeks red, Harry reached back and raised RO's chin before giving an smile, "I think that it is the opposite, RO-Chan." Before she could ask, he claimed her lips with his, which made the UBoat's eyes widen. But after a few moments, they closed until he pulled back and, unknowingly, echoed Imuya's earlier thoughts, "Though, um, I'm not sure who is getting a gift."

After a moment, RO grinned, "Well, the only way to find out is to do some more experimentation, Ja?" Wrapping her legs around his waist like Imuya, but on top of hers, she pulled herself close making Harry blush before she kissed him with a smile on her lips, 'Much more experimentation...' When she pulled away, she hummed and placed her chin on his shoulder, "Now this is nice."

On Harry's other side, Imuya nodded as she leaned her head against his other shoulder, "Hai, it really is."

Despite how flustered he felt, Harry nodded, "It is pretty nice..." After a few moments, he looked around with a slight frown, "Where's the others?"

In reply, the Uboat gestured to the island, "We decided to get some swimming done. But right now? They're over on the other side of the island sunning on some rocks there. It's pretty nice, especially with the sea washing over you.

Harry gave a small nod at that as he could well imagine it. Though, at the same time, he had a somewhat humorous thought, 'Sort of like seals, I guess.' Shaking that thought off, he glanced toward the island, "Well, I know where I'm going next."

Both Submarines giggled at that before cuddling him in the water, even as they used their hands to propel the three of them... when they weren't giving Harry a kiss or two, that was.

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A.N. -- Well, it is time to show what kind of metal Therese du Chasteler-Potter and Antigone Koustris have in her.

Only My Buttervioline (VI)

Panathinaïkó Stádio, Athens, Greece

27 May 2036 (First Day of the Knockout Round)

"So explain the rules of this tournament to me, Athena?" Aphrodite nibbled on some popcorn.

The Goddess of Wisdom pointed to the two young women below. "Each of them will alternate shooting three arrows with a twenty-second timer once they are cleared to take a shot. They are scored on what part of the target they hit, and the cumulative scores are measured against each other. Two points are scored by the winner of a set, and one by each for a tie, with the first person to score six points advancing. If they are tied after five sets, they go to a single arrow shoot-off where they are judged after each arrow landed to break the tie."

Aphrodite nodded along with the explanation. She then looked at Apollo (wearing newly purchased Team Belgium merchandise) and Artemis (in a Hellenic Navy 'Silent But Deadly" T-shirt showing a bow-hunter) and smirked at the eager expressions on the twins' faces. The smirk widened as the twins began to banter back and forth about the skills of their beloved Chosen.

Aphrodite took another bite of popcorn before turning to Athena. She raised one perfect blonde eyebrow and asked in her throaty voice, "So, when will Antigone Koustris and Therese du Chasteler meet in their match?"

Athena glanced at her tablet and thought as she ran the possibilities on the screen. "They got seeded twenty-first and twenty-third respectively in the sixty-four archer field. du Chasteler's qualifying round scored more tens and Xs -- the very inmost ring used during single-arrow shootouts -- so she is seeded twenty-first in Section Two. If she advances, she will have to go through the twelfth, fifth, and fourth seed to reach the four contenders for the medal. The winner of Two will face the winner of Section One with the top seed Choi Mi-Sun from Korea there. As for Koustris...."

Athena scrolled down and breathed a sigh of relief. "Section Four. So Tenth seed in the round of thirty two after her initial match, seventh seed in the round of sixteen, and second seed Chang Hye-jin who won gold last Olympics in the round of eight. Then the winner of Section Three with the third seed Ki Bo-bae there. Hm, the top three seeds are Koreans. No wonder they won the team gold medal in overwhelming style yesterday."

Athena gave Aphrodite a smug grin. "So the only way they can compete directly is with gold on the line going through the best archers in the world in their first Olympics. Sorry Cytherean, it almost certainly won't happen, especially with the anti-tampering measures put in place to prevent unfair magical meddling with the Games. That also stops Us from assisting our Champions directly, which would be a violation of the Accords in any event. So this won't become a rehash of the events that happened on the plain of Illium. Thankfully."

Aphrodite gave Athena a flat stare and spoke with a pout. "Don't think that I have forgotten you encouraging Diomedes to run wild and wound Me when I went to save my son Aeneas, Pallas." She unconsciously rubbed one creamy wrist. "That really hurt, you know."

Athena visibly bit back her initial cutting retort involving bribing a certain royal-born shepherd with sexual favors to claim a golden apple that had started that whole ugly mess before it could cross her lips. "Would it help any if I said that I'm sorry in going overboard back then, Cytherean?" She finally said int he most neutral tone that she could muster.

"Not really, Pallas." Aphrodite admitted before smiling as down below a young woman with spruce-colored hair, dark eyes full of passion and life, and dressed in a Belgian Archery shirt placed a violin case down. Therese took a deep breath as she walked to the right-side target at the judge's instructions. "Besides, the show is about to start anyway.

"Leidys Brito, Venezuela! Therese du Chasteler, Belgium!" The announcer said to announce the start of the knockout round.
------------------------

Spoiler: Therese's Moment

Therese swallowed nervously as she walked to the line, feeling every eye in the stadium resting upon her, judging her.

Her heartstrings thudded in the staccato percussive beats of the kumi-daiko drum music that Yoko and Grandmother Toku loved.

Her nervous breath rasped in her throat like an agonized woodwind chorus.

Her bow was as heavy as Mother's piano body in her sweating hand.

Then suddenly, as if the sun had broke through the clouds around her, she felt an impulse to glance to her right.

She caught His eyes as her mystery man.... Apollo, her friend had named him stared into her heart with a message in His warm blue eyes and his brilliant sunny smile that resonated in her heartstrings and caused her soul to catch fire.

I know that you can do it.

I believe in you.

I love you.

In the next instant, a crow flew out of the early morning sun to circle around her head and then landed on the top of the Belgian flagpole where it began to chatter back and forth with Utsuho-chan who was roosting on top of the Japanese flagpole nearby.

Therese felt that strength, that fire, that passion in her soul fill her with a flame that would not be denied.

All her doubts, her shyness, her fears, her worries, burned to ash in an instant and were blown away on the roaring liberating flaming inferno that had been lit within her breast.

She raised her bow with a smugly confident cocky smile just like Aunt Ehren, Grandmother Colombe, Great-Grandma Norimune and the rest of her family would in this instant as she prepared to put on her magnum opus performance on the biggest stage of all.

"Shoot!"

Ten.

Nine.

Nine.

"Set to du Chasteler Twenty-eight to Twenty-seven! Match to Du Chasteler Six-Four!"
------------------------

Antigone Koustris nodded respectfully to Artemis as she finished stretching. Her small smile widened as a goose flew over her head to land on pole of a Greek flag nearby.

She spoke quietly into the stadium and bowed her head. "Thank you for the sign of your favor, my beloved Queen of the Beasts, Lady of Ephesus."

With that she focused on the target, waiting for the perfect moment to loose her arrows to strike.

"Ika Yuliana Rochmawati, Indonesia! Antigone Koustris, Greece! Shoot!"

Ten.

Eight.

Ten.

"Set to Koustris Twenty-Eight to Twenty-seven!"
------------------------

"Therese du Chasteler, Belgium! Gabriela Bayardo, Mexico!"

Eight.

Ten.

Ten.

"Set to du Chasteler Twenty-Eight to Twenty-Seven! Match to Du Chasteler Six-Four!"
------------------------

"Antigone Koustris, Greece! Kaori Kawanaka, Japan!"

Eight.

Nine.

Ten.

"Set to Koustris Twenty-Seven to Twenty-six! Match to Koustris Seven to Three!"

Uzume handed a smirking Aphrodite an IOU as the archers below shook hands while waiting to be called again.
------------------------

"Therese du Chasteler, Belgium! Tuyana Norpolovna Dashidorzhieva, Russia!"

Athena commented idly as she glanced at her tablet. "This should be interesting. The Russians took team silver in women's archery yesterday. The competition is definitely stiffening. Dashidorzhieva is thirteenth in the world, apparently, and seeded fifth in the tournament."

Aphrodite nodded and looked at the rapt Apollo. "Yes. Apollo did send a crow as an omen to show who He favors in the competition. As if there would be any doubt! But, Therese still has to perform. He can only inspire and hearten, not do this for her."

Down below Therese gave her Buryat Mongol competitor a smug smile and respectful nod. She hummed Go The Distance as she plucked her first arrow from her quiver in the fifth and final deciding set.

Ten.

Ten.

Ten.

"Tie Set Thirty to Thirty! Match to Du Chasteler Six to Four!"

Therese stepped back and smiled at her thee arrows clustered in the golden center of the target. She then walked over and patted the visibly stunned Russian woman on the shoulder and spoke quietly in French. "Good match. It was an honor to face you today." Idly she hummed Borodin's In the Steppes of Central Asia as the other woman gave her a grateful smile and spoke to her in Mongolian. "Minii önöödriin toglolt bish!" before shaking her hand.

The the crowd roared as the last match of the day was announced.

"Antigone Koustris, Greece! Lucilla Boari, Italy!"

Therese looked over with a happy and proud smile as her friend faced a member of the fourth-place women's team in these Olympics who had also won the gold in last year's Mediterranean games.
------------------------

Spoiler: Antigone Takes Aim

Antigone stood on the line as she waited for the command to shoot.

She breathed in and out slowly as the command was given to open the fifth and final set of their hotly contested match. She had edged Boari in the second set by one scant point, only to have the Italian return the favor in the fourth to deny her outright victory.

As she watched, the Italian's first arrow struck gold in the nine ring.

Antigone drew and took aim, waiting for the winds to die down. Then as she fired, a gust blew, sliding her arrow slightly off target to thud into the line between the crimson seven and eight rings.

A groan sounded through the stadium as the scoreboard flashed 9-8.

The groan redoubled as Boari's next arrow found the heart of the target for a ten.

Antigone felt the bowstring tickle her cheek as she waited.

Now!

Her arrow thudded into the gold ten ring, producing a cheer.

19-18.

Boari frowned to herself while she drew to put the hometown favorite away.

The arrow flew.

The wind gusted once more, deflecting it slightly.

The arrow hit gold, landing a scant centimeter from penetrating the black circle surrounding the ten ring.

Antigone paid no attention to the gathering stir as the scoreboard updated 28-18.

The door had been left open a crack for her.

She nocked.

She focused on the target as her mother had focused on Abyssal battleships, Demons, and Princesses while commanding her steel hull in the war to save humanity from destruction.

She drew.

Her brain ran the calculations just as she would prepare to launch a spread of torpedoes.

Her aim point shifted slightly as she sensed the winds begin to change.

"FIRE THREE!" sounded through her soul.

She fired.

The arrow slammed into the ten ring.

"Tie Set! A single arrow shoot-off is required!"

Antigone stood at the line calmly and took the single arrow as her competitor sweated.

She stood there as calmly and placidly as a moonlit lake with deer drinking from it as the judge blew his whistle.

"Koustris! Shoot!"

She loaded her bow and drew.

She paused with the calm confidence instilled by a mother who had wounded the monstrous and deadly Calydonian Boar as it unstoppably charged her in the Age of Heroes.

She took aim with the unshakable confidence of a submarine that had brought her crew back in triumph again and again from the deadliest hunts of all in the underwater hell of the Abyssal War.

Her lips twitched and she whispered as her love, her family, and her friends looked enthralled upon her.

"FIRE FOUR!"

Her arrow slammed into the X in the dead center of the target's inmost ring.

She stepped back and watched Boari's desperate hope to answer her perfect shot go slightly wide.

"Koustris wins the shootout X Ring to Ten Ring! Match to Koustris Six to Five!" The announcer's voice cracked in his excitement.

She bowed her head to Artemis in homage as the Goddess of the Hunt sprang to her feet alongside the roaring crowd to celebrate her advancement to the final eight archers of the Olympics.

 

[darthcourt10]

KiMaSa

Okay. How about some story while things settle down? I promised to post both the Setgirl and Princess Jingo material here. I've already started reposting the Nagato chan stuff. So now I'll start putting up the saga of the Last surviving daughter of Subcontinental Princess.

Again, this is some time before the current story timeline.

Blood Legacy

Amsterdam Island, Southern Indian Ocean

There were few places more remote and isolated as this, East Indian War Princess mused. Still, it suited her needs. The island was subtropical in climate with a yearly mean temperature of 14.2 degrees centigrade, (57.6 degrees Fahrenheit). It rained as often as not but while hardly a paradise, the active volcanic island was neither frozen waste nor sunbaked hell.

It also isn't a burnt radioactive cinder, the Princess thought wryly as she gazed north towards where Diego Garcia had been set ablaze in nuclear fire. Like every other being on earth, East Indian War Princess fervently hoped her mother had died a most complete and agonizing death. While humans might have grimly congratulated themselves and comforted themselves with the thought of Subcontinental Princess's demise, her daughter was not so optimistic. Indian War Princess had not been the strongest, nor the weakest of her sisters. Both of these sins had been reason enough for her mother to kill one of her sisters. Subcontinental Princess having the weakest of her daughters impaled, a lesson in the brutal calculus that tolerated no weakness. EIWP had personally thought it unnecessary and wasteful but it was grimly accepted that strength was vital to survival.

What had happened to her older sister had been far more shocking. Her sister had been quick to demonstrate her battle prowess and had earned the admiration of their kind. Perhaps too much, for their mother had commanded all her subjects to attend what she called 'An Honor' of her daughter. Before the eyes of all she commanded her eldest to kneel before her and when her loyal, loving daughter knelt in obedience, their mother had smiled upon her and then proceeded to crush her daughter's skull with her bare hands. EIWP still remembered the look of shock and pain on her sister's face before their mother tossed her daughter's dying body down the steps leading to her throne. None, not even she dared go to her sister's aid, lest they should draw their ruler's wrath.

All joy in their ranks had died that day. There was fear and obedience but no loyalty and so it was when the human world finally beheld the ghastly queen, beheld her terrible throne and the monster that sat upon it, drinking wine from a vessel crafted from a skull, that not one Abyssal remained with their hated mother as the nukes came in.

Many had heard her maniacal laughter as the first warhead detonated, a chilling sound that haunted their nightmares. Everyone prayed to whatever powers existed in the universe that she had died hard but few believed it.

And so East Indian War Princess and her remaining sisters had agreed to divide their mother's territory and go their separate ways. Her territory consisted mainly of the Eastern Indian Ocean as far North as the Nicobar Islands. At least in theory, it did. There were always rogues trying to carve out independent territories and competing Princesses incurring into each other's territory. Newcomers were directly confronted but unless the territory they claimed was particularly valuable, allowed to remain as long as they agreed to obey her summons to war when called upon and in return, she promised them assistance if they were attacked. Those that refused to accept these simple conditions were ruthlessly destroyed.

In regards to humans in her territory, East Indian War Princess took a pragmatic approach unlike her mother, who had relished in the slaughter of entire populations and other Abyssals who saw humanity as a blight to be expunged from the earth. She saw humans as a resource and more as the foundation of her Empire. They provided food and labor and as long as they obeyed, she was content to be a benevolent overlord. In truth, she found humans tolerable in general and some even delightful but as a species,she thought they were utterly mad and preprogrammed to self-destruction, as insane as her mother had been. The nuclear attack on Diego Garcia had been a testimony to their shared madness. Humanity needed to be humbled and guided with a firm but fair hand. She would not hesitate to destroy a village in disobedience if she thought necessary but she forbade indiscriminate slaughter. She was well aware that her approach made her a puzzle to the humans and their shipgirl allies to solve rather than a threat so horrible they would seize upon the weapons of their collective terror in an attempt to kill her. This was useful. It gave her time to build and plan while they dealt with more immediate threats.

Turning West, she looked to where her sister had total suzerainty over the entire Arabian Sea. The Persian Gulf was her playground. The wealthiest Princes trembled at her glory all the while she raided their riches. Another sister ruled the waters from Pakistan to Myanmar, never pushing the humans as hard as she might because she was continually watching over her shoulder, believing that Subcontinental Princess might return at any time.

Turning back to her waiting escort, EIWP left her contemplation behind. She had appointments to keep, today a new school for some of her human subjects to be dedicated in her honor.

War is a thing of the mind as much as the body. I will not lose.

Her reflection was interrupted by her escort.


"I still don't understand why you bother with them," the Ru class battleship told her liege lady as the Abyssal Task Group approached land.


"That is because you have no sense of posterity or legacy, Ruiner," East Indian War Princess replied calmly, hiding the dismay she felt. Can you not even try to broaden your horizons?


"As far as I've seen, there is no such thing as posterity. The only things I know of are things that you can consume, things you can kill, and things that can kill you," Ruiner replied. Ruiner was, of course, loyal to her princess. Her Princess led them well in battle, made certain that they were repaired properly when needed and they all were fully supplied. She also was much more even-tempered than her unlamented mother. So, yes, the fleet was loyal. Most of them were still convinced their Princess was in her own way, quite insane.


"I have a greater vision, my dear Ruiner," the Princess replied. "I see horizons stretching across the heavens one day! Whole worlds prospering!" They call me an enemy of mankind. One day their children will understand. I want to save them!


Ruiner suppressed the urge to roll her eyes. The Princess was thinking about her 'mission' again.


Presently, Princess smiled as she began to come ashore. Ahead, waiting for her, were two Re-class Battleships: Renown and Redemption. They, along with their sisters Resolute and Reliable, were the first children created by EIWP herself. At least her children understood they existed for a greater purpose. Waiting with the two Re class were two of her other children: cruiser Honor and carrier Wonderous. She warmly greeted them.


"It is good to see you, my children!"


"We are so happy that you are here, our Princess!" Redemption replied.


"As am I. I trust all is well?"


Renown frowned. "The school is ready but we have a bigger problem."


Princess cocked her head and gestured for her daughter to continue.


"There is a shortage of critical supplies for the hospitals in the area. Vaccines and antibiotics." Renown could feel her mother's ire start to rise.


"Did we not arrange for fresh supplies?"


"Yes, Princess, but the medicines we received were expired and completely useless!"


Princess growled. "Filthy pirates! We paid them in gold! Redemption?" From her tone, it was clear she was not speaking as her mother.


"Yes, my liege?"


"I want these pirates found! I want them alive! You will convene a court."


"As you will." It was possible that the court would find some of them not guilty. For the rest, justice would be harsh. Briefly, Redemption pitied them.


"Renown, do whatever you have to to get new medicine: Gold, trade, threats if you have to."


"Yes, my Princess."


Princess nodded. The moment passed and she returned to the more pleasant matter at hand. Offshore, Ruiner would wait with the rest of her escort group while Princess was given a tour of the new school.


Above the entrance hung a banner:


WELCOME PRINCESS JINGO!
Spoiler

Flag of Princess Jingo

The Union Jack

 

[darthcourt10]

KiMaSa

Continuing the Jingo Arc

Jingo's fantasy was never going to last...

Empress of Delusion

"Is she one of ours?" Jingo asked as Renown drew back the tarp covering the body. Honor turned her head away feeling quite nauseous from seeing the mangled corpse.

Renown shook her head. "There's still enough left to tell she was a Ne class. As soon as I saw that, I had every one of our girls check-in. All are accounted for.

Jingo looked closer. The eyes of the dead cruiser stared out unseeingly. What remained of her face contorted in agony. Jingo looked over the body carefully, finally scrutinizing what was left of the tail. "There's something. What is the overall length of the body?"

Renown checked. "Six hundred and twenty-three feet. Of course, the tail has been ripped off so that would be another forty feet or so."

Jingo nodded. "This is Nemesis, of my sister's fleet, operating near Ceylon as I recall. You can see that her bow is about seven feet longer than normal. She took a torpedo in the bows about a year and a half ago. She gained a little extra length in the repair.." The would-be Empress winced as she realized most of the damage had been inflicted several days before the cruiser's last boiler finally gave out. "Who found her?"

"A local fishing boat found her drifting about ten miles offshore," Renown reported. "The crew admitted they were afraid to report the finding. They were afraid we would somehow blame or punish them."

Jingo sighed internally. The people still feared her. This was not what she wanted. But while this particular thought pained her, it was far less disturbing than what had happened to Nemesis. Further examination showed that all but two of her boilers had been ripped from her chest. One of her propeller shafts had been snapped clean, and her hull gashed in a number of places, none fatal but all would have been painful. Inspections showed her radios had been smashed. Further, not a single member of her crew was found on board. Jingo saw that Nemesis had been tortured and set loose to die.

Jingo knew of only one being that powerful and depraved. "She's still alive," Jingo murmured. In that moment of recognition, she cast off her comforting delusions.

Renown's eyes widened as she realized what her mother was saying. "Subcontinental Princess? But she's dead! Not even she could have survived all those nukes!"

"I wish I could agree with you but the evidence before us suggests otherwise. If that is so, we need to act. Send Tantrum and Talos to find my sisters. They will report what happened and they are to request my sisters meet me here." She then turned to Honor. "You are to go Perth under flag of truce. I know she has sided with the humans. Perhaps the wiser of her. But you will inform her of what has happened and also tell them I ask for sanctuary of my people. " She turned back to Renown. "Starting from the North and Westernmost territories, gather every human and every ship that can sail. I don't even care if it has an engine. If they can't steam, they can rig sails! You tow them if necessary! You sail them for Australia. You will be safe there."

"Mother?" Renown did not like where this was going.

"If my mother lives, she will murder everything she can find. I can't let that happen to you or your sisters so I charge you with looking after my human subjects. Swear that you will obey me on this Renown!"

Renown took a step back, startled by the forcefulness of her mother's command. "I swear!"

Her mother's expression softened at this. "This is the one thing I have yet done that will mean anything in the end. It is everything now."

"What will you do, mother?"

"My Empire has been a farce but I have claimed myself an 'Empress'. A ruler is obligated to those she would rule. If the Mother of Despair wishes to take these waters back, I will be waiting for her."

 

[darthcourt10]

mikelima777

March 22, 2014

10:00 AM Halifax Time

CFB Shearwater

"Pathfinder One-One-Zero, you are cleared for takeoff."

"Cleared for takeoff, One-One-Zero."

The four turboprop engines of the Lockheed CP-140M Aurora roared as the patrol aircraft raced down the runway. After reaching the correct speed, the pilot pulled back on the yoke, the plane pitching up as it climbed. Lined up on the runway, other patrol aircraft well as search and rescue planes were preparing to take off. There had been a surprise earlier in the day, as a brand new plane landed at CFB Shearwater. It was a heavily modified CS300 airliner, bearing Bombardier markings and some hastily painted roundels. Dubbed the Argus II, it was part of Bombardier's bid to replace the old CP-140 Auroras, competing with Boeing which was offering a Canadianized P-8 Poseidon aircraft, itself derived from the ubiquitous Boeing 737.

In the mouth of Halifax harbour, a rather sizable task force was being formed as part of what was now being called Operation ASCLEPIUS. Ships from the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Coast Guard, along with a number of shipgirls were being assigned to search the waters off Canada's Maritime Coast. This formation was centred on HMCS Vimy Ridge, a modified Mistral-class amphibious assault ship, which in recent years served an additional role as a mothership for shipgirls on long-ranged deployments. On the flight deck, CH-149 Cormorants along with Bell 429s and Bell 412s from the Canadian Coast Gaurd were being checked by the deck crews and tied down.

With the Vimy Ridge were a pair of Province-class guided-missile destroyers, a trio of frigates, as well as Canadian Coast Guard vessels CCGS Cygnus, CCGS Edward Cornwallis, and CCGS Leonard J. Cowley, their crews experts in Search and Rescue. There were also a number of shipgirls participating in the operation, led by Niobe and Laurentia, including two Americans.

To many people's surprise, the battleships Kentucky and Illinois offered to help in the search. The two Iowa-class shipgirls had informed the Pentagon that they were willing to serve the United States, except for any service run by the Department of the Navy. Immediately, the US Coast Guard provided offers to Illinois and Kentucky. Almost immediately, arguments between the US Navy and the Coast Guard erupted, the former offering various things to the two shipgirls to compensate for what happened in the past, the latter offering to train them as "high endurance cutters". As a result, their current status was in limbo, so Ottawa had allowed the two battleships to stick around until the brass in the Pentagon finally reached some resolution. They were willing to act as civilian contractors for now, flying the American and Canadian flags from their mast, but not the US Naval Jack. They felt that they owed a debt to Canada, as the summoning of Halifax had also brought them from the beyond and have a chance at life that was denied to them the first time. Helping the Canadians find one of their missing ships was the least they could do.

*****

Approaching HMCS Shannon, Off the Coast of Nova Scotia, Canada


Tsuki looked out the window as the CH-149 Helicopter descended onto the flight deck of the carrier. She had adopted her human disguise, not out of fear, but practicality as the military only had headsets designed for human ears. Next to her, Muriel was rubbing one of her sister's back as said sister was making use of an air sickness bag. The three selkies were not as used to flying, let alone inside a vibrating helicopter that was buffeting in the Atlantic winds. Mercifully, they felt the wheels touch down, and the rotors slowing down. An airman told them they could start removing their seat harnesses, and they complied, grateful as the harnesses were heavy and stiff.

The cabin door opened, as a man dressed in olivedrab and yellow looked inside. After they freed themselves from the harnesses, he helped them step off the helicopter, as two others came and led them to the island superstructure. They then went through corridors and stairways until they reached an officer's lounge. Two crewmembers offered warm drinks as the guests sat a little uneasily, feeling as the carrier slowly rocked back and forth. Finally, a man donning the rank insignia of Captain stepped inside, and everyone snapped to attention, with one close to the door saluting.

"At ease." The gentleman said.

He reached out and shook hands with Tsuki.

"Ladies, Welcome to Her Majesty's Canadian Ship Shannon."

***

Inside the lounge, the visiting demi-humans chatted with the Captain, as he spoke with pride about his service and current posting. After more small talk, things turned towards business as they were slowly led by the Captain down more corridors towards a briefing room.

"So, far, we have tried to contact what we hope is HMCS Halifax, but it seems that barrier is preventing outside radio calls from coming in. One of the drones from Shearwater might have detected a patch of something with its infrared camera, but on its TV camera, nothing."

Tsuki nodded, "Many illusion charms and ward that I know of focus on the visible light spectrum, and may not be as effective in dealing with infrared radiation."

The Captain quirked an eyebrow at the Kyuubi.

"I do read up on Scientific knowledge, Captain."

"In any case, once the rest of the task force is on the way, we hope to narrow down the search area, and prepare for anything. Our activity will undoubted unwanted attention, and there is still a chance the radio calls might be bait, though hopefully this isn't one."

******

HMCS Severn, near US-Canada water border

The veteran Cold War-era was on high alert, as her airborne reconaissance teams went on patrol. A pair of animagi transformed into Orcas and dove into the water to watch for threats from below. The Captain of HMCS Severn could see vintage destroyer HMCS Merlin heading to the horizon. His staff was professional and vigilant, ready to fight if necessary.

"Wards are holding, sir. No signs of any possible threats so far. Hopefully it stays that way."

The Captain sighed.

"Hopefully, but our colleagues have just started. Assuming they find the island and try to break the barrier, it's going to attract unwanted attention like moths to a flame."

The Canadian Ministry of Magic had ordered a squadron of ships to watch the edge of Canada's offshore border with the United States. Their overall orders were simple: provide protection to the nonmagical Canadian Forces searching for the lost frigate against any malevolent interference. They crews understood the thinly veiled meaning: they were engage any Abyssals heading from the South, but many knew the other reason was to intercept any overzealous wizards from MACUSA.

 

[darthcourt10]

KiMaSa

And now the next part of the Jingo Arc


Fear Itself

"Have I told you I think you've gone crazy?" Ruiner asked mildly.

"Frequently," Jingo answered with some true humor. "Although not usually in so blunt terms."

"That's because most of the time, I can call it 'eccentricity'. This time, this is the most completely flipping crazy thing you've ever done."

Jingo raised an eyebrow. Normally, she would have put some admonition into that glance to Ruiner for forgetting her place and protocol. But today, there was only amusement. It wasn't like protocol was going to change the outcome of things and Jingo did not want to go into her last fight holding petty grievances about foolish things. "You don't have to be here, you know. In fact, I'm pretty sure I told you to go with the last convoy."

"You did but with Talos and Tantrum back and the strays they picked up, the last convoy has a heavy enough escort. So here I am," Ruiner replied nonchalantly. "I still don't see why you didn't call in the vassal fleets."

"Yes you do," Jingo corrected. "If they even came, most of them would side with Mother. Some out of fear and others because they are unhappy with my rules. And some because they simply want to be on the winning side." The Once and Former 'Empress' chuckled. "We'll probably end up seeing some of them anyway." The news from Talos and Tantrum had been bad. Bengal Princess was dead. Arabian Princess had gone into hiding. A small number of their fleets had joined up and followed Jingo's emissaries back but Jingo was sure that her mother would have most of them under her control in short order.

"I suppose so. Alright. Then why?"

"Why stay?"

Ruiner nodded.

"Because I have to." She saw Ruiner's skeptical expression. "I'm not talking about noblesse oblige. I mean that first, I want to keep her attention focused on me and not My Fleet and My People. Second of all, I may not be able to kill her but I can hurt her. Enough to make her go back and lick her wounds a bit longer." She smiled.

"You know it's possible she won't come. It may not even be her."

"You don't really believe that. Not with Bengal Princess dead. But let's pretend we both didn't know better. If this was all just a huge misunderstanding and maybe Bengal Princess was killed by someone else. Maybe Arabian Princess is just panicking... Like we are. I would be a fool who forfeited her throne for nothing. Given all the odds and outcomes. I could live with that. But we both know she'll come. And we know what she'd do if we were all sitting around like everything was normal. I couldn't bear that."

After a while, the wind shifted, bringing with it a charnel stench. Jingo stood up from her throne. "Well, that settles that. An oil tanker's worth of perfume and she'd still reek. But it's time you left, Ruiner. She needs me to be afraid and what she could do to you is the last thing left that could cause me to dread. Hurry on your way now."

"I was just leaving," Ruiner agreed. "I'm not the suicidal heroic type you know."

"Just between the two of us, I never pictured myself that way either. I would have preferred writing the history instead of becoming it but there's nothing to be done for it. Now hurry on!"

Ruiner nodded and with a last salute, got underway. Jingo smiled. She was alone but now she was free as she waited.

 

[darthcourt10]

KiMaSa

And another part of the Jingo Arc:


Fools Gambit

"The eye looks a little better today boss," Ruiner commented mildly to Jingo as the two of them slowly made their way east. Jingo brushed some seagrass from her face and raised an eyebrow then held up the remains of her left arm.

"And the arm?"

"Still gone chief," Ruiner shrugged.

"And I think she broke at least three of my ribs," Jingo noted.

"On the other hand, she didn't expect you to go on the offensive. It was lucky you hit her in the throat. Made my job easier."

"And just what did you think you were doing, Ruiner? I told you to go."

"Well, I did... Then I got to thinking how scared and paranoid everyone who's gone back to following your mother has to be. Always riding the fine line between finding out the Abyssals that just showed up are traitors or that they'll be accused of treason. You saw how they reacted when I announced 'our trap' none of them dared make a move. And then one shot and they all went nuts!

"Besides, I think a lot of them were genuinely impressed and scared by what you were able to do to her. Seriously, I think she just expected you to run or beg like everyone else."

Jingo nodded, imagining how it had probably gone for Bengal Princess. "I knew even if I begged her that she'd kill me. Might as well go out fighting."

"But fighting dirty and smart," The Ru class noted. "None of this 'fair fight' shit."

"Fair fights are for two honorable opponents who respect each other," Jingo winced in pain again. "I just wanted to do as much damage as I could before she killed me."

"Did you see her eyes? You obviously hurt her, I've seen spite and malice but never that kind of hate in her eyes. "

Jingo had seen that look in her mother's eyes, no, Ruiner was wrong. It was not hate but blind rage and then her mother lashing out like a wounded animal, Jingo's left arm, the one she had thrust into Sub-Continental's throat, ripping out her transmitter, had been torn off in seconds. A fist driven into her ribs with the force of an atomic bomb and then shouts of 'Assassins!" as Ruiner arrived to sow chaos among Sub-Continental's minions. Jingo lashed out, throwing all of her weight, kicking out at one of her mother's prop shafts as a primal need to survive took hold. Somehow escaping amid chaos as her mother's minions fired at each other, none certain of anyone else's loyalties.

It was only fortune that Ruiner hadn't gotten herself killed in the process. And now the two of them slowly slipped across the water, camouflaging themselves with mud and bits of vegetation, cosplaying as small islands to avoid detection.

"So boss? What are we going to do?"

"We'll head northeast, through the Malay Barrier."

"Why not just head for Australia?"

"Scatter her forces and draw them off. Give our fleet and our people a better chance to escape."

"Alright, but then what?"

"I assume you mean, when we make landfall?"

"Yeah?"

"I go on trial, dear Ruiner."

"Trial? They should thank you for what you've done!"

"Perhaps, but I still participated in a war of aggression. My motives I may have considered noble but I am no longer so certain. What I am certain is that My Empire was to be a rule of law. I will now serve law by standing trial for my deeds."

"Well, damn it boss! If I knew you were just planning on switching the hangman, why'd I even bother?"

"Because as much as you are a foul mouthed, insubordinate battleship with delusions of grandeur, you are also hopelessly brave and loyal and also, It is not certain that humanity will demand my head. In any case, it will be quite the show!"

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Gently drifting along the shore of Sarushima, Harry gave a soft, happy sigh. Closing his eyes, the teen simply enjoyed the moment he was having with the two Submarines with him. His arms were around Imuya's waist, with the red haired Subgirl having placed hers around his neck while her own legs were around his waist. And, behind him RO, like Imuya, had her arms over his shoulders and legs around his waist.

Despite what some might think, he found it rather comfortable sandwiched as he was between the two. And, if the relaxed and happy hums that seemed almost like purrs told him anything? It was that the two Submarines also found it enjoyable and comfortable.

Opening his eyes as he felt RO remove her arms from his shoulders and putting them around his stomach, Harry turned his head to where said German had her chin on his shoulder, "Hmm? RO-Chan? Is something wrong?"

Blue eyes sparkling, RO shook her head slightly, "Nein, nothing's wrong, Harry-Chan. Just getting more comfortable is all." Shifting her head, she kissed him on the cheek as she tightened her hold, "This is better after all."

Rather amused, Harry returned the affection with his own kiss to the cheek, which made the Uboat hum, "True."

Almost as soon as he turned back to face her, Imuya gave his lips a peck, "Very nice." Holding him close, she sighed, "Just floating through the sea, you cuddling us, us cuddling you... So nice."

Part of Harry was rather amused at that though he would never tell them that. In his personal experience, Submarines loved cuddling even more than Destroyers did. They craved it like any other form of affection they could get. Sometimes, when thinking of it, he could not help but wonder if it had to do with their jobs. As Submarines, they often spent long, lonely patrols in the dark, cold sea. Rising only at night to recharge their batteries. Thus, being cuddled up to someone who was warm would be nice.

So it was not exactly hard for him to imagine that was part of the reason that they loved cuddles so much.

Harry could remember when he first started staying overnights with them sometimes. Even when he had gone to bed in his own futon, alone, by the time he woke, the various Subgirls would be cuddled up to him. Now, granted, he didn't mind it then and still didn't despite the... issues... with his hormones. Rather, he enjoyed it as much as they did as he loved cuddling.

Thus, all the teenage wizard did was tighten his hold on Imuya and give her a kiss, "Very nice." Just a few seconds later, he glanced toward the island and smiled, "I think that we're nearly to where the others are."

Nodding, RO smiled a little, "Ja, they're just around that bend there."

Curious, Harry examined the shoreline that they were beside. He knew that originally, the shore of the island ended under a cliff on this end of the island with the odd stone sticking out of the water. But during the Second Battle of Tokyo Bay, a shell from an Abyssal Monitor, which had an eighteen inch gun, had hit about two hundred feet from the northeast corner of the island. While it had not damaged anything on the island, it had flung debris up and into the shallows and added to the rocks that where there. Some of them were more slabs of stone that due to the shallow angle of the shell had been flipped up and over.

Right then, as they came around the tip of the island, they could see the other Submarines laying on one of the angled slabs of rock. Most of them were laying on said stones with their feet in the water and the waves washing up their calves. Some, like Iku, were on their backs while others, like Shioi, were laying on their front. For a brief moment, Harry's lips twitched as he was reminded of his earlier image of seals lounging about on some ocean rock.

But, seeing them at this moment? He was more reminded of pictures and paintings of mermaids instead. Which seemed far more fitting to him.

Meanwhile, on said rocks, Iku softly sighed as she laid back on them with her eyes closed and arms behind her head, "Ah... this is nice. Warm stone and cool water."

From where she was beside her, Hachi gave a happy hum, "Ja... Hacchan agrees that this is nice." Turning over, she placed her chin on her arms as the water lapped at her calves, "It is a nice contrast. And the Sun is nice as well."

Maruyu smiled a little from where she was sunning herself like the others, "Very nice... though you know what would make it better?" Getting sounds of curiosity, she grinned, "Having Harry-Chan with us."

The blonde haired Subgirl gave a nod to that, "That would be nice as well."

Out of the corner of her eye, Shioi blinked as caught sight of a flash of red among the waves, 'Imuya-Chan?' Propping herself up a little, she grinned, "Well, we might be getting our wish."

Each of the other girls perked up at that and turned to her before looking in the same direction that she was as Harry fully came into view. Brightly smiling, Iku waved at him, "Harry-Chan! Over here!"

Giggling a little, Maruyu had an amused expression on her face, "I think that Harry-Chan can see us, Iku-Chan."

In reply, the blue haired Subgirl stuck her tongue out at the smaller Submarine that got snickers and giggles from the others. Just a few minutes later, Harry arrived at where they were with RO and Imuya letting go of him, though not without a small, playful pout on their faces. The Submarines on the rock did giggle, however, as Harry gave the two kisses which mysteriously caused the pouts to disappear and smiles to replace them.

When he reached the rock, Shioi held out a hand, "Here you go, Harry-Chan. I'll help you up since the rock there is a bit slippery."

Just nodding, Harry grasped the offered hand and was hauled out of the water dripping. Carefully making his way up, he sat down and stretched a little as Imuya and RO clambered onto the rock. Sitting down between Shioi and Iku, he gave them a grin, "So this was where you were. I was wondering..."

Shrugging a little, Iku grinned back, "We just wanted to spend a little time soaking in the warm sunlight, Harry-Chan. And the beach has people running back and forth on it. Besides... there's nothing like laying on a warm, sunlit rock with cool waves washing over your legs."

Thoughtful, the teenage wizard nodded a little, "That's true enough, Iku-Chan."

Maruyu then gestured at the rock that they were on, "And this is our sunbathing rock, because it's pretty nice to lay on. We even make sure that it is kept clean of barnacles and stuff, Mogu mogu."

Glancing at the rock, Harry titled his head to the side, "Huh, there isn't any."

Laying back, Hachi happily hummed, "Hai, we like to come out here to sunbathe. So we usually clean up any barnacles or what have you to make it comfortable to lay on."

Even though he suspected there was more to the story, the wizard didn't say anything. And, as it turned out, he was right, there was more to it. Due to how the island was, the side of the rock that they were on was not visible from shore and also gave them a great view of the surrounding area. Despite their nickname of "Lewdmarines", none of them actually liked it when people oogled them. Hence, them having a rock where they could just haul themselves up and sunbathe on when they wanted to. Even better was the fact that Sarushima barely had any visitors and, also, the way that the rocks were they couldn't be seen from the lookouts on the island.

It was a nice, quiet, and private place for them to relax.

Harry sat there with a smile as he looked out over the harbour before he felt a softer hand grasp his. Turning to the side, he blinked a bit at seeing Iku there, "Hmm?"

The blue haired Subgirl gave his hand a squeeze as she smiled, "I just wanted to say happy birthday, Harry-Chan."

Expression softening, Harry squeezed her hand back before leaning forward. Bringing up his free hand, he used it to cup her cheek before kissing her. Iku's eyes widened for a second before closing as he deepened the kiss some. Then, pulling back, the fourteen year old boy smiled as her lips were still in the same position they had been in the kiss, "Thank you, Iku-Chan."

Cheeks red and flustered, Iku only nodded as steam leaked from her ears. Something that seemed to amuse Harry, though she was able to get herself under control soon enough, "Y-you're welcome, Harry-Chan." This time, it was her that leaned in to initiate a kiss as she placed her arms around his neck and pulled him close, while at the same time he placed his hands on her hips, 'Very welcome...'

From where she sat, Hachi watched with a happy smile as the two kissed before looking at a stunned Shioi and Maruyu, giving them both a nod. Said Subgirls glanced at Imuya and RO, who flushed a little, but also had smiles on their faces before their expressions lit up as well. This, what they were seeing, was confirmation of what they had been told by their blonde haired fellow Subgirl. And it went without saying that they were really happy about that.

Meanwhile, pulling back from the kiss, Iku opened her eyes and the sakura petal shaped pupils in them practically glowed in happiness. Part of her wondered if this was Harry's birthday... or hers, with what had just happened. It was just like some dreams that she had before, so much so that, briefly, she had the thought that it was another. But Iku knew that it wasn't a dream, it was real.

And that made it all the better.

Leaning forward, Shioi had a grin on her face, "So... you're giving out birthday kisses, Harry-Chan?"

On Harry's face was a smirk before he reached over, "Hmm... I wonder..."

With that, he captured her lips and the Submarine Aircraft Carrier blinked before leaning into it. And when one of Harry's hands laid upon her thigh, she placed hers on top, "Mmm..." Pulling back, she had a bit of a dazed look and a goofy smile, "I think that answers my question."

Unable to help himself Harry chuckled at that before twisting around to where Maruyu was waiting and then kissing her. And unlike the others, having expected it, the former IJA Submarine threw her arms around the teenage boy as he placed a hand on her hip. When they pulled apart, she smiled with a happy look in her eyes and a flush to her cheeks, "Looks like we're the ones getting the birthday presents."

Not to be left out, Hachi slipped into the water and made her way around before clambering back onto the rock. When Harry turned to her, she gave him a shy smile, "Um... is Hacchan going to be getting one?"

Her answer was for the wizard to grin before he leaned in and kissed her, the blonde Subgirl pressed into him as she put her arms around his neck with a happy hum even as his hands went to her waist. Pulling back, she had a bit of a silly look on her face which Harry chuckled at, "Well, what do you think?"

Pressing her face into his neck and nuzzling him, Hachi hummed, "I think that this is a very good day." After a moment, she gave him a peck to the lips and smiled, "And a very happy birthday for you, Harry-Chan."

As she laid her head on his chest, Harry reached over and ran his fingers through her damp hair, "Thank you, Hachi-Chan."

Iku had a happy smile on her face before she shifted and pressed into his side before she kissed him again, "Harry-Chan? Could you stay here with us for a little bit?"

Giving her a kiss, he only nodded with a happy smile, "For a little bit..."

Moments later, he found his head lifted up to be set onto Maruyu's lap before the small Submarine stole a kiss. That was followed by Shioi snuggling into him on the opposite side from Iku and doing the same thing. Despite being slightly flustered, Harry smiled back just as happy as they were. A smile that grew a touch as the group continued to share kisses back and forth.

 

[darthcourt10]

KiMaSa

Writing didn't help.

Here. Have some Nagato chan:

Prologue

Enterprise looked at the club door nervously. "Are you sure this is the right place?"

Nerka nodded. "That's what Redfish said. And I am family of a sort. So I promise that if Redfish says this is the place, this is the place!"

"I just don't want to blow this," the starship answered. "I promised everybody I could pull this off. If I screw it up, it'll be worse than when Laugh-in dropped me into the Friday night 'death slot' for the third season!"

"Don't worry! It'll be fine!" Nerka waved her off and reached for the door.

"Hey! hey hey hey... Hey." One of Enterprise's faeries appeared giving her reassurance.

"Thanks, De. I hope so."

The faery nodded and went back in and Enterprise followed Nerka inside the club. Nerka spotted someone she recognized and walked over to her table.

"Redfish! So shall I call you sis or mom?"

"Call me Red." Redfish grinned and hugged Nerka tight.

"Thanks... Just let me make sure I've still got my wallet!"

Redfish tossed it back. "Good girl!" She looked over Enterprise. "I expected you to be taller, somehow. Oh, well! Have a seat, both of you!"

As they sat, Redfish gestured to the girl seated next to her. "This is Iku, also known as I-19, AKA 'The sniper of the seas'. She's almost as dangerous as I am!"

Iku stuck her tongue out and then looked at Enterprise. "Is this her?"

"That's her, NCC-1701... No bloody A, B, C... OR D..." Redfish answered.

Iku's expression softened a little. She stood up and waved to a girl wearing what could only be described as an orange traffic cone. "Naka! Over here!"

"What's up, Iku-chan?"

"Miss Enterprise, meet Idol of the fleet, the Cruiser Naka. Naka! Meet Enterprise, the finest ship in Starfleet..."

 

[darthcourt10]

KiMaSa

Overture

After her conversation with Enterprise, Naka was more than willing to help. Of course, the fact that Enterprise had offered her a role had helped. Not that Naka would not have been more than willing to help anyway but being seen with the iconic starship could only do good things for her public profile. Enterprise said that she needed a high turn out from the girls at Yokosuka and one name in particular at their upcoming show. In order to do that. they agreed that all ticket sales would be donated to charity. In this case, Two charities: One was 'Orphans of the Storm' providing assistance to qualified children's homes. The other would be a charity in the magical community: 'Helping Neighbors' a charity intended to help support the preserves and their residents. For this alone, Naka would do her best to make sure every seat in the auditorium would be filled.

Of course, she would have to report her involvement in any such endeavors to the admiral, which she did, informing Admiral Goto that a representative of the production team would be available at his discretion to answer any questions he had about the show and what Naka's intended role was to be. Of course, part of her wondered if she should not simply just tell Nagato about the whole thing but Enterprise insisted otherwise. Their Nagato had a deep need to show herself worthy of The Mighty Nagato. Anything that might suggest a meeting due to sympathy or pity might severely damage her confidence. Enterprise, Illinois, and Susan Nakamura all wanted for Nagato to have the chance to show her stuff before the being in the universe whose opinion of her would matter the most.

Naka could understand this. Most shipgirls were very proud individuals and if the Actress Nagato had anything in common with the one Naka knew, she would also be a very proud spirit. So Naka would play along.

The admiral had given his blessing to the scheme and then, pretending as if he and Kongou had not heard a version of the story already, called Nagato into his office for Naka to explain about the show and then telling that the show staff would be sending representatives to the base tomorrow and Nagato would make sure this was something that Kanmusu Base Yokosuka ought to be having anything to do with.

Of course, Enterprise did not know the details of the Nagato family and if Naka had promised not to directly tell Nagato herself about what was really going on, that promise did not necessarily extend to Naka's favorite on-air sidekick, Harry.

Still, Naka did have tentative approval from the admiral, so starting tonight, Naka would start helping to promote the show on her StreamCast. To help set the mood among the shipgirls, she would do a reading of Destroyer Johnston's fanfic: American Made! The Great Lakes Battleship x Captain America.

Naka began the story:

"So?" The Red Skull gestured to the map as he regarded his guest. He regarded no man as his equal but his guest was no mere human, no more than HE was. "With Hydra's forces at your disposal and the assistance of Doctor Zola, we have a pact! You and I! Hydra will rule the land and you will rule the oceans, my dear."

Central Island Hime smiled. "The Legendary Hydra was a beast born of the waters. It seems appropriate, don't you agree?"

"Indeed. And all those who oppose us, whether Captain America or The Great Lakes Battleship, will be swept aside for a new order! Hail Hydra!"

Hime stood, raising a glass in a toast. "Hail Hydra..."

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Humming softly close to where the waves lapped against the sand, Rose smiled gently as she enjoyed the warm Sun above. The sound of giggles made her turn and her smile grew as she watched Harry walking out of the water with Maruyu on his back and various other Subgirls chatting with him with bright smiles. Seeing them kiss him before running off towards the barbecue area, she shook her head, 'Ah, young Master... I can only continue to hope for many happy times like today for you.'

It was then that she noticed that Harry was walking towards her and he gave her a smile and a wave, "Hello, Aunt Rose."

A slight chuckle came from said Tsukumogami as she nodded, "Hello, Master. I would ask if you have been enjoying your birthday..." She gave a knowing glance towards the Submarines, "But I do believe that I know the answer to that already."

Rubbing the back of his neck, Harry gave an embarrassed chuckle, "I guess." Hearing a sound, he looked down and grinned. Crouching, he laughed some, "Hello, Sumire, having a good day as well, I see?"

Just blinking behind her large sunglasses and large sunhat, Sumire squealed happily as she hit the sand with a small play shovel. Unable to help herself, Rose laughed a little, "Oh my yes, Sumire is most definitely enjoying her day at the beach."

When the little teaset reached for him, the teenage wizard reached down and gently picked her up, "I can imagine!" Giving her nose a nuzzle and getting a squeak, he laughed himself, "After all, it seems like she is having a true adventure!"

Once more, Rose gave a laugh at that, "Yes, she most certainly is as a matter of fact. And she does seem quite interested in the sea, though considering her mother that is to be expected." Watching as Harry held Sumire and played with her, she hummed, 'Master will make for a good father.'

Unknown to her, a number of other shipgirls and one Kitsune were also watching and thinking the same thing with small flushes on their cheeks.

Not knowing of this, Harry gave Rose a smile, "I suppose so." Then he furrowed his eyebrows, "Though where is Haruna-Oba?"

Lips curled into a soft smile, Rose gestured, "She's over there in the water with her sisters as a matter of fact. I'm watching over Sumire so that she could do so." Rolling her eyes a little in fond exasparation, she shook her head, "I do love her so, but Sumire is not quite ready to be brought into the ocean for a swim."

Bemused, the teen looked in the direction that Rose had gestured in and shook his head. Sure enough, there was Haruna alongside her fellow Kongous laughing as they played some in the water. A moment later, she spotted him and waved... right before getting knocked down by an overly excited Hiei, who was then tackled by Kirishima into the water. Even from where he was, Harry could hear the "Hieeee!' from the second oldest of the sisters.

Around them, various people laughed or chuckled at the sight. Sharing a grin with Rose, Harry sat down with Sumire still in his arms babbling excitedly as she waved her little hands around. Which got her a smile from the wizard as he nodded and replied to whatever she said, though he couldn't really understand it.

Not far away, Jin was watching with a look of amusement on her face, especially when she caught sight of how a number of girls were now looking at Harry. Shaking her head, she barely held back a snicker, 'Yeah, sure, Kiddo. Just keep digging that hole you're in even deeper...' Feeling a tap, the undead Mizuchi turned, "Hmm?"

Carnwennan gave her a raised eyebrow as he walked up to her with two beers floating in the air beside him as he carried two plates with hamburgers on them. Though one also had a number of sasauges as well, "Figured that you might want something."

Grin on her face, the Mizuchi took the plate with the hamburger and sasauges on it as well as one of the beers, "Thanks, and you would be right about that." Biting into the hamburger, she hummed some, "Shit... this is good."

That got her a laugh from Carnwennan as he shook his head, "I will admit, Miss Musashi is quite good at her burgers, though Miss Enterprise is not bad either."

With a glance to the barbecue area, Jin confirmed that, yes, it was the tanned Yamato manning the grill for the burgers, "Huh, go figure." Taking another bite, she chewed for a few moments before swallowing, "Got all the stuff right for my burger."

Sipping his beer, the dagger shrugged, "Not that hard after all the drinks we've had together at the bars. One would be hard to not notice what you like."

Only nodding at that, Jin raised her beer in salute before finishing off her burger. As she did so, she did check out Carnwennan from the corner of her eye. The avatar for the blade looked to be around twenty at the very most. But one thing that she noted was that there was barely any fat on him. His avatar, to her eyes, had a very lean physique, one that hid the power and speed behind it. Part of the Mizuchi noted with amusement that, if she had met him before her transformation due to her idiotic older self, it was exactly the type of body type that she liked.

But then, she shrugged it off and continued to scarf down her food.

For his part, Carnwennan was somewhat amused at his current eating and drinking companion. One might think that her manners when eating might put him off, but then those people didn't know how people ate for most of history. Being as he could still remember the meals at Camelot where most would grab food and eat it? Carnwennan wasn't bothered in the slightest as her manners were still better than "Knights" as well as "Kings" that he had known.

And as he bit into his own hamburger, the dagger spirit internally chuckled a little, 'Besides, I can't blame her much. And she does make for someone who understands the issues with herding cats.' Feeling a nudge, he raised an eyebrow at Jin, "What is it?"

Jin had a slight smirk on her face as she gestured at the food, "Ever wonder what Arthur would think of modern food like burgers and such?"

Now saying anything right away, Carnwennan hummed in thought before giving a slow nod, "I would think that he would be both interested in them as well as liking them quite a bit. Though things such as burgers would be strange, it was not... as odd as one might think." At the look of interest, he shrugged, "In Camelot, we would have food placed on round pieces of stale bread. Once the food was done, you would then eat said bread. We did, however, have sasauge at the time."

Considering that, the Mizuchi took a sip of beer before nodding, "Huh, that's neat."

With a nod of his own, the two continued their chat, not knowing of some of the others watching. Rubbing her chin, Dracul hummed a bit before glancing towards Sheff who was sitting in Saki's lap as the two Tsukumogami shared some ice cream, "Hmm... what do you think?"

Eyebrow raised, the knife set looked towards where Jin and Carnwennan were standing and chatting, "I think... that what ever it is, it is their business, Dracul. None of ours."

Pout on her face, Dracul crossed her arms and huffed a little, "Well, that's not fair at all. Besides..." She made a gesture with her hand, "Carny needs a little light in his life~"

Blinking, Saki looked at her after taking a lick of the ice cream she was sharing with Sheff, "And? It's their business, I agree with Sheff in regards to that." She then gave a small shrug along with a frown, "Though... isn't Juuchi attempting to set him up with some of her sisters?"

From where he was laying back with his hat on his face, Bill snorted, "Little lady, them girls are thirstier for him than cactus cat is for cactus juice after being without for a few days. And they would be a yowling as much as them in glee if they got some." That got him snickers from the others within earshot before he continued with a motion of his hand, "Besides, Carn will do as he pleases. Though when he finally blows off that there head of steam he has built up, them there girl will need some skelegrow for her hips."

That got a number of laughs from the others, though Saki did blush a little at what was said as well.

_____________________________________________________________________

Walking around with a paper plate that had food on it, Shiromizu spotted a table and sat down at it before rubbing her hands with some glee, 'Barbecue pulled pork sandwich... yum!' As she picked it up, she heard a chuckle and turned to find Ryouma there with his wife, "Hmm? Ryouma-San? Oryou-San?"

Sheepish look on his face, Ryouma scratched at the stubble on his chin before gesturing at the table, "Uh, mind if we have a seat? The shade means that Oryou-Chan doesn't need to worry about the Sun as much."

Only glancing at the pale skinned woman, the young Mizuchi gestured at the chairs on the other side of the table from her, "That's fine, there's plenty of room here after all."

A soft smile on her face, Oryou gave her a nod, "Thank you, we appreciate it."

Lightly laughing, Ryouma grinned a bit as he placed their plates down before pulling the chair out for his wife who sat down, "Really, we do appreciate it. Oryou-Chan does burn somewhat easily after all."

Eyebrow lifted in amusement, Shiromizu glanced at said woman who looked away with a blush staining her cheeks. Chuckling some, she gave a small nod, "Understandable." Pausing for a moment, the Mizuchi continued, "Though if you worry about that, you could ask my Otouto for some of his magical sunblock. It works wonders."

Considering that, the man across from her nodded, "Huh, you know what? I might do that." He made a motion with his hand as he looked at his wife, "After all, I don't want to see her hurt, and it would allow me some more time to see her in a bathing suit."

The blush that stained Oryou's cheeks only increased at that and she huffed a little, "Saying such things as that about me in public..."

However, when the woman glanced at her husband, Shiromizu could see the pure love in her eyes for him which made her smile, 'I can only wish that I could find someone like that whom I can look at in that way...' Shaking her head, the young Mizuchi watched with a small smile as Oryou leaned against her husband as he fed her a little, 'Adorable...'

Meanwhile, at the edges of her senses, there was an odd feeling whenever she looked at Oryou. Something that her her curious, but the young Mizuchi didn't give voice to it since it would be rude. Taking a bite of a hot dog, Ryouma looked at her in some amusement before smirking, "You want to ask about Oryou-Chan, don't you?"

Now, it was Shiromizu's turn to blush as she hung her head a little in embarrassment, "Um, is it that obvious?"

Lightly snorting, Ryouma's smirk became a grin, "Not to everyone, but then myself? You don't manage to get two domains who absolutely despised one another to work together against the Shogunate without knowing tells." He then gave a small shrug, "Besides, you're not being rude or anything."

Beside her husband, Oryou shook her head before flicking his ear, "Behave."

That, however, only got a laugh from him. Amused at the byplay, Shiromizu glanced at him, "So... you really are the reincarnation of Sakamoto Ryouma? The Samurai who helped laid the foundations for modern Japan?"

At that, he blushed a little in embarrassment, Ryouma scratched his cheek and the stubble there, "Well... I wouldn't go quite that far. A lot of people were working and I can't take much credit for that. But... hai, that was whom I was in my previous life." He ate the last of his hot dog and them took a drink of sake before grinning, "Though I find it hilarious as all hell that Okita is now my Imouto. The universe, it seems, has a sense of humour with regards to Karma."

In the lineup for the barbecue, Okita sneezed a little and frowned, "Is someone talking about me?" Then, she blushed a little as she realized that she had sneezed over Nobu, who slowly blinked, "Hehehe... oops?"

Grimace on her face, Nobu pointed at her, "For that! I should prevent you from having anymore sweets as punishment!" Moments later, she yelped as Okita's hand came down on her head, "GAH!"

Eyes shadowed, the former Shinsengumi growled, "Take away my treats...?"

Back at Shiromizu's table, all three of them glanced towards the scream from Nobu before shrugging it off as none of their business. The young Mizuchi, meanwhile, had a thoughtful look on her face as she tapped her chin in thought before turning to Oryou, "And you're his wife from then?"

With a small nod, Oryou smiled at her before leaning into her husband, "Hai, I was, and always have been."

Softly smiling as she watched the couple kiss, Shiromizu nodded a little and waited until they had separated before frowning, "Did he know that you were a MIzuchi then? I mean, Okita-San mentioned that he knows that you are now..."

Much to her surprise, the older woman shook her head, "He... did not know. Because I was not a Mizuchi."

At the surprised look, Ryouma shrugged and shook his head, "Hai, she was one hundred percent human, my Oryou-Chan.'

Now confused, Shiromizu looked between them with a frown though she remembered what Ryuujin had asked her to do, "Does that mean that you were reincarnated as a Mizuchi, Oryou-San? Because you do feel like Senpai a little."

Once more, to her surprise, Oryou shook her head, "No, I... was not." She glanced at her husband before looking at Shiromizu, "I lived as a human, though with my husband's death, it felt as if I had a wound that would never heal. And even though I remarried, he was not him." Voice softening, she had a sad look in her eye, "My life... was not pleasant without him. Every day, I cursed those whom killed him and those that ordered it. As well, I cursed myself for not being there in time to save his life."

Eyes widening, the young Mizuchi realized what that meant, "... You died in poverty, hating them. And you came back as an Onryou, filled with a grudge." At the nod, she frowned, 'An Onryou with a powerful grudge. Yet now a Mizuchi like Senpai...' Remembering a conversation nearly a year ago as well as what Jin had said earlier, she boggled as it all fit together in her mind, '... I... never expected that. That, that is what happened to them.' Quietly, Shiromizu looked around, "So you found...?"

Lips curling a little, Onryou nodded, "I did, during my wanderings of what was Edo, and now Tokyo after the war."

While it answered many questions for Shiromizu, it raised just as many more. But, she decided that she had enough and so looked at the two, "So, how did the two of you meet in this life?" That got her a laugh from Ryouma as Oryou looked extremely flustered, "Um... did I say something wrong?"

Just waving her off, the stubble chined man grinned a little, "Actually it is sort of funny. See, I had just, uh, become aware of whom I was and was about... twelve years old. Somehow, Oryou-Chan could sense me at that moment and came looking for me." Grin widening as his wife looked all the more embarrassed, he snickered, "Was a bit of a shock one morning when I woke up to find her in my bed, under the covers, right beside me. Especially as she was looking at me with those eyes of hers... but the real surprise was under the covers."

It took a few moments, but Shiromizu came to a realization that made her choke, "Wait, you mean..."

Grin widening, Ryouma waggled his eyebrows at his wife, "I certainly got an eyeful that morning, that was for sure. And I was a very happy teen."

Face utterly red, Oryou hid it behind her hands, "I waited until you were eighteen after... your Okaa-San had a talk with me."

Winking at an amused Shiromizu, her husband snickered, "True... though that did not stop you from sleeping in my bed, following me around, and even taking baths once I was fifteen. Ah, you made my second set of teen years great."

An odd sound came from Oryou at that before she punched his arm, getting laughter from him as the younger Mizuchi shook her head a little at the antics.

Nearby, Harry heard the laughter and turned to see Oryou whack her husband again and again with some amusement even as he continued to laugh, attempting to shield himself from his flustered wife's hits. Only shaking his head, the teenage wizard grinned some, 'I wonder what that was about?"

Still amused, he turned his attention to the small building that served at times as a café and small eatery. Walking inside, Harry found Mamiya there cooking up things like fried onions as well as mushrooms for people to put onto their hamburgers. But what caught his attention was Taigei and Ryuuhou. Said sisters were chatting with one another as Taigei made a waffle bowl into which Ryuuhou placed some ice cream into for Takao. The Heavy Cruiser in question gave him a nod as she walked past him, "Happy birthday, Harry-Chan."

Just smiling back, Harry chuckled, "Thank you, Takao-Oba."

Ruffling his hair and giving him a quick one armed hug, Takao grinned, "You're very welcome."

With that, the Heavy Cruiser made her way to the door and outside where she would be eating her ice cream. Part of Harry noted that the bear yokai that Fubuki had adopted was there and staring with a blush on his face as he watched Takao walk past, 'Hmm... I wonder...' After a few moments, he shook that off and walked up to where Taigei and Ryuuhou were, "Hello, Taigei-Chan, Ryuuhou-Chan."

Both shipgirls smiled at him as they set things down and made their way around the counter. Once they did so, the two hugged him with Taigei kissing him on the cheek, "Hello, Harry-Chan. And a happy birthday."

Also kissing him on the cheek, Ryuuhou smiled happily, "And a very happy fourteenth birthday from myself as well."

Hugging them back, Harry returned the kisses to the cheek in question, "Thanks, I've been having a blast today. Especially with everyone having fun too."

Only pulling back a little, Taigei hummed a little, "Would you like a wafflebowl, Harry-Chan? We've been making them into small parfaits if you want one."

Expression brightening, the teenage wizard nodded and watched as the Submarine Tender walked around the counter and began to make one. Just as she passed it to him, Mamiya spoke up some, "You know, Taigei-Chan? Ryuuhou-Chan? How about the two of you take five?" At their looks of surprise, the Food Ship gestured at the trays that she was filling, "I'm pretty much done with these so all I need to do is take them outside to the barbecue. Then I can take over for the ice cream."

Sharing a look, the "Twins" blinked before blushing lightly as they turned back, Ryuuhou speaking up for the both of them, "Are you sure that you don't mind, Mamiya-San? We could continue to man the ice cream counter..."

In reply, Mamiya snorted and placed her hands on her hips, "And you've been working it all day so far. So go ahead and take a break... heck, make yourselves parfaits and eat them as a treat, I don't mind."

Both girls looked at each other and softly smiled before they did exactly that.

Most people who had come in did so only to get the ice cream, and thus went back outside. Which meant that there was plenty of places for them to sit down, thus they chose a booth. Harry waited until Ryuuhou sat down and shuffled to the side before he did the same, with Taigei taking up the other end. Upon hearing the sigh of relief, however, he frowned in concern, "Are you alright, Taigei-Chan?"

Giving him a quick hug, Taigei nodded, "Hai, I am, Harry-Chan. Just a lot of people coming in for ice cream is all." She then pumped her fist a little, "But we made sure to have plenty, especially with help from Ryuuhou-Nee and Shinano-Chan having their planes make ice cream."

Unable to help himself, Harry chuckled and gave a nod, "Then the ice cream must be wonderful."

Lightly blushing, Ryuuhou looked away from him though she had a smile on her face, "Thank you, Harry-Chan." Picking up her spoon, she took a bite of ice cream and hummed, "It does taste good though..."

As the Submarine Tender tried hers, Harry glanced between them and blushed a little. Like pretty much all the other shipgirls, they were wearing swimsuits. In their case it was bikinis that were nearly identicle. But he could still tell the difference because they chose different color schemes with Taigei's having a dark, navy blue for the strings and the upper part of the top of the bikini. Ryuuhou, meanwhile, had hers fuschia color in the same places.

Having spotted him looking between them with a small blush, the Light Carrier blinked and leaned over some, "Harry-Chan? Is something wrong?"

Cheeks flushed, Harry looked away some, but that only brought his view to Taigei who was also leaning over, "Um..." With a deep breath, he let it out even as he mentally clubbed his hormones over the head, "Just that the two of you look really good in your swimsuits, that's all."

It took a moment, but the two blushed some, though with smiles on their faces. Leaning over, Taigei nodded, "Thank you, Harry-Chan."

Lips twitching, Harry smiled and nodded back to them before pausing. Then, remembering what Hachi had told him, reached over and cupped Taigei's cheek before pressing his lips to hers. The Submarine Tender hummed a bit as he deepened the kiss a little bit more than usual before pulling back, "Um, you're very welcome, Taigei-Chan."

Turning, he did the same with Ryuuhou, though when he pulled back, the Light Carrier had a large smile on her face, "We should say thank you more often then."

Unable to help himself, Harry laughed a little. A moment later, he blinked as Taigei took her spoon and filled it with some of the ice cream from his parfait and held it out, "Here you go, Harry-Chan, have some."

Amused, but not saying no, the wizard leaned forward and took the offered bite before pulling back with a hum of enjoyment, "Heh, just as delicious as I thought it would be." Taking his spoon, he took some of her parfait and held it out to her to eat, "Here."

Once she had taken the offered food, he felt a tap and turned to find Ryuuhou there with a smile as she brought up a spoonful for him. Not needing to be told, Harry took the bite and smiled as she giggled. And so it went with the three feeding each other, or rather Taigei and Ryuuhou taking turns feeding Harry as he did the same to them.

In any case, it did not take long before they were done with what was in the waffle bowls, and the bowls themselves were eaten.

With that done, Ryuuhou and Taigei cuddled into his side with happy sighs as he placed his arms around them. Sharing a look with her sister, the Submarine Tender leaned in and gently kissed him for a few seconds before pulling back, Ryuuhou taking her place. Both giggling at the stunned look on Harry's face before doing so again as they simply enjoyed themselves and their break.

 

[darthcourt10]

KiMaSa

A bit of fluff for the thread. This setgirl snip is new, made just for Harry's Birthday,

You can take a subthief out of the water...

July 28, 2014

"Understand that we only get one shot at this. Failure is not an option, ladies." HMS Sea Tiger said looking over the group.

"Ladies? Where?" X-2 looked around, only to be swatted by X-5.

"She means us, boulder brains!"

Nerka snickered as she polished her torpedo launcher.

"We're 'ladies', alright! Just so prim and proper and innocent! Arr!" Stingray laughed, bandana tied around her head.

"Pipe down!" Copperfin barked. "We got a job to do and by Lockwood's Piano! We're gonna do it!"

"Perhaps we should go over the plan again?" USS Sea Tiger suggested.

"Ja!" U-47 agreed.

"Is that necessary?" Scire asked with a lazy smile. "I am knowing exactly what I am to do."

"By the numbers!" HMS Sea Tiger barked.

Everyone groaned.

"Come on, you screwups!" Copperfin said. "One..."

"Raiders arrive!"

"Two..."

"Pink Lady and Scire are out for a drive."

"Three..."

"X-Craft eye the road."

"Four..."

"Nerka fires her load."

"Five..."

"Sweet ladies offer aid."

"Six..." Copperfin called.

"Wolfpack strikes down the lane!"

"Seven..."

"Stingray and Nerka, the Cargo unload."

"Eight..."

"Shore patrol clears the road."

"Nine..."



***

July 30, 2014

"As promised, Admiral!" Redfin grinned proudly, " Five hundred gallons of premium ice cream for Harry's Birthday party. And a good thing too! I hear it's going to get over 90 degrees tomorrow!"

"I'm impressed," Admiral Richardson noted. "Dare I ask where it came from?"

"I wouldn't sir. Not unless you really want to know."

"Fair enough, Redfin. You can keep your customary 15% cut, you and whomever else I don't want to know about being involved."

"I'm shocked you'd say such a thing sir!! This was in the line of duty! Ten percent will do plenty!"

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Walking out from the resturant area, Harry gave a wave to Taigei and Ryuuhou, who waved back as they went back to handling the ice cream. Both shipgirls had told him that they would be manning it for a few hours more, but not that long. After that, they had given him a kiss and so now he was heading out into the sunlight.

As he walked out, he caught sight of something nearby and blinked before heading over in the direction. Eyebrows raised, he found Denryuu standing there leaning against the wall in the shade of an overhang with her eyes closed. In one hand, the Carrier had a bottle of ramune. Somewhat concerned, Harry walked more into view and cleared his throat, which made her jump a bit, "Denryuu-Chan?"

Eyes wide, she looked in his direction before calming down a little, "O-oh, it's you, Harry-Chan."

Sheepish smile on his face, Harry walked towards her a little, "Sorry about scaring you." His smile then faded into a small frown, "Are you okay?"

Opening her mouth to answer, Denryuu paused before sighing, "Well... kind of."

Just nodding, the fourteen year old walked over until he was beside her and also leaning against the wall, "Kind of? What's wrong?"

Lightly blushing, Denryuu looked at him before shuffling her feet, "I'm... sorry, Harry-Chan. It is just, well, I'm still getting used to large crowds of people is all."

Understanding bloomed on Harry's face as he nodded, "Which is why you're over here and not on the beach. It's pretty private here and no one would bother you."

The Carrier nodded a little as she shuffled her feet, "Hai. I mean..." Looking away, she took a deep breath before she continued, "Back in the Caldera, there were the ghosts for a while. But they never really had a kind word to say for us that were wrecked there. I don't really blame them much... The Americans were forced to work on us as slaves, and the Japanese they..." Chewing her lip, she couldn't look Harry in the eye, "They told us that we were failures because we were not ready in time. That Japan fell partially because we took so long to build."

Moments later, Denryuu found fingers under her chin and those same fingers slowly turning her head to face Harry. Upon seeing his eyes, she found herself breathless at what was in them. There was sympathy and care for her, but also a hardness. Not directed at her, not really. Yet it felt like his slight glare was targeting the dark feelings in her heart before he spoke, "Denryuu-Chan, understand when I say that is a load of bloody shite. You were not at fault, not at all. It was those who started the war that were responsible, ultimately, for what happened, not you. Nor were Miitake-Chan, Mihara-Chan, Ishikari-Chan, Ume-Chan, or Sakura-Chan at fault. All of it lies on the men who gave the orders, not on any of them, not on you."

Despite things, she could feel them strike at something deep in her. It was not just that look, which made her boilers flutter in strange, but good ways. His tone, as well, was part of it. There was a iron hard certainty that was there, a certainty that stated he believed every single word of it.

Blush staining her cheeks, Denryuu ducked her head a little, though she had a small smile on her face, "Thank you, Harry-Chan."

With a small nod, Harry smiled back at her, "You are very welcome, Denryuu-Chan. Though..." Reaching over, he took her hand in his, "None of the others would say anything if you want to go and swim a bit."

Lips curling a bit more as her smile grew, the Carrier hummed, "Maybe..." Her smile then fell a little. Turning towards him, she chewed her lip, "Um, also... I'm kind of embarrassed since I'm wearing a swimsuit."

Confused, Harry blinked at that, "Hmm?" Looking her over, he found that she was in a black one piece with the areas where the legholes were being white with a red stripe between the black and white portions, "Well, I think that it looks really good on you."

Her eyes widening as her blush deepened a bit, Denryuu looked at him, "You... you do?"

At that, the teenage wizard gave her an small smile, "Hai, I do. In fact, I would go as far to say it looks extremely good on you."

If anything, that flustered Denryuu even more, "Thanks..."

Understanding suddenly came to Harry and he nodded a little bit, "Hmm... I'm going to guess you thought that you did not look good because of your wreck? And what was said." Her hanging head made him shake his, "Denryuu-Chan? Believe me when I say that you are not ugly, not in the slightest. You're beautiful."

Breath catching in her throat, she turned to him, 'H-he just...'

With a slight shake of his head, Harry grinned a little, "I would say that rather than your hull representing what you believe that you look like, it should be the opposite. You should believe that your current self represents what you really are, what you were supposed to be. A beautiful ship, gorgeous even! One that I would proud to be the Admiral of one day."

Flustered, Denryuu looked down, but she had a smile on her face, "I see, you truly do believe that?" At his nod, she hummed a little with a curious look, "What about Shinano-San? Hachi-San? Ishikari-Chan and Miitake-Chan?"

That made the teenage wizard blink for a moment before he gave a shrug, "They're all gorgeous ships as well. And one day, I'll be theirs... and your Admiral as well! Then, we'll win this war... together."

Denryuu blinked at him for a few moments before she began to giggle and then laugh as she held her stomach. Once they died down, she wiped at her eyes some, "Thank you, Harry-Chan. What you just said... it is all that I could ask for."

While he was confused about her reaction, he just nodded, "You're welcome?"

More giggles escaped her at that before she sighed. Opening her mouth, Denryuu paused a little before shuffling some to the side so that her arm touched his and her head leaned against his, "B-but could we stay like this? Just for a little while?"

Once more taking her hand in his, Harry nodded, "Sure, I don't mind." For a moment or two, he thought things over before nodding, "And, if you want, if things get too much for you? We could go exploring the island a little. I'm pretty sure that you haven't done that before."

Stunned, the shipgirl stared at him for a few moments before shaking her head, "Um, no, I-I haven't."

Bumping his hip against her leg, he winked, "Well then, that sounds good to me as well."

Even though she was blushing, Denryuu giggled and bumped her hip back against his, "Hai, to me as well."

The two of them shared a smile at that before Harry perked up a bit as he could hear music being played on the beach. Music that was also being played through the speakers of the resturant/cafe. Glancing at Denryuu, he stepped in front of her and held out his hand, "May I have this dance, milady?"

If her blush had almost disappeared, it now came back fully as she stared at him. Chewing her lip, Denryuu looked him in the eyes, "Um, I've never danced before..."

With a small shrug, Harry chuckled a little with his eyes glowing in amusement, "Well then, I guess that I'll just have to give you a little lesson, hmm?" Kicking off his sandles, he gestured for her to do the same, "This way, even if we step on each others toes? It won't hurt?"

Unsure still, Denryuu nodded and kicked off her own sandles before placing her drink to the side. With a deep breath, she stepped forward, "Um... what's first?"

Gently taking her hand, the fourteen year old placed it on his waist before placing her other hand on his shoulder. Then, Harry placed his own hands on the opposite places on her body, "Well, first let's start out with something simple, hmm?"

Cheeks red as they began to sway, Denryuu nodded as she paid attention at first. But then, slowly, they got closer together and swayed to the music down on the beach with the Carrier closing her eyes and placing her head on his as he held her close. A small, happy smile on her face.

Unnoticed by them, just out of sight, Shinano had been listening in and had a happy smile on her face as she held her hands to her chest. Mainly, because she was reminded of another Carrier, long ago, who was also shy and unsure of things. One helped out by a certain boy, who was now helping another.

Happy, she looked over at Regina, who also looked very happy. Then the two smiled and barely held back giggles as they left the area. Listening in and such was so naughty!

And besides, Louisiana also had her barbecue all done and ready, which they were looking forward to trying.

Roughly an hour later, Harry gave Denryuu a wave goodbye after giving her a final hug as he walked off. When he saw her just a few minutes after heading down to the beach with a smile on her face and a spring in her step, he smiled. After all, it was good to see that she would be enjoying herself. Especially when she got pulled into a splash fight between her and the Twins.

Speaking of enjoying themselves, Harry's smile a grew a touch as he spotted two people in particular. Walking over, he chuckled a little as he spotted Andraste and Sabah sitting in a beach chair with an umbrella over them. The Arabian blade sitting in the lap of the shield reading, with said spirit whose lap was being used having her arms around the midsection of the other. Part of him took note how Andraste had a simple white and fuschia swimming dress on, while Sabah had on a black two piece.

The smile on his face growing a little, he raised an eyebrow at the two, "You two seem to be enjoying yourselves."

Both girls looked up at him and smiled a little, with Andraste nodding, "We are, Master. After all, it is a lovely day to go to the beach." Giving the midsection of the girl sitting in her lap a squeeze, she continued, "Especially with good company."

Giving her friend and longtime companion a smile, Sabah nodded herself, "Indeed, it is quite nice out and the sea breeze is refreshing as is the scent of salt in the air." Taking a deep breath, she snuggled back into Andraste, giving a happy hum, "And there is nothing like a good philosophy book to read."

Intrigued, Harry raised an eyebrow, "Oh? So it's a good book then?"

Lips quirking a bit, the dusky skinned tsukumogami nodded, "Indeed, it is a very good book. I was suggested by Chisuheri to read it and it is called 'Hagakure'." She had a thoughtful look on her face as she hummed, "It is an interesting read for one such as myself and the others. The author, in it, is a Samurai grappling about the problem of maintaining a warrior class in a society that no longer needs it. As I am a sword in a world of mostly guns and the like, it is somewhat fitting."

Considering what he had just heard, Harry remembered that he had seen the book once in Wisconsin's hands as she read it, "Huh... I'll have to read it myself one of these days then." He then quirked his lips some in amusement, "Though I will admit that you do look rather comfy together right now~'

That got him a grin and a laugh from Sabah as Andraste flushed a little. Still grinning, the Arabic blade winked at him, "Well, Andraste is very comfy, Master. Extremely so as a matter of fact."

As if to prove the point, Sabah leaned back a bit more, which flushed the shield yet further, "S-Sabah!"

Utterly unrepentant, her the sword looked back with a smug smile, "Yes, Andraste?"

Only facepalming and covering her face, Andraste's next words, delivered in a low whine, got a laugh from both Sabah and Harry, "Stoooop..."

Shoulders shaking at their antics, Harry shook his head, "As long as you're enjoying yourselves. Have you been in the water yet?"

Both weapon spirits shook their heads at that, with the shield pulling her hands away from her face, "No, Master, we haven't. Though we are planning to." She shared a small smile at Sabah before reaching over and grabbing a glass filled with a reddish liquid, small pieces of fruit in it which she held out for her dusky skinned companion. Seeing the interested look, she shook her head, "Non-alcoholic sangria, Master. No alcohol, but still very good."

Taking a sip, Sabah wiggled a little, "Very good indeed."

Just grinning, Harry nodded and said goodbye as he headed off to get his own drink as well as he was feeling a bit thirsty and it did sound good... and was good.

_______________________________________________________________________

Arms above his head, Harry stretched some after having come out to put more sunblock on. Hearing squeals nearby, he turned and smiled at the sight of Aeroprin dancing through the shallows with a happily laughing Hoppou on her shoulders. Chasing them were Aeroprin's Destroyers with Rei, Asuka, and Kenshō. All of them laughing gailly as they shot at Hoppou and Aeroprin with waterguns.

That was until, when dodging, the Abyssal Princess carrying his sister lost her footing and went tumbling into the surf. Moments later, however, they burst from the water and blinked as the others stared. Then, all of them began to laugh at what happened which made Harry smile as well, 'This... is turning out to be a great birthday.'

Hearing a sound, he was about to turn when he found himself a victim of an attack... a rather nice one as two arms wrapped around him, "BIRTHDAY HUGGLES!"

Just stumbling a bit, Harry blinked and looked up to find that he was currently being hugged/cuddled by a certain "Battlecruiser". Lightly chuckling, he grinned up at her, "Good afternoon, Miitake-Chan, I take it that you're enjoying the party?"

Grin on her face, Miitake laughed a bit, "Hai, but know what would make it all the better?"

Eyebrow raised, the teenage wizard hummed for a moment, "Huggles?'

Another laugh burst from Miitake as she nodded, "Huggles!"

The sound of someone sighing made Harry turn towards Ishikari who facepalmed, "Miitake-Chan... just stop." In reply, said sister of hers stuck her tongue out which made her groan, "Oh for..."

Lightly laughing, Harry shook his head a little, "It's fine, Ishikari-Chan. I don't mind it."

Sighing again, the nameship for their class gave him a suffering look, "Must you encourage her? Because if you do, she won't stop."

Only shrugging, Harry didn't say anything, though that was partially because he was enjoying it. Mainly because, right then due to the embrace, he could feel Miitake pressed up against himself. He did check out Ishikari, however, and despite his best efforts did have a bit of redness to his cheeks. After all, she was wearing a swimsuit very similar to Yamato's old one which seemed to be a two piece, but with strips of fabric stretching between the top and bottom portions.

Hers, however, had the red replaced by a light blue as a difference.

Meanwhile, Miitake was giving her sister a grin, "Oh, I know what is wrong here~"

Cheeks becoming flushed, Ishikari gave her a look, "W-what? What is with that tone!?"

Giggling, her genki sister pointed at her, "You want to birthday huggle the Harry as well! Admit it!"

Now sputtering, Ishikari glared at her, "I-I-I do not! I mean, I don't want to huggle him like you are!" Looking away with her face flushed, she closed her eyes, "I-it is that I respect him greatly for what he has done a-and see him as a friend! And friends wish each other happy birthday!"

Expression one like that of a cat who just found a large bowl of cream, Miitake grinned, "Oh my. My, my, you certainly are tsundere, Nee-Chan~"

Shaking a little, the other Battlecruiser pressed her lips together, "I am not tsundere! Not at all! I-it is that I have more respect for personal space than you do! N-not like I want to get huggled and stuff by him either!"

From where he was, Harry blinked, 'Uh... that does sound tsundere...'

Miitake giggled more at that before pulling a fan from somewhere and snapping it open before her face, "Oh-ho-ho! So very tsundere!"

By this point, steam was coming from Ishikari's ears as her flustered levels reached breaking point levels, "N-not a tsundere!"

Grin nearly impossibly wide, her sister looked away and pulled Harry, somehow, even closer, "Well, it seems that I will be the one to get all the huggles then!" Seeing the expression on her sister's face, her eyes narrowed before she pushed Harry towards Ishikari, "Or maybe not!"

Under most circumstances, someone colliding with a shipgirl would not have much, if any effect. Usually, they would bounce off them, unhurt, but not effecting them. Sometimes, the shipgirl didn't even notice until they heard a sound of the person giving a grunt or such.

This... was not one of those cases.

When Harry hit her, Ishikari was so surprised and flustered, that she gave a squawk as she tumbled backwards into the sand. Her arms still went around his waist automatically as they fell over, with his own hands going around her own waist. Thankfully for him, his head was cushioned from the fall, though he was flustered by where it had hit. Hearing a whimper, he blinked and pushed himself up, only to find that he was straddling Ishikari, her arms around his waist while his own hands were on either side of her head.

Much to his bemusement, there was an odd keening sound coming from the Battlecruiser as her face practically glowed from the heat. Something that made him blink, "Er... are you alright, Ishikari-Chan?"

Slowly, the shipgirl nodded, "U-um, h-hai..."

With a slow nod of his own, Harry coughed some, "R-right." Getting up, he stretched out his hand to her, "Here, let me help you get back to your feet."

Not trusting her voice, Ishikari took the offered hand and found herself pulled to her feet. For some odd reason, however, she stumbled forward into Harry, with his hands once more going around her waist as he found himself in marshmallow hell. Needless to say, he blinked some as she simply held him there. And, when his eyes met hers, Ishikari looked away with a blush, "I-I just am having issues with my balance on this blasted sand, that's all. Nothing more." More quietly, she continued to mumble, "It's not like this is really nice or anything..."

Internally, the teenage wizard shrugged, 'Yeah, tsundere. And you do like it.' Closing his eyes a bit, Harry simply leaned into the embrace with a small sigh, 'This is kind of nice...'

After a few moments, however, he found himself in a sandwich as Miitake glomped him again from behind. With yet another squawk, Ishikari found herself tumbling backwards with Harry trapped between her and her sister's bodies. Miitake, for her part, just giggled loudly, "Birthday huggle sandwich!"

Choking a bit, her sister glared at her, "W-what are you doing?!"

Grin on her face, Miitake snickered, "Weeelll~ You looked so comfy, that I had to join in!"

Yet again, that got her sputters as Harry, who was stuck between them, flushed deeply, '... I cannot tell if this is heaven or hell...' It was then that the two shipgirls began to wiggle on the sand as Ishikari tried to get out from under her sister and Miitake wouldn't let her, 'Hell it is... DAMN YOU HORMONES!'

Needless to say, once more, he was chasing said hormones through his head with a spiked club.

It was a few minutes before the three got to their feet, with both Harry and Ishikari flustered to no end by the situation that they were in. Miitake, meanwhile, was utterly unrepentant and showed it by bopping herself on the head with her tongue sticking out from between her lips a little, "So-orry~"

Taking a deep breath, the teenage wizard nodded, "That's fine, Miitake-Chan..." He walked up to her as she blinked, "After all, I know how to deal with it."

Confused, Miitake furrowed her eyebrows, "With huggles?"

Smiling up at her, Harry shook his head, "Nope!"

Before she could say anything, his foot lashed out and she began to fall as her legs were swept up from under her... right before landing in Harry's arms. One arm went under the back of her knees while the other supported her shoulder. Needless to say, said Battlecruiser went as red as her swimsuit, which was similar to her sister's except in that color, "W-w-what..."

Right then, she noted Harry leaning in, his voice a soft growl, "I know exactly what to do with someone like you..."

Utterly stunned, Miitake froze in the position that she was in. Part of it was because it was something that she had dreams about, and now it was real! Another part was her wondering how, exactly, Harry was carrying her bridal style when she was at least a foot taller than he was, and much heavier. It was the first one, however, that caused her mind to short circuit a little as she never expected this situation, "A-babababa..."

Of course, unknown to her and her now extremely flustered sister, Harry was cheating a little. One of the few tricks he had learned how to pull off wandless was the levitation charm. Sure, he was unable to actually lift her with said charm wandlessly. But lighten her enough to easily carry her?

Easy.

Behind him, Ishikari was following as she poked her fingers together, 'I... I wonder if he could do that to me... not that I really want him to or anything! Stupid, lucky Imouto... Not lucky! Not lucky at all!'

Meanwhile, the teenage wizard continued to walk for a minute or two, before he stopped, his feet on wood. Beatifically smiling, he looked down at the still stunned and flustered Miitake, "And here we are... right where I wanted you."

Slowly, he lifted her up and her face came closer to hers with Miitake becoming more and more flustered. From her ears, leaked steam... Right before realzing that she was moving away from him as he gave her a gentle toss, "Wai-!"

Before she could finish, however, she hit the water with a splash and Harry laughed a bit, "Maybe you should cool off!"

Rapidly blinking as she watched her sister splash in the shallow water, Ishikari stared for a moment before she began to laugh. Something that got her a pout from her sister as Miitake glared at her with clenched fists. Before the currently waterborne Battlecruiser could say anything, Harry leaned down and kissed her cheek, which caused her to freeze. Then, he walked away... though not before giving Ishikari a kiss on the cheek as well, stretching up to do so.

Whistling as he walked off, Harry hummed a little, 'Hmm... maybe I should get something to eat?'

Unknown to him, the two Battlecruisers had frozen in disbelief for almost a minute. That was until a sound snapped Ishikari from her shock and she noted bubbles coming from her sister and she dove in to rescue her, "MIitake-Chan!"

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Standing in line for the barbecue, Harry smiled a little as he could see Louisiana there with a smile of her own as she cooked masterfully. As the music shifted to a new song, she swayed to the beat, which caused him to swallow a little with a blush as she wore jean shorts and a bikini top. Just shaking it off, he walked up to her and grinned a little, "Louisiana, enjoying yourself?"

A small smile on her face, she nodded a little, "Oui, mon Chéri, I am. A very good day as a matter of fact." Louisiana's eyes twinkled a little, "Though, I cannot wait to go for a swim. Especially with you and ma Chérie."

Only nodding, Harry had a slight frown on his face, "Sorry about that, you've been standing here most of the day while the rest of us..."

However, Louisiana waved him off with a smile, "Non, you have nothing to be sorry about, mon Chéri. It is your birthday and I am glad to do this for you."

Glancing around, the teenage wizard motioned her to lean down, which she did. Harry then kissed her as he cupped her cheek. Briefly, there was an expression of surprise on Louisiana's face before her eyes drifted close and she leaned in. As they separated, Harry found his lips twitching as her face was flushed, "Thank you."

Opening her eyes, he was caught in their gaze and found himself comparing them to sapphires. Softly smiling, Louisiana kissed him again for a few seconds before pulling back with a warm, rich chuckle, "You are welcome, mon Chéri. You are always welcome..."

Now it was Harry's turn to be a bit embarrassed and he scratched his neck, "Um, right..."

Just nodding, Louisiana gestured to the smoker, "So, what would you like to eat, mon Chéri? As I believe that you may be hungry, hmm?"

With a small nod, the fourteen year old smiled, "I am as a matter of fact. Hmm..." Harry then had a small smile on his face, "Could I have a rib sandwich alongside some pulled pork and brisket?"

Lightly laughing, Louisiana smiled and kissed his cheek, "Of course, mon Chéri! It is after all your birthday."

That got a happy grin from him as she gathered the food he asked for. Nearby, he could see Minagato about to eat a sandwich twice the size that she was alongside Smolgina. The other Smols were eating their own barbecue meals as well, which were all larger than they were.

Of course, that was when his eye caught something and he blinked for a moment.

And then his eyes narrowed and he turned towards Louisiana, "Um, Louisiana? Can I ask you something?" When she glanced at him and nodded, Harry had a frown on his face, "Are the Duckies eating what I think?"

In her eyes, Louisiana had amusement as she nodded, "Oui. And before you ask, that is all that they have had."

Moments later, the twinkle grew as Harry narrowed his eyes still further, "I see... Louisiana? I think that I need to expand my order a little."

Unable to help herself, the Battleship chuckled as she nodded, "Of course, mon Chéri... of course."

Just a few minutes later, Akizuki, Hatsuzuki, and Teruzuki looked up as Harry arrived, "Mind if I sit down?"

Each of the Duckies blinked before shaking their heads, Akizuki gesturing at the table, "Of course not, Harry-Chan. Please, sit down."

When he did so with a nod, the three Destroyers noted that he had several plates of barbecue. Their stomaches growled a little at the smell, even as they tried to silence them. But there was a glint in Harry's eyes as he looked at them, "Hmm? Is something wrong?"

Sharing a look with her sisters, Teruzuki shook her head, "U-um, no, Harry-Chan. T-though, well... w-why do you have so much food?"

The smile that appeared on Harry's face made her shiver a little. And it returned as he leaned over and glanced at their plates with his next words causing them to freeze, "Well, because I saw three little Duckies here looking so hungry. And all they seemed to have is two sliders..."

Face blanching as she realized what was going to happen, Hatsuzuki shook her head. Unfortunately, her eldest sister poked her fingers together, "Well, um..." Akizuki was unable to look him in the eye as she continued, "We didn't want to take too much, so that others could have some too..." Slouching some in her seat, she gave him a sheepish grin, "Um... that's okay, right?"

Eyebrow slowly rising, Harry gave her a look, "No, it is not." Placing three of the plates in front of them, he stabbed some brisket with a fork and held it up to Teruzuki with a mad grin on his face, "Let the Duck Stuffing... commence!'

All the Duckies could do was watch in fear and awe... as well as awe and fear, as Harry proceeded with Operation: Beach Stuffing.

Off to the side, Suzutsuki could only grin and giggle as she watched her sisters get fed by the young man. The sight did make her rather happy though, as it proved, once more, that Harry was more than willing to do what was needed for them. Watching as Akizuki ate some pulled pork on a fork that Harry was offering her, the four at the table all smiles, the silver haired Destroyer felt her own widen a little as she sipped the glass of pumpkin juice she held, 'Hai... my Nee-Sans are all being taken care of by their Admiral.'

Just a few minutes later, the teenage wizard was grinning as he bit into his barbecue sandwich while watching Hatsuzuki eat her own. Said grin widened as the happy Destroyer's hair tufts wiggled in pure happiness, 'Heh... stuffing Duckies is always a good thing.'

Unable to help himself, he did look over the three shipgirls he was sitting with. A light blush sprang up on his face as Akizuki was wearing a white two piece with transparent white fabric that hung from the top. Teruzuki, meanwhile, was wearing a white bikini top with boy shorts as the bottom of her swimsuit, and Hatsuzuki wore a black and white one piece.

Thankfully, none of the three Destroyers noticed as they ate happily. After a few moments, as she swallowed some brisket, Teruzuki sighed before turning to Harry with a curious look on her face, "So, how have you been enjoying your birthday, Harry-Chan?"

Swallowing the last bite of her sandwich, Hatsuzuki nodded towards him, "Hai, after all, you don't turn fourteen often."

Harry considered the question as he closed his eyes and stretched, not knowing that the Akizuki sisters paused in eating to watch for a moment with slight blushes before going back to their food as he opened his eyes. With a sigh, the teenage wizard shrugged a little, "Well, everyone has been enjoying themselves and having fun." He then gestured at the plates, "There's good food and drinks... so, hai, I have been enjoying it." Getting up, Harry kissed Hatsuzuki on the cheek, right on the corner of her lips which made them both blush, "Thank you."

Now shifting her chair until she was beside him, Teruzuki gave him a hug, which he gladly returned, "We're glad that you're enjoying your birthday." She glanced to the side at a particular pile, "Though, you didn't mention the gifts."

Bemused, the teenage wizard looked at said gifts, guarded by various fairies though some were eating and the like, "Want to know the truth?" At their nods, Harry continued, "As far as I am concerned? I would be happy just to have my friends like you guys here, just enjoying the day. Though the presents are nice."

Tightening the hug, Teruzuki nuzzled him a little, "Thank you."

At that, their eyes met and they shared a smile before Harry kissed her cheek at the corner of her lips. Something that he repeated with Akizuki, which made all three Duckies blush a little, but also smile before returning the gesture. Something that caused the teenage boy to gain a flush of his own. For the next half hour, the four simply sat there eating slowly until filled.

Giving each other hugs and kisses on the cheek between him and the three Destroyers, they headed off to where Suzutsuki was waiting off to one side to chat with her. Harry's will failed him as he followed their movements until he was able to tear his eyes away and whacked himself in the back of the head, "Damn hormones..."

Upon hearing a laugh, he jumped some before turning around to find Verniy there with a smile on her face, "Da, they can be a bit troublesome at times, Harry-Chan."

Embarrassed, Harry scratched his cheek some as it felt like his face was on fire, "Um... right." At seeing her amusement, he sighed, but still gave her a smile, "Well, it has been a good day..." Out of the corner of his eye, the wizard caught something and blinked, "Uh... what is with Akatsuki-Chan?'

Blinking at the change in subject, the white haired Destroyer turned and stared for a moment as she watched her sister heading towards the karaoke stand. There was something about her stride, which was different. One filled with confidence and such...

Which was when she caught sight of the empty mug at Akatsuki's side and paled at the nearly black drop of liquid that came from it, "Bozhe moy..."

Just blinking himself, Harry looked at Akatsuki and the mug, before slowly tracking her path back and paling himself, "Uh... Hibiki-Chan? She... she came from that table, didn't she?"

Slowly, a look of horror on her face, Verniy nodded, "Da, she did."

That made the birthday boy swallow some, "The table which has coffee for the adults... including Ooyodo's special stash she brought." Once more, the Destroyer beside him nodded, "Oh... great clapping ring tailed tanuki... why wasn't anyone watching her!?"

Much to their horror, Akatsuki pulled out a second mug and downed the black gold in one long drag before hopping up onto the stage. She then gave Harry a grin and waggled her eyebrows before clearing her throat even as a Tenryuu started running to stop her...

Less than an hour later found Harry walking alongside Verniy through the woods with a thousand yard stare on his face, one mirrored on said shipgirl. Slowly, the teenage wizard blinked, "I cannot believe that she did that..."

Verniy looked at him with an odd look on her face, "The happy birthday song?"

However, the wizard shook his head, "Um, well, yes, but also no... I meant how she... uh... how she started with that one Vocaloid song, Pet Me.... that was..." Pausing, Harry's face became red, "Um... and the happy birthday song was, er... w-well, something else?"

Eyebrow twitching, Verniy grit her teeth tightly as she remembered what happened. Including Akatsuki giving the boy next to her a hooded gaze before cupping his chin and running one finger down his chest as she sang happy birthday to him with a grin on her face, "Da... that is one way to put it."

Neither said anything for a few seconds before sharing a look.

Glancing back, Harry cleared his throat some, "So, um... think that your Kaa-San caught her yet, or..."

Face flushed with embarrrassment, the Destroyer tipped her hat, "Hopefully..."

After another moment of silence, Harry looked at her, "Atlanta's face though, was something else when Akatsuki-Chan turned on her though. I... don't think that amount of steam coming from her or having that much blood in her face is good for someone. Also, where did she even learn how to sing like that?! Or that song?! A billion blistering blue barnacles on a wharf..."

Tone dry, Verniy just gave him a look, "It is best not to ask. Because the answer is one that we may need to drink away. And we are too young for that."

Grimacing a bit, Harry nodded, "True..." His mouth continued as he remembered something, "Though if you got some vodka that wouldn't be too bad... uh..." Seeing the raised eyebrow, the wizard chuckled, "Um... oops?"

Lips quirking a bit, she chuckled some before turning and putting her arms around his neck, "Da? You did not mean it, Harry-Chan?" Pressing herself up against him, she smirked even as his own hands went to her hips, "Though I am Verniy right now..."

Cheeks flushed, Harry looked down into her blue eyes before swallowing though his lips twitched, "Very Khorosho..."

Before Verniy could do anything, he kissed her with it deepening slightly. Her eyes briefly widening, the shipgirl soon closed them as he pulled her close. When they pulled apart, she kept her eyes closed for a few moments before she opened them with a smile, "Da, very Khorosho."

With that, she once more pulled him close and kissed him as the two stood there on the path.

It was two breathless teens who pulled apart with flushed faces, though Verniy had a smirk on hers, "You have improved, Harry-Chan. To challenge one such as I."

Lightly blushing, Harry didn't remove his hands from where they were on her hips, "Um, I think that I have a long way to go yet, Hibiki-Chan."

Smirk growing slightly larger, and definitely more smug, she nodded, "Da, though I shall help you." Reaching down, she took his hand in hers, entwining their fingers together. Verniy then gave a hum, "Harry-Chan's hand is warm... No, that's, it is very handy in Russia."

Blush deepening, Harry leaned in to kiss her again, which she returned gladly... until he heard something and looked around, "Um, Hibiki-Chan? Did you hear that?"

Frown on her face at being interrupted, Verniy nodded, "I did and..." Pausing, she narrowed her eyes, "It sounds like Inazuma-Chan?"

Only furrowing his eyebrows, Harry shared a look with her before walking with her a short distance where some of the tunnels were. Both of them glanced at each other before poking their heads around the corner and their eyes widened. Mainly because there was Inazuma and Toby in one of the tunnels...

Making out, with the Destroyer pressing him into the brickwork even as smoke curled around them.

Harry stared for a moment before mumbling out of the corner of his mouth, "I was wondering where she got to since she wasn't on the beach."

Just nodding, Verniy didn't say anything and they just watched for a minute until the two other teens came up for air. Catching sight of movement, Inazuma looked away from her stunned boyfriend and froze as she caught sight of Harry and her sister there. Said white haired Destroyer having her cellphone out and recording it before giving her a thumbs up, "You have learned well."

Also nodding, the teenage wizard took in the somewhat dazed look in the dragonboy, as well as the smoke curling from his nose. Then he gave her a thumbs up as well, "Khorosho."

Then, the two quickly ran back the way they came as Inazuma closed her eyes and flapped her arms, "HAWAWAWA! HARRY-CHAN! HIBIKI-CHAN! GET BACK HERE, NANODESU!"

Even as his girlfriend took off, Toby blinked some still in a gaze, "Wow..." Then, he snapped out of it when he realized what happened and what would happen if Tenryuu got a hold of that recording, "Oh crap! I-wait, did Hibiki just say she learnt well? How would she..." Cheeks flushed, he remembered one of the rumours he overhead and fire snorted from his nose along with smoke as he became dazed again, "Oh."

Unfortunately, and sadly for Inazuma, she didn't manage to catch either her sister or Harry before they reached the beach. Though she despaired some at the smug smirk of her sister and the grin on Harry's face. Of course, her mother gave them a suspicious look, but shrugged it off.

 

[darthcourt10]

KiMaSa

Now, the next snip in the Jingo arc:


Ashes of Empire

The Java Strait

Jingo shivered slightly as she and Ruiner entered the Java Strait. The moonless night was to their advantage as they made their way. But Jingo would almost have preferred a big, bright moon despite the fact that it would make it easier for someone to spot them. They may have cleared Sub-Continental's Territory but that did not make any other waters much safer for this pair. If anything, the list of potential enemies out here was even larger with everything from renegade Abyssals, small-time princesses with ambitions or maybe an ax to grind or possibly shipgirls or human crewed warships or aircraft.

These last two were the most dangerous. The others, she and Ruiner could fight and probably defeat or at least bloody. If they were attacked by shipgirls or humans, Jingo had made it clear that they would attempt to surrender but if that failed... Fighting back and inflicting casualties upon those she sought to have provide sanctuary to her fleet was simply NOT an option.

No, the ghosts were trouble enough. Cornwall, Dorsetshire, Hermes, Vampire, Hector, Repulse, Prince of Wales, and in these waters, Exeter, Perth, Jupiter, Electra, and Encounter all haunted her. They and their crews forever on her head, a sin burned into her by her very existence.

"So?" Ruiner asked. "Where are we heading once we clear the strait?"

"We'll go north. We only have so many options and a great many individuals who will want us dead. It will keep an impressive force to keep us alive long enough for me to stand trial and since I don't think we have any chance of making it all the way across the Pacific, that means we're heading for Japan."

"Great. The only way to escape the fire is to leap into the frying pan. Just douse me in butter and point me at the Kaiser Rolls..."

 

[darthcourt10]

Sidestory - Snippet 19: Savato93

August 2014

"How much have you got done on your end, Millie?"

"All her fuel lines and ventilation shafts are in place. I just need to wire a few more compartments." Millie looked up from where her many tails were embedded in a gap in the Abyssal machine's armor plating. "You?"

"Uhh…" Regalia leaned over the massive Abyssal machine in the dry dock in front of her, peering into the opening on the foredeck. "I think I have the elevator set in correctly. Only way I can really know for sure is to hook it up." She gestured for Tippy to lean close, then reached into her jaws and pulled out a length of copper. "Geez… I've sometimes imagined I might use this training to help a Princess… but I thought it would be something like patching up my mom, not building a new Princess from the keel-up." She glanced up to the girl lying on top of the throne-like rigging. "Is any of this hurting you, Aunt Wuffles?"

The torso of an Aircraft Carrier Princess wiggles into view and peered down at the Re-class. "No… it's not too bad. More tingly, if anything." She held up a hand—one that lacked both skin and armor, leaving the musculature completely exposed. "But I won't lie… I'm getting a little anxious about having my hands finished."

"I'm sorry that you're having to deal with being incomplete," Millie replied. "I don't think anyone could have predicted your replacement body rejecting you because you outgrew it… and with Grandma out of commission, we were kinda left to finish building a freaking Princess!"

Of course, they weren't necessarily trying to rag on Grandma Hoppou for her absence. From the moment she received the news Tampa and Hatsumo were homeward-bound, the little Princess had been running on overdrive—she had five brand-new hulls prepared in as many days, and no sooner had Tampa touched down on Yokosuka, did her mother put her under and extract the cluster of Abyssal souls sealed inside her. Lord only knows how much time she spent puzzling over them, trying to figure out the safest way to decouple them… taking maybe an hour or two out of every twenty-four to rest.

She eventually secluded herself to the cellar to unravel the mystery in peace. And after two weeks isolated from the rest of the world, a ragged Princess reemerged, physically, mentally, and spiritually drained... holding her children's freed hearts, ready to bring them back to life.

But just when everyone thought the ordeal was over, the bullshit inherent to all ship spirits threw them another curveball…

XXXXX

"I c-can't… can't breathe…"

"Wuffles!? What's happening?"

"It hurts! Everything hurts! I feel like I'm on fire!"

"Mom, her boilers are redlining! Her hull temperature is going through the roof!"

"Wuffles needs to be put back under, NOW!"

XXXXX

As it turned out, Wuffles was no longer a Wo-class—she was a Princess. And her replacement body wasn't built to contain the energy her spirit gave off… causing her to effectively cook from the inside out.

Hoppou immediately set to work on another hull, a Princess-class hull that could handle Wuffles… but her exhaustion finally caught up with her, and she collapsed, leaving a vessel that was just barely complete enough to be animated. Her last request, before her adoptive mother came and whisked her away, was to let Regalia and Millie contribute to what remained of the construction.

Wuffles shrugged. "It's alright… I don't blame you girls for anything. Heck, I agreed to have my rebuild drawn out to provide a learning experience for you two. I'm just restless, is all. I'm ready to get outta here, finally start living life again, with all the other doggies."

When that last word registered in their heads, Millie and Regalia glanced to one another, sharing a worried look. There was the other issue: all the psychological problems caused by the quintet's fusion wouldn't immediately go away with their separation. They all had bits and pieces of each other lingering in their heads, bubbling up when they least expected it. It could well be years before they fully assimilated the fragments into their being, or at least learned to cope with their effects.

"A-Aunt Wuffles…" Regalia said carefully, "You're not a destroyer. You were a Wo-class, remember?"

Wuffles blinked. "I… I was?" At her nieces' slow nods, she hung her head slightly. "Oh… right. Right. Not a doggy. That… must be a bit of Rocket thinking." There were a few seconds of uncomfortable silence before she continued. "Hey, isn't it close to lunchtime? I'm hungry."

Millie sat back, flapping her hands a little bit. "Yeah. I guess I could stop and eat something. My hands, and tails, need a break."

"Same." Regalia released the copper wire in her hands, letting Tippy slurp it back up like a noodle as she pulled out a pair of her mother's elbow-length gloves. "Here, let's get these on so you don't damage anything. Then once you come back, Aunt Ritou and Patty can pick up where we left off."

"Sounds good." Wuffles happily held out her arms, letting the Re-class work the gloves onto her degloved limbs. Once her muscles and bone were nicely covered up, the Aircraft Carrier Princess hopped off her rigging and let it fade away before following her nieces out of the palace. "I hope Ma's doing alright on her break. Not too worried about us, and whatnot…"

XXXXXXXXXX

"Would you like something to drink, Hoppou-Chan?"

"Mm… juice, please…"

"I want apple!"

Gazing at the little Abyssal splayed out on the tatami, laying almost completely still as her curious little sister poked and nudged her, Nagato simply chuckled. "Sure thing, girls."

As she grabbed a couple of juice boxes from the fridge, Nagato glanced back to Hoppou. She honestly couldn't remember the last time she saw the little Princess so sedate. Ever since her children had returned to her life, it felt like she had been juggling her personal life in Japan and her matriarchal duties non-stop. Not that there was anything wrong with either of those things, she was still finding time to hang out with her friends and siblings between trips to check on her family, but it left her no time to just sit and do… well, nothing.

Nagato didn't need to worry about Hoppou getting stuck in this state… her little brain was just too active to handle such a lifestyle… but she'd be lying to herself if she said she wasn't a little concerned about her children. "Do you think the girls in Avrora will be okay?" She asked. "You probably left them with quite a bit on their plate."

Still laying on the floor, Hoppou hummed to herself for a moment, thinking. "Hoppou… does feel bad for making daughters finish her work," she admitted. "But… breaking magic bonds was hard for Hoppou. Had to sever them with brute force, without hurting daughters… really, really stressful work, as well as draining. Right now, Hoppou really needs to recover… she trusts the girls to get Wuffles operational, in the meantime."

Nagato nodded gently. "Alright, Hoppou-chan. If that's your call, I won't try to dissuade you. Just take as much time as you need to feel better again." Checking her internal clock, she realized it was past noon. "Oh, should probably turn on the news," she said idly, picking up the tv remote and flipping it on.

"...and today, shipgirls scouting the seas of northern Canada are claiming to have made an extraordinary discovery…" the news reporter on the screen was announcing. "They believe they have found the wreckage of the HMS Erebus, part of the infamous Franklin Expedition that disappeared in the mid-19th Century searching for the Northwest Passage. Normally inaccessible through most of the year, the Royal Navy submarines were able to dive beneath the ice and recover multiple artifacts from a well-preserved vessel sunk just south of…"

"Interesting." Nagato tilted her head slightly. "You know, for a shipwreck to be sitting in such shallow waters, in such a desolate region, for a century and a half… I figure they would have been desecrated by the Abyssals by now. In fact, given their tragic legacy, I wouldn't be surprised if they manifested as Abyssals themselves." She glanced to Hoppou, who had sat up and was gazing at the TV quietly. "Wouldn't you think, Hoppou?"

After a few quiet seconds, Hoppou shrugged her shoulders. "Hard to tell. They had history before accidents, right?"

The shipgirl paused to pull out her phone. One quick google search later, she had her answer. "The Erebus and Terror were in service for 22 and 35 years, respectively."

"So they had plenty of time to contribute to the world," Hoppou answered. "To give even more weight to names passed down for generations. They had a good run… getting trapped and crushed by ice wouldn't necessarily drive them to the Abyss. Mother Nature is just fickle like that."

Nagato smiled softly. "That's quite a mature way of looking at it, Hoppou. Almost sounds like you heard it from the pair yourself."

"Not quite." The Princess waved a hand. "By the time Hoppou was born, they had already been underwater for over twenty years."

"...I see."

…

"Wait, what!?"


*-*-*-*
Darthcourt note
I think Hoppo was born about 1864-1890 range so is around 150 years old by 2014
Terror and Erebus were abandonded on 22 April 1848

 

[darthcourt10]

KiMaSa

And the next part of the Jingo Saga


Friends in Need/ Deliverance of Angels


After a careful progression around Borneo and through the South China Sea, Princess Jingo and Ruiner came to a virtual halt south of Taiwan. To Ruiner, this seemed an odd course of action, especially if their goal was Japan.

"We're waiting for an opportunity," Jingo explained. "I have no intention of trying to sail into the most heavily defended waters on this side of the Pacific without an invitation and escort." She looked to the stump of her arm. "I may fancy myself brave but that is too much of a risk. So what we will do is wait."

"For what?"

"A signal. A distress call to be precise. After all, if we expose ourselves responding to humans or shipgirls in trouble, their friends are less likely to shoot at us on sight. So we keep a radio watch and wait. I do want you to fly your scouts south, just to be safe."

"Right, Boss."

For days they waited until finally, the signal came in. Unfortunately, it wasn't what Jingo had been hoping for.

"Tell me I did NOT hear that," She groaned as the message repeated, the terror in the operator's voice clear even as the signal cut in and out.

"...Th... Passenger F...Elano Five... Lati...Twenty De... Thirty-three... North... Gitude... One Twenty-One....forty-five... East... Under Atta... Repeat... Is...Ssenger Ferry... Belano..."

"They're near Itbayat," Jingo noted. "That's insane!"

"Boss?"

"Itbayat is the Northernmost island in the Philippines. English traders tried to set up a presence there before the Spanish took over. It's a small speck closer to Formosa than to Luzon."

"So what's the value of this place?" Ruiner asked.

"None. It simply is. None of this makes sense, Ruiner."

"Starting with the fact that even a couple of PTs could have killed that ferry and been done with it by now."

"Live bait in a trap."

"So, what are we going to do?" Ruiner knew her Princess's mind already but she would pretend for a moment that they weren't about to take a crazy risk to possibly save some humans who were obviously OUT OF THEIR MINDS!

"You've seen 'Jaws', my dear."

"Great... And they call me 'Bruce'."
***
Near Itbayat

"Remember, she wants them ALIVE! Especially the younger ones. You kill any of her test subjects and it'll be YOU on her table!" Reaper shouted at the abyssals in her group. She tried to sound imposing but the truth was that she was scared of their employer as much if not more than the rest of her group. Most of them couldn't think past their next meal. The concept of Something happening 'in the future' didn't really sink in with them. But Reaper understood all too well that disappointing the boss would be worse than a death sentence. No, if Reaper failed her mission, then her best option would be to push one of her turrets up against her head and fire. Sometimes the boss could seem to be in a forgiving mood, other times not. Sometimes those that failed could redeem themselves back into her pleasure. Other times, the offender would wake up to find themselves being opened up on her examining table. She called it research.

And then the screams would begin...

That was the problem with making a deal with the Devil, Reaper thought. One deal and the devil owned you forever. So for now, she did as she was told. Today that included riding herd on this group of morons. One of the destroyers apparently wasn't paying attention. a slavering tongue licking one of the human children. Reaper yanked the destroyer back and got its full attention, putting a loaded barrel into its face.

"You dumb shit! I said NO!"

"But they have the best meat!" It whined. "Tender and..."

Reaper shoved the barrel into its mouth. "You do as I say or I'll feed you my guns! The boss says the young ones are easier to work on. So unless you want to die right now! You get your ass out with Terror and you check the perimeter and..." She glanced over where another one of her problem destroyers should have been patrolling only to see empty water.

"Okay! I've HAD IT! Terror! You stupid waste of metal! I saw you just a minute ago! Where the hell are you?" Reaper glared at Tartarus. "Now you can get over there and tell me if you see any sign of your EQUALLY STUPID TWIN!"

"Hey!" The cruiser Diabolic exclaimed. "Where's Somber?" The group's submarine normally stayed quiet for good reason but hadn't even been seen by anyone for several minutes.

"What the hell? What is going on?" Reaper watched as Tartarus neared the point where Terror had been only for the destroyer to shrug and find nothing. Reaper growled, glaring at the humans onboard the ferry. This wasn't how it was supposed to go. Looking up, she saw Tartarus was now missing.

"If you dumbshits are pulling some kind of joke, you better come out right now and I won't shoot you myself!" She glared at the rest of her squadron. "Fan out and find those idiots! Find me something to shoot!"

As the others scrambled to find some trace of their comrades, Reaper felt an uneasiness in her gut.

"It isn't fun being afraid for your life, is it?" a voice spoke behind her almost conversationally.

Reaper turned, a cold chill going down her keel. She turned to find an angry princess staring at her.

"I'll give you one chance to live. Stand down now."

Reaper panicked, desperately trying to bring her turrets upon the one-armed Abyssal Princess. Jingo sighed and decapitated Reaper with a single blow. Out in the night, Ruiner was happily dealing with the rest of Reaper's fleet. In the end, a quiet So class and a trembling cruiser chose to surrender, watched by a satisfied Ruiner. Jingo then turned to the still terrified humans.

"One of you get on that radio of yours. Tell them that Princess Jingo and her escort are requesting to surrender."

One of the children, the very one that Tartarus had nearly taken as a snack, looked at Jingo. His eyes moved from her ruined arm to her pale face. Surprisingly, he smiled. It was the first smile Jingo ever received from a human that she could be certain was completely genuine and not meant to simply please her.

For reasons she did not understand, for the first time in her life, Princess Jingo cried.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Glancing at the resigned expression on Inazuma, Tenryuu raised an eyebrow at Verniy and Harry. Both teens just gave her a smile, 'Hmm... yeah, I call bullshit. Something happened.'

However, a few moments later said thoughts escaped her as Harry looked around in both curiosity and nervousness, "Uh... where is Akatsuki-Chan? Is she... back to normal?"

That caused Inazuma to blink a bit in confusion, "Akatsuki-Chan? Did something happen?"

Rubbing the side of her head, her mother sighed, "You could say that..."

Expression of suffering along with some amusement, Ikazuchi looked at her twin sister, "Long story short? Akatsuki-Chan got into some of Ooyodo's special brew, somehow."

Only blinking as said words entered her ears, Inazuma raised her finger, "Um.... you mean the stuff that she uses that is more powerful than Black Blood of the Earth?" At the nods, she winced as she remembered previous incidents, "Ah..."

Meanwhile, Tenryuu turned to Harry and frowned as she scratched under her eyepatch, "As to where she is?" Grimacing, she looked around, "No idea, we thought that we had grabbed her. But... she vanished, somehow. Hopefully, she won't get up to too much..." Noticing the expressions on the teens' faces, the Light Cruiser winced, "Ah... I just made it worse."

Mad giggles made them, and those around them including a slowly recovering Atlanta turn to see Akatsuki standing on a rock with a flask in her hands, "Or, made things better~"

At the sight of the flask, Tatsuta had a shiver go down her keel, "What drink is that...?"

Face paling rapidly, Ooyodo swallowed, "That... would be the coffee that I have been working on with Percy and Supprin... Dark Blood of the Mystic... I... brought some to try."

Now, it as Harry's turn to pale as he remembered just how powerful Percy's coffee was. After all, he somehow got a deal with Charlie to get him dragon roast coffee, which he then cold brew along with potion ingredients. One Seventh Year was unable to sleep for a full week after one mug of the stuff. Add in what Ooyodo and Supprin might have added...

Slowly, Harry took a step forward and held up his hands, "Akatsuki-Chan... listen, don't drink that. You do not want to try that coffee..."

The purple haired Destroyer tilted her head a bit in thought, "Hmm... maybe you're right, Harry-Chan..." Then, Akatsuki grinned a bit, "Or maybe not! Time to become a true lady!"

With that, she popped the flask and drained the entire thing in one gulp as everyone shouted, "NO!"

Before anyone could do anything, steam gushed from her ears and nose, covering her entirely. After a few seconds, Inazuma took an unsure step towards the cloud, "Uh, Akatsuki-Chan...?"

She froze, however, that the laugh that came from within the steam, "Ohohohoho! Oh yes~" As the steam dissipated, everyone's jaw dropped as "Akatsuki" was revealed... if she was twenty years old and wearing a dress and leather belts around her midsection that did not look out of place on a vampiric lady. Grinning, the transformed Destroyer hummed, "Oh yes, Akatsuki has become a true lady... Lady Red Moon!"

Inazuma started flapping her arms madly, "Hwawawa! What happened to Akatsuki-Chan?! Did she just transform?!"

Disbelief on her face, Tenryuu muttered to herself, "Since when were we in a magical girl show...?"

Voice coming out in a purr, Akatsuki gave her sister a look, "Something... Wonderful..." Disappearing and reappearing by a stunned Atlanta, she trailed one finger down her cheek, "Don't worry, Atlanta-Chan~ Lady Red Moon will be with you momentarily... but first..." Once more disappearing, this time just dodging Tenryuu's attempt to catch her, she became visible behind Harry, "One cannot forget the birthday boy~" Grin on her face, Akatsuki hummed, "Now, time to sing-" Before she could do anything more, two hands clapped down on her shoulder, "Eh?"

Looking at them, she blinked as while one was normal, the other was nearly bone white with black nails. Slowly, she turned her head to find Shinano and Regina there, eyes shadowed. Then, from behind the two slowly rose ghostly forms of two muscular women... except the one behind Shinano had a glazed cinnamon bun for a face and the one behind Regina had a frosted cinnamon bun for a face. Raising their eyes, the Abyssal and Re-Class gave her a glare, "We think not."

Less than a minute later found Akatsuki back to normal, although unconscious and unharmed, laying on the beach. Close to her, Regina was bent backwards with her hands on her thighs to the point people wondered how she wasn't falling over. Meanwhile, Shinano had one hand on her own thigh, and the other pinching the brim of Akatsuki's hat, which had landed on her head as she leaned back a bit.

For her part, Ikazuchi had an eyebrow twitch, "What... the fuck..."

Nearby, Harder scratched her head and looked at Naka, "Uh... what just happened?"

The Light Cruiser gave a small shrug, "Crossover event? Except with Sailor Moon with how Akatsuki-Chan looked along with some Jojo?" Frowning, she considered a few things, "Though... Older Akatsuki-Chan did rock that look. I wonder..." At the glare from Tenryuu, she held up her hands, "Just a thought!"

Slowly, Harry blinked a little, 'Okay... Shinano-Chan and Regina looked awesome... but the rest...' Taking a deep breath, and ignoring Goto that it was going on the List, he turned to his stunned mother, "How about... we just move on to opening gifts? To try and put this behind us..."

Just nodding, Nagato made a sound of agreement, even as she ignored Inazuma muttering about needing a drink.
_____________________________________________________________________

Everyone headed inside the restaurant area, including the now awake Akatsuki. Said Destroyer was confused about how people kept giving her looks. And no matter how many times she asked, none of them would say a thing about what happened, even though it was all fuzzy for her. Maybe next time she should drink the lady-like drink that was coffee slower?

Still, she got her hat back from a flustered Shinano.

Glancing at Akatsuki, Nagato coughed some before turning to Harry. She did smile, however, at the stunned look on his face at the pile of gifts. No matter how many birthdays he had where he got a number of gifts, there was always this look of amazement on his face. It was a little bittersweet in a way.

Shaking that off, the Battleship cleared her throat, "So, Harry, which one first?"

For a few moments, the teen looked at the gifts in thought. That was until he looked at the unknown phoenix which was chatting with Suzu-Chan. After all who could really blame him for being extremely curious over it? Thus, Harry cleared his throat and nodded towards the package, "Um, Mum? I think that I want to see what our mystery gift is..."

Now looking at the gift herself, Nagato nodded some, "I suppose that does make sense."

A glance told her that everyone else was curious as well. When she turned to Ryuujou, the Carrier shrugged a little, "Did a scan an' everythin', Nagato-San. Ain' anything malicious from what I can pick up. Hoshi-San as well as Haru-San, and Taiyang-San also looked at it." She then shook her head, "Not that the fact that it was a Phoenix that brought it didn't say enough."

Each of the three mentioned foxes nodded in agreement so she picked up the package and brought it over to Harry, "Here you go, Honey."

Brightly smiling up at her, Harry nodded, "Thanks, Mum." He turned the package over in his hand some before he then unwrapped the gift before realizing it as two gifts in one with an envelope. Looking at the envelope, he blinked as it had been sealed. Said seal being two snakes entwined with each other, one green and one black. Gently prying the seal off, he opened the envelope and blinked as there was a letter and an item within.

Slowly, the wizard pulled out the item which was an amulet on a leather cord that looked like an old, Chinese coin made out of jade. Examining it closely, Hoshi's eyes widened, "My word... there's a lot of protections laid into this."

Rubbing her chin, Taiyang hummed as she looked at it as well, "Indeed, and almost all of it is Taoist magic."

That made more than one of them look at her in interest with Harry giving her a wide eyed stare, "Taoist? Really?"

More than a little thoughtful, the Dao nodded, "As a matter of fact, yes. While there are a few major protections, most it seems are minor. Yet, they have been interwoven with one another expertly. Some give resistance to poisons, for example. It is not that you would be immune, but... the dosage needed to harm you would be that much more. Triple the amount as a matter of fact from what I am seeing. And not just for ingestive poisons either, as some are for stings, bites, and inhaled poisons as well. I believe that love potions are also included."

Eyes wide herself, Ryuujou frowned some, "What other ones can you identify?"

Not saying anything, Taiyang leaned forward to better examine the coin with a slight frown, "Hmm... there is one for good health that would make him resistant to disease. It is not that he could not catch them, but that it would be much harder for him to do so or get ill. Judging by the power? I would say that Harry-Kun might even have a chance at not catching that lycanthropy disease if bitten." Ignoring the boggled stares, she waved a hand, "There are others, of course. Mostly spells for good fortune and longevity which give better chances of such happening. Protections from hostile divining is another... as well as spells to make evil spirits that would do him harm wish to be... elsewhere. Think insect repellent for such. None truly powerful, but woven together..." Eyebrow raised, she had a smirk, "A very well done piece of work in my opinion. Of the sort that would have in ancient times been done for the Emperor of China alone. One would need to be a master of such magics, after all."

It went without saying that everyone was now staring at the coin as it slowly turned in the air on the leather string.

After a few moments, Harry blinked, "Wow, that's... wow!" He then turned and pulled out the letter that was in the envelope and read it to himself before furrowing his eyebrows, "Huh..."

Raising an eyebrow, Natsumi frowned a bit, "Something wrong, Harry-Chan?"

With a glance at her, he shook his head, "Not wrong, but... the letter is pretty simple and short. They're wishing me a happy fourteenth birthday with many more to come. But, also, they're stating that hopefully it makes up for missed ones as well."

Nagato raised her eyebrow and looked at the amulet, "I think that they might just have..." Then, she furrowed her eyebrows a little, 'Though this raises the question of whom they are...'

Lips twitching in amusement, Harry pulled out the other item which was a book. Opening it, his eyebrows rose some in surprise, "Huh..." Seeing the interested looks, he shook his head, "It's a guide about how to perform Daoist meditation and..." With a quick check, the teen nodded in interest, "As how it can help with some western magic."

Arms crossed, Akimi hummed a little, "That... does give us an idea for them." At the looks, she shrugged and motioned with one hand, "I am far from an expert in Daoist magic. But, judging by what I do know about Onmyouji? One would need to be an expert in both branches in order to show how something from one would work well for the other." The Kitsune Battleship glanced at Harry, "I suspect that it is handwritten, correct?" When he gave her a surprised nod, she smiled, "Which means that someone went through quite a bit of trouble to write it for you."

More than a little awed, the teenage wizard ran a hand along the cover, "Wow..." Turning to the phoenix that had delivered it, he nodded a little, "Would it be possible for you to stay around for a little while? That way I can write a thank you letter?"

The phoenix seemed rather amused and bobbed her head with a warble.

Next, it was Naka's turn to give him a gift from her and when he opened it, Harry's eyes widened, "Wait... is this really...?"

Grin on her face, the Light Cruiser gave a laugh and nodded, "The new Sega Neptune? Hai." At the awed look, Naka shrugged, "Sega wanted me to promote it on my stream and I asked them for one of the first off the lines. They had no issue with that, though they would like some feedback on it as well."

Brightly smiling, Harry hugged her and thanked her, though he laughed a little as Harder's gift was the new Megadimension Neptunia game as well."

Just glancing at her fellow Light Cruiser, Tenryuu shook her head a little as she watched the teens look at the new game console in interest along with the games that came with it, "Hard to believe that Sega is still in the console business. I remember them stating that the Dreamcast was going to be the last one."

Naka gave a small shrug at that while shaking her head, "Hai, it was supposed to be, but... Blood Week in this case helped them. Since that Chinese company that made the Dreamcast knockoff with a screen built in nearly went under, Sega bought them out. And when they added a battery pack so it didn't need power..."

Crossing her arms, the eyepatch wearing shipgirl grunted, "Yeah, it became the perfect way to distract kids when in shelters. Or when going camping and the like when you add in portable solar panels." Scratching under her eye, she frowned, "I remember spending time in the nearby shelter and seeing kids playing on the Dreamcast II."

Meanwhile, Harry took the next package, which was from Okita. Said reincarnated teen grinned widely, "Go ahead, Harry-Kun, open it up."

Intrigued, the teenage wizard did so and blinked as he found two light novels in it. Frowning, he furrowed his eyebrows as he read the titles, "'I've been Reincarnated and now live with my ghost wife from my previous life'?"

Eyebrow twitching, Ryouma turned to his sister and shot her a glare. Unfortunately, it bounced off Okita's smugness as she gave a shrug, "I've decided to write some light novels, and the publisher said that they're great. Hopefully, you enjoy them."

Rather amused, both at the glare being given to his friend, as well as how Oryou had a blush on her face, Harry hummed, "I think that I just might."

Grumbling a little under his breath, Ryouma glared even more, "Brat."

Once more, Okita just shrugged, "I'm your little sister, Onii-Chan~"

If anything, that amused the birthday boy even more as he turned to the other gifts. The one from Nobu was a hand written account of some of her battles when she was Nobunaga as well as various quips inside of it. Uesugi, meanwhile, gave him a guide to playing Shogi while stating that she looked forward to doing so. From there, it went to the various other shipgirls as well.

Finally, it came to Taiyang, who smiled as she bounced over to him before handing him a gift, "Here you go, Harry-Kun, this is from me. I think that you'll find it very interesting~"

Needless to say, Harry was extremely interested in what she got and opened the gift. Seeing another book, he opened it and his eyes widened and his jaw dropped, "Is this...?"

Hands behind her back, the Dao leaned forward, "Onmyoudo spells? Indeed they are, Harry-Kun!" She gestured at them before smiling, "Within that book, in fact, the easier spells from the Hoki Naiden~ Mikon!"

Various heads snapped around at that with Ryuujou's jaw dropping, "T-the Hoki Naiden!? When did you come across that book!? How did you come across that book!?"

Extremely amused, Taiyang winked some, "That... is... a... secret!"

Behind her, Akimi shared a stunned look with Miu, as did Ume and Sakura. Unlike their neice, however, the Twins were also madly grinning as they knew exactly what that meant, 'Oh yes... there will be very little argument about us creating a branch clan now!'

Confused, Enterprise looked between those that know Onmyouji who were completely flabbergasted, "Uh... American here, what does that mean, exactly?"

Utterly sober from shock, Junyou gave her a look, "You know how Abe no Seimei is considered the Japanese equivalent to Merlin, correct?" At the confused nod, she continued with Enterprise freezing, "The Hoki Naiden is his personal grimoire. One passed down from the greatest of wizards over the past four thousand years. Just a few spells from such, even the weakest, would be well sought after. Think of the level of the Patronus, and that would be one of the easier spells within."

Feeling somewhat stunned, the American nodded, "Oh."

Highly amused, Taiyang grinned a little, "I also added a small book about the learning of Daoist magic, though it is mainly a guide to get started~"

Just looking at the book for a few moments, Harry placed it to the side and then hugged her, "Thank you."

Much to Natsumi's amusement, the blade spirit seemed stunned before her expression softened and she hugged him back, "You are very welcome, Harry-Kun." Stepping back, she gave him a nod, "You are, after all, one of the most precious of people to my Master. Thus, you deserve the best," Closing one eye in a wink, Taiyang smiled, "Though it will take years to master even a small amount of those spells~'

Lightly laughing, Harry nodded with a grin of his own, "Understood, but I look forward to them."

Shortly after that, Iku looked at her fellow Submarines and stepped forward before taking an envelope from the pile and handing it to him, "Here, this is a group gift from myself and the others."

Interested, the teenage wizard opened the envelope and pulled out a picture that was inside before furrowing his eyebrows, "A picture of a small, yellow Submarine?"

From where she stood, RO grinned a little, "It's a K-250 Submarine... and it's yours, Harry-Chan."

That caused heads to snap around and look at the Submarines with Nagato staring, "You bought him a Submarine?!"

Humming, Hachi adjusted her glasses, "Hai, one of the American Subgirls had a Captain who produced them in the 1970s. So we went looking and found one for sale which we fixed up and made a few modifications to. New batteries, seals, paint. We even had it enchanted with anti-corrosion spells."

Beside her, Imuya gave a shrug of her own as she motioned with one hand, "And before you ask, we had our fairies test it out fully to the limits to make sure that it was safe. It is very safe as a matter of fact." She then turned to Harry with a happy smile, "It can only go down to two hundred and fifty feet, but... that's as far as any of us can go really as well. So that means that we can go diving with Harry-Chan and he wouldn't be alone as we would be right there."

Somewhat mollified, Nagato gave her a nod as she knew that none of the Subgirls would do anything to endanger Harry at all. She then looked over his shoulder and blushed a little, "It is rather cute..."

Needless to say, that got her some amused looks from the others as well as shaking their heads in amusement. The others were also rather interesting, with Shinano giving him a new broom as well, one that would be more comfortable for herself and others to ride with him. Something that got her a look from her sisters, which caused her to look away and poke her fingers together. Regina, meanwhile, got him a shark proof diving suit made from links of Abyssal metal. Those looking at it also glanced at her, which she flushed a little while stating it was also from Wanko.

It goes without saying that it was a very, very happy birthday.