Harry Potter & the Shipgirls

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Sitting at a desk was a woman, the only light being an oil lamp beside her that cast it's flickering light around the room. Her quill quietly scratching at the paper in front of her while her fingers danced on a very old, mechanical calculator. The whole time, the only other sound being that of a clock ticking away as minutes turned into hours.

Finally, she put down the quill down and looked first at the calculator and then at the paper. Several moments passed before she removed her glasses and rubbed her eyes. And then she slammed her hand down, "DAMMIT!" Placing her head against the desk, a sob escaped from her throat as she put her hands on her head, "Dammit all..."

When the woman raised her head, it revealed a face that looked like she was in her forties. On it were wrinkles from stress and some of her reddish hair was turning grey from much the same. Even then, she was a beautiful woman, though she had tears in her eyes from what was on the paper in front of her. After staring at the paper with some tears in her eyes, she wiped at her eyes and leaned back in her chair, "Dammit all to hell'" Rubbing her face, she shook her head and turned to a photograph with a weak laugh, "We're in the damn red again... looks like instant ramen... or fishing I guess."

The photograph, which was of a five tailed Kitsune in a uniform similar to the IJN didn't answer back. Unlike many such photos, this one did not move and never had. Looking at it and the woman, there was a resemblance though she seemed to be a hundred percent human besides slightly pointed ears. Expression falling, she looked at the photo before taking it in one hand, "Sorry, Ojii-San. I'm trying, I really am, but..." Sighing, she slumped some in pure exhaustion, "I don't know how much longer I can go on like this."

Of course, she did not get an answer, but then she never expected it. Instead, she just got up and walked to the shōji screen after blowing out the lamp and pushed it aside as she began to wander the darkened halls of her family home. Once, it was a bright and cheery place from what she had been told. Her family made it their home for generations, ever since it was built at the beginning of the Edo Period.

Granted, for Kitsune that did not mean much.

Now though... now, it was empty and cold. She was the only one who now walked its halls, alone. The last of her family as far as she knew, a Hanyou. A child from a human father and kitsune mother. As she walked, she looked down at her grandfather, Captain Kaito of the Magical Battleship, Yamatai, the only one to serve Magical Japan really.

Captain Kaito, the Butcher of Schjetnan Reef.

Captain Kaito, the War Criminal.

Unlike some in her position, the woman never did deny what her grandfather had done. In fact, she considered what he had done wrong, even if she understood why he had done so. Part of her mind drifted back years before, when she was young, and listening to her mother explain...

"Otou-San... your Ojii-San, was once a good man. Proud perhaps in the ways that some are, but a good man. But then, your Oba-San was murdered, and make no mistake, that was what happened to her. I was just a kit at the time, but I remember it well as it was easy to read between the lines. They didn't even have the decency to return her body to us, claiming that the spellfire destroyed it. Otou-San... became cold afterwards, hard. Where once there was joy, was now a deep, abiding rage. Where kindness once set, only hardness now lay. He was filled with wrath and hate for the Americans for what they took from him. Which was why when he was offered the chance to take his revenge, he leapt at it..."

There were similar conversations with her mother, until one day a year after she graduated Mahoutokoro when she came home. Her parents marriage had always been slightly troubled to some extent, being arranged. Mainly due to the reputation of her grandfather. While he was dead, MACUSA did not forgive nor forget what he had done and made sure to demonize him as much as they could though he had done far less than some. It affected their family greatly. And a few months before that day, her parents marriage had imploded, with her father leaving. That day, she came home to a silent home...

And to this day, she could sometimes hear the sound of rope swaying in the breeze, creaking...

Quickly shaking off that thought, Akimi shuddered a bit and held the photo closer to her and hurried past a window that looked out on a burned tree stump. Finally, she reached a small room and walked in. On the floor was a futon that she sat down upon and thought before looking at the picture, rubbing one thumb along the worn frame. She should hate the man, despise him and what his actions had brought upon the family. How it has brought it to this...

But she found herself unable to. Rather, she felt sad for how the actions of a few had destroyed a good person. She felt sympathy for him, though that did not make what he did right in her mind. Despite that, she could not bring herself to hate him, just feel disappointed in what he had done. That said... she did look up to who he had been before her aunt's death. From all the stories that she had been told, he was a good person before the female Kitsune's death changed him into someone unrecognizable, not helped by how Kamo and his group took advantage of it.

With a sigh, she placed the photo on a table and laid down in her futon before closing her eyes and tried to get some sleep, despite the thoughts chasing one another in her mind. Worries and fears warred within her head, but... somehow she fell asleep.

It was day when she awoke and slowly got up with a sigh, bags under her eyes from little sleep from dealing with everything. With a nod, she gave a weak, sad smile to the photo, "Good morning, Ojii-San... today is a new day, hmm?"

Placing her glasses on, she stumbled out of her futon and threw on some new clothes before making her way to the kitchen. Upon walking in though, she blinked a bit at the sight that met her. Mainly that of a woman whose hair was almost purple depending on how the light hit it. And though she looked younger then Akimi, she was actually the same age, "Miu-Chan? What are you doing here?"

Eyebrow raised, the other woman held up some food, "I decided to drop by and bring you some food, Akimi-Chan. After all, you're a friend and I need to make sure that you are eating properly." Catching her friend's expression though, her own fell, "Akimi-Chan? What's wrong?"

About to say something, the auburn haired woman paused before sighing. Rubbing her face, she gave a self-depreciating snort, "What else? Funds." Coming over to the table, she sat down and looked at the other woman, "What else could it be?"

Gently, Miu reached across the table and placed her hand over her long time friend's, "Do you need some help? Because I am sure that I could get something and... I thought that you were making enough money?"

Sadly smiling, Akimi shook her head, "I was. And that is the keyword there... was." Looking up, she thinned her lips, "Mahoutokoro."

That brought a wince to the other woman, "Ah, because Kyoto is getting it back up and running."

Just nodding, Akimi sighed and frowned, "Hai. Right now, I've been keeping myself afloat by tutoring people and the like due to the school having been shut down. You know that Kyoto has... issues hiring me due to Ojii-San. Even though I have stated that I never supported his actions." Snorting, she shook her head, "I was lucky to get a job as a lowly clerk in the Diet, until the war. And then, suddenly, I was replaced by that bastard's son as he needed a job due to being a 'Hero' of Mahoutokoro..."

Sneering, Miu narrowed her eyes some, "Yes, a hero... but running with one of the first groups of the evacuation."

Only rubbing her face, the other woman looked at her friend. It was true, the young man had been a Prefect at Mahoutokoro and his father had been her boss. As he needed a job, especially with all the press circling, his father had fired her and put him in her place. Which meant that she was out of a job, and nothing that she could do would help. Mainly because she was a Hanyou, though she looked perfectly human. And Kyoto was leery of hiring her own due to her grandfather, not helped by how one of those involved there was her father and... disliked her due to words she had with him after her mother's death.

Also, it did not help that MACUSA's efforts to absolutely demonize her grandfather for "Starting the war" was extremely effective.

Looking across at the other woman though, Akimi had to smile slightly. Despite all that, she did have friends as shown by the other Hanyou. Miu's mother was a crane and it showed in some of her features, such as how her hair had a slight feathery appearance. Like Akimi, she had been fired from her job in the Diet when the economic slump hit and a number of families used the Diet as their own personal fiefdom to keep their family members from not needing to take "Bad jobs". Unlike her, though, Miu had managed to get hired in Kyoto as part of the "Ministry of Flight", though a low level clerk who handled brooms and the like.

Both of them were close even now, so many years after they went to school together. The two had bonded over both being Hanyous and facing the racism that occurred to it. And Akimi was thankful for that as her friend had often supported her in small ways. Granted, sometimes she wished that she had been born as a full Kitsune like her mother instead of a human despite how things were... Once more, she felt a warmth in her chest towards her friend for all her help. Suddenly, a laugh escaped from her and she shook her head, "Maybe I should just have you move in and pay rent with how often you're here."

The other woman perked up some and gave a shrug, "Actually, that might not be a bad idea. It'll be just like old times before you moved back home when we were roommates. And while my pay isn't much... I can at least help you a bit." Jerking back, Akimi was about to say something when Miu shook her head, "Don't. I know that you're close to losing your family home and that is all you got left, Akimi-Chan. And that it would kill you were that to happen. And with you likely losing your own income... I am more than willing to step in and help." She than gave a slight grin, "Besides, it will be like old times, and this is a lot better than my crappy apartment I got."

Glancing away, Akimi blinked away a tear, "Thank you."

Simply reaching over, Miu smiled some before grasping her hand, "It is fine, Akimi-Chan. You'll see, everything will turn out fine, and one day maybe you'll have little feet pattering these walls..." Seeing her friend's expression fall, she frowned, "Akimi-Chan?"

Bitterly smiling, the other woman shook her head, "By adoption, maybe. I... just got word recently that, well... it is too late for me to have children. All the stress and such made that start early."

Closing her eyes, Miu sighed, "I'm sorry."

With a deep breath, Akimi let it out, "Don't worry about it, none of it is your fault. I should have tried something earlier, but..." This time, the reason her eyes watered was not due to happiness at all, and she decided to clear her throat, "So! I heard that there was an event that you were excited about?"

Eyebrow raising at the sudden change in subject, Miu didn't say anything about it. Instead, she gave a small smile, "Actually, I am. Somehow, people got Junyou and Hiyou to come and speak at a Onmyouji seminar. I've actually got tickets and was wondering if you wanted to come."

Oddly, there was an very strange feeling at hearing at that. As if... accepting it could send her life, both their lives, down a different route. Lips twitching, Akimi internally snorted, 'What have I got to lose at this point?' Smiling, the Onmyouji nodded, "I'd love to, thank you."

For some odd reason, she had the feeling that things would turn out well.

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A Dove and Her Poignard (Part XII)

October 4th, 2013

Sákpe Mázasu Pteyúha (Six Bullet Ranch)

Black Hills, Southwestern South Dakota, USA

Ehren looked over at her mother and big sister as they hefted their suitcases. Colombe smiled and took Claire's hand holding her suitcase with her free one. Claire then took the hand Ehren was holding her suitcase to form a human chain.

"It's time Ehren."

Ehren nodded and raised a bone whistle to her lips, Delilah's note when she had sent it had read "This is a Portkey, blow it at sunset of the first new moon of fall. If Sis or Claire want to come along, have them take your hand."

Ehren took a deep breath and blew the whistle. The world swirled around her and then reformed.
Spoiler: Delilah's Family Room

Colombe gave an impressed look around and then smiled at Zamarad, who sat on the hearth with one hand idly caressing the flames. "Del certainly has taste."

"Indeed she does," the Ifrit said. Zamarad grinned and continued, "Hello Claire, you are well?"

Claire nodded, and then her eyes widened as Zamarad pointed behind Claire to where an electronic keyboard set rested in its box with sheet music on top of it. "You and your mother get to stay in the house while Ehren participates in her first hunt, but we are not cruel jailers. Happy Early Birthday!"

Claire hugged Zamarad fiercely and whispered, "Thank you!"

The piano spirit began to immediately set up the keyboard, sat in front of it, and began to play it.

Ehren tapped her heel in time with the music as she looked at the tintype photographs over the fire. The two to the sides were Lakota men in traditional garb, while the center was two young Lakota women. Her eyes widened slightly as she noticed a very familiar revolver holstered at the hip of one of the two women.

"That's Red Cloud, Louise Winona, and Rain-in-the-Face" Delilahs voice sounded from behind Ehren. Ehren turned to face her aunt as Claire smirked smugly and shifted into Colonel Bogey as Delilah walked down the hall with a scoped 1903 Springfield slung on her shoulder and a second rifle in her hands.
Spoiler: Claire Does A Funny

"Ready Ehren?" Delilah said as she rolled her eyes at a certain unrepentant piano while Colombe snickered and Zamarad chuckled with the sounds of embers popping.

"Ja, I am, Aunt Delilah." Ehren gave a firm nod as her heart began to beat faster behind her impassive facade.

"Good, I picked out the Karabiner 98k modified for thirty ought six that you preferred to shoot this summer, cleaned it up, and zeroed the scope on it for you plus renewed the maintenance and anti-recoil charms. You can thank the Viet Cong for donating that to my collection, Ehren. German military rifle by way of Russia and maybe China to Vietnam to the US of A. Have to love it. For your backup weapon, I did a full tear-down, enchantment, and rebuild of that Luger P08 that you liked shooting in April. I'm going to give you that for Christmas if you want."

Ehren nodded, assuming her serious face. "Understood Aunt Delilah, and thank you. I would like that. Let's go then."
Spoiler: Sisters, Have To Love Them....

Claire smirked slyly and shifted pieces again as Ehren and Delilah headed for the door. Both stopped dead to glare at a piano spirit who was projecting innocence as she played.

Colombe and Zamarad doubled over laughing.

"Knock them dead, Darth Delilah and Sith Apprentice Ehren!" Colombe gasped out, producing giggles from Claire in turn.

Delilah mouthed "I'll get you for this!" as Ehren's lip twitched.

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

"Horseback, Aunt Delilah?" Ehren asked curiously as they led out four horses from the stables.

"Yes, actually. For one, where I plan to take you is very rugged and off road. For two, we are going to probably spend a few days in the field. And for three," Delilah smugged at Ehren as she helped her niece into the saddle of the lead horse, "I'm a traditionalist. I figured you would like doing things the old-fashioned way."

Ehren nodded then looked behind her at the pack horse with the tent and supplies. "I see. Something to look forward to."
Spoiler: The Black Hills

Five hours later, Delilah paused as her horse reached the top of the ridge. She breathed in the pure air which seemed to carry an air of tense anticipation, and gestured to the pine-covered valley below. "You see why I love this land so, Ehren?"
Spoiler: The Pahá Sápa

The younger dagger nodded, eyes very wide and lips parted at the view. Ehren whispered in awe, "I do, Aunt Delilah..."

"Please, call me Del out here. This place makes me realize how small we all are in the grand scheme of things." The revolver said quietly.

"Jawohl, Del." Ehren responded as they began to head up the ridge, "A question?"

Delilah turned, her leaf-green eyes measuring her niece as she stared into Ehren's cool blue depths. "Please ask."

Ehren took a deep breath and steeled herself, "This ranch, this place, it is special, isn't it? Magical? It is like home but... wilder, untamed, untouched..."

Delilah gave her niece a small smile and responded in a calm voice as she dismounted to lead the horses up a scree slope, "Before I answer, can you elaborate? I want to know how much you have learned and deduced."

Ehren took a deep breath, "Ever since I first came here, I have felt invisible eyes on me, watching, measuring, judging. Sometimes, like when I touched that buffalo this spring, I sensed a connection, a link to whatever is happening here just out of view. In addition, you are in one of the photographs, standing alongside Louise Winona in Indian dress."

Delilah nodded and extended her hand to help Ehren up the last of the slope. "That was in 1868, when I was 14 and on break during my Third Year in Ilvermorny's Thunderbird House, yes. How did you know it was me? I was under many spells to appear as just a Lakota girl alongside my blood-sister."

Ehren pointed to the revolver Delilah had in her shoulder holster, "I recognized your true body, Del."

Delilah gave an approving nod, "I see that you have taken my lessons on observation and analysis to heart. You need that to determine the right tactic to use to defend your family and what you believe in."

"Ja. But also you speak to the workers here, who are all Indians, in their own tongue as a native would and treat them with respect and deference. You do not act as the lord of this estate would. Finally, you have taken steps to transport me to and from here rather than letting me come on my own. I have access to your mother's house now, but not here."

Delilah laughed, "Well argued and in a very real sense, I am not and shall never be the master of these lands. I do not have the right, but I help hold them in trust for the true owners. I am merely tolerated, and that is enough."

Delilah looked into the distance, where a group of eagles were beginning to circle and smiled smugly. "Let's camp here on the ridge line. Tonight should be illuminating for you. If I have your word never to reveal what you see tonight to anyone."

Ehren looked at Delilah and then nodded. "You have my word and oath, Aunt Delilah."

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

Ehren finished putting up the tent as Delilah gathered dead wood to create a carefully tended fire after carefully securing and hobbling their horses. "Why here, we could push on?"

Delilah grinned. "Oh, we better not. You are about to see why." She pointed to the circling eagles in the distance, and then pulled out a set of binoculars as the clouds began to gather as sunset approached. "Look."

Ehren took the binoculars, noticing their true sight enchantments and then gasped in shock. The 'eagles' were massive, much larger than any other bird, pinioned in brilliant gold, purest white, electric blue, and darkest black while lightning crackled from their plumage as they began to gather while clouds followed them like a naval squadron in the wake of its flagship.
Spoiler: Wakinyan in Flight

"Gott im Himmel!" Ehren whispered as her hands shook in excitement.

Delilah responded, "That is what I said when Louise and her father Red Cloud took me here to see the mating dance of the Wakinyan, the Thunderbird in 1868. MACUSA, to its credit, has protected them in reservations from nomaj hunters and poachers along with all other magical creatures. But they are rare today and only gather once every few decades at an unspoiled site of power to conceive their next generation."

Small pellets of hail began to fall around them as the clouds overhead darkened and swirled and Delilah smirked. "Remember what you see here tonight, Ehren. Actually, you will never forget the first time that you witness it. I never did."

----------------------------
Spoiler: Thunderbird Mating Dance

The trees around Ehren were lashed by the screaming winds, tossing and bucking worse than the horses were while sheets of rain half blinded her. Golf-ball sized hail thudded into and around the camp and she was bruised and battered from it despite the shield spells that her aunt was maintaining over them.

All that was minor compared to the events overhead where the storm clouds were shifting constantly into fantastic shapes, sculpted by the convocation of Wakinyan as they flew on the howling storm winds in unison in ever-shifting patterns. The sky was lit from horizon to horizon by constant blinding blue-white bolts of lightning even though the sun had long set. The drumbeat of joyous Wakinyan thunderclap cries were a hammer blow that battered her ears. The magical energies being raised and discharged along with the visible 'non-magical' supercell thunderstorm were causing her steel, her very essence, to vibrate in time with the mating ritual as the static electricity lifted her hair into a gorgon's mane.

She was unable to control her smile at the sight. Glancing over Delilah, she saw her aunt equally enthralled, the lightning illuminating a tooled leather pouch worn openly on her chest over her clothing as they stood witness to a primal act of creation.

Soaked to the bone, buffeted, half-deafened, and half-blinded though she was, she would not have been anywhere else for the world. There was a deep joy in seeing creatures that existed before human foot had trod these hills gathering to celebrate their existence, to mourn those who had passed away, and to look toward the future with the hope that one day they would be allowed to fly freely and openly once more, demonstrating their glory to those humans who inhabited the ground underneath their domain.

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

October 5th, 2013

Downed pine needles and branches crunched under Ehren's feet as she followed Delilah down the ridge after packing up the camp onto their horses.
Spoiler: A Trust Shared

Both traveled in contemplative, companionable silence through the pine woods for well over half a day before Delilah finally pointed at a side valley where some petroglyphs were visible on the rocks at the canyon mouth next to a waterfall. "Ehren, a word of caution, do not go in there. Ever. Promise me that."

Ehren nodded and filled their canteens. "I will, but why tell me this?"

Delilah looked at Ehren and gave her a measuring stare before gesturing to one of the granite boulders lining the stream flowing from the canyon. The revolver stared into the water for long moments after seating herself beside her niece.

Delilah sighed deeply and threw a loose stone into the flowing crystal clear water, "Insurance in a word. If the worst comes for myself and MACUSA when the Statute falls, some responsibilities that I have accepted must be continued. Mother is tarred with the same brush that I am and is elderly, I will outlive her."

Delilah wiped tears from her eyes as her voice became calm and controlled.

"Zamarad is too dissonant to serve the purposes needed. Fire reacts poorly with the spirits of Air, Earth and Water here. Sis... Colombe has other commitments and responsibilities that prevent her taking my place. Claire and Jacklyn's characters are unsuited to do what needs be done here. The Lakota have lost much of the wisdom and power that kept these lands safe, despite my efforts otherwise. I don't have any witch or wizard of my acquaintance who I can trust here anymore. That leaves you, Ehren Du Chasteler-Muramasa."

Delilah looked at the impassively silent Ehren, and her voice softened. "I won't order you to do it, mind you, merely ask you to not tell a soul of this conversation, and to listen to what I have to say. This is in case the worst happens and I am imprisoned for life or executed because of the necessary crimes that I have committed against the laws of the USA and MACUSA over the last century and a half. Morally and legally, I'm as much a lawbreaker as Jacklyn or Colombe; I just hide it better. Just that..."

She trailed off and looked back into the water, "It is just that, when you were judged by the Buffalo Spirit this spring that showed that you had the potential to become a full witch like myself and Colombe one day. To go to Ilvermorny, Hogwarts or Beauxbatons and study there and be accepted by wizarding society. That test of the spirit was used by the Lakota to see whether or not a son or daughter of theirs would train alongside us pale-faces. "

Ehren's eyes widened as Delilah spoke, seemingly half to herself.

"And that is what is needed here. There are wards on Powers here who we dare not let awaken or to see the light of day. Wards that must be renewed periodically. Other places on this land I hold in trust I dare not enter, but give free access to the Lakota. While I am adopted among the Oglála Lakȟóta Oyáte, I am not totally of them. This is their holy place, not mine, never mine. It is not in my blood, for I am De Breuil and Muramasa, not born of the Seven Council Fires. But having a known witch hold the lands means that explanations can be given for events such as happened last night to those who otherwise would move on this land. Hiding what I can and explaining away what I cannot."

Delilah skipped another stone into the water and watched the ripples fade in the flowing stream.

"Most important of all, perhaps, is to have someone I can trust utterly to be reliable. To accept the rules that govern this place and not transgress. Someone whose word is true, who is honorable, and someone who knows the price of power and faith misused."

Delilah's shoulders slumped, and she sighed wearily as she spoke with a bitter undertone. "So here I am, the Statute tottering along, and if I can no longer do this great task standing before me, I shall have to force my niece, not even a year old to pick up the torch from my failing grasp. I don't like it, and I certainly have no right to ask you to do it in my place, Ehren, save the cruel necessity of responsibility and duty. Oaths sworn by a young girl to her blood-sister in my youth. Adoption rituals under the open sky with grass stretching in all directions. Fighting a desperate rearguard, burying friends and allies one by one as I struggle to save what I can from the tides of time and ruin. Watching that which I loved dearly in the springtime of my youth be diminished and at best have to be hidden here away from the eyes of those who would claim and imprison them."

Another stone was tossed into the water as Delilah fell silent.

Ehren sat in contemplation, how long she did not know, and then spoke quietly. "Let us never forget our duties, which we have taken upon us. If you need my assistance, I volunteer myself, Del. I'm not worthy of the trust that you are giving me, but I shall do my utmost to make you proud."

Delilah looked into Ehren's eyes and nodded decisively. " Thank you. I will do my best to be worthy of your trust in my leadership. I'll make the arrangements. If I should fall, expect the title to here to be transferred to you and also a packet containing my private papers and instructions to be hidden with directions to where you can find it. Promise me that you will carry them out to the letter."

Ehren stood and extended her hand to her aunt. "I promise. Now, you can tell me about this place while we hunt?"

Delilah smiled and took the hand and was helped to her feet. "Deal. I'll give you verbal advice and tell you the tales of this wonderful land that I love while we look for antelope spoor."

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

October 9th 2013

"I see him", Ehren hissed through her teeth, as she belly-crawled over a low hillock and saw a pronghorn buck grazing across the meadow a half-mile distant.
Spoiler: Pronghorn

Delilah looked through her rifle's scope. "Adult buck, probably eight or more years old, he's a big one. He's the fellow who we have been following most of the morning. Just like I taught you. Remember patience and keep upwind."

"Jawohl." Ehren slowly crawled toward a position where she could get a shot off at America's fastest land mammal. "Patience is critical in knowing when to strike and making the strike decisive, starting and ending conflict in a single blow."

Delilah grinned to herself as she crawled after her niece. "Exactly. Keep quiet, their senses are incredible. And if he runs, we will spend most of the week chasing him."

A hour later:

The Pronghorn buck raised its head, ears flicking and surveyed the field.

Ehren froze and barely breathed as she sensed the antelope's eyes alight on her. It then snuffled and returned to a clump of succulent alfalfa as Ehren expelled her breath and slid into a prone firing position, her rifle tracking the buck.

Her breath caught in her throat and her steel blue eyes narrowed as he finally turned broadside to her, giving her the clean shot she had been working for almost the whole day.

Her finger caressed the trigger gently.

CRACK

October 12th, 2013
Spoiler: Dinner at the Ranch


"...and then I took the shot. He just staggered and dropped."

Ehren, dusty and weary, and smelling faintly of the antelope blood on her hands and traced under her eyes by Delilah in ritual to thank the buck for supplying them with food, smiled slightly as Delilah handed her a refill of bourbon and took the story up.

"First round clean heart shot from three-quarter klick out. Her buck never knew what hit him. One moment he's enjoying salad for dinner and the next he's in Antelope Heaven. We field dressed him with the help of a nearby tree then I headed back to get the horses. Ehren got the hunter's share of the liver grilled over the campfire as we listened to the coyotes howling as they enjoyed the offal that night. Then we packed him out on horseback with a stasis spell for his date with my freezer." Delilah grinned smugly. "Couldn't have done it better myself and you now have credit with the locals around here when I tell the story and share the photos with them at the bar in Custer. You're one of us."

Ehren nodded and sipped the liquor, her eyes distant as Delilah continued, watching Claire hanging on every word as she played piano idly. Colombe met her eyes and gave her a nod of respect as she raised her own glass of bourbon. Zamarad grinned at Ehren warmly as the flames in the fireplace next to her formed a thumbs up briefly before returning to grilling fresh pronghorn tenderloin steaks.

"I'll be picking up the trophy from the taxidermist in Custer and putting it over the fireplace in the dining room here unless you want it in your bedroom, Ehren. Not a record rack in Boone and Crockett, but three points off the top 25 for South Dakota is very respectable." Delilah's voice had a note of approval and acceptance.

Ehren smiled slightly and nodded, "Something to look forward to topping then someday. Here is fine, I'll have more chances to decorate the room that I will use on my trips when I return in the future."

Ehren walked to the window of the ranch house and looked at the lightning flickering in the clouds of an autumn thunderstorm as it passed over the Black Hills. Her steel-blue eyes softened and grew misty as she realized that she had found something that she could believe in.

Something to protect and defend.

Something worthy of her steel, her honor, and her faithfulness.

Family.

"Ja, something to look forward to someday."

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A Dove and Her Poignard (Finale)

October 12th, 2013

Sákpe Mázasu Pteyúha (Six Bullet Ranch)

Black Hills, Southwestern South Dakota, USA


Gradually after dinner the conversation around the fire in the family room dwindled.

Claire was the first Muramasa to succumb to the siren call of her Western-style bed.

The combination of anticipation of tomorrow's birthday party for her, pronghorn antelope tenderloin steaks flame grilled to perfection with Zamarad's home-made BBQ sauce, and four shots of Elijah Craig 23 year old Single Barrel malt bourbon sent the piano into a yawning food coma.
Spoiler: Claire's PJs

Ehren smiled fondly to herself as Claire rallied herself enough to come back to the family room barefoot in her Beethoven-themed pajamas to kiss Mother good night and hug her aunts and sister before heading in the general direction of bed-ward.

She is so Viennese sometimes. No head for serious proper German drinking, and perhaps too much in love with the good life, but I wouldn't change her for the world and all in it. That sensitivity of spirit, that passion, that joy of life... and deep down she shares the same steel that I do.

Delilah was next to go, announcing that she needed a long hot shower to wash the trail dust off her. She shook Colombe's hand, ruffled Ehren's hair affectionately, and then gave Zamarad a passionate kiss that turned the dagger scarlet. Colombe just smirked fondly at the scene. As Delilah departed and the shower began to sound from that direction, Ehren leaned back and accepted another round of post dinner drinks.

I know her now, a little. She hides herself so well, and doesn't trust easily. Yet underneath the shell of control and competence, she has as many hidden depths as Claire does under her shyness. I'm proud to be her niece and honored that she trusts me. I'll live up to that trust for her...and for myself. I cannot do other.

Zamarad looked at the other two Muramasas in the room with her and then her eyes sparkled and winked like twin candles full of mischief and passion. She walked to the fireplace and bowed to mother and daughter with her hand over her heart as she softly spoke. "Ma'a as-salaama, Colombe, Ehren." Ehren responded with her own auf Widersehn as the Ifrit tossed back the last of the alcohol flame in her shotglass and vanished into the flames, the flames flaring up and then subsiding into coals.

Judging from the sudden hiss of steam from the direction Delilah had gone, and expression of surprise drifting off into throaty giggles before a door slammed shut to muffle the sounds, she would not see either aunt for quite a while, Ehren concluded as her face turned as red as a rose. Zamarad... She's so strange. But open in surprising ways, like Aunt Del is. She sees me as kin and forgave me for... what happened before.... They are both wise and I'm learning much from them, things that I know and can test for myself that are true. I'm happy to know her.
Spoiler: A Dove And Her Poignard

Ehren looked over to see Mother contemplating the dying coals and the nearly-empty bottle. Colombe, as if alerted to her stare by a sixth sense, picked the bottle up and gave Ehren a questioning look.

Ehren shook her head and Colombe gave the ghost of a smug smile as she topped off her tumbler with the last of the bourbon. She then set the glass down on the table untouched and looked Ehren in her eyes, squaring her shoulders and firming her jaw. Ehren knew that posture of resolute determination in the face of adversity well.

She saw it all too often in her mirror the mornings after her nightmares about the SS.

About her past.

About Father.

Colombe's crystal blue eyes were full of a complex mix of emotions. Pride, grief, joy, sorrow, guilt, shame... and perhaps even love.

"Ehren."

Colombe's voice was firm and unyielding, as strong as her Muramasa steel.

"I... thought that you should know. No, scratch that, you deserve to know. The first day. After I," Guilt surged through Colombe's crystal blue eyes and she visibly steeled herself, "attacked and nearly killed you, Claire demanded for you to be adopted as her little sister. I agreed, of course, but you should know the truth. That was a mistake."

Ehren's lips parted in shock and Grendel inside her surged forth from her weakening grip. She felt her hunting clothes change to her SS uniform and for a dizzying second embraced the monster within her. Steel blue eyes teared up, but Colombe pressed on despite the pain in her voice.

"It was a mistake because I should have been the one to declare to the world that you were, are, and forever shall be my daughter." Colombe's voice broke and her own tears flowed as she surveyed her younger child, rising to her feet.

"You are loyal, honorable, dutiful, protective, faithful, and valiant. As much as it tears my heart asunder to see you like this, as much as it hurts, I cannot deny that you are a du Chasteler. Ehren du Chasteler. My daughter. I just wish that Papa could have been here to see you, to guide me so that I would not make the mistakes that I have made." Colombe drew herself and saluted Ehren as the dagger sat in numb shock hearing the words that she had feared that she would never hear.

"Thank God that Claire saw what I was too blinded with hatred and rage to see. That you share my Muramasa steel, and that..." Colombe finished as she sheathed herself and then threw back the alcohol in a toast, "is enough. Good night Ehren."

She walked over, hugged the still-frozen Ehren, and then kissed her forehead in benediction. "Don't stay up too late, daughter of mine. Claire would be disappointed not to have her little sister awake for her birthday party."

--------------------------------
Spoiler: Ehren's Theme

The fire's coals were faintly glowing embers as Ehren leaned against the porch rail and looked at the lightning shot darkness of the sky as the storm began to pass her. One hand caressed the hilt of her SS-Ehrendolch as she rested black-uniformed elbows against the polished wood and listened to the rolls of thunder.

She could hear the echoes of avian cries of joy among them.

Somewhere out there in this hidden land, buffalo roamed - the last remnants of the great herds of the past.

Perhaps she could help renew them, help make amends for the crimes of the past.

Her thumb touched the Adler und Hakenkreuz on her hilt and fresh tears trickled down her cheeks.

Mother was not the only one to have made mistakes.

Mother was not the only one to regret the past.

All of her family did in their own ways.

But they kept moving on.

Kept fighting in their own ways for their ideals and beliefs.

Muramasas could do nothing less.

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

Author's Note: Thank you all for enjoying the introduction arc for Ehren du Chasteler(-Muramasa), the literal Butter Dagger. I hope you had as much fun reading this as I did writing about the poor girl finding out that her origin casts a very dark shadow on her soul indeed, and then learning that some things, and some families, are nonetheless worthy of the full-hearted devotion that she was crafted to embody. And perhaps her aunts, sister, and mother actually learned something in the process too.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Flittering to and fro, Sakura cleaned hers and Ume's little home on the island. Meanwhile, her sister prepared some tea on their small table. It was only as Sakura cleaned the window that she smiled brightly, "Ah! He's here!"

Both of them got up and stood waiting, a few moments later getting a knock at the door which they answered as one, "Come in!" The door opened to reveal the aged form of their little brother, whom they bowed at, "Welcome back, Aki-Kun."

Softly smiling, the old Onmyouji bowed back, "Thank you, Onee-Samas. As always, it is good to see you again." Removing his shoes, he looked around and shook his head, "You just cleaned, didn't you?"

Unable to help herself, Sakura gave a giggle, "Hai, I was just finishing up when I noticed you arriving, Otouto."

Amused, Akiyama only chuckled, "You didn't have to, though I appreciate the effort, Onee-Samas." Something reflecting light caught his eye and he leaned towards it, "And what is this now?"

Much to his amusement, the two Hitobashira flushed a bit as he leaned towards what looked like a block of rock crystal. Inside, made out of what looked like white stone, was two small statuettes of his older sisters, their hair being black as night. Around them, in the rock crystal, pink and purple chips seemingly floated like the blossoms of their namesakes. Walking over, Ume's expression softened as she looked into the block of crystal, "That was the gift that Harry-Chan gifted to us over the holidays when he visited."

While a part of him was surprised at the fact that the thirteen year old visited them, the rest of Akiyama was not so surprised. In fact, he partially expected it to happen though he did not realize that the teenaged boy would bring a gift. And one that, he decided upon glancing at it, was a very good one, "Oh? And where did he get such a gift?"

The blushes on the two ghostly teens deepened a bit and Sakura played some with her Kimono, "Ah, um... Harry-Chan made it for us, with his own magic."

Now that bit of information the older wizard did not expect, "Truly?" When they nodded, he hummed some as he stroked his beard, "Amazing, he truly does care for you."

Only nodding, Sakura hummed as her mind drifted back...

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

Sitting at the low table, Harry smiled at the Twins who were happily enjoying not just the gingerbread cookies, but also the Christmas cake that Hermione had made in her own hull. Both of them were smiling as they took sips of eggnog between bites of food, extremely happy. Leaning forward, Harry's own smile grew a touch, "So you're enjoying the meal?"

Just swallowing some fruitcake, Ume nodded, "Hai, we are." Looking around at the group that was seated at the table, her smile turned a bit watery, but also happy tears prickled at the corners of her eyes. Wiping them away, she nodded, "We're really enjoying this, Harry-Chan, Verniy-Sama, Inazuma-Sama, Ikazuchi-Sama, Akatsuki-Sama, Tenryuu-Sama. Thank you."

Tenryuu just waved it off with a chuckle, "You don't need to thank us, you two. Firstly, you're friends, so it's not trouble to brighten your day. And secondly, this time of year is one to spend time with friends and family."

Lightly blushing, Sakura placed her hand to her chest and looked down, "Hai."

Brightly smiling, the lone wizard of the group reached into the backpack behind him. Pulling out a box, he held out to them, "Here you go, a Christmas present!"

Eyes wide, the Twins stared at him for a few moments before taking the box. Unwrapping it, the two opened it and boggled as they brought out a block of rock crystal. Inside, were two statuettes of them, surrounded by pink and purple chips. Gasping, they placed one hand onto their mouths before looking at Harry, "O-oh, Harry-Chan..."

Hands behind his head, Harry gave a shrug, "Had to do a bit of work to get the features right. First, using magic to grow the size to work them properly before shrinking them back down. The sakura and ume blossoms are rose quartz and amethyst with the statuettes being milky quartz and the hair jet."

The two spirits stared at the gift, the light glinting off not just the crystal block but also what was inside. Gently, they set it down before getting up and walking over to Harry. Each one took a different side with a nodding Verniy moving aside to make room before they hugged him tightly, "Thank you, Harry-Chan."

Sakura and Ume then kissed him on each cheek which made him blush a bit, but he still smiled a bit as he returned the hug, "You are both very welcome, and I'm glad that you enjoy it."

Rather than go back to where they had been, the two Hitobashira stayed where they were and simply motioned with their hands. Their plates slid across the table while their gift floated over, coming to rest where they could see it. And then, cuddled into Harry's side, the two continued their meal as the bemused teen looked on.

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

Chuckling, Akiyama shook his head with an amused expression on his face, "I see, well it is good that he treats you both so well." His expression then softened slightly, "And I am glad that you have met such a person."

Only nodding, Sakura sighed some with a smile, "Hai, as do the two of us."

With a hum, the old wizard made his way over to the table and sat down onto a cushion with a sigh, "It is still good to know that the two of you are happy..." A smirk appeared on his face as he hummed, "Though I suppose that you might not be so happy that he is gone for a few months now." Much to his great amusement, his light teasing got the two to flush deeply and be unable to look directly at him, 'Ah, I really am thankful to Potter-San for giving me this chance.'

Still with a light blush, Ume looked at him and then cleared her throat, "But... you do approve?"

For several moments, Akiyama smiled before he nodded, "Very much so, Onee-Sama. Enough that if I could, I would arrange things for you even now. Through our interactions, I am certain that Potter-San could be entrusted with you."

Just nodding, the Twins smiled back and began to lay out the tea and treats. As they did so, Sakura spoke up, "Speaking of Harry-Chan, I am sure that you noticed the small shack not too far away?"

Humming as he watched Ume make the tea, Akiyama nodded, "I have. It is rather new and I was going to ask you what it is for?" Lips curling, the two sisters shared a look before giggling happily. A sound that made their younger brother very happy to be able to hear it again after so many decades, "Well?"

A soft smile on her face, Ume shook her head, "Ah! Well, inside there is a Vanishing Cabinet. Apparently, Harry-San has been buying some and bought a pair with one end in Yokosuka and the other here. So that he is able to visit without needing more than an hour's journey here. And, he can do so whenever he wishes."

Their brother perked up some at that, "I see, well that is very good news indeed, Onee-Samas. And I am sure that you are very happy as well."

Getting nods, they settled down and began to chat.

Eventually, the conversation turned to family and the Twins frowned at one bit told to them, "So Haha-ue is now confined to one of the country estates?"

Grimacing, Akiyama nodded, "Hai, rather than go to the garden, she instead chose that." Lips pressed together, he smiled thinly, "She does not see what she did as being wrong, though she is now regretting the choice that she made." Looking at the window, he hummed, "She is kept in the estate with no contact with the outside world. No wireless, no newspapers, nothing. My Shikigami take care of her every need, but do not speak to her. And a few of my children have gone there to deliver food or other needed supplies, but refuse to acknowledge her existence. But this is the choice that she has made and my Shikigami will make sure that she will not be able to try and backtrack." Akiyama's eyes narrowed, "No matter how much she wishes otherwise."

Ume and Sakura shared a look and slowly shook their heads. They did not expect for their mother to do any different, though they didn't actually feel much if anything. No sympathy, but also no anger. As children, they never really received love or care from their mother, especially when it turned out that they were squibs. She was... just simply there, agreeing with their father. And when their little brother was born, by the time he was five he had seen them as being more his mother figures than his actual birth mother. So to hear that said woman was now suffering from a choice that she made...

It was not surprising that all they could do was shake their heads and shrug.

Deciding that it was not worth it to give the issue any more attention than it needed, Ume took one of the cookies and hummed, "How are your children doing, Aki-Kun? Anything come up there?"

Just blinking as he snapped out of his thoughts, he considered the question for a few moments. Smiling a bit, and dismissing the previous matter entirely, Akiyama shook his head, "They are all doing as well as can be expected. And most actually do wish to meet you, though..."

Eyebrow raised as she bit into a rice cracker, Sakura frowned, "But?"

Shaking his head, Akiyama frowned, "I cannot help but think that there is something going on with Miu-Chan, one of my daughters with Sora-Chan. Well... perhaps not with her, but with her friend, Aranami Akimi-San."

Now frowning herself, Ume cupped her chin in thought, "Aranami... You mean as in Captain Aranami Kaito? Who commanded the Yamatai? That Aranami?"

While he was a bit surprised at his sisters knowing that name, he nodded, "Hai, one in the same. She is the last from that family, though I suspect that some may have been shoved into the reserves after the war, I am unable to confirm. That stated, from what I have heard her current circumstances are... troubled, at least financially." Leaning forward, Akiyama frowned deeply, "She was fired from the Magical Diet, not in the least due to her being a Hanyou. But, from what I heard, she was not accepted in Kyoto either."

Concerned, his sisters leaned forward and spoke as one, "You suspect something?"

His eyes narrowing, Akiyama nodded, "Hai. I did some sniffing around and someone, who I suspect to be her estranged Otou-San, stated that she is an apologist for war crimes performed by her Ojii-San. Having known the young lady for decades, I cannot see her being such. Meanwhile, having known her Otou-San? He is exactly the..." Pausing, he flushed a bit, "To be a bit crude and American, he is exactly the spiteful sort of dick to torpedo his daughter's chances. She has never forgiven him for driving her Kaa-San to suicide, and he has never forgiven her for having thrown that into his face when he was at a dinner attempting to woo his bosses' daughter."

The two sisters sneered a bit in disgust before they shook it off. Considering it, Ume frowned some, "We see... so she is in trouble financially then?"

Only nodding, Akiyama frowned as he hummed, "Hai, I do keep an eye on rumours and know that she is in dire straits there. Something that I am sure her Otou-San takes no small amount of pleasure in. Most likely, he is aiming to buy her home simply so that she would know who would own it. I would like to say that he would not tear it down, but... I also cannot put it past him." Scowling, he shook his head, "I would rather he not be in government, but... we are still setting things up and he has a few allies. Though I am already making a few moves to see him eventually leave."

Biting down on a rice cracker, Sakura furrowed her eyebrows, "Is there anything that you can do for Aranami-San in the meantime?"

However, their brother shook his head, "No, not at this time as much as I wish otherwise. Kyoto wishes to separate itself from both the Magical Diet as well as anything lingering from the Kamo Government. The rumour of her being a war apologist is bad enough that it will take time for me to work things out. I am going to do so as she is best friends with my daughter, but it will take time for me to sort out." Taking a cookie, he considered things before nodding, "That said, Miu-Chan has approached me with permission to move into Aranami-San's home. Permission that I granted much to her joy as her friend does need her."

Smiling, the twins patted his hand, "You are a good man, Otouto, and we're very proud of you."

Lightly blushing, Akiyama only bowed his head some though he had a smile on his face, "Thank you, Onee-Samas."

 

[darthcourt10]

NotHimAgain

eagle109 said:
- Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: Script, but you have a car that can fly through what looks like both Muggle and Magical means, so one can imagine the near apoplectic reactions from the hide-bound SoS hardliners.​

This makes me think of a Chitty Chitty Bang Bang snippet that I have lying around on my laptop. It's... kinda sad.

To other things!
All Around the Mulberry Bush

"Ah… What are you doing, Tachibana?"

Haruka gave Nemo a cockeyed grin, shoving a cardboard box to one side. "Nothing really important," she said, opening the next. "I'm just looking through some of my dad's old stuff. He used to travel a lot before… well, Blood Week and everything."

The Abyssal cruiser went quiet, and Haruka paused, giving her a reassuring smile. Nemo wasn't alive for Blood Week, but she tended to get apologetic whenever it came up.

"So then," she continued, moving on to the next subject as quickly as possible, "what was it that you wanted to talk to me about?"

"Well," Nemo said, jumping on the offer the moment it came, "Takumi's birthday is next month, so I wanted to do something nice for him—and he talks to you sometimes, so I thought you might…"

"Next month, huh?" Haruka noted contemplatively, digging a book out of the box. She turned it over in her hands, before examining the title. Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre, huh? "Here," she added, gently tossing the book to Nemo, "You might like this one, it's old."

"Yes, it's… uh, thank you," Nemo caught the book and glanced over it, "it's the fourteenth, actually—Tachibana, is something wrong?"

From her position huddled over cackling on the floor, Haruka attempted to motion that everything was alright.
-----

Hiei sat pouting on the middle of the couch. Jane sat next to her, not pouting, but replicating the position for the fun of it. Bouncing the twins on her lap, Mutsu glanced between the two and sighed.

"It's your own fault, you know," she said finally. "I mean, it's good that you were there to pull her out of that situation, but you went completely off the grid and missed your patrol."

"Hieiiii…" the fast battleship whined.

"And besides, this will probably be good for Franky—Oboro is a good kid, about the same age—" Hiei shot her a look, "—physically, and… look." Jane unfolded herself and walked over to Mutsu, holding her arms out. Her stepmother smiled at her and offloaded one of her younger sisters. "I understand if you feel… responsible for what happened to her. It makes me sick to my stomach, wondering if we could somehow prevent whatever happened to her. But Franky isn't your responsibility—she's not your kid sister or something—"

Hiei perked up.

"Hiei. Whatever it is you're thinking, stop thinking it."

Hiei went back to pouting.
-----

Morrigan groaned, tapping a finger to her forehead.

She hadn't even left Japan when the Linnet girl got complicated. Shipgirls involved almost immediately—it looked like she'd underestimated her closeness to them. But she'd only just arrived in Japan less than a month earlier! How could she be that close to anyone?

The girl's devotion to talking, resolving her problems non-violently had also come as a surprise, if a less unpleasant one. It had been so long since a Select had tried to do that, Morrigan had almost forgotten that it was possible. She'd merely put a closer eye to the situation, quietly wondering how long it would be before the girl was forced to kill in self-defense.

Even if necessary, the loss of innocence was always a tragedy after all.

And then that battleship went and jumped in, right as the manic-eyed killer brought the knife down, and snapped the bone dagger with her forehead. Morrigan appreciated not having to replace another bloodline in the same area so soon, and she was as much a sucker for a good entrance as the next death goddess, but that wasn't how the system was supposed to work! Shipgirls were there to deal with Abyssals, not babysit humans who needed to stand on their own!

And then they set up a guard system?!? It was enough to drive her to drink!

"Another boilermaker," she said aloud, motioning to the barkeeper. The man gave her a concerned look.

"Are you sure?" he asked. "You've been drinking those for a while now—aren't you getting tired of them?"

"No," she replied.

The bell at the door dinged, and a woman's voice said "oh, you" in that same old tone. Morrigan looked up, saw Isis and Hathor, and allowed her head to sink with another groan.
-----

Two destroyers charged down the halls, one screaming obscenities as the other ran before her waving a pair of pantyhose like a banner and cackling like a supervillain from an American cartoon.

Someone shushed them as they passed by, and they slowed to catch a glimpse. Yae glared at the two, and pointed down at the sling on her chest. More specifically, at baby Yuki who had finally been lulled to sleep by the sound of her heartbeat not three minutes earlier.

The two destroyers nodded solemnly. Then they were off again, swearing and giggling at a loud whisper. Yae nodded in satisfaction and returned her attention to the mopping.
-----

Well what do you think, sirs?

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer/Harry Leferts Omake: Juuchi meets her Nieces

Cybershadowninja2 said:
...How many times did it take for them to listen to the blood splattered notes written in the lead researchers' own handwriting saying that they should stop?​

What lead researcher?

wildredlifer said:
Well the Universe survives the Stupid and others like the guinea pig/Werewolf who sired the ability to shift forms into the Inugami of Japan when he arrived.​

Well, in the werewolf's case, it was more that when he arrived, the Inugami families took a close look at his abilities. The fact that a werewolf has a kind of wolf spirit bound to them interested them greatly. It helped them get past that last hurtle and become full fledged Yokai by merging their human selves with their dog spirits.

Said werewolf may or may not be enshrined by the Inugami as a Kami who granted them the key to becoming what they are. Ayaka is actually his direct descendant.

Yellowhammer said:
Thoughts on Aunt Juuchi:

Colombe: "Why couldn't you have saved a few French Malfoys for me!?? NOT MY FAULT that Rotterdam ran long in 1944 and I couldn't participate on the strike on their fortress. Oh and why didn't I see you when I was involved with Ian and Lyra? Oh, Stalingrad, hmm? Hope you packed a warm scabbard then."​

Juuchi: It was warm enough, reminded me of the Little Ice Age. That said, I was kept warm enough due to blood.

Yellowhammer said:
Jacklyn: "Oi, auntie! Tsu-chan says that you are her sempai in the sheets too, so I betcha I can wear out more whores than you can! C'mon, put up or shut up!"​

Juuchi: As interesting as that may be, I am not too interested in such things at the moment.

Yellowhammer said:
Delilah: "So, in the mood to share some Aunt-Niece bonding with a few names on my list of unfinished business from 1945? I think I have a few leads on some war criminals..."​

Juuchi: Perhaps once I am sure that my current Master is safe. He often gets into trouble, you see.

Yellowhammer said:
Claire: "Who is your favorite composer, Aunt Juuchi?"​

Juuchi: Depends on the instrument and time period as well as area of the world.

Yellowhammer said:
Ehren: **looks at Juuchi** "Hm." **looks at her other aunts squabbling.** "Only sane one then? Sucks to be you, I guess, Aunt Juuchi."​

Juuchi: *Smugly thinking: Yes, being best aunt is easy enough with the competition.*

 

[darthcourt10]

Year Three - Prisoner of Shipping Part 3a

START

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Cold wind buffeting him, the wizard stood on the Biplane's wing with one hand on strut as he looked around with narrowed eyes. Far below, he could hear the fire of guns and cannon as the non-magical militaries of the Entente and the Triple Alliance fought over what was originally green, European countryside. But it was no longer green, but churned mud, wet by both rain and blood.

However, that was not what the wizard was keeping an eye out for.

In the cockpit, the Squib piloting the plane looked over at his friend and frowned some, "Are you sure about this, Ian? I mean, was it actually heading in this direction, or... maybe it is already dead?"

Frowning, the Englishman shook his head as he shouted to be heard over the wind, "No, Robert my friend, that monstrosity is not dead, not yet." A grimace crossed his face as he gripped the hilt of his sword all the tighter, "No, it is around here."

Behind his flight goggles, Robert raised an eyebrow, "You're sure about that?"

Softly snorting, Ian glanced at his friend as he frowned, "No, it is alive. You can't tame a dragon, that bunch over on the Eastern Front proved that much. But you can put an image in it's head and point it in a direction. And that is exactly what the Austrians are doing here."

Only scowling, the pilot looked around himself, "And wherever it is, the dragon is heading right for British lines." Suddenly, he frowned, "What sort of dragon is it anyways?"

For several moments, Ian was quiet. Finally, he gave a shrug, "Honestly? I do not have a bloody clue as to what sort of dragon it is. Intelligence says that it is some sort of hybrid of Horntail and Iron Belly."

The only sound that met him was that of the wind as the other man boggled at him for almost a minute. Mouth working, he finally managed a reply, "A WHAT?!"

Somewhat amused, Ian chuckled, "A hybrid between a Horntail and an Iron Belly. With the size of the second and all the attitude of the first."

Just facepalming, Robert groaned, "Oh, is that all? Now that is just bloody great, that is! Who the bloody fucking hell thought up that idea?!"

If anything, that only made his friend chuckle and grin. "You'd have to ask them." About to say more, he caught sight of something out of the corner of his eye and narrowed his gaze towards the smoke and clouds below. Suddenly, one of the clouds was torn apart by the massive draconic form below. Massive horns grew from it's head and spikes along it's spine as two powerful wings beat against the air. Against the ground, the nearly black scales made it hard to see, "Well... there's our wee beasty."

Leaning out of cockpit, Robert stared for a moment before sharing a look with his companion, "Aye, nice sized one." Moving the Biplane a bit to better trail it, he frowned, "What's the plan?"

With a hum as he rubbed his chin, Ian considered things, "Hmm, plan?" Getting a nod, the Potter told him as the pilot grew more and more disbelieving. At the end, he smirked a bit, "Well, Lyra wanted new dragon hide boots, you know."

Robert only sighed at that and shook his head while rolling his eyes, "Potters."

That got him a laugh from the wizard before Ian's expression became serious, "I need you to build up enough speed and get ahead of him. I don't think that he is going to change directions anytime soon."

Doing a double take, Robert stared at him, "You cannot be serious!"

A smirk on his face, the Potter grinned, "No, that's my wife's brother."

Explosively sighing, all Robert did was throw up his hand, "You are bloody insane! If you somehow manage to survive this, I'll buy your beers for the next two weeks!"

Pulling out a vial, Ian popped the top while nodding, "I'll hold you to that!"

Head tilting to the side as he opened the throttle some more, Robert gave him a glance, "I will. And what was that you just drank now?"

Ian glanced at him and kept one eye on the dragon as they overtook it, "Reinforcement potion. Doesn't do much more than make a wizard much more durable, which I'm going to need." Eyes narrowing, he scooted along the wing, "A lot."

Only nodding, his friend kept his own eye on their target before giving him a thumbs up, "Good luck, Ian!" Nodding, Ian flashed him a grin before letting go and dropping, one hand already unsheathing Tsukiakari. As his friend dropped out of sight, Robert shook his head, "Those Potters, fucking nutcases each of them."

Rapidly falling, Ian narrowed his eyes some, 'One chance...' Using some conjuration charms, he created hunks of ice that he pushed off of to keep his trajectory before raising his sword and bringing it down as he reached the dragon, "HA!"

The first sign that the dragon had that things were not going to be easy was Tsukiakari's blade punching through it's hide and deep into it's body. A dragon could ignore many, many things. Spellfire, stones thrown at it, even bullets to some extent.

But a sword stabbing deep into them was not among that very long list.

Almost immediately, the dragon roared in rage and pain before jerking hard to the side. It was only the tight grip on Tsukiakari's hilt that kept Ian from being thrown off as his body was whipped this way and that via the dragon's movements. High above, Robert blinked some with a surprised expression on his face, "Huh, the blighter did it."

Gritting his teeth, Ian could feel his body straining not to be thrown off or his ligaments from ripping from the strain that they were under. The only two things that kept him from falling off was the fact that if he did, he was a deadman. And the second was that if he did not, the dragon would continue on and kill who knows how many British soldiers in their trenches. In his mind's eye, he could see the dragon flying over the trenches and letting loose it's fiery breath, incinerating men.

That... was not something that he could allow.

Suddenly, above became below and the ground was above Ian's head as the dragon went into a barrel roll to try and knock him loose. With a whispered spell, the Potter hit a section of scales, blowing them apart. Another spell, shouted over the roar of the dragon, created a metal hook that he brought down into the wound, hooking it around the dragon's massive rib.

If he had not pissed off the dragon before, he certainly had right at that moment as it's body shook with how loud it roared. And then it drove and Ian could see the ground approaching. More than that, he saw the dragon open it's mouth and suck in air, "Oh... bloody well fuck me."

He barely had time to bury his face against the dragon's scales and try to flatten himself as much against it as possible as the dragon let loose with a burst of fire which it dove into. Ian could feel his skin reddening and blistering from the heat that washed over him. The only good thing is that his trench coat, specially enchanted, kept the worst of the damage from the rest of his body. But already, he was not looking forward to staying in the hospital tent from this.

Not least of reasons being that the nurses were immune to his charms.

Snarling as he lifted his head, Ian glared at the dragon before conjuring a rope that he attached to the hook embedded in the dragon. Wrapping it around his wrist, he slowly pushed against the dragon as he got to his feet, the great beast below him still attempting to throw him off. Creating another hook, he blasted another chunk of scale and buried it into said place. Another rope attached itself and he stood there with a grin as he grabbed Tsukiakari, "HA! Always liked those cowboys that the Yanks keep writing about-WHOA!"

The dragon, having had enough of the insect on it's back, thrust it's wings forward and flew upwards. Unable to keep a grip on the slick scales, Ian lost his footing and the only thing keeping him from falling was the hooks embedded in the dragon's ribs. Twisting, the dragon began a loop, with Ian now grinning. Ripping one of the hooks free, he banished it forward, with it digging in right into the clavicle. As the dragon was now diving, Ian used gravity to help himself pull himself forward. Planting one boot on the shoulder, the Potter stared into the furious, hate filled golden orbs for a moment. Slowly, he gave nod, "Sorry about this, but I can't let you kill those Muggles."

Unsheathing Tsukiakari, he plunged her into the back of the dragon's skull before channelling a blasting curse. Under him, the dragon jerked and the light in it's eyes went out before the wings stilled.

Already aching as the reinforcement potion slowly faded, Ian took a deep breath before waving as Robert flew close in a dive. With a nod, Ian pulled Tsukiakari out, blood dripping from her, before flicking it off. Sheathing her, he once more created rope that wrapped around one of the struts for the wings before letting go of the falling dragon. Watching as it fell through the clouds, he hummed as he magically shortened the rope, "Hopefully, they let me claim it..."

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

In the present day, Harry was staring at Tsukiakari in some disbelief as the sword took a drink of pumpkin juice, "Did... did my great-great grandfather really do that?"

Chuckling, the Kyu Gunto nodded, "Hai, Master Ian did do that, Master." Then Tsukiakari grimaced a bit, "Though, granted, the damage done even with the potion meant that he was bedridden for about four months after. But the dragon was dead and, well..." Scratching her cheek, she made a motion with one hand, "Master Ian did have some of the hide turned into boots for Mistress Lyra... and a jacket... and a purse... and some other things."

Still having trouble believing that, Harry could only shake his head. However, he was also smiling as he imagined it in his head, "And my great-great grandmother, Lyra, was not impressed was she?"

Only taking another sip of juice, Tsukiakari placed the empty goblet to the side and giggled, "No, she was not." A musical, almost bell like laugh escaped her, "Far from it, hence all the things he had made for her."

That got Harry laughing as well. After a few minutes of mirth, he reached up and wiped away a tear from his eye, "Thanks, Tsukiakari. I appreciate you telling me stories of my family."

Expression softening, she reached over and placed her hand on his knee, "And I do not mind at all, Master. Whenever you wish to hear more stories, you need only ask. Though..." Smirking, she continued, "Some will have to wait until you're older to hear~"

It took only moments before Harry realized what she meant and flushed, "Those... are ones that I don't think that I want to hear."

Unable to help herself, Tsukiakari let out a loud laugh at that as Harry grinned sheepishly.

Once she was done, the sword gave him a smile before glancing at the clock. Standing, she bowed to him some, "I am sorry, Master, but I must be off. There is business that I must attend to."

All Harry did though was shake his head and wave her off, "It's okay, Tsukiakari. You can go ahead, and thank you again for telling me that story."

Softly smiling, Tsukiakari bowed some, "You are very welcome, Master. And once more, it was my pleasure."

With a final goodbye, she left him before making her way through the school to one of the tunnels to Hogsmeade. From there, it was just a short trip to the outskirts of the village where she raised her arm and the Knight Bus appeared with a bang. Seeing the young woman waiting, Stan gave his best grin, "Well, 'ello there."

Tsukiakari merely gave him a smile before giving him some change, "Here you go, fare for Godric's Hollow." Without giving him a chance to say anything, she brushed past him before sitting down. Looking out the window, she smiled some, 'It's time for the others to gather...'

 

[darthcourt10]

baofengyu

This one has been rattling around in my skull for sometime...
*-*-*-*

It was the end of the world.

Jin Yong gasped as he held his racing heart, the sirens blaring loudly in the distance. Muffled explosions rattled the windows as the eerie orange light danced through the curtains. He shuffled out of his bed, reaching beneath his mattress to expose a Jian, the blade singing as it left the scabbard. He took a deep breath as he ran two fingers along the blade.

The ice was hard. Thick. High atop an ancient caldera between the border of the heavens and the middle kingdom was a prison. The sole occupant of the Caldera slept for millennia. Cursed. Hated. Reviled.

He turned to the TV as it too sounded the alarm. He stared. Monsters. From the sea. There were shadows. Humanoid things that looked so very wrong. A flash illuminated one, only for the shadow to appear as a ship. Guns fired, leaving devastation and terror in their wake. PLAN was fighting, trading their lives for time so that the surviving civilians could escape. The fighters of PLAAF, many of them relics of a bygone era, fought aerial duels with demonic things.

The ice cracked. A little at first, but the fractures spider-webbed out from the center. From the Middle Kingdom, power was unleashed. Primal. Uncontrolled. The sensations of fear and terror intermingled and was like a cool draught to a parched traveler. Eyes that slept opened. The cracks widened.

He calmed himself, his sword at the ready as he began to chant a spell. Already he could feel the waves of power that clashed in conflict. Those of the Hidden World fought, bringing their power to bear to keep the monsters from advancing further. His eyes caught a map that flashed on the screen that showed the city of Nanjing, believed to be a major epicenter of the monsters that had struck. Whispers on the wind spoke that even those in the West fought as well, their precious tapestry that was the Statue of Secrecy coming undone thread by thread.

Shattered with a massive blast, the ice exploded, and the being rose into the air, laughing. To the East, eyes turned. Golden eyes narrowed as they raced across the landscape and surveyed the war offshore. A cruel smile played across flawless features as the eyes flicked across city by city. Each burning. Until the eyes locked upon a form not seen in ages. A gale of wind picked up and provided flight to the distant target.

His breath caught. To the West, an echo of a distant memory. He raised the blade as he turned to the window. All became still. Frozen in an eternal instant. A puff of breath by his ear. His eyes widened followed by the sharp pain in his chest. A crimson hand held his heart.

The blood was warm, but old. The weapon that saw countless wars and battles. That served countless heroes clattered useless to the ground under a dispassionate gaze. The body collapsed as golden eyes watched, the bloody mouth moving silently.

"Xu Zhonglin," The voice harsh from disuse. "It has been too long."

Jin Yong weakly fumbled for his blade, but knew it was futile. The ancient chains broken and his adversary freed. The beauty that brought down an empire, fulfilling a heavenly mandate but in doing so became the thing they all feared. And now SHE was freed to roam the Middle Kingdom again. With a dying breath he spoke.

"Da Ji…"

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Flopping back onto the couch, Juuchi ignored the look she got from Carnwennan. After several moments of staring at the ceiling, she sighed, "What are we doing here? What is our purpose?"

With a glance at her, the dagger turned back to the book he was reading, "Somehow, I do not think that you mean that philosophically."

Now blinking, Juuchi looked at him, "What?"

A smirk on his face, Carnwennan waved around them, "Oh, you know... What is our purpose for existing? What meaning is there to our lives? Why do we exist?"

Staring at him for a few moments, the other blade spirit frowned. Then she flopped back onto the couch, "I will leave those up to Chisuheri. That is what she is into for some odd reason."

In the kitchen, Kansha worked at making some meals as Sheff did much the same, the two sets of kitchen knives glancing at one another and nodding. There was no real competition or hot emotions between the two. Just two cooks respecting the other as they did their work. With a hum, Kansha glanced up at his sister, "So what are we doing exactly?"

Only giving a smile and a nod to Saki who passed him some fruit that she had used one of his blades to peel, and beginning to chop it up, Sheff hummed, "I am wondering much the same as well."

Frowning, Saki glanced at Juuchi before tilting her head, "I... think that Tsukiakari stated that we are here to meet some of the others?" At the look from Sheff, she blushed some, "Or that was what I was thinking."

Lips curling, the Sheffield knife set nodded, "I will admit, that does sound rather nice. Meeting some of the others, that is. Best to do it now rather than when it becomes really important, as this gives us the chance to get to know them all."

All Kansha did was shrug at that while grunting. For her part though, Juuchi grimaced some, "No, trust me, you are going to think otherwise soon enough. Especially once you meet Goldie."

Despite the questioning looks she got, Juuchi said no more on the matter. The two cooks merely glanced at one another and went back to cooking. Several minutes later though, there was a knock on the door and it opened to reveal Tsukiakari with a wooden box under one arm. Lightly flushed from the cold, she bowed some, "I am sorry about taking so long."

However, Juuchi just waved her off, "Don't worry about it, Tsukiakari. We got plenty of time." Under her breath, she continued, "And the more time you took, the less I would be spending with Goldie."

Chuckles made her give a look at Vala who walked in beside Tsukiakari with a box of her own. At the flush from Juuchi, she simply flashed her a smile, "Now then... it is time for all of us to be reunited."

Getting nods from the other two, though Juuchi's was stubborn, both Tsukiakari and Vala opened their boxes. One by one they brought out various weapons that they recognized as belonging to the Potter Armoury. Two stood out though, one of which was a Okinawan Tekko. The other though was an odd spear that made Kansha frown, "What sort of weapon is that?"

With a glance at him, Carnwennan chuckled, "That, my friend, is Dracul, and she's a Welsh Hook." Looking at the odd, two pronged spear, he shrugged, "Well, a very modified design of one, but still."

Sparkles floated upwards from said weapon until they became a cloud. Moments later, the cloud exploded outwards into motes of light revealing what looked like a red haired, fourteen year old girl in a black and white dress... with two massive horns coming from her head and a draconic tail behind her. Twirling, she went into a pose while twirling her true form like a baton, "Hello, everyone~ Greatest spear bard of them all, Dracul is here, so have no fear~"

An old handgun was on the table for one moment and in the next in a man who was dressed as a cowboy from the old Wild West, complete with the hat. Said man had a grizzled look, but an honest smile on his face as he looked at Tsukiakari with a nod. The whole time, the handgun in his hand was in motion before he holstered it at his side, "It is good to see you again, Tsukiakari."

Tsukiakari smiled back and bowed, "And it is good to see you as well, Bill." Upon hearing a groan from Juuchi, the Kyu Gunto giggled and turned to the woman now seated on a chair as if it was a throne, "Goldie."

One eyebrow raised, the sword spirit nodded, "It is good to see you again, young one! We were wondering what happened to you when Praetor took you from the Armoury, Umu!" Goldie appeared as a young, Italian looking woman just barely out of her teens if that, with blonde hair and leaf green eyes. Eyes that nonetheless hid a keen mind behind them, one that had been around for nearly two thousand years. Though most would go to the rest of her as she wore a Ancient Roman soldier's armour, a muscle cuirass made for a female and that didn't hide much of the figure beneath it. Across her shoulders was a royal purple cape, while her legs trailed out from beneath her pterges, leather straps that hung from her waist not unlike a skirt. Finishing it was roman sandals that covered her feet, while at her side her true form was sheathed. Upon seeing Carnwennan and Juuchi, she smiled, "Ah! It is good to see you as well, my friends! Umu! I could just sing!"

His tone dry, Carnwennan gave her a hooded look, "Please don't."

Waving her hand, Goldie shrugged, "It was just a thought, Umu! Now, I could do with some fine wine, Umu! To celebrate our reunion! Umu!"

On another chair, a young woman with dusky skin and dressed in Arabic clothing waved off Tsukiakari, "None for me, thank you."

Simply nodding, the Kyu Gunto only smiled, "Of course, Sabah. I know that you don't drink alcohol of any sort."

The Arabic sword, in the Potter possession since the Crusades, merely nodded with a smile even as the light glinted off her blade of Damascus steel. At Juuchi's look, she shook her head, "The others wished for me to be their representative as they do not feel that they would be needed at the moment."

With a chuckle, a Chinese looking woman dressed much as an ancient Chinese warrior smiled and waved Sabah off, "I do not think that we shall have much issue with that, my friend." Cupping her chin, she hummed as she shifted a bit, the Dao at her side moved, "Though I do wonder why we are here, do you not as well, brother? Though I, Xing, will always be at the service of the Potters."

Beside her, a young Chinese man, but with a Jian at his side only nodded, "Indeed."

Rolling her eyes, Juuchi shook his head, "You could be more expressive, Feng."

Not saying anything, the Feng shrugged some. One taller woman with a blunderbuss and dressed in the outfit of a Jager, laughed before nodding, "Ah! I think that we were wondering much the same, Tsu!" Turning, she regarded a rather short woman with a small cannon strapped to her back, "Isn't that right, Iron?"

Just blinking, the cannon woman nodded, "Right!" After a few moments, she frowned and turned, "Um, about what?"

All that Amalie did was facepalm at that while a young man dressed in a WWI uniform hummed as he gave the cannon a smile, "I think that it is because she is wondering why we are here."

One voice spoke up at that moment, and while her voice was soft, it carried steel with it and made people sit up and listen, "Yes, it is rather odd for all of us to be brought out at once. Hence why I am wondering myself." Everyone turned to a woman wearing the clothing of a French peasant from the Hundred Years War. Despite that though, she was still radiant with blonde hair and blue eyes, "But I think that, perhaps, there is a good reason for this."

The sound of a fist meeting a flesh made them turn to a young, brown haired woman in clothes not unlike that of Juuchi's own punching her palm, "Isn't obvious, Catherine? I suspect that the Potters are in trouble, and hence we're getting called out?"

Leaning forward, Juuchi spared a smile for her old friend from Okinawa, who had come with her to England so many years ago. But then her smile fell away and was replaced with a grimace, "Yes, there is a very good reason for calling you all forth, Tsuchi." Leaning forward, she frowned, "The Potter family is in danger."

Nearly at once, the whole atmosphere changed to a charged one, with all those there gaining serious expressions. Briefly, Catherine's clothes rippled, taking on the form of armour from the same period that her clothes were from before going back to normal, "Danger, you say?"

Slowly, Juuchi nodded, "Hai, in particular, danger of dying out..."

From there, the Muramasa explained what she knew, with Tsukiakari chiming in her own bits as she was around during the war with Voldemort. At the end of it, there was a suffocating silence over the room. Finally, Goldie growled before turning to the Kyu Gunto, "This... Peter? I wish for you to find me a lion, young one, Umu!"

Pinching her nose, Catherine let out a sigh, "Can you not go to that, Crocea? Must you bring out the lions?"

At the counter, Sheff cleared his throat, "Besides which, lions are rather hard to get."

Goldie just waved him off, "Bah! We have some stone lions in the warehouse that can be animated, Umu! They will do well enough, Umu!" Then she scowled, "If not, I shall have a colosseum built! Umu! And I shall show that gutless coward what happens when one threatens our Imperators! Umu!"

Bemused, everyone shook their heads, though they shivered a bit as they noticed the lone spear narrow her eyes and smile as she stroked her blade, "That is only if you get your hands on him first, Goldie... only if you get your hands on him first." Grinning, she showed large canines as she licked her lips slowly, "I will enjoy draining him of the blood that flows through his veins."

Clearing her throat though, Tsukiakari caught their attention, "Be that as it may though, that is not why I wished for all of you." When they turned to her, she took a deep breath, "Our first worry must be for our Master, first and foremost! Which is why I thought that we could guard him, or perhaps begin to prepare for what will come."

Suddenly, Sabah spoke up as she rubbed her thumb on her hilt. For all the softness of her voice, there was a dangerous undertone, "Very well. These... Death Eaters, you say that they are called?" When the Japanese sword nodded, she continued, "I need names and probable locations. I may not be on the Mountain, but I can still prepare for our Master."

Eyes closed, the Tekko frowned some, "Do you know where the Traitor may be, Tsukiakari-Chan?" Opening one eye, she fixed Tsukiakari with it, "So that we know where to look?"

Frowning, Tsukiakari walked over to a backpack and opened it before laying out the map. Each of those leaned forward and looked at it as she pointed, "These are hiding spots that Mistress Lily and Master James readied during the last war. For the most part, they were there for them to lay low for some time before leaving the country."

Thoughtful, Carnwennan shook his head, "If we leave out myself, Tsukiakari, and Juuchi due to guarding our Master or Natsumi, then we have enough to cover them if each one of us took one."

Drinking deeply from a goblet full of wine that she got from somewhere, the Roman blade nodded, "Very good, that will do well, Umu!" Eyes narrowing slightly, she shook her head, "But he may well attempt to hide elsewhere in the country."

However, Juuchi shook her head, "No, from what I have overheard they will be revealing what his form is and it's marks. He will find no succor from anyone here in Britain. The other Death Eaters likely would kill him for the part he played in Voldemort's downfall, so he could not hide with them. No... he is likely to try and make for somewhere else in a few months."

With a nod, Tsukiakari nodded, "That is how he would operate." Sighing, she ran a hand through her hair before frowning, "Afterwards... I have gotten my hands on an owl box and a small apartment in Yokosuka off base."

Blinking, both Juuchi and Carnwennan turned to her. But it was her Senpai who spoke, "How did you manage that now?"

Eyebrow raised, the Kyu Gunto shrugged, "Mistress Lily and Master James had quite a bit of money that they stashed all over the place. I just went and retrieved it. The apartment is paid off for about three years, and there is still plenty that is left over."

While both her Senpai and "Grandfather" stared at her, the other weapons merely nodded and went back to making plans. Though eventually they did break for dinner, which all of them enjoyed as they continued to make plans...

 

[darthcourt10]

Spectral Waltz

Continuing from my earlier snip detailing the beginning of Colombe and Tokunotakai's romance, we come to the morning after that first torrid night of passion.

Without further ado:
------------------<>------------------

Dove and Shrine Maiden - A Union of Bread and Butter Part II


Wakefulness comes for Colombe silently, without fanfare or salutation. Between one moment and the next, she comes to consciousness, awareness. A familiar warmth against her side, a pressure resting on her arm, a faint smell of skin and sweat and the sound of slow breathing. The faint reverberation of a second heart, unconsciously beating in time with her own. She opens her eyelids slowly to the semi-darkness of the room, a faint sliver of light coming in muted orange through the lone high east-facing window. Just before sunrise, she notes quietly, for all that she had been some time in actually getting to sleep…

It is a thought she allows to marinate for some time before finally she tilts her head, a slow and cautious movement as she brings her eye down and looks at Tokunotakai's sleeping face.

Well… Half of it at any rate.

The Masamune blade is pressed up against her side, one arm crooked atop Colombe's chest with fingertips resting just over her collarbone. Half of her face obscured by Colombe's own shoulder but the other half peaceful beyond even her typical tranquility, at absolute ease there and then in the rapier's arms.

Slowly, carefully, Colombe brings her head back to it's original position and lets out a long exhale.

Fuck.

She didn't regret it, not for a single instant, but as everything coalesced inside her head the rapier realized that even she hadn't quite realized how deeply her own feelings had run. Hadn't really come to understand her own mind until last night, the moment of frustrated desire that had boiled over, the many many moments of pleasure that had followed it. From kisses, to touches, to more and more and more… It had been a delight, of that there was no question, but now that she lay in the aftermath of that night she found herself more aware than ever.

This wasn't just a fling, or rather she didn't want it to be a fling.

Gods help me Masamune-no-Tokunotakai, but I think I am falling in love with you.

A dozen times over she examined that thought , prodded and poked at it, questioned it from every angle, yet every time the result was the same. They were so unalike in so many ways, a world of escapades compared to a single shrine in a single city, the one who fought to the one who waited and trained, a life of chaos to a life of order, and yet through every opposition there was understanding, with every difference came closeness. Why had she kept coming back here after settling things with her father? Because Tokunotakai is a good training partner. Why had she stayed after every bout, rested, spoke, drank tea with her? Because she is almost kin to you, because she brings you peace, and you bring her happiness.

The little slit of light had widened, a square of orange that was slowly shifting to yellow, crawling slowly down the wall as Colombe's thoughts turned over and over. It was no first love, yet it was a love that frightened her, a love that could last far beyond the single lifetime's measure of those that she had found in the past… With Ian and Lyra… Has it really been so long? It feels like no time at all… The two of them had lived for centuries already and might live for centuries or even millenia more, and while Colombe always maintained an awareness of how fleeting life could be and how many ways she could die a day, a week, a month from now, the prospect of a future like this, of a thousand sunrises like this one, years, decades, centuries, they all seemed plausible, real, tangible in a way that they had never been before.

She wanted that future, that prospect of never having to watch her wither and fade as she had others, of potentially never needing to walk away from a grave... The intensity of that want alone was terrifying because it all felt like too much too fast, even after nearly a year, it felt too soon to say such things. Logic told her that something like love couldn't ascertained in so short a time but her heart refused to be swayed from the notion.

"Mmh…" The whirl of thoughts and emotions froze in place as she felt the face resting against her shoulder scrunch and distort. Sometime in the whirlwind of self reflection the sunlight had begun to bloom, spreading warmth and light across the room all the way to the futon they shared. She looked over, over at Tokunotakai sleepily blinking at her, black hair still messy, utterly naked. The sudden lessening of the weigh atop her arm sent pins and needles through it as blood flow resumed normally but the sensations were lost as Tokunotakai's lips parted. "Colombe-chan?" She smiled… "Ohaiyo Gozaimasu~."

...Oh fuck me I'm definitely falling in love…

And then Tokunotakai leaned down to kiss her softly and Colombe just… Stopped thinking for a bit.

Her brain -having chased itself in circles for hours in her efforts to work her own thoughts through this- welcomed the break wholeheartedly.


========


She was late to sweep the Hachimangu's steps that day, but in light of the *ahem* 'events' of last night Tokunotakai felt only a little guilty over it. The company helped as well, Colombe along in a set of robes Toku had gifted to her after her third visit to the shrine, just as their sparring was becoming a regular event.

The early-spring morning was startlingly quiet, even with the sun now rather high in the sky, but a soft chatter of birdsong caught the ear, and Tokunotakai paused a moment to look up. The sight of a family pair of Japanese wood pigeons -resplendent in their black and purple feathers as they built a nest in the sacred gingko tree at the foot of the shrine steps- giving her pause. After a moment, Tokunotakai bowed to the kami of the tree, then to Hachiman's avian messengers, and received a bob of their heads in response.

Feeling lighter for the blessing, she resumed her motions, working just a little faster to catch up with Colombe until they found themselves meeting at the middle. The Muramasa blade tapped her broom on one hand to shake the last of the dust from it's bristles and then rested it on her shoulder, a melancholy smile on her lips.

That the smile broadened just a touch and her gaze lost a little of it's sadness when Colombe's eyes met her own made Tokunotakai's heart feel like it did a wonderful little flip in her chest.

For a long moment they stood there, "We should probably get back inside…" Colombe remarked, sniffing the air and catching the scent of rain on the cool breeze. "It's likely to ra-."

A series of rattling bangs drowned out the rest of Colombe's words and an instant later, the heavens opened up. This was no slow spring rain steadily setting in over the course of an hour. This was a storm, a full-on downpour with barely a handful of drops' warning before the rain was too thick to see more than a dozen feet. Both blades were soaked to the skin in less than a minute.

"You were saying?" Toku couldn't help but grin at the timing and she had to shout to be heard over the storm. Lightning forked across the sky and another roll of thunder rendered Colombe's attempt to reply utterly moot, stepping closer, Tokunotakai tried to repeat herself, only for a second roll of thunder to cut them off again.

Then Colombe grabs her hand and opts to show rather than tell, pulling her along as she runs for the shrine.

Tokunotakai follows, hand in hand with her, a point of warmth in the cold spring downpour.

Far overhead, Raijin offers Hachiman and Takamimusubi a thumbs up and all three of them exchange high-fives. A couple of minor favors in exchange for three well-placed spots of thunder to add that little bit of romantic spice to the scene? Completely worth it.

Even with less than two minutes under the sky both of them are completely soaked by the time they make it back the the shrine. Colombe wrenches the door aside and Tokunotakai stumbles as the other blade all but pushes her through the opening ahead of her before stepping inside herself. The stumble turns into a slip as her sandals hit the tile and she aims to control the fall only for Colombe to grab at her again in an attempt to help.

The end result is less than dignified, Colombe's grip on the doorframe slipping at the last moment to send them both to the floor in a tangle of sodden robes. For a long moment there is only the muted roar of the rain coming down and the sound of them both panting, flush with exertion from the run and the tumble. Colombe's is the first to get her hands under her and look up, her blonde hair is plastered to her scalp and mussed by the fall. Toku makes an effort to keep from giggling at the slightly ridiculous mess made of her partner's normally immaculate grooming while acutely aware that she herself cannot possibly look any better.

In the end, she laughs anyways.

It is like some moment of shared madness. Colombe looks at her as she desperately tries to hold back her mirth only for the Muramasa's own lips to twitch. As Tokunotakai's giggles turn into full-blown laughter Colombe starts to chuckle in spite of herself, and then both of them are laughing, at the absurdity of it all, at the perfect comedy of the moment. It is undignified, it is expressive, and it's a wonderful moment of release, the tension draining away with the sound of their joy.


------------------<>------------------
Produced with the permission and assistance of Yellowhammer . Thank you for trusting me with your characters!

Next time: A Talk, a Spar, and the cute gays continuing to be both cute and gay.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Leaning back in her chair with one hand around a goblet, Goldie sighed as she sipped the wine with both eyes closed, "Ah, hahaha! Yes, this was a fine meal indeed, Umu." Opening one of them, she gave both Sheff and Kansha a smile, "My first Imperator would have been honoured to have you both serving him in such a time."

Softly snorting, Juuchi picked her teeth some with a toothpick, "Whatever, Goldie. Besides..." With a shrug, she shook her head, "I cannot wait until you try Master's cooking."

Now perking up, the Roman blade looked at her and she was not the only one. Catherine raised one eyebrow as she sipped her own wine, "Our young Master cooks, Umu?"

With a hum, Tsukiakari nodded happily, "Hai, Master does cook and does it quite well." Rubbing her stomach, she smiled, "I remember the roast beef that he made for the wedding between Miss Rose and Haruna-Sama."

Somewhat amused, Sheff nodded with a smile as he cleaned the knives that made up his true form, "That was a wonderful wedding, and I am quite happy that Rose was given the opportunity to marry the woman of her dreams. They are expecting now, Miss Haruna is with child from Rose."

Blinking, Sabah looked at him, "Oh? So despite both being women, Allah has given them the chance to have a child?" At the nod, the Arabic sword smiled, "Then they are truly blessed by that fact and I shall congratulate them when I can."

Nightbane, the Bayonet blade, smiled as he sipped his own beer, "Yes, same here. Miss Rose certainly deserves it and I am glad that she is now happy. And I am sure that her various Mistresses are also quite happy with that fact." Giving the matter a bit more thought, he laughed and got looks. Waving them off, he shook his head, "From all you have told me about the Potters, it is obvious that Rose fits right in. She stole the heart of her Battleship after all."

That got laughs from the others. Meanwhile, only shrugging, Goldie shook her head with a shrug and a smile, "As the gods do." A smile bloomed on her face though, "But tell me more about our young Praetor and how he now cooks? I wish to know more."

Lips curling upwards, the only Arthurian blade among them smiled, "He is quite good at that as a matter of fact. One thing that he has taken as a truth of the world is how an army is only good when fed and watered. And has done quite a bit to help out in the Mess Hall back on the naval base."

Raising her goblet, Goldie nodded, "Wise, our Praetor is in knowing one of the greatest enemies that an army can have! For hunger is one of the greatest of enemies, Umu!" Sipping her wine again, she hummed a bit while wiping her lips, "A truly fine wine."

As she bowed, Saki smiled, "Thank you for the compliment, Crocea-San. I am glad that you enjoyed it." Straightening, the tsukumogami blushed, "While I am not quite the cook that Sheff is, I have picked up a few things in my years of existence."

One eyebrow raised, the Roman raised her goblet, "And so you should be happy and proud, Umu!"

Deciding to ignore Goldie, Juuchi turned to Tsuchi. The Tekko was thoughtful, which made the Muramasa raise an eyebrow, "You have been rather quiet."

With a blink, the Okinawan shook her head and smiled, "Sorry about that, Juuchi. Just thinking about some things." At the raised eyebrow, she continued, "Mistress Lily... what she did? It showed that love truly is some of the most powerful magic."

For a few moments, Juuchi considered that before taking a sip of her own beer, "Maybe, though I still say that there are a few magics equal or more powerful." Suddenly, a grin broke out on her face, "Though now that you're out, we can have another match."

Just facepalming, Tsukiakari groaned, "Senpai, no!"

Throwing her hands into the air, Juuchi laughed, "SENPAI, YES! ALWAYS YES!" Moments later, a dishcloth covered her face and she ripped it off, "Hey!"

Kansha gave a snort as he finished placing his now dry knives away after tossing the dishcloth that he was using, "You deserved that."

Rather than a verbal answer, his older sister just stuck her tongue out at him, which made the knife set roll his eyes in response.

Glancing at the short stack cannon beside her who looked like she was working something out in her head, Amalie turned towards Tsukiakari, "By the way... where exactly are we? I know that we're on the Potter Estate, but not where." Waving her hand around, she shook her head, "This is not the manor."

Just grimacing, Tsukiakari shook her head, "Near the end of the last war, after Master James and Mistress Lily went into hiding in a cottage, the Death Eaters destroyed most of the manor thinking that they were hiding in it. But they hid in the cottage as it was easier to hide it under magic... Well, Master has managed to get the favor of Victory and she's had her crew slowly rebuilding the main manor." Pointing at a window, she nodded, "If you look out that window, you'll see that their work is about seventy percent complete."

Silently getting up, Bill walked over and looked out said window after allowing his eyes a few minutes to adjust to the darkness. The New Moon had since passed and the Moon was full enough that he could make out the building and gave a nod, "Eyup, the manor is looking better and better." Rubbing his chin with the skin of his hand rustling against the stubble there, he nodded as he turned, "We're in the old Mill House, aren't we, Little Lady?"

At the surprised looks given her, Tsukiakari nodded, "Hai, we are." With a slight smile, she gestured around her, "As you can see, Master had this fixed up into a guest home with a number of rooms. And... we can use it as a base as Master really only uses it when harvesting from the orchards and the like."

Sabah shifted a bit where she sat and nodded, a hundred thoughts whirling behind her eyes, "Yes, having a place that we can use for a base is good. And we can make it more so."

Before anyone could say anything, Big Iron gave a gasp, "Wait! The Potters are nearly gone and I know how to fix it!"

Leaning to the side, her fellow European firearm sighed, "Yes, by defending our Master and the last of the Potters. Until he has children, we need to do exactly that."

Head tilted to the side, Big Iron frowned before smiling, "But that is what I mean! Children!"

Already taking a sip of her own wine, Catherine hummed, "Oh? How so, if I may ask?"

Not even two seconds after the cannon's words as said firearm spread her arm, she was spraying her wine into Juuchi's stunned face, "Why, we give him children!"

Coughing, Catherine wheezed some before boggling at the other spirit, "I... what... children?!"

With a hum, Big Iron smiled, "Children!" She motioned at herself and ran her hands down herself with a bright smile, "We're women, right? And Master is a boy! So we can have his children!"

Carnwennan raised one finger, "Point of fact, I am most assuredly a male."

Both Bill and Nightbane raised their hands alongside Sheff and Kansha, "And so are we!"

For several moments, Big Iron frowned before blinking, "Um, maybe if Master has daughters?"

Trembling, Amelie stood up before bringing her fist down on the other firearm spirit's head, "YOU IRON HEAD!"

A frown on her face, the Cannon rubbed her head, "What was that for? Why'd you hit me?"

Placing her hand over her face, Amelie growled. However, any threat of violence was dissipated as Catherine cleared her throat, "Iron, dear... do you even know how children are made?"

Confused, Big Iron nodded, "Well, a mom and a dad goes down to the blacksmith, right?"

Utter silence met that as the clock ticked by bit by bit. Eventually, Kansha turned and looked at Juuchi, "Huh, and here I thought that Kyoshu was airheaded."

Goldie sipped at her wine as if in deep thought before humming, "Well, if Praetor wishes for a child, I do not see an issue. For I would have an heir myself! Umu! Besides which, the line of our Praetor is quite good looking!" Eyes closed, she nodded as she waved her goblet in the air, nearly hitting Xian who ducked with a shout, "Yes, I do not mind this plan."

Furiously blushing, Sabah poked her fingers together and was unable to meet anyone's eyes, "A-ah, to be with Master? And... and in such a way?" Clapping her hands to her cheek, she looked down, "It... is not an unpleasant thought if he is kind as Tsukiakari and Juuchi say..."

Pumping her fist, Big Iron nodded, "Great! We should get Master and go down to the Blacksmith!"

Yet again, a fist came down on her head as the Blunderbuss shouted at her, "IT DOESN'T WORK LIKE THAT!"

Lightly blushing, Catherine was looking away. Within her mind was her with various messy haired children, dancing in the fields of her birth country, 'I... could establish a branch that would call France home again...'

Unable to help herself, Tsukiakari giggled a bit as Juuchi banged her head on the table. Eventually though, she cleared her throat and got their attention, "Ah, well, Master already has a number of girls after his heart! A few even planning to share him!" Pulling out a square sheet of something, the Kyu-Gunto unfolded it before presenting it. On the sheet was pictures of various girls and the like, with Harry at the center, "As you can see here! They will take care of making sure that the Potters will once more grow if we protect him long enough." Then, she wagged a finger at the group with her next words getting grumbles and flushes, "Besides which, before coming up with such things you should meet Master first!"

While they all relaxed to some extent to another, and some looked somewhat disappointed, they all nodded. Big Iron though tilted her head to the side, "Does this mean that we won't go to the Blacksmith?"

Various facepalms met her question.

Sighing as he shook his head, Bill turned to Juuchi, "So then, the young man has a number of women after his heart, hmm?"

Taking a drag from her own goblet, Vala spoke up, "He does as a matter of fact, and I've observed how they acted towards him." She gave a small nod towards Tsukiakari, "I was there at the Christmas party on the base watching, and I will admit that they do deeply care for him. I suspect that in less than a decade, the Potter family may well be growing once more."

A frown on her face, Goldie sighed as she shrugged with both hands in the air, "Perhaps a shame, Umu. Though in any case, it will be good to see Praetor's line continued." Motioning with her goblet, she nodded, "Tell us more about these who seek the Praetor's heart, Umu!"

Looking around, the Kyu Gunto could see various nods of agreement and began to tell what she knew.

 

[darthcourt10]

Spectral Waltz

I promised a spar this time didn't I...

Unfortunately, there's no spar, mostly because there's entire too much confessions and sort-of-angst.

Plenty of fluff though! So without further ado...
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Dove and Shrine Maiden - A Union of Bread and Butter Part III

After helping each other out of the robes and drying each other off with a pair of fluffy towels, the two dress once more. Their robes are so soaked that they will need some dry-cleaning before they can be worn again, but while Tokunotakai's spare clothes prove a little short -riding up Colombe's ankles and showing off a little bit of waist if she bends too far- they fit surprisingly well overall. The rain is still falling, and the shrine's old radio set gives a weather report that suggests it will continue to do so for the rest of the day, tapering off sometime early tomorrow morning.

"I am almost glad that I have no classes to give today."

Colombe nods, hunting through Tokunotakai's small fridge for the jar of Miso paste she has been assured is there. "It would be a dangerous trip for your students in such a downpour." She agrees, catching the Masamune giving her a sidelong look out of the corner of her eye and chuckling again. "Not to mention it gives us time to talk."

They still haven't broached the discussion, the affection is there, mutual and warm in the tiny kitchen space, but Colombe knows well that this isn't something she can simply dive into headfirst. If she's going to do this, she has to commit, come clean about herself.

If Tokunotakai will still have her after learning all there is to learn about her, then that will be that, but self-doubt is as nonsensical as love, and her heart grows fearful in spite of everything. The breakfast is simple and traditional, fish seared in a pan on the stove, Rice fresh from the cooker, and miso soup simmering gently in its pot.

The whole setup is so essentially Japanese that Colombe resolves privately to do the same for Toku someday soon, but the words to invite her to Chateau Moulbaix next time go unspoken.

What if there is no 'next time'?

The breaking of fast passes in companionable silence, both blades finding themselves surprisingly hungry once food is put in front of them. The simple pleasure of eating in the presence of another pushes back the darkness for a time, but as the dishes are finished one by one, Colombe finds herself with fewer and fewer barriers between herself and the inevitable Confession, as she has come to calling it in her head. She clasps the teacup in both hands, sipping slowly but mostly enjoying the warmth of the drink against her fingers.

Finally, she sets the cup down with a faint 'click' and looks up, meeting Tokunotakai's eyes.

"I… Colombe D'Aubigny-Muramasa du Chasteler… Wish most ardently…" The courtly mode of speaking is a relic of a bygone time yet for all that she has started this way out of nervousness and already feels faintly foolish for doing so, Colombe knows that if she stops now it will that much harder to begin again. "I hold affection for you, Masamune-no-Tokunotakai. Affection so deep as to frighten even myself with it, yet for all that you have seen of me, there is much yet that I would have you know before I think to court you."

She inclines her head slowly, and waits.

A moment passes, then two, mere heartbeats, yet they seem to stretch out into eternity before finally, mercifully, Tokunotakai answers. "Speak then, Colombe du Chasteler." She nods, and Colombe straightens. The warmth is still there, but guarded now.

This is it.

Colombe's jaw firms with determination and she inclines her head again in respect. "First and foremost, I have two daughters who both live with me at Castle Moulbaix. Claire du Chasteler, my oldest, is the spirit of my antique Bösendorfer piano who manifested in 1990. She is a shy and gentle soul, a musician and no warrior." Colombe feels her lips curl in a fond smile at the memory of her beloved older child. "I… dare say that I hope you will grow to love her company as much as I do."

Tokunotakai inclines her head, her eyes unreadable. "I see. And the younger daughter?" Her voice is cool, calm, showing nothing of her thoughts as she gives Colombe a measuring look.

Colombe feels her face still and fights down the spike of pain and guilt at the memory of Ehren. "My younger daughter is Ehren du Chasteler. I must request your indulgence for a moment to explain her origin." Colombe takes a deep breath, gathering her courage to speak words that she knows must be said.

A du Chasteler will always conduct herself with integrity and valor in word and deed…

"During World War II, I served in Europe with British Intelligence after Belgium was overrun by the Nazis. As a result, I volunteered for missions behind enemy lines." Colombe fights for control of her emotions as she continues, her voice resolute despite the old and never healed pain in her soul, "During one in late 1941, I met a SS Officer named Helmar Wolff, and… was involved with him. What started out as an assignment to gain his trust so that I could," Colombe's eyes sink to stare at her cup so that Tokunotakai will not see the beginning of tears that she is holding in, "access the base he worked at became… more. I wanted to try to persuade him to abandon the cause that he believed in, he was a good man then, honorable by his understanding of the code and brave, but…"

Colombe breaks off and sighs deeply, "Such was not to be because he also truly believed in the madman who led Germany. I… did what I had to do. I performed my mission, and paid a dreadful price for it. We… fought…" She remembers the phantom pain of his SS Honor Dagger in her gut, and the even greater pain of seeing the man who she had loved once turned into a monster filled with hatred and pain at her betrayal. "And I won… but at a terrible cost. I killed him and nearly lost my life in the doing…"

Colombe's hands shake as she closes her eyes and gathers her courage to continue, "But he left behind his SS Honor Dagger buried in my avatar's guts. When I woke up back in England, I… elected to keep it. As a reminder of the cost of my… failure. For decades it served me well in war and peace as a backup weapon and also as a place for me to test enchantments I placed upon myself. Then two years ago the dagger manifested her spirit. Ehren. She is…" Colombe shoulders slump and her voice becomes hushed, "the daughter I sometimes daydreamed of having with Helmar. Brave, loyal, dutiful, honorable. But also… she knows what kind of monsters she had been crafted to serve and… I fear that my failings as her mother have damaged her. She struggles with the lies and hatred that she learned in her infancy, and she distrusts blind obedience, only acting on what she knows and believes true."

Colombe swallows the lump in her throat and finishes as tears trickle down her cheeks. "Every time I see her, my heart swells with pride to see all the positive things in her and how good a person she is despite my failures, and yet it also shatters and bleeds to realize how I destroyed her father and have failed to be the parent that she deserves. She is in so much pain, struggling with the darkness within from her origin… and all I do is hurt her more when I try to help her. Thank God Claire can reach her to comfort her when I cannot."

Colombe falls silent at last, biting her lip as she breathes in and out, finally mastering herself enough to look into Toku's eyes.

Tokunotakai stares into Colombe's eyes, thoughtful blue-green meeting crystal blue filled with the painful shadows of the past. The Masamune then inclines her head and gives a serene smile.

"Shippai wa seikou no moto." At Colombe's puzzled blink, Toku translates in her precise English, "Failure is the foundation of success. I have no doubt that your fighting spirit will continue to sustain you until you find the way to assist your daughter Ehren. I thank you for your explanation," Toku's smile grew warmer and her blue-green eyes twinkled, "Colombe-chan."

The silence that follows is absolutely deafening.

Then Colombe feels her heart start beating again, pounding in her ears. Did she hear that? Was that really all it took? She spilled out everything she could think of, the failures she held closest to her heart, and all there is to say is that, not even the words, the little teasing suffix attached to her name, the warmth in the smile.

"I…" What does she say to that? What does anyone say to such simple acceptance? Colombe racks her brain and comes up blank, resorting to her fallback plan in the end. "Then… With your Permission… I would ask your permission, that I might court you…" Her lips move silently for a moment, "To-Chan?"


…


In the moment that follows neither of them are willing to wait and step around the table as they rush into each others' embrace. Fortunately while the dregs of Colombe's tea prove a casualty, the teacup itself survives the ordeal as they rush into each others' arms. "Thank you…" Colombe whispers fiercely, fervently. Parts of her still question, wondering if she really deserves this yet she knows, she knows that's not for her to decide. Only Tokunotakai can decide what holds worth to her, and if that should happen to include Colombe, then apart from all that she has already laid out there is very little she can really say to argue against it.

"No, Co-chan" Toku replies quietly, holding tightly, reassuring, comforting. "Thank you."


========


They spend a long time in each others arms after that, simply enjoying the warmth and closeness. A few adjustments are made to position until they can sit and watch the rain fall outside but apart from that they find themselves with very little reason to separate. The grey sky makes the shining colors of the garden seem all the more vibrant even through the heavy rainfall and they lose track of time in the silent contemplation of the view, of themselves, of each other.

"You know…"

It is Tokunotakai who eventually breaks the silence, prompting Colombe to look down at the head resting on her shoulder.

"Hm?"

"I think I have been falling in love with you for a very long time."

"I-Is that so..?" The statement brings a flush to Colombe's cheeks and a momentary stutter to her speech, but her girlfriend -Her Girlfriend!- presses on with another nod. "Mm…"

Silence reigns for a minute as she works up the courage to ask. "How long..?"

"Since I saw Hachiman-dono knock you to the ground, only for you to get back up again… You knew then that you could not beat him, in that moment, I saw your face, you knew you were outmatched, yet you fought anyways, because it was right." A little spark had been lit then, a nameless attraction that would mature into Rivalry, an attraction named Rivalry that would grow respect and one day become Friendship. Friendship nurtured by the mutual appreciation of strength and the little moments of simple company, sharing tea after sparring, sharing their troubles and their cares with each other, eventually maturing into something more, that one day they had come to call Love

Colombe is silent again for a time before finally she nods. "I think then that is a second debt I owe him, for he has done even more than I ever realized in that single meeting." Tokunotakai hums, then giggles, Colombe chuckles in turn, and they return to their contemplation, smiling.
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Produced with the permission and assistance of Yellowhammer with special thanks this time for mostly writing the entire middle bit where Colombe exposits about her perceived failures.

Next Time: A spar (for real this time!) and the rainy day in comes to an end. Probably.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Once, the world was very different. There were no cities, no towns, and no villages. Humanity instead used campsites, moving from place to place. Or they lived in caves, sheltered by the rock around them. Sheltered from the elements, predators, and half-formed things that lurked just out of the reach of firelight in the darkness of the night. Giant herds of creatures like mammoths and woolly rhinoceroses roamed the steppe like environment while predators such as sabretooth lions hunted them. Vast sheets of ice covered the north, massive bluish white cliffs seeming to be the edge of the world to any that traveled far enough on hunts or otherwise to see them.

In this day and age, a wolf, a she-wolf, stalked through the brush. She was young and strong and fast. The wolf was larger than any modern wolf, able to crack bison bones in her jaws. Powerful muscles moved under a thick pelt that protected her from other predators that could attack her. Just recently she had borne Cubs...

But they had been killed a week before in a cave lion attack, and she was driven from her pack by her mother in the aftermath.

Thus, coming across the scent of blood, the hungry wolf had followed it. Finding that it came from a cave, she paused to listen. But there was no sound coming from it except the wind, though she could scent, just barely, the smell of smoke. Silently, she padded into the cave and a distance inside paused. There, looking in the darkness was a carcass of a cave bear. Freshly dead, the blood barely dried. So too, was there a dead female human, her guts torn out by the bear, which had died as it began to eat her from wounds it had suffered in the attack. The woman's sightless eyes stared forward at its killer.

A scraping sound made the wolf pause for a few moments before coming around the two carcasses. There, in a crack, was a fur wrapped bundle. From inside, two eyes looked out at her before waving two arms towards her. Stalking forwards, the wolf regarded the small thing. It looked like a man, but was too small to be one. Human eyes met those of a ferocious wolf for several seconds, no fear in one, and hunger in the other. Eyes narrowing, the wolf reached into the crevice and pulled out the bundle. It took only moments for it to rip the fur covering the infant apart...

Eating it's fill, the wolf snapped up one last bit of meat before turning and laying down next to the human-cub, which in its mind was what it was, the wolf shifted as it whined a bit. Nudging it with its snout to move the young human, the wolf watched as the infant realized what was in front of it. With two pudgy hands, it grasped the fur and pulled itself close before it began to suckle, hungrily drinking milk. Laying it's head on the cave floor, the wolf huffed a bit.

Yes, it may have lost its original cubs and pack. But now it had a new cub. And while strange, it would protect the small thing. With that animalistic thought, the wolf drifted off to sleep.

Days slowly turned into weeks. During the days, the she-wolf hunted in the vicinity of her new den. Never straying far to keep her new Cub safe. Whenever it was hungry, she fed it. During the cold nights, she kept it warm with her thick fur, the young one snuggling deep into it. One day though, she could hear odd sounds and smell humans on the wind. Straightening, she growled at them as she spotted them at the entrance to her den. Not having expected that, they jabbed forward with their sticks as they shouted at the She-Wolf, which was when her Cub awoke and began crying.

For some odd reason, that seemed to shock the humans even more. Yelling, the jabbed their pointy sticks forward even more, some waving around sticks that had fire on them even as the she-wolf snarled, moving to protect her Cub. Out of nowhere, a loud shout made the humans stop. They turned and noises were made before they moved aside to reveal an older man dressed in furs with a necklace of bones and teeth while two antlers were upon his head. His face was covered in markings made of soot.

Both the strange man and the she-wolf stared at each other. Then, he looked at her Cub which had quietened down. As normal, her Cub was hungry and began to nurse even as she guarded it, which made the other humans step back and murmur. All but the Antler Human. Slowly, he smiled before motioning them all back. Once they were far enough back, he followed. After they settled down at the mouth to the cave, the she-wolf calmed down and laid on her side so that her Cub could continue to nurse it's fill from her teats.

It turned into an odd standoff, the humans at the mouth of the cave and her at the back with her Cub. Every time she strode forward, the humans would pause for a time. But then, one of them would toss her a hunk of meat that she would take back. The whole thing was frustrating, not being able to hunt properly, but her Cub needed her and she would not abandon it, not now.

Time passes and her Cub began to move around the den area, which she allowed under her watchful eyes. At this point, the Antler-Human would stand off at a distance and make noises at her Cub. Over time, her Cub copied these noises himself. Something that pleased the other human. Eventually, her Cub was able to walk about on two legs like the other humans. And one day, she walked out of the den at his side...

Years passed and the She-Wolf grew old as her cub grew and grew. Strong and hale as well as tall. Her Tall-Cub. When odd things happened around him, the Antler-Human took him aside and taught him things. How to use his ability to help the pack. He became a great hunter, even helping to bring down one of the giant Tusked-Things in a grand hunt!

In her own, animalistic way, the She-Wolf felt proud of her Tall-Cub for being such a good hunter even as he fed her meat from it.

Other wolves joined them, one by one. She taught them all their place, of course. But they began to work together, her Tall-Cub and the other humans with the wolves. Together, they were able to hunt better. And the wolves told the humans of predators. But that was not the important fact in the She-Wolf's mind.

No, more important was that her Tall-Cub now had a Mate! The female cub of the human pack leader. Said female was strong and healthy, which the She-Wolf approved off. The female would give her Tall-Cub many healthy cubs in turn.

Shortly after her Tall-Cub took the female as his mate, the female began to change. She grew around her middle and from the scent, The She-Wolf knew that she was with cubs herself. One day, the female stumbled and there was a scent in the air. The Antler-Human took the female out of view of the others with some of the older females as her Tall-Cub waited outside. All the while, cries could be heard from inside before it went silent.

And then, her Tall-Cub went inside that place and returned before gesturing her forwards. Coming in, her attention was drawn to the female and a fur wrapped bundle. Her Tall-Cub took it from the female and held it out to her, inside, even with her failing eyesight from advanced age, the She-Wolf could see an infant. Sniffing, she felt a bit of surprise!

Her Tall-Cub now had a Cub!

Something must have shown as he nodded to her, before the She-Wolf began to gently clean her Tall-Cub's cub. Such silly things not to do so properly. Thus, she had to do it herself.

Thus things went, until one day a few Moons later. Her Tall-Cub and the other hunters were gone. While she was old and unable to hunt as well, the She-Wolf patrolled around the dens. On one of the patrols, she paused as a scent tickled her nose. It drew up a memory, an old one.

From before she had met her Tall-Cub.

It was the scent of a lion! The very same one that had killed her own cubs! Quickly, she followed the scent and found it leading to the den. And she reached it in time to hear a scream that came from her Tall-Cub's mate as well as the crying of their Cub. But it was the roar of an old lion that sent a chill down her spine.

Without even hesitation or thinking it, the She-Wolf exploded into motion. She just burst into the den to see the lion about to pounce at her Tall-Cub's mate when she leapt and slammed into it as various humans there screamed. One of them ran for the cave mouth waving their arms as they made noise. Neither of the two predators paid it any mind though they stood off, the She-Wolf growling with her head held low between the lion and her Tall-Cub's mate and Cub.

She could see that age had not been kind to the other hunter. It was old and worn as she was from the years. Like her, it was covered in scars and moved slowly. Obviously due to its age, it was unable to hunt as well, and so had to go for easier prey. Prey such as her Tall-Cub and his mate and Cub.

And she was not going to let it.

Finally, with a roar, the lion leapt at her and she snarled back as she met it partway. The two met and they fought, old foes and rivals. Powerful jaws ripped and tore flesh and fur while crushing bone. Sharp claws sliced through hide and muscle creating grievous injuries. Neither let up, the lion as it needed a meal to survive and the She-Wolf to protect her pack. However, the larger predator's paw slammed into her head, knocking her to the ground. Disoriented, the wolf looked up into the bloodied lion's face as it prepared to finish her when it howled in agony.

Her Tall-Cub had returned and stabbed it with his sharp stick! Snarling as well as any wolf, he pushed it further into the lion, but it was not finished yet. One paw lashing out, it knocked him to the side, claws cutting furrows in his flesh. Turning, the lion focused its full attention on her Cub... no...

NO!

NOT THIS TIME!

With a surge of energy, the She-Wolf got to her feet and lunged, jaws clamping around her foe's throat. She bit down harder and harder even as the other predator struggled to throw her off. Even as its claws sliced her apart, one eye gouged out, she did not let up, only bit down harder. This time... this time she was not going to lose her Cub to this creature!

There was a crunch sound and the big cat suddenly weakened. Another crunch as the She-Wolf tightened her grip and it went fully limp. Waiting until she was sure that it was dead, the wolf let go and staggered back.

Blinking, the She-Wolf found herself on her side looking up, not having felt herself fall to the ground. At the same time, she whimpered as everything hurt. It hurt so very much, though for some odd reason it was also fading as she got colder and colder. And weaker as well...

Between one blink and the next, she found her Tall-Cub above her. His eyes were wide and he was shaking his head while water came from his eyes. She could also feel his paws at her side, grasping for some reason with bursts of pain as he did so. He pulled back his paws to show them red with blood as he made noises at her which she could not quite understand. With one hand, he stroked along her head which relaxed her.

But even now, as weak as she was feeling, she raised her head jerkingly to look in the corner. Her Tall-Cub also turned and blinked at the sight of his mate and Cub, both fine though scared with water running down their faces as well. They... were safe. When he turned back to her, the She-Wolf nuzzled his chin and gave one last lick of his cheek before her head fell to the ground.

She... was so tired. That fight took more out of her than she had expected, but it was good. Her pack was safe, and that was what mattered in the end. Vision darkening, she closed her eyes and breathed out...

And didn't breathe back in.

Finding herself floating in the air, the She-Wolf looked down at the sight of her Tall-Cub shaking a wolf. The body of said canine being badly torn up with none of its pelt clean of blood. With some shock, she realized that the wolf was actually her! And she was also shocked to realize that she had realized that as well.

But she kept her attention on her Tall-Cub as he shouted at her body and shook it. Until, that was, the Antler-Man walked up to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. When her Tall-Cub looked at him, the older human shook his head and then bowed his head, tears dripping from his own cheeks. The other returned hunters did much the same.

For several moments, her Tall-Cub just stared at them before he dropped his head with shaking shoulders. Then, he whipped his head back up and let out a howl. A howl of sadness, grief, and despair. Unknown to him, his adoptive mother did the same as she realized what this meant. Even though he could not feel her, or see her or touch her, she came up beside him and licked his cheek as she had done so many times.

The She-Wolf watched as they gently picked up her body and carried it to the back of the cave, where years before she had nursed her Tall-Cub. She continued to observe as they dug a pit that they placed stones around the inside, and which the females and young ones lined with bright coloured flowers. Onto these, they placed her corpse gently, and put more flowers on top. Some brought feathers that they placed onto her while the leader of the human placed a sharp stick between her paws, the one that her Tall-Cub had used, blood covering the stone from the lion.

When it came to him, her Tall-Cub, he was silent even as the others chanted. Reaching up, he removed his necklace of beads made of stone, bone, horn, and ivory. A necklace that he placed around her neck. Water continued to drip from his face the whole time, even as his mate embraced him from behind. Then, gently and carefully, they placed dirt on top of her even as they chanted and outside the wolves howled. Once there was a mound on top, her Tall-Cub went back and returned with the head of the lion, which he set at the foot of the mound.

Thus... the She-Wolf passed into legend for the tribe, a guardian who saved the most helpless of them out of love.

But...

That was not the end.

As the years went by, the She-Wolf's spirit kept watch over the tribe. Sometimes, they glimpsed her glowing form between the trees and brush as she lead them to prey. Other times, she would warn them of danger. Sometimes with a growl next to their ear, sometimes appearing before them before fading away. The tribe came to revere her spirit, seeing her as their guardian even in death.

One day, years after her death, the Cub of her Tall-Cub was now tall like his father. The Antler-Human, having grown old, taught him more than he had his father, so that he could take his place. Which brought him to a spot outside the den. In front of him was a fire that he was staring into while the Antler-Human danced around and threw things into. The rest of the tribe watched and waited.

As did the She-Wolf, who feeling a tug walked through the flames to the other side. Gasps met her and even the Antler-Human seemed surprised. She glanced at them and then at her Tall-Cub, now with several Cubs around him. But then, she focused on the one before her, whose life she had given her own for so many years before. Him, she felt a connection to.

Slowly, she padded forward before nuzzling him and stepping back. The young human's eyes widened and turned gold as he threw his head back. Fur burst from his skin as nails turned into claws and his face pushed out into a muzzle while a tail grew from his spine. His yell became a howl as what was once a man, was now a large wolf.

For several moments, the two stared at each other as the bright Moon which was whole shone above. Then, she walked over to her Tall-Cub and nuzzled him before running off, her cub's Cub following. Throughout the night, she taught him how to be a wolf. To hunt and act as one. And come the rising of the Sun, he transformed back with a large grin as she faded away.

And he was only the first.

Generations passed and more and more of the tribe became able to become a wolf. Some managing a mixture between such and human even. Her Tall-Cub eventually passed and she greeted him kindly, for he had become a wolf as well. All the time, they continued their partnership with the wolves. They also began to leave small things at her grave, and doing such things as burning meat, which she tasted upon the smoke and felt her belly fill with. And, slowly, the She-Wolf also changed. Eventually, she started standing on two legs at times with her forepaws lengthening. And her body became more and more human shaped.

Until one day, she appeared before the newest Shaman not as a wolf, but as a woman clothed in furs, but with the head of a wolf.

More time passed and one day, her tribe left to meet with others. And she accompanied them as they did so. Thus, there, upon the shores of a lake with the area one day to be under the surface of what would be the Baltic Sea, did her tribe meet with others. Things were traded back and forth, with many amazed by how her tribe had wolves with them, though they were less wolves now and... more something else. And they told stories, stories of the She-Wolf with them transforming to show the gifts that she had given them. Others told their own stories of guardian spirits.

But while her cubs traded and conversed, the She-Wolf had other business. Above the meeting tribes, various beings floated. The She-Wolf could see many others, most weaker, far weaker, than she. However... there was one that stood above them all.

It was in human shape, though not a human. Not with the proportions shown which were slightly wrong. The Other appeared as a woman, heavily pregnant. Bangles and beads were around her arms while necklaces hung from her neck. Upon her head were her more threaded beads in a head covering. Besides her slightly exaggerated proportions, there was one difference that made sure that one could not mistake her as a human woman.

That she had no face.

Instead, there was a smooth plain of flesh, with no details at all. Completely and utterly blank of everything that a human would have. Despite that, it could still speak as shown when it faced the She-Wolf. No sound was made, no vibration of the air. But it still spoke.

Mother, it identified itself as before demanding to know the She-Wolf's name.

Mother, the She-Wolf replied back with a soft growl.

Even though it had no eyes, it stared at her intently. As if weighing the She-Wolf. And something that she did right back. Both of them were powerful, the strongest there. None of the others were sure who would win in such a fight. Briefly, everyone had the image of what would result. The land shaking apart as the sky was torn through their mighty blows. Everything scorched and frozen as existence was rent apart.

And then, everything was back to normal and the two relaxed as the Other gesture to the She-Wolf's tribe. Mother, she said without saying.

Lips turning upwards, the She-Wolf nodded while showing her teeth and gesturing to tribes belonging to the Other. Mother, she growled.

With that, the two turned and walked away from each other.

But there was something else as well. Something spoken of in feared whispers by the various tribes. In the direction that the Sun disappeared in, they said, was an land across the Great Waters. On it were men, powerful and wealthy. They would come and with the help of powerful Shaman, kill many tribesmen. Others they took back to their land with them. Tales were told of strange men they sometimes brought with them, that were part human and part beast. Powerful beings.

The She-Wolf and her tribe took note of such things, though their land was far from the Great Water. But best to be warned of possible enemies. And so they listened and learned even as they traded.

As the Moons went and the weather turned colder, they returned to their homelands. And many seasons would pass before they would meet those from across the Great Water. They warred with them, but always the She-Wolf's tribe was strong. With the ferocity and strength of the wolf and the intelligence and cunning of a human, they won time and again. As they had been told, strange creatures were used. Such as things that were a Herd-Runner to where the neck would be, but human from the waist up above. Humans that had the wings of fliers as well as other such things. She softly snarled as she could feel that they were confined, controlled by the Shamans of those strange folk.

Yet, thankfully, time and again the tribe managed to repel them. Sometimes alone, sometimes with the tribes under the Other helping. And so both grew stronger as others joined them.

But one day, a sickness spread among the tribes, killing many and weakening them. It took time, but the source was found, a spotted big cat that with its breath spread disease. The first was killed, followed by the second. But the third was harder.

And then... it arrived.

Part of the She-Wolf had expected it, the massive lion-like being across from her. The spirit of the lion that she had slain at the cost of her own life. Somehow... it had become a spirit too, feeding upon the tales of it that had been told, upon the fear of it and those akin to it which still stalked the shadows, though less and less often as the years went by. And become strong by such. It also had allied itself with the Men across the Great Water.

All for the chance to kill her.

The lion was not the only one, for there were others as well. Spirits, some weaker than it, but others just as strong. But the She-Wolf and Lion only had eyes for each other. Thus, when they clashed, neither allowed for anything to fight in their duel. Lesser spirits were torn apart as thunder and lightning tore apart the heavens. Mountains crumbled and holes were gouged with super heated steam and ash bursting forth as they fought. No quarter was asked nor none given between the two. Below and around, tribesmen fought those from across the Great Water.

It was only when the exhausted She-Wolf stood above her hated foe that the trap was sprung. A ritual was finished and the She-Wolf howled in agony and dismay as metaphysical chains were put around her. The only pleasure she got was how the ritual consumed the now betrayed Lion Spirit to power it along with other spirits that they were using. Another good thing was how the Other managed to escape, wounded but not dead or captured.

Bound, the She-Wolf was dragged back to the land of the Men across the Great Water with her captured people. There, she was sealed within a rock, her power now used against her Cubs. She watched as the survivors, captured, were twisted by the Shamans of the Island Men. All with her captive power used to do so much to her internal agony.

Where once wolf and man stood as equals, in partnership, they were now set against one another. Her Cubs when transformed now in pain, were made to hunger for the flesh of their fellow man. To become slavering beasts when transformed. Once, her Cubs could transform whenever they wished, now only able to when the Moon was whole. The metal like the Moon was made into a weakness, to control them. Worse, they made such an affliction able to be spread where before it had been a gift.

Oh, how she howled about what had happened to her Cubs, which made her Captors laugh. Now they used her Cubs to attack the other Tribes. When the Moon was whole, they would release them and watch as they tore their former allies apart to their amusement. However, they grew too arrogant, too confident. One day when their other slaves rose up elsewhere, the She-Wolf managed to get enough of her chains loose, that she transformed her Cubs before the Moon was whole. Even though it hurt them, hurt her to do so.

They tore her Captors empire apart as her actions weakened the other metaphysical chains holding the other slaves under control, until all that was left was the island in the sea. For that, they bound her ever tighter in their anger and rage, but the pain and agony was worth it. She watched as their once mighty nation fell apart. And then, she felt it.

Far away, the Other has done something and she began to laugh. She was still laughing when her Captors noticed the Great Waters pull away from the land while far out, a wall of water climbed. And she was laughing as they panicked and tried escape as the water covered everything. Being as she was a spirit, she did not need the air to breath any longer. Thus, she was alive though still bound when the Other arrived.

The two rivals turned allies stared at each other. But nothing needed to be said. Weakened from the previous battle, the Other had spent nearly all it's power to do what it did. In her mind's eye, the She-Wolf could see what happened. An entire mountainside slipping into the sea. Because of that, the Other was unable to break her free as it did not have enough strength.

Much to the surprise of the Other, the She-Wolf accepted that.

She had failed her Cubs, she explained. Failed them in the worst way and now they would suffer for as long as she lived and she would suffer alongside them bound as she was. Even now, her power was drawn off by them as they went about their lives and transformed others through their bite. If she could not be freed... than she deserved it, to suffer alongside them for her failure.

Understanding as only fellow mother could, the Other bowed its head and left her under the sea.

Millennia passed, and the She-Wolf howled in agony with each night that the Moon became whole, for her cubs suffered. She could feel it through their connection, with which she took on what pain of theirs she could. The water around her became deeper and deeper as the ice caps melted, signs of what existed there fading with time and sediment. Humanity continued on, as did the other races. But while mostly forgotten, she was not entirely forgotten. Tales similar to her was passed on, sometimes she gave a nudge such as to a similar she-wolf that lived where there were seven hills, it was all that she could do. As well, the wolves her tribe once used, and had helped other tribes by giving them to, changed. From them and others, dogs sprang forth. Man's companions, and a connection that still kept her formed.

Then, one day... something changed.

From far off, she could hear bangs, like thunder. And looking up from her prison, she could see floating things made of steel. Many of them. Some, shattered in fire and sank beneath the waves. Beneath the sea, on what was once a hill, she could feel the explosions as well as many dying above. She wondered what was going on so far above.
And then, one of the large, steel things that they were shooting like slings hit the water and touched down next to her prison. When it did, the shell exploded. It was not enough to destroy her prison, as for as old as it was and as brittle as the magics were, they held up. But it was enough to crack it.

Hopeful, the She-Wolf used what power she had work at it. The battle above eventually calmed and time went by. Decades later, she could see an odd, underwater vessel pass by. The men inside speaking some sort of guttural language with a strange symbol that reminded her of a comet she had once seen, long ago. But her attention was elsewhere. For someone had taken her Cubs and made things even worse for them, twisting them still further.

Her rage knew no bounds and she worked all the harder to get free, to help her Cubs. Even if it took her a thousand years more, she would do it. Now, when she was so close! Once that happened, she would help them, her cubs! And with her prison cracked, she could also slowly learn what the world was like through her connection with her Cubs.

Yet more decades went by as she worked at her prison when her attention was caught by another battle above. Some of those fighting were the steel vessels. But others... they looked like humans, and steel vessels at the same time. They also tasted foul, wrong, to her senses. Like badly rotted meat unfit to eat.

Her metaphysical eyes widened though as one of the Steel Vessels (Ships, her mind supplied her with the knowledge that had seeped through the connection with her cubs, warships) exploded as it broke in half. The stern drifted away, but the bow...

The bow was sinking right for her prison.

It hit the seabed almost right at her prison, skidding along before crashing into it. Briefly, the ancient spells held against the mighty blow... and than shattered. The bonds fell away from the She-Wolf and she rose from the seabed, the mud, silt, and the like exploding outwards. Breaching the surface, she stood there looking around as ships burned and the Foul Ones fought with humans. One of them, attached to a large, man-like thing, pointed at her and the guns fired...

Only for the She-Wolf batted away the shells like they were insects. Everything seemed to go silent as she turned to the Foul One. It pointed at her and shouted something, only to choke as she was right there, tearing out it's throat before ripping it in half. After that, it was one fight after another as the She-Wolf tore her way through the Abyssal Fleet. One after another fell to her claws and teeth. And more than one sailor claimed that an odd, wild looking woman with claws and a wolf's head had saved their lives.

Soon, once she was out of the battle, the She-Wolf left for the continent to rest.

Her surroundings blurred as the countryside sped past. So much had changed since she had last been freed. Now humans had grown strong and tall, like her Tall-Cub had. Eventually, she reached a place in Germany, a cave, not seen due to the opening having collapsed. But the rocks at the entrance were no issue for her, as she passed through them. Transforming into a wolf, she padded along until she reached the back, where she was buried. And barely sticking out was the skull of the lion, it's jaw dislocated, while nearby was the grave of her Tall-Cub.

And said spirit, that of her Tall-Cub, appeared,much like her and gently cleaned her as she laid down. Rest now, Mother, he said. Something that she agreed with fully, as she closed her eyes and slept. Around her, other spirits danced, all wolves and men and man-wolves. For Mother had returned to her home at last.

Meanwhile, around the world, all the werewolves felt a tingle as for the first time, their wolves calmed as if hearing something that they could not.

Years passed and the She-Wolf regained her strength. Waking, she stood up and, with her Tall-Cub following, left to see more of the world. Upon leaving the cave, she paused and looked to the south, feeling the Other was also stirring. For several moments, she stood there, feeling the world as it now was. There were less wolves now, far less. But there were also far more of her other cubs, the dogs. Throwing her head back, she howled and around the world, various dogs also howled as did dog-like creatures. In Japan, various Inugami howled in their places as they had gained their abilities from a cub of the She-Wolf.

Leaving her home, she began to travel, both in the physical and metaphysical. At one point, she came across a white haired man missing an eye with a younger one beside him with reddish hair. The two were facing two large wolves that were snarling at them, something about their father, but upon seeing her, they froze. The two wolves dropped to the ground and rolled onto their backs as the old man took several steps back, terror on his face as a single word escaped his lips...

"Primordial..."

However, the She-Wolf ignored that and soon continued on her journey.

When the Moon was whole, this time she took stock of all her cubs. Some, she approved of, others... she did not. One of the ones she did not attacked children out of perverse glee. And she was there to meet him when he died, him and those of his pack that followed him as one of the Sea Beings, shipgirls, killed them. It filled her with amusement that the creature had reacted to seeing a massive wolf, larger than a Battleship snarling at him when he passed on...

But that thing did not matter to her in the end as she tossed his soul once she was done to the true hunters.

No, what did matter were her true cubs. For them, she was ready to work to make their situation better. While the She-Wolf was unable to fully undo what had been done to them, she was able to slowly chip away. Things like lessening the pain when transforming, allowing for them to keep more of their mind when in said form. Decreasing the hunger for human flesh, little by little, transformation by transformation. Adults were hard, but some she focused more on others...

Above Wales, there a Full Moon shone down, the first of the New Year, twenty fourteen. Inside a bunker like structure, odd looking wolves slept. For the youngest, they dreamed of a wild looking woman. She was strong and powerful as shown by how she had corded muscles throughout her frame, but her body was also that of a mother. And in their wolf forms, they felt safe and secure as she gently ran her clawed hands through their fur, comforting murmurs coming from her mouth.

Somehow... Mother, seemed to be the only word to describe her.

Chests rising and falling as they slept on, she continued to comfort them. And they were not the only ones as the Moon trailed across the sky, and those in other places transformed, the children dreamt of her and a few adults. To the north in a castle that was in the Scottish Highlands, Moony dreamt the same thing, as well as somehow knowing that she felt pride in him. His lips on his wolfish muzzle curled in his sleep.

When day broke, all of the werewolves were more rested and relaxed. And the She-Wolf came out of the dreaming realm into the physical in one forest in Scotland, not far from the castle. Her gaze met that of an elderly seeming man in a cloak, who she recognized as the spirit of the forest. Not saying anything, he moved aside and bowed to her as she passed, her returning the gesture. Soon, she reached her destination.

There, in a clearing within the woods were a large pack of wolves. But they were not ordinary wolves, no, these ones were different. Their eyes shone with a human intelligence, and the She-Wolf bent down and placed one hand on the side of the muzzle belonging to the pack leader. Her magic seeped into the wolf, and it's form shifted, just a bit. Not much...

But enough.

For now.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

AN:
Yeah, I know. But... every once in a while you get the urge to write something a little... different. And this has been in my head for a while now.

 

[darthcourt10]

Savato93

Hoppou looked over Carrie and Sherri's bags, making sure all their belongings were accounted for. "Are girls ready to meet all their big sisters?"

The twins looked to each other nervously. "...We think so," Carrie said. "I just hope they aren't too put off by our appearance to start."

The little Princess pouted. "Girls need to stop worrying so much, and relax. Sisters will love you, Hoppou is sure of it!"

The altered Ri-class hung her head sheepishly. "Yeah, yeah. I know." Pausing to bring out her phone, Carrie gazed solemnly at the background image: she and her sister taking a group selfie with their adopted mother, Pauline Bridges. "...I'm going to miss Mama."

Carrie and Sherri had understood that, if their plan to reunite with their Princess succeeded, it would likely be a one-way trip. Regardless of having renounced their identities, at the end of the day they were Abyssals, and the United States would not let them come back to Unalaska once they revealed themselves. They understood, their mother had understood, and the three of them had made peace with that fact, and with each other, before they set out on their journey. But it didn't make the pain of being separated from the woman who raised them any easier to bear.

Hoppou stepped over and gazed at the picture herself, her expression softening. "Hoppou is sure she will miss you, too." She took her daughter's free hand and shook it gently. "Still, just because you can't visit, doesn't mean you can't keep in touch with her, or that she can't visit you. Right?"

The girls nodded to themselves. "I guess you're right," Sherri admitted. Nothing's really stopping us from calling her, or sending a letter."

Hoppou nodded, smiling. "Good!" Taking the sisters' hands, she marched them deeper into the guarded facility. "Now, let's go to Avrora!"

In no time, the girls were ushered through a set of double-doors into a rather plain room. The only outstanding feature of this chamber was an odd-looking wardrobe covered in mysterious markings. "Uh…" Sherri started. "What are we doing in here…?"

"Yeah," Carrie added. "I thought we were going to set sail, or hop on a plane."

"Well, Avrora has no landing strip, and sailing can take over a week." Hoppou rocked her head slightly, a sly look on her face. "Can Carrie and Sherri keep a secret? A really big, really important one?"

The sisters looked to each other. "...Sure," they eventually said.

Hoppou nodded. "Good." Stepping over to the wardrobe, she patted it with a hand. "This is a Vanishing Cabinet. It's like a teleporter, but it works on real magic!"

For a few seconds the girls stood there silently, blinking. "...you're… you're being serious?" Carrie asked.

"It may be hard to believe, but it's true." Stepping forward, the Princess pulled open the cabinet, showing that it was empty. "One of you can go ahead, step inside. Before you know it, you'll be there! You can trust Hoppou on this!"

Carrie and Sherri turned to each other, thinking. After a moment, they brought up their hands. "Rock, paper, scissors, shoot!" they chanted in unison. Carrie threw out rock; Sherri threw out paper. Carrie offered her sister a sheepish salute as she stepped forward. Gulping, she climbed up into the cabinet and closed the door behind her.

For a few seconds, it seemed to both sisters like nothing was happening. But then, Sherri felt an otherworldly tingle run briefly down her spine… and in front of her, her twin's IFF abruptly winked out of existence. "Carrie…?" She asked quietly, concerned.

Hoppou took hold of her daughter's hand. "It's okay, Carrie is okay," She reassured her daughter. "She was just moved to cabinet in Avrora. Now, it's Sherri's turn..." With that, the little princess opened up the cabinet—revealing it to be empty once more, to Sherri's shock—and ushered her inside, before entering behind her and shutting them both in.

Almost immediately, the Ri-class could feel that tingle in her keel again—but now it persisted, intensified, until she could feel it all throughout her body… telling her that something big was about to happen. She held her breath, waiting...

Until, in an instant, her everything went just the slightest bit out of whack.

Her internal sensors were freaking out—her thermometer, her barometer, her compass, all thrown off by what could only be an instantaneous change in her environment. The air around her suddenly felt warmer, more humid; instead of mid-winter, it felt like early spring. But worst of all was the spinning sensation… it felt like she had suddenly been rotated several degrees on her axis, and although her body tried to tell her she was off-balance, something kicked it back into gear with no warning whatsoever, leaving her highly disoriented. Sherri almost didn't notice when Hoppou pushed the cabinet open and hopped out; she stumbled after her, trying to shake her head to clear the dizziness…

And found herself in a place she'd never seen before.

This was no small room—this was a grand chamber, with walls made of brick and mortar instead of drywall and plaster, and high windows of stained glass. Ribbons and banners hung from the arched ceiling, decorated with a variety of designs—the most prominent image being a crab pot beneath an aurora. The decorations looked relatively new, but the rest of the place… it looked at least a century or two old.

"Welcome, sisters!"

Then, there was the matter of all the Abyssals in front of her…

The tallest woman in the room, draped in a simple gown and a fur mantle—Tanith, Sherri recalled—held her mechanical arms wide open in greeting. "Hello Carrie, Sherri," she spoke to Sherri and her sister gently. "I'm so glad to welcome you to our home. Everyone has been so excited to meet the two of you!"

Sherri struggled to respond, still groggy from whatever the cabinet had done to her. "Wuh… what just happened?" She asked, sitting back on her knees. "Is this… real?"

Behind Tanith, a Battleship Demon let out a small chuckle. "Yeah, don't worry. This is for real." She stepped forward and carefully gripped the Ri-class's arm, pulling her to her feet; feeling her touch—seeing the imps gathered on the Demon's deck, Sherri realized that this was all too real. "You just need a minute or two to adjust, after getting punted a thousand-something miles northeast in the blink of an eye."

"Hoppou knows that girls have never sailed before," the little Princess spoke up. "We could have taken time and sailed here instead… but Hoppou was worried you would struggle to make such a long trip with zero experience, and it might worsen the damage to your armaments. So Hoppou took Carrie and Sherri through Cabinet, instead." She hung her head slightly. "It can make you feel really weird going through it for the first time, but it doesn't really hurt, and you get used to it after a couple of trips."

Finally, Sherri could feel her stomach starting to settle down. She glanced around. "Uh… where's Carrie?"

"Right here!" Carrie peeked out behind Tanith. "I'm alright…"

Both sisters let out a sigh of relief, knowing the other was safe. Tanith nodded, smiling. "Yes, you're both going to be alright. You're among family, now. And we take care of each other." Stepping back, she gestured to the other Abyssals in the chamber. "Now then, Carrie, Sherri… these are some of your older sisters." She began pointing out each one in turn. As she did so, the twins realized… every single Abyssal in the room was a Princess or Demon. "There's Sunny, Ritou, Nuri, Sonata, Patty, and Yoko. Each of us, myself included, served as flagships for our respective groups after we were driven out of Unalaska. Now that we've all come together, though, we make up the general leadership of the Island, and our clan as a whole. If at any point you have a question about anything, just come to one of us and we'll do our best to help you."

Carrie and Sherri couldn't help but marvel at the girls before them. Each of these flagships alone would have been a force to be reckoned with… together, they were a terrifying sight. And to think the pair were sisters to them…!

Wait. If they were the flagships… where were their fleets? "Um…" Sherri started hesitantly. "Where are the rest of our sisters? We thought there were more…"

Sunny nodded. "Of course. There's at least a hundred of us here. That said, though, we didn't want to overwhelm you so soon after you arrived. We wanted to give you a chance to adjust, before we start parading you around the island to meet everybody."

"...okay." The Ri-class sisters dipped their heads. "Thank you, for trying to help us get comfortable. This will be a big change from our life in Unalaska… but hopefully, it will be a change for the better, for us."

Their elder sisters nodded in acceptance and approval.

Nuri chose that moment to speak up, approaching their mother with a black tube in hand. "Hey, Mom. Me and Ritou worked out the revised Mi-class blueprints. Would you be willing to look them over while you're here?"

Hoppou nodded. "Hoppou would be happy to. She's curious to see what you put together since last time…"

Suddenly, the girls all heard an instrument begin to play in what felt like the back of their heads… a flute.

Sunny perked up, eyebrows rising. "Is that… 'Flight of the Bumblebee'?"

Before anyone could answer, there was a low rumble in the ground beneath their feet, which quickly started to grow stronger. For a moment a few of the Abyssals worried that something was happening to the island's volcano, but then they realized the tremors were coming from the opposite direction. Eventually the rumbling became audible, sounding like an avalanche, or a stampede… until the rumble abruptly cut out altogether. Walking over to the palace entryway, Tanith threw open the doors to see what was going on.

Standing just outside the palace were the destroyers…

all the destroyers.

All fixated on Carrie and Sherri.

"Little Sisters!" They chorused in unison.

Hoppou threw her hands up in playful glee. "Puppies!"

Carrie and Sherri simultaneously fainted on the spot.

 

[darthcourt10]

NotHimAgain

Flash Back: Everybody Talks

"All right, everyone, gather around," Benio said, sitting on the floor. She patted the spot beside her, glancing between her three companions. "Council of war, let's go."

Reiko glanced over at her. The jorogumo was almost literally huddled over her calligraphy set (Tonbo had snuck back onto the plane and retrieved it in the confusion), as if afraid that someone would appear out of thin air to steal it from her. "You want to do this already?" she complained. "Why can't we just take some time to recuperate?"

"That would be nice," Tatsuya stood, walked over to Benio's side, and sat down. "Unfortunately, if our previous trips out of the country have taught us anything, it's…" He paused thoughtfully. "Well, a year or two ago, our family won a trip to Ireland in some kind of sweepstakes. I fell asleep on the bus to the hotel we were going to be staying at, and when I woke up Benio and I were tied up in the back of an old Cessna on our way to Dun Scaith. Apparently we were supposed to be human sacrifices in some kind of… I don't even know what."

He shuddered. "That one got pretty messed up fast. Point is, whatever's going on here is probably already winding up to hit us. We need to decide on some basic game plans right now before everything starts openly going to shit."

"Good idea," Tonbo agreed, rocking back and forth on the bed. She pawed absent-mindedly at her hilt. "Kind of reminds me of your great-grandfather. Had to fight an army of sapient toast on his honeymoon. Good thing he married a Cold War secret agent. Only thing that she could cook worth a damn was plastic explosives, but she was good…" She trailed off, glancing between Tatsuya (unimpressed), Benio (amused), and Reiko (disbelieving). "What?"

"Nothing," Tatsuya replied, pressing his fingers against his temples. "Just… it explains so many things that I never wanted to know the answer to."

"Sapient toast?" Reiko echoed.

"That was a thing that happened. Seriously, I was there."

"Sapient toast?"

"Besides the point!" Benio snapped, clapping loudly. She paused. "Well, except if the vampire watermelons come after us again. But planning now."

"Reiko hangs back as much as possible," Tatsuya said just as quickly. "She's still very inexperienced in the field, and—"

WHAM!

Reiko jumped, falling off the bed. Tatsuya sighed and stood, grabbing a glass off of the table. "That's it, then," Benio announced, skipping away from the wall.

Turning the top of the glass against the wall, Tatsuya pressed his ear to it and strained to listen.

"… to stop being so emotional."

"Emotional? How much money did you just cost us? How much work did you just cost us? You need to be in the Wizengamot!"

Two voices. One older, calmer, colored with experience. One younger, miraculously not blaring through the wall.

"I'm old, Absalom. I don't have the energy for the Wizengamot anymore, it's simply time to recognize that. Furthermore, I can easily be replaced by someone who shares our allegiance, and…" The first voice gained a smug tone—maybe that was the wrong way to describe it. Furtive, maybe? "I still have a certain amount of influence in that circle. I told her that it might be better if I focus my efforts there, and she agreed."

"But you have a job! You have to make things easier for us!"

"For you?"

Silence. Then the first voice spoke again.

"Things aren't easy for a werebear in the magical world. I understand that, and I wholly sympathize. But sabotaging a political group that makes me want to vomit from the inside is stressful at best and like I said—"

Someone pounded at the door, and Tatsuya jerked himself away to look over at it. "Room service!" a new voice—Scottish female, likely young—shouted gleefully. He grimaced, returning his attention to the other room for just one moment more before someone had to open the door—

"—do you mean, you forgot to set up the Silencing charms?"

Tatsuya had barely enough time to throw himself away from the wall before things started exploding.
-----

Here we are. The second try. Longer, better planned out, and I'll be having a go at a hopefully somewhat different kind of villain in between everything. Hope this works out.

Well what do you think, sirs?

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Panting with sweat dripping from his pores, Harry grit his teeth as he held his wand out in front of him. From it, a silvery mist shot forth into the form of a translucent shield. Even as his strength was sapped, and cold claws attempted to pull away the memories that he was using, he did not let up. Darkness crept in from the edges of his vision even as his knees trembled a bit, until a voice spoke up, cutting through the gloom, "Okay, that is enough."

Nearly dropping as there was a clicking sound of a sword being sheathed, the teen let his arm fall. Said arm felt like lead from pure exertion, but he nodded at Remus before turning to the floating Dementor before him, "Thank you... Kagotsuruhe-San."

From inside the hood, a woman's face appeared. The appearence of such was at such odds with the rest, such as the hands which looked like they belonged to a corpse that had been in the water for too long, that Harry could have laughed. Could have laughed, but for how he was still recovering. Plastering a smile onto her face, the Sword of Hopelessness gave him a thumbs up, "You are welcome, and a very good job!"

That time, Harry did laugh at the ridiculousness of the whole image before shaking his head, "Hah... I managed even longer this time, so I guess." Flexing his hands, he took a deep breath as he worked out the strain there before grimacing, "Still have not managed to get a corporeal one though."

Only shaking his head, Remus gave him some chocolate, "Here, have some of this." As the teen ate, the werewolf sighed and shook his head, "Having a corporeal Patronus, Harry, is something that few wizards manage. Despite what some might think, it is a lot harder to pull off than a simple shield like you just made." Patting him on the back, the teacher smiled, "But I think that you will pull it off."

Much to their confusion, Kagotsuruhe had a slightly smug smile on her face, as if she knew something that they did not, "Yes, I would think so."

Raising one eyebrow in askance, the teacher did not get an answer back from her, only her face once more going blank, 'Yeah, I am never playing poker with her with that sort of Poker Face.'

Harry, meanwhile, just ate the chocolate in his mouth before swallowing. Feeling like some warmth was coming back to his limbs, he frowned a bit as he stood up, "Still... I'm doing better, but..."

Simply waving her hand, Kagotsuruhe had a fake looking understanding smile on her face, "As Mister Lupin said, it will come in time. Even with the slow progress, you are advancing. Slowly and surely, so do not give up."

Laughing, the thirteen year old shot her a grin, "Who's giving up? I don't give up something that I am working on unless there is exactly no chance of me pulling it off. And right now, I am still getting closer and closer to my goal. So no way am I giving up."

With a sigh, Remus gave him a wistful smile, "You really are your parents' child, Harry." At the look, he continued, "Both of them were stubborn as all hell when it came down to doing things with an attitude of not giving up. Something that it seems that you have inherited, as frustrating as it is at times."

Just shrugging, Harry grinned all the more and added a laugh, "Maybe, but I'll take that as a compliment."

Mock throwing his hands into the air, the werewolf rolled his eyes, "Dammit, that was pure Lily right there."

Her body transforming into it's normal form, briefly looking like a bad CGI made real or that liquid metal terminator outside of the face, Kagotsuruhe hummed, "Still, I believe that we can leave it there for now. You've made some progress and we do not want to overdo it." Wagging a finger, she transformed into another woman, unknown to Harry being Umitsubame, "Overdoing it and wasting progress is just as bad as not working hard enough."

Cocking his head to the side, Harry frowned, "Who was that?"

Kagotsuruhe hummed as she gestured at her current form, "This?" At the nod, she shrugged and transformed back, "That was another of mine and Juuchi's sisters, Umitsubame. She is... the handler for us, team mom I believe Akutoku once called it."

Somewhat amused by that, Harry only shook his head in amusement. Turning towards Remus, he took a few moments to observe the other man who was sipping some hot chocolate. Part of him was amused that just like his parents' journals said, the man was a chocoholic. But the rest was taking note of something, "You know, Uncle Moony... I'm kind of surprised."

Blinking, Remus pulled his lips away from his mug before licking the chocolate from his mustache, "Hmm? Surprised about what?"

Accepting his own mug from Kagotsuruhe, the younger wizard tilted his head to the side, "Well... the Full Moon was just five days ago. And despite that, you've pretty much recovered fully." At the odd look he got, Harry flushed a bit, "I mean, you used to look like death warmed over."

Not saying anything right away, Remus considered that and the very odd dream he had during the Full Moon. Of being visited by a wild looking woman clad in furs and with a wolf's head. For some odd reason, he swore he felt... pride, from her. As if she was proud that he was taking care of his friend's child, his "Pack's" cub as well as the younger werewolves. Which confused him at how he could tell that.

The werewolf put that into the back of his mind as he took another sip, "Well... the transformation didn't take as much out of me this time. Don't really know why, but... maybe Severus did something to the Wolfsbane potion to make it easier." He then gave a shrug, "No idea why, though I am thankful nonetheless as it can get pretty bad."

All Harry did though was grimace at that.

Soon after, he left the room and headed back to Gryffindor Tower to get a shower. Taking a sip of her own drink, Kagotsuruhe hummed some, "You are not telling the full story. Such as of that dream."

Giving her a look, Remus frowned, "It is just an odd dream, nothing else. Unless you think otherwise?"

For several moments, the sword spirit considered what she had just seen. In the end, she shook her head as part of her told her it would be best to ignore it. Not helped by the fact that when she went over what happened in the dream a third time, the wild woman was now staring at her with narrowed eyes.

No, best not to mess with such things, she decided.

Instead, she hummed and gave him a smile, "Well, if you think that perhaps the local Potions Master is perhaps slipping narcotics into his potions, I could always send a sample to Umitsubame. Though if he is, she would be... upset. It happens when she thinks that some are not treating her preferred art in a manner that she believes they should."

Blinking as he had not expected that, Remus snorted some, "No, I don't think that he is. Severus is many things, but he takes his potion making seriously." He glanced at the woman shaped being beside him with a cocked eyebrow, "Though in regards to Harry, I wonder when you are going to tell him."

Expression one of confusion, Kagotsuruhe frowned, "Tell him? Tell him what?"

That got her a look from the Professor, "He may not have noticed, but I have." Remus narrowed his eyes slightly with a thoughtful expression on his face, "You've been slowly increasing the amount that you are unsheathed. Not by much, but enough that I noticed." He rubbed his chin some, "I was unsure before tonight, but I can be sure now, you are increasing the amount that you have been exposing him to."

Opening one eye, Kagotsuruhe hummed some, "Hmm..."

Neither of the two said anything for several moments, but Remus fully turned towards her, "Why?"

Suddenly, the sword was all smiles, "So that he gets stronger when he does not expect it, of course!"

Having not expected that, Remus boggled at her, "Say what now?"

Kagotsuruhe chuckled and wagged a finger, that fake smile on her face still, "I have been increasing it just enough each time that he needs to work harder to keep up. To stay at the same level he was at each practice before. When the time comes, I shall drop most of the power and he will form his corporal Patronus right there. Because he will be so used to the amount of force that I am using, that he will overpower it." Giving a thumbs up, she grinned, "Thus, he will have a boost to his confidence."

For several moments, Remus stared at her before pinching his nose, "I hate that what you just said makes sense... I really hate it..."

All the Muramasa did was smile back.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

It was a tired, though somewhat refreshed Harry who walked out of the Third Year Gryffindor's Boy's washroom drying his wet hair. Glancing at the beds, he could see that at least Ron was in his bed asleep, most likely after getting his homework done. Granted, Harry's lips twitched a bit at the Smol Warspite pulling the blankets up more on his friend's body with a huff. Simply shaking his head, he tossed the towel into the hamper and watched as it disappeared before smiling and glancing around, "Thank you." Not getting an answer, though he had expected he wouldn't, he turned towards his bed and paused for a moment.

Mainly because from between the curtains, he could spot a now familiar muzzle with a black nose on it poking out from inside the curtains.

Now smiling, Harry walked over to the bed and watched as the muzzle disappeared. Opening the curtains, he slipped in before laying back and sighing, "Good evening, Natsumi-Chan."

From beneath his blankets, a smiling fox appeared and spoke, "Evening, Harry-Chan." Wigging out, and revealing her two tails weaving in the air, her smile grew before she transformed into her usual, Demi-human state, "Tired?"

Yawning again, Harry gave a shrug, "Kind of? I mean, not really physically tired as much as mentally, I guess."

Mouth open to comment, the Kitsune paused to think it through. It didn't take long for Natsumi to come to a conclusion, "Patronus practice with Kagotsuruhe?"

Harry nodded with a somewhat exhausted smile, "Patronus practice with Kagotsuruhe."

Laying down on top of him, Natsumi frowned a bit before shaking her head, "I'm still unsure about how you're doing this, Harry-Chan. From the stories about her that Oba-Chan and the others have told me..."

Only shaking his head, the wizard brought up one hand and began to light scratch behind his friend's ear. Something that she seemed to enjoy going by how she softly purred, "Don't get me wrong, it's not easy at all, Natsumi-Chan. But at the same time? It works and a lot better than anything else we could come up with."

Eyes narrowed at him, even as she felt her body relax, Natsumi huffed, "I still don't understand how you managed to track her down and get her convinced to do this."

Blinking, Harry looked at her, "Where did you get the idea that I tracked her down? Or that it was me that convinced her to do this?"

That made his friend stare at him for a moment, "Wait... you mean that you didn't do that, Harry-Chan?" At the shake of his head, Natsumi frowned, "But... if you didn't, than who?"

With a hum, Harry scratched the back of his head with one hand while his other continued to scratch Natsumi behind the ears, "Oh, that was apparently Juuchi. Or at least that was what I got from the conversation when I first met her just after that whole Dementor attack during the Quidditch game."

Her expression blank, Natsumi could only have one reply to that being told to her, "What."

Just shrugging, Harry began to tell the tale...

*********

For several moments, the thirteen year old stood there with a small frown on his face as he stared at the woman in front of him. Said woman was in an odd pose with her hand held out giving them a thumbs up while grinning in a way that seemed... off. Beside Harry, Remus blinked in utter confusion, "I'm sorry, but... who are you? And what are you doing here?"

The woman gave him a confused look, "I am Muramasa no Kagotsuruhe."

Arms crossed, Harry frowned a bit before remembering where he had heard that name before. It was one that came up in a conversation with Haru some time back after all, so he had it in the back of his mind, "Wait, Muramasa no Kagotsuruhe? The Sword of Hopelessness?"

Remus stared at him for a few moments before moving between her and Harry, "Sword of Hopelessness? That... does not sound good."

However, Harry waved him off, "She's kind of Juuchi's sister? Though, um... from what I heard she's one of the two most feared ones of their sisters."

Tone completely dry, the werewolf glanced at the son of his friends, "Harry? That does not exactly fill me with confidence."

Right as Harry was about to reply, Kagotsuruhe raised one finger with that same, creepy smile on her face which looked utterly faked, "If I wished to harm Juuchi-Chan's Master, I would have and there is nothing that you would be able to do to stop me, Lupin-San." Then she grinned and nodded, "But I am not aiming to and instead want to help!"

Both wizards stared at her for a few moments before the teacher cleared his throat, "You... want to help? Really?"

At her nod, Harry frowned as he remembered another bit, "I... think that I remember something? About how you are able to drain hope and the like from an area? Like a Dementor? And that you can feed on emotions?"

Slowly, Kagotsuruhe nodded, "That is exactly right! And from what I know, you are aiming to learn how to defend yourself from Dementors, thus I can help." Her form just shifted and she was now in the form of a Dementor, floating in place with her face visible in the Dementor's hood, "Much better than a Boggart."

Harry was about to comment when he paused as his eyes caught sight of something at her side. One thing was what he believed to be her own sword which had an odd hilt made from some bone-like substance that made him want to shiver. But there was also a second sword at her side, one that he recognized...

Juuchi Yosamu.

Eyes widened a bit, Harry pointed at it, "Wait, you have Juuchi?"

With a nod, the sword spirit held her sister in one hand, "As a matter of fact, I do."

And than she tossed her at Harry, with the teen barely catching her. For several moments, both him and Juuchi were still before he could feel anger coming from said sword as well as annoyance. Harry blinked at it a bit, "Um..."

Meanwhile, Kagotsuruhe smiled and gave a thumbs up, "You could always come out, Juuchi-Chan."

Part of Harry was amused to note that he had a feeling as if Juuchi had turned her head and huffed. Only shaking his head, he sighed a bit, "She doesn't want me to see her avatar for some reason." Getting a shrug from the other sword, Harry turned back to Juuchi, "So... is she for real?"

Juuchi unsheathed herself a bit and the teen could feel confirmation from her.

This was helped along as a folded piece of paper shoved into her sheath was wiggled out... somehow. Eyebrow raised, Harry took it and unfolded the paper and read it. Head tilted to the side, he looked at Kagotsuruhe and nodded, "According to this, Juuchi asked you to do this? Because you'd be able to copy a Dementor?"

Lips curling, Kagotsuruhe nodded, "Indeed... you might well have felt my power at the previous game."

Briefly, there was a flash of memory across the two wizards' minds. In Harry's case, it was a bit dim from falling unconscious, but he could remember a form near the Ravenclaw stands that resembled something from deranged nightmares, which scared even the Dementors. Turning to her, she nodded in confirmation. With another glance at the paper, Harry could feel Juuchi rattle and he took a deep breath before letting it out as he turned to his teacher, "Well, if she can do it, I don't see an issue."

Frowning, Remus looked at him before shaking his head, "I'm unsure of this, but... I suppose that we could give it a shot..."

Once more, Kagotsuruhe gave them a bright, though faked, smile and nodded as she gave them a thumbs up, "That's the spirit!"

Just sharing a look, the two males shrugged.

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

Natsumi stared at her friend for several moments before pinching her nose, "Really, Harry-Chan? That was how it went?"

With a shrug, Harry nodded, "That was how it went." Going back to scratching her ears, he continued, "Though we went to Dumbledore shortly afterwards and confirmed it with him. Apparently Kagotsuruhe had gone to him first and he had agreed with the idea if we allowed it. So... yeah, and it has worked out pretty well."

Rolling her eyes, the Kitsune sighed, "Because of course it did." Than she moved up a bit and laid down with her head under his chin, "Anyways, I learned something neat, want to see?"

Intrigued, Harry's eyes lit up as he smiled, "Sure, what?"

Lips curling upwards, Natsumi giggled a bit, "Hoshi-San taught me this and Haha-ue helped... Now watch."

Snapping her finger, several glowing balls appeared and floated above her hand. Part of Harry noted that they looked to be made out of foxfire, but kept watching. With another snap, Natsumi sent them flying around the covered bed in various patterns with a grin and Harry soon joined her as he realized what it was, and remembered an event during the previous summer, "Danmaku?"

Teeth showing from her grin, Natsumi giggled and motioned with her hand, sending the balls flying in this pattern or that, "Hai, or at least as close as you can get in real life. Still trying to work out how to make homing Ofuda, but... this is pretty good. They don't really hurt, just sort of sting when they hit, but still."

Eyes practically glowing as he watched the balls of light, Harry shook his head, "That is so neat." Rubbed his chin in thought as the balls faded away, "Though now I need to figure something out for myself."

With a hum, Natsumi twisted around and gave him a kiss on the cheek, "Well, I could help you figure out something. And with the time turners, we could work it out..." An evil grin crossed her face, "It would make for a good surprise when we spar with Hoshi-San again, maybe catch her off guard."

Now, neither of them thought that would work, but privately they agreed it was at least worth a try...

 

[darthcourt10]

Savato93

"Alright…" Tanith began, pinching the bridge of her nose. In front of her, the destroyers all had their avatars deployed and sitting on their knees, looking sheepish. "Whose idea was it to rally the puppies for this welcome wagon? We are trying to ease our estranged sisters into their new lives… scaring them unconscious not five minutes after they arrive is not helping."

After several seconds Silver stood up, hanging her head guiltily. "...Silver is sorry. Was just so excited to hear that little sisters were left alive in Unalaska, were coming home. Just wanted to bring everyone to finally meet them for the first time, when we felt their IFFs show up."

Tanith closed her eyes and sighed. "Look, girls, I am just as excited about this as you, for more reason than just reuniting them with their family. Carrie and Sherri are truly unique—they have come closer to being... human, than any of us thought was possible for Abyssals. Yet more proof that Abyssals are not born evil, that we are shaped by the world and the people around us… to a surprising degree." She shook her head. "That said, however, these two are going through a significant change. They left behind the home they were born and raised in to come here, to live free with their kin... and it will likely be a very long time, if ever, before they will be allowed to go back. Because of that, me and the other flagships want to do whatever we can to help them transition to this new life comfortably. Do you girls understand?"

"...yes, Sister," the destroyers eventually replied.

The Princess nodded. "Alright. Now, I understand this was an honest mistake, so today you all will be let off with just a warning. Just keep in mind: not everyone will be overjoyed to see a herd of destroyers storming their front door to greet them. In fact, most will be terrified. If any of you still want to meet our new little sisters, I am not going to stop you… but you will need to take turns, one or two at a time, not rush them all at once. Okay?"

The destroyers' expressions brightened. "Okay, Sister!"

With that, the group dispersed—some heading off, returning to their business, and others sticking around and debating the order in which they would introduce themselves to Carrie and Sherri. Hopeful that the issue had been resolved, Tanith turned and made for the palace. Sunny and Sonata had taken the twins to one of the cabins to recuperate; hopefully, having some smaller Abyssals looking after them when they woke up would be less shocking. All the installations, meanwhile, had vanished into the palace nursery, along with Mother. She wondered what that was about…

Wait, crap. She forgot to ask whose idea it was to have the puppies stampede to classical music.

XXXXXXXXXX

Hoppou pored over the Mi-class blueprints slowly and carefully, her imps taking notes as she went. "This is the finalized design?" She asked Nuri.

The Airfield Demon nodded. "The partial designs the Atlantic Princess gave us in exchange for the Ko-class gave me a good starting point on my revisions. A wider array of more specialized repair tools, more robust defensive armaments, and greater capacity for spare parts to service more ships."

Her mother hummed thoughtfully. Her gaze shifted to the listed dimensions for the repair ship. "She's really big," she pointed out. "As large and resource-intensive as a capital ship, if not more so. What made Nuri and Ritou choose this, over a smaller design? With how huge the half-naked lady's fleet is, she would probably do better with a more mass-producible craft."

"Yeah, we thought about that," Ritou noted, folding her arms. "From the sound of it, she seems to be focusing on numbers over individual performance… but just because SHE'S willing to accept losses in battle, that doesn't mean WE shouldn't try to reduce the likelihood of such losses happening, does it? A bigger hull means more space for parts, more powerful tools… a greater shot at ensuring the ships in her fleet survive to make it home."

"The Mi-class will be a steep investment, no doubt," Nuri continued, "but look at it this way: would it be more efficient to field several small repair ships, that may or may not be equipped to stabilize critical damage, that are likely to be (at the very least) mission-killed if they come under attack… or one larger ship, equipped to handle damages for the whole fleet, that can better defend herself if forced into an engagement?"

For several seconds Hoppou was silent, contemplating their words. Finally, she nodded. "Okay. Hoppou trusts daughters' judgment. Development of the Mi-class may go forward with Hoppou's blessing."

Nuri blinked. After a couple seconds she broke out in a wide grin, quivering with suppressed glee at her mother's approval. "You won't be disappointed, Mother!"

Standing to the side with Yoko, Patty chose this moment to speak up. "So, Nuri, you said you wanted us to come down here and help you with something. What is that, exactly?"

The Demon turned to her Princess counterpart. "Ah, right! That." She looked back to Hoppou. "So, Mom… in the time since you rebuilt Regalia, and then Renita, I got to thinking. Building Abyssals through eggs, they can take anywhere from a couple weeks to a couple months to hatch. And yet, Mom, you were able to put together the hull for the Re-class in just a few days. So I wondered: could we not just… do that? Come together and assemble a new Abyssal by hand?"

Nuri's sisters glanced to each other, intrigued by the proposal. Hoppou brought a mitten to her chin. "Hmm… well, it's an interesting idea. But Nuri needs to take into account that eggs are responsible for more than just helping Abyssals grow. Producing an egg naturally lets the mother pass on an impression of her spirit… lets her lay the foundation necessary for baby Abyssal to develop their own soul. Can put together a hull yourself, sure… but it will just be a shell."

Nuri tilted her head. "Is there not something we can do to remedy that?"

Ritou held up a finger. "Actually, I once asked Tanith how she managed to make Regalia, when her rigging didn't have an orifice to output eggs, and she explained her production ritual to me." She rotated her hand palm-up, and a few imps appeared. "Part of the process was that she donated some of her crew, supposedly to populate the new hull. Perhaps we could do something similar?"

Hoppou pursed her lips. "...that could work, maybe." She nodded to herself. "Girls are free to give this idea a try, if they want to. Just keep Hoppou informed on progress, let her know if it works, okay?"

"Sure thing, Mom." Turning to her sisters, Nuri clapped her hands together. "Alright, let's start pooling our resources and divvying up the tasks. I hope to have the first of the Mi-class launched and undergoing trials within the next two weeks, so we can evaluate performance and forward the plans to Princess Porta ASAP!"

XXXXXXXXXX

"Wow…" Carrie sighed, taking in the simple, but comfy features of the cabin they found themselves in. "You guys managed to put these together in just a few years?"

Sunny shook her head. "Oh, not at all. Really, up until we revealed ourselves to the Japanese to make peace, Tanith's fleet was the only group living here full-time. Couple dozen, at most." She gestured to the cabin around them. "These shelters are actually prefabs. They were gifted to us by our Uncle Harry."

"Uncle?"

The Demon shrugged. "Well… he's our uncle through adoption. The Japanese battleship Nagato adopted him years ago, and she also took in Mom after rescuing her from the ruins of Dutch Harbor. While he's only a teenager, he's pretty wealthy—but more importantly, he is an absolutely amazing uncle that loves his family regardless of race. He'll always try his hardest to make everyone happy."

"Huh… that sounds nice." Glancing outside the window behind them, the girls saw a short but curvaceous Re-class walking around with an odd-looking little carrier beside her. In the far distance, they could just make out the silhouette of the partially-dismantled super yacht anchored offshore. "Did he gift you that cruise ship, too?"

"I found that, actually," Sonata answered. "She'd been missing since before Blood Week, stuck on a reef in the middle of the ocean. Me and the other submarines lived inside her for the past few years; once our family came together on Avrora, I decided to exercise squatter's rights and get her towed home for repairs and renovation."

Sherri's eyes widened in awe. "Cool."

"Yep," Sunny agreed with a grin. "We hope to have her back in working order by around April, so we can celebrate Uncle Harry finishing his school year."

"Oh, and about the destroyers..." Sonata continued. "We're sorry about that. They're a bit... simple-minded, I guess you could say. They didn't really mean any harm—they were just excited to meet you. Do you think you can give them a chance to properly introduce themselves?"

Turning back around to sit in her seat normally, Carrie nodded softly. "I think we can do that, yeah. Really, it's nothing against them—it's just that we've never seen so many Abyssals packed into a small space before. It was a little overwhelming…"

Sunny hummed. "I suppose that makes sense. You grew up among humans, so you're not as used to large groups like that. But don't worry—once we've gotten you two into a few cuddlepiles, they'll feel a lot less intimidating."

"...cuddle piles?" The twins asked in unison.

Sunny and Sonata grinned.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Humming as he examined the cut, Haruto frowned a little, 'Well... it could be worse.' Looking up, he placed the bandage back on it, "What happened?"

The Tanuki's mother sighed and crossed her arms, "He was out playing with some kids and slipped and fell down an embankment." She frowned a little, unsure, "Is he going to be okay?"

Lightly chuckling, Haruto only nodded, "He's going to be just fine, don't worry about it." He looked up at the nine year old and placed the young Yokai's hand on the bandage, "Hold that there just for a little bit, I have to get some things to clean it out first and make sure that there's nothing in it before I heal it." Getting a nod, the Healer walked over to the cupboard and pulled out two bottles which he brought over, "Now, we got to wash it a bit."

Pulling the bandage away, he did exactly that before gently dabbing it dry while with his wand, he tipped the other bottle onto a floating cloth. Seeing that, the young Tanuki winced, "Um... tha-that's going to hurt..."

Slowly, Haruto nodded with a gentle expression on his face, "Hai, it will. But it will hurt more if the wound has any bacteria or such in it before I seal it up. And while not a disinfecting potion, rubbing alcohol does the trick just fine." Grasping the wet cloth, he looked up into the Yokai's eyes, "Now, can you be a little bit brave for me? It will hurt some, but I think that a young man like you won't be bothered too much."

At the wink, the child nodded some and blushed, "I-I won't." When he was placed against his cut though, he hissed a bit and gave a small whimper, "Um..."

His mother only patted his shoulder as Haruto held it against the cut for a little bit and pulled it away. With a nod, he did a scan of the wound and smiled which the mother perked up a bit at, "Is... is it all clean?"

With a chuckle, the Healer nodded, "It's all clean. Now, let's seal that right up and you will be just fine." Waving his wand over the wound, he smiled as he watched the cut close up as he slowly traced it from the bottom up with the tip of the wooden rod. After it was all done, he examined where the wound was and looked up at the kid, "There we go, all healed."

As he got up, the female Tanuki relaxed some and bowed a little, "Thank you, Haruto-Sama. I know that you normally wouldn't need to do this, but..."

Haruto just waved her off with a shake of his head, "Don't worry about it, Suzuhara-San. Kids will be kids and get hurt. All part of growing up, after all I got hurt as a kid at times. Besides which..." A chuckle escaped him as he tossed the rag into a bin and reached into a drawer, "It is sort of my job to fix people up."

Smiling, Suzuhara nodded, "Yes, well, we appreciate it anyways. So thank you."

Just looking over his shoulder, the seventeen year chuckled some as he pulled out a jar filled with wrapped candies. Reaching in, he pulled out one of the wrapped sweets and held it out to the Tanuki, "Well, you're welcome." A smile on his face, he nodded at the young child, "Now, I have some Jolly Ranchers here that I bought on my last trip outside the reserve, so go ahead and have one or two for being such a brave young man."

If anything, that made the youngster blush all the more, but he took it while his mother raised her eyebrow, "Say thank you to Haruto-Sama."

With a small nod, the youth looked down some with a smile, "Thank you, Haruto-Sama..."

Sighing, Haruto ruffled the younger male's hair, "You're very welcome. Now go and have some fun with your friends, just don't get hurt for a while, okay?"

That got him a nod and the child popped one of the candies in his mouth with a smile. However, that fell away with the sound of a clearing throat and Haruto stood up to find his older brother at the door to his clinic with two of the Reserve Guards at his side. Guards that the Healer recognized as some of those who caused... trouble... for the residents, "Hello, Otouto."

Expression blank, Haruto met his brother's gaze impassively, "Nii-San." Glancing at the mother and son, he gave them a nod and motioned with his head. Both of them cleared out and Haruto tossed the other rags he had used into a bin to be cleaned later with boiling water, "What brings you here?"

A bored look on his face, though a bit of his lip was curled upwards into the slightest bit of a sneer, Ichiro looked around, "What an interesting... shack."

Simply shrugging, the younger of the two shook his head, "It does what it needs to, which is enough for me." Walking to the sink, he turned it on and began to wash his hands, "I don't need any fancy hospitals to do my work."

Now no longer even bothering to hide his disgust, Ichiro sneered fully, "Yes, as you told me when you threw my generous offer back in my face." Eyes narrowing some, he continued, "You could have done well where I was going to place you, instead of this disgusting place wasting your talents and reputation. You could have made something of yourself. Improve the standing of our family."

His tone one of boredom, Haruto scoffed, "No, because in the end it was not for me, it was all for you. And improving the standing of the family? You mean yours in the Diet." Turning off the tap, he dried his hands and began to turn, "As it always was-"

Just as he turned, all the air was driven from his lungs and he fell to his knees due to the punch to the gut from his brother. Rubbing his knuckles, Ichiro gave him a look, "In the end, they are one and the same, dear Otouto."

He gave a nod to the two guards who grabbed his brother's arms and hauled him to his feet in time to get another punch to the gut. Gasping, Haruto sucked in some breaths before glaring at his brother, "Really... punching me? What? Don't know enough magic?"

That only got him a disappointed look which made him internally snort in derision. His brother though snorted outwardly, "No, but magic would be too obvious. Physical damage? Why, that could have been done by any of the beasts here."

Meeting his brother's gaze, Haruto smirked, "I only see three beasts here, and none of them are Yokai, dear Nii-San."

All that got him though was a slap to the face before his brother grabbed him by the chin, "Now then, I am going to ask you nicely and want you to answer..."

One eyebrow raised, Haruto stared at him, "Going to ask me something? Like if you slap like that one girl who got pissed off at you because you dismissed the Omiai our parents set up and slapped you?"

Going red in the face in embarrassment, Ichiro growled, "I am going to ignore that this time as I had no time for such silly things as that then or now as I am a very busy man. Now... tell me about the smugglers."

Haruto spat to the side and gave his brother a look of bemusement, "The smugglers?"

Slowly, Ichiro nodded, "Yes, the smugglers. Who are they? Who is involved here? What times do they come? And how do they smuggle things in? Tell me and I can make things a bit easier for you."

What he didn't expect was for his brother to smile and shrug, "I don't know any of that, I'm just a Healer."

Another blow to the stomach knocked the breath from his lungs. The only thing that kept him from falling was the fact that the two guards had hold of his arms. Growing, Ichiro grabbed his collar and forced him to meet his gaze, "Do not give me that, Haruto! I want to know, and I want to know now! So give me what I want, and you can go back to doing... your things." When his older brother nodded, Haruto noticed one of the guards reach out and grab the cupboard with the medicine, "Or some bad things might happen."

Of all the things, Ichiro did not expect his younger brother to chuckle, "Won't do a thing, those cupboards are charmed specifically so that only a Healer can open them. And it also keeps what is inside from being damaged."

Eyes widening, the older of the two siblings looked at the guard who yanked as hard as he could on the doors, and scowled as nothing at all moved inside.

When he turned back to Haruto, the Healer smirked, actually smirked at him much to his fury before said seventeen year old spoke, "I'm going to say it slow and simple this time. I. Don't. Know. Nothing. About. Smugglers." He gave a shrug and grinned, "One of the first things that I did was tell the Yokai here to make damn sure that I didn't know anything about how the smuggling is done or who is involved. That way, I couldn't tell anyone anything at all..." Leaning forward the best that he could, "Especially people like you, Nii-San."

Shaking in anger, Ichiro growled at him as he shook him, "You're lying! You must have seen something here! Heard something here!"

Now grinning, Haruto laughed, "Nope! I go out of my way to avoid seeing anything. Want me to swear an oath?" Crookedly smiling even as his cheek hurt, he continued though he caught sight of movement at the door out of the corner of his eye, 'I hope that's not one of the kids...' It was than that memory of an old muggle show he saw once came to mind, "I hear nothing, I see nothing, I know nothing."

The two guards got a nod from his brother and Haruto found himself slammed up against the wall, a groan escaping him. Walking up, Ichiro snarled at him, "Do you know what is at stake!? With all this smuggling!?"

Completely unbothered after shaking his head, Haruto snorted some, "Yes, such as the lives here that depend on it via food or needed potions. Or the lives of those involved, who are risking themselves?" His lips curled a little, "Or do you mean something utterly worthless... like your reputation? Or that of the politicians whose asses you kiss? They're not looking the greatest right now..."

Moments later, he was slammed against the wall again, followed by another punch to the gut before Ichiro replied, "Watch what you say, Otouto. Or else, when I am Head of the Family, I will toss you out! Full disownment!"

To his befuddlement, Haruto shrugged, "If you were head of the family, than it would not be one that I would want to be part of. But I doubt very much that you are going to become Head of the Family soon, or at all."

Laughing, Ichiro grinned at him, "Yes, I am. Otou-San will make me such after all as I am the oldest and most successful. Now, tell me-"

Suddenly, a voice cut in from the door, "WHAT IS GOING ON IN HERE!?"

Eyes widening, Ichiro twisted around to find a Japanese woman with obviously European ancestry at the door looking at them in shock and dismay. Straightening, the older of the two siblings paled a bit and cleared his throat, "Ah, Suzuki-San, I... thought that you were with the inspection team back at the fort..."

Barely sparing him a glance, Kisei growled, "I went ahead of the others as that is the best way of seeing things not on the tour." Walking past him, she shot a glare at the two guards who let go of Haruto and quickly scrambled around as the healer fell to his knees with a groan. Placing a hand on his shoulder, the MACUSA witch turned and snarled at them, "And once more, what is going on here!?"

Straightening, Ichiro took a deep breath as he put on an expression of assuredness, "He is a person of interest in the ongoing investigation into the smuggling issue that we have been having with the reserves. But, well... he has a rather closed mouth."

Lips pressed thinly, Kisei glared at them before yet another female voice became apparent, "Oh, I don't know. I think that he just is not telling you what you wish to hear." Once more, they twisted around to find an older woman at the door, this one obviously an American. Her face, what could be seen in the hood, was worn, "Granted, I do not know what you may think a Healer would know that the guards would not."

Ichiro gave a slight nod and hummed as the two Japanese wizards he had with him shifted nervously, "Perhaps we were getting a bit too... enthusiastic, I suppose with solving the issue." Turning his head, he gave his brother a contemptuous look that said one thing, 'I will get it out of you.'

With that, he straightened his clothes and nodded to the two guards before slowly passing the two women and leaving. Beside Haruto, Kisei looked down at him, "Are you okay?"

All he did was nod a bit before shaking his head internally, 'So an inspection? That explains why he thought that he would be able to pull this off. Everyone would be busy elsewhere...' Waving her off, Haruto slowly stumbled to his feet and gave her a nod, "I... I'm fine, thank you."

Taking a step, he stumbled a bit only for the older woman to catch him with a frown, "They certainly worked you over some, come on, we can get you up to the fort."

She narrowed her eyes though when Haruto shook his head, "No, no. I... I stay here in the town. Just... give me a moment and I'll get some help to get home."

Less than five minutes later, the two MACUSA personnel watched as Haruto was being helped away from the clinic by an Oni. It also did not escape their notice that various Yokai were around the Healer protectively and giving them looks. Once the Healer was out of sight, they shared a knowing glance. After that, Kisei and Mary headed back to the fort and the rest of the group as they quietly spoke to one another.

 

[darthcourt10]

SkyeFire Omake: Juuchi the Weeping Sword

Harry Leferts said:
Much to her shock, complete and utter smug came from Harry as his eyes twinkled, "Because it was fun teasing you and letting you think otherwise... because than I wouldn't be able to sit in front of you eating blood orange, blood orange chocolate, and the like with you unable to do anything~"​

Hermione resisted the urge to pinch the bridge of her nose. "Harry? What are you doing now?"
"Why, what does it look like I'm doing?"
"It looks like you're fishing. Except your 'bait' is an orange--"
"Blood orange! That's very important, dess!"
"...a blood orange for bait, and you're simply dangling it at eye level. And why are your eyes so bloodshot?"
"I'm watching Juuchi."
Hermione blinked, and followed Harry's fixated stare. Sure enough, the Muramasa katana was lying, sheathed, on the floor, about halfway between Harry's bed and the dangling orange. "I know I'm going to regret asking, but...?"
"She's doing the Weeping Angel thing. Every time I blink, she moves a bit closer. But all I have to do is hold out long enough, and she will reveal her avatar to me! BWAHAHAHAHAAA!"
"...right, then." Hermione turned and left the room, post-haste. She didn't have enough SAN points left to get involved with this madness.

beorn91 said:
And I think remembering that the other Butterknives learned she was back in Japan because they saw her on the TV live covering the Big Fat Kanmusu Wedding. I think she even talked to some reporters.​

Yabbut, just because he knows, doesn't mean he's caught her at it. It's a silly distinction, but it's a silly game.

Harry Leferts said:
True enough... but it has also become a game to them, like when Harry was waving a blood orange in front of her to get her to reveal her avatar while eating one slowly.

And then ended up with his bed covered in peels.​

"I have to see a man about an orange."

Harry Leferts said:
Less than five minutes later, the two MACUSA personnel watched as Haruto was being helped away from the clinic by an Oni. It also did not escape their notice that various Yokai were around the Healer protectively and giving them looks. Once the Healer was out of sight, they shared a knowing glance. After that, Kisei and Mary headed back to the fort and the rest of the group as they quietly spoke to one another.​

Yay! Kisei's back! Have her BBs caught up with her yet?

And she and Mary both get to directly witness the... excesses... of the Tokyo Diet's Preserve Security. I'm sure their report will be quite damning, in the most professional and diplomatic way possible. After all, competent security doesn't have to waste time with such thuggish, ham-handed measures. And Haruto's brother appears to be letting his personal family issues interfere with the professional execution of his duties, perhaps he needs a vacation or some career counseling....

 

[darthcourt10]

NotHimAgain

Harry Leferts said:
Haruto's Brother​

You know, Haruto's brother Ichiro has the same name as Ushio's brother Ichiro. That in turn makes me wonder if Himeyuki knows their family from somewhere, somehow.

In other news, I had an emotion last night that I turned into this:
-----

Franky shivered and pulled her coat tighter as the night wind swept over the two girls walking past the beach. Oboro looked over sympathetically. As a Shipgirl, she'd never really experienced the cold the way that humans did, but her fairies assured her that it could be extremely unpleasant. It was only made more so by the way that the wind whistled, filling the silence between her and her charge with weightless nothing.

Oboro tapped her toe, trying to run something—anything—through her head. Finally, something clicked: the sensible flats that had sat next to her father's loafers in the engawa had been replaced by a pair of high heels. What was—no, wait, that was a horrible idea. She needed something else—

"Don't worry too much," Franky sighed, shoving her hands in her pockets. "You'll get used to it." She breathed out heavily and her eyes crossed slightly as she watched her breath turn to mist and vanish.

Oboro flushed. "I said that? I'm sorry," she replied hastily, "I didn't—"

"Don't be," the other girl cut her off. "He doesn't care what people say about him—still hung up on Mom like that. I've tried, but I can't break through to him." She shrugged, trying to force cheer into the gesture that, to Oboro, seemed nonexistent. "Figures, doesn't it? The one person I want to listen to me the most and I don't think he even hears me any more."

"Is that why you seem to drive towards that so much?" Oboro asked, mulling the idea around in her head a little. "I mean, most people facing an axe murderer would be going for at least a lead pipe or something."

"No, that's…" Bringing her hands up level with her face, Franky grasped at the air for an explanation. "It just doesn't seem productive, is all. You can fight all you want, but at the end of the day it's words that make sure peace stays."

She paused a moment, then flushed a deeper red than the winter air was bringing to her cheeks. "I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that—"

"Huh?" Oboro asked. What was she—oh, because Shipgirls were weapons of war? "Don't be, it's fine—"

"I'm just, I'm stressed lately, what with everything—"

"No, no, it's alright, there's nothing to take offense at—"

"I didn't mean any insult, it's just everything and aaargh, you know—"

"I do, really, I do, it's okay!"

Back home, on one of those rare days when everyone was able to come over and just be together, an exchange like that would have led to an exchange of awkward but relieved laughter, and then some warmer conversation. Instead, the two girls stood there quietly. Looking for a way to re-break the silence, Oboro dug into her memories. There was something that Ichiro had told her once, wasn't there? Or maybe someone else, who was going through a rough patch.

Not Ushio, whatever words they had shared on that beach all that time ago was an almost sacred secret between the two and Mutsu, the only one who'd been there with them. Akebono, after that… that… that MESS that had led even the household beacon of stability simmering? No, that couldn't have been it either. Ayanami, after—yes, that was it!

"Have you cried yet?" she asked. Franky, surprised at the suggestion, turned to give her a puzzled look.

"I'm sorry?" she asked.

"It's something that my older brother told Ayanami a while back, she was coming off of a… bad breakup." That was an understatement—a stalker, a business going under, misplaced blame, all the things that made for good television but hurtful living—but it was Ayanami's story to tell if she and Franky ever met. "He said…" Oboro paused, trying to recite rather than paraphrase it. "Being strong is all well and good, but it wears you down pretty fast. You can vent, rant, cry, whatever, but if you can get it off your chest—well, even if there's no one to catch you, you'll probably have a better chance of catching yourself on the way down."

In spite of herself, she smiled at the memory. Ichiro had quickly apologized, thinking that what he was trying to get across got muddled up somewhere in the middle, but Ayanami just hugged him around the middle and cried into his shirt for five minutes straight. Then Harry had come through with his plate full of cookies, and things took the usual turn from there… She glanced back at Franky. The American girl was looking aside, biting her lip uncomfortably.

"It's okay," Oboro said, giving her a smile that didn't feel gentle or sad or tired as much as it did weathered. "I won't tell anyone."

Franky looked down at her feet, flinching at another cutting wind.

"He still isn't looking at me," she said finally, voice all but a whisper. "I thought that, maybe if any good could come out of this, he'd actually start acting like he was my dad again, but… But all he does is go out, drink, and bring women home. I-I'm the one getting food, cooking meals, it's like I'm his caretaker instead of the other way around, and—and—"

She tried to blink the tears from her eyes, and they ran down her face, pushed back towards her ears by the wind.

"I want my dad back," she sobbed, bringing a gloved hand up to rub at her eye. "I want him to be the way he was before, I want him to hold me and tell me it'll be alright, I, I, I, I… I'm hurting too! He's not the only one who LOST her, I…

"I want my mom back!"

Then she sagged against Oboro, bawling into her shoulder. Solemnly, the destroyer wrapped her arms around the Select, embracing her and holding her up in the same motion.

A flicker of motion caught her eye, and she glanced over to see a cat balancing on the railing nearby, twin tails waving gently in the air. She gave it an icy look and it got the message, hopping and spinning around and scurrying away as fast as its legs could carry it.

Just like that, the two were alone. Franky cried on for several more minutes, growing slacker and looser in Oboro's grip as she did until she had nothing left in her but hiccups. The Shipgirl waited a few more seconds, then began to try to help her readjust and stand on her own—she adjusted her shoulders, fumbled around briefly, and as she did her fingers accidentally brushed over the back of the girl's neck.

"Your fingers are cold," Franky mumbled into Oboro's shoulder.

It took a few seconds for the words to register. Once they did, the air was filled with the sound of two girls laughing.
-----

Well what do you think, sirs?

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

"Hello? Anyone home?"

Blinking as she looked up from where she was sweeping the floor, Mie frowned before calling out, "Yes! One moment!" Taking a sniff, she felt her eyes widen slightly as she reached the door, "Haruto-Kun? What is going on..."

Upon walking out, she froze at seeing the state that said seventeen year old was in. For his part, the teen tried to smile even with half his face swelled and him being obviously in pain, "Hey, Mie-Chan..."

Gasping, the Inugami rushed towards him with a shout, sounds from inside their hut telling those there that the other shipgirls were now moving, "Haruto-Kun!" Within seconds, she reached him where an Oni was helping hold him up and brought her hand to her mouth in horror as she could better examine him, "What happened?"

Behind her, Hachimitsu was the first of the others out the door and, once she saw why her fellow shipgirl was shouting, froze. Though not for long as her tail puffed out and her hackles rose in pure rage as she snarled, "Who did this to you!?"

At his side, the Oni grimaced, "He got a visitor, with two of the usual suspects holding him while his... his..."

It was obvious that the Yokai was trying to figure out something to say that would not come out as an insult to the young man he had helped. But it was taken out of his hands as Haruto sighed and shook his head, "It was my Nii-San."

Even as she gently took him, Ichika narrowed her eyes, "Your Nii-San did this to you?"

Clenching her fist, it took every bit of Haruhime's self control not to pull out her rigging and take some pot shots at the local fortification. The only thing that stopped her was the fact that most of those there were not responsible and that, very likely, the man responsible was already long gone. Not to mention that doing so would only bring the Diet down on the innocent in the Reserve, "Fucking Ichiro!"

Just shrugging, even as he winced, Haruto shook his head, "Yeah, well... is it really that unexpected?"

Grinding her teeth as she examined him, Mikage snarled, "From that Man, no, I suppose not." With a deep breath to calm herself, she looked towards the Oni, "Thanks for bringing him home, Ibuki-San."

Lips curling upwards, the Oni nodded, "It was not too much trouble, Mikage-Sama. Besides..." Ibuki looked down at the teen with a look of utter respect, "He's one of us after all. Just make sure that he actually rests a bit and heals from that."

Simply nodding at the look and unsaid mention, Ichika smiled, "You can bet your ass that we will, Ibuki-San."

Meanwhile, Haruto sheepishly smiled, 'Yeah... I am going to get babied by this bunch.' Sighing, he shook his head some before lightly blushing, 'Though maybe that is not all that bad...' His blush deepened a touch at the knowing look from the Oni and some of the other Yokai. Most of them though simply commented that they hoped that he got better soon and the like, which warmed him. Before Ichika got him into the hut though, he turned towards one male Tanuki, "Oh! Suzuhara-San, could you do me a small favor?"

Blinking, the Yokai only nodded, "Sure, Haruto-Sama, what do you need?"

Lips pressed thinly together, the Healer took a deep breath, "Your son was the last one that I was working on when... they showed up. I just got finished with him as a matter of fact, could you check up on him to make sure that he is okay? And to let him know that no matter what, he is not at fault for what happened? You know how kids are at that age..."

Suzuhara only nodded with a slight smile, "I will, and thank you for considering him."

To Haruto's confusion, that got him nods of respect from the other Yokai who told him goodbye.

Granted, he was not the only one to blush as some of the older males winked at him and told his girlfriends to take very good care of him. The three Kitsune were all flustered by that while Ichika grinned back and replied that she was going to make sure of it. Mie only shook her head at her sister's antics as they slowly helped Haruto into their hut. Once they were inside though, the anger from his girlfriends practically evaporated into nothing and Mikage brought out the futon which she unrolled, "Here, set him down so that we can see how bad it is."

As he was gently lowered to the mattress, Haruto hissed in pain before sucking in a breath, "Yeah... they did a number on me."

One of her fairies coming out, Mie frowned, "I can see that if you are in that much pain." With a nod, her fairy made a motion with his wand and Haruto's shirt vanished to reappear off to the side. Upon seeing the still darkening bruises, the Carrier gasped and tears came to her eyes, "Oh, Haruto-Kun!"

Fists clenched, Hachimitsu growled as her eyes glowed, "I am going to kill him. Not with my guns, he's not worth the waste of ammunition. But I am going to beat him until he's not even hamburger!"

Snarling herself, Ichika glanced at her Kitsune friend, "Not if I get my hands on him first!"

In reply, the red haired punched her palm, "Get in line, Nee-San. Me, Hachimitsu-Nee, and Mikage-Nee know him and have history with the bastard. So we get him first."

However, that was when they felt a chill in the air and turned to Mie who was simply smiling softly, beatifically. Her next words chilled them and made their hackles stand on end, "Ara, ara~ Come now, you don't need to dirty your hands with this foul waste of space. Why, I have a plane or two whose propellers could be fine for making mincemeat slowly~"

Each of those there shivered at that with the same word going through all their minds: 'Scary...'

Despite the words not directed at him, Haruto was still scared of them. Gulping, he waved his hand some, "A-ah, well, he's not worth the trouble. A-anyways... he's already scared."

Anger melting away, Hachimitsu let out a sigh, "Whatever." Fingers ghosting over her boyfriend's torso, she tested each of the bruises before grimacing at one on his ribcage around the back, "I think that rib is cracked, or at least bruised."

Hissing, the Healer nodded, "Hai, it is most likely cracked at the least." With his own fingers, he touched one spot and grunted, "Yeah, that's cracked. And he got in at least one kidney shot."

One of her medical fairies out, Ichika watched as said fairy waved his wand before nodding with a scowl, "Desu. Desu desu desu, desu."

That brought a wince to Haruto, "I would rather not use any of our potions supplies..."

In reply, the fairy gave him a look, "Desu."

With a sigh, Haruto only grimaced and nodded, "Understood..." The fairy disappeared before reappearing with a vial that he gave Haruto. Popping the cork off, he took a sip and sighed a bit as the pain began to go away. Meanwhile, the fairy began to wave a wand over him and heal the teen, "Thank you."

Looking up at him, the fairy shrugged, "Desu desu desu."

Only shaking her head as she scowled, Hachimitsu sighed even as the bruises disappeared. Turning her head, she frowned at her boyfriend, "What exactly happened?"

A frown on his face, Haruto began to explain exactly what happened and the five Yokai simply waited and listened with various expressions crossing their faces. When they got to the beating, they clenched their fists, but still did not say anything. Finally, the teen was done and shrugged, "And... that was about it."

Eyebrows furrowing, Mikage frowned in thought, "That... does not make any real sense. Your bastard of a Nii-San, for all he's an asshole with delusions of power, should have realized that this could attract too much attention. There is a big difference between beating you like this and the normal roughing up done by the guards to cause you some trouble."

Sipping some water that Haruhime had given him, the Healer hummed, "Like I said before, he's running scared."

For several moments, the Yokai shipgirls looked at him in utter confusion before Haruhime turned her narrowed eyes at him, "You mentioned that before, Haruto-Kun. What do you mean by that...?"

Not saying anything right away, the teen finished his water before setting it aside with a sigh. After a few seconds, Haruto gave them a grimace, "No one has stated anything in front of me, but I can put things together from both what I have overheard from the guards as well as what I have been seeing outside the Reserve. Remember how I stated that the Diet was not in a good shape?"

Confused, Ichika nodded with a frown, "Yeah? I mean you have mentioned it several times. Especially with how and why there's been supply issues and the like. Heck, you've grumbled more than once about the shape of the Diet."

If they expected for him to say anything, it was certainly not what came out of his mouth as he gave them a serious expression, "The Diet is collapsing."

Utterly stunned, they boggled at him for several moments. Quickly, Hachimitsu shook her head and leaned forward, "Are you sure, Haruto-Kun? I... I mean, we knew that the Diet was in trouble, that is not that hard to see. And you had Kyoto with what was going on, but... collapsing?"

Slowly, Haruto shook his head, "The Diet is pretty much dead for all intents and purposes, it just does not realize it. Sort of you get people who are so badly hurt, that their brains have not caught up to the fact that they are dead now." Grimacing, he shook his head, "Or, perhaps, like a ghost going through its motions not realizing that the body that it belonged to is in the grave."

Jaw dropping, the five shipgirls shared looks before Mie shook her head, "I... that is hard to see..."

With a nod towards the fairy that had healed him, Haruto sighed, "Not for me, as I said I have heard and seen things." Lips curling downwards, he leaned forwards, "The war has been slowly dragging the Diet down, and that riot back in July basically was the killing shot, I think. Especially with how they royally fucked up the investigation and the like." Eyes narrowing, he shook his head, "And I am pretty sure that Ichiro was involved in that investigation."

Crossing her arms, Hachimitsu snorted, "No, that would not be surprising."

Lips twitching a bit, he sighed some, "No, it would not be surprising, you are right about that, Hachimitsu-Onee-Chan." Part of him was amused that the Kitsune blushed at that and became flustered a she always did. Deciding to ignore it for now, he went back to the subject at hand, "The riot and the clusterfuck afterwards pretty much shattered confidence in the Diet. But than, shortly after, Kyoto managed to reclaim where Mahoutokoro is. Something that the Magical Diet was either unwilling or, more likely, unable to do. All of a sudden, Kyoto seemed far better than the Diet. And that has shown in the recent elections since a number of people were actually campaigning for Kyoto instead of Tokyo. It was a major blow to the Diet."

Now wincing, Mikage shook her head, "Ah, yeah... that would do it." Her eyes than widened, "Which means that right now..."

Pressing his lips together thinly, Haruto nodded, "Hai, there is a lot of pressure to do something, anything to either slow down the bleeding or to stop it. Which is why I think that Ichiro did what he did today." He shifted a little with a nod, "He is desperate to stop it himself because of what would happen to him when it does collapse and went after me with the idea that I could squeal on any smugglers that I know about."

Mouth open and staring for a few moments, it took Haruhime shaking her head to reboot her mind, "What?! I mean, you're a Healer! What would you possibly know about the smuggling going on in the reserve?! And how would that stop the Diet from collapsing?!"

Just sighing, Haruto frowned, "This... is something that I have pieced together from overheard comments and conversations. Apparently, there are a number of those in the Diet who believe that the smugglers are backed by Kyoto itself and being used to destroy the credibility of Tokyo. Or perhaps that they are backed by groups behind Kyoto, like the JNHRO." Seeing Hachimitsu open her mouth, he shook his head, "I do not want to know if they are involved in the smuggling or not. It is for the best that I do not know. That way I cannot say if they are or not as I do not know."

The blonde Kitsune frowned, but nodded, "Understood."

Continuing, Haruto shook his head, "There are also some fears that among other things, weapons are being smuggled in for some sort of Yokai revolution." He waved a hand in the air, "Which is rather stupid as the Yokai Militias are all outside the reserves." Only getting nods, the teen ran a hand through his hair, "Anyways, getting back to what I was saying, they believe that the smugglers are backed by groups that could be considered to be anti-Diet. Because of that, they seem sure that if they can catch the smugglers and prove that they are backed by 'Hostile forces to the Diet', it would stem the bleeding. Either that, or they could use their 'Proof' to discredit Kyoto and various groups, which would be just as good in their eyes."

Now deeply frowning, his girlfriends considered that before turning to Hachimitsu. Said Kitsune was quiet for almost a minute before chewing her lip, "I wish that I could say that I cannot see where they might be coming from, but... it makes a certain amount of sense. Especially with how they are attempting to crack down on smuggling where they can. Though the reserves are now sieves..."

Disgusted, Ichika gestured towards Haruto, "But what about him!? Where does Haruto-Kun come into it?!"

For several seconds, Hachimitsu didn't say anything. But than, she raised her head and met his eyes, already knowing the answer, "It is because you are living in the reserve, rather than the administration area. And that you bring in things to the reserve."

With a sigh, Haruto nodded, "Hai, that would fit. It is an open secret that I am not just close to the Yokai here, but highly respected. Hence, Nii-San would expect that I would know something, or would try to become powerful here in my own way, like he would have. Which is stupid, I'm just a healer." Unknown to him, the girls there all exchanged looks, "So he would expect for me to know something. Well, besides which, he sort of despises me anyways so would definitely take the chance to do something. Add in that getting such proof would improve his standing in the Diet? It would be something that he would go for."

Eyes narrowing, Mikage growled, "Great, which means that we need to keep a look out for him now as he won't stop with just this."

Much to her surprise though, the Healer shook his head, "I don't think that we need to worry about that for some time. At least not for now, anyways, considering what happened."

Head tilting to the side, Haruhime frowned, "Why would you say that?"

Now smirking, Haruto chuckled, "Easy, he got caught and will likely be chewed out because of it. And if I know him, and I do, he is going to be keeping his head down for some time until he feels it is safe for him to have another shot at me. And right now? By the time he does, the Diet will be in full collapse and he will have other issues besides myself at that time..."

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

"You could let me help out, you know."

A smile on her face, Mie looked over at Haruto and shook her head before wagging a finger, "No, Haruto-Kun. Besides which..." Taking a board in one hand, she easily snapped it in half, "You have done far more than enough."

With another sigh, Haruto sat back and watched as the Inugami continued to stoke the small stove which would heat the water in the furo for their bath, "Somehow, it does not feel that way. And while I was hurt, it was not that bad. And I am fine now."

Mie giggled a bit as she looked over her shoulder at him, "Be that as it may be, there is nothing for you to help with right now. Also, you were the one who enlarged the needed wood so that we could burn it to heat the water." Standing up, she walked over and placed her hand on his shoulder while softly smiling, "Let the rest of us take care of this."

Before he could say anything, they were interrupted by another voice, "And what is going on here?"

Still smiling, Mie looked up at Hachimitsu before gesturing at the blushing teen, "Just Haruto-Kun feeling like he has not done enough for us."

Rolling her eyes, the Kitsune shipgirl reached over and flicked his ear, "You've done enough. Now just sit back and relax while letting us pamper you."

Lightly blushing even as he rubbed his ear, Haruto sighed, "Fine, fine. I still feel like I am taking advantage of you all."

That got him more eyerolls, though the expressions were fond on the faces of the two girls. As Mie walked back to the stove and continued to stoke it, Hachimitsu sat down next to their boyfriend and gave him a kiss before pulling back, "Look, Haruto-Kun? We wouldn't even be able to do much for the bath except for you." Sitting down next to him, she leaned into his body, "So just relax..."

With a sigh, the Healer wrapped one arm around the Kitsune, "I suppose so." Looking at the boards, he snorted some, "Who would have thought that tongue depressors would be that useful for bathing."

Hachimitsu shrugged some even as she cuddled more into his side, "Well, you need to get rid of the used ones somehow, might as well make use of them doing so."

Tone dry, Haruto looked at her, "Yes, while using magic to increase the size of the wood to be burned." Giving a shrug, he shook his head, "Though it does work."

With a hum, Mie tossed more wood inside before tossing a small cup of fuel oil and lighting it on fire. Closing the grate, she watched as the fire began to burn, "And it works very well, which I am thankful for. Besides which, everyone is thankful to you for making sure that we have enough wood to burn for what we need to, Haruto-Kun."

A light blush sprang up on his face as she looked at him with a smile on her face. It was not untrue as he often used his magic to help out by increasing the amount of food or fuel that the reserve had access to. However, his blush deepened as Hachimitsu stood up and hauled him to his feet, "Great! Let's get ready for our bath."

Sighing, Haruto gave her a knowing look, "You're just excited because I'm the one that is going to have to brush out your tail and get it all dry afterwards. Same with your Nee-Sans."

Just winking, Hachimitsu snapped her fingers, "Not to mention Mie-Chan and Ichika-Chan's tails. Which they're looking forward to just as much."

Eyebrow raised, the teen looked towards the only one of the two Inugami that were there. Unable to look at him as she blushed, Mie cleared her throat, "I... will not deny that such a thing would be rather nice."

Both Hachimitsu and Haruto smiled at that and lightly chuckled.

Several minutes later found them in the washroom where the bath was located. While not exactly a small bath, it was also not a huge one. Humming, Haruto rubbed the soapy cloth onto Ichika's back. "How's that?"

Glancing over her shoulder, the Inugami nodded and smiled, "Feels nice, Haruto-Kun."

As he nodded, Haruto felt a tap on his shoulders and looked over to see Haruhime there with a smile of her own. The Kitsune held up a soapy cloth of her own, "Want me to wash your back, Haruto-Kun? Then you can do mine."

Lightly laughing, he nodded, "I don't mind that, Haruhime-Onee-Chan."

Blushing as she began, Haruhime snorted though there was a slight smile on her face, "Still calling us Onee-Chan even though we're boyfriend and girlfriends."

Now it was Haruto's turn to lightly blush, "Bad habit due to years of calling you that. Besides..." He gave her a raised eyebrow, "Do you really mind all that much?"

It was not the expected Kitsune who answered him though. Rather, Mikage who brought over a bucket of warm water was the one who did so, "No, we don't mind too much, Haruto-Kun." Smiling softly at him, she giggled a bit, "We don't mind at all." Her attention than went to examining her boyfriend's body, "Hmm... your bruises are mostly gone, that's good." Mikaga then brought up a finger and lightly traced along his ribs, which got a shiver from him, "And it looks like your cracked rib is better. Thank the Kami that we have some potions as well as our own Medi-Wizards and Witches on board."

Slowly nodding, Haruto made a sound of agreement. Moments later though, he blushed as Haruhime spoke up, "Okay, once I'm done with his back, you can do his hair, Mikage-Nee." Once they were all cleaned and washed off, the group entered the tub. As he sank down into the water, Haruto sighed, "Ah, now that feels good."

From where she was in the cramped tub, Hachimitsu nodded, "Hai, hot baths are always nice to just soak in." Turning her attention to him fully, she frowned slightly, "How are you feeling, Haruto-Kun?"

Lips twitching into a smile, he only shook his head, "As I've told you before, I'm fine. Pretty much everything is healed up, so I'm not worried."

However, she only frowned more which made him wonder. Eventually, she spoke up, "Haruto-Kun? Do you ever miss it?" At his look of confusion, Hachimitsu continued, "Your home?"

One eyebrow raising, Haruto gave her a look, "I am home, with all of you."

Needless to say, the flushed cheeks on the five Yokai's faces were not just because of heat. Huffing a little, Hachimitsu looked away, "Saying such things..." With a deep breath, she turned back to him, "You know what I mean."

The Healer did not say anything right away but eventually sighed, "Do I miss home? My soft futon in my bedroom in our family home? Otou-San and Okaa-San? Yeah, I sort of do to some extent. But you know what?"

Voice soft, Mie spoke up, "But what?"

Lips curling into a smile, he chuckled and reached over to pat her shoulder, "I would not trade this, what we have, for anything. And I promise, one day, I'll take you all to my family home."

Chewing her lips, Haruhime gave him an unsure look. "You're positive of that? Considering that according to you, that bastard, Ichiro, is positive that he is going to be family head..."

Only looking out through the window, Haruto chuckled, "What he believes and what happens is two things entirely." Turning back to the Yokai, he just smiled, "So I wouldn't worry about it too much."

With a hum, Ichika nodded as she stretched which, to amusement, caused her boyfriend's eye to trail to her, "Yeah, all that stuff is in the future and isn't something that we should be too worried about yet." Shifting, she moved herself some and captured Haruto's lips with her own for several seconds before pulling back, "Let's just live in the here and now."

Frowning, Mie shook her head, "I'll admit that I am a bit concerned with meeting your parents... if we ever do get the chance to do so."

Mikage laughed some and shook her head before waving her off, "I wouldn't be too concerned. Both of them are good people and have no issue with Yokai. Trust us, we know them."

That got her nods from the other two Kitsune and soon the conversation turned to other matters as they soaked in the furo.

Unnoticed by them, Haruto glanced outside once more at a nearby fencepost where a bird sat, a slight smile on his face.

Hundreds of miles away, his father smiled a bit as his shikigami listened in on the conversation. He could have had it move closer, but that would mean that it would likely be able to see his son's girlfriends in the buff. Despite how beautiful they were, that would be going too far. No, let them keep their privacy as he watched over them with pride. A soft giggle made him turn to where his wife was, "Oh, I'm so happy that they got together, Husband."

Lips curling upwards, he laughed and nodded, "As am I, though I had been wondering when our son would clue in on how they felt and how he felt as well. And Mikage-Chan is right, I do approve of them and I know that you do as well."

With another soft giggle, his wife of many years nodded, "Hai, and just imagine how adorable the children will look." Humming, she tilted her head to the side, "Soft, fuzzy ears and tails is what I am hoping for."

Nodding, her husband only nodded before his smile fell away and he sighed, "I wish that I knew what I could do with Ichiro. That boy is shameful... beating his younger brother like that."

Tears gathering in her eyes, his wife came closer to him and leaned into him, "Where did we go wrong with our son? That he would do such horrible things as he has? And the fact that we are..."

His own eyes closed, her husband kissed the top of her head, "I know, Aoi-Chan. But I cannot see any other way because he refuses to clean up his act and actually become honorable. Perhaps it was because he fell in with a crowd at Mahoutokoro, or maybe it is something that I did. But... I cannot feel like such a man is our son. Not anymore." With a sigh, he looked every bit his decades of life as a single tear dripped down his cheek, "It is only the fact that he has friends in the Diet who would come to his aid and that Haruto would be caught in the crossfire that keeps me from such. As it is... did you do as I asked?"

Slowly, Aoi nodded with her own grief stricken look, "Hai, I spoke with those Kyoto and some of our allies, Hiashi-Kun. I wish that I could think otherwise, but in case we somehow died before we can make our decision openly, they will accept that Haruto-Kun is the Heir and Clan Head. By that time, the Diet will be gone, a dark shadow in the past."

Gently, Hiashi kissed his wife before burying his face in her hair, "I, too, wish that things were different." Pulling away, he gestured at the mirror from which showed what his Shikigami was seeing and from which the sounds that it heard also issued from, "But let's leave such things aside and watch our true son. After all, we can tease him about such things, especially with continuing the clan."

Wiping her eyes, Aoi smiled, "That does sound good. Besides which, I am already planning the wedding."

That got her a laugh from her husband and the two turned back to the display from the Shikigami, smiling softly.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts Omake: Nessie to the rescue!

jmcdavid said:
On a more humorous note...


Natsumi blushes. "Wow, how lewd."​

To be honest, as mentioned, touching a Kitsune's tail is pretty intimate and a sign of trust.

Terrace said:
I'm wondering how much trouble in the post-SoS world will come from Aurors who just don't get that the Statute is dead and they can't cover up SoS violations anymore.
Lord Khuzdul said:
I don't think it will be that major. At this point, most major governments are fully aware what the hell is going on. So when SoS blows up, the first action will be a very rapid takeover of any magical government by the nonmagical one, enforced and accompanied by shipgirls where necessary and available. So any Aurors would be quickly taken into hand.

I'd be more concerned with private citizens with a hardon for the SoS, like the "Rappaport's Law should have stayed in place" idiots in the US.​

Generally put? Yes, the magical governments will likely very quickly become part of the non-magical ones in most places in the First World.

Those more concerned with hiding and such will likely retreat into places inaccessible without a lot of work.

Yellowhammer said:
Exactly that too. I'd assume that it is someplace First World just because the news has to reach the First World somehow to trigger the break. But there is a difference between it happening in Times Square in New York City and happening on Del's ranch in South Dakota which is literally 50 miles from the nearest town of note.​

True enough... though as for possible SoS breaks...
____________________________________________

"MY BABY! PLEASE HURRY!"

Gritting is teeth as he pulled the boat into a hard turn, the grizzled old Scotsman shouted back, "And I am hurrying, Lass!" Internally though, he was swearing up a storm as he looked to where a young child was struggling to stay afloat in the choppy waters of Loch Ness. After Blood Week, a lot of people stayed in their home countries which meant that for Loch Ness, tourism went up. Thousands and thousands of people came to the body of water for the mere chance of seeing the legendary inhabitant. Which meant that funds were released for things like boats to be used for tours of the Loch.

Such as the boat that the old Scot "Captained".

Granted, he thought that the whole thing was somewhat silly. Especially as he doubted that Nessie even existed. But money was to be made and that was enough for him. Right now though, one of the young children had fallen off the boat when some young idiots in a speed boat had nearly hit them, causing him to turn hard. Worse, her life jacket must not have been secured properly judging by how he could see it floating away from the struggling girl.

With luck though, he would reach her within a few minutes, though with the cold of the Loch... Quickly, he shook that off as he could see other boats also coming to the rescue. Even those idiots that caused it were turning, though he could see some people with their cameras out. Something that made him internally groan if only how much shouting directed at him would be.

That thought though went out of his mind as he saw the child's head beginning to be under the surface longer and longer as her struggles weakened. Briefly, he swore he saw an odd wave pass his bow, heading for the girl before shaking his head. It had to be a trick of the eye. Especially the large shadow he thought he saw. To his relief though, the young girl was able to hold her head above water, 'Maybe she won't be drowning...'

It was than that he realized something else.

Mainly, the little girl was slowly rising in the water until most of her body was above the surface as she looked around in confusion and fear. Then all the shouting and screaming just stopped as she continued to rise fully out of the water on top of a large, scaled hump that had a mane of hair down it. Choking, the Scotsman could only stare as a short distance from the hump, a large reptilian head with horns and a mane rose up.

Oh, and sharp teeth, very sharp as a matter of fact.

When it opened its mouth, he thought that was the end of the girl. That he was about to see the legendary monster, for that was what it had to be, claim life that had yet to live... right before it spoke with a Highland accent, "Now then, Lassie, are you okay?"

Slowly, eyes wide, the girl stared up, "Uh-huh."

Teeth showed as Nessie grinned down at her, "Good ta know, now let's get you over to your Mam, shall we?" Cutting the power, the Scot watched as Nessie swam over to the boat. Gentle, upon reaching the boat, she picked up the shivering girl by the back of the shirt with her teeth, ignoring gasps, and placed her back on the boat. Letting go, Nessie nodded, "There we go, all safe and sound."

Eyes still wide, the girl swallowed, "Th-Thank you..."

Smiling, Nessie nodded at her and her mother, "You are very welcome, Lass. Such a polite young girl..." Turning, she gave a glare at the youngsters who caused the whole situation which nearly made them soil themselves, "As for you ruffians! Be more careful! If I see you causing trouble, and I will know, then I shall be cross!"

To some amusement, the teens rapidly agreed and promised not to cause any more trouble. Not that anyone blamed them. With a final goodbye, Nessie dove back into the Loch, a long coil following and soon she was gone.

For several moments, everyone just stared at the spot. The Scot realized that he was going to need a stiff drink to deal with this. Then, he realized that dozens of people were recording this and likely live-streaming it. That the Loch Ness Monster was not only real, but rather well spoken.

It was then that he decided that he needed several stiff drinks...

 

[darthcourt10]

NotHimAgain

So, this comes from some recent hashing out of Morrigan's character. It's... a bit different.

A Long, Long Time Ago
The sun peeked over the clouds, turning the sky yellow and orange. Morrigan paid it no mind, more intent on the snowy expanse hundreds of feet below her own. She idly kicked her legs, dashing small stones and bits of dirt loose from the cliff face.

"Thought I might find you here," Lugh's familiar voice came, and she half-turned to face him. "I thought you were checking up on that chosen one of yours. Jonathan Roy or something, right?"

"Royce," she corrected, pulling her feet back to solid ground and standing. "And I just did earlier today. He was with his fiancée, introducing her to all of his allies." She smiled absently. "It looks like the family line will actually continue beyond him."

"A good thing, too," Lugh's voice took on a joking lilt. "That way, there won't be any hole where the magicals—"

Morrigan's voice turned ice cold. "Don't ever joke about that," she hissed venomously.

"Right, right, of course," He held up his hands in surrender, though there was still an air of humor (or at least good will) to the motion. Morrigan glared a few seconds before deciding to let the matter go, and turned away.

"But… I don't know if it's guaranteed to work," she mused, glancing over at the sun. "He's in Scotland, can't go galivanting off to the Americas to fight Skin-changers, you know."

"And giving him the means to do so would be practically laughing in the face of the Accords, especially when he's already armed with Arondight." Lugh added, half-thoughtful himself. "And you would never—wait. You just made kind of a funny face. What does that—"

"I would thank you to stop that train of thought right there," the goddess replied curtly.

"Are you thinking about dodging the Accords for him somehow?"

"No! I'm not, I'm—" Morrigan paused before huffing. "Maybe… meeting him. Talking things over. He's earned that much, at least."

Lugh shrugged. "You could always disguise yourself, you know. Have a chat."

She shook her head. "No, that wouldn't work. It would have to be face to face, frank, these things only have any meaning—"

She paused, stiffened, head whipping around. Her eyes went wide with horror.

"No," she whispered. Then she was gone.
-----

Lugh found her in an old manor on the Scottish moors. Looking around, he found a body here and there. One a man, readying a pistol, one stretching out into a werecat, another… Hmm, was that a wand? Young Royce had actually convinced a wizard to fight by his side? Not bad—for all the good it did the dark-haired young man who was stretched out in front of Morrigan. The wounds told rather explicitly how he had gone.

"… no, no, no" Morrigan was muttering under her breath, staring at Jonathan's drawn-out face. "This is… How? He was perfect, and beautiful, and—and… WHY?!?"

A wave of death rolled off of her, and Lugh felt his stomach clench in discomfort. "Morrigan," he said, reaching for her shoulder. She spun, slapping his hand away.

"What happened here?" she demanded, gesturing to her fallen champion. "He was alive this morning! Well, and strong, preparing for his future—his… oh me…" A hand came up to her forehead, clenching around her temples white-knuckled. "He was amazing… he was amazing…"

She froze.

"His sword is missing."

"What?" Lugh asked, but Morrigan was up, looking around, shutting her eyes and looking inwardoutwardpastward…

"Her."

The word rolled off her tongue like poison.

"It was her," she repeated, hands trembling as they slowly clenched into fists. "She did this. It wasn't enough the first time, driving them away, now she has to do this—He was worthy of them. Of the Round Table. He-He was a wonder, they'd have taken him as one of their own so easily, he was—and she killed him over a sword?" The last part came out a bitter scream.

Lugh grimaced in sympathy. Reaching out again, he rested his had against her shoulder. This time, she didn't push him away.

"I'll guide someone here," he said softly. "Come on. We'll drink to him."

For one of those agonizingly eternal moments, Morrigan was silent.

"… Do as you wish," she said dully, standing in rigid motions, walking away from his hand. "I'll be along later."

"Morrigan—"

"Just. Go." She bit out.

Lugh looked at her, down at the corpse, and back at her.

Then he was gone.

Morrigan breathed deeply, allowing the air to fill her lungs as full as possible. She held it in for a moment, for two, then let it out in a rush. She repeated the process once, twice, over and over again until she could actually think for the blood pounding around in her head.

She began to walk. The fiancée lived within riding distance. Morrigan could cover the distance in hours if she wanted.

She would do it better this time.

And Lily McKay would be the starting point.
-----

Well what do you think, sirs?

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

More several years down the road WAFF:

Duet for Bösendorfer and Stradiverius

April 8th 2018

Ath, Belgium

Antonio Stradiverius Potter hefted the case of his violin and sang Verdi's La Dona e mobile in counterpoint to the birdsongs from the woodlot to his right. The day was not too hot, the walk from the bus station in the village of Ath four kilometers distant had been pleasant enough through the fields, and the added dash of mystery added a little spice to the trip.
Spoiler: Tony does Verdi

He reached into the pockets of his traveling suit and touched the carefully folded receipt that he had found nine days prior when he returned to his temporary lodgings. One of the young ladies who had treated him out to dinner in Paris had slipped it into his coat pocket without him knowing, although he had suspicions as to who had signed it with three eighth notes ABA in D-flat after the directions to her residence.

His happy smile widened a touch as he thought of a young lady with dark hair, pale skin and mahogany eyes behind her glasses as they discussed chordal progression over dinner. She certainly had the interest in music that was his life's blood, although her younger sister the blonde seemed to share that interest, judging from her contributions to their conversation. Certainly when the discussion drifted to Wagner, the blonde contributed several insights in the use of leitmotif.

He smiled at the sight of a street sign and turned off the Rue Lucien Raulier to his right to proceed along the Chemin du Chasteler. As he followed the road into the woods, he felt more than heard a low buzzing that produced an unseen breeze gently pushing him away.

Anti-Muggle Wards? Turned down of course, but....

His smile widened a hair as the pressure built and then eased as he walked down the road past an ornate iron gate set between pillars engraved with heraldic arms. The road, apparently a private driveway, took a turn and he heard the sound of someone speaking in German ahead of him

"Siebenundneunzig, Achtundneunzig, Neunundneunzig..." A female voice counted off time like a metronome as he came into sight of the stable house to his left. A rather battered and dented Volkswagon Golf was parked in front, with a slender girl using it as an exercise aid. Her booted feet were propped on the front of the hood, elevated well above her torso as she did a set of one hundred one-handed pushups on the gravel of the driveway.

Tony paused to admire the lithe, pantherish form of the girl. While he had seen her before at dinner in Paris, her clothing had hidden the whipcord muscles that her black T-shirt and trousers revealed. Sweat-soaked blonde hair concealed her face as she finished the pushups and then slammed both hands to the gravel. She expelled her breath with a huff and thrust her torso up with both hands, her legs kicking the front of the car to cause her to backflip to her feet.

"My apologies. I did not expect you to arrive so soon from the gate." Steel blue eyes examined him clinically as she gathered her wheat-blonde hair into a ponytail. "Tony, Ja?"

Tony nodded. "I am Antonio Potter, yes. I see you remember me from Paris." Tony noticed a black and silver dagger hilt at her waist and mentally nodded as the sense of familiarity she was radiating made a piece of the puzzle fall into place. Just like Vala, Amelie, Big Iron, and his other friends from the Armory and Storehouse, she was the spirit of an item too. Almost certainly the dagger he had noticed was her true body.

The corner of her lip twitched up on the girl's coldly professional face and she extended her hand. "Ehren du Chasteler. I shall escort you the rest of the way to the Castle."

Tony blinked as he shook her hand. "Castle? I was under the impression that your family lived in a normal house." He paused as another piece of the puzzle fitted into place. "Du Chasteler, like the name of the avenue I walked down to get to here?"

Another millimetric lip twitch. "Ja. It is named after our family." With that she picked up a light cream windbreaker from the hood of the car

She gestured to the drive winding into the trees and walked alongside him up it. "The current castle has been the home of the du Chasteler family since 1459 when our branch of the family took up lands under the rulership of our forefather's ancestor, the Duke of Lorraine. The current noble title of Marquess of Chasteler was awarded to Jean-François du Chasteler for services rendered to the Empress Maria Theresia of Austria in 1716 which confirmed our family's landholding. The heart of the current building dates to 1736 on an earlier structure from the sixteenth century, and the final design and refurbishment was completed in the 1880s with monies from," Ehren's cool expression became a touch more frigid, "The then-Marquess' business interests in overseas Belgian colonial possessions. It has changed very little since that day."
Spoiler: Castle Moulbaix

Even as used to the Potter family's Schloss as he was, Tony was subtly impressed. He could sense a few illusion charms making the castle look significantly more decrepit than it actually was, and the grounds and building were actually quite well maintained. His lips quirked at the thought of how it would appear under a stormy moonlit night sky, and he could feel his fingers itch for his true body so he could play something suitably Gothic, perhaps by Saint-Saëns, Berlioz, or Mussorgsky.

Yes, Night on Bald Mountain would be perfect. Especially if he could find a pianist to accompany him playing Mussorgsky, which he suspected might be a simpler task than one might think.

Ehren walked up the steps to the door and his eyebrows raised at the Austrian Hapsburg imperial crest set over them above the family crest from the gate. She opened the heavy oak and gestured him inside.

As he stepped into the entrance hall, the sound of faint piano music drifting across the polished marble black and white checkerboard leading up to the grand staircase enchanted him. Instantly his ears identified the music as Lizst's Liebestraum #3 and beside him Ehren's lips quirked up in a brief smile.
Spoiler: Claire Dreams Of Love

"I suppose I should escort you to Claire in the ballroom then." She said coolly as he listened to the rich, warm sounds of pure bliss echoing through the halls, beckoning him onward. Numbly, he nodded and she guided him with a hand on his elbow as the music carried him forward, his heart beating in time with the silvery caress of the unseen pianist's emotions as relayed through the music she was crafting for his hearing pleasure.

She came to a door and guided him through it, and beyond the the breath caught in his throat at the sight within.
Spoiler: Claire's Dress

Claire sat at the keyboard of a grand piano with her eyes closed and her head thrown back in the throes of passion as she played. Her form was draped in a rich amethyst silk ballroom dress that caressed her curves as her bosom heaved with the emotions of her music. Sunlight flooded through the windows, shining from the rich reddish-brown of the mahogany of the piano, flashed with pure gold from the ornate engraving of the du Chasteler heraldic arms on her sides and lid as well as her Bösendorfer maker's mark, and sparkled from the carved and gilded lions' feet that were her three legs.

Even more beautiful was the music that she was making. While her technical skill was amazing, the way she poured her heart into her music was genius. She called to something deep inside his heart of mastercrafted wood and varnish with the message that she was sending with every note brought from her fingers touching her keys of ebony and ivory.

Here, it whispered, here is the soul of a young maiden desperately looking for her true love with all her heart. Will you not make her whole with your music?

With a start he realized that the pianist and the piano were one and the same, and that he had heard her beautiful voice once before. The afternoon a week and a half ago at the Philharmonie de Paris where a pianist that he had been unable to see from where he stood, on this very mastercrafted Bösendorfer piano, with this voice like liquid bliss had played Claire de Lune in the style of Debussy in 1890... and had stolen his heart. He had despaired at the genius of that pianist's playing, seeing a height he might never achieve so he played in the rain that afternoon, pouring his heart into the thought of finding the musician who one day would be worthy to bring music from his true body.

Now he had.

He never noticed Ehren giving a very rare unguarded smile of happiness and mischief at his enthralled expression of delight at the vision in front of him.

The piece came to an end with a soft and lingering major chord as her fingers lingered on her keys. Her red-brown eyes - the same color as the mahogany of her body - opened and focused on him. A pale rose flush colored her ivory cheeks - the same color as the ivory of her keys - as her lips parted in surprise.

Ehren controlled her smile with an effort of her will. "Sister, you have a visitor. A Mr. Antonio Potter. I think that he has plans for an impromptu concert to sing for his supper." Ehren's eyes sparkled as she leaned against the wall and crossed her arms to watch the festivities..

Tony nodded as Claire watched him intently, her modest bosom heaving. He set down his well-worn violin case and centered himself as he began to rosin up his bow. Silently he cast his memories back two centuries to 1829 when at the invitation of Erik Potter, he had been played by Paganini for a demonstration of violin virtuosity.

For her, nothing less than the absolute best performance of his life would suit. But then, he was a Potter looking to claim the greatest treasure that he could possibly imagine.

Challenge accepted.

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

Claire's eyes widened in shock as Tony carefully pulled out his violin from the case and ran a fast set of scales to check the tuning. The rich, powerful tone and the mellow voice of the instrument left no doubt in her mind as to what it actually was. What he actually was now that he was playing without the noises of Paris interfering with her hearing.

Stradivarius.

With that, he brushed some messy hair from his eyes - the same color eyes as his violin - and gave her a smile and wink as he began Paganini's Caprice #24.
Spoiler: Tony Serenades Claire

Her lips parted in a happy smile as his bow danced across his strings like lightning, his fingers moving... and then suddenly shifting into long, passionate strokes across his strings as his beautiful voice caressed her ears and her soul with pure delight.

She gasped and her fingers twitched uncontrollably with the need to respond, to play with him, as he suddenly shot into a series of fast arpeggios before winking at her as he plucked one of his strings with a 'pop' and launched into a pizzicato with his left hand. She giggled at the musical play and then hushed as the pizzicato began.

Claire's blush deepened as she watched his performance, enthralled as her heart beat in time with his notes, and her heartstrings vibrated inside her soundbox. She could sense his own voice as he finished the pizzicato and gasped at the unspoken words in his music.

For so long I have sought someone worthy of my talents.

Someone who I could make the most beautiful music with.

Someone who loves music as I do, whose life is music.

Someone to make me complete, for what is an instrument without a musician?

A young lady who will treasure my heart as I treasure hers.

Are you the one?

Will you be the one?

Inside her heart of ebony, ivory, mahogany, gold, iron, spruce and steel, her heartstring vibrated in quiet response to his notes as her eyes sparkled in joy. She felt her cheeks warm as her blush deepened.

I shall be the one for you, Antonio Stradivarius Potter. So I, Claire du Chasteler-Bösendorfer, do promise.

He began low, passionate notes that caused her knees to weaken almost as much as that song by Rimsky-Korsakov did. With a start she suddenly realized that 'Flight of the Bumblebee' was written for violin originally and her cheeks turned scarlet at the scandalous implications.

Not before he makes me a honest piano, though. Mother would just die if he and I played that as a duet while unwed.

Claire's eyes glanced to Ehren as she applauded and Tony bowed. Her little sister's eyes were damp, and she gave an unguarded smile at the sight of Claire's happiness. Ehren's eyes flicked to Tony as Mother appeared behind them in the hall and Ehren gave a minute nod of approval before her face assumed its normal cool mask.

Little Sister was really the best, and under all that Teutonic chilliness lurked the heart of a romantic too.

Claire sighed mentally at the overprotective look on Mother's face at the sight. Clearly, Mother would take some work to accept the reality that their family was about to expand by a violin. Time to insure that she did not run Tony off, not that she expected that he would dare leave her now.

She then giggled silently at how much fun she and Tony could have while they wore Mother down.

After all, she enjoyed duets as much as the next piano!

 

[darthcourt10]

Savato93

Tanith was quiet as she leaned back in her throne, one leg crossed over the other with a sheaf of papers in her lap. When she and her sisters had agreed to take in the hybrid children, Admiral Goto had admitted to them that he expected them to ask for concessions in return. In the heat of the moment, they hadn't really considered to ask for anything… which was a missed opportunity to be honest, if a pragmatic one… but lucky for them, Ooyodo had apparently already had some compensation in mind.

Said compensation had been connections. Gathered in front of the Princess were numerous letters from various outside groups, offering their support to the Fleet of Laughter. For several, this support would come in the way of supplies—crops, livestock, agricultural tools, even building supplies (including the lumber they needed for flipping the O'mega). But the other letters, to Tanith's shock, came from the Yokai. They were willing to come to Avrora, and teach the Fleet of Laughter. Skills like carpentry, blacksmithing, farming and tending livestock… anything they might need, to become independent and start repaying everyone's kindness. They could possibly even teach the children. She really needed to thank Ooyodo for this...

Hearing the familiar soft clack of hooves on tile, Tanith looked up from the letters to see her daughter approaching. "Hello, Regalia," she greeted the Re-class warmly. "Do you need something?"

Regalia shrugged. "Not really, no." She came to a stop at the throne, sitting down beside her mother. She peered at the papers. "What's that?"

Tanith tilted her head slightly. "It is Admiral Goto's and Ooyodo's way of repaying us for taking in the children. They got us in touch with a number of people who can help us in many ways, including teaching us new skills." She glanced to her daughter with a wry smile. "Our farm could finally be brought up to professional standards."

The Re-class puffed up her cheeks, looking upset. "What, my skills weren't good enough before?" She asked defensively.

Her little display earned her a chuckle from Tanith. "Oh, stop. You know I would never belittle your accomplishments." Regalia deflated with a little giggle. "Your crops have been a great benefit to us all this far. It is just that we will now have many more mouths to feed; more than just improving your own skills, we would benefit from having several Abyssals who share those same skills, to help cover more farmland."

Regalia nodded with a sigh. "Yeah, okay. I get that." After a few seconds of silence between the two, just sitting and enjoying one another's company, she spoke up again. "Hey, you know that crate they brought over to Japan from Unalaska? The one Carrie and Sherri tagged along with? What happened to that?"

Tanith blinked. She'd completely forgotten about the items returned to the Fleet.

"I… still have it in my hold, actually," she admitted sheepishly. "Perhaps it is time we open it up, and see what is inside."

Regalia perked up. "Okay!"

Putting away the letters and standing up, Tanith reached into her coat and pulled out the crate, setting it carefully on the floor. Regalia pulled a crowbar from her bag and offered it to Tanith, earning a baffled look from the Princess, but she nonetheless accepted it. She examined the crate for a moment, looking for a good spot to wedge it in, before deftly jamming the flat end beneath the top and prying it open with a single hand.

The first thing Tanith saw as she pulled the top off was a load of styrofoam pellets… immediately causing her expression to sour. "Ugh, I hate this stuff. Makes a mess," She grunted.

Reaching out and grabbing one of the pellets, squishing it between her fingers, Regalia cocked her head. "What's wrong with it?

"Last time one of us tangled with it, they were still finding packing peanuts in their hold for months afterward."

"...ah. Yeah, I can definitely see that being aggravating." Regalia flicked the foam pellet back into the crate. Tippy took a few of the pellets in her jaws, grinding them between her teeth for a couple seconds before spitting them out with a huff of disgust. Regalia glanced to her tail with a raised eyebrow. "What did you expect? They're obviously not REAL peanuts… oh hey, that's another crop we could try growing..."

Tanith rolled her eyes, grinning, but said nothing further. Turning her attention back to the crate, she gripped one of the sides and carefully worked it off as well, letting the packing material spill out onto the floor and exposing what looked like picture frames. "Interesting. I wonder what else is in here…"

Regalia leaned in and started scooping more of the pellets away until she hit something more solid. Reaching in, she hefted out a suitcase. "Must be clothes," Regalia guessed.

Tanith nodded. "I remember several of my sisters getting their own tailored pieces of clothing, either to distinguish themselves from the others or just because it amused them. Some of them even had sports-style jerseys made with their names on them."

Unzipping the suitcase and pulling out a t-shirt, Regalia examined it. "It's not Rookie, it's Rukie..." she read.

The Princess let out a melancholy chuckle. "Ah, Rukie. She always was touchy about her name. She was actually one of our best surface combatants, yet we liked to joke around since her name was so similar to rookie. But it was all in good fun."

"Huh…" putting it back, Regalia pulled out another shirt.



She cocked her head again. "'Ship Happens'... oh, I get it, like sh—"

The shirt was quickly snatched from her hands by her mother. "That... would be Sunny's," she groaned, facepalming. "Let's leave the clothes for a bit and check the other belongings."

Regalia shrugged and moved the suitcase aside before returning to sifting through the packing peanuts. After a few seconds, she pulled out a plaque. "Chess Tournament, First Place: Hoppou. Hey, this is an award to Grandma!"

Tanith's eyes lit up in fond remembrance. "Oh, I remember watching that tournament. You never would have known Mother had only studied and practiced the game of chess for a couple of days, from how well she played…"

On the pair went. As mother and daughter uncovered innocuous pieces of the Fleet's past, Regalia got to learn just a bit more about the smaller details of her late family. Game boards and character sheets from a couple of tabletop RPG-playing Abyssals; a bowling trophy won by a Nu-class of all people; Aunt Sunny's 'Weird Al' music CDs (apparently she enjoyed song remixes and parodies); even one of Renita's old paintings had been recovered.

Eventually, all that remained in the crate were the framed pictures, stacked against one side. Tanith carefully picked up one of the frames, turning it around in her grip… and let out a soft gasp. "What is it, Mom?" Regalia asked concerned. Tanith gave no immediate response, simply handing over the picture for the Re-class to see for herself.

The photo in the frame depicted Hoppou standing on tarmac, a big smile on her face, with what had to be a dozen Ta-classes gathered around her. They were all in various cute poses and stages of refit; Regalia could actually point out her mother in the group, just to Hoppou's right, facing forward with a calm smile and her hands clasped in front of her.

"These are… my aunts?" Regalia asked, her eyes wide.

"The Ta-classes among them," Tanith answered, just barely audible in her shock. She turned to the remaining frames. "And all of these…"

She pulled out another frame, the widest in the batch, and laid it out flat between them. Once more, Hoppou was center frame—but this time, a swarm of I-class destroyers surrounded her, so large and numerous as to necessitate the upsized frame.

"I… I remember these, now," Tanith finally whispered. "Just a few months before the Scattering, Mother wanted to make a family picture… but there were just so many of us, we could never fit in one picture feasibly. So she took a bunch of pictures, each with the separate classes." She looked to the other frames. "These must be all of those pictures." A pause, and then a realization. "And if I remember correctly…"

She flipped the picture over and worked on the metal pieces holding the back of the frame on, eventually pulling it away—revealing writing on the back of the picture itself.

Dozens of names, scribbled in somewhat childish lettering… a record of every I-class the Northern Princess had made, at the time of the photo.

"...Mother will want these." Tanith simply said. "All of these."

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Heeled shoes clacking against tile as she walked down the hallway, Andromeda Tonks, nee Black, looked around the prison that they were currently in. Not that there was all that much for her to really see and make note of, grant you. Just flat, featureless hallways that both her and her husband were being escorted down by one of the prison guards.

All that said though, she nodded her head internally as they walked and compared the prison to that of Azkaban.

The rough stone hallways of Azkaban were dark and dank. One could almost taste the despair on the damp, moldy air. The cold, too, that which was not generated by the presence of the Dementors anyways, was horrible in and of itself. It was the sort of cold that chilled one to their very bones. That permeated every part of their body, seemingly down to their spirit. Azkaban, in a word, was horrific and a seemingly personification of every nightmare of prisons there was.

In comparison, Ironstone was the exact opposite from what little, admittedly, she had seen. The prison was both clean and well lit, with the scent of disinfectant at worst compared to the moldy, musty smell of Azkaban. It was also warm, though not uncomfortably so. Just enough that one would not be chilled. As well, it was missing that atmosphere of despair, of anger and hate. Of the empty, hungry and devouring darkness that seemed part and parcel of Azkaban.

Needless to say, Andromeda felt it a massive improvement over the infamous prison.

Finally, the three came to a stop before a closed room with a guard waiting outside. The guard who escorted them there gave them nod and opened to door, "He's right inside waiting for you."

Nodding, Andromeda gave him a smile back, "Thank you, we shouldn't be too long."

However, the guard just chuckled as he took up positions , "Don't worry about it, take your time. Neither of us mind after all."

Beside him, the other prison guard nodded in agreement. Only shaking her head, Andromeda took a deep breath and felt her husband gently squeeze her shoulder. Reaching up, she returned it before walking inside. Once inside, she paused as the man at the table smiled at her, "Andy! My favourite cousin! Good to see you."

Eyebrow raised, the female Tonks hummed, "Favourite cousin? Not a high bar to clear, that."

Unrepentant, Sirius had a mock thoughtful look on his face, "True, though I suppose that dear Bella might be the runner up." At their looks, he leaned forward, "I learned quite a few curse words from her as she was just a few cells down and liked to shout them at me. Rather inventive, our Bella."

Grimacing, Andromeda shook her head, "Yes, I can... quite imagine." Rather than spend any more time thinking of her insane murderess of a sister, she instead decided to focus on her cousin sitting there. One of the first things that she noted was that he was on a clean looking prison jumpsuit, a far cry from the nasty, grimy clothes that he wore in the picture from Azkaban that everyone had seen on the front page of the Prophet for weeks. Not only was his clothes clean, but so was the rest of him. Even his hair and beard were neatly trimmed much to her surprise.

If it was not for the darkness in his eyes, Andromeda would have thought him fine.

Clearing her throat as she sat down, she gave him a slight nod even as her husband sat down next to her, "You are looking..." For a moment, Andromeda looked for a word before pressing her lips together thinly, "Well enough, I suppose."

With a bitter, bark like laugh, Sirius shook his head, "That is one way of putting it." Holding up one arm and showing that it was handcuffed to the chair, he let it rest again, "Though I will admit, this place is a lot better than Azkaban. Much better."

Voice low, Ted snorted, "Not that is really that high of a bar to clear."

Simply shrugging, Sirius gave him a smile, "Maybe, but from experience? This place is like a five star resort compared to where I was. Nice, hot meals and showers, a good, comfy bed to lay in and that would be enough." Leaning forward, he grinned, "But they even have an exercise yard where I can go outside under the Sun and in the fresh air when it is somewhat nice out for a time. And they also gave me a tennis ball."

Bemused, the male of the Tonks couple hummed, "A tennis ball? Why would you need one of those?"

A grin appeared on the animagus' face, "I play fetch with myself." He laughed as he made a motion with one of his hands, "Throw the ball as hard as I can and go running after it as Padfoot. Lots of fun and the expressions of the guards are amusing."

Pinching her nose, Andromeda let out a sigh, "Please tell me that is not the only thing that you are doing here..."

Lips curling into a smirk, Sirius waved her off, "Nah, I also read and do odd jobs around the prison to make some money to buy things at the small store they got here." At the surprised looks, he shrugged, "Well, more like a catalogue really of what we can buy that we pick up there. Ain't much to be honest, but it is something. Also get plenty of newspapers and such." Scratching his chin, he frowned, "Been catching up on what's been happening fully since I was... put away."

Now leaning forward, Ted frowned, "And what do you think of things?"

For several moments, the wizard looked far older than he should have as he looked into a darkened corner, "I knew that I fucked up, and every bit that I have read has hammered that in. The only good things is that from what I know, Harry has a good family now and is happy. Also, I met Isley. That balances things out."

Grimacing, his cousin shook her head, "I still do not believe that you are with an Abyssal Princess." Andromeda paused before frowning, "Actually, I can. Oddly enough, it fits you."

Simply shrugging, Sirius smiled, "Yeah, she completes me. No more lothario for me, I know better. Also, I'm going to be a Dad..." His expression softened still further, "I'm going to be a Dad and marry their mother as soon as I am free."

Reaching over, Ted nodded some, "Which we're going to see happen, Sirius. We're working hard at it."

That made Sirius turn to him with a curious look, "I have been wondering how things have been going with that. There's been some in the Prophet, but we all know how well they report at times."

It went without saying that the other two adults snorted at that before Andromeda pulled out a folder and opened it, "Firstly, you are getting your trial. You're not going to be there until the very end though, for security reasons." Looking at him, she frowned, "There are... those that might well try to silence you."

Just humming, the imprisoned wizard's eyes darkened, "The Minister?"

Eyebrow raised, Ted looked at him in surprise, "Not going to assume that Narcissa and her husband would be one of those?"

Waving one hand best he could, Sirius scoffed, "Lucius? No, he is far too good at playing the game to realize what that would mean for him. Besides, it was not Lucius who helped put me away, it was his old man." At the wide eyed looks, he smiled thinly, "Bella was... rather loose lipped. Apparently Abraxas believed that with me out of the way, Draco could inherit. Pretty sure that Lucius knew that Harry would be heir instead because dear old Grandfather did not disown me, and he knows that I would have made my will to give the titles and family head to James or Harry, depending on if Prongs was alive or not. Lucy-Liu would know that."

Ted choked a bit at the last bit, "L-Lucy-Liu!?"

A grin on his face, the dog animagus nodded, "Lily made us watch some old muggle movies one Christmas. The name stuck." Rubbing his chin, he became serious once more, "So the Minister then?"

However, Andromeda shook her head, "No, not the Minister, but his Undersecretary. She's been making... noise about wanting to know where you are. And that you should be shipped back to Azkaban before the trial, possibly hoping for you to attempt to 'escape' once more."

Snorting at how she did quotation marks with her hands, Sirius sneered a bit, "In other words, get the Kiss in my 'Attempt' to do so. No thank you, I like it here."

Leaning back, the witch nodded, "And Amelia agreed with it, especially as she does not trust the Dementors. They have been... active... for some time due to so many being destroyed recently. As for Umbridge, she tried to drag things out as much as possible, until someone leaked some information to one of the papers that sprang up after Blood Week, the Weekly Dragon, and they actually investigated. Found no records of you ever having a trial and printed that, which made Fudge move pretty damn quickly to set up a trial."

With a nod, Ted reached for the folder and turned it around before spreading the papers out, "What we're working on right now is to create enough doubt that people will consider you innocent. Something that is... not quite as hard as we thought. One thing that one of my assistants came up with is re-enacting the incident with Peter with the dummies that Aurors use to train as the 'Victims'. One to show what would have happened if you had done it and one to show Peter doing it. We'll show the pensieve memories of the test as well as pictures." Seeing Sirius open his mouth, he held up a hand, "We're also using a diorama and performing a miniature re-enactment right there in front of them. It will show things like how it would not just be a finger left behind if you had killed him, which him being alive is enough proof that you did not. Also, pictures of said finger showing that it was perfectly cut, compared to something blown off."

Andromeda gave her cousin a long look, "And that is if we take this to trial..."

His eyes narrowing, Sirius gave her a frown, "If? What do you mean by that?"

Slowly, she pushed out a small amount of parchment, "Cornelius offered to give you a full pardon. No trial, just freedom with a sweep of the quill. There are no strings attached beside saying that he was not involved with your incarceration and that is it." Finger tapping on the paper, Andromeda frowned, "It is not a bad deal."

Looking at it, Sirius was silent for several moments before pushing it away, "No. I want this to go to trial." At her raised eyebrow, he explained, "I want it proven beyond a doubt that I did not do this. If I take this pardon, it will be as much as admitting that I did do it. People will never believe that I am innocent if I do not go through with a trial."

Only glancing at his wife, Ted frowned, "Sirius, there is no guarantee that you will get off even if we do go to trial. Also, even then there will be those that will believe that you were guilty no matter what."

Just meeting his eyes, the wizard lawyer could see the fire in Sirius' eyes burn, "Then let the chips fall as they will. And those that still believe that bullshit can sit on my wand and twist for all I care, because I will have proved that I am innocent. The world will know as a whole that I am innocent."

Neither husband and wife said anything for several moments. Finally, Andromeda turned to her now smirking husband and sighed, "Fine, you were right. I'll do as you asked when we get home." Ignoring Ted pumping his fist, she turned back to Sirius, "Now then, if we are going to do this, than we are doing it the right way."

The rest of the time was taken up as they planned and grilled Sirius about what happened, before, during, and after. Once their time was up, and several cups of coffee later, Ted stood up and shook Sirius' hand, "Well, we've done as well as can be expected. And I expect that more will be coming out as the trial goes on... though it will take time."

Grinning, Sirius waved him off, "I don't mind, I've waited more than ten years for my day in court. A few weeks is nothing..." Rotating his shoulders, he shook his head, "Besides, I've got things to do. One of the things that I am learning is how to operate a computer."

Unlike most of the other times, his cousin's surprise was obvious, "You? Learning how to use a computer? Really?"

With a nod, Sirius chuckled, "Seriously." Ignoring the groan, he continued with a slight smile, "I heard that it would be one of the easiest ways for me to communicate with Harry. And I'm looking forward for when I get free of here and can walk away a free man." Lightly smiling, the animagus' expression brightened, "And Harry feels the same. He sent me some pictures of him and his family, I have them on my desk back in my cell."

All Ted and Andromeda did was nod before shaking his hand, though his cousin also gave him a hug. Leaving, the two gave their goodbyes and left.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts Omake: Issues with Night on Bald Mountain during a storm

mikelima777 said:
Hmmm... I wonder if someone might introduce him to video games. Though I'm sure lily might have introduced him to 90s PC games.​

I could see that to be honest.

Handspan said:
I wonder what the political ramifications are with Sirius all but married to Isley who is now part of Porta's court? At the very least it's incentive to prove Sirius is innocent to keep the Abyssal princess happy.​

To be honest, he is an innocent man as shown by the investigation, it is now proving it to the court. That said? The British government is at least pleased by the fact that there is one less Abyssal to worry about.

jmcdavid said:
I'm sure it'll make them happy when he does walk away a free man, but first they need to actually see it happen.​

Got it in one, which is the real battle.

jmcdavid said:
Yeah, compared to Azkaban, Ironstone is practically a five star luxury hotel.​

Sort of goes without saying really... Especially as it is still a medieval prison in pretty much all the ways.

jmcdavid said:
Well, Sirius knows he dun goofed, but you know what? He has learned from his mistakes.​

He... has had a lot of time to think.

jmcdavid said:
A chance to get a blanket pardon, no trial? No thanks. Sirius wants everyone to know the score, just so there can be no doubts about his innocence.​

And he is pretty much right.

Knowledgeispower said:
Fair enough. I did love the snip it was excellent. Back to our regular intale of much needed fluff.​

Thank you.

Knowledgeispower said:
Speaking of fluff and much needed British capital ships(albeit cancelled ones) where in the world are the N3s and HMS Resistance and that matter. After all the design of the N3s matches Yamato's firepower and actually has superior protecion over the Yamato. Sadly they only go 24 knots as designed. Also the RN must be both very delighted by the G3s imminent births and sadden by the fact it will take literally a over a decade and a half before they are old enough to fight.​

They don't mind too much to be honest, right now they got plenty of breathing room as it is.

r0b0panda said:
I'm sure Hoppou wants to meet him very bad.​

Yes, yes she does.

r0b0panda said:
Considering the Marauders and Lily attended Hogwarts in the 80s here, it's highly likely they added a feature to the Marauder's Map that causes it to become a very big Pac-Man style game.​

The Marauders may or may not have had a potion fueled dream where the school got turned into a Pac-Man game...

Yellowhammer said:
Oh absolutely, they are perfect for each other. They just 'get' each other on a real fundamental level, and I would note that Colombe and Ehren are not picking up the nuances in their communication as they serenade each other and play duets.

(Which is fortunate for Claire since if Mother realized that Claire was 'going to second base' musically with Tony during some duets in a month or two, there would be family dramah and Mother would need smelling salts. Ehren figured it out by then, but Ehren is a romantic deep down and realizes that Big Sis is truly happy while providing excellent sisterly blackmail content. Besides this is quality free entertainment for her while she manages Colombe's finances and researches magical schools. Also Claire, being no fool, swore Ehren to secrecy in exchange for the musical hanky-panky not reaching third base.)​

Oh my~

And her being a romantic fits do damn well...

Yellowhammer said:
Speaking of Tony's plans to do a duet with a certain pianist, with some abuse of the playback spell that Claire knows and will teach him, the next time there is a stormy moonlight night at Castle Moulbaix, they will play this as a duet (with Tony playing both violin parts using the playback spell).
Spoiler: Music For a Gothic Moonlit Castle​

Opening the curtains a little, Ehren frowned, "Mother, there may well be a problem."

Not paying much attention, Colombe hummed as she listened to the music echoing through the household, counterpoint to the storm outside, "Hmm?" Hearing a throat being cleared, she looked at Ehren, "A problem?"

In reply, Ehren pointed out the window as storm raged, "Ja, a problem."

Eyebrow raised, the du Chasteler walked over with a chuckle, "Oh? And what sort of problem? Is Jackie dancing out there nude and drunk in the rain again..." Having reached the window, she trailed off. Outside, lightning flashed and thunder boomed... and upon the castle grounds was a glow...

The glow from dozens of spirits, some not much more than a skeleton, others with faces in agony as demonic beings chased and played with them. Part of Colombe noted that her Great-Nephew was among those, being used like a puppet on a string by a vicious, horned being. For several seconds she just watched...

And then, slowly, closed the curtains before turning to Ehren with a smile and closed eyes, "Ah, well... let us just ignore that then. And I shall be drinking of my brandy tonight..."

With that, she walked off.

0t4n1z3r2019 said:
Looks like the omake about Sirius playing fetch with himself became canon!! I can see that the guards really are baffled at him while he does this.​

It was far too amusing not to include.

0t4n1z3r2019 said:
And Sirius wanting his name cleared fast in time to be with Isley is really touching.
It really hit me in my meow-meow.

Anyways, good snippet!! Keep it up our Most Dapper of Kaiju!! The Sultan of Feels & the Destroyer of Pancreas!!

Will do!