Harry Potter & the Shipgirls

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Leaning forward, Harry smiled at Shiromizu as she stared out of her home. "{Well? What do you think?}"

For several moments, Shiromizu was silent before she leaned forward and gave Harry her version of a smile. "{Thank you, Harry, I love it.}" She then turned back to the large jar just outside of her terrarium which was itself one. But inside there were miniatures of Japanese homes as a river and a waterfall ran through it, a water pump keeping the water flowing. "{It reminds me so much of where I was born.}"

Not having heard of where she was born, Harry instantly became interested. "{Really? You've never told me where you were hatched before.}"

Blinking, Shiromizu coiled herself up as she considered this. "{True...}" She then gave Harry a smile. "{Ara, ara~ You're curious about it, aren't you~?}"

A smile on his own face, Harry laid down in front of her terrarium and kicked his socked feet back and forth. "{Well, it's not like you really talk much about your past, Shiromizu. Can you blame me?}"

With an amused hiss, the white snake shook her head. "{No, I really can't.}" Gathering her thoughts, Shiromizu finally nodded. "{The place where I was born was at one time a small, mountain village. However, some years before I was born, all the humans left the village behind for elsewhere. What happened to them, I couldn't tell you.}"

Interested, Harry blinked. "{So there's no one there at all?}"

Humming, Shiromizu moved her head from side to side in thought. "{Not really, no. We would get the odd visitor of course, mainly because there was an amusement park and resort built not too far away, though by the time I left it was on hard times. But it was not what I would call a safe area for most, especially around the old village well.}" The memory of skittering legs and a cruel laugh caused the snake to shudder a bit. 'No, not a safe place.'

There was a frown on Harry's face as he looked up at the ceiling in thought. "{Huh, sounds like a ghost town.}"

After a moment, Shiromizu chuckled. "{Perhaps in more ways then one, I suppose.}" Flicking her tongue out, she continued. "{One of the more interesting places in the village was a small, but deep lake near one of the homes. The lake is rather peaceful and beautiful... It was best known for eels actually.}"

Eyebrows furrowing, Harry frowned. "{Eels?}"

For some odd reason, Shiromizu seemed highly amused about it, but nodded. "{Oh yes, really big eels as a matter of fact.}"

Much to Harry's confusion, the snake snickered at what she had said. "{Huh.}" Then he shook it off. "{So that was where you were hatched?}"

Slowly, the white snake nodded. "{It was where I was born, yes. My home in particular was... Hmm... there was this rather big earthquake a few years back, among other things it caused a landslide not far from the lake and created a spring. Water from the spring has created a bubbling stream that runs until it runs into a portion of the lake that got cut off from the rest due to the landslide as a small waterfall. That was the specific place I was born.}"

Amazed, Harry smiled. "{Wow... that sounds like a wonderful place.}"

On her face was a far off expression as she bobbed her head in a nod. "{It is actually, the area is rather beautiful and I do miss it. Perhaps, one day I can return.}" Then she snickered a bit. "{Well, miss it except for the geckos that live at the ruins of the old castle not far away.}"

Blinking, Harry raised an eyebrow. "{Geckos?}"

Expression somehow utterly deadpan, Shiromizu nodded. "{Very annoying ones, yes.}"

Harry shook it off though before chuckling. "{If you ever go back, can I come?}"

Freezing, Shiromizu looked at him before relaxing. "{We'll see.}" Then she leaned to the side. "{Anyways, I believe that it's time for you to head to the celebrations if the fact that your Kaa-San is looking in says anything.}"

With his eyes wide, Harry turned and, sure enough, there was an amused Nagato leaning against the doorframe just watching him. "Mum!"

Smile growing a touch, Nagato chuckled a bit. "Did she like your Christmas gift to her?"

Nodding, Harry glanced back at Shiromizu who he swore was laughing internally at him. "Yeah, she loved it actually."

The Battleship just reached behind her and pulled out a coat. "Well, we should probably be going."

A grin on his face, Harry slipped on the coat and looked over his shoulder. "{I'll see you tonight, Shiromizu! I'll try and bring back some food as well.}"

Waving her tail at him, Shiromizu bobbed her head. "{I know that you will. Have fun and merry Christmas.}"

Having waved back, Harry nodded. "{Merry Christmas, Shiromizu!}"

Several minutes later, Shiromizu listened carefully and, when there wasn't any sounds, uncoiled and pushed against the top of the terrarium. Within less then a minute, she was outside her home and shifted to her half-girl, half-snake form and stretched. "Ah..." Her eyes softened as she looked at the gift from Harry before a smile crossed over her face. For several moments, she just watched the water flow and listened before she shook it off and made her way out of the room. 'Perhaps I shall give a gift to myself in the form of a nice, long, hot shower...' Her tongue flicked out as a blissful expression crossed her face. 'Yes... a very hot shower.'

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

"Why, hello there."

Blinking, Hoppou looked up from where she was examining the stuffed toy in her hands to see the smiling face of Houshou. "Hello, I'm Hoppou."

Simply nodding, Houshou smiled. "I'm Houshou, Hoppou-Chan. I'm pleased to meet you..." She then looked around. "Is it okay if I sit down?"

Head tilted to the side, Hoppou nodded. "Hoppou doesn't mind."

With a sigh, Houshou sat down in the chair besides the Abyssal and shook her head. "I think that these old joints are getting too much for this." Looking around, she hummed a bit. "You wouldn't happen to know where Harry-Chan or Nagato-San are, would you, Hoppou-Chan?"

The Abyssal just pointed in one direction. "Big brother is over there... he said that he was going to get Hoppou cookies and something to drink!" Hoppou then looked around and leaned toward Houshou. "Hoppou likes big brother's cookies, they taste super yummy."

Chuckling, Houshou shook her head. "I'm not surprised about that in the least. Things made with love are always the best."

For several moments, Hoppou watched her before she held up the stuffed toy in her hands.. "Hoppou agrees, big brother also made Hoppou Reppu!"

Leaning in, Houshou examined the plush and then nodded with a serious expression on her face. "I see, that's a lovely toy that Harry-Chan made for you there. He makes for a good brother, doesn't he."

At that, Hoppou nodded. "Harry is the best big brother for Hoppou! He make Hoppou yummy things, Reppu, and reads Hoppou stories!"

It was then that they heard someone call out and turned in time to see Harry appear through the crowd with a plate of cookies and a glass of what Houshou recognized as eggnog, though she hoped it wasn't the alcoholic version. "Okay, I'm back, Hoppou." Noticing Houshou, Harry's smile widened some. "Houshou-Obaa! I didn't know that you were going to be coming!"

Lightly laughing, the Carrier just smiled. "It's good to see you, Harry-Chan. And I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to come this year again." She then sighed and shook her head. "That girl is just troublesome."

Knowing who she was talking about, Harry nodded as he walked over and handed Hoppou the cookies and eggnog. Much to Houshou's amusement, Hoppou handed Harry her plush Reppy before she began to dig in. "Yeah... Aso-San is, um... different?"

Once more with a light laugh, Houshou shook her head. "Yes, I suppose that is one way of putting it." With a sigh, Houshou stretched a bit. "I hope that you don't mind me taking a break here."

Partway through biting down on a cookie, Hoppou turned toward Harry who just placed an hand on her head before ruffling her hair. "Nope, we don't mind. Do we, Hoppou?" The Abyssal just shook her head before finishing the cookie off. Looking around the room, Harry blinked at something and pointed. "Wow, Ashigara-Oba is really happy!"

Turning her head, Houshou chuckled as said Heavy Cruiser was leaning on Yonehara's arm with a smile that showed she was over the Moon currently. "She is, but then she does deserve happiness and I wish both her and Captain Yonehara all the best." Eyes twinkling in barely hidden mirth, Houshou smirked. "Perhaps by next year they'll be more then boyfriend and girlfriend."

Harry just blinked and gave her a look. "You put in a bet as well?"

Several moments passed before the Carrier gave a sheepish smile. "Well... yes, I have."

With a snicker, Harry just shook his head.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Above the group making their way to the Battleship Dormitory, the stars twinkled in the night sky. Letting out a soft sigh, Nagato turned to regard Harry who had a sleepy Hoppou on his back. "You sure that you don't want any help, Harry?"

The ten year old just shook his head some. "I'm good, Mum."

Smiling, Nagato ignored the urge to whip out her phone and take some pictures. "Okay, Harry. But let me know if you get too tired, hmm?"

Just nodding, Harry turned back to watching their surroundings as the Christmas party and dinner had been over for more then two hours with most of those who went there having gone home. But here and there he could spot various shipgirls and base personnel walking around or talking in small groups. He did blink though at the sight of Fubuki, Yuudachi, and Mutsuki on a bench softly talking to each other. Fubuki herself spotted them and waved the best that she could with the other two Destroyers heads on her shoulders while Yuudachi and Mutsuki did the same. Waving back, Harry nodded before turning to where a happy Rose was walking alongside him with a book clutched to her chest. "You seem to have liked the gift that Haruna-Oba got for you."

For a few seconds, Rose blinked and then blushed. "I-it was really thoughtful of her to get me such a gift, Master. Hopefully she enjoys the gift that I made for her."

Thoughtful, Nagato nodded a bit. "That would be the scarf that you knitted for her, right?" At the nod, the Battleship chuckled. "From how she was acting, I think that we can say that she adores it."

Curious, Harry leaned over. "Like I made you that tea cosy?"

Blushing brightly, Rose bit her head but nodded. "I truly enjoyed your gift for me, Master. It looks just lovely on me and should help keep the tea warm."

Slightly adjusting Hoppou on his back, Harry smiled. "I'm really happy about that." Then he began to frown some. "So what did Haruna-Oba get for you?"

Much to Harry's surprise, Rose's blush deepened some and she held out the book. "She got me a copy of 'The Book of Tea'." Her eyes then began to sparkle. "I absolutely adore it! It really is a most wonderful book, Master."

Not quite sure what to say, Harry just nodded. "Huh, that's neat."

As she continued to gush about Haruna's gift, Nagato only shook her head as she tried to hide the amused smirk on her face.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Hearing the door to the Subgirl Pens open, Maruyu turned and then smiled widely as she spotted Harry walk in out of the chilly, January air. "Harry-Chan!"

Almost immediately, Harry spotted her and ran over to give her a hug. "Maruyu-Chan!" Both of them were giggling a bit as the others watched in amusement, though there was a Cruiser who was blinking in confusion. "I haven't seen you for a few weeks now!"

There was a blush on Maruyu's face as she rubbed the back of her neck. "Sorry about that, Harry-Chan. I've been busy transporting packages and stuff between the bases for other shipgirls." Sighing, she shook her head though there was quite a bit of humor there. "And I know that as soon as February comes around that I'll be busy getting Valentines and stuff around as well."

Puzzled, Harry frowned a bit. "I thought that they sent things via the post?"

Shaking her head though, the small Subgirl giggled. "Some do, but they just find it easier to use me and it gets me out."

Harry's expression suddenly lit up. "Oh! By the way, did you get the gift I sent you for Christmas? I wasn't sure if it would get to you in time with the post."

On Maruyu's own face, there was a similar smile as she stepped back and pointed down at her leg where there was a dive knife holstered. "Yup! I love it, Harry-Chan! Thank you so much!"

A snort though caused him to look up and notice one eye looking at him in amusement. "So this is the kiddo that sent ye that there pig sticker, Maruyu? Hmm?"

Nodding, the Subgirl smiled before pulling Harry into a one armed hug. "That's right, Kiso-Nee-San. Harry-Chan here sent it to me." She then looked toward a slightly confused Harry. "Harry-Chan, this is Kiso-Nee-San."

With a smile on his face, Harry reached out and shook the offered hand as Kiso gave him a grin that reminded him of Tenryuu's for some odd reason. "Well, it's lovely meeting ye for once, Harry-Chan. Maruyu here couldn't stop talking about ye." She then gave Harry a nod. "It does me old heart good to see someone caring for the lass."

Face red, Maruyu gave Kiso a slight glare. "K-Kiso-Nee-San!"

Chuckling, Kiso just grinned more and winked at Harry who was confused before he shook it off. Tilting his head some, Harry blinked. "Wait, aren't you one of the Kuma sisters...?"

The Cruiser blinked and then sighed. "Aye, that be about right. And no, unlike me sisters, I don't like ending me sentences with me name."

Slowly, Harry raised his finger. "Um... but Ooi and Kitakami don't do that either..."

Kiso just blinked slowly before shaking her head and giving him a pat on the head. "Don't be worrying about such things, lad. Ooi and Kitakami are... odd." Clearing her throat, she then changed the subject to the amusement of the other Submarines. "So then, ye wouldn't know where Tenryuu is, would ye?"

At Harry's confusion, Iku leaned down and stage whispered into his ear. "She wants to beat Tenryuu at a contest of Chuuni-ness."

Now it was Kiso's turn to blush as Maruyu giggled at her while Harry nodded in understanding. "Oooh, okay."

Trying to fight down her blush, Kiso snorted. "I be not a chuuni, unlike that faker, Tenryuu. And this time, I be defeating her."

Bemused, Harry pointed toward the door. "Well... I saw her heading toward Mamiya's with Inazuma and the others."

Suddenly smirking, Kiso licked her lips. "Excellent... an audience."

With that, she strode out and through the door before Harry looked toward Maruyu and raised his hand above his head. "That's a high level of Chuuni."

Giggling, Maruyu only nodded. "That's just how Kiso-Nee-San is."

Iku also giggled before glomping Harry from behind. "Yeah... hey, you want to go and watch?"

Before Harry could answer though, Maruyu only shook her head. "Just wait for a moment."

Not even a minute later though, Kiso poked her head back into the door and gave them a sheepish expression. "Um... ye all wouldn't know where this Mamiya's be, would ye?"

Sharing a look, Harry and the Subgirls just snickered before Maruyu let go of the hug she had Harry in and walked over to Kiso. "Come on, I'll show you the way, Kiso-Nee-San!"

All the Cruiser did was smile and pat her on the head. "Thank ye."

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Seeing a familiar head of black, messy hair, Eugen jogged up and smiled at Harry. "Guten tag, Harry."

Harry turned and then gave a bright smile. "Guten tag, Miss Eugen!" He then tilted his head some to the side in curiosity. "I didn't hear about you arriving."

Just chuckling, Eugen slowed down and shook her head. "I just got in this morning along with Bismarck and Hanna."

That caused Harry's eyes to widen as he looked around. "Hanna is here?"

Once more, Eugen chuckled as she nodded and then reached over to ruffle his hair. "Mm-hm, my little sister came with me. I decided with the others that she needed to see more of the world after all, and I know that she should have some fun here in Japan, especially as she gets to meet you finally in person."

Grinning, Harry nodded. "Cool!" Then his grin fell a bit. "But, um, where is she, Miss Eugen?"

A sigh escaped from the Heavy Cruiser as she shook her head. "Well, when we arrived early this morning, she was tired from jet lag and went for a nap, so she missed you. All that said though, I lost track of her after she woke up when she left our guest quarters... though I do think that I know where she might be."

Furrowing his eyebrows, Harry easily fell in beside Eugen as she began to walk. "You do? Where?"

There was a slightly sheepish look on Eugen's face as she rubbed the back of her neck. "Ah... I think that she might have went to the gym on the base actually, but..."

Suddenly, Harry clued in and smirked. "And you don't know where it is, do you, Miss Eugen?"

Pouting, Eugen poked him in the side and caused him to jump. "Don't be mean, Harry." Then she grimaced a bit. "I would have normally used Mathilda to track her down, but it's February and too cold to go around with her outside the quarters. So that's out and some of the directions that I got are really confusing."

Only nodding, Harry frowned a bit. "Um, which gym do you think she went to?"

With a frown on her face, Eugen slowly shook her head. "I don't quite know, Harry. And, well..." Blushing, she looked away. "I haven't really gone to any gyms myself actually."

Tilting his head, Harry blinked. "You haven't?"

Just sighing, Eugen suddenly smiled and then held up one arm and flexed it. "Haven't really needed to. The most powerful German engineering makes sure that it doesn't really matter though." Then she frowned a bit in thought. "But Hanna likes to go to the gym and work hard. She's got a work ethic that we're all proud of and she enjoys it."

Slowly, Harry nodded a bit. "Huh."

Both of them lapsed into silence as they continued to walk until Eugen glanced at Harry. "You wouldn't know where the closest gym might be? I suspect that she might be there."

After a few moments of thought, Harry rapidly nodded. "I know the way, follow me!''

Lips twitching upwards, Eugen just chuckled as she fell in behind the excited ten year old. "Very well."

Several minutes later, they reached the gym in question and went inside to find a surprising sight for Harry. Mainly that of the thirteen year old, sweat soaked Hanna benchpressing as several nervous sailors looked on, one of whom was spotting for her. However, what caused Harry's eyes to widen was not that she was lifting weights, but that the bar she was using had the heaviest weights possible loaded on. In fact, it likely weighed more then the thirteen year old lifting them did. "Wow..."

Eugen just shook her head in amusement. "That's my kleine Schwester for you."

With his eyes still wide, Harry looked up at her. "I thought that she wasn't a shipgirl though!"

All the Heavy Cruiser did though was shake her head. "Not yet, though she can be awakened as one." Then there was a thoughtful expression on her face. "Though they believe that she's slowly manifesting as time goes on, so by the time she's fifteen she'll have fully awoken. It's rather interesting and I know that some of the scientists have been taking notes... though nothing too invasive, as I and the others would have words with them otherwise."

Just nodding, Harry turned back to Hanna in time to see that the thirteen year old had noticed them and brightly grinned as she put the weights back onto the holder, the metal groaning ominously. "Harry!"

There was a smile on Harry's face as he waved back, even as Hanna sat up and began to wipe the sweat from her skin. "Hanna!"

Meanwhile, all Eugen did was shake her head in amusement as the two friends hugged each other for the first time. 'Ah... this was a good choice.'

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

As he walked beside her, Harry looked over at Hanna with a curious expression on his face. "So how are you liking Japan so far?"

While Eugen snickered, Hanna looked over at her before turning to Harry. After a few moments she finally just shrugged. "It's... nice, I guess?"

More then a little confused, Harry blinked at the answer. "Um, you guess?"

Hanna gave the snickering Eugen a look before rolling her eyes. "I kind of haven't seen much since we arrived yesterday."

Calming down some, Eugen grinned. "I did tell you that she slept for a while due to jet lag." She then gave Hanna a smirk. "One could be forgiven for thinking that she might have slept the day away if given half the chance."

Just giving her a huff, Hanna then turned back to a bemused Harry. "Anyways, I haven't seen much of anything of Japan so..." Once more, she shrugged. "I can't exactly say if I like it or not. Though there is one good thing about the trip so far."

Blinking, Harry raised an eyebrow at her. "Oh? What's that?"

Slowly, Hanna raised an eyebrow before she poked Harry in the arm. "I finally get to see you in person after so long of us just talking via video." Dodging the return poke, she smirked. "So, anywhere good to see around here? I kind of want to have a look around while I can."

Frowning, Harry thought it over before he slowly nodded. "Well... there's Battleship Park, that's where Mikasa-Obaa's hull is. And I think that if you ask you might be allowed on Sarushima..."

All Hanna did was nod as Harry listed off some places before finally sighing. "Seems like there's a lot of places that I can go. Should be interesting I guess."

Beside her, Eugen rolled her eyes. "I think that you may enjoy yourself. Besides, it will broaden your horizons a little bit and it will be a bit good."

Shrugging again, Hanna chuckled. "Maybe... but I'm kind of excited to see one of those Japanese hot spring resorts... or Mount Fuji! Now that would be really neat!" It seemed that she had realized how she might have looked though and calmed down. "You know... that sort of thing."

There was a grin on Harry's face as he nodded. "Yeah, those are pretty cool."

With a thoughtful look on her face, Hanna hummed a bit. However, before she could say anything she heard footsteps running up and turned. 'I wonder who that is-'

Hearing an odd sound, Harry looked over at the thirteen year old beside him, only to see her staring at something in complete and utter shock. "Hmm? Hanna? Is something wrong?"

Slowly, she brought up one trembling finger and pointed at something. Turning, Harry noticed Hoppou there at the same time Eugen did. Said shipgirl froze at the sight of the Abyssal staring at them as Hanna gulped. "Th-tha-that's an Abyssal."

Before they could react though, Hoppou rushed over and hugged Harry. "Big brother."

For almost a minute, there was silence before Eugen slowly turned toward Harry with an odd expression on her face. "Big... brother?"

Nodding as he patted Hoppou on the head, Harry softly smiled. "Yeah, her name' Hoppou. Mum kind of adopted her into our family and since I'm older and a boy, I'm her big brother."

It was then that the pieces fell into place and, slowly, Eugen's eyes widened as she realized what was going on. "Wait, Hoppou, isn't that the name given to the Northern Ocean Princess?" At Harry's nod, she blinked owlishly at him. "And she's your little sister now with you as her big brother..."

Once more, Harry just nodded with a smile. "That's right."

Turning toward her sister, Hanna boggled. "What is going on here?!"

Eugen sighed and pulled the brim of her hat down some. "I heard that the Japanese had somehow captured a Princess class Abyssal, but this... I didn't expect something like this."

At that, Hanna looked back and forth between Harry, Hoppou, and Eugen. "So Harry somehow has a Princess class Abyssal as his little sister and vice versa, right? This isn't some sort of strange dream...?"

Grimacing, Eugen shook her head. "No, this is real and utterly unexpected."

With a blink, Hanna turned back to Harry before staring. "You know, I can't tell if this is utterly bizarre, badass that you're not afraid of her, or what..."

All Harry did though was simply shrug.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

A thoughtful expression on his face, Goto leaned back in his chair as he looked at the calendar on the wall of his office. "Say... Nagato, does Harry have any plans for spring break."

Blinking at the rather odd question, Nagato frowned. "No, I don't believe that he has any plans... why?"

Still leaning back, Goto smirked before placing his hands behind his head. "Because I think that he's in need of a little male bonding. After all, he can't hang around shipgirls all the time."

Now raising an eyebrow, Nagato frowned. "What do you mean by that?"

Waving a hand, Goto just snorted. "He's becoming a young man in the springtime of his life. He needs to spend time with other men."

Ooyodo hummed as she sorted through her own paperwork. "I see... then perhaps we should find a man for him to spend time with."

Gasping, Goto reached for his chest. "Ugh, you wound me deeply, Ooyodo."

The Cruiser just raised an eyebrow at him. "Only your pride, Teitoku. Only your pride."

Just shaking her head at the byplay, Nagato leaned her chin against her hands. "And what sort of things would you consider for my son."

Grinning, Goto chuckled a bit. "Why, fishing. Yonehara and myself were planning for our usual fishing trip this spring anyways. Two weeks early won't bother either of us and we can take Harry along." He then rubbed his chin in thought. "And spring has come early so there shouldn't be any problem with the snow."

Considering it, Nagato was about to reply when Ooyodo banged her head on the desk several times. "Don't tell me that you're going to drag Harry-Chan into your silly search for a fish that does not exist."

While narrowing his eyes, Goto frowned. "It does exist."

Looking back and forth in confusion, Nagato blinked. "Did I... miss something."

Slowly, and with a long suffering look, Ooyodo raised her head up. "Nothing besides an old fish story that Teitoku likes to tell."

Intrigued, Nagato turned her head toward Goto. "Oh?"

Crossing his arms, Goto snorted. "Ooyodo seems to think that I'm telling lies. But I did catch one of those fish years ago! Yonehara and myself were on a fishing trip, back then I was just a Lieutenant. Having heard about these big fish in one lake, we went there and actually caught it."

Amused, Ooyodo winked at Nagato. "Or so he claims."

Giving her a glare, Goto scoffed before he stretched out his arms. "The fish was like a salmon, but huuuuge!"

Her tone dry, Ooyodo held her finger and thumb a distance apart. "About this big I think."

Meanwhile, Goto continued. "It had to have been longer then you are tall, Nagato. And bigger around then my waist."

Nodding, Ooyodo hummed. "About the size of a minnow."

Eyebrow twitching, Goto grit his teeth before relaxing again. "It was delicious, beyond what you could have expected. Heh, I think that even Akagi would be filled on so much fish."

Leaning forward, the Secretary ship stage whispered to a slowly more amused Nagato. "There was little to it but bones."

Annoyed, Goto glared at her. "Yonehara and myself did catch it! Neither of us are lying about that."

Just humming, Ooyodo tapped some papers on her desk. "And yet, strangely enough, neither of you have any proof. Not even a photograph."

Cheeks reddened, the Admiral huffed. "Our film was ruined, I still have no idea how water got into it."

Rolling her eyes, Ooyodo scoffed. "You don't even have any bones."

Goto just raised his eyebrows. "Who the heck would drag fish bones out of the wilderness?"

Chuckling, Nagato thought it over as the two bickered before finally nodding. "Actually, I think that it would be a wonderful idea. Harry does need some male role models and he could do a lot worse then Captain Yonehara or Teitoku."

A smile was on Goto's face before Ooyodo shook her head. "Well, until he starts telling fish stories."

The look on Goto's face promised payback of some sort.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Coming to a stop, Goto sighed as he stretched his arms out and took a deep breath of air. "Ah... smell that mountain air!"

Beside him, Harry looked around the forested area though he could spot a lake through the trees and blinked. "So... um... that's where we're fishing, Teitoku?"

Turning over, Goto was in great humor as he shook his finger at Harry. "What have I told you, Harry? When we're not on base or I'm on duty, I'm Goto-Oji-San. Okay?" Getting a nod, he turned back to where the lake could be seen. "And yes, Harry, this is where we're going to be fishing, welcome to Otori-Ike."

Just unscrewing the cap to his canteen as he nodded, Yonehara grunted. "Now to set up camp." After he took a drink, he screwed the cap back on as he glanced at Harry. "Anyways, want to help set up camp?"

A wide smile on his face, Harry just nodded. "Yeah!"

With a shake of the head, Goto set down the backpack that he had hauled through the trails as Yonehara did the same. Harry, with his much smaller pack had it off quicker and was already moving around stones. Reaching into his pack, Yonehara pulled out an entrenching tool and handed it to Harry. "Here, use this for the firepit while Goto and I set up the tent."

Nodding, Harry took it and began to dig a small hole while the two adults began to unroll the tent, with Goto glancing over his shoulder at the young boy. "So, you ever gone fishing before, Harry?"

There was a frown on Harry's face before he shrugged. "There used to be this old man who babysitted me when Miss Figg was unavailable, Mr. Daniels. Sometimes he took me to this stream so he could fish and taught me stuff. I even caught a pike once!"

Giving Goto a glance, Yonehara nodded. "A pike, huh? Never caught a pike though I've been told that they're pretty mean fish."

Eyes wide, Harry just nodded. "Yeah, they've got these big teeth on them and you have to be careful or else they bite you!"

Both Goto and Yonehara shared a look before they shook their heads. It was several minutes later that the two adults looked at their tent and slowly nodded with Goto examining it. "Okay... that looks pretty good." Getting inside, he began to pat around with a hum. "Can't feel any rocks or sticks, so we won't have anything jabbing us in the back."

All Yonehara did though was rub his hands together and breath into them. "Admit it, you just want to get to fishing."

Poking his head out of the tent, Goto snorted and pointed one finger at his old friend. "Yes, and?" He then got out and stood up. "Besides, it gets us all away from the craziness back at the base." Slowly, Goto shook his head and sighed. "I swear, sometimes I need a break."

For his part, Yonehara chuckled and patted Goto on the back. "I know the feeling. Though you probably have it worse with Kongou."

Goto had an odd look on his face before he smirked. "Actually, Kongou's not that bad now that we're together." At the raised eyebrow, he rolled his eyes. "She really isn't you know."

Slowly, Yonehara raised an eyebrow as Harry sat down on a rock and watched them. "She still charges into your office and tries to tackle hug you."

The Admiral only laughed though. "Yes, and? She can't really change her behavior that much or people will get suspicious. Besides..." On his face there was an odd look. "It's kind of endearing now I guess."

With a snort, Yonehara shoved his hands in his pockets. "Yeah, okay."

Just waving him off, Goto walked over to their packs. "Whatever. She's a lot different when we're off-duty though. That's when she really shines."

Intrigued, the Captain leaned forward. "Oh?"

Raising an eyebrow, Goto gave him a look. "Yes, 'Oh'." He then waved a hand around. "She's a lot calmer and... I don't know, she's able to get me to relax."

A grin grew on Yonehara's face as he snickered. "I'm sure she knows one way."

To Harry's confusion, Goto flushed a bit, though there was a sheepish grin on his face. "We're taking things slow you know."

Yonehara just nodded. "Yeah, I know."

Suddenly though, it was his turn to flush as Goto's grin turned evil. "Besides which, you're not much better with Ashigara. Considering how the two of you get on at times, I'm surprised that Harry and the others haven't been traumatized yet."

Glaring, Yonehara grumbled. "Oh, shut the hell up."

The only answer that he got though was laughter from Goto before Harry scratched his head. "I don't get it."

Both of the adults just shared a grin before Goto chuckled. "We'll tell you when you're older." Walking over, he patted Harry on the shoulder. "Besides, we need to let off some steam and that's why us men are out here. Manly men facing nature just like in the old days!"

Only shaking his head in amusement, Yonehara snorted. "Yeah, you keep telling yourself that."

Rubbing his hands together, Goto shrugged and then looked at Harry. "Anyways, we should get our sleeping bags into the tent before gathering some wood. It gets cold up here, especially in the early spring and at night, no matter how warm it might seem during the day."

Eyes sparkling, Harry nodded. "Okay!"

Giving him a slap on the back, Goto nodded. "That's the spirit! Now, let's get to work and finish up before night falls. And tomorrow, we'll fish."

With that, Harry got to his feet and walked over to the packs as the two adults looked on.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Sipping at a cup of instant coffee, Goto looked at the sleepy looking Harry in amusement. "Too early?"

With a blink, Harry looked up and yawned. "Not really."

A chuckle escaped from Yonehara as he ate from the MRE. "Good, you'll need to be awake for fishing as we're heading out once we're done."

Nodding, Harry began to dig into his own breakfast as Goto went to sort out his fishing rod. At seeing the one that Goto was using, Harry's eyes widened. "Wow... that's the biggest rod that I've ever seen!"

Simply humming, Goto nodded as he began to work at his rod. "Well, normally it's used for ocean fishing." Raising his eyes, he gave Harry a wink. "After all, for big fish we need big rods."

With a frown on his face, Harry looked at his own rod. "Um..."

Reaching over, Yonehara ruffled Harry's hair. "Don't worry about it. There's plenty of big trout for you to catch."

Goto just grunted. "I'm after the really big trout."

That caused Harry to tilt his head in curiosity. "How big?"

On Goto's face, there was a big grin. "The biggest trout that you've ever seen." Examining one of his hooks, the Admiral narrowed his eyes. "This time, I'm going to catch a takitaro."

Confused, Harry blinked. "Like... the thing from Final Fantasy?"

Sighing, Goto hung his head as Yonehara laughed. "Nah, it's the name of a giant trout in the lake."

Bemused, Harry looked at him. "Really?"

All Goto did was grumble. "Yes, and I caught one years ago. This time though, I'll bring it back and prove it." He then raised a fist and shook it at the sky. "Then I'll show Ooyodo! Tall tales my ass!"

Glancing at the amused Yonehara, Harry just nodded. "Okay..."

Several minutes later, Yonehara glanced at Harry as he put away the dishes they had used for breakfast. "Okay, I think that we're ready to head out so grab your fishing rod."

With a nod of his own, Harry gathered up his gear and fell in beside Yonehara and Goto. After a few moments, Harry looked up at Goto with a frown. "So how big are takitaro?"

Laughing lightly, Goto shook his head. "Really big."

Much to his amusement, Harry turned to Yonehara who waved an hand around. "Well... the takitaro is supposed to be up to ten feet long. But the one we caught was... what? Just under seven?"

Slowly, Goto nodded. "Sounds about right."

Yonehara then continued as Harry listened. "Anyways, we weren't the only ones there as some of the other officers were with us. And even then we couldn't eat it all."

Eyes wide, Harry just stared between the two grown men. "That's a big fish."

Chuckling, Goto shook his head. "You're telling me. Though some of the stories about them are make me shake my head."

Interested, Harry looked up at him. "Like what?"

Amused, Goto rubbed his chin a little bit. "Well... some say that they're magical. They can predict storms coming before they even form. Though the ones that cause me to shake my head are the ones that say they cause the storms so they can capsize boats and eat the fishermen."

Seeing the worried look on Harry's face, Yonehara snorted and ruffled his hair. "But I wouldn't worry, we're not using any boats."

Having taken the hint, Goto shrugged. "Sousuke and I picked this spot because the shore is next to a spot where the lake deepens pretty quick. And big fish like the deep water." He then smirked a bit. "I've even got some minnows to use for bait this time."

Even though he didn't quite understand, Harry nodded before he spotted something out of the corner of his eye. "Wow, look at that!"

Raising an eyebrow, Yonehara looked in the same direction and slowly nodded. "Well will you look at that, Goto. A fox."

Slowly, Goto smiled a bit as he watched the fox sit on a log and watch them back. "Yeah, maybe he'll bring us some luck."

With a nod of his own, Yonehara frowned some. 'Creepy though, it looks like it's watching us.' Then he shook his head as they came within sight of the lakeshore. After all... that was just silly.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

"Day four of our expedition into the wilds. And yet, still we continue our search for our quarry. Morale has continued it's slump as there have been no sign of what we are after. This has not been helped by how the weather has turned wet and gloomy. Our leader keeps pressing us onwards, always onwards. But I can see that it effects even his iron resolve. I don't see him ending the expedition though, for he is like Captain Ahab and we are after his white whale. I fear for our continued well being and lives."

Eyebrow twitching, Goto took a deep breath as he ignored Harry's snickers. "Sousuke..."

Smirking, Yonehara cast out his line as he raised one eyebrow. "Yes?"

With a glare that quailed even shipgirls, Goto grit his teeth. "Do me a favour and shut the fucking hell up."

He blinked though a moment later as Harry wagged a finger at him. "Mum says that you shouldn't swear."

Snorting, Goto rolled his eyes. "I don't care, I'm a grown man and I can fucking swear if I want."

Once more, Harry wagged a finger at him. "I'll tell Mum."

All Goto did was roll his eyes. "Don't care."

Narrowing his own eyes, Harry frowned. "I'll tell Kongou-Oba that you were swearing."

Much to his surprise, Goto just scoffed though he took a moment to think it over. "Don't fucking care."

Rubbing his chin with one hand, Harry nodded and his next words caused a chill to run down Goto's back. "I'll tell Mikasa-Obaa-San that you were cursing in front of me."

For several moments there was utter silence before Goto looked at Harry with a pale face. "You wouldn't."

All Harry did though was raise an eyebrow. "I would."

Yet again, there was silence though it was broken by what sounded like muffled laughter from Yonehara. Then Goto polluted. "You, Harry, are among the most evil of children that I have ever met."

Needless to say, Yonehara nearly collapsed with laughter as Harry brightly smiled and nodded. "Thanks!"

Grumbling, Goto looked down at a line in the water by Harry's feet and glared at the trout there. "How is it that you're catching things, yet I've barely gotten nibbles."

All Harry did though was shrug as Yonehara picked himself up off the ground. "Lucky I guess."

Goto just looked away. "There's lucky and then there's this. I swear, I am being reminded of Shigure or Yukikaze."

Still chuckling, Yonehara just shook his head. "Nah, otherwise I wouldn't be catching anything. You're just that bad."

While the two old friends bickered, Harry just watched his floater bob in the water. Despite the weather, he had been having a lot of fun with the two older men. Between Yonehara's humour and Goto's reactions to Harry and his friend catching fish, Harry laughed every day. And at night, the two adults would tell stories at the fireside. Part of him was disappointed that they were going to pack up the next day. Suddenly, his floater was dunked under the water and his rod bent. "I got another one!"

Looking towards Harry, Goto's eyebrow twitched. "Some people have all the luck."

Yonehara just chuckled before he looked around and then tilted his head. "That fox is back."

Blinking, Goto turned himself to see the same male fox that had been hanging around their campsite on a stump. "Huh... so it is. Wonder if people have been feeding it and that's why it's not afraid."

A splash though brought them back as Harry finally reeled his fish in, only to frown in disappointment. "Aw, it's another small one."

Suddenly though, Goto's eyes began to sparkle. "Don't throw it back, Harry." Ignoring the odd look, Goto reeled his own line in and tossed the dead minnow away before pulling some string out of his pocket. "Now, hand it here."

Confused, Harry did so only to blink as Goto tied the fish through the gills to his hook. "What are you doing?"

Grinning madly, Goto chuckled. "I'm using live bait!"

With a blink, Harry turned to Yonehara who shrugged. "Don't look at me."

Both of them turned in time to see Goto let the fish go back into the water, his line spooling out as it attempted to escape into the depths. However, it was unable to as the float was too big for it. "And now... we wait."

An hour passed and then two as the floater moved in various directions, pulled by the fish. Just as Goto was about to pull it back in though, the floater was yanked down and he nearly lost his footing as the rod bent under a great weight. "WHOA!"

Jaw dropping, Yonehara was the first to react as he rushed over and helped Goto steady himself. "Holy shit!" Feeling them both slowly get pulled toward the water, Yonehara looked at Harry and jerked his head toward the bag. "Get the rope, Harry! Get the rope and tie us both to that tree, now!"

Less then five minutes later, both men were tied as Goto continued to fight whatever was on the end of his line. "I finally got you, you fucking bitch! After all these years! Come on! Come on!" After a few minutes, Goto looked over at Yonehara. "Take the rod! I need a break!"

Wordlessly, the other man took the rod and began his own fight. Meanwhile, Harry was rushing around as the two older males brought whatever was on the other end of the line closer and closer to shore. Then all three pairs of eyes widened as something broke the surface at the same time the line strained from the weight...
__________________________________

Raising an eyebrow, Ooyodo looked up as a helicopter landed with a frown on her face. "That's odd..."

Suddenly, Kongou stiffened as her ahoge jerked toward the aircraft. "Teitoku is on it!"

Well used to Kongou's antics, Ooyodo still gave her a look. "I'll never understand how you know things like that."

Kongou only smiled and nodded. "Dess!"

Ignoring that, Ooyodo began to walk out of the office. "Still... they're a day early. I wonder if something happened..."

By the time they reached the helicopter, other shipgirls were already there and a wet Harry was being fussed over by Nagato. "It's okay, Mum!"

Frowning, Nagato narrowed her eyes as she tried to dry him off with the blanket around him. "You're soaked to the bone, Harry. I very much doubt that you're okay. What happened?"

Sheepish, Goto rubbed the back of his neck. "Well... we all sort of took a tumble into the lake after fighting this huge fish..."

Nodding, Harry's eyes were wide. "It was big, Mum! Bigger then Shinano-Chan!"

With a sigh, Goto rubbed at his own clothes with a blanket. "And I decided that it was best to get him back. What with us having taken a dip into the lake... Yonehara is bringing back the car."

Ooyodo just crossed her arms and shook her head with a bemused expression. "You know, I didn't think that you would take after them with big fish tales once you spent a few days with them."

Scuffing his boots on the ground, Harry shrugged. "Um, well..."

When he turned toward Goto, the Cruiser did too only to blink at the grin on his face as he slammed open the door to the helicopter. "We still caught the sucker."

Her jaw dropping, Ooyodo stared at the massive fish inside. It looked like a trout or salmon, but much, much bigger. "I..."

Still grinning, Goto popped up almost in her face and jabbed two fingers at her. "As the America s say... IN YOUR FACE!" Then before the disbelieving eyes of the shipgirls and base personnel, Goto launched into an odd dance. "Oh yeah! Can you feel that? Feels like... VICTORY!" Whipping around, Goto pointed at Harry in an odd pose. "Now come, young grasshopper! We shall dance the dance of victory!"

A grin of his own on his face, Harry ran away from a stunned Nagato and began to dance alongside Goto. "Yeah!"

Meanwhile, Ooyodo just stood there with one eyebrow twitching. "That... you... fish..."

Beside her, Kongou had one hand over her face as she blushed. Now, whether that was because of sympathetic embarrassment from how Goto was acting, or how every so often Goto thrust his hips out, no one could tell.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Small amounts of smoke gently puffed out of the pipe as the old woman sat on a log. But it was the look of amusement in her eyes as she watched the two men walk up that gave away her true emotions. "And how can this Obaa-Chan help two strapping youngsters as yourselves."

Neither of them were amused though and one of the two pointed at her. "You've gone too damn far, Sakura. There's been reports of wolves all over Honshu! And we know that it's likely you!"

Unperturbed, Sakura just hummed and shrugged. "Yes, and?"

Both men just stumbled a bit before the second stared at her incredulously. "You're not even going to deny it?!"

Softly snorting, the elderly woman shook her head. "Why should I? I've done nothing wrong in the slightest."

A scowl on his face, the first man glared at her. "You know that you're not supposed to let your wolves loose! Muggles might see them."

Puffing, Sakura slowly blinked. "And why? Last I checked, my wolves are not magical in the least. So why would the Ministry care in one way or the other?" After a moment, she pulled the pipe from her mouth and smirked. "Or is there more to this then what you're telling?"

Just rubbing his face, the second sighed. "We don't want you letting your wolves run rampant because if the muggles figure out that they're still around, then they might wonder what else is and how they remained hidden for so long."

While she grinned, Sakura let out a chuckle. "So that is what the problem is then, hmm? It could make the muggles more open minded about things?"

Grimacing, the second man nodded. "Yes."

Now laughing lightly, Sakura threw her hands into the air. "Well then, I don't see the problem at all. Perhaps they need to become a bit more open minded."

Sounds of a branch snapping caused all three to turn to see a wolf passing by. Said wolf utterly unconcerned about the humans. Turning back to Sakura, the first man nearly snarled at her. "The problem is that it makes our job a lot harder. If the muggles find out that the wolves somehow are still around, then they might wonder what else might be. Which in turns makes it much more difficult for us to keep them from finding out about magic!"

All she did though was place the pipe back between her lips, Sakura shrugged. "Once more, I fail to see how it is my problem that you bunch can't seem to keep things under control. Especially with how I read in the muggle newspapers that they know that the takitaro is real now."

Before the second man could stop him, the first took a step forward. "Yes, and that was a fuck up! Why the hell are you being so damn problematic about this!? Don't you understand what is at stake you silly woman!?"

It was then that he noticed that the forest had gone quiet around them and the elderly woman just watching him with narrowed eyes. Slowly, she stood which brought the small scars that dotted what visible skin into full visibility. "Tell me something child, do you know why I live out here? So far from anyone else?"

Having guessed that he had taken a step over a line, the first man shook his head. "No..."

For several seconds, Sakura stared at him and then rolled up her arm to reveal a bite like mark. "I was only a young girl when I was accompanying my father to Britain after Admiral Perry had opened us to the wider world. While there, I had the unfortunate case of encountering a werewolf. And becoming one in the process. Because of that, I was unable to stay in my town. There was always the threat of something going wrong or discovery. And with the ICW breathing down Japan's neck, that would not do. But, my father loved me very much and so built me a home, out here. A place where I could live my life without fear of harming someone. But... for a long time, I was lonely. I used to visit the wolf shrines when I could and then, one day, I had an odd dream. One of the kami came to me."

Raising an eyebrow, the first man just held back from rolling his eyes. "The kami sent you a message?"

Simply nodding, the elderly woman chuckled. "They did. In the dream I saw that one day, the wolves would vanish and the kami would lose one of their messengers. They wanted me to prevent that, by giving them a home. A home from which one day they could return to the rest of Japan. And so, I did. As did others such as some of the Oni where they have been placed." Spreading out her hands, she gestured around them. "And now, I am old with it now time to let them once more roam as they should. As I promised the kami all those years ago." Sitting back down, she let out a sigh. "But if you must, go ahead and arrest me. I am sure that you would look good to the public."

The first man was about to say something when the second grabbed his shoulder. Turning toward her, the second sighed. "Just... keep it low, for at least a while."

Cackling, Sakura shook her head. "I make no promises."

While he shook his head, the second guided the first man out of the area. He knew the whole time that dozens of wolf eyes were watching him, even if he couldn't see them. Mainly from the shiver that ran down his back.

And he knew that the elderly woman knew how he felt and was likely amused by it.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Walking along the path, Rose looked up at the blossoming trees with an amazed look. "So this is the flower festival that Master was talking about..." A large smile on her face, Rose turned toward the Battleship beside her and nodded. "It's beautiful, thank you for bringing me, Haruna."

Haruna just tilted her head to the side and nodded. "Haruna wanted to share Hanami with Rose-Chan. After all, flower viewing is always best with one's precious people."

There was a slight blush on Rose's face as she smiled even more. "I'm a precious person?"

Raising an finger, Haruna closed her eyes and nodded. "Of course, Rose-Chan is a precious person! She is a very good friend after all."

Softly, almost a whisper, Rose looked away. "Thank you. You're a very good friend as well."

Now it was Haruna's turn to blush lightly as a bright smile crossed her face. With a deep breath, Haruna could smell the cherry blossom's scent as they continued to walk along, though every so often she glanced at the smaller woman beside her. Being 5'11", there were not too many women around the base who was close to Haruna's height. And it didn't help that Rose barely made shoulder height to Haruna, unless she wore high heels. Of course, with how petite Rose was as well as how shy she acted at times, sometimes Haruna couldn't help but just want to hug her.

It didn't help that as far as Haruna was concerned, Rose was quite cuddly.

Thoughts of which caused a small amount of redness in the Battleship's cheeks before she brought herself back into the moment as Rose spoke up. "It seems like Master is enjoying himself."

Following the finger that Rose was pointing with, Haruna nodded as she saw Harry playing with DesDiv6 in the falling petals. "Harry-Chan is pretty happy. It makes Haruna happy to see him happy."

A soft smile on her lips, the tsukumogami beside her just sighed. "Knowing that Master is happy makes me warm, like a good pot of tea."

Lips turned upwards, Haruna let out a giggle. "Rose-Chan certainly likes her tea. Maybe more then even Onee-Sama."

Bringing her hand up to her cheek, Rose glanced away from Haruna but chuckled. "I am a tea set after all."

Just nodding, the Battleship smiled brightly. "And a very good tea set, Rose-Chan is. Haruna is wondering how Rose-Chan is doing recently with her new job on the base."

That, if anything, caused Rose to smile even more as she sighed in contentment. "I must admit, I was surprised when the Admiral told me that I could help out around the base. But I do ever so love my tea cart and pushing it around. And everyone seems to enjoy my tea and snacks, especially in the docks."

Humming, Haruna nodded. "Rose-Chan does make very good tea and snacks."

For a few moments, Rose was silent before she looked down at her shoes. "Thank you, Haruna for coming up with the idea for me to operate a tea service. It makes me feel so good to be helping out."

On Haruna's face, there was a gentle expression as she placed a hand on Rose's shoulder and stopped her. Slowly, Haruna turned her until she was looking directly at the Battleship. "Haruna couldn't stand to see Rose-Chan sad that she thought that she wasn't able to do anything. But Haruna is very happy that she was able to help."

Reaching up, Rose placed her hand on top of Haruna's and blushed. "As I said, thank you ever so much." Almost a minute passed before Rose scrunched her nose and glanced to the side. "By the way, what is your sisters doing behind that bush?"

Just blinking, Haruna shrugged. "Haruna is not sure."

Both of them turned to see Kongou, Kirishima, and Hiei duck beneath a bush though they could still be seen. Then with a smile and a shake of their heads, the two turned back to the path and continued their walk. Neither of them commenting how their arms kept brushing against each other as they walked.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

A soft sigh escaped from Nagato as she looked at the cleaned plates on the tray in front of her. Then her eyes glistened some at the single carnation in the case before looking up at Harry and Hoppou. "Thank you both for the wonderful meal."

Both youngers smiled at that before Harry nodded. "You're welcome, Mum. Besides, it's Mother's Day after all."

Hoppou nodded beside him. "Happy Mother's Day."

Reaching forward, Nagato pulled them into a hug and kissed them on the head. "Once more, thank you. And it's a wonderful Mother's Day with you here."

That only caused Harry and Hoppou to hug her back before they kissed the chuckling Battleship on the cheek. Of course, then Harry's eyes widened and he looked at Hoppou before jerking his head toward the door. "Um... we need to get you something, Mum, so we're just going to drop off the plates, okay?"

Once she nodded, Harry and Hoppou rapidly picked up the plates and left. Of course, they did leave the tray behind as well as a mug and carafe of Nagato's favourite blend of coffee. Pouring herself another mug, Nagato inhaled the steam before sighing. "I wonder what those two have planned..."

It turned out that she didn't have to wait long as within five minutes, the two had returned with a small, wrapped present. "Happy Mother's Day!"

Gently taking it, Nagato raised an eyebrow as she unwrapped it. "I wonder what you got me now..." Blinking, Nagato stared at the small item in her hand. 'A ring box?'

When she looked up, she noticed that both Harry and Hoppou seemed nervous before Hoppou motioned her on. "Open it, mommy."

Slowly, Nagato nodded and opened it only for her eyes to widen. Inside, there was an odd ring which looked like two rings fused together as one with two gemstones. One was a ruby and it took her a moment to recognize the other as an aquamarine. Gasping, she looked up at her two adopted children. "Harry... Hoppou... this is..."

Nervous, Harry wrung his hands together. "Do... do you like it?"

Putting it down, Nagato just opened her arms and found both Harry and Hopppu practically diving into them. "I love it, thank you both."

Smiles on their faces, Harry pointed at the ring. "It's a Mother's ring, Mum. It's got mine and Hoppou's birthstones on it."

Bemused, Nagato chuckled a little. "Birthstones, hmm?"

Hoppou gave a nod as she pointed at the ruby. "Big brother was born in July, so his is a ruby."

On Nagato's other side, Harry nodded. "We couldn't find Hoppou's birthday because she said she didn't know. But she said that she's the spirit of Unalaska and that was incorporated in March." He then scrunched up his face in one of the cutest expressions of deep thought that Nagato had seen. "That's like a birthday for a place, right? Like how launch days are for ships?"

Just softly laughing, Nagato nuzzled the top of his head. "I suppose that it's close enough. So aquamarine is Hoppou's birthstone then, hmm?" At their nods, she reached out and removed the ring from the case and held it in her palm. "It's very beautiful, you two."

Then, picking up the ring, she slipped it onto one finger. But once it was in place though, Nagato sucked in a deep breath and stiffened. Wide eyed, Harry stared at her. "Mum? Are you okay?"

Several moments passed befor Nagato patted him on the head. "I... yes, I'm okay, Harry, Hoppou."

Frowning, Hoppou tilted her head to the side. "Something happened though, Mommy."

With a surprised expression on her face, Nagato looked down at the small Abyssal. "You could tell?"

On Hoppou's face, there was a frown as she tapped her chin. "Something about mommy feels... different. Hoppou not sure what, but it's there."

A similar frown on her own face, Nagato slowly nodded. "It was... strange. It felt like something broke, but not in a bad way. Like in a really good way." Eyebrows furrowing, Nagato shook her head. "Almost as if I can do so much more now then I could before..."

Completely confused, Harry tilted his head from side to side as he looked first at his mother, and then at Hoppou before going back. "Really?" Nagato simply nodded which caused Harry to shake his head "Wierd..."

Shaking it off, the Battleship chuckled. "Don't worry about it, I'm sure that it was nothing." Clapping her hands together, Nagato looked from one to the other. "Now then, we have the entire day to spend together. So let's get it all sorted out, hmm?"

In return, she got nods before she began tickling the two youngsters, grinning at their laughter.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Glancing to the side, Mutsu gave a smile to her nephew. "My, my~ someone's being rather quiet. A lot on your mind?"

Just shrugging, Harry continued to look out window with a frown on his face. "It's nothing, Mutsu-Oba."

Due to the reflection in the mirror, Mutsu could see that Harry's expression meant something was bothering him. "Hmm..." For a moment, she considered continuing to tease him before she shelved that idea. "Is something bothering you? You know that you can tell me anything." Mutsu then raised an eyebrow. "Is it Pennsylvania? Because Ari did say last time that she would straighten her out for your next visit and she did talk with her."

All Harry did though was just shrug. "Mum told me that not everyone is going to like me. And it's not like... you know."

Slowly, Mutsu nodded. "That's a very mature outlook, Harry." Her hands though gripped the steering wheel a little bit tighter. 'Though she could have toned it down a bit more.'

However, Harry just shrugged. "Like I said, it's not the worst."

With a soft hum, Mutsu glanced at a sign and made a turn. "Perhaps, though I wish that had never happened to someone like you." Looking at him again, she raised an eyebrow. "So what seems to be the problem? And don't tell me there isn't one because your too much like Nee-San. You both get too broody when something is wrong."

Embarrassed, Harry shifted a bit in his seat. "I... just had a dream is all."

Tilting her head, Mutsu could tell there was more then that to it. "A dream?"

Simply shrugging, Harry glanced at the reflection in the glass and could see the worried expression on Mutsu's face. "Um..."

All Mutsu did though was give him a smile. "You know that you can talk about anything with me, Harry. I am your aunt after all." Seeing the flinch though caused her to frown. "... Does it have to do with your relatives?" Uncomfortable, Harry shifted a bit more in his seat before he nodded. "Oh, Harry..."

Harry just swallowed a bit before he took a deep breath as he came to a decision. "You know how sometimes I have nightmares? About how my Mum... my biological one, died?"

Her stomach already dropping as she guessed where this was going, Mutsu nodded. "I do..."

Biting his lip, Harry took a deep, shuddering breath. "It... was kind of like that. Except it wasn't my biological Mum, but..."

Breathing deep, Mutsu finished the sentence. "It was Nee-San instead."

For a few awkward moments there was silence before Harry nodded. "Ye-yeah... and then I was sent to your place and..."

No words passed Mutsu's lips as she pulled over and placed the car into park and then turned. Before Harry could ask, she pulled him into a hug. "Harry, listen to me right now." Feeling him nod as she held him, she took a deep breath. "If, the kami forbid, something was to happen to Nee-San, then I would take you in without a thought. And I would never treat you any different then how I treat Jane. I also know that John would not treat you any different either, and certainly not like that... man did. None of us. We would love and care for you because you are family. You hear me?"

Slowly, Harry just nodded as he could hear her boilers in her chest. "I... I know that, Mutsu-Oba. I really do, it's just..."

Gently, she kissed him on the head and rubbed his hair. "Yeah, I know. The past can be hard to let go and, even when you do manage that, it can still haunt you from time to time." For several moments, she stared out the window though if Nagato was there, the older of the two would have easily guessed what her thoughts were. Then she shook them off and gave Harry her usual light smile as she disengaged from the hug. "Right, now we should get going because I know that Jane is waiting for her favorite cousin."

There was an odd look on Harry's face as she restarted the car. "I still don't get how I'm her cousin... and I would be her only one, right?"

Lightly laughing, Mutsu pulled the car back onto the road and continued on their way. "Well, you are Nee-San's son, and she calls me 'Mutsu-Mama'. So you being her cousin makes sense."

A glance at Harry caused her to blink though as she saw a teasing smirk on his face. "But you haven't married Uncle John yet, Mutsu-Oba~"

It went without saying that Mutsu went bright red and nearly slammed on the breaks before she stared at Harry and then groaned. "Too much like your Kaa-San..."

That only got her snickers from her nephew, though part of her was glad that his dark mood had lifted.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Gasping as she tried to crawl across the rock beneath her, the Anchorage class Princess ignored the black, vile liquid gushing from where one of her legs had been as well as her other wounds. Her and her fleet had been recovering from an attack by Australian, Japanese, and American shipgirls when they had been attacked unexpectedly. Which had lead to her attempting to escape from her foe as she looked at blast of mist from a nearby hole. All she had to do was reach it and she could escape into the old tunnels dug into the island.

She never made it as massive claws closed around her neck with contemptuous ease.

The claws then lifted her off the rock until she was looking into the glowing red eyes of Wanko. The Anchorage Princess reached up to try and pry the claws from her throat, only to fail as she was too weak. "Wh-why..." All Wanko did though was tilt her head to the side. "Wh-why attack me... you..." Her eyes then widened. "Y-you knew that the shipgirls were... "

Wanko just blinked, though the rage in her eyes never dissipated. On the other hand, her voice was utterly calm as if talking about the weather as behind the Harbour Princess, various Elite Wo, Re, and Ru class watched along with a prisoner. "You attacked... Hoppou. To kill... her..." Bringing the other Princess closer, Wanko narrowed her eyes. "You... and the others."

Eyes wide, the Anchorage boggled at her before glaring herself as she knew that somehow her foe had found out. "You are b-both too weak! And the weak... get culled." She then spit at Wanko who only blinked as if bored as the Princess laughed. "Sh-she screamed as we killed them! It was glorious!"

Much to her surprise, Wanko just tilted her head, but showed no surprise. "Not going... to claim that the shipgirls... and humans... killed her?"

Sneering, the other Princess snorted. "I won't, n-not now. We both ob-obviously know the truth... Besides..." Her eyes widened as a stream of black ichor leaked from the corner of her mouth as she grinned. "I... am proud o-of it and enjoyed... E-every damn minute and each scream as she begged."

Only blinking, Wanko tilted her head and then there was the squealing sound of steel combined with the crunch of concrete under a massive amount of strain. With one last choking sound, the neck of the Anchorage Princess literally imploded before her head rolled away from her body. On it's face there was still that grin even as the red glow faded from her eyes. With a look at the head, Wanko tossed away the body with contempt, almost as if it was an after thought. "And now... for you..."

With wide eyes, the Supply Depot Princess stared at the dead Abyssal and then at Wanko before she tried to get out of the grip of the Re that held her. "I wasn't involved! I swear, I didn't know that they tried to kill her! P-please! Please believe me!" However, Wanko continued to walk forward as the Supply Depot Princess began to sob. "D-don't... I... don't..."

Reaching forward with one claw, Wanko tilted the head of the crying Abyssal back and stared at her. The Supply Depot Princess had thought that the others were frightening at times, what with their bloodlust and how they laughed as they killed and destroyed. But seeing Wanko in front of her, she had never been so terrified. The Harbour Princess was just looking at her with an utter calm, almost detached disinterest. Then she relaxed at Wanko's next words. "I... know."

Still scared, the Supply Depot Princess swallowed. "Y-you do?"

Simply humming, Wanko ran one claw along the Princess' cheek. "Yes." Then she looked at her closely. "You do not attack... unless the humans and shipgirls... attack you in your territory. Like... Hoppou and I... But the others see you as... weak because of that. Useless..." Her eyebrow raised, Wanko could tell that the pieces were falling into place as she tilted her head. "And you... heard from her what... happens to those they think are... weak." With a deceptive gentleness, Wanko cupped the Supply Depot Princess' cheek. "I do not see you... as weak though."

Not quite believing what was going on, the Supply Depot Princess just stared even as oily, bloody tears continued to leak from her eyes. "Y-you don't?"

It almost seemed that Wanko was highly amused as she shook her head. "No, I do not... You are strong... like me, not to give in. And you serve... a great purpose with... your supplies. Not useless. But you have a choice..."

A look at the two Re caused them to let go and the Supply Depot Princess fell to her knees, her head pressed against the stone of the blasted island. "I... I'll follow you! I'll join you, I swear that I will! I just, I want to gather supplies, that's all!"

Humming, Wanko nodded at the two Re to pick up the Supply Depot Princess. "We shall... see. Take her... back to base."

Not even attempting to fight it, the tearful Supply Depot Princess allowed herself to be dragged away by a portion of Wanko's fleet as Revina chuckled before jerking her thumb at the headless Princess. "Well, this has been positively exciting. And her fleet's been shattered, though why you didn't want us to sink them all, just make sure that none noticed us I don't know." Then she spread her arms out as if to encompass the smoking island. "But now we got new territory and will have an awesome party!"

Utterly amused, Wanko just shook her head. "No, we are going... home. We shall not... claim territory."

That brought up Revina short and she blinked in such utter confusion that Wanko nearly giggled. "We're... not?" At the shake of Wanko's head, both Revina's human head and monster head tilted to the side. "Whut."

Lips turning upwards slightly. Wanko patted the smaller Abyssal on the shoulder before leaning down. "I have need... of a distraction. The humans will soon know... that the Abyssals here have been... shattered. And will... rush to consolidate a convoy route between their nations before... the others can recover."

Eyes slowly widening, the Re smacked a fist into her hand. "Oh... I get it! They'll both spread themselves thin and we can attack them both! That's so cool!"

All Wanko did though was shake her head. "No... but the shipgirls will be... distracted so... I can do something..." She then stared in the rough direction of Japan. "And I shall... bring you with... me, Revina."

Slightly confused, Revina just shrugged and gave her a sloppy salute. "Okey-Doki! Sounds like fun no matter what! And maybe... we can have a party!"

Humming, Wanko examined her claws and then flicked off some Abyssal blood. "Perhaps... if they have hurt her."

Not knowing what her leader meant, Revina shared a look with the other Elites who only shrugged before they turned and left the island as well as rejoin the fleet escorting the Supply Depot Princess.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

"Are we there yet?"

"No."

"Are we there yet?"

"No."

"Are we there yet?"

"No."

"Are we there yet?"

Slowly, Wanko turned toward Revina who looked back with a grin on her face. "No, we are... not there yet. Now... stop that. It's very... annoying."

Revina then nodded and gave her a thumbs up. "Okie dokie, Boss-lady!"

Turning back toward the direction that their destination was in, Wanko let out a soft sigh. 'Finally...'

For several minutes there was silence before Revina looked around. "So... when are we going to get there?"

With a sigh, Wanko looked up at the sky far above them. "Soon."

Eyes wide, the Re-Class nodded. "Oooo! Okay then." There was blessed silence again for about five minutes. "Are we there yet?"

The Princess Class' eyebrow just twitched and she turned to see the grinning Abyssal. "..."
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Harry blinked and looked over at a sleepy Hoppou who had sat up from the cuddle pile formed by the still asleep DesDiv6. Both of them due to Nagato having gone south were staying with Tenryuu for the moment, not that said Light Cruiser really minded. After all, she loved being the "Cool Aunt" such as it was. "Something wrong, sis?"

Rubbing at her eyes, Hoppou frowned and looked at the window. "... I thought that I felt Big Sister wanting to kill something, but holding back."

Once more, Harry just blinked before giving Hoppou a weird look. "Um... what?"

With the frown still on her face, Hoppou held out her hands a distance from each other. "Big sister sometimes gets very annoyed with one of her Re class, Revina. But Revina is very strong, so Big Sister just hits her on the head, it's funny."

Tilting his head, Harry had an odd look on his face. "She annoys the Princess she serves under?"

All Hoppou did was nod in deep thought. "Yes."

Confused, the older of Nagato's adopted children shook his head. "How?"

Just humming, Hoppou turned toward the window. "She acts weird, but also funny. Very funny and it makes Big Sister sigh a lot."

Frowning as he raised an eyebrow, Harry scratched his head. "But... why?"

There was a thump as Hoppou laid back down. "Hoppou asked once, but was very confused by answer." Seeing that Harry was interested, the Abyssal shrugged. "Revina said that it was because of talentless hacks cribbing from fanon of other series. Hoppou was confused and Big Sister just sighed and whacked Revina in the back of the head."

It went without saying that Harry just stared at Hoppou for several long seconds. "Ooookay..." He then shook his head. "This Revina sounds really weird."

Nodding, Hoppou raised one hand and waved it around. "Really weird. But was funny."
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

"Are we there yet?"

After several more hours, and it still being early morning, Wanko finally let some of the stress seep from her muscles as she looked at their destination in front of them. The two Abyssals had dodged patrols of both normal human ships and shipgirls. It was helped by the fact that the shipgirls had seen a number sent south to secure the newly opened oceanic corridors between Australia and the Philippines. "Yes... Finally."

Holding her arms out, and ignoring the bandage on her head, Revina let out a sigh. "Awesome possum! And there's plenty of room if we want to have a wicked party!"

Wanko frowned a bit. "Only if... needed." She then frowned and narrowed her eyes. "But we have one issue..."

Eyes wide, Revina looked at the Princess with both heads. "Really? Is it a first Issue? Maybe in mint condition?"

Once more, Wanko just closed her eyes as she questioned why she brought along the Re class. And then she remembered that said Re was one of her most powerful and loyal subordinates. "My ring allows me... to walk among... the humans without them... seeing. But the same cannot be... said for... you."

However, Revina just scoffed and waved her off. "I already got it all covered, Boss! Watch!"

Several moments later though, Wanko just stared at the Re who grinned back. "..."

Looking first in one direction and then the other, Revina leaned toward Wanko and gave a wink. "See? I got an impenetrable disguise. They won't recognize me."

Bemused, Wanko tilted her head as she stared at the fedora on Revina's head and the glasses on Revina's face. "I... see..." Pointing at Revina's tail, Wanko raised an eyebrow. "But there is that."

On Revina's face there was a frown as she rubbed her chin. "Hmm... you're right..." Suddenly, her face lit up and she smacked her fist into her palm. "I got it!" Pulling her tail in close, she went into a flurry of activity and then nodded at the Groucho Marx glasses and nose perched on her tail's head as well as the wig. "See? They'll never guess that I'm a Re-Class now!" With a slight frown on her face, Revina did a motion to her sides with her hands. "One just has to act natural. You know, cool as a cucumber."

Already feeling a headache coming on, Wanko considered saying something, only to sigh and begin to make her way to shore. Sometimes it was best not to question the Re class as it never tended to end well and usually left her more confused then before. Just before they reached the shore though, she paused and looked at the Revina. "... What are... you humming...?"

Staring back, Revina blinked. "The Mission Impossible theme." At the confusion on Wanko's face, Revina gestured with one of her hands. "You need to have the theme with what we're doing. I mean, I suppose that we could use Secret Agent Man, but that's about it. Skyfall wouldn't work at all for example."

Her headache intensifying, Wanko softly groaned before turning away from the prattle. Though she did wonder how and why Revina's tail was using a kazoo to accompany Revina's humming.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Scratching her chin as she walked along without a care, as if she felt she was supposed to be there, Revina frowned. "So... where is she?" When Wanko tilted her head, the Re grinned. "I mean, I could send up some aircraft to go over the place, buut... I don't think that you would like that."

Eyes narrowing, Wanko shook her head. "No... I would... not." She then looked around and frowned. "Hmm..."

At the same time though, Revina spotted Niyodo sitting at a bench as she was reading something and walked over before sitting down. "Hey there, we kind of need directions..."

Not really paying much attention, Niyodo hummed. "Okay."

Leaning back, Revina put her hands behind her head and blinked. "We're kind of looking for someone named... Nagato, I think. Some sort of singing telegram."

Still deep into what she was reading, Niyodo pointed toward the Battleship Dorms. "She lives there with her adopted children, but she's not on base at the moment."

That caused Revina to grimace. "Damn... wait, maybe we can pass on a message to her? Or talk with her kids since we got one for them too?"

All the Cruiser did though was shrug. "I guess, but they're over at the Cruiser Dorms."

Grinning, Revina gave her a thumbs up. "Cool! Thanks for the assist!"

Just nodding, Niyodo frowned a bit as Revina got up and walked over to Wanko. "You're welcome." Several moments passed and then her head snapped up. "Hey, wait a second, was that...?!"

Meanwhile, the Re class tried to look at the map of the base which Wanko was examining. "So... that's where Hoppou is then?"

Slowly, Wanko nodded some as she tapped her chin. "Yes... that is where... Hoppou is..." She glanced over to the side where some humans were taking pictures of them before she shook her head. 'How very strange...' Hearing footsteps though, she turned to see Niyodo run up as did Montana, both of whom had their rigging out. "..."

Coming to a stop, Montana gulped as she looked up at the calm Abyssal Princess before steeling her nerves. "Stop right there! We're here to stop you from doing... whatever it is that you're going to do!"

Eyes wide, Wanko was about to say something when Revina pointed at the two Shipgirls in what she thought was a properly dramatic pose. "AH-HA! As to be expected, you saw through our clever disguises!"

Her eyebrow twitching, Niyodo looked over the Re class and then took a deep breath. 'Clever...' Then she shook it off and growled before she paled as she realized that both her and Montana were confronting a Re class and an Abyssal Princess. "Uh..."

The Re class then ran over and stuck several fingers from each hand into their cannons before leaning in close. "Shhh! Don't blow our cover, we're on a secret mission here, you know?"

Not quite sure what to do now, Montana looked over at Niyodo only to see said Cruiser looking at her. "Secret... mission..."

Rapidly nodding, Revina grinned. "Yeah, why else would we have our awesome disguises and theme music?"

As neither Montana nor Niyodo wanted to answer that, the Battleship took a deep breath. "Right, now if you'll come with us-"

However, Revina only shook her head. "No thanks, we don't really have the time for that and, oh! Hi sis!"

Seeing her wave at something behind them, both shipgirls whipped around only to find nothing there but a newspaper blowing across the ground. Both of them then heard footsteps, and hoofsteps, going off into the distance before Montana's eyebrow began to twitch. "Did she just..."

Face red, Niyodo growled. "Yes, and we fell for it..."

The two of them shared a look and then turned to chase the Abyssals, though Niyodo pulled out her phone and called her sister.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Hearing a knock at the door, Harry looked up from the game of Go Fish that he was playing with Hoppou and DesDiv6 as Tenryuu made them some lunch. Then he got to his feet and began to walk toward the door. "I got it!"

All Tenryuu did though was nod at him with a smile before turning back to the food. "Thank you, Harry-Chan."

Once he reached the door though, Harry opened it and blinked at the sight of a Re class in a bad disguise and what he guessed was an Abyssal Princess. The Re then waved at him with a massive grin that showed her shark-like teeth. "Hey there, kiddo, can we come in? We got cookies!"

For several moments, Harry just stared before he reached up and rubbed his eyes. When he pulled them away though, the two were still there with the Re waving as the Princess just held one massive, clawed hand against her face. "Um... we're not buying anything, sorry."

Then he closed the door while Revina frowned and pointed. "Did he just...?"

Wanko slowly nodded as the day was rapidly becoming very strange though she kept looking around. "Yes."

A door opening caused her to turn to see Naka walk out of the dormitory bathroom with a towel around her head, despite being utterly dry. Said Light Cruiser came to a stop as she noticed the two Abyssals standing in the hallway in front of the door where she knew Tenryuu's family lived. Before she could say anything though, the Re class came bounding up with a grin. "Oh, wow! It's Naka-Chan! Hey, hey, I've seen your show and all that, could I be a guest? I mean, I am totally in for it! Heck, I can do my tap dancing routine, these hooves are not just for show you know!"

Completely befuddled, Naka just blinked as the Re did a quick tap dance. "I... uh... you watch my show?"

Waving a hand, Revina just scoffed. "Of course I do, why wouldn't I?"

Naka could only blink at that. "Riiiight..."

Meanwhile, inside the Matsuda residence, Tenryuu looked over at the pale faced Harry. "Is something wrong?"

Very slowly, Harry turned and pointed at the door. "Th-there's a Re class there... and a Princess."

Utter silence met him before Tenryuu growled as she wiped her hands off. "I swear, if it's another one of those stupid ass pranks from those dumbasses trying to scare my kids... I am shoving Waterline right up their asses." Throwing open the door, she took several steps forward. "It wasn't funny the first damn time that you jackasses pulled this stunt! And-Mmpf!"

Finding her face between two large, soft objects, Tenryuu paused and then pulled back to see the red eyes of an Abyssal Princess staring down at her. Then she turned her head to see an confused Naka being bothered by a Re-class before what sounded like a stampede made her look down the other end of the hall in time to see Junyou, Kongou, Montana, Niyodo, and the Akizukis burst into view and take in the sight before them. However, thankfully, the tension was broken as a small, white missile launched passed the Cruiser and impacted the Abyssal Princess. "BIG SISTER!"

Eyes wide, Wanko looked down to see a happy Hoppou and gently, placed her hand over the much smaller Abyssal. "Hoppou... you are... alright..."

Just taking this all in, Junyou had the look of deep thought on her face and then sighed. "Dammit... and I'm all out of Absinthe... because this fucking calls for it."

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

At the moment, Goto was feeling various emotions as he sat behind his desk. Said emotions ranged from anger, embarrassment, shock. But looking at the giant Abyssal sitting in front of him with Hoppou in her lap, he felt mostly fear. She had somehow, along with a Re, snuck past patrols and waltzed right through the base without anyone having noticed until some of the shipgirls had seen her. Hell, he knew that the whole base was once more on lockdown with searches going on of the entire base for any more surprises.

But at the moment though, he had to focus as every damn time he lost a bit, his eyes began to slide past the Abyssal in his office and he had to forcibly remind himself why he was here. Of course, that was when Wanko, as she told him she wanted to be called, looked up from where Hoppou was showing her the stuffed Reppu that Harry had made her. "Impressive."

Grinding his teeth, Goto took note of how close Kongou was standing to him and calmed down some. "What do you mean by that?"

Her response though brought him up short. "You are... able to see me... when other humans... cannot."

That caused Ooyodo to straighten up from Goto's other side. "Wait... you mean that humans can't?"

For a moment, Wanko looked deep in thought before she reached up to her horn and pulled something off before placing it on the desk. As soon as she let go, it was much easier for Goto as he didn't need to focus on her. With a glance at the Abyssal, Goto pulled out a pen and lifted the ring and frowned. "What's this? The One Ring?"

If anything though, Wanko looked amused before she blinked as the Re class spoke up. "Wait, if that's the One Ring, does that make you Frodo? Which would make me Sam, right? Because my feet are not hairy, see?" Balancing on her tail as if it was a seat, the Re held up her hooves. "Totally not hairy. Unless... are you Bilbo? Because you did sneak onto the base and Bilbo is-Mmpf!"

Having reached over, the Princess had closed one of her massive hands over Revina's mouth. "Stop... that." The Re just gave her a thumbs up while Wanko turned back to Goto. "It is... a special ring. A human... used it to try and... sneak bombs onto... my base. Humans and... animals cannot... see one wearing it... normally."

Just frowning, Goto folded his hands in front of his face. "I take it that it didn't work. And the person in question?"

With a blink, Wanko gave him the answer that he expected. "Dead."

Sighing, Goto rubbed his forehead a bit. "Right. And you managed to use this... ring... to sneak onto my base without anyone noticing. Not even the dog patrols realized that you were around."

Bemused, the Abyssal while Revina went on about how cute and cuddly the guard dogs looked which got her looks from everyone before they turned back to Wanko who was examining Goto closely. In fact, he swore there was something of approval in her eyes. "You are... scared. But... won't show it." Her eyes narrowed a bit in thought. "You are... either very brave... or very stupid."

Lips twitching as he noticed Kongou twitch, Goto laughed some and leaned back. "I suppose a little bit of both. But then, I could say the same with you sneaking onto a base full of shipgirls." His expression then became thoughtful as well. "Though that begs the question of how you snuck past them since this ring doesn't work on them."

Tilting her head to the side, Wanko pointed out toward the ocean. "Nearby... there are... islands. Can use them to... hide on until... shipgirls gone."

Fully alert, Goto's eyes widened as he remembered a few times that Abyssals had somehow sneaked within strike distance. "What islands?"

Wanko just watched him before she nodded. "I will... tell you since... it will protect... Little Sister... from others." One claw raised a bit. "The islands are... there and not... there. They also... have sorrow on them. I... had to pull open... a barrier and... make a hole. Hid on them... then left."

Mouth dry as he considered the implications, Goto growled. "More hidden islands? How in the hell..."

Suddenly, Haru spoke up from where she was leaning against the wall. "I think that I can guess." Now that she had Goto's attention, she continued. "I'll explain better later on, but there are ways of using magic to... hide places from all forms of sight. You can be looking right at them and unless you were told by the people who know the secret, you won't see them."

Leaning forward, Goto let out a growl. "Then shouldn't they have shown up on maps? Especially old ones that we've been looking over? Because the only nearby natural island on any of them is Sarushima."

Once more though, Haru shook her head. "The magic involved also hides them, I suppose that the word would be retroactively. If you had them on a map before using the magic, then the island would vanish from the map in question. Though that the Abyssals can make holes in said magic is... interesting, to say the least."

As he rubbed the side of his head, he pointed at the Miko. "I'll be getting that explanation from you later on, Haru-San." He then turned his attention back to Wanko who now had Hoppou climbing over her. "Of course, this does bring us to the 'Why' of the matter."

Nodding, Wanko looked at Hoppou with a softness that surprised the shipgirls there before she turned back to Goto. "The others... told me that the humans... and shipgirls had killed... Little Sister. They wanted... me to kill as many... humans as possible."

Eyes narrowed, Kongou shook her head. "But we didn't kill her or even attack her when we found her."

There was a deep, angry growl from Wanko as she narrowed her eyes. "Yes, I know that... I found out that... she was alive and here... and that the Others had tried... to kill her instead."

Intrigued, Goto frowned at that. "Can I ask how you know that?" For a moment, everyone stiffened as Wanko reached inside her shirt before she placed something in front of Goto that caused him to blink as he realized what he was looking at. "... A newspaper?"

At his look, Wanko shrugged. "I like... to read."

Raising an eyebrow, the Admiral cleared his throat. "I see..."

Gently plucking Hoppou off her head, Wanko set her back down onto her lap. "When I found out... I had to see... if she was okay. So... I made sure... that you would be... distracted. One who had... hurt Little Sister... was punished."

Laughing, Revina nodded. "Yeah, that was so much fun! We had a great party." Then she pouted a bit. "But there was no cake. It's not a real fun party without cake."

Back stiffening as she connected the dots at the same time as Goto, Ooyodo looked at her in shock. "The Princess in the south... we hadn't killed her when we attacked and thought she expired of her wounds that was..." When Wanko nodded, Ooyodo slowly nodded. "I see..."

Already knowing the implications of what he had been told, Goto frowned. "Hmm..."

With a odd look in her eye, Wanko looked down at Hoppou. "You have... protected Little Sister... and kept her happy. I... will let her... stay here, as long... as you keep her safe."

Smiling, Hoppou nodded. "And Big Sister can visit Hoppou lots!"

That brought a wince from both Goto and the shipgirls before the Admiral sighed. "As much as I would like to say that would be allowed, Hoppou, we are at war with your fellow Abyssals including..." He glanced up at Wanko who looked thoughtful as Revina shuffled a bit closer to her. "Until this war is over, I think that this might be the last time that she can visit you."

Even as Hoppou began to tear up, Wanko placed a hand on her head. "So if... we were not... fighting... then I could... visit Little Sister."

Goto didn't quite follow, but nodded. "That is correct."

For almost a minute, Wanko looked down at the miserable Hoppou and then at Revina who only shrugged. "You're the Boss, Boss Lady."

With another silence, the massive Abyssal nodded. "Then... I will not fight... humans or shipgirls... as long as they... keep Little Sister safe... and do not... fight or attack... me or my fleet. As well as... perhaps one... other. "

Shocked, it was Kongou who managed to speak. "Are... are you suggesting that we make peace?"

Highly amused, Wanko just nodded. "Yes... I will even allow... you to use my... waters as long... as you attack... the others." Then she tilted her head to the side. "And... perhaps give me... something."

Knowing that there was a catch, Goto grunted. "I make no promises as this is above my paygrade. But what sort of something?"

All the Abyssal Princess did though was wave a hand. "Food and... books. Such things as... those."

It went without saying that Goto felt a headache coming on and groaned. 'At least this is high enough that I won't need to really deal with this shit. My superiors and the Diet will as well as Australia...'

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Sliding into her usual seat, Nagato raised an eyebrow at the empty glasses already there before looking at Tenryuu who seemed to be attempting to drown herself. "Didn't want to wait for me? After all, with the Harbor Princess and what happened, I think that I need something to take the edge off."

All the Light Cruiser did though was glare at Nagato before finally sighing and banging her head against the table. "Just let me fucking be."

Now intrigued, Nagato just raised a finger and, with a gesture, made her order to the one of the waitresses. Turning back to the glasses, Nagato grabbed one and took a sniff before jerking away. "Phew... what the heck have you been drinking, Tenryuu?"

Grumbling, Tenryuu looked at her which caused Nagato to realize that she had taken off her usual eyepatch. "Considering that the news that I've gotten means that I deserve... no, fucking need to get drunk."

It went without saying that Nagato was now slightly worried and went through her logs to see what might have been possibly responsible for her friend and fellow mother's state. Finally, she hit upon one and frowned. "Does it have to do with the father of your daughters?"

With a snort, Tenryuu sat back up and then leaned against the seat. Nagato had to wince though from the smell of the alcohol on the Cruiser's breath though. "Heh, nah, that's just the shit topping to the crap cake that I found out."

Tone utterly dry, Nagato nodded her head. "I see."

For a few moments there was silence as Tenryuu grabbed the mix of nuts, both metal and biological, and bolts from the bowl on the table and then tossed them back while Nagato got her drink. Once the server was gone, Tenryuu sighed and rubbed her face. "I... had a talk with Akashi. About that aging program of hers."

Raising an eyebrow, Nagato sipped at her drink and nodded. "Oh? And how would that do..."

At the Battleship waving a hand at her, Tenryuu snorted. "She confirmed something that I've suspected for a while now."

Somewhat annoyed at how Tenryuu was dancing around the subject, Nagato growled. "And what is that, Tenryuu."

Utter silence met her before the shipgirl across from her finally sighed and answered. "We're not aging, Nagato. None of us shipgirls are."

That caused Nagato to sit up in her seat with a frown before furrowing her eyebrows. "That can't be right..."

After a moment, Tenryuu gave a nod. "Okay, maybe not completely right. The girls as well as the other Destroyers and Submarines are aging, but extremely slowly. Us Capital ships though... we're not."

Only one word passed Nagato's lips as she looked at Tenryuu directly. "Explain."

Just rubbing one finger against the steel table, Tenryuu frowned as she looked over the other tables with shipgirls drinking or having snacks in the small bar. Part of her noticed one of the tug boats walking around and she still boggled. It's not often that you saw someone that ripped who looked like their early teens. The cough though from Nagato brought her back to the conversation and she sighed. "I noticed it about Aki and Ami. They were nine years old when we were awoken as shipgirls and that was early on in the war as I'm sure that you know."

Having been summoned a little while before, Nagato just nodded. "I remember."

Much to her surprise, Tenryuu leaned forward. "And both of them barely look eleven at the moment, Nagato. More to the point... they awoke as shipgirls six years ago."

Eyes wide, the Battleship narrowed them and to frown. "That can't be right. If that was true then they would be... what? Fourteen? Fifteen years old?"

Grunting, Tenryuu gave a nod as she rubbed the sides of her head. "Fifteen years old. It was really hammered home the other day when I met one of their old friends. The girl was a year older then them and is working as a cashier at a... place I used to work at. She's sixteen and looks like it." With a tired look in her eyes, Tenryuu slumped a bit. "From what Akashi and I can tell, they're aging one year for every three that pass. Same with Hibiki and Akatsuki as well as the Destroyers..."

There was a slightly horrified expression on Nagato's face before she shook her head. "You have to be wrong, you must be. What about other Natural Borns, such as-"

She was cut off by a bitter laugh from Tenryuu. "Like Willie D? She was fourteen years old, Nagato. And she's barely aged while her brother has. Davie is seventeen years old. I'm certain that Willie has realized what is going on there as she herself has barely aged. Then we have some of the other Destroyers who were Natural Born, one of whom woke up pretty much at the start of the war who was eighteen and who hasn't aged at all."

Voice soft, Nagato held her now empty glass in her hands. "What about you? And the other Natural Borns? Or..."

Knowing the thoughts that were going through her fellow mother's head, Tenryuu sighed. "Or you and the other summoned shipgirls?" At the nod, Tenryuu stared down at the small amount of liquid in her glass swishing around before she drained it. "I had Akashi run a variant of that image program of hers along with an image recognition program. She used a picture of me from right after being awoken as a shipgirl and then aged it six years before comparing it to a picture of me now. I don't look that old, Nagato. In fact, according to her programs, I've not aged a day at all. We then did the same with the other ones such as Iowa and... once more, no aging has happened. And the same for summoned Capital ships such as..."

Nagato finished the sentence for her though. "Such as me." Slowly, Tenryuu nodded before her expression softened as it hit Nagato fully what that meant. "O-oh, kami... that means that Harry..."

A grimace on her face, Tenryuu shook her head. "Yeah... Harry is likely to grow old and... die, while you are still young." With a swallow, a tear slipped out of Tenryuu's seemingly shattered eye. "For what it's worth... I'm sorry."

Her fists clinched, Nagato shook as she felt a rage overcome her before it burned out nearly as quickly. Then she remembered something and grasped at it. "Wa-wait, Harry might be part shipgirl. If he is-"

The Cruiser cut her off. "If he is, we have no idea how it'll affect him aging wise. At least for a decade or more, Nagato. He could grow to maturity and just stop, it might slow down... or he might continue aging at a normal, human rate. None of us know and won't be able to know for some time. I fucking hate this as much as you do, Nagato. Hell, I am not looking forward to having this conversation with Aki, Ami, Hibiki, and Akatsuki. Especially as they'll have to face knowing that they'll outlast all their human friends."

Rubbing a finger along her glass, Nagato let out a sigh. "Why?"

Tenryuu looked at her seriously. "Why did I tell you now?" At the nod, she snorted. "Because I know, and Akashi realized this as well, I doubt that we'll be able to keep a lid on this for much longer. A few more years at most as all someone will need to do is compare a picture of a shipgirl at the start of the war and one now to see that they didn't age. I wouldn't be too surprised if the possibility isn't already being talked about in areas of the internet."

For several moments there was silence. Then Nagato raised a finger and pointed at Tenryuu's glass. "I need something stronger."

 

[darthcourt10]

Shaithan

Old Bones

Kongo looked at Akashi expectantly. "Why are you fidgeting like that?" she wanted to know.

Akashi continued fidgeting. "You overheard..." she began before trailing off uneasily.

Kongo smiled, a small and melancholic smile. "Do you remember one of the names I got back in the war?" she wanted to know.

Akashi was puzzled. "Not right now, no," she admitted.

Kongo smiled that melancholic smile again. "Back then I was sometimes called Old Bones. I remember the fresh-faced sailors that served on me when I was launched and I remember when old comrades heard about one of them dying. It hurt, knowing that I wasn't there, that I couldn't protect the boys from whatever killed them. But such is life, Akashi-chan. For man it is fleeting and finite. We on the other hand are possibly kami, I'm not entirely sure. We should celebrate the now instead of worrying about the inevitable death of those dear to us. They might one day be gone, but until such a time, we should cherish them. And when their time is there, let them go in peace," she laid out, melancholy coloring her words.

"We're warships, Akashi-chan. We've been given an incredible chance to do good. We can make friends, show people how much a ship truly cares about its crew. Let us not worry about a future that is so far off, it might as well come never. Seize the day, Akashi-chan. Tomorrow comes early enough," Kongo added.

Akashi stewed upon these words. "But what about the younger girls, they see their friends age while they stay small," she gave back.

Kongo nodded wisely. "Be there for them, explain that as much as we might have human thought patterns, we aren't truly human. Hold their hand when they lose their friends to aging and changing priorities, comfort them when the inevitable news come that a friend died. Show them that life goes on, even in the darkest days," she said, making Akashi wince.

"Few are going to like such a thing, it removes us from humanity," she cautioned.

Kongo sighed softly. "True, but inevitable. Humans will age faster than we do, we might even stop aging and become immortal kami at some point. But again, even those of us who were born human are no longer such, we are close to them, but not the same as them. I had decades to learn about death, I've lost so many of my crew over the years. Don't you sometimes feel a new fairy popping up? It's our way of remembering crew and friends long gone. And as long as we remain, those we lost are not forgotten," she said encouragingly.

"It will be difficult to adapt to this," Akashi said and sat down heavily on her workbench.

Kongo nodded. "True. But the earlier we come to grips with it, the more we can cherish what we have instead of worrying what we will lose," she said and patted Akashi on the shoulder. "Now excuse me, I want to make fond memories with teitoku," she added and sprinted away.

Akashi sighed. "How utterly typical," she muttered, before sitting down and beginning to jot down notes. "I really should call Victory, too," she muttered distractedly. This too was something she'd do her best to fix.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

From where he was laying on a mat on the floor of their clubhouse, Harry sighed as he looked down at his stomach. "Comfy?"

Eyes closed, Hibiki just nodded as she softly smiled from her head was on Harry's stomach. "Khorosho."

Ikazuchi gave him a fanged grin on the other hand as well as a thumbs up. "Yup! Your tummy is nearly as comfy as Kaa-San's!"

Meanwhile Inazuma walked over from the cooler with a plate balanced on her head with drinks. "This... was the best idea that we ever had for air conditioning! It makes the heat so much better, Nanodesu! Thanks, Hoppou-Chan!"

Nearly as one, the group turned to Hoppou who was laying in front of the fan with said Abyssal nodding back. "You're welcome."

All Harry did though was shake his head at the strangeness. None of them understood how, but the air from the fan was chilled as it ran across Hoppou. Thanks to that, the entire temperature in their clubhouse just dropped by several degrees making it one of the cooler places on the base on yet another hot and muggy July day. Not, of course, any of them really cared about that as all that matter was keeping cool. "By the way... how are things with Wanko, Hoppou?"

The small Abyssal gave her brother a smile before closing her eyes in happiness. "Big Sister said in last letter that things are going well and that she might be able to visit again soon! And that she can't wait to talk with me and Big Brother again."

Akatsuki frowned and crossed her arms. "Hopefully this time she tells us ahead of time. Springing things on people like that is not very lady-like."

Just staring at her sister, Inazuma blinked as she set down the drinks. "I... don't think that was the problem, Akatsuki-Chan..."

For a moment, Natsumi paused in the licking of her ice cream to raise an eyebrow. "Yeah... I kind of agree with Inazuma here." She then frowned for a moment. "Speaking of our Plasma-Chan, you said that you were working on something?"

It turned out to be the right thing to ask as Inazuma suddenly smiled. "I've been working on improving my flamethrower!"

Utter silence met that statement until Harry cleared his throat. "... Improving it?"

He got looks as his voice cracked, but Inazuma just nodded. "Well, the other day I was looking through YouTube and came across this really neat lighter, Nanodesu! It uses a string of electricity between two terminals to light a flame for the lighter! So I've been working on a version for my flamethrower, Nanodesu!"

All of them had the feeling of doom come crashing down on them before Hoppou pulled out a squirt gun and began to fire the water at Inazuma. "Bad Destroyer. Bad!"

Trying to keep the water from hitting her, Inazuma waved her hands in front of her. "Uwawawa! It's not bad!"

Eyes closed, Ikazuchi sighed. "Nee-San... I love you... but I don't think that it's smart to use lightning to ignite a flamethrower."

However, Inazuma just huffed. "Says you! Yuubari-San and Akashi-San both think that it's a great idea!"

Softly, the only boy among them grumbled. "And that should be a sign right there..."

Before the conversation could get any further though, they heard something land on the windowsill and looked. Each of them blinked as Hibiki rubbed her eyes. "Is that an owl on the windowsill?"

The owl regarded each of them and then hooted before Hoppou stood up and threw her hands into the air as she shouted at it. "GO HOME!"

As the owl just looked at Hoppou completely and utterly unimpressed, Akatsuki noticed something and pointed. "Is that a letter on it's leg?"

Sharing a look with the others, Ikazuchi scratched her head. "I've heard of using pigeons to deliver mail, but never owls? Any idea who it's for?"

Natsumi just got up and walked over to the owl and then frowned as she took the envelope, the owl waiting. "It's... for Harry-Chan." Then her eyes widened. "The hell...!? It's got Harry's address on it!"

Already getting up, Harry just shrugged. "Well, yeah, of course it would. Especially if it was for me."

In reply, Natsumi just held up the letter as Hoppou and the owl had a staring contest with each other. "Uh... yeah? But it's addressed to your bedroom, exactly, Harry-Chan. See?"

She held it out and Harry began to read it. "'Mr. H. Potter, First Bedroom on the right, Nagato Quarters, Battleship Dormitory, Yokosuka.'"

There was silence in the air before Inazuma began to panic and wave her arms around in the air. "That's really creepy, Nanodesu! Really, really creepy!" Then she stopped and looked around outside. "Does that mean that someone is stalking, Harry-Chan, Nanodesu!?"

Narrowing her eyes at it, Hibiki shook her head. "I think that we should go talk with Teitoku and the other adults."

Several moments later, they all nodded and began to walk toward the trapdoor for downstairs when they heard a hoot and turned to see the owl land on Inazuma's head. Said Destroyer blinked and looked up at it. "Owl-San?"

It went without saying that sight caused Harry to bit his lip to keep from laughing before he took a picture with his phone. Then he began to laugh. "Y-your face, Inazuma-Chan!"

Puffing out her cheeks, Inazuma pointed at Harry. "Stop laughing, Harry-Chan!" Before she could do anything else, Harry had thrown open the trapdoor and jumped down. "Harry-Chan! Get back here, Nanodesu!"

Simply sharing a look as the Destroyer dropped down through the trapdoor, the others only shook their heads.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Frowning thoughtfully, Nagato rubbed the envelope between her fingers. "Odd... why would someone use parchment in this day and age?"

There was a similar frown on Mikasa's face as the old Battleship tapped the envelope. "And of such high quality as well...."

While the two shipgirls were examining the envelope, Goto sighed and leaned back in his chair. "Just when one security problem ends... another begins."

Sheepish, Harry rubbed the back of his neck and swallowed nervously. "S-sorry about that, Teitoku..."

However, Goto only waved him off before frowning. "So, to sum up what has happened in total, you seven were relaxing in your clubhouse and just enjoying the day when an owl came with the letter that Nagato is examining? One which has your exact address in a way that no one would know unless they visited you..." He then raised an eyebrow. "And said owl is currently still on Inazuma's head."

Blinking, Inazuma frowned and looked up to see the owl still there. "... You're still here, Owl-San?"

Just staring for a few moments, Harry soon facepalmed. "You... forgot that the owl was still on your head, Inazuma-Chan?"

Her cheeks puffing out, Inazuma pouted. "It's not my fault..."

Despite the last few days and what was going on, Goto still could not help but let his lips twitch upwards. "Disregarding the owl for the moment..." Goto trailed off as the owl shot him a glare before it held it's head high and turned on Inazuma's head so it was facing away from him. 'It's not actually doing that... right?' At seeing the looks though, he sighed. 'It is. Because of course it would.' Shaking his head, Goto then cleared his throat and held out his hand. "However, what I think is more important is to examine the letter itself and determine what is inside."

Much to his surprise though, Nagato placed the letter down on her own desk and then one of her fairies came out with a katana drawn. "I shall take care of this, Teitoku. Just in case the contents are dangerous." Looking closer at the seal, Nagato raised an eyebrow. "Though I do wonder what the latin on the seal means..."

Getting up, Ikazuchi just shrugged a bit. "Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus? It means never tickle a sleeping dragon." At the looks she got though, she huffed. "I decided to learn some latin so that you can all depend on me some more."

Once more lips twitching, Goto just reached over and ruffled her hair. "And that's a useful skill..." After a few seconds, he continued. "And useful advice."

Meanwhile though, Nagato's fairy used his sword to gently detach the seal from the letter and then to lift the tab to look inside. As soon as he knew that there was nothing obviously dangerous inside, he raised one thumb. "Desu."

Holding out her hand, the Battleship waited until the fairy had returned to her hull before taking out the letter and unfolding it. Quickly, she scanned the papers inside with her eyebrows furrowing more and more as she continued to read. "Is this... some sort of joke?"

Mikasa looked over her shoulder and frowned before shaking her head. "No, I don't believe that it is... but I think that some of my crew from Britain who were helping my Japanese crew knew something about this... but what?"

Slowly, Goto raised an eyebrow as did Ooyodo from where she sat at her own desk just watching before the Cruiser commented. "It would help if we knew what was in the letter, Nagato."

Blushing a little, Nagato cleared her throat and began to read out loud. "Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Albus Dumbledore, Order of Merlin, First Class. Grand Sorcerer, Chief Warlock, Supreme Mugwump... I think that the last bit says... 'International Confederation of Wizards.'" With a glance up, she noticed the confusion on everyone's face before she continued. "Dear Mr. Potter, we are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins September First, and we await your owl no later then July Thirty-First. Yours sincerely, Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress."

Almost as one, everyone turned to the owl on Inazuma's head as the Destroyer looked up at it. "Is that why you're still here, Owl-San?"

When it gave a hoot, Nagato turned back to the letter with a frown. "The other pages are a list of items such as cauldrons and what looks like a stereotypical wizard costume..." She then glared at the letter. "I don't like how she just assumes that you'll go though without question. I don't know the first thing about this place."

Frowning, Harry looked at his mother with an expression that reminded Goto of Nagato herself at times, which made him smile. "Wait... is that a school for Onmyoudo? But I'm already getting taught that by Junyou-Oba and Ryuujou-Oba..."

Simply tapping his pen against his desk, Goto narrowed his eyes in thought. "Hmm... Natsumi." When the young kitsune looked up, Goto gave her a tight smile. "Would you mind going to get your aunt? She might know more about this then I do. Ooyodo?" He waited until Ooyodo acknowledged him before he continued. "Have Kongou, Junyou, and Ryuujou come here. Kongou was in Britain for a while so one of her crew might know something about this. And Junyou and Ryuujou are onmyouji themselves. In the meantime... Nagato?"

Coming to attention, Nagato nodded. "Hai!"

With a soft sigh, Goto leaned back. "Write back a reply and try to see if they can't send someone here to explain things for us. Say..." Quickly, he went through his schedule on his computer and nodded. "Two weeks from today on the twenty-eighth. That should give us some time to prepare just in case."

Once more, he got nods and salutes before Natsumi headed off and Ooyodo began to make some calls. At the same time, Nagato slipped behind her desk and pulled out a fountain pen. 'Now... what to write...'

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

For several moments, Richardson stared at Goto from across the conference table before he sighed and rubbed his face. "Please tell me that you're joking, Goto."

However, Goto simply shook his head with a serious expression on his face. "I'm afraid that I can't do that, John. This is all true."

The American just groaned. "I was afraid of that." Sitting a bit straighter, he looked down at the letter in front of him with a grimace. "Okay, to sum it all up... magic outside of what we know about the shipgirls is real. We have an actual, hidden society that uses MIB style tactics of making people forget things. More then that... no one knows except the highest levels of government. And more to the point, they've hidden places that the Abyssals may be using to hide from us to launch attacks from. Am I understanding all of this correctly?"

Slowly, the Japanese Admiral nodded though there was some wry amusement in his eyes. "Pretty much, though I have to say that you're reacting better then I did."

With a snort, Richardson just shook his head. "Mainly because I'm used to having sparkly magical shit dropped on us." Turning, he regarded the shipgirls there with a frown. "Did any of you know about this?"

Mutsu shared a look with Arizona as well as Nagato before answering. "We knew they existed because some of our crew had magical family members... but not all that much more then you did."

Grimacing, Arizona shook her head. "One of my crewmembers was born into a magical family, but had no magic and was tossed out. I only know what a child would." She then glared at the letter as if it offended her. "And I certainly did not know that they may be helping the Abyssals."

A scoff caused them all to look at Haru who looked amused. "I assure you, any... 'help', is purely accidental. Even though I've been out of touch with the magical side of things for several decades, I know that the magicals would be against the Abyssals, if only due to them threatening their precious Statute of Secrecy. Some of the places that the Abyssals attacked during their opening attack were places that had concentrations of magic activity. While I am uncertain of elsewhere, I can tell you that they practically decapitated the magical government here in Japan during their strike on Tokyo and destroyed a... internationally certified school down at Minami Iwo Jima among others. It's only recently that they managed to get enough back up and running that they've been able to resume their normal actions."

Just rubbed the bridge of his nose, Richardson shook his head. "Jesus..." Suddenly, he sat up a bit. "Wait... there were some odd reports years before the Abyssals showed up." Turning in his seat, Richardson fixed Haru with a stare. "If the Abyssals had turned up before... would these magicals have hidden their existence."

It went without saying that Haru's expression told them everything before she answered. "I wouldn't be too surprised if they had. The actions of the Abyssals represent a massive breach of secrecy. And it's not like they wouldn't know about encounters between beings such as mermaids in the sea informing the Ministries of incidents or if they found out from elsewhere since they would need to know about possible breaches of the SoS." At the looks she got from the two humans, she laughed. "Oh, yes, mermaids exist. Though not all of them are Ariel if you catch my drift."

Before Richardson could say anymore, Goto held up his hand. "I say that we leave whether they knew about the Abyssals before this point until we actually know one way or the other." Moments later, his head turned to regard the envelope. "However, I think that we have a more important issue."

Nagato gave a grunt as she also stared at the letter. "And that would be this... Hogwarts place and Harry."

Leaning back in her chair, Junyou just smiled a bit. "If it helps any, Hogwarts is actually one of the internationally premier schools of magic and extremely well regarded." At their looks, she spread out her hands. "Ryuujou and myself had actual magicals on us back during the war. It's how we know how to be Onmyouji."

That bit of information caused both Admirals to sit up a bit straighter, Goto fixing a stare on his subordinate. "You mean to tell me that these magicals were helping out Imperial Japan during the war?"

With a snort, Ryuujou shook her head. "Not just Imperial Japan, but all the nations. The United States had magicals fighting against us. One thing that you need to understand is that wars in the non-magical world feed into ones in the magical one. They're not as isolated as some might think..." There was a haunted look on her face as she stared at something only she could see. "And before you ask, the magicals on the side of Japan were no better then the non-magicals... maybe even worse in some ways."

Furrowing his eyebrows, Goto was about to ask when he stopped and looked at her in horror. "... Hitobashira?"

Uncomfortable, Ryuujou shifted a bit. "Among other things, yes."

Richardson only had one response to that. "... Fuck."

Clearing her throat, Haru shook her head. "As far as I know, that practice died out after the war. I do still have some contacts among other Yokai and that sort of thing gets talked about when it happens." Picking up a cup of tea, she sipped at it and nodded at Rose who looked uncomfortable before changing the subject. "Did Harry's mother ever receive a similar letter?"

Thankful, Rose nodded as she placed her hands in her lap. "Oh, yes. I actually remember Mistress Lily receiving it as well as her talks with her friend, Severus." Closing her eyes, the tsukumogami hummed. "She was quite excited to go and loved telling Mistress, her mother, all about what she had learned each year."

With a slight frown on her face, Nagato glanced toward Kongou who nodded. "One of Royal Navy Officers that helped train my crew had a witch for a sister, as they called them. She sometimes visited him from what I remember and..." For several moments, Kongou concentrated. "Yes... Hogwarts is a school in Scotland and very good for magic."

Narrowing her eyes, Nagato gave a grunt. "I see. And how useful would the... education be, at this school?"

Softly sighing, Haru set down the now drained cup and frowned. "If you mean in regards to non-magical subjects such as science or math, not useful at all. The magical world does not see much use for them after all and so why teach them? Unless that changed..."

At the look she got, Junyou shook her head. "Nope!"

Just rolling her eyes, Ryuujou leaned forward with a huff. "Basically, if you want him to continue his normal education, then you'll have to figure out something. Magical wise though..."

Haru continued the sentence. "Magical wise, it might be extremely useful. European magic is pretty flexible after all to be honest. If we are talking right now, such as Harry somehow having gone before now and graduating tomorrow, it wouldn't be much use. However, after a few years from now, it will be much more useful."

That caused Arizona to raise an eyebrow at her. "How so?"

Waving a hand around, Haru gave her a thin smile. "Thanks to the war, the SoS is slowly breaking. In a few years, it'll be fully broken and magic will be pretty much known to everyone. As much as I have no problem with that piece of... crap, being gone, I will acknowledge it's not going to be smooth sailing. I fully expect several years of chaos before it all settles down."

Slowly, Richardson nodded with a slight grunt. "I think that's an understatement. Especially if everything is as bad as I think that it might be."

A frown on her face, Haru nodded. "I'm hoping it won't be that bad, but expecting it. All that said though, by the time Harry-Chan goes to join up with the military as he's said he will, things should have settled down enough that him being magical will be looked at as an advantage at least in some ways. Especially as he'll likely be going into whatever section deals with shipgirls.'

However, then the kitsune began to chuckle which caused Mutsu to raise an eyebrow at her. "What's so funny?"

There was a slight grin on Haru's face as she gestured at the envelope. "Just thinking about how ironic it is that the Statute has developed another hole thanks to a Potter when one of Harry's ancestors was among those responsible for it being created in the first place."

More then slightly intrigued, Nagato focused on Haru. "How so?"

It was an amused kitsune who leaned back thoughtfully. "Well... from what I remember, the Europeans created it in response to the witch hunts of the 1600s and some of the aftermath. The witch hunts were not the only reason for it though. Some magicals were tired of being bothered by their neighbours to provide miracle cures, especially during plagues. The SoS meant that they would be left alone. However, you had Harry's ancestor who I believed did it to prevent a possible war at the time."

Kongou blinked at that. "War?"

With a grimace on her face, Haru nodded. "This is all second or third hand, mind you. But some magicals were apparently clamoring to retaliate against the non-magicals for the witch hunts. I have my suspicion that some incidents may have been a result of such retaliation and that the SoS, as supported by some, was to head this off."

Raising an eyebrow, Goto frowned. "What sort of incidents."

Grimly smiling, Haru shook her head. "Don't you find it rather odd that just two decades before the Statute of Secrecy came down, that most of London burned? A fire that burned so quickly and hot that there was little left from it?"

Eyes narrowing, Richardson grunted. " I take it that there are... spells, that can do that?" At the nod, he sighed. "Great."

Just staring at the envelope, Nagato frowned. "This just means that I'll have a number of questions for whoever comes in a week..."

 

[darthcourt10]

Matroslvan

While we on the subject of snips, I wrote this.

***

Sometimes, the greatest change in one's life come in one swoop, like the giant boulder dropped on crossroad, cutting off all other paths.

More often, though, life one's life is shaped bit by bit by small things that, while insignificant in and of themselves, add up to produce the effect that can put any one huge event to shame.

But human mind is a strange thing. However many drops of sand was needed to start of the avalanche, it is only the last of them that gets remembered.

----

One of the most important rituals of Weasley family was summer cleanup. Everyone in the Borrow from head of the family, to the youngest children, took part in it.

It was during one of such cleanups Ron asked his farther the question that, in a way, mirrored the one his every son asked at one time or another.

"Dad, why do you need to take the car apart?" Ron asked pointing at Ford Anglia, standing in the middle of the shed. Currently, the engine was pulled out of it's compartment, and suspended under the ceiling by a couple of thick chains.

"Mostly, to know how to fix it when it breaks down." From Arthur's tone, it was obvious that he answered this particular question at least dozen times. When he continued, it was equally obvious he knew what question would come next, too. "Unless you know exactly what's wrong with the machine, you can't just tap it with the wand and say reparo."

"And you have to take it apart and check everything every time?" Ron asked incredulously. "That's how muggles do it?"

"Not all the time." Arthur chuckled. "You see, if you know enough about any given machine, you can guess what's broken, from the way it doesn't work. Muggles usually built small devices called indicators into machine to do exactly that. That's how mechanics – muggles who fix machines, find out where to look."

That's where his kids usually lost interest in the subject. For all his fascination with the subject, Arthur just didn't possess the talent to ignite this interest in someone else.

"And what if those indi-things do not show what's wrong?" Asked Ron. "What meganics to then?"

"It's me-cha-nics, Ron." Arthur corrected, before answering the question. "At times like this, muggles have to take machine apart, checking every bit as they go."

The boy gave suspended engine a dubious glance, trying to imagine just how many parts it had.

"That's a lot of bits." He declared finally. "That's why you spent so much time here?"

"Well, not exactly." Arthur admitted. "Don't forget, I'm still a wizard. Once I know how something works, I can use a couple Divination spells to find out what's wrong, and then tap it with the wand and say reparo."

Ron let out a small laugh.

"You really use Divination for something like this, Dad?" He asked incredulously. "Isn't it for seeing future?"

"I'll let you in on a secret, son." Arthur said with a smile that made Ron do a double take. Exactly the same expression he seen on Fred or George's faces when they were up to something. "That's what the Divination is really for. To discern what the world around you is. To see something that is hidden. To see something that is far away. True, there are people that can see glimpses of future, if they push themselves hard enough, but those are either very talented, or barely sane…"

Arthur paused, and changed the subject.

"What I mostly do, however, is trying to come up with a way to improve those machines. To make them work better, to last longer, that sort of thing. I used to treat it as hobby of mine, but with Abyssal's and shipgirls making appearance…"

---

"Molly, dear, I think you are overreacting." Arthur's voice was calm, and soothing.

He, Molly, and most of the children, were sitting on a bench near the entrance into Hogwarts hospital ward, where school's mediwitch was tending Charley's injuries after final Qwiditch match.

"My son has multiple fractures in his left forearm, several cracked ribs, and a concussion! How else I suppose to react!?"

"Just an unfortunate incident during match, mum." Fred butted in. "Happens all the time. Madam Pomfrey will have him up and running before the day is over."

The face of Weasley's matriarch grew thunderous, but before she could open her mouth, the door into the ward opened. School mediwitch, in her usual attire, not a single hair out of place, strolled into the hallway and instantly became the center of attention.

"Mr. Weasley is conscious and his injuries are dealt with." Madam Pomfrey said. "He'll remain in hospital ward until morning, however. You can talk to him now."

"Let's not cause a stampede." Arthur suggested. "Me and Molly go in, and each of you will have your turn."

---

"Wicked!" said Fred after he came back, and George walked in. "Pomfrey vanished all the bones in his fore arm!"

It took several moments for Ron to process what his brother meant. Than his eyes became wide with horror.

"Why did she do that?!"

Older twin shrugged.

"I guess it's standard way to deal with complicated fracture in a limb. Vanish the broken bone, along with small bits and pieces, than grow a new one from scratch." He explained, clearly parroting after someone. "It's easier and safer than trying to mend multiple fractures and hunt down bone shrapnel."

"Like changing part in a car?" Ron offered.

Fred gave it some thought. He wasn't completely sure, but from what dad told him…

"Yes, like that." Twin nodded. "Only without taking it apart or even opening the hood."

When George came back, and it was Ron's turn, there was a look of very intent thought on youngest Weasley face.

---

"Miss Warspite, that was so much fun!" Said ten year Ron Weasley excitedly.

He and second ship of Queen Elisabeth class were enjoying ice-cream in small café near Wellington gardens. The pair was on the way back to Devon from Hastings, where English Chess Federation's headquarters been located. The journey here was a long one, and as the one who suggested the trip, Warspite took it upon herself to escort "the diamond in the rough" as HMS Victory put it.

Unfortunately Warspite's rudder started acting up again right as they exited the Federation's building. This time, it was so bad that battleship had great difficulty just moving in a straight line, let alone keep up with eight year old boy. Despite his ability to sit behind the board for hours, Ron was every bit as hard to keep a track of as any destroyer Warspite had to deal with.

So, she decided to cap the great outing with an ice-cream, and give her damage-control teams some time make another quick fix.

The plan encountered unexpected difficulties when Ron proceed to demolish his portion with speed that battleship thought were the trademark of starving shipgirls. Her working crews barely had enough time for basic survey!

As Warspite considered ordering another round to keep Ron occupied, he asked quietly. "Is your leg bothering you again?"

For a moment battleship froze. She considered putting on a brave front, but it took her one glance at boy's serious expression to decide against it.

"Yes." Warpite nodded slightly, and rubbed her right hip. "Legacy of my youth catches up to me from time to time. It's nothing new."

For several seconds Ron just sat there with the calculating look Warspite only saw on his face when chess were involved. Then, with a short nod, boy stood up and walked around the table.

"My mum taught us all a magic spell for times like this." He said, placing his hands on battleship's knee.

Then, with a look of concentration on his face, Ron begun chanting.

"Pain, pain, go away… Pain, pain, go away…"

It took Warpite's fairies twenty mortifying minutes to locate, and solve the problem that time – a record, if battleship's logs were to be believed. But for old battlewagon those twenty minutes felt like eternity.

By the end, Ron's forehead was covered in sweat, and the voice grew a bit hoarse.

Battleship stood up, testing her leg. Like always right after repairs, everything was working fine.

"Thank you, Ron." Warspite said, patting boy's head. "You're real miracle worker."

---

"So, let me see if I got this right." Arthur Weasley said, after his son finished speaking. "You tried to heal Warspite's old wound, when it started acting up. Despite not having a wand, having no idea of what the inner workings of her injury were, and using the makeshift spell Molly taught you as a joke when you were five, you managed to take the edge off, even if the actual healing – or repairs, whatever – was done by her crew?"

After receiving a nod of confirmation, Arthur moved on to the next part.

"However, two hours later the problem resurfaced."

Another nod.

"And now," Arthur gestured at the book Ron was holding. "You are trying to learn the Divination to find out what's wrong, and do a better job?"

"Yes." Replied Ron Weasley, his eyes still in the book. "Once I'm able to identify the problem, I know what else I need to learn to solve it."

Dozens of thoughts fought for domination inside Arthur's head. The long list of things that proper Mediwizards were required to know to be successful. Equally long list of things that an engineer required to know. The fact that his son was fully intending to spit the Statute of Secrecy in the eye by showing his magic to being functionally immune to memory spells…

There was however the question that was on the front of his mind

"Why tea leaves?" Arthur asked, unable to contain his curiosity.

"It was either that, or crystal ball." Ron said, turning the page. "I think I'll have easier time getting Miss Warspite drinking tea."

As good reason as any other, Arthur shrugged.

***

Because the trio of admiral, shipgirl, and engineer is too good idea to just fire off and forget.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

"How interesting. I thought that the rumours were just that."

At hearing the voice behind him, the man in a doctor's outfit jumped and turned to see a young woman watching him. Said person simply ignored how what looked like a stick slid out of his sleeves before it stopped as he recognized who it was that spoke. "Mercy..."

Softly humming, the shipgirl Mercy stepped forward and examined the young boy in the bed before glancing at the other patients. "That's right..." She glanced at his name badge and raised an eyebrow in amusement. "Mr... Johnson."

Just swallowing heavily, the man nodded. "Jake Johnson..." Nervously, he glanced around. "And... what rumours are you talking about?"

Now highly amused, Mercy still took pity on him. "Oh, not much. Just stories of miracles happening regarding injured." Part of her still noted the smoke on the wind from the smouldering ruins of the small town outside the medical tents. Her expression sombered as she continued to examine her patient. "Such as little Micheal here."

Unable to help himself, Jake leaned forward. "What about him?"

However, Mercy didn't look at him. "Do you know what the toughest duty that those of us have in war? Triage, the fact that we choose who lives and dies depending on how bad their wounds are." Reaching over, she ran one finger on the sleeping boy's scalp. "Possible fractured skull, second degree burns over sixty percent of his body, perforated abdomen from shrapnel with massive bloodloss from both external and internal bleeding. Chances of survival pretty much nil. And yet... I'm only seeing moderate injuries here."

Eyes wide, Jake glanced from the boy to Mercy who looked much older then one might think. "H-how...?"

Smile thin, Mercy's eyes glistened. "Who do you think had to make the call?" Taking a step back, Jake was about to do something when Mercy held up a hand. "Peace, I'm not about to harm you. Rather... I just want to know why... and to thank you."

Just relaxing, a little bit, Jake took another look around. "Why, what?"

Mercy tilted her head to the side and hummed. "Why? Why are you hiding what you're doing here and elsewhere? Why help out at all? Especially as I know that you're not part of the US military form the way you hold yourself, despite the uniform."

For several moments, Jake was silent before he looked down at the boy and his eyes softened. "I... I can't just not do anything. Neither can..."

The shipgirl finished the sentence. "Others, as I doubt that you can be in as many places."

Eyes narrowed, Jake frowned at Mercy. "We all have our oaths. And we try to make them work best that we can."

Lips twitching, Mercy hummed. "Yes, I suppose that there is that. I take it that you were never here to begin with?"

Mouth opening, Jake closed it a moment later. "That would be for the best of all involved."

Tilting her head, Mercy frowned. "Including yourself?"

Jake only gave her a look. "For all involved."

Simply nodding, Mercy handed him something which was a card. "Just in case you ever have need for something. I'll try to help and I know that my fellow hospital ships are much the same."

Flipping the card, Jake nodded. "Thanks."

With a chuckle, Mercy shook her head a small tear slipping from one eye. "No, Thank you." She then turned away for a moment. "Perhaps though I can show you how thankful since you look hungry and-" A pop caused her to pause and then turn to see that Jake was gone. "... Well now, call me interested even more now, Mr. Johnson."
____________________________________

Smoothing out her skirt, McGonagall let out a sigh of frustration as she looked toward the gate into Yokosuka base. "I wish that Albus could have taken care of this instead."

Beside her, Hagrid just scratched his head in confusion as he looked around. "Th' 'eadmaster? I was wonderin' why he wasn't here."

There was a grimace on McGonagall's face as she shook her head. "Unfortunately, he was called awa due to the situation down in Egypt with the goblins. They are not a happy bunch with how those ancient shipgirls killed a number and want retaliation... and it doesn't help that the Egyptian ministry is just sitting back."

Slowly, Hagrid nodded as he took that in. "Aye, then again the Egyptians don't really like them goblins much."

Her tone dry, McGonagall almost snorted. "That would be more then putting it mildly. From what I have heard, they told the goblins that they're more then welcome to try their luck, but they won't be getting any help from the Egyptians. I get the distinct feeling that they're hoping both sides just kill each other off." She then noted that the guards at the gate were talking with two people. One of them was a woman in strange white robes with a red skirt as well as a gold head piece. The ofher looked like a young man in a train conductor's uniform. "Well, let us be off then. We do have an appointment to keep after all."

As the two walked closer, the guards finally noticed them and stood at attention. Even though they were surprised at the massive man, they kept it from their faces as one of them nodded. "Can we help you?"

Before Minerva could say anything though, the young man spoke up. Though it was with some embarrassment that the Witch realized that it was a young woman and not a young man. "Professor McGonagall!"

Giving the women in the conductor's uniform a once over, Minerva frowned as she tried to place her. "I'm afraid that I don't recognize you Miss..."

If the woman was flustered, she didn't give any sign as she smiled. "My name's Rose Potter." She then turned to the other woman and nodded as Hagrid and McGonagall jerked in shock. "Professor McGonagall gave Mistress Lily her letter from Hogwarts, Haruna. She really enjoyed my tea."

The now identified Haruna just nodded with a small smile before bowing. "Ah! It's very nice to meet you, McGonagall-San." Straightening up, she looked up at Hagrid and held out a hand. "I am the Fast Battleship, Haruna."

With a grin, Hagrid took her hand in his and shook it. "Mighty pleased ta meet yeh, Miss Haruna! Never met a shipgirl before."

Softly giggling, Haruna nodded. "Well now you've met one and Haruna thinks that you're going to meet a lot more soon." Folding her arms into her sleeves, she tilted her head. "Nagato-San sent you a letter of proof I think?"

More then a little confused, McGonagall reached into her pocket and pulled out a letter which she handed to Haruna. "She did, as a matter of fact." However, the Battleship just handed it to the guard closest to her who looked it over before retreating into a building. Not sure what was going on, the professor turned to Rose. "You said that your name is... Potter? That's rather interesting as I don't remember James' having any relatives... or ones that would remember my visit to Lily."

Blushing slightly, Rose just shook her head. "Oh, I'm not related to Master James..." Her expression turned thoughtful. "Or at least, I don't think I am. It's just that Master gave me his family name since he believed I deserved it."

If anything though, that caused Minerva to raise an eyebrow. "Master?"

Nodding, Rose kept watch to where she could see the other guard talking over his radio. "Mm-hm. Master is Harry."

Softly smiling, Haruna placed a hand onto Rose's shoulder and shook her head. "They don't know what you are, Rose-Chan."

Eyes widening, Rose's blush deepened. "I'm sorry about that, Professor. I forget sometimes that not everyone knows what I am. You see, I am the tsukumogami of the tea set of Master's non-magical family."

To McGonagall's surprise, Hagrid looked highly interested. "A tsukumogami yeh say? I read sommat about them years ago. Objects so old they gain souls, the book said. Didn' put much stock in them."

Quite happy, Rose held out her arms and nodded. "Well, as you can see it's rather true. Surprising, but true and I could not be happier."

While Hagrid just nodded, McGonagall blinked. "I see..."

Just then, the guard in the building came out and handed the letter back to Minerva. "It all checks out, Ma'am. You can pass." He then looked at Haruna and Rose. "I hate to ask but..."

All Haruna did though was shake her head. "Haruna does not mind, do you, Rose-Chan?"

For her part, tsukumogami turned away from the conversation with Hagrid. "Oh no, I don't mind at all, Haruna. After all, it is still a nice walk."

Just nodding back, Haruna hummed. "Well then, if you would just follow Rose-Chan and Haruna, we'll bring you to Teitoku and Nagato-San."

As they passed by the guards, McGonagall gave them a tilt of the head. "Thank you." Hagrid also thanked them which caused them to chuckle before he closed the distance between him and the three women in a few strides. Watching her guides, McGonagall raised an eyebrow. Most people might have missed it, but she didn't due to being an animagus and more in touch with her instincts. And at that moment said instincts were telling her that the stance that Haruna was showing to the smaller woman beside her was extremely protective. Remembering what she had heard about how destructive shipgirls could be when protecting something, Minerva allowed herself a small shiver. 'Best not to make any movements that could be threatening.'

Meanwhile, Haruna was looking at the two magicals in curiosity. "May Haruna ask what you two do at Hogwarts? Haruna is very interested after all."

Chuckling, Hagrid patted himself in the chest. "Well, I'm Rubius Hagrid, Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts. I take care o' th' surrounding area."

With a nod, McGonagall just glanced at her companion. "Minerva McGonagall, I'm the Deputy Headmistress as well as the head of Gryffindor House and Transfiguration teacher."

Even as she internally filed that away, Haruna nodded. "Haruna sees and am happy that they sent two as important as yourselves to explain things." Then she smiled and continued to chat.

Neither of the two magicals realizing that she was taking close note of any information they told her, spoken and otherwise. Her Intelligence Officers going full tilt as they wrote deep inside her hull. After all, it was not a coincidence that her and Rose were at the gate that day...

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Thoughtfully chewing on the stick of pocky in her mouth, Naka barely reacted to the door to her studio opening besides snorting. "Close that door, I don't want people just walking in."

After closing the door, Sendai ran over and threw her arms over her sister's shoulders from behind the chair. "So whatcha doing?" Then she blinked at what was on multiple computer monitors. "Um... why are you spying on Teitoku and Nagato-San? I mean, I would expect for Aoba to spy on them in doing YASEN! But not you."

For several moments, Naka just chewed her pocky before reaching up and bopping Sendai on the head. "I'm not spying on them, Yasen-Baka. And they're not doing that, you perv."

Rubbing her head, Sendai shrugged. "Then who are you spying on?"

Naka glanced at her and then turned back to the monitor before offering a pocky stick. "You hear about that envelope that Harry-Chan got?"

Slowly nodding, Sendai hummed. "Yeah, some kind of magic school over in Britain, right?"

Pausing, Naka turned and gave her sister a look. "Should I even ask how you know exactly what is going on?"

All Sendai did though was grin. "No, because..." She threw her scarf around her face as if it was a mask and went into a pose. "I'm an awesome ninja like that. Nothing gets pass this grandmaster of ninjutsu!"

Chewing her pocky, Naka raised an eyebrow. "Riiiight." With Sendai slumping her shoulder, Naka turned back to the monitors. "Anyways, the representatives just showed up and Teitoku wants me to keep an eye on the meeting just in case they pull something."

That caused Sendai to blink before she pulled a chair over and turned it around to sit in it before resting her arms on the back. "Huh..." Narrowing her eyes, she glanced at the clock and did some quick math. "Wait, shouldn't they already be there? It's not that far from the gate to that conference room."

Doing some quick notes, Naka grunted. "Haruna is handling them with Rose. They're taking the scenic route."

Sendai chuckled as she understood the meaning behind that. 'Make sure that they're just lost enough that it'll give us some time to get them if they do something.' It was then that she narrowed her eyes and leaned in. "Wait... there's no cameras in that location. And I'm pretty sure that they wouldn't be wired for sound."

It was Naka's turn to smirk a bit before winking. "Naka-Chan can computer." At Sendai's eyeroll, she laughed. "Okay, okay... all I did was use the old smartphones I had laying around, network them together, and then set them up for surveillance purposes."

Just staring at her, Sendai boggled. "You can do that?!"

With a grin, Naka snapped her fingers. "Yup, now you may bow before my mad haxxor skillz."

Gently shoving the laughing Naka's shoulder, Sendai snorted. "As if." Turning back to the monitors, Sendai rubbed her chin. "So... Teitoku asked for you to keep an eye on things just in case...?"

Expression turning serious, Naka sighed. "Yeah, we don't know anything about these people. For all we know, they might take out the normal cameras and make a move. Hopefully not, but..."

At her helpless shrug, Sendai grunted. "Yeah." It was then that she glanced at the monitor for a camera in the hall and her pocky nearly fell out of her mouth. "Shit! Look at the size of that guy."

Whipping her head around, Naka's eyes widened at the sight of Hagrid walking down the hall. "... Uh, the fuck?"

Both Cruisers shared a look before Naka sent off a text that she could see Nagato receive on the monitors. Then the Battleship walked toward the door as Naka and Sendai leaned in to watch.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Opening the door, Nagato blinked and slowly tilted her head back to see the massive man smiling at her from behind a bushy beard. "'Ello, yeh must be this Miss Nagato." Before she could react, he pulled her into a hug. "Thank yeh for takin' care of 'Arry."

When she was set down, it was only the work of a moment for her to recover and shake off her shock. "It's wasn't any problem, I love my son deeply."

Even though Hagrid missed the hidden message, McGonagall didn't and had to hide a wince. 'This... may be more complicated then expected.' Giving Nagato a nod, McGonagall stepped into the room only to stop. At the table was an older man looking through some notes while Harry watched on. But it was the white haired little girl in a white dress with black metal bits in various places that caused the experienced witch to freeze. Not showing her terror, McGonagall turned to Nagato and raised an eyebrow. "I'm sorry, but I must ask... is that an Abyssal?"

Nagato ratchetted up her estimation of the woman in front of her several notches at how she tried to keep calm, despite the fear she could sense. "She is, her name is Hoppou and she's the Northern Ocean Princess. After an incident she... came to stay here and I've adopted her. She considers Harry her big brother and that's why she's here."

If anything, that along with how the small Abyssal was glaring at her, caused McGonagall to pale. "I... see." Pulling her eyes away from the sight, she glanced at Hagrid who was looking at the Abyssal in surprise. 'Quite complicated...'

Unheeding of the situation, Hagrid walked forward and gave the little Abyssal a smile. "Well now, 'ello there little one. Never seen an Abyssal from up close before."

Narrowing her eyes, Hoppou just glared. "You're going to try and take Big Brother away... Go Home!"

However, Nagato just fixed her with a look. "Hoppou, we've talked about this. Now, behave."

While the sight of the pouting Hoppou caused McGonagall's eyes to widen, Hagrid just shook his head. "Now there, we're not here ta take 'Arry away." Then he turned toward a wide eyed Harry and his eyes twinkled. "Blimey! 'Arry Potter, why... I have not seen yeh since yeh were just a small babe."

Blinking, Harry gulped. "You know me?"

Slowly nodding, Hagrid sniffled a bit. "Aye, I knew both your parents, 'Arry. Good people Lily and James were, didn' deserve what happened to them. Las' time I saw yeh, it was when yeh were left at your relatives." Not noticing the wince from McGonagall or the looks from the others, Hagrid shook his head. "I think that yeh are better here, though then with them ruddy muggles."

Glancing at McGonagall, Nagato cleared her throat. "You... were there when my son was left at those relatives of his?"

Just sighing, McGonagall shook her head and answered before Hagrid could. "We both were actually." She then gave Harry a sorrowful look. "I had been observing your aunt and uncle the whole day, Mr. Potter. At the time, it was thought that despite appearances, it was best that you were left with the only blood relatives that you had. I am deeply sorry that things turned out the way they did though I am happy that you found a much better family." Giving a nod to Nagato, she thinly smiled. "One that is more responsible and can protect you."

At this point, Goto stood up and held out his hand. "I think that such explanations can wait. I am Rear Admiral Isoroku Goto of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force. I am in charge of this base and all the shipgirls here."

Once McGonagall had shaken his hand as did Hagrid, Nagato stiffened some. "I am the Battleship Nagato of the Big Seven."

Within a few minutes the introductions were all done and McGonagall sat down only to notice the chair for Hagrid and grimaced before turning toward Goto. "I'm sorry, but would you mind if I..."

After he nodded, Goto watched as she somehow caused the seat to grow until it was large enough for Hagrid to sit in comfortably. "Extraordinary." He then gave her a piercing look. "I was under the impression though that under normal circumstances you would not be doing this in front of me or that I can look forward to... issues, afterwards."

McGonagall winced, but nodded. "If this was a few years ago, yes. However, I doubt very much that it would endear us to you and that it would be likely to work. Also..." For a brief moment she looked much older then she was before she shook it off. "It may not be necessary for much longer, though I do wonder where you might have come across that information."

Tightly smiling, Goto gave a chuckle. "I found out from a close friend."

Knowing that she was not going to be getting any more information, McGonagall nodded. "Now then... I would think that you would have questions and we'll try to answer them to the best of our ability."

When he saw the sharp glance she shot Hagrid who was looking at various things in wonder, Goto held back a chuckle. 'Hmm...' Outside though, he just nodded. I think that would be for the best."

For her part, Nagato leaned forward and clasped her hands in front of her face. Looking at her, McGonagall was reminded of a mother dragon protecting her hatchlings and then shivered as she remembered that the woman in front of her was as dangerous, if not more so, then any female dragon. "Before we discuss this school, I think that I would like to know more about your... relationship, with Harry. Especially how you came to be there the night that he was left at his relatives." Her eyes then narrowed and glinted dangerously. "As well as what actually happened to Harry's parents."

Having expected this, McGonagall nodded with a sigh. "I suppose so." Looking at a painting of some Muggle warship plowing through waves, McGonagall consolidated her thoughts. "Perhaps a bit of background would help?" At their nods, she continued. "Our world, much as the muggle one, has both good and bad in it. Years ago, there was a group in England known as the Death Eaters lead by a Dark Lord, what we call a powerful, evil wizard. Now, You-Know-Who-"

A frown on his face, Harry blinked. "Um... I don't know who?"

Just blinking, McGonagall paused, only for Hagrid to shiver and answer. "People are still scared to speak 'is name... but it's..." Swallowing, Hagrid took a deep breath. "Voldemort, there I said it."

Raising an eyebrow, Goto frowned. "Flee from death?" At the looks, he shrugged. "I've picked up bits and pieces of other languages."

There was a thin smile on McGonagall's face. "Quite." Placing her hands in her lap, she continued. "Now, there are those in our world who believe that one's ancestry decides how good they will be at magic or how worthy."

Hagrid grunted a bit. "Bunch o' codswallop if yeh ask me!" He then winked at Harry. "Yeh mum... uh, birth mum, Lily, was one of the best witches that I've ever known!"

Fondly smiling, McGonagall nodded. "Lily was a very powerful and talented witches I have ever had the honor to teach. Your father was also a very good wizard." Clearing her throat, she then took a deep breath. "Now... the way things are classified is that you have Muggleborn such as your birth mother, Lily. These are people born with magic to those who don't have any. Then you have what some call 'Purebloods', which are those without any non-magical ancestors to their great-great grandparents. Then... we have Halfbloods. People such as yourself who either have a Muggleborn or Muggle as a parent or grandparent and the other usually being a Pureblood. Quite silly in my mind, but there you have it."

Intrigued, Goto glanced at where Rose was making some tea. "Fascinating... though may I ask what this has to do with these Death Eaters?"

Grimacing, the witch sighed. "The Death Eaters have the belief that the only ones 'Worthy' of being magical and who should have full rights are Purebloods. Anyone else is second class citizens or, in the case of Muggles such as yourself... just above the animals and thus not human. In fact, they called for the extermination of all but the Purebloods."

Eyebrows furrowing, Harry frowned. "That sounds like the Nazis."

It went without saying that there was a thin smile on McGonagall's face. "You're quite right and I suspect that they may have been inspired by them..."

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Still watching the two magicals, Nagato narrowed her eyes slightly. "May I ask what a group of magical neo-nazis have to do with Harry's parents?"

There was a pinched look on McGonagall's face as she shook her head. "Because the background is important. You see, the Death Eaters soon recruited other magical beings. Werewolves, vampires, dementors, giants... it was a civil war. It did not help that thanks to how the Death Eaters hid their features under masks and cloaks, one did not know who to trust. The friend you trusted with your life might show up at your house and strike you dead because the Dark Lord ordered it. Spells and potions were also used to control people to fight on the Death Eaters' side. It was a dark time and no one knew who to trust. The only person that You-Know-Who was afraid of was Albus Dumbledore."

Nodding, Hagrid took the large mug of tea and took a gulp. "Thank yeh." He then looked at Harry with a smile. "Yeh parents actually fought You-Know-Who 'imself. Three times even! Then they went into hiding when yeh were born as 'E was after them."

Folding her hands onto the table, McGonagall nodded. "However... eventually he found them. It's believed that they were betrayed by one they thought of as a brother." There was a far off look in her eyes before she shook it off. "It was Halloween. There's little known of what happened but... what is known is that your father tried to hold him off, alone, to give your mother time. Unfortunately, You-Know-Who was a powerful wizard. And by himself it was like a kitten trying to fight a large dog."

Looking down at his lap, Harry nodded. "Or a Destroyer trying to fight a Battleship."

Not quite certain of what he meant, the Professor nodded. "Yes, like that. You-Know-Who... killed your father, Harry. Sadly, he had already sealed the house so there was no escape. It was a favourite tactic of his. When he came to your room, your mother confronted him, but was also killed, I'm afraid."

McGonagall allowed him several moments as he wiped at his eyes before Nagato placed her arm around him in a half hug. The animagus was just able to hear what she was whispering to her adopted son. "... It's okay to cry, Harry. Your parents loved you so very much, never doubt that. And they died with the greatest honor that a parent could. I have no doubt that they are watching you even now from the afterlife, shining with love and pride for who their son is becoming."

Slowly nodding, Harry sniffled a bit even as Hoppou clutched his hand in hers. "I know, Mum." He then turned to Minerva and nodded with his eyes shining with unshed tears. "Thank you."

All the professor did was nod with a sympathetic expression on her face. "You are welcome, Mr. Potter. Your parents were both good friends of mine after they graduated."

The only sound was that of cups being set down by Rose who dabbed at her eyes. Moments later, Haruna placed her arm over the smaller woman's shoulders. Eventually though, Goto let out a sigh. "What happened next?"

Blowing his nose, Hagrid flushed a bit at the looks. "Sorry about tha'. I always tear up a bit at tha' story. I miss them after all."

Simply patting him on the arm, McGonagall turned back to the others. "What happened next is unknown except for some bits. What is known is that after killing your mother, Mr. Potter, You-Know-Who turned his wand on you and cast the Killing Curse."

That caused Goto to sit up a bit. "Killing Curse?"

Lips pursed, Minerva nodded. "It's one of three Unforgivables. The other two spells rob free will and torture through so much pain that one can die if exposed for too long. The Killing Curse is... was known for being impossible to defend against. Once it hits, it's a hundred percent fatal for any human. It's been used to kill hundreds, maybe thousands... none survived." She then focused on Harry. "Except... for some reason when it was used on you, it didn't work. The spell rebounded off and hit You-Know-Who while only leaving you with the scar on your forehead."

Beside her, Hagrid nodded. "Made yeh right famous it did. Everyone knows yeh name."

Giving him a look, McGonagall sighed. "He's right, they call you the 'Boy-Who-Lived'. It doesn't help that You-Know-Who vanished that night."

Eyes narrowing, it was Haruna who put their thoughts into words. "But you don't think that he's dead."

With a sigh, the witch shook her head. "No, most might think so, but I and others think he's still out there something, just... his power was broken."

Looking into his mug, Hagrid shook his head. "Doubt that there was enough human in him to die, myself."

There was a stern expression on Nagato's face. "Well, if he comes back then he's going to face the full might of a Super Dreadnought of the Big Seven."

Lips curling upward a touch, Minerva chuckled. "I can only hope." Then she turned serious. "However, after his disappearance, his followers scattered and while a number were jailed, others managed to escape punishment through various... means. Because of that, and a protection that your mother left on you, we had to place you at your aunt's. If there was another choice, we would have taken it. But at the time..."

Frowning, Goto only looked at the painting of the Battleship. "The road to hell is paved with good intentions."

Much to his surprise, McGonagall nodded. "Quite."

Several minutes passed as they all digested the information they had been told. Goto didn't need to know that Naka was taking notes and he was certain, after glancing at Nagato, that at sometime in the coming months he could look forward to a report on the Death Eaters. Turning back in time to see the professor place her cup down, he sighed a bit. "Thank you for informing us of the issues. Perhaps though we should move on to the issue of this school of yours."

Nodding, Minerva relaxed a bit. "Agreed." Reaching into her handbag, she pulled out a brochure. Though they all raised eyebrows at the moving pictures on it. "This is the general information for the school. Hogwarts is one of the premier magical schools in the world and has a thousand year long history. We are located in the Scottish highlands in a castle gifted to us."

With a glance through what she had been given, Nagato looked up. "It says that it's a nine month long boarding school?"

With a small smile, Minerva nodded. "That's right, though students can come home for the Christmas holidays if they choose and other arraignments can be made. For example, we've recently instituted a policy where the parents of students who may not be wizards or witches can come and visit for such events as Quidditch games so that they can see what their children can do."

Humming, Nagato continued to look through it as Hoppou just glared as she tightened her hold on Harry. "So Hoppou can visit Big Brother?"

Wincing a bit, Minerva was about to answer when Hagrid shrugged. "Some might have a problem wit tha'. Don't understand it myself, but people can be like tha'."

Ignoring the grumbles from Hoppou, Nagato glanced up from the paper. "Courses?"

With a hum, McGonagall leaned back. "Hogwarts teaches the core magical subjects such as Transfiguration, Charms, Potions, and the like. In Harry's Third Year, he can choose additional courses such as Care of Magical Creatures and a small course in magical first aid is also given at that level."

Just placing the brochure down, Nagato frowned. "What about other subjects, such as science or math? I don't want Harry getting left behind."

There was confusion on Hagrid's face, but McGonagall sighed. "In addition to some other recent changes to the curriculum, Hogwarts has also added a special course for those students who wish to continue their non-magical education. It's mostly worksheets but two weekends a month we have a teacher who works in the Muggle world come in and test students. They also check the work done by the students as well as helping them where possible. It's a lot of work as Mr. Potter may have to do it on his holidays, but he should be able to keep track with what he would be at in the Muggle world otherwise."

Pleasantly surprised, Nagato raised her eyebrows. "I was under the impression that would not be how it would be."

Her eyes narrowed in suspicion, McGonagall frowned. "Up to last year, you would be right. However it's a recent change due to certain events and circumstances."

Intrigued, Nagato just looked down at the brochure. "I see..."

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

New Jersey was not a Battleship to be caught unknowingly, but she would admit that she was surprised with a call from Goto while visiting Yokosuka (after all, she was delivering some birthday gifts for Nagato's kid from several American shipgirls elsewhere). He had given her directions somewhere and it was only after she arrived that she recognized it as an old, Cold War bunker. One of her Fairies identified it as a fallout shelter which caused her eyebrow to raise, even if the sight of Yamato and DesDiv6 right outside the bunker hadn't. Upon entering though, she gave Goto a salute. "Sir."

Giving her a nod, Goto saluted her back. "Jersey." Following his eyes, Jersey could see Shioi and Maruyu there as well. The door behind her closed and a look showed her Ooyodo there. "Anything?"

Much to Jersey's surprise, Ooyodo pulled out what looked like one of extra radar sets for the Iowas and moments later she felt the radar sweeping the room. She winced for a moment before remembering that shipgirl radar didn't affect humans somehow, just telling a shipgirl if someone was there. Which was a good thing as she knew otherwise the only human in the bunker would have been so much cooked meat from the sweep. After about a minute though, Ooyodo put the radar away and became more at ease. "It's clean, we're the only ones in here."

Needless to say, being out of the loop did not help Jersey's already soured mood. "Okay, with all due respect, what the fuck is going on?!"

Sighing, Goto just motioned to one of the seats. "You're going to want to sit down for this, Jersey. It's a long story..."

It was several minutes later after Goto had explained about what was going on with Harry and these 'Magicals' that there was silence before Jersey broke it with her reaction. "Shit."

Weakly laughing, Goto nodded. "That about sums up my reaction to it all. I have to ask though... do you have anything to add? Like if Williams knows before this bombshell is dropped on him?"

For several moments, Jersey thought it over before grimacing. "No, I don't think that Williams knows anything about this fucking mess. But..." At the look, she continued. "I remember sis, Iowa, telling us about something that happened on one of her last cruises. She swears that she fought an Abyssal at sea and sank it, but then people appeared on her and somehow her crew forgot everything. They even somehow changed the logbooks."

Expression turning stormy, Goto grit his teeth. "I was afraid of that." He then looked over at the wall with a glare. "I can't even trust my own memories from before the first time I remember seeing an Abyssal."

Uncomfortable, Maruyu shifted a bit in her seat. "Um, Teitoku? While I can see why you would have Jersey-Sama here due to her being a Battleship..." She paused for a moment as Jersey snorted in amusement. "Why am I here? Or..."

Grimly smiling, the only human there shook his head. "Or Shioi?" At the nods, he sighed and looked much older. "Because I have a mission for all three of you of the upmost importance."

All three shipgirls straightened a bit as Shioi nodded. "Whatever the mission is, Teitoku, we can do it."

Chuckling, all Goto did was shake his head. "I know that." Reaching behind him, he pulled out several folders and handed them to each shipgirl. "I need you to transport these for me. Maruyu, once Harry's party is done, I need you to take your folders to Kure, Sasebo, and the others. Transport them directly to the Commanders and make sure that when you give it to them, it's in a secure location. Somewhere there's no paintings and do so alone or with shipgirls present. We can't take any chances."

The little Submarine took the folders and somehow made them disappear, Goto knowing that they were now safely within her hull. "Y-yes, Sir!"

Slowly nodding, Goto turned to Shioi and nodded. "I need you, Shioi, to transport them down to our friends in Taiwan and Australia. The same as Maruyu applies. Jersey..."

With a snort, Jersey made the folders she had been given disappear as well. "I'll make sure that mine gets to Williams and the others. No fucking magical bullshit is going to stop this Battleship." Her smirk then became a bloodthirsty grin. "I'd like to see someone try."

Narrowing his eyes, Goto shook his head. "I'm hoping that you don't. This is... explosive, to say the least. Normally, I would go higher with this, but I don't know where and who the magicals have an ear on. And until I do know, I need to keep this on the downlow. I'll leave the question of how to inform the government to the spooks, they'll be happy doing something. This McGonagall and Hagrid seem okay, but from what little I've gathered, there are others who would not think twice about taking away my memories. The sooner that it gets spread around, the less likely that the chain will be broken."

There was a slight frown on Jersey's face as she shook her head. "But the more people that know, the sooner that the secret might get known."

Simply snorting, Goto looked at her. "I'm willing to take that chance." Rubbing his face, he gave a sigh. "And to let you know, I included video in those folders and before you ask, your crew can look."

Not even a moment later, Jersey raised an eyebrow as she felt her Captains looking at what was in the folder. "The hell? It looks like you wrote this up on a typewriter..."

From where she stood, Ooyodo snickered a bit. "He did. He actually had to borrow one of mine from my hull as we wanted to make sure that there was no chance of possible leaks if they can hack computers."

Grumbling, Goto shook his head. "Fucking never thought that I would need to use a typewriter..."

Despite her smirk of amusement, Jersey couldn't help but wonder who else might have been affected. Her thoughts in particular going to a certain professor she cared for and who might well have encountered possible magic outside the shipgirls during his research. There was a creak of steel as the Battleship's fists clinched at the thought of someone wiping Crownings' memories before they relaxed at the thought that it wasn't going to happen again if it had. They would need to go through her first. Of course, that was when Shioi spoke up. "You said that they're still here?"

Slowly, the Admiral nodded with a tired, but satisfied look. "They're waiting on the decision on whether Harry will go or not. They both understand that Nagato and her family will need to discuss it and think it over and are willing to wait until after his birthday for an answer."

That only got nods from the shipgirls.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Okay, and done:
_____________________________________

There were thunderous explosions all around as the woman picked up the crying girl and began to run. Out of the corner of her eye, as if it was in slow motion, she saw a shell heading straight for them. Despite everything, her only regret was that the girl in her arms was about to die, not that she was about to lose her life...

And then a boulder flew out of nowhere and the shell hit it instead, detonating. "What the..."

A shout then caught her attention. "The hell are ye doing, ya daft woman!"

Eyes widening, the little girl shouted out at seeing the old man running over to them. "Mister Willows!"

Giving her nod, Richard Willows helped the woman to her feet. "Aye, Lassie. Now what are ye doing here, Lauren?!"

Just swallowing, Lauren looked around. "We're trying to get all the children to safety, we got everyone out of the school, but-"

She was cut off as Richard growled as he glanced at the bus at the other side of the parking lot where he could see children looking out. "But the Abyssals are moving too quickly for ye to get out of town."

Then hearing a crash, Lauren turned in horror to see an Abyssal Destroyer burst through the wreckage of the school. In her arms, Anne gave a small scream of fear as the Abyssal spotted them and began to slowly stride forward. Then she felt a hand on her head and saw Richard glaring at it. All of the children knew about the old Scotsman that lived beside the school. He was rough, but kind and sometimes let the kids pick berries from his garden. Right now, though, Anne felt safe. "M-Mr. Willows?"

It was with a gentle look and tears in his eyes that the old man looked down at her and ruffled her hair. "Listen to this old man, lassie. Ye are going ta live. All of ye. And ye are going to grow up inta the wonderful lass that I know ye will, ye hear me?"

Quickly nodding, Anne whimpered. "I promise, Mr. Willows."

Slowly, Richard turned to the approaching Abyssal and his hardened. "Lauren, get the children out of here. I'll buy ye the time that ye need."

Utterly shocked, Lauren turned toward Richard who began walking toward the Abyssal who seemed amused. "H-how?!"

For a moment, Richard stopped and then chuckled sadly. "This old man has his secrets... now go!" As Lauren finally ran for the bus, Richard ignored the children screaming for him to run. "Ye all have ye whole lives ahead of ye. This old man..." Blinking away his tears, the old man shook his head as his wand slipped out of his holster, all his training and experience as a Hit-Wizard coming back. "I'm coming, Abigail. Wait for this old duck."

To Anne and the other children watching, Richard seemed vanish before he appeared beside the Abyssal. Then a light shot from him and exploded against the Abyssal's one eye, cracking it as it roared in surprise and pain. "MR. WILLOWS!"

Laughing as he blasted an Artillery Imp, Richard grinned grimly. "WELL?! IS THAT ALL YE GOT YA WEE LITTLE BEASTY?!" Once more laughing as the Destroyer tried to crush him, the old man tucked into a roll under it before launching a borderline dark cutting spell. It was more a scratch then anything, but the roar of rage caused him to smirk. "COME ON THEN! COME ON IF YE THINK YE THAT YE CAN BEAT ME!"

Bringing it's mutated foot down, the Abyssal only met air as Richard appeared on top of it and began blasting it over and over. However, it was then that the Abyssal noticed the bus starting to move out of the parking lot and brought out a cannon. On the bus, Lauren's whipped her head around from the unbelievable battle. "SEAN! GET US OUT OF HERE!"

Just as it was about to fire, Richard appeared a distance in front of it before a large boulder launched forward. In mid-flight it changed shape into into a hunk of metal that jammed itself into the Abyssal's cannon as it fired. Said Abyssal's head vanished in a burst of flame that sent Richard flying. Slowly picking himself up, the old man gasped at the spike of pain in his side and looked down.

Only to see what looked like a half-foot long chunk of black, eldritch metal sticking out of his stomach. Reaching down, he sliced off as much of it as he could and slowly picked himself up. Right in time to see several other Abyssals come into view. Even as he felt the warm wetness trickle down his side, Richard's mind flashed back to years before. Hard fought battles against people in black cloaks and masks like skulls. One day coming home to find his younger, pregnant wife dead on the floor of their home, a skull with a snake in it's mouth composed of green smoke floating above his home.

The disgust when the war ended and several of those, including the ones who he knew murdered his wife, walked free. Because of that, he left the Ministry of Magic behind. Retiring to a sleepy, seaside town to live out his life. The smiles of the children as he told them modified stories or let them eat from his small garden.

In fact, some of those very children he was now buying time for.

Grim chuckles escaped from him as he noticed the bus drive out of sight. Straightening his back, he took a deep breath before casting a charm to dull the pain. 'Time to buy my way then, I suppose...' With a wave of wand, the rubble around him transformed into various animals that launched themselves toward the Abyssals, going for the various Imps. Meanwhile, Richard himself began to run. 'Never wanted to live to be old and feeble anyways.'

When, several minutes later, the bus crested a hill, Lauren looked back to where the school had been with a pair of binoculars. It took her a moment to see through the smoke only to gasp. There, in the monsterous jaws of one of the Cruiser type Abyssals was the broken body of Richard. And then she realized that he seemed to be laughing before he pointed his hand and the Abyssal only had a split second for her eyes to widen.

And then both her and Richard vanished in a flash of white light and sound before flames that looked like animals began to consume everything around them. Including the other Abyssals. Turning away, Lauren choked back a sob. Looking up at her, Anne blinked. "Miss Jackson?"

Blinking back tears, Lauren just grabbed her in a hug and held her tight as both of them cried.

Unfortunately for the Obliviators, they never did find the children or their teachers, lost among the survivors. If they had even suspected that they had seen magic in the first place. And each of the children and the two teachers cried for the old, friendly Scot.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Harry was looking out at the waters of the harbor when he felt a tap and turned to see Kaga there with a juice can in her hand. "Here." Once the nearly-eleven year old took it, she sat down beside him. "A rather eventful day, today."

Looking down at the can, Harry just glumly nodded. "Yeah..." After a few minutes of silence and Kaga just sipping her own drink, Harry looked over at her. "I... guess that you heard?"

Slowly, Kaga raised an eyebrow a fraction of an inch. "About?"

Once more, Harry looked down at his can as if it could tell him the secrets of the universe before he answered. "My parents."

Finishing off her own drink, Kaga let out a sigh. "I don't think that there's one on base who hasn't heard." Taking a bite out of the can, she chewed it thoughtfully before swallowing. "It seems at times as if gossip travels at faster then light speed on a military base."

A grimace on his face, Harry stared off at the waters as he heard more sounds of crunching as Kaga ate the rest of the can. "Are you going to say anything?"

With a hum, Kaga turned toward him. "Would you like me to?"

Shrugging, Harry frowned a bit. "I guess..."

In reply, Kaga leaned forward and supported her chin on her hands. "While I am certain that you have already heard it, your parents were extraordinarily brave for what they did, Harry-Chan. There was great honor in what they did and I think that I would have liked to have known the two of them."

Almost a minute passed before Harry finally popped open his can and took a drink, somehow comforted by the silence before he broke it. "I wish that I could have known them too."

Kaga just made a thoughtful sound before nodding. "And that bothers you, doesn't it?"

Head slumping a bit, Harry sighed. "Yeah..." Raising his head, he looked at the Aircraft Carrier beside him. "I... don't know what to feel. I mean, I finally know what happened to my birth parents, but..." Several moments passed as Harry tried to search for a term before he sighed. "... There should be grief, but I only feel sad that... that I didn't get the chance to know them enough to actually grieve about them being dead."

Tilting her head, Kaga hummed. "And that bothers you."

Needless to say, Harry looked toward her. "Shouldn't it? I mean, these are my parents and all I can do is be selfish and wish that I knew them. And to be sad that I didn't know them, not that they died. That's... that's not right."

A moment later, he felt a hand on his head and looked up to see Kaga place her hand on his head and gently run her fingers into his hair. "You might think so, but you would be wrong." There was a slightly sad smile on her face as she looked out at the ocean herself. "What you are feeling is natural, Harry-Chan."

Frowning, Harry huffed a bit. "Still doesn't feel right, Kaga-Oba."

Much to his surprise, Kaga let out a small chuckle. "No, I suppose that it doesn't. But that, as well, is natural in such a case as your own." Glancing around, she slowly nodded. "Which is why you came here, I think."

Just shrugging, Harry frowned. "Yeah... not many people come here at this time of day."

Noting that the sun was sinking toward the horizon, the shipgirl hummed. "No, I suppose not. It must have gotten tiring, I think, for all the others to come up and offer their condolences. Especially Taigei as she seemed rather tearful when she heard. Though I suppose that it does not help when your not sure how you are supposed to feel yourself."

It was with a nod that Harry let out an explosive sigh. "Yeah..." The waves lapped against the shore before Harry spoke up again. "Is it bad that I'm also angry with them..." At Kaga's raised eyebrow, he clarified. "My parents? I mean... I'm proud of what they did and thankful, but I keep feeling angry that they let themselves die and leave me without ever knowing them."

Slowly, Kaga blinked as her mind flashed far back to a time decades before when she had heard about her sister being sunk as a target. A sister that she had never gotten the chance to even know. "... No, that is very understandable. In fact, I would go as far as to say that I would be surprised if you did not harbor such feelings."

That caused the ten year old to look up in shock before he furrowed his eyebrows. "Really?"

Frowning, the Carrier let out a soft sigh. "Yes. As unfortunate as it sounds, and as horrible as it may be, it is perfectly natural to feel anger in a situation like this. Where you lose a close family member without ever knowing them and being angry that they let themselves die before you could."

His finger running along the rim of his can, Harry worked his jaw muscles before exhaling through his nose. "What about Mum, though? I don't mean my birth Mum, but my Mum..." Pausing, Harry soon shook it off. "That..."

Somewhat bemused, Kaga inclined her head slightly. "I take it that you're wondering if it's wrong that you love Nagato-San as your Okaa-San as much as you do compared to your birth one?" At his nod, Kaga looked up at the sky. "Hmm, perhaps, but then you know Nagato-San. She has raised you the past few years while you have few memories of Lily-San. Perhaps it's not so wrong after all." Laying her hand on his shoulder, the shipgirl shook her head. "In a situation such as this, it can bring about complicated feelings. It's not clean cut what is right to feel and what is not, I believe that it's impossible to know."

Voice soft, Harry blinked away some tears. "What about regret?"

Gently bringing her arm across his shoulder, Kaga blinked away some wetness in her own eyes. "There will always be a deep regret in your heart at such a loss. Regret that you never knew them, regret at how you will never know them until the next life. Possibly regret at how you may never get the chance to know them. Life... is full of regrets, it's as natural as breathing. If we let them, they can weigh us down as if a anchor around our necks. Or... or we can take that burden and carry it, acknowledge it."

Feeling his arm slip around her, Kaga just held him before he whispered to her. "Thank you, Kaga-Oba."

All she did was nod back.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Steam gently rose from Goto's coffee as he looked out his window and then turned back to where Nagato was sitting in front of him. "Hmm... so you decided then?"

With a slow nod, Nagato let out an exhale that carried her emotions before shaking her head. "We all talked last night about whether Harry should go to Hogwarts or not."

Raising an eyebrow at that, Goto cleared his throat. "'All'?"

Lips turning upwards a bit, Nagato nodded. "Myself, Harry, Hoppou, Rose, and Shiromizu, though only Harry understood what she was saying." That caused Goto to blink and boggle a bit which almost caused Nagato to snicker at as it had been getting harder to surprise the human Admiral. But she managed to hold it back... barely. "We are after all a family and decisions such as this should be made as one."

Thoughtful, Goto leaned back a bit and nodded before clasping his hands over his chest. "I see... you could have waited until after Harry's birthday."

However, the Battleship only frowned a bit. "That would mean having them on base for three days. Not... the most fair of things."

Slowly, the man in front of her shook his head. "No, I suppose not." He then let out a sigh. "So then... what did you all decide."

For several moments, Nagato was silent as she looked outside the window towards the ocean. "We decided that Harry should go to Hogwarts. Not only is it a unique opportunity for him, but he can connect again with his birth culture..." It almost seemed as she didn't quite want to explain more, but finally relented. "There is also the fact that it connects with his birth parents. After all, they wanted him to go to Hogwarts and already paid the tuition. But he might also understand them and, I hope, learn more about them."

Quiet, Goto rolled around what he had just been told before he nodded. "I suppose the last bit was your reasoning?"

Once more, Nagato's lips twitched a bit. 'He knows me too well.' Clearing her throat though, she gave a nod. "Hai. I would be remiss if I did not do anything to allow for Harry to learn more about his birth parents."

Finger against his chin in thought, Goto snorted. "I still cannot imagine that Hoppou took her 'Big Brother' leaving for such a period well."

Much to his surprise, Nagato actually chuckled at that. "No, she was not all too happy. But she is somewhat, sadly, used to it since Wanko was always living far away. However, as long as we have someway for speedy communications between them, she doesn't have that big of a problem. And when I asked McGonagall-San, she admitted that she had an idea as to how to do that."

Eyes narrowed, Goto grunted. "I'd like to see how since she revealed that modern electronics don't work. Though I can understand why they don't."

It was an bemused Nagato who shook her head. "Well, where they are they do need to protect against lightning. Having something to drain away lightning and the potential for it in the air makes sense even if it leads to electronics failing. Akashi-San might be able to come up with something though to get around that."

Grunting, the Admiral just shook his head. "No doubt." At the knock on the door, Goto sat up a bit. "Come in."

Yonehara came in with a folder followed by Ashigara. "Got the reports on the amount of resources that the Subs brought back." He suddenly grinned. "They found another manganese nodule field and marked it down while bringing back plenty for use in the docks. And Tenryuu figures that her and DesDiv6 found another Abyssal cache and brought back what they could from it."

Now smiling, Goto chuckled. "Good, good. That should help out a lot with resources." He suddenly became thoughtful and gave Yonehara a look. "Actually... mind staying for a bit?"

Raising an eyebrow at the tone, Yonehara shrugged and sat down with a snort. "Sure, I don't have all that much to do at the moment, Ashigara?"

Said Cruiser smirked before plopping herself into Yonehara's lap, said human letting out a grunt. "No... I can wait."

Amused, Nagato just raised an eyebrow as she ignored how Goto was pinching the bridge of his nose and muttering about Cruisers. That done, Goto took a deep breath and then looked up. "I have need to ask you something, Sousuke. It's in regards to what is happening with Harry."

That caught the Captain's attention and he sat a bit straighter... or rather, as much as he could with Ashigara in his lap. "I see." Not even bothering trying to move his girlfriend, as he knew from experience how fruitless that attempt would be, Yonehara sighed. "So what's going on with the kiddo then?" After being told though, he just frowned thoughtfully. "I see... and how can I help?"

Goto's next words caused Yonehara to freeze. "The special emergency funds."

Confused, Nagato looked between them only to raise an eyebrow. "I do not know why you would need funds. I am quite sure that I have enough money to put Harry through school and, if not, his parents left him a substantial amount from what I have been told."

Scoffing, Goto shook his head. "I have no doubt about that. However, we need to know more about these wizards and witches. And the best way to do that right now would be to buy books when Harry goes to buy his supplies, especially with regards to what they have written about history. Any insight to their culture and society would be best."

A frown on her face, Nagato nodded. "That would be wise, I agree... but I believe that I can afford it still."

However, Goto shook his head. "I would rather that you don't use yours or Harry's money for this. Hence, the special emergency funds."

That got him a look of utter confusion from Ashigara as she looked between Yonehara, who looked thoughtful even as he nodded, and Goto. "Can I ask what your talking about? What special emergency funds?"

Leaning back, the Admiral chuckled a bit. "It's a bit of a fancy name really. During their resource expeditions, the Submarines often grab food on the way. Among them... oysters. Needless to say, we have a rather large amount of pearls and mother of pearl locked away for a rainy day. In case of needing emergency funds, we have connections to sell them and get a little bit of needed cash. The thing is though..." He grinned a bit. "I recently found out in a conversation with Hagrid-San that pearls and mother of pearl is very valuable right now in the magical world. Apparently the merfolk who were their major suppliers have been hit hard by the war. And for whatever reason, only natural grown ones work best for their purposes and thus are very valuable. Which means that we can get quite an amount of wizard gold for them. Later on, I think we can set something up and get paid in gold bullion which we can use, but right now we can use them for funds in the magical world for our needs. I already ran it past one of the spooks and John and they both agree that it's a smart plan."

Furrowing his eyebrows, Yonehara ignored the shocked look on Ashigara's face. "Wait, how did you get in touch with Richardson about this?"

His expression literally reminding the others of a cat who found a bowl of cream, Goto smirked. "He sent back Shimakaze last night after Maruyu arrived in Sasebo last evening. Her and her sisters have been relaying written messages back and forth all night and day."

Impressed, Yonehara nodded. "That... makes sense."

Suddenly, Ashigara raised her hand. "I got a question." Getting an amused nod, Ashigara's next words caused both humans to stare at her. "Why would you need pearls to get gold? I've got plenty."

Utterly silent, Goto turned to his friend who stared at his girlfriend. "What do you mean... you got gold?"

Confused, Ashigara reached into her dress not seeming to notice Yonehara flush or Goto coughing and looking away. Then she pulled out a bar of gold. "When I sank I was carrying some gold on me. I got a few tons of the stuff you know."

Almost robotically, Yonehara and Goto turned to each other and just blinked in disbelief before the Admiral groaned and banged his head on the table to the confusion of the two shipgirls. "Great... just great..."

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Despite how long the shipgirls had been around for, Minerva McGonagall had never given them too much thought besides the odd few moments when she considered what was going on. Hogwarts, where she spent most of her time, was well inland after all. And Diagon Alley she often just used the floo to reach. Thus, she had never really spent much time around any shipgirls outside of Victory.

And she happened to avoid the old sailing ship as much as she was able, thank you. The insanity that her and the Headmaster got into at times had her going to Madam Pomfrey for a headache potion most of the time. Or a bottle of Scotch.

It varied.

However, that said, the last day or so was rather eye opening for the middle aged witch. While her larger companion had been fascinated, Minerva had mostly just watched or explained the questions. Most of the questions seemed to be extremely well thought out and she had to think of her answers. The Muggle, Admiral Goto's question about exchange rates of not just money but of materials had caused her to scratch her head for a bit before she had contacted Filius and asked him. It had taken a while to do so though as the Charms Professor was in France for some odd reason apparently helping out some old friends there with a problem. Said part Goblin had gotten back to her with an ordered list within hours.

The rest of the time had been spent just watching the various shipgirls as they went about their business and even eating at their lunchroom. In some ways, Minerva was reminded of her students. What truly warmed her heart though was watching Harry interact with them. She had been worried years before when she had heard he was adopted by a returned Battleship, but now that worry was gone. It did her heart good to see him happy and cared for. Though it did amuse her about how some of the shipgirls acted around him, especially that tall one... she believed her name was Shinano. Already, she was making thoughts about a betting pool among the teachers.

Soon though she was brought out of her thoughts as she reached the door to the apartment that young Mr. Potter apparently called home and knocked while checking her watch. Yes, it was five thirty in the afternoon exactly. The door then opened and McGonagall barely held back a flinch at the two red eyes that were glaring at her from the pale face before Nagato's voice called out. "Who's at the door, Hoppou?"

With a huff, Hoppou turned around and McGonagall relaxed some. "It's the lady from yesterday, Mommy."

Not even a moment later, the door was opened more fully and Nagato stood there in front of both magicals. While the Battleship had changed out of her usual wear into civilian clothing in the way of a long sleeve shirt and knee length skirt, Minerva couldn't help the amusing thought that a number of witches were going to suffer from feeling inadequate. Smiling, Nagato motioned toward the apartment. "You're a bit early."

Just smiling, McGonagall chuckled some. "We wanted to make sure that there was time enough in case there were any other questions that you might have before we visit Diagon Alley."

Of course, that was when she spotted the three teenage girls at the table looking at her curiously. Despite them wearing more clothing, she remembered them from the night before wearing what looked like schoolgirl uniforms, except with riveted metal wrapped around their middles. Seeing where McGonagall was looking, Nagato just chuckled. "These are the Akizuki class Destroyers. May I introduce Akizuki, Hatsuzuki, and Teruzuki. They'll be escorting Harry and I."

That caused the professor to just blink. "Escort?"

For her own part, Nagato only raised an eyebrow. "Yes, I am a Battleship after all and we don't go anywhere unknown without an escort of Destroyers at least."

Raising a finger, McGonagall was about to comment before she just decided to let it go. "I see, well the Portkey that we're taking should handle all of us and it will bring us to a room in the Leaky Cauldron. I think that we should first visit Gringotts and then perhaps return to the Leaky Cauldron for a short breakfast."

Slowly, Nagato gave a nod to that. "I think that will be a fine idea as we could all use a bit of breakfast."

Hagrid finally spoke up at that point as he was looking around the room in confusion. "Where's 'Arry? Can' really leave without 'im."

All Nagato did was turn to a partially open door. "Harry, we need to get going!"

From inside came Harry's voice. "I'll be right there, Mum! I'm just saying goodbye to Shiromizu!"

Curious, Hagrid turned toward the Battleship with his eyebrows furrowed. "'Hiromizu?"

Lightly chuckling, the shipgirl shook her head in amusement. "My son's pet snake, her name translates in English to 'White Water'. He can understand her and talk back."

Now that caused Minerva to look away from her examination of a tea set that she remembered was supposed to be Rose, and which she remembered from her introductory visit to Lily's home all those years ago. "He can understand her? And speak to her... It would not happen to sound like hisses to everyone else, would it?"

With a frown, Nagato nodded. "It does." However, seeing the two magicals share a unnerved look, she narrowed her eyes. "May I ask what the problem is?"

Sighing, McGonagall took off her glasses and wiped them clean. "It seems that young Mr. Potter is a parseltongue. One who can speak with and understand snakes in their own language." She added the last bit at the confusion on Nagato's face before continuing. "I, personally, don't have too much issue with it, but..."

Unnerved still, Hagrid finished it. "Some people, well, they won' see it tha' way. Parseltongues are seen as dark and evil... You-Know-Who was one afta all."

Filing that nugget of information away, Nagato nodded as McGonagall commented on two other evil wizards who had the ability. "I see... however, I can also understand how some might look at bad examples and paint everything with the same brush despite some good. And I very much doubt that my son is going to turn 'Dark' and 'Evil'."

A frown on her face, Teruzuki turned toward Akizuki. "Um... what if he turns into that emo thing when he gets older though? Wouldn't that be dark?"

Slightly confused, Akizuki thought it over before shaking her head. "I don't know... but we should be able to head it off before he does!"

Utterly lost, Hagrid looked at them and blinked. "Emo? Wha's that?"

Looking at her sisters, Teruzuki leaned forward. "It's this weird thing that some teens do. Boys will grow their hair like really long and maybe color it. All the while talking about how all the world's horrible and they need power to protect themselves. Some even go on about blood and stuff..." She then paused. "I think anyways. Some things in the modern day are just weird."

Not quite sure what they were talking about, McGonagall tried to ignore the image it gave her and cleared her throat. "I see..." It was then that Harry came out and the middle aged witch smiled. "Good evening, Mr. Potter, even though soon it will be morning I suppose... are you ready for the trip?"

All he did though was nod before he stopped. "Just... one moment." He then walked over quickly to Hoppou and hugged her, the little Abyssal hugging him right back. "I'll only be gone for a bit, sis. And I'll bring you something back, okay?"

The Abyssal just nodded. "Okay, Big Brother."

Once he let go and walked over to where McGonagall was holding out a rope, Nagato also gave Hoppou a hug. "Now, you be good for Tenryuu and we'll see you in a few hours."

With a hum, Hoppou nodded and then stood back as she watched her adopted mother, the three Destroyers, and Harry grab hold of the rope being held by Hagrid and McGonagall. Then she blinked and rubbed her eyes as the group was there one moment and then gone the next. "Hoppou wonders how they did that...?" It was then that she sensed something and turned toward the ocean and smiled. "Big Sister is close!" And with that, Hoppou rushed out of the apartment, only taking time to close and lock the door before heading towards the docks.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

After what seemed like minutes of going through a spinning tunnel, all of those holding to the Portkey landed with a thump. Thankfully, Nagato's arm shot out to keep her son standing as she looked around the room that they were now in. "You okay, Harry?"

Straightening himself up, Harry nodded and gave her a shaky smile. "Y-yeah... though a bit dizzy."

There was a slight smile on McGonagall's face as she nodded. "Quite, that's normal for those using Portkeys for the first time, you just had the bad luck that it was an international one."

For the moment now that she was now sure that Harry was okay, and that the Akizuki sisters were alert, Nagato took a chance and had her radio fairy tune into the local shipgirl radio channels. Her plan was to just listen in and see if they were really in England, but that went out the window as she overheard something and began to transmit. {Warspite? You know about this... Hogwarts?}

Utter silence met her before it exploded and all four shipgirls there winced a bit at the radio traffic before Warspite finally got it all calmed down. {The hell, Nagato!? Since when are you in England!? And how do you know about Hogwarts?!}

Glancing at Harry, Nagato soon turned back to the conversation. {Harry received a letter and a Professor McGonagall arrived to talk with us. Apparently they have him down for going there and we're currently in a place called Diagon Alley. As for how we got here... they have some sort of magic that allows for near instant magical intercontinental travel to set destinations. It transported myself, the three Akizukis, Harry, and two adult humans from Japan in...} She glanced at her clocks and frowned. {Roughly twenty seconds.}

Once more there was silence before Warspite said the words that was on everyone's mind. {Shit.}

As they began to walk toward the door, Nagato nodded. {My thoughts exactly. Teitoku already knows and wants us to gather information. Now you?}

Hearing the sigh, Nagato could almost imagine the Battleship shaking her head. {We've known about Hogwarts and the magicals for a while now thanks to several incidents, including Victory being friends with Albus Dumbledore.} It took every ounce of will not to show her surprise, though Nagato knew that the Akizukis were staring at each other. {It's supposed to be secret. Besides which... you know Hermione, right?}

Nagato gave the briefest of nods before remembering that Warspite couldn't see it from wherever she was. {Hai, I remember you telling me about her. Anti-Aircraft Cruiser, correct?}

Softly chuckling, Warspite could almost smile over the radio. {Correct. She's a Natural Born and as it turns out was written down as a student. She'll be heading to Hogwarts this year for her first as a matter of fact. And we were going to have her gather information where possible.}

With a smirk on her face, Nagato followed them into what looked like a dingy bar. {Great minds think alike then. We should discuss this later however.}

Almost able to see the nod from Warspite, Nagato heard the chuckle. {Very good, perhaps over some beers then my friend.}

Inclining her head, Nagato hummed. {Perhaps.} With the conversation done, Nagato tuned back in on what was going on as the barkeeper greeted them. "Hello there, Hagrid. Out on another errand?"

Lightly laughing, Hagrid shook his head and clapped one hand down on Harry's shoulders as he spoke with pride. "Nah, Tom. Escorting 'Arry here for his shopping."

Not even a moment later, Nagato could see the regret on Hagrid's face as he realized what was about to happen when Tom exclaimed at seeing her son. "HARRY POTTER!? AS I LIVE AND BREATH!"

There was quiet for a moment and then the surroundings burst into noise from talking, shouts, and the scrapping of furniture. Hagrid, to Nagato's surprise, was already moving to try and get between Harry and the crowd only for the three Akizuki sisters to already be there. Akizuki interlocked her arms with her sisters forming triangle with Harry in the middle and Nagato at the back. Not one of them budged from the press of bodies from people trying to shake Harry's hand, not that any got too close. Then again, trying to move 2,700 plus tons when one was just plain human was an exercise in futility. Harry then noticed one of the wizards and pointed. "Um, Mum? I think I met that guy before at a grocery store."

Much to Nagato's bemusement, the man seemed faint. "He remembers me... YOU HEAR THAT! HARRY POTTER REMEMBERS ME!"

A bit tired of what was going on, Nagato tapped Akizuki on the shoulder, the Destroyer's eyes hardening. "Okay, we're moving out!"

It went without saying that the wizards or witches trying to press in found themselves being easily pushed to the side by the three waifish girls. They went slowly in order not to hurt anyone, but still they made good time and soon reached the outside of the establishment in a small, deadend alleyway. Several seconds later, they were joined by a bashful and regretful Hagrid and a scowling McGonagall who was shouting something back into the noisy pub that caused it to quiet near instantly before she slammed the door shut and turned to Hagrid. "Well, that might have turned out better."

Shuffling a little bit, Hagrid sighed and looked down at Harry apologetically. "S'rry about that, 'Arry. I didn't expect that."

Taking some pity on him as he seemed genuinely regretful, Nagato nodded before her tone turned dry. "How strange, and here I thought that I left the idol phenomena back in Japan."

Both McGonagall and Hagrid gave befuddled stared before the giant man scratched his head in confusion. "Idols? Like, them things that get worshipped?"

Just chuckling, though she kept an eye on how the three Destroyers were all close to Harry as he thanked them. "Something like that." Waving a hand, Nagato gave a helpless shrug. "They're music and acting stars back in Japan. Their fans can be very... determined."

After a few moments, McGonagall gave a nod. "Quite." Brushing some dirt off her skirt she straightened her back. "As you can see, Mr. Potter here is very famous."

Simply nodding, Nagato tilted her head slightly in agreement. "I see..."

With another brush of her shoulders, McGongall walked toward the wall and stopped before turning. "Now then... beside me you can see a container filled with staves. These are for those without wands as each have a small magical charge. And in the end that's all that's needed to open the doorway to Diagon Ally."

Much to Nagato's amusement, Teruzuki raised her hand. "I've been wondering... why did they call it Diagon Alley?"

Lips twitching, McGonagall actually chuckled. "If I remember my history correct, it was due to one of the original builders of what would become the main shopping district. The man, as it turns out, had a thing for word plays and left his mark in various places... though it both amused and exasperated him when no one clued in for quite some time until well after it was all official. Of course, by then it was much too late to change things with how... conservative, we witches and wizards can be with such things."

Her question answered, Teruzuki went back to her position. "Thank you."

Nodding, McGonagall turned back to the wall and brought out her wand. "Now then, this is the combination, though if you forget there's always someone around to lend some help..."

Inside of Nagato's head, her fairies jotted down what they observed and she didn't need to know that the same was true for the three Destroyers. She also knew that Harry was paying close attention only for him to gasp as the bricks seemed to roll away and slowly formed an opening in what had been formerly a wall. On the otherside looked like one of the oddest, though busiest, market streets Nagato had ever seen. "Impressive."

Meanwhile, Hagrid just chuckled at their expressions and waved one hand. "Welcome... ta Diagon Alley."

With one final look at each other, Harry, Nagato, and the three Destroyers followed their guides into the crowds.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Walking along the cobblestones, Nagato's eyes glanced all over the street as she kept her ears open. She knew without a doubt that the sheer amount of Intelligence Fairies she had in her hull were recording and writing down everything that she saw and heard. There were even, surprisingly enough, American Fairies that Jersey as well as Arizona and Albie had sent over. Though some of those were currently in the Akizuki sisters' hulls doing the same.

Nagato was still unsure about the cameras that Naka had apparently hooked up for her Fairies to use. Something about a pilot project due to the normal Go-Pros always being the first casualties of any battle. All the Battleship knew was that Akashi had her go under for an hour and then wake up with apparently the equipment already inside her. However, she did consider it worth it. However, one conversation caused her to turn and blink. "How much for dragon liver!? That's highway robbery that is!"

Just raising her eyebrow, Nagato turned her attention back to the other shops as they passed. 'So dragons exist then. But then... where are they?' It wasn't long until they reached one of the larger buildings and Nagato glanced at the odd humanoids in armor in front of it. Oddly, she was reminded of Tengu and at first thought the beings were them until she noticed that they had no wings and quietly whispered to McGonagall. "Professor... may I ask...?"

Understanding, McGonagall gave a nod and whispered back. "They're goblins, Miss Nagato. They're in charge of Gringotts and the gold inside." At seeing one of the Akizukis look with wide eyes at the poem inscribed on the doors, McGonagall thinly smiled. "You wouldn't want to try and steal from them only to get caught. I imagine that they could be quite... unpleasant."

Simply mumbling, Nagato nodded. "I see." Part of her was quite proud of her Destroyer Escort as they moved into position around Harry with clear firing lanes, none of them liking the looks from the goblins or the metal blades they used. Not that they were too worried about themselves as they could handle things. Rather they were more concerned with Harry. A fact that made Nagato very happy as she could feel the eyes on them as they walked in. At the various tellers, there were transactions going on and Nagato raised an eyebrow at a sight of several large gemstones being weighed before they came to a teller of their own. Said teller seemed to be busy, but Nagato could tell that they were just acting. 'Likely trying to put us in what they think of our place.'

It went without saying that Nagato was only amused at the power play. Finally though, McGonagall cleared her throat in such a way that it could not continue to ignore them and sneered. "How may I help you?"

Only frowning, McGonagall narrowed her eyes. "We are here to make a withdrawl for young Mr. Potter here from his vault."

The being seemed to glance at her and the Destroyers and narrowed his eyes some. "I see... and do you have his key?"

From within the folds of her robe, McGonagall withdrew a key and placed it the desk. "Right here."

With a scowl, the goblin picked up the key and examined it from all angles closely. Almost seeming to be disappointed, it grunted a bit. "It seems to be the right key, however... we must make sure that you are truly who you say you are. After all, we have had people try to sneak in before."

Raising an eyebrow, Nagato met his eyes directly. "And what happened to these people?"

A smirk on it's face, the goblin chuckled. "They were punished and saw the error of their ways." With that, it ducked underneath the desk and they could hear sounds as if something was being moved around before the goblin came back up. In his hand was a stone box with a circular piece in front upon which was a goblin's face carved. "Now then, place your hand inside the mouth." When Harry did not do so right away, the goblin sneered at him and snapped. "Please do not waste my time, it's rather precious."

Taking a deep breath, Harry glanced at McGonagall who was glaring at the being and who nodded at him. "You have nothing to fear, Mr. Potter."

Slowly raising an eyebrow, the goblin snorted. "If that is who you are."

Harry licked his dry lips and then placed his hand inside the mouth even as he felt frightened. Then the goblin took the key and placed it into a slot at the top and waited. "Um, now what?"

Eyebrow raised, the goblin scoffed. "Now, do you swear that you are Harry James Potter, son of James Fleamont Potter and Lily Marie Potter, nee Evens?"

Confused, Harry nodded. "I swear that I am Harry James Potter, son of James Fleamont Potter and Lily Marie Potter, nee Evens."

Several moments passed and then there was a click as the eyes opened fully and examined them. After five seconds though, they went back to being nearly closed and the key rose out of the hole on top. The goblin seemed rather put out by it all and snorted as he took the key and practically yanked the stone device away before placing it back under. Clearing her throat, Nagato narrowed her eyes. "Out of curiosity... if he was not who he said he was, what would have happened?"

There was a bloodthirsty grin on the goblin's face. "If the magic was not a match for what was in the key, then it would depend on how fast he could move... but he would have at least lost his fingers and most likely his hand..." Then he narrowed his eyes. "And then his freedom at the least as Gringotts looks down on such things."

Feeling Harry lean back into her, Nagato glanced at the quietly furious McGonagall before looking back in time to see the goblin touch a stone on his desk. She only had a moment's warning before looking up at the sound of water that splashed onto the group and left the humans there soaked before Harry spat some out. "BLAZING BLUE BLISTERING BARNACLES!"

Hands folded in front of him, the goblin just hummed. "I'm sorry, just the last security precaution." He didn't look sorry in the slightest as he continued. "The water is magical and strips away all forms of disguise, just making sure that the rest of you were not... hiding... anything..."

Slowly, the goblin trailed off as he locked eyes with Nagato who was beyond being furious even as McGonagall dried Harry and then herself and Hagrid. In fact, the goblin could see his paling reflection in those red, glowing orbs before Nagato hissed. "May we withdraw from this place, now?"

Gulping, the goblin nodded and rung a bell which caused another one to run up. "Griphook, please escort our... customers, to their vault."

After giving the vault number, and as they walked out of sight, the goblin slumped a bit as if he was a puppet with his strings cut. Bringing a shaking hand up to his chest, he could hear them continuing to talk. "... By rights of treaties signed after the last Rebellion, the goblins were given a lot of leeway with protecting our gold I'm afraid. But I shall talk with Albus and will issue a protest for how we were treated even if it was all legal."

In Nagato's voice before they went out of sight there was barely hidden rage. "I see... then it is such a shame then as I was asked to verify whether or not the JMSDF should open a vault using the pearls that was given to us. According to materials gifted to us, it would have been roughly a thousand galleons..."

That caused the goblin to pale even further as he noticed the others now looking at him through narrowed eyes. "Oh... Glabsnack."
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Not impressed with their visit so far, Nagato looked down at the mine carts in front of them with a frown before examining the tunnel. "And this is?"

Griphook, looked back at them and kept his face neutral before nodding. "Gringotts provides transport to and from the various vaults. The carts in front of you is that method as otherwise it may take most of the day to reach the vault in question."

Despite her foul mood, Nagato nodded and watched as Teruzuki got into one of them before picking up Harry and setting him in her lap, her arms secure around his waist. Hatsuzuki and Akizuki soon joined her on either side, one hand gripping the side of the cart and the reaching across for their hand to lay on Teruzuki's arms. Nodding, Nagato got into the cart just behind them with McGonagall with a shaky Hagrid in the final one. "Now then, I wish to get this over with."

The Battleship could feel McGonagall wince beside her, but only felt some pity for her as she could tell nothing was going as planned so far. For a moment, it looked like Griphook wanted to say something, but then he turned back to the controls and started the carts down the track. It was then that Nagato noticed that those coming out of the returning carts looked shaken and only had a moment to wonder why. "Very well then."

Which was exactly when the carts entered into a massive cavern and the tracks seemed to drop off right in front of them. Her eyes widened and she felt all her fairies freeze and knew that the same thing was going on in the Akizuki sisters. They drew close to the edge and the abyss seemed to gape in front of them...

And then they were over the edge and wide eyed as the cart screamed down the tracks in front of them. Inside of Nagato, her fairies were panicking as they reached speeds that a Battleship was never meant to go as vaults whipped past them and they took hairpin turns. Gulping down, Hagrid somehow managed to call out. "Can' this thing go any slower!?"

Looking back, Griphook shrugged. "Sorry, Sir. One speed only."

However, Nagato narrowed her eyes as her fairies, those that were calmer, noticed that the speed picked up a touch and that they hit the turns a little bit harder. Meanwhile, in front of her, Teruzuki tightened her hold on Harry as she stared forward. "I thought that the cart chase in that American movie with the whip was impossible!"

Beside her, Akizuki just shook her head as she noticed a burst of fire and thought that she had seen something reptilian in the light. "I thought so too!"

Thankfully soon though, the carts slowed down and stopped in front of a vault door as Griphook placed it into park. "And here we are, Vault number 687, belonging to one Harry James Potter." Getting out, he came to a stop in front of the door and held out his hand. "Key please."

Handing it as his mother walked up behind him, Harry just watched as a group of visible mechanisms turned with the twist of the key and then the door opened to reveal piles of gold, silver, and bronze coins as a green mist drifted out. "All this... is mine?"

Even Nagato had a shocked look as she began to calculate just how much was there. Meanwhile, McGonagall just nodded. "Your family was very rich, Mr. Potter. Extremely so and when your parents died, they left that to you."

Thoughtful, Harry frowned before he looked up at the adults. "Um... how am I supposed to carry it?"

Walking forward, Nagato picked up one gold coin and flipped it between her fingers. "That is a bit of an issue..."

Just as Griphook was about to comment, McGonagall reached into her pocket and pulled out a pouch which she gave to him. "Here, consider this an early birthday gift. It has an expanded inside and strengthened outside so it can hold a large amount."

Unsure, Harry began to put handfuls into it as Teruzuki stayed close. Soon enough though, he had what he needed and just watched as the doors closed behind him.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Having re-entered the bank lobby, Nagato noted that the teller that they had spoken to was now gone. But more worryingly was the group of goblins walking across the floor toward them though they paused at her glare before continuing on. "How many I help you?"

The leading goblin cleared his throat and gave her a tight smile. "Ah, Mr. Potter's entourage. I wish to apologize on behalf of Gringotts about the behavior of one of our tellers and what had happened. He was being a bit... overenthusiastic in regards to security. We take such things very seriously here after Gringotts and there has been numerous times that someone has gotten the unfortunate idea to try and claim Mr. Potter's inheritance through various means."

Eyes hooded, Nagato gave a brief nod. "I see... that was still not much of a reason for the... treatment... that we received. Most undiplomatic as we come from another nation to here."

If anything, the Battleship did not like the look in the goblin's eyes. "Yes, well... in such cases misunderstandings happen, I am sure that you know." He then clapped his hands together. "And he also recently lost some family members to a group of beings such as yourself down in Egypt after all. Horrible, horrible business I assure you, not that it's really any excuse."

Raising an eyebrow, Nagato glanced at McGonagall who was confused for a moment before said Professor's eyes widened. 'Hmm...' She then turned back to the goblin before humming. "Rather odd as I myself have not heard of any such thing. And I assure you, such a conflict would be well known among us shipgirls of the world."

When the goblin flinched, Nagato knew that he understood what was the underlying message, though there was a moment of surprise at the thought that Nagato may not have known. "Quite, very odd that as the shipgirls in question appeared while Gringotts was performing it's normal business and proceeded to attack the goblins involved without warning. Perhaps they are examples then of those disgusting Abyssals on the sea then... In either case, I am sure that now that you know perhaps things might change."

Thinly smiling, Nagato just inclined her head a little bit. "I shall look into this, of that you can be sure." She didn't finish the rest out loud. 'And not for the reasons that I am sure that you are thinking.'

Now smiling triumphantly, the goblin nodded. "I see, I see... very good then. Hopefully the misunderstanding that happened will not harm any future and... productive relations between us. I am sure that if you have need of transactions that they will go much better."

At the from nod from Nagato, he gave a grin before turning and going to walk away, only to pause at Nagato's next words. "May I ask what will happen to the teller from before?"

Pausing, the goblin hummed for a moment before nodding. "He already quite regrets how he treated you. Now, if you would excuse us..."

Unknown to the goblins though, Nagato's sonar fairies were listening in on their conversation as they walked off and recording it. 'Hopefully, we'll find someway to translate it.' They continued to do so until they were outside the bank and walking down the steps of the building. Once they were out of earshot of the goblins at the door, Nagato turned toward McGonagall with a raised eyebrow. "Shipgirls?"

With a sigh, McGonagall shook her head with her lips pursed tightly. "There was an treasure hunting expedition by Gringotts into Egypt a few years back where some ancient shipgirls appeared."

It took a moment, but then Nagato's expression became one of distaste and she knew that there was a similar one on the Akizukis and Harry's. "Treasure hunting... you mean tomb robbing."

Simply nodding, McGonagall sighed. "Yes, it's rather distasteful, I agree with you. But then, the muggles themselves have only stopped such as an official business several decades ago and they still often turn a blind eye to it. But yes, they were retrieving gold and other treasures from the tombs when the shipgirls in question manifested and proceeded to attack them. I... hesitate to say that it was a slaughter on the side of Gringotts, but..."

Akizuki just snorted. "Yeah, I can imagine."

Then Hagrid piped up. "They're still down there, them shipgirls. But th' Egyptian wizards and such don' like the goblins and so told them sod off when they demanded that they do something."

Her tone dry, Nagato barely moved her head. "Yes, I can't imagine why." She then frowned a bit as she looked him over. "Are you okay, Hagrid-San? You don't look very well."

Giving a burp, the giant man shook his head. "Nah, I hate them carts, always make me feel sick."

Blinking, Teruzuki shrugged a bit. "They were actually kind of fun in a roller coaster way... though it was not nearly as bad as being in a typhoon in the middle of the Pacific." However, at seeing Hagrid turn a bit more green, she gave a sheepish smile. "Sorry..."

Much to her surprise though, Hagrid just waved her off. "Don' worry 'bout it..." For a moment, he paused and then looked toward McGonagall. "I think that I might head over to the Leaky Cauldron and get something ta settle my stomach, if it not be too much trouble."

Amused, McGonagall waved him on. "Go on, Hagrid. We got one stop before we go there ourselves since we were not able to do exchange some of the items in Miss Nagato's possession." Once Hagrid walked off, McGonagall nodded to the group. "If you'll follow me, I knew someone who is in the business of brokering of sorts."

Intrigued, Nagato followed the middle aged witch with the three Akizukis once more falling into formation before they entered one of the side alleys off of Diagon which caused the Battleship to frown, though she glanced at the other alley across from them and narrowed her eyes. Mainly because that alley looked rather dark and dirty. "May I ask what that place is?"

Knowing the place in question, the professor sighed. "That would be Knockturn Alley, it's a place that... is rather dark, to say the least. The sort of place that one goes if they do not care about certain rules or morality, if you catch my drift."

Nagato certainly did and then looked around the one that they were in. "And this place?"

With a chuckle, McGonagall nodded. "This is Diurn Alley, it's more the place for artisans to sell their wares, though the broker that I am taking you to mostly set up here for his own amusement."

A glance at the sign of the store they were heading into, Nagato frowned. "'Blood Monies'? Rather... interesting name."

Once more, the middle aged witch chuckled. "Castus has a rather... unique sense of humor."

When they walked in, the first thing that they noticed was that all the windows were covered in black curtains that blocked out the sun. Though the store itself was lit up by lanterns hung from the ceiling while behind the desk there was a pale man watching them. Suddenly spotting them, he flashed a smile that contained fangs. "Minerva, my old friend. And how are we today?"

Smiling, Minerva walked across the distance and shook his hand. "Castus, a good morning to you." She then gestured at the group which had the Destroyers cluster a bit closer protectively to Harry. "May I introduce Nagato, Akizuki, Teruzuki, Hatsuzuki and Harry Potter. They have need of your services this morning."

Head inclining his head, the man smiled. "Welcome to my humble shop. Now, how may I help you?"

After a few moments, Nagato finally blinked. "You wouldn't be a..."

The smile on the man's face became a grin. "Vampire? As a matter of fact, yes."

Much to his amusement, Harry's face lit up in a smile as he chuckled. "Diurn Alley, a vampire... okay, that's pretty funny."

His eyes seemingly glowing in laughter, the vampire laughed. "Well, I for one thought so!"

It took a moment, but the others also realized what he meant and began to chuckle themselves before Nagato pulled out a metal box from her pocket. "Well then... I have some items to exchange for money if possible."

Gently taking the box, Castus opened the box and then raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Pearls... and pieces of mother of pearl. Yes, I think that we can come to quite the deal being as these are currently rather rare... And the prices for them will be quite good if we contact the right people."

On Nagato's face there was a genuine smile at that.