Harry Potter & the Shipgirls

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Humming to himself, Harry frowned slightly as he opened a small, locked chest that was on his desk. Inside were three knives inside their sheaths which he considered as he looked them over, "Now... let's see... which one should I take?"

From where she was on a laptop, Juuchi looked over, "You could take either myself or Tsukiakari, Master."

With a glance at her, the thirteen year old had a look that stated he had been thinking about it before he shook his head, "Honestly? I would love to have either of you two along, Juuchi. Something just... sort of twigs my senses, you know? Like something will happen." Then, Harry sighed and frowned, "But as much as I would wish otherwise? You and Tsukiakari would be too noticeable and would get question." Turning, he gave an apologetic shrug to the Kyu Gunto in question, "Sorry, Tsukiakari."

Slightly smiling, Tsukiakari shook her head, "No, Master, it is perfectly understandable and you are right. Both myself and Senpai would be far too noticable." She then gestured at the case, "A knife is much better and at least you'll be armed."

Eyebrow cocked as she looked at the knives before going back to trolling on SGO, Juuchi had a slight frown, "While true, I would wish to be there ourselves."

Glancing at her, Harry considered it for a few moments before giving a shrug, "Perhaps you could come separate and watch from a distance if you want? That is about as much as I can do in this case."

Both swords looked at each other and gave a nod of agreement.

A little bit happy now that things had been settled, Harry turned back to the knives and tapped his chin some as he considered things, 'Now which ones... ah! That will work.'

With a nod, he removed the bowie knife and the diving knife. Opening a drawer, he pulled out two harnesses. First, he pulled up his pant leg of his jeans before placing one there with only a few moments. Into that, Harry slid the sheath for the diving knife into before pulling his pantleg back over it. For the second, he pulled off his shirt and put on an undershirt before placing the second harness over his back then placing the bowie knife there, easy to pull out once he placed his shirt back on.

Pausing, Harry walked over to the mirror and looked at himself before nodding, "What do you two think? Does it hide them?"

Juuchi and Tsukiakari paused their planning to follow Harry and looked him over before the Muramasa gave him a thumbs up. For her part, Tsukiakari smiled, "Yes, Master, it does hide them well." Walking over, she ran her hand down his back and hummed a little, "Hai, it is not very noticable at all that you have them. Which is good for when you need to hide the fact that you even have them."

The Muramasa gave a smug smile as she nodded slightly, "Indeed, it is best to be ready for almost anything."

Eyebrow raised, the thirteen year old gave her a look, "Almost?"

With a shrug, Juuchi shook her head, "Unfortunately, one cannot be prepared for anything, Master. It is... impossible to do so. But one can prepare for most things after all, which helps out."

Only sighing, Harry shook his head a little, "Hopefully it won't be needed."

Gently hugging him, Tsukiakari nodded, "Hai, hopefully not. But at least we can be certain that you have some protection at least until we can arrive. And both Juuchi and myself agree that something is not right about this place, though not the Onsen."

Frowning, Juuchi crossed her arms, "By which, Tsu means the surroundings. You are quite right to be somewhat concerned, Master, by the fact that the local construction has been having delays for very odd reasons. Perhaps it is an old magical site and the Diet has simply ignored it."

A sigh escaped from the wizard and he shook his head, "That's what I suspect myself. Maybe it is nothing but one of their staging areas or an old home. Not impossible, but... my gut says something else."

Suddenly, Tsukiakari snapped her fingers, "Right! Before you forget Master there is something else that you need."

Blinking, Harry turned to her in confusion. Furrowing his eyebrows, he glanced at his backpack and then at the clock which showed that it was rather early, "I... have? What?"

Lips curled into a slightly smug smirk, the Kyu-Gunto walked to another drawer in his desk and opened it before reaching inside. Tsukiakari then pulled out something that she placed in his open hand, "Here you go, Master. A Potter should never leave behind the most important tools they can have as a member of the family."

Opening his hands, Harry chuckled a little at seeing the multi-tool that was in his hand. With a practiced motion of his hands, he pulled out one of the tools to reveal it was a small, wire-like thing, "Ah, yes... lockpicking tools."

Just winking, Tsukiakari nodded, "Hai, one of the most important tools that a Potter can have." Giggling, she shook her head, "I'm just glad that I tracked down Kuro-Chan to have her make and enchant them."

That made Juuchi blink as did Harry, but it was the Muramasa who answered, "Kuro-Chan?"

With a nod, Tsukiakari hummed happily, "Hai! Master Ian met her long ago and got her out of some trouble. So she was happy when I mentioned that perhaps Master could use some tools of the trade as it were." She giggled a bit at their raised eyebrows, 'Ah, Master Ian... only you could steal something so precious from a Dodomeki as her affection...'

Glancing at Harry, the Muramasa shrugged some, "Well, Tsu is quite right that you should bring that along. And it is well enchanted to help open locks and the like..." She frowned a little and looked at the Kyu-Gunto, "Right?"

Tsukiakari shook her head a little, "Hai, most locks won't be able to stand up to it as long as it is not some place such as the Department of Mysteries. Well, that and as long as you know how to use it, Master."

Folding the wire back into place, Harry chuckled, "Well... Fubuki-Nee taught me some when I was younger. But I think that a certain relative of mine is responsible for her knowing." Ignoring the giggles from Tsukiakari and the smug from Juuchi, he continued, "And Harder-Nee as well as the other American Submarines taught me more." The thirteen year old grinned and gave a shrug, "They stated that I needed a well rounded education."

Both Tsukiakari and Juuchi looked at each other and snickered a bit as they nodded in complete agreement.

A short time later, Harry was stretching some as he carried a gym bag at his side while waiting. It was not long until Natsumi and the other Yokai Heirs showed up. They had just started chatting when a car pulled up and a man leaned out the driver's side window with a grin on his face and what seemed like five o'clock shadow on his face, "You're Potter Harry-San, right?"

Eyes narrowed slightly, Harry gavea nod, "Hai..." He paused before snapping his fingers, "Lieutenant Commander Ryoma, correct?"

Grinning, the young man laughed, "Hai, that's right." He gestured into the backseat of his car, "Brought the gaki and her friends."

The back window rolled down to reveal a grinning Nobu who waved and laughed loudly, "GOOD MORNING MY FRIENDS, MY FRIENDS GOOD MORNING~" Opening the door, she hopped out, "Well, everyone looks like they are here, though we do have an issue."

Raising an eyebrow in amusement, Natsumi glanced into the backseat to show a dozing Okita, "Okita-Chan is not much of a morning person, is she?"

Hands on her hips, the reincarnated warlord shook her head, "Nope! Not in the slightest!"

Uesugi came out from her side and walked over to the trunk with a sigh, "That was because you got into the mood to strum that guitar of yours, Nobu-Chan." Shaking her head, she grunted a little, "Thankfully, I was able to place some earbuds into my ears and sleep."

Scoffing, Nobu waved her off, "My playing is awesome, trust me on that."

Bemused, Ryoma snorted a little as Nobu walked over to the now open trunk herself, "You may play well, Nobu-Chan. But you still should not have been playing last night as late as you did... though thankfully it only bothered those of us in the apartment."

Just raising an eyebrow, Nobu looked over her shoulder, "And? Who is it to say that it was me that kept her awake and not you and your wife." Glancing into the passenger seat and seeing two eyes glaring back, she smirked, "You can get loud~"

Coughing into one hand, the JMSDF Officer didn't need to look to know his wife was looking away with red staining her pale skinned cheeks, "Perhaps." Reaching into the backseat, Ryoma poked Okita in the cheek, "Wakey, wakey, Gaki. Time to rise and shine~"

All Okita did though was grumble and slap his hand away, "Not a gaki."

Lips twitching madly, the thirteen year old wizard walked over to the bench where a box sat, "Thankfully, if there is one thing that an Admiral should be, it is prepared to fight any battle! And I have come with just such a preparation!"

Intrigued, Nobu looked towards him, "Oooh? How so?"

Box in his hands, Harry winked at her, "Just watch, something that I came up with knowing Okita-San for a while and that she is not a morning person." Opening the box, he reached in and pulled something out before waving it under the sleeping Okita's nose, "Here we go, Okita-San..."

Nose twitching, the pale haired girl opened her eyes a crack to see a double chocolate dutch muffin in front of her. The early morning sunlight glinted off the sugar crystals that encrusted the top and she swore that it was calling out to her. Calling out for her to bite into the moist, chocolately goodness that was its form. To devour every bit.

And, who was she to deny it, it's fondest wish?

However, when she reached out for it, she missed as it moved away. In the distance, she could hear laughter, but ignored it in favor of following the muffin out of the car. Once outside, she finally grabbed the delicious baked good and bit into it with happy sounds, 'Yes... this is what victory tastes like...'

Meanwhile, in the car and unable to help himself, Ryoma cackled loudly, "Oh Kami! I love it!"

Bemused, Harry simply nodded with a smile, "Hunger is the great enemy." Getting a hum of agreement from Okita, he turned to Ryoma and offered the box, "Here, you and your wife can have some."

Grin on his face as he rubbed his chin, Ryoma turned to the passenger seat, "Thanks, so which one do you want, Oryō-Chan?"

In the passenger seat, a pale skinned woman turned and looked at the box with Harry blinking a bit as he noticed that she had an odd, reptilian look in her red eyes. But then, it vanished as she smiled at her husband and nodded, "Ah... which ones do you have?" Quickly, the teenage boy listed them off and she took a raspberry one, "Thank you, Harry-San."

Chuckling, Ryoma shook his head as she made a happy sound and looked at Harry, "I often bring her home some of the stuff from the mess hall. She loves raspberry and some of the other pastries there." Ignoring the finger flick to the ear from his wife, besides to rub it, he took a blueberry with a grin, "Can't really get them often as Teitoku always grabs as many of them as he can get."

That got a snort from Harry, "Hai, I know. Goto-Oji is like that unfortunately."

Only grinning herself, Nobu licked her lips, "Well, I'll have a strawberry!"

Reaching for a muffin in question, she nearly had it when her hand was smacked away. Blinking, she looked up at Okita who was finishing her own muffin off and tried again, only for the other girl to slap her hand away again. Each time after gave the same result to the amusement of the others, complete with Okita grabbing another muffin.

Sighing, Uesugi groaned and grabbed one herself, "Can you two not embarrass us?"

Just shaking his head, Harry grabbed Okita's hand and gave her a smile like those Tatsuta had, "Ara, ara~ Everyone can have one, Okita-San..." Closing his eyes, he gave a nod with that smile growing a touch, "Right?"

Wide eyed, Nobu stared at him and then at the frozen Okita before taking the muffin she wanted, 'Damn... he can be scary. I rate that maybe 0.8 Annoyed Kote-Chans.' Biting into the moist baked good, she hummed, 'But also, he can really cook! I love the modern day and the treats it has...'

For his part, Ryoma waited until Okita grabbed her bags from the car and gave a wave before heading out. Glancing in the rearview mirror, he shook his head some, "Hopefully they have a fun time at the Onsen."

Moments later, his hand was grasped in Oryō's and said woman leaned against his shoulder, "Perhaps... we should go to one as well."

Considering that, her husband nodded some as continued to drive, "Hai, perhaps we should..."

Back at the school, Nobu was looking at the steaming paper cup in her hands and blinked, "So this is what you drink, Natsumi-San? Black tea?"

Sheepish, the Kitsune nodded, "Hai, it is." Turning, she gave a mock offended look at Harry, "You can blame Harry-Chan. He corrupted me with regards to what I need to drink to wake up."

Only shrugging, the former warlord looked at Uesugi and Okita who also had cups of their own, poured from a large thermos, "Can't be helped, I suppose. Besides, I've heard of worse... like those energy drinks."

Upon Okita's face was a look of disgust as she shuddered, "Ugh... don't remind me of those, Nobu-Chan. Every time I see someone at early morning practice drinking one or doing so before competitions, I have had to stop myself from yelling at them." Looking at the drink, she took a sip and swished it around in her mouth before nodding, "This though... is not bad."

Beside her, Uesugi took a sip herself and nodded, "Hai, though coffee is not too bad itself..."

Mumbles and such met her as the others all took sips of their own tea as they tried to fully wake up while eating muffins. Until, that was, the small bus arrived to pick them up and drive them to their destination. As they placed their luggage into it, Harry raised an eyebrow at the guitar case that Nobu placed in, "Bringing a guitar with us?"

Nobu gave a small shrug, "Hai, I'm pretty good and enjoy playing. I mean, I can play the Koto as well, but... sometimes you just want something different, you know?"
That only got her nods and, soon, they were off to their trip.

Meanwhile, a large "Landcruiser" of an American car pulled into a makeshift parking lot and a certain Masamune got out with a frown on her face as she sighed, "TIme to figure out what is going on." Rolling her shoulder a bit, she looked at her phone and sent off a text, "Hopefully, it is done with early enough that I can meet up with Toku-Chan." Putting it away, Fudo shook her head, "Well, let's get this over with, maybe I can beat something up to work off some frustrations..."

 

[darthcourt10]

Sidestory - Snippet 123: Yellowhammer

A Honeymoon Of Fire (A Courtship in Emerald Epilogue)

Two Bit Saloon, Gardiner, Montana

June 23rd, 1946

The flame in the basement fireplace flared green and Delilah de Breuil stepped out of it. Automatically she swept the stone-floored room that she was in, then nodded. "Clear. You can come out now."

The orange imperial topaz on her ring finger flamed, its light caught by the diamonds surrounding it. The fireplace behind her flamed and Zamarad stepped out of the flames. The Ifrit, clad in a thin and nearly transparent top and pantaloons hugged her from behind and nibbled her ear. "This is an interesting way to begin our honeymoon, love."

Delilah smugged and reached down, giving a gentle squeeze to Zamarad, which produced a squeak and then a gasp of delight. "Oh, this is just our arrival point. Now let me change us into something less conspicuous and we will get to the first step of our trip."

She waved her wand, shifting her traveling dress and Zamarad's outfit to tooled leather lace-up boots, brown trousers with a leather belt with a silver tooled buckle, a gray flannel shirt with a black tie, a three button short green coat with an arrowhead patch and a silver badge reading US PARK WARDEN and stetson hats. She then smirked and holstered herself openly as Zamarad looked at her outfit with curiosity. "This is... interesting, Delilah. I am more and more curious."

Delilah grinned and climbed out of the cellar through a ladder leading to a trapdoor. She nodded to an elderly cowboy with weathered leather skin at the top then turned to help Zamarad up. "Mornin' Hank. How's things?"

"Tolerable, I reckon'." was the answer 'Who's the greenhorn?"

Delilah grinned. "Name's Emma, she came over from Europe in the War and I'm showing her the ropes. Since it's my turn to check on things, I'm giving her some on the job training and showing her the ropes on the ward renewal here. You have the horses and the gear for me?"

"Sure do, Del. Livery stables expects you, and Parker at the Fort has your shootin' irons and kit." Hank paused to spit some tobacco into a brass spittoon "See you still got that hogleg of yours?"

Delilah laughed and patted the butt of her pistol. "Sure do, she hasn't failed me yet, and can't be too careful out here. Grizzlies don't care about us keepin' Old Smokey from blowin' her stack. Anything I should know about?"

"Newp, Del. See you back in a month." Hank opened the back door. Delilah reached into her pocked and tossed him a silver half-dollar underhanded to him. "Raise a snort for me tonight, old friend."

Outside Zamarad stared with interest at the small western town in the river valley. She could feel a primal buzzing in her bones as Delilah guided her to the livery stable where a string of horses with camping gear awaited.

After checking the horses expertly, Delilah rode south through town. Zamarad felt the buzzing in her bones Intensify and become more insistent and then she blinked as she approached the end of town. Ahead there was a fieldstone wall with an arch set in it to allow the road to pass through.
Spoiler: Roosevelt Arch

Delilah tipped her hat to the words FOR THE BENEFIT AND ENJOYMENT OF THE PEOPLE above it as they approached it. Zamarad, now curious, spurred her horse to ride alongside Delilah. "This means something to you?"

Delilah nodded with a touch of melancholy. "I was here in 1902 when Theodore laid the cornerstone. He was a good man and a better friend with a greatness of spirit. And of all the people I have known, he loved America the best perhaps. He," Delilah reined in to let several cars go past them under the arch, "helped me do so much necessary work and I knew he knew about who I represented, but he never asked so I never had to lie to him."
Spoiler: Land of Fire And Smoke

With that she passed through the Roosevelt Arch. As Zamarad followed she whimpered in bliss and awe as she sensed a set of wards linked to the fieldstone structure. On the other side... was Fire. Sleeping, and restful now, yes, but she could sense the power under her horse's feet. Power sufficient to reshape a continent, slumbering and only letting a fraction of its true might and grandeur loose to show the world the power of her element.

Delilah leaned close as they rode down the road, and she felt the power and anticipation build with every step of her horse's hooves. "You feel it too?"

Zamarad nodded, blushing intently. "Y-yes I do. What is this place?"

Delilah grinned as they reached a sign that said MAMMOTH HOT SPRING ----> and led them down the indicated roadway. "Yellowstone."
Spoiler: Mammoth Hot Springs

Zamarad blinked in confusion, then gasped as they reached a hitching post and Delilah dismounted. she could feel the tingling calling to her innermost soul as she walked down the trail with tears of joy in her eyes.

She looked around at the terraces formed by the boiling mineral-rich water that had day by day, year by year, century by century formed castles, fortresses, ropes of frozen limestone stained bright gold, dark red, emerald blue, creamy white, and verdant green with the bacteria that lived in the hot mineral-rich water bubbling up from the fires beneath her feet. Clouds of superheated steam drifted and billowed from the thermal vents, showing that in this place, Air, Earth, and even Water were all servants of the Fires beneath her feet churning within the molten rock coming from the heart of the planet.

It was only Delilah's hand on her elbow that prevented her from running around to cavort among the majestic fires of this wild and wonderful land. Only her promise to keep her human guise up to keep the existence of Magic a secret prevented her from assuming her true form to dive and frolic among the pools. Delilah leaned closer and her lips tickled her ear. "I know of places like this hidden away off the beaten path where no prying eyes will see us."

Zamarad shuddered in anticipation and bit her lip as her eyes hooded.

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

That night, they camped beside a nameless hot spring in a lush meadow.

The unclouded stars shone down from heaven upon them and in the distance coyotes howled mournfully at a crescent moon.

Delilah cast a series of flame repellent and cooling charms upon her avatar before joining Zamarad in a midnight swim in the steaming water, feeling the caress of flame upon her bare skin. The fiery passion in her wife's eyes made the boiling water seem like ice as the Ifrit drew her into a loving kiss and cried tears of joy in her embrace.

---------------------------------------------
Spoiler: Yellowstone

That night set the pattern for the ensuing days and weeks.

They traveled from place to place in the day, pausing to explore, to hunt for game, and to enjoy the marvels of nature and each other's company. While Delilah did check and reinforce the needed wards as she had told MACUSA, that was secondary to the joy that she and Zamarad shared as the Ifrit discovered the beauties of Yellowstone and Delilah saw them once again anew through the eyes of her love.

Zamarad gasped at the thunder of the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone as sixty thousand gallons of water a second fell three hundred feet into the canyon carved through the pinks and golds of the rhyolite lava rocks of the Yellowstone Plateau. Her hand found Delilah's and squeezed hard, her wedding ring touching that of her love as the voice of the water made conversation impossible, yet the understanding of the perfection of the moment a rainbow formed in the spray of the water was unspoken and accepted.

Zamarad had tears of joy in her eyes at the rainbow color of the waters of the Grand Prismatic Spring, ranging from the cooler reds and oranges around the edges from the bacteria feasting on the minerals in the water, to the pure blue of the center of the spring where the water was too hot for mundane life. Delilah was quite glad that the spring was deserted that night as she watched an Ifrit swim happily in water that would have boiled her alive.

The geysers, steam vents, and fumeroles amused, delighted, and enthralled Zamarad. She danced through the vents in a small field in the east of the park, gesturing to make the boiling waters erupt at her will and command. Delilah, after casting privacy charms and Fireproofing Charms, joined her love in that dance. It turned into a symphony of bare skin, passionate kisses, hot steam, boiling water, and sheer delight shared by Jinn and Muramasa. Delilah did come out red and giggling and it was not just because of the scalding water.

---------------------------------------------
Spoiler: Wildlife In Yellowstone

Zamarad crouched next to Delilah. It did not escape her that the Muramasa's hand was hovering an inch from the butt of her pistol as she watched the pair of bull moose approach each other across the meadow with a head-wagging motion. Delilah whispered. "Dominance fight. Heads are down, they are keeping eye contact and their hackles are up. Just watch."

Zamarad nodded and then her eyes opened wide as one they charged each other and locked antlers. For endless seconds, the combined ton weight of the massive deer heaved back and forth trying to force the other back. Gradually the more gray of the two slid back and then they broke apart. The gray trotted off as the black one snorted and then began to strip the bark off a tree for lunch.

Delilah relaxed visibly. "Wolfpack might take one with some risk. Humans of course. Maybe a grizzly when they are half-grown. Nothing else."

Zamarad swallowed and then hugged Delilah around the waist. "My family will not believe this place when I tell them."

Delilah nodded. "It has been a sacred site for the Indians since man first set foot in this part of the Earth. You see why. Now, let's head up Sleeping Giant Mountain and check the wards there."

Zamarad laughed like a crackle of a campfire. "Sepulcher Mountain. Undine Falls. The Thunderer. Hoodoo Peak, Devil's Den. And now Sleeping Giant Mountain. If the no-maj knew of what those names really meant."

Delilah smiled. "Indeed, although," she paused and her smile faded, "It can't go on forever. Sooner or later, probably sooner, the Statute of Secrecy will come down. Every year it gets trickier and trickier to keep it going. That's one of the things that Mother and I have been working toward for decades. The more plans we make now to help smooth the path for integration, the better it will be for us all."

Zamarad nodded as they reached their campsite. "I can see. This is something important to you."

Delilah looked distant. "Yes, for many many reasons, but there is one personal one. Father... Norimune was written out of history to preserve the Statute of Secrecy. She did so much for us all, for America, and was discarded because her story, her sacrifices was not convenient for MACUSA. It's not right, and Mother and I will correct that injustice. Just like how Sis gets into hot water for doing the right thing."

Zamarad hugged Delilah as she waved a hand to ignite the campfire. "And I will stand beside you every step of the way to make that happen. Your father, she must have been a extraordinary person to sire you, my love."

Delilah paused in pulling out coffee beans for Zamarad to roast and nodded with tears in her eyes. "I never met her, and she does not know of me, but from all Mother's stories, she was. And I promise you, one day we shall meet her, and you can see for yourself what kind of a hero Muramasa-no-Norimune is."

----------------------------------------
Spoiler: Geyser Eruption At Yellowstone

Their last day In Yellowstone, they spent at the Old Faithful Lodge. Zamarad and Delilah had dropped off their horses, camping supplies and the rifles that Delilah had checked out for use on their backcountry trip with the MACUSA Auror assigned to this post in Yellowstone and changed their clothing from erzatz part rangers to normal tourists. Passing through the crowds, and taking the chance to enjoy the comforts of cooked food as opposed to trail rations and an actual bed, the Ifrit and Muramasa checked in and then enjoyed a peaceful meal.

Later, after a walking tour, the two curled up in bed together, speaking of what they had seen and experienced together. Zamarad's head perked up and she looked out the window, followed by Delilah.

In the distance under the moonlight Old Faithful , the most famous geyser on earth, erupted with a roar as it had done every sixty minutes for untold centuries. Boiling water shot a hundred feet in the air, slowly building up the cone surrounding the vent.

Delilah and Zamarad watched, enthralled all over again as after five minutes, the geyser vanished, gathering its power for the next eruption.

Zamarad kissed Delilah passionately and then cuddled up to her. The Ifrit whispered. "I would like to come back one day with our children. To share this place, these moments with them."

Delilah agreed as she hugged Zamarad tighter to her, "When we can have them openly, then yes. Once they are old enough to understand what we have been given stewardship of and how precious and important it is."

 

[darthcourt10]

NotHimAgain

Okay, so. This is something that's been bugging me for a while, so I decided to finally get it over with and put it out there. For those wondering about the Select Snippet, don't worry. It is almost finished, and coming along... one... paragraph... at at time...

what am i doing with my life

Anyhoo. Here's a thingy with Takumi, Nemo's boyfriend.
-----

Someone was rapping at the door again. Mom just wouldn't let up, would she? "What now?" Haruka groaned, pulling her covers up and over her head. Sitting up where she was, she turned towards the door. "What is it?" she called.

"Tachibana?" she heard a familiar voice call through the door. "I came to check up on you—brought the homework, too. Are you okay in there?"

Inoue? Why the hell was he here? Why hadn't he just left the homework with Mom and been on his merry way? Why…

Haruka glanced at the curtains—pulled to so that the room was dark as possible, but with enough light shining through that she could tell that it was substantially later than when she had locked herself in. She grasped about for her phone, unlocked the screen, and huh. Today, it turned out, was now tomorrow afternoon. Or maybe it was today instead of yesterday evening. Had she been… asleep or awake?

Eh. Not like it mattered.

"Thanks," she replied, shuffling out of bed. "Just slide them under the door or something."

"… Right." A few seconds later, several sheets of paper peeked in from the hall, and Haruka pulled them in. She almost didn't care what's on them, probably going to use them as so much more scrap paper, wait, what was Inoue saying? "You sure you're okay in there?"

"M'fine, why asking?" she grumbled, tossing the worksheets aside. Inoue was quiet, probably looking thoughtful as he put together what he was going to say next. Then he sighed, a heavy rush of air that came out in a 'hoof.'

"Okay, look," he admitted, something that was probably his arm thumping against the door softly. He must have leaned against it. "Yakumo just asked me to come over and check up on you. I have no idea why—as far as I understand, something happened last night, and she doesn't want to face you over it but she's still worried. If… if it's my place to ask, what happened?"

"It's not," Haruka muttered under her breath. She sat down, slumping against the door herself. Last night had been…

"We went to see a movie."

They had been talking, feeling out more and more a while now. Yakumo had—she'd told her, obliquely, somewhat, and she'd been willing to give it a try somehow. The movie… it had preceded a dinner together, just eating at a family restaurant, but with the potential to be something more.

"We got dinner."

Conversation was a bit sparse, a little bit awkward, each one trying to send out feelers. Trying to connect something. Finally, Yakumo had sighed, clasping her hands on top of the table.

"We thought that, that there might be something there."

Slowly, hesitantly, hopefully Haruka reached over, taking them in her own.

Yakumo looked down at the joined hands. Haruka looked back at her, resisting the urge to lean down and look up, get some idea of what was on her face and in her head.

Finally, Yakumo raised her head again. "I'm sorry," she said mournfully.

"… but there wasn't."

They had walked home silently, splitting up at the usual place. Haruka had walked until she was running, fleeing from her friendship, or what it could have been, or she didn't know what, slamming through the door and rushing up to her room so fast that she almost forgot to say "tadaima." She cried. She raged—not at Yakumo, she still couldn't feel angry at her, but at anything else she could think of. At some point, she'd grabbed her sketchbook, huddled in bed, and started drawing, trying not to think about how she'd gotten into this stuff because Yakumo recommended this and that and she thought that maybe it would be fun to try, and Yakumo thought her art looked great, and… and… and when Mom called her down for breakfast, she'd told her to just leave it at the door, she'd come and get it later, and next thing she knew here was Inoue.

At the thought of breakfast, her stomach growled.

"… I see."

Haruka choked back a bitter response. Easy for someone who'd gotten it right the first time to say, as if somehow he'd read all the right things in between the lines. "Look, Inoue. Yakumo's… well, she's a good girl. A great girl. She's kind, but she's willing to put her foot down when she has to. She studies hard, gets good grades, does her best for the people she cares about…" She choked again, this time on the lump that was crawling up towards her mouth. "She's… just… Treat her right, okay?"

Yes. Yakumo loved Inoue. That was very definitely true. And Inoue, he was a pretty decent guy himself. He'd stand by her, make her happy. They may not have been able to find what they were looking for, but Yakumo still had a chance at happiness. With the boy she loved. That… Haruka could live with that.

"I can't," Inoue replied.

What?

"What?"

"I can't treat her right," he reiterated, "not the way that you're asking me to. I already have Nemo."

"Y-you're kidding, right?" Inoue… he was joking, right? Had to be joking. Nemo was open to it. Joked about it from time to time. There was no way he couldn't want this. Couldn't be. No. Of course he wanted it. Had to want it. She'd want it, wouldn't she? Yes, he—

"Nope," he cut the thought off apologetically. "She… if I'd never met Nemo, then honestly? I probably would have accepted her. Maybe not immediately, but in time, I think that I probably could have fallen in love with her."

"Then why?" The lump in her throat popped, fell back down into her stomach. It churned, broiled, and she couldn't rightly tell what it was. "If you could fall in love with her, then, then do it! They're both willing, they, they, how is she not good enough for you, is that it? Yakumo, she, you're not—why?"

The boy behind the door was silent.

"Why?" she pleaded, huddling against the wood, sniffling as the tickling sensation of tears running down her cheeks registered.

"Because Nemo was there first."

The voice was solemn, direct, definitive. He… meant it? But why?

Because…

Because he would have been the weak link.

Because for Inoue, it would never be Nemo and Yakumo. It would always be Nemo and Yakumo. There were no equal shares in the equation. However he tried, one would ultimately come before the other. The ship… well, it had already sailed.

Haruka's sobs bunched up until they came out chuckles. "Look at us," she laughed, not sure if it was bitter or some kind of odd amusement, "look at us." A solution that could have had them all happy, or at least one they could have accepted, and it was impossible. Actually kind of funny, if you squinted and didn't care that you were stepping on your own heart just a little.

"What's to look at?" Inoue replied, and she burst out laughing all over again.

"Is there food out there? Like, right outside the door."

"Uh, no?"

Well, it just figured. "I'm coming out to get something to eat. Clear the door."

Haruka must have gotten really used to the at best dim light in her room. She felt blinded for just a little longer than usual as she stepped into the hall.

"You look terrible," Inoue said helpfully.

"Yeah," she agreed, "I'm probably going to faint and sleep until tomorrow morning once I've got some food in me."

"That sounds like a good plan for you."

She didn't feel better. Not entirely, not just like that. Just… well, if she'd had to put a word to it, maybe it'd be clearer. Like she understood what as going on inside and outside a little better. She had her feet on solid ground now, even if it could crumble away and leave her floundering just as badly as before. Something solid was better than nothing.

So she told Mom that yes, she was okay, dug some old curry out of the fridge, and told Inoue that she'd see him at school when he left. Then she paused, looking down at her food.

"What's the matter?" Mom asked, glancing over at her worriedly.

"Nothing, it's just…" Haruka frowned. "I'm pretty sure that I drew a girl with some kind of laser wings last night, but… I'm not really sure why she'd have those."

Mom laughed. "It sounds like a story. Why don't you make it into a manga? I'm sure one of the magazines that your brother reads is having some sort of contest."

"Huh. Maybe."

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

After dropping their luggage off at the Onsen, the group of teens went out to explore. Granted, not before the receptionist told them to be careful due to the fact that the forecast was for rain later in the afternoon. Looking up at the sky, with dark clouds gathering? They could well believe it.

But, as with all teens, they decided that was something for their future selves to be concerned about, not them.

Walking along, the group decided to get to know one another a bit better than before. Hence, they began chatting though everyone felt that the others were hiding something from them, though they did not mention it. At one point, Harry tilted his head as he looked at Okita in curiosity, "You like reading mystery novels, Okita-San?"

Just humming, Okita nodded as she fixed her hair into a loose ponytail, "Hai, there is nothing better than to curl up on a comfy chair with a good detective story."

Hands behind her head, Nobu chuckled, "And I can confirm that, though she started out with ones like Detective Conan and that American series... Encyclopedia Brown."

As everyone looked at her, the pale haired girl blushed, "Nobu-Chan!" Getting a cackle, she sighed and scratched her cheek, "I... came across them in the English section back in elementary school and thought that they were interesting. They helped me learn how to read English as well."

Slowly, Harry gave a nod and smiled, "That's not a bad thing, Okita-San. Besides, they're good books as well... though I prefer other ones like Redwall..." Pausing, he tilted his head, "Maybe the second of the Welkin Weasels trilogy would interest you."

Now perking hp, Okita gave him an interested look, "Welkin Weasels? I've never heard of that book series."

Harry gave a small shrug in reply, "There's two series actually and involve, well, intelligent animals like weasels. Unlike Redwall, they live alongside humans for the most part. The first is sort of a mixture of Redwall with Robin Hood with more adventure and magic. But the second? Follows a weasel detective and his group. He's sort of like Sherlock Holmes... if he was a normal sized weasel and Doctor Watson was a female weasel. Add in it being steampunk? And it gets rather interesting."

Considering what she had just been told, Okita hummed, "I'll have to look it up then. Sounds rather interesting, which is always a good thing. And at least you I can trust to suggest a good book."

That made the teenage wizard blink some, "Poi?"

Lips twitching, Uesugi turned from the conversation that she was having with Kaku and adjusted her glasses, "Okita-Chan got a suggestion from one of the older foreign students to read some thrillers by an American author named Cussler Clive. So she read this one book she found in the back of the library."

Disgust on her face, Okita threw her hands into the air, "Ugh! It was just... bad! I tossed the book when I got to the end across the room!"

Laughing loudly, Nobu nodded as she pointed at her friend, "Hai! I remember that! It was so hilarious with how pissed you were at the author!" Dodging around a swipe, she brought her hand up and stage whispered, "She really did find the book bad and went on a tirade about the author."

Eyebrow raised, Harry gave them a look, "Oh? How bad are we talking?"

Pinching her nose, the former Shinsengumi sighed, "Okay... it was called 'Night Probe' and the story starts in the First World War, right? Britain was getting a lot of debt from war loans from the United States and needed a way to pay them so that it could continue funding the war... so they come up with the perfect way to do so." Her tone flat, she looked at a snickering Nobu, "By selling Canada to the United States."

Utter silent met her before Harry gave the answer that was going through their minds, "Wat."

Waving him off, Okita shook her head, "Gets worse. See, they made an agreement complete with a treaty, but as it is being transported via train, said train derails and into the Hudson, I think." With a shrug, she continued, "Anyways, it gets forgotten about and buried. Move forwards to the 'Present' in the 1980s. The United States has issues economically and peak oil is going to happen, as well as other stuff when someone finds out about the treaty. The President then sends a group to retrieve it because he believes his economic problems would be solved by having Canada added to the United States. The British send someone to also retrieve it or destroy it because of the damage it could do... long story short, the Americans find it, somehow still intact inside a train after being submerged for decades, and retrieve it. The President then announces it at the end of the book at a press conference and declares that Canada is now part of the United States legally, and it gets accepted."

Everyone who had not known about this book just blinked before turning to the one British born boy in their midst. Said boy stared for a few moments before placing his face in his hands, "Oh for... that is just plain freaking stupid. There's so much wrong with that... that I cannot even begin to find a place to start!"

Nodding, Okita crossed her arms over her chest, "I know, right?"

Just shaking his head, Harry sighed, "You're right... I mean, it is not even the entertaining type of stupid like... Konpeki no Kantai."

Confused, Uesugi looked between them, "Konpeki no Kantai?"

Facepalming, Natsumi groaned and shook her head, "Hai, it was an... alternate history anime. Yamamoto died in the plane crash and wakes up on 1905. And instead of, you know, avoiding the war? He instead builds up a fleet to defeat America complete with performing the Pearl Harbour attack the 'Right way' this time including invading the islands and occupying them. He has such things as having giant Carriers, Super Battleships, and nuclear powered Submarines as well as intercontinental Bombers. Which he uses to destroy the Manhattan Project at Los Alamos and force the US to surrender."

Harry's lips twitched a bit and he snickered, "I remember doing a video with Naka-Nee actually about that. We had Mum, Enterprise, Admiral Yamamoto, and Admiral Halsey watch and react to the anime. Yamamoto-Oji's face was downright hilarious as was Mum's and the others!"

Holding her arms around her middle, Nobu cackled, "I have got to see that video! Just imagining it!"

Simply ignoring the cackles from her friend, Okita sighed, "Can we go back to talking about... good stories? Please?"

Everyone had an amused look on their face, other than Nobu who was still cackling, and went back to talking about better things.

Roughly two hours later found the group examining what looked like a concrete lined depression in the forest floor. There were two tiers to it and a flat floor... though it was covered with decades of forest litter. But from the leaves, one could see a few bits of metal sticking up. Examining it, Nobu tilted her head before turning to Harry, "What do you think was here?"

Humming, Harry looked around in thought, "I think it was likely one of the smaller AA guns. Now, over there, however..." Everyone turned to look at what looked like a scarred, and rusted, metal box, "That I think was a Type 98, Ten centimetre gun turret."

That caused them all to blink and Asuka looked at him in confusion, "What? Isn't that a ship mounted weapon?" Let it not be said that being Yokosuka meant that the young Tengu did not recognize some things. When Harry nodded though, she frowned and looked back at it, "But... what is it doing all the way out here?"

Also frowning, Usagi scratched her head some, "That... is a good question. I mean, it doesn't make much sense for it to be out here, right? And they just discovered all this two years ago when they started building the new development."

Unnoticed by her, Harry and Natsumi exchanged a concerned look. As they continued to chat, the black haired wizard sided up next to the Kitsune, "Natsumi-Chan? Do you have...?"

With a glance to the others, the Kitsune lowered her voice, "Hai, I have Carnwennan sheathed in the small of my back. So I'm ready... You?"

Eyes flickering to the woods, Harry gave a nod of his own, "I got two of my knives, my Bowie knife and diving knife. Juuchi and Tsukiakari are nearby as well watching just in case something happens. So I'm as ready as I could be, just in case."

Only nodding, Natsumi perked up a bit as Rika said something, "What was that about bunkers, Rika-Chan?"

The Nekomata blinked and frowned, "Hmm? Oh yeah, they found some old bunkers that looked like machine gun nests as well as an old road. Otou-San thinks that is what all the rumours about tunnels in the area were about. That there was some bunkers for military commanders to come here just in case of an American Invasion and protect the area."

If anything, that made Harry and Natsumi both more concerned. Because you did not put defences like there was around for anything less than something really important. And the fact that the ruins in the area were only discovered recently really caused some feelings of alarm.

Meanwhile, Nobu was grinning as she hopped over a fallen branch and ran to where the old turret was, "Hey! Hey! Okita-Chan!" She then went into a pose like she was trying to be thoughtful, "Take a picture!"

Just sighing, the girl in question brought up her phone and took a picture as asked, "There we go, Nobu-Chan." Coming back over, the grin suddenly fell from Nobu's face and she turned to the trees. Something that made Okita frown, "Nobu-Chan?"

Nobu shook her head and motioned for them to come over quick, which they did. She then pointed towards the woods, "There's someone moving around, just inside the gully there."

Frowning, Harry brought up his binoculars and looked down into the forested gully between two hills. Here and there, old, crumbling edifices could be seen. But it only took him a few moments to catch sight of a young woman making her way through the undergrowth apparently grumbling about something, "Huh... so there is. Weird, she's wearing a suit."

Blinking, Okita gave him a frown, "A... suit? Out in these woods? But... why would you...?"

Soft chuckles made her turn to see Nobu rubbing her hands together with a grin. At seeing everyone looking at her, she shrugged, "Let's follow her and see what she's doing. Could be interesting."

Holding out her hand, Uesugi frowned as she observed the woman, who seemed to be looking for something. Every once in a while, she paused and looked around before motioning with a Tanto in her hands, "She looks like she searching for something. And has a knife in her hands."

Concerned, Asuka looked at the others, "Could she be a Yakuza?"

Everyone paused at that and considered the thought. Then, Nobu shrugged, "Could be a Yak, I guess. Maybe searching for something that they hid out here. Or maybe... she could be searching for something hidden after the war. You know, like gold buried by an Ojii-San or some such."

Needless to say, that got her looks from the others of disbelief. Sighing, Okita shook her head some, "Nobu-Chan... maybe we should just leave it. Who knows what she's doing around here, could be anything."

Looking over her shoulder, Nobu smirked a bit even as she started down the hillside, "And here I thought that you loved mysteries and wanted to be a police officer, Okita-Chan! Yet here you are ignoring a mystery in front of you right at this very moment!"

Stunned, all the pale haired teen could do was stare before groaning as she began climbing down the incline herself, "I cannot believe you, Nobu-Chan!"

Cackling a bit, Nobu grinned back at her, "Hey, it's an adventure! What's the worst that could happen?"

Harry closed his eyes at that and pinched his nose as he muttered to himself, "Oh bloody hell... she did not just say that..."

Expression blank, Natsumi nodded with a dry tone, "She did..." With a sigh, she shook her head and began to descend herself, "Better keep up with them or else we can't help if something goes wrong."

As the others followed, the teenage wizard grumbled, "And invoking Murphy, it will. Believe me, it will. When it does, I'm slapping her upside the head..."

It did not take the group of teens to get to the bottom of the gully between the hills. Nor was it hard for them to follow the woman as she left behind a good trail. One that even the worst trackers among them could follow, though that was not saying much. Looking at a bush that had part of the branches sliced off, Kaku frowned, "What the heck is she doing?"

Picking up a broken branch that had been whacked against a tree, Asuka shrugged, "Maybe she's angry about something?" With a glance at the deep footprint, as if the person who created it was stomping around, the Tengu frowned, "Like, really angry about something?"

Softly snoring, Nobu waved another branch, this one cut at one end around like a sword as she hopped up into a rotton log with a big gouge taken out of it, "Maybe she's getting frustrated because she cannot find any of her Ojii-San's treasure!"

The others sighed, gave each other looks, and then continued on.

Over stream and through dell, the group followed the winding trail until, suddenly, they all paused. Harry himself frowned and glanced around as Usagi, who was beside him, muttered, "Did you feel that, Harry-San?"

Very slowly, the wizard gave a nod, "Hai, I did. That was some sort of... ward line that we just crossed." Glancing at Nobu, he noted that the girl furrowed her eyebrows before shaking her head much like an animal might to shake off flies, "Maybe NoMaj repelling?"

Cocking her head to the side, Usagi noticed that the other two non-Yokai girls were also shaking their heads and muttering, "Most likely, and it would make sense." Suddenly, she perked up and looked at him, "Do you think that is why all the work on the development has been delayed? Because they're stumbling across it?"

Frowning, Harry nodded slowly, "It would fit." Clearing his throat, he gave a smile, though it was faked, "Hey, Nobu-San, maybe we should head back-"

However, the girl in question laughed and shook her head, "Nah! Anyways, she went that way!"

Slapping his forehead, Harry internally groaned and followed after Nobu as did the others, "Yay, this is going to turn out great, I can just feel it..."

The various Yokai with enhanced hearing found their lips twitching and snickers escaping from them. Just a few minutes later though, they were not so amused and looking around the lightly forest hillside that they were at the bottom of. Scratching her head, Nobu frowned, "Where did she go? The train ends right here..."

Also looking around, Harry frowned as well, "Odd." Noticing Rika with an odd expression that was equal parts confusion and nervousness as she examined the area, he frowned, "Rika-San? What's wrong?"

Eyes narrowing, the Nekomata sniffed a bit, "There's something wrong... really wrong." With another sniff, those next to her noticed her pupils become slits, "But... I don't know what."

It was then that the others also noticed that something was wrong. All of them felt their skin crawl, until Kaku noticed something, "Guys... where are the birds? And the insects?"

Right then, everyone stiffened as they realized that besides the rustle of leaves and branches from the wind, which had picked up, there was nothing. No bird song, no buzzing of insects. Absolutely nothing.

Okita narrowed her eyes into a glare, "We shouldn't be here. Something is... evil."

About to say something, Harry paused as suddenly there was a loud boom of thunder that seemed to shake the ground and they looked up in time for the rain to start pouring as the storm that had been brewing above them broke. And it broke hard as soon they could barely see much in front of them as they ran around the hill looking for some sort of shelter. They knew, of course, that staying under the trees would be a bad idea with a thunderstorm around them. But then, Asuka pointed at a section of the hillside where there was a concrete rimmed hole, "Hey! Over there, a bunker!"

With another flash of thunder, they all ran for the bunker and rushed inside and out of the rain. Suddenly, there was a growl as a female voice spoke up, "What are you bunch doing here?!" In a flash of lightning, they all jumped as the woman they had been following stood up from where she was crouched in the back of the bunker, "Well?"

Looking at each other, they did not say anything right away. After she asked again when two or three minutes passed, Harry shrugged, "Well, um..."

Completely unrepentant, Nobu spoke up, "We were following you to see if you would lead us to your Ojii-San's treasure from the Pacific War that he hid here."

Fudo blinked slowly in complete befuddlement, "I... say what? Treasure? Ojii-San? Just... what?"

One eye closed, the former Warlord cackled, "Admit it! There's piles of gold and silver! Historical treasures from the rest of Asia buried here somewhere and you know where it is!"

Yet again, Fudo blinked before furrowing her eyebrows in complete befuddlement. Looking around, she did raise an eyebrow at the realization that most of the other teens were Yokai which surprised her. And one of the two boys, she did recognize, 'What the... wait, isn't that Potter-San? What is he doing here?'

Before she could ask, there was another boom and the entire bunker shook before there was a rumbling sound from outside.

Meanwhile, at the same time, Tsukiakari was watching from a nearby stand of trees. The rain didn't bother her much as the witch's hat on her head deflected the water. As well, her uniform was rather waterproof so all she did was hum before glancing at Juuchi and giggling which got her a dirty look.

Unlike her, the Muramasa was getting wet as the only thing that was keeping the rain off her was an enlarged leaf that she held over her head, "Shut. Up."

Lightly smiling, Tsukiakari made a zippering motion with her fingers over her lips. When the glare increased, she hummed, "It's not that bad, Senpai."

Now smiling herself, Juuchi gave her a nod, "Then you would not mind giving me your hat."

Giggling, the Kyu-Gunto gave her a closed eye smile, "Not going to happen, Senpai." Ignoring the grumbles, she turned back to the bunker and began to frown, "Are you sure that they will be alright, Senpai?"

With a small shrug as she continued to huddle under the leaf, Juuchi scoffed, "It is just Fudo, Honjo's sister. She may be almost like a Muramasa, but they're safe enough. At worst, they might get a Buddhist sermon."

Almost like it was to proved her wrong, one of the lightning bolts struck the hillside. Slowly, one of the giant trees began to tip over, the roots tearing out of the ground and bringing boulders with it. Soon, it was joined by others as the hillside began to slide down towards the bunker. Eyes wide, the two began to rush across the muddy ground, rain and storm forgotten.

But not... fast enough as the landslide buried the entrance and they had to take steps back as they called out Harry's name.

Inside the bunker, all the teens rapidly ran for the back of it as earth poured over the opening and soon, they were left in the dark inside. They pulled out their phones and some of them activated the flashlight function, while Harry and Natsumi as well as Fudo pulled out small flashlights and shone them on the pile of dirt that now trapped them. Blinking, Harry frowned, "Well... that is a bit of an issue, isn't it?"

Eyebrow twitching, Asuka began to hyperventilate as she gestured at the now blocked entrance, "A bit of an issue?! A bit of an issue?! We're trapped! And no one knows that we're here!"

With a glance towards Harry, Usagi walked over to Asuka and placed a hand on her shoulder, "Asuka-Chan? Look at me, just look at me." When the Tengu did, the Inaba smiled, "We're okay, we're safe."

All that got was a whimper before Okita joined in, the former Shinsengumi placing a hand on her other shoulder, "Asuka-Chan? Listen to my voice, listen to nothing but my voice..."

Slowly, Okita got her to calm down with soft words. Watching her, Nobu glanced at Uesugi, "She really is great, you know. Wish that I had her in my army back then." Getting and agreeing hum, Nobu scowled, "This is all my fault, dammit... still a fool."

Lips curling a bit, Uesugi shook her head, "Ah! You may be a fool, Nobu-Chan, but then what would we be who followed?"

For her part, Fudo was shining her flashlight along the ceiling and walls of the bunker as she frowned in thought. Eventually, she nodded though and walked over to where a now calmer, though still frightened, Asuka stood being comforted by both Usagi and Okita, "Hey, kid, your name is Asuka right?"

Swallowing, Asuka gave a nod, "Ha-hai, Miku Asuka."

A soft smile on her face, the Masamune nodded, "Miku Asuka, huh? Nice name." Getting a ghost of a smile, she gestured around them, "Anyways, do you know what I do for a living, Miku-San?" When she got a shake of the head, Fudo chuckled, "Construction as a matter of fact. Been doing it for years if you'll believe it. I know enough that just by looking around? The bunker is in good shape and won't collapse on us, so we're perfectly safe."

Unsure still, Asuka shifted a little, "But... what about us being stuck in here? No one knows where we are after all."

Just shaking her head, Fudo patted her gently, "Not true. The company that I work for? They know that I'm out here and can bring up my last known GPS coordinates. If I'm not back in a few hours, they'll come looking for us. And they got earthmoving equipment that will make short work of that landslide, trust you me."

Relaxing, the teenage Tengu nodded, and the tension slipped more out of her with Harry's next words, "Besides which? I got some friends nearby who know where we are. They're pretty... sharp... about things."

Giggles slipped out of Asuka at that, and so missed the confused look on Fudo's face become a sour expression as the Masamune realized who he likely meant.

Kaku crossed his arms some and nodded towards the landslide, "And if needed, some of us are good diggers. We'd be able to dig ourselves out."

Glancing at him, the Tanto raised an eyebrow as Usagi and Natsumi nodded, but said nothing. Internally? Fudo felt her respect for the teens grow, 'Willing to take a risk for their friends? Heh, now that is loyalty.'

Near the back of the bunker, Harry was frowning though as he examined the walls. Walking up to him, Natsumi lowered her voice as she noted that his eyes were glowing softly in the darkness, "Harry-Chan? What's going on? Can you see something?"

With a glance to her, Harry gave a small nod as he also lowered his voice, "Hai, right there in the corner there's magic and what looks like a hidden door." Looking at the others, he walked over to the door and felt Natsumi place an illusion over him. Muttering an Onmyoudo spell under his breath, he could see the door way light up to his vision as well as what looked like a tunnel going further into the hill behind it. With another, he could see points on the door that would open them, the spots lighting up in a repeating sequence that they needed to be tapped, "I think that it could be a way out... there's a tunnel behind there according to my divination."

Eyes wide and hopeful, Natsumi watched as he crouched down and picked up a leaf, "Are you sure?"

Holding the leaf next to a crack, the wizard watched as it moved a bit in a breeze, "Hai..." Lips curling, he called over his shoulder, "Hey! Asuka-San! Can you come over here for a moment! I need you!"

More than a little confused, Asuka walked over, "What is it..." Pausing as she got close, she looked around in confusion before it became hope as she crouched down next to Harry, "There's a breeze here!"

Overhearing, Fudo made her way over as well followed by the others, "Seriously? A breeze?"

Eyes closed, the Tengu ran her hands close to the crack and hummed, "Hai, there's a decent breeze here and... the air, it's only slightly stale, but breathable."

Acting as if he was just running his hands over the crumbling concrete, Harry nodded as he pressed his fingers into the proper points and added a bit of magic, "If there's air... then there might be a way out."

Suddenly, there was a grinding sound and the wall pushed inwards before moving to the side to reveal a tunnel cut into the rock. The sides of the tunnel had markings on the rock made from tools that had dug it. And the floor was flat and even, showing that it was no natural tunnel.

Flashlight shining down it, Harry could see that it continued on into the hill. And, in the distance, he could just make out a light, "Huh... it might go all the way through the hill..." Trailing off, he paused as his instincts screamed at him. His gaze then went to the tunnel walls and he frowned, "Natsumi-Chan... the tunnel, what does it remind you of?"

Confused, Natsumi frowned and looked at them herself. It took a few moments, but it clicked, "... The deeper tunnels beneath Yokosuka. Really deep in the tunnels..."

Eyebrow raised, though something told her that it was not right, Fudo frowned, "You've been in those tunnels?"

His flashlight playing over the rock, Harry nodded, "You'd he hard pressed not to find someone who has been in them. There's miles and miles of them. But the ones we're talking about were... well, apparently dug with slave labor. You get a feel for them and they're really deep, you got to go five miles into the tunnels to see them. And these? These are just like them..." Right then, he frowned as he thought he saw something down the tunnel, "Guys? Is there something down there?"

Frowning, Rika narrowed her eyes some, "I can see your guys' flashlight beams, and the far light at the end of the tunnel-"

Right then, the "Light" that marked the end of the tunnel split into two.

And then two more appeared.

Four more...

And suddenly there were twelve such lights rushing towards them with things glinting in the darkness and they all began to back away as Rika shouted, "Look out! They're-"

She was cut off as the first pair of lights reached them revealing something on decaying Samurai armour and a skull for a face with the eye sockets filled with ghostly blue flame as it screamed at them and lashed out with a sword...

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

Past Sins

Imperial Palace, Chiyoda, Japan

23 June 2014
Spoiler: An Order Given

Two men and one woman knelt upon spotless tatami mats in a room paneled in hardwood. The artisans had fitted the planks together so that the grains and colors were near perfect and it seemed as if the entire room was formed from one complete tree.

The elder of the two men handed the report that he had just finished reading to the younger by his side on the platform raised above the floor and examined the woman kneeling in seiza before him. "You spoke to your sister?"

Masamune-no-Kotegiri bowed her head to the mat before her. "I did, Tennō Heika. Masamune-no-Honjo agreed to your request to act as your advisor in my stead." Her voice was calm and placid with only bare hints of the emotions churning underneath her iron control.

A pause as the Crown Prince finished reading, his brow furrowing. He then looked at his father with a silent question. In response his father spoke quietly. "Observe and learn."

His focus then returned to survey Kotegiri. "You taught me that your First Master taught you that obedience is the first duty of a ruler, for one must serve in order to lead." His voice invited her comment.

Kotegiri prostrated herself again. "I did so for you and your Heirs, Tennō Heika."

"Just so." His voice sharpened. "But you also taught me the lessons of history, that blind obedience is a sharpened blade held in the hands of a blindfolded warrior. Necessary only when demanded. Knowing obedience is far greater. It is true that I intend to have the Blade of Ieyasu serve in your stead."

He nodded to his Heir. "The report."

Kotegiri took the report, and began to read. Her golden eyes widened in naked shock and her lips pursed as she trembled violently in rage. Unbidden her voice came out in a furious hiss. "If Shōwa Tennō and I had even suspected...."

"Otōsan would have given you different orders." The Emperor finished, his voice compassionate. "But he did not know what we now know. The timing is... not ideal, for matters with the Magical Diet are in flux. The Chrysanthemum Throne must have wise advice to keep a steady hand upon the wheel of the ship of state through these rough waters."
Spoiler: The Emperor's Blade

His voice was resolute and firm as an air of anticipation formed in the room. "Hence your younger sister shall serve in your stead to assist with the politics of the nation. She can perform your normal role for me in this time, for I have another duty for you."

Kotegiri looked up from the report with powerful emotions burning in her blazing eyes and a thin, razor edged, merciless smile upon her face. "This unworthy samurai humbly awaits your command, Tennō Heika." Her voice was soft, polite, formal, and hungry with anticipation.

"Go. Take My Warrant to review the materials found and compare the names and offices of all those individuals and organizations responsible to those you know of who were... overlooked... by Otōsan at the end of the Pacific War. If the report you have read and shall now destroy and never speak of to anyone save myself and my Heir is true, and I fear that it is, the crimes contemplated are a stain upon our national honor." The Emperor's voice was edged with solemn duty, filled with the sound of razor-edged steel sliding from a silken sheath.

The Emperor of Japan finished in an unyielding voice as Masamune-no-Kotegiri bowed her head to the tatami mat once more. "A stain that can only be washed away by the blood of the guilty."

His voice became more formal as he spoke the same words that his father had in this room in 1945 as the Decision was made to save Japan from catastrophe.

The same words spoken by his great-grandfather in 1868 during the struggle of the Restoration when the course of Japanese history was changed.

The same words now spoken to Masamune-no-Kotegiri, the Armor-Cutter of the Greatest Sword-smith of Japan, the blade of the most ruthless warlord in Japanese history.

"Is there none among the Oda who will answer the call of the Chrysanthemum Throne?"

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

Tsurugaoka Hachimangū, Kamakura

Masamune-no Tokunotakai's hand clenched on her telephone as she listened to a young boy's voice speak words that caused her eyes to fill with tears.

"I am Uesaka Yoichi, but you knew me as Tokugawa Gorōta."

Toku schooled her voice to calmness. "I see, Uesaka-san. I wish to meet you to confirm for myself. You must understand that extraordinary claims need extraordinary evidence."

A cawing laugh. "Indeed. I can say that when I returned from China as a new-minted Captain we spoke on your porch. You said then that you would deliver my request to Hachiman with your yabusame performance. It may have succeeded... although in an unexpected way."

Toku's teacup slipped from numb fingers to splash upon her kitchen floor. He must be Gorōta. Only three people in the universe knew of that prayer,. herself, Hachiman-dono... and Tokugawa Gorōta, who had died on Saipan in 1944 in the doomed defense of Japan during the Pacific War.

"G-Gorōta-kun." She spoke through her flowing tears. 'Fudo-nee will be overjoyed...."

"Wait!" A panicked squawk. "Don't tell her yet!" A pause then his voice broke, "Fudo-chan is alive?!"

"Hai, and she serves your family still, Gorōta-kun. She saved your nephews and sister-in law during the bombing of Tokyo and your family now thrives." Toku explained, grabbing a towel to wipe up the spill. "I am supposed to see her for dinner."

A nervous silence. "I... was hoping to have you look at me. I have been having memories that are not those of Uesaka Yoichi come back. Those of Tokugawa Gorōta, but also ones from earlier, during the Warring States. I remember... I remember Fudo-chan from then. Ordering her to take the message the Fushimi-jō woudl fall to my liege lord as I prepared for my seppuku."

Toku nodded. "Hai, I will be happy to have a look at you. It may be possession by a Yuurei of course, and if so I shall handle matters, but also," she paused, "I have heard some rumors of mages tampering with souls awaiting their turn upon the Wheel of Reincarnation. It may be that."

Another squawk. "That is good. My family will be moving down from Hokkaido to Yokohama next week, Father got a post at the expanded hospital there. I will see you then?"

Toku smiled. "I shall look forward to it. I am still teaching kendo and kyudo in the shrine and will always have time for one of my best pupils."

Another laugh. "Um, about that...." a pause. "'I am a kotengu now. How can Fudo be with a Yokai?"

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

Thunder boomed and rolled as Toku looked at her phone. She could sense that Tokugawa Gorōta was deeply conflicted, but his concern for Fudo was clear as day. And while she would not breathe a word of her love's apparent reincarnation to Fudo-chan, not yet, she could at least subtly sound out her older sister's feelings.

With that determinaton, she nodded sharply to herself and then punched in Fudo's number to ask her when Fudo would be free to meet for dinner.

But the phone rang and rang with no answer.....

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

Yokosuka Naval Base

Admiral Goto's eyes widened as he finished reading the handwritten and sealed authorization letter that the lady who had arrived carried. He had met her before, when the Caldera ships were summoned, but considering the nature of the request....

"It will take some time to access the location in the Archives. We must have two cleared people escort you and of course no paper copies." He finally spoke, aware of the creaking thin ice that he stood on.

Blood-red silk rustled and gold heraldry flashed. "Understandable. This is a matter of extreme delicacy, and must be handled precisely. Hence my arrival here with the needed authority. Once you can free up two cleared people I shall review the information that you collected with my own memories of the events of those days to determine how to dispose of matters."

A crash of thunder shook the headquarters building and the rain hammered the windows harder. "Perhaps the storm will break by then."

Goto nodded as he returned to his paperwork, breathing a sigh of relief as the visitor sipped her tea.

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

Cue Kotegiri pulling off the Rogue 1 Vader hallway scene when she arrives at said sealed off bunker.
When it comes to Kotegiri...

Everybody be gangsta, until the Oda Kimono comes out.​

A.N.-Well, how can I resist this setup over on SV?

Playing With The Bread Knife Now....

23 June 2014

Shortly After The JMSDF/JGSDF Enters The Bunker

At a tunnel junction, an apparently middle-aged woman in a blood-red kimono with five Oda Mokka-mon crests in gold visible looked at the rest of the reinforcements. Over the din of battle, her calm clinical voice was heard. "I have this corridor."

With that, she began to walk unhurriedly down the hallway. Her wooden sandals clattered in her steady stride as she advanced. Meanwhile, her left hand held her sheathed katana in a comfortable grip where it was resting in the obi of her kimono. She was the very image of a matron enjoying a walk through a pleasant scene that she loved.

A double dozen of the undead swordsmen appeared in her path and she raised an eyebrow at the sight. She sensed the ghosts of some of the fallen warriors of Japan bound into their desecrated remains and shackled with magic to serve a monstrous evil.
Spoiler: Oda Kotegiri

Her razor-edged smile at the sight would have frozen their blood if they were alive for all the warmth in it.

The nearest one, faster than his fellows, sprinted at her with steel drawn.

An instant later, she was on the far side of the swordsman.

Click.

The sound of the iron tsuba swordguard of Masamune-no-Kotegiri touching the gold at the mouth of her sheath as she resheathed herself in a movement too fast to see.

A half dozen feet behind her the swordsman's arms --both severed at the shoulder -- dropped from his body, and his head fell from his neck.

All by a single precise, perfect killing stroke of Masamune's second greatest creation.

Kotegiri's eyebrow raised in wordless inquiry at the double-dozen samurai blocking her path.

Bound by the magics of some of the most foul wizards ever to walk the land of Japan, they attacked.

Kotegiri's smile widened fractionally as she blurred into action. Blades whistled around her form as she advanced. Her movements were impossible to discern save as afterimages of red and gold silk and ebony hair from the speed of her motions.

An overhead Men kendo strike that split an opponent from crown to crotch flowed into a one-handed thrust through the heart of a second foe with the motion as she kicked the chest of that target to free her steel accelerating her through a horizontal cut that bisected a third foe at the waist.

As the pieces of the first began to fall apart, she had already moved on to her next target.

Each received one precisely clinical killing blow in the style of Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū, one of the oldest of the kenjutsu schools of Japan.

Click.

Once more the Armor-Cutter was sheathed with her purpose fulfilled for the moment.

Kotegiri continued her advance down the corridor, leaving none alive in her wake. Throughout it all, her razor edged coldly happy smile had not changed. In that instant, if any had been alive to see, she looked disturbingly like Juuchi Yosamu's joy as she experienced the depths of the blood rage forged into the greatest of the Demon Blades.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Waving around her blade, Juuchi mumbled under her breath before breathing a sigh of relief and turning to Tsukiakari. The Muramasa didn't even care about the rain that was soaking her as she smiled smugly, "Master is alive, and so are the others. Thankfully, their life signs are not weakening, so there is that which tells me that none were badly injured in the fall."

Relieved, the Kyu-Gunto sighed, "That's good to know, Senpai." Pulling our her phone, she paused for a moment, "Should I call Honjo-Senpai as well to let her know what happened to her sister? She might want to know."

For a few seconds, Juuchi considered it before she shrugged, "It would likely be best. If only to avoid her yelling at us later on. Also, contact Chisuheri as I believe that the Tengu is a friend of hers."

Tsukiakari just nodded and began to dial as Juuchi cut one of the trees laying on the landslide in half, and then removing it to either side, 'Hopefully Master is safe in there...'

Inside, Asuka screamed as the undead Samurai lunged at her, only for it to split in half with each piece flying past her to smash into the ground. In front of her, Fudo looked back, "Get back to the landslide!" Dodging under another swipe, she decapitated the skeleton, "Go!"

Another was about to hit her from the side when a gauntleted band grabbed it around the wrist and twisted, shattering the bones before punching it in the face. Fudo blinked at the young man there who smirked back at her, "Lovely weather today, hmm?"

Dodging around another, she lashed out at the same time as the male stranger did breaking the one they aimed for in half, "That's one way of putting it!"

Not far off, Nobu hit the floor with a grunt before rolling as a sword spat sparks as it struck the concrete where she had been seconds before. As the skeleton swiped at her again, the sword was blocked by Harry using his Bowie knife. Grunting, he glanced at Nobu, "Can you use a knife!? Bottom left leg!"

It took only moments for Nobu to grab said knife and pull it from the sheath. Blocking another skeleton's attack, she grunted for a moment before redirecting the blow, following up with taking the hand in question off, "Huh, nice knife!"

With his own blade sliding down the other skeleton's sword as sparks flew, Harry grinned himself, "Thanks... it was a gift." Pushing the sword to the side, he made a twisting motion with his wrist and his wand appeared, "Reducto!" As the skeleton practically detonated from the point blank attack, Harry spared a glance for Natsumi. Said Kitsune was holding her own with Carnwennan in her hands as she bisected a skeleton vertically. More surprising was how one skeleton in front of Rika was fighting the others, 'Good, less for me to worry about.'

Suddenly, Nobu shouted for him to look out just in time for him to catch sight of another skeleton about to strike him as he blocked another blow... only for it's head and both arms to fly off. A moment later, it was cleaved in half to reveal Okita, "Don't get distracted!"

Her eyes widened at the breeze that whistled over her ears before the bang of another skeleton hitting the ground could be heard. In reply, Harry winked as he pulled back his wand and made a slashing motion, cutting a skull on half, "Back to you." Internally though, he was frowning, 'One strike... that was all she needed to take both shoulders and head? But... the only person that could pull that off according to the history books is...'

Taking the head off another, Uesugi groaned a bit, "Guys? They're regenerating!"

With a blink, Nobu frowned as she buried the borrowed knife up to the hilt in another, which stumbled back, "Huh... so they are." Huffing, she scowled a little, "Now that is not fair!"

Eyebrow twitching, the lone wizard shook his head, "Dammit..." Reaching into a pouch, Harry quickly pulled out an Ofuda which began to glow as he muttered before closed his eyes, "Everyone! Look away!"

Moments later, the room was filled with a pulse of light and when they opened their eyes, just smoking piles of armour remained. For a few moments, Fudo looked at her now destroyed opponents and then at Harry, before looking once more at the smoking armour. Giving it a kick, she gave him a look, 'How...?'

As everyone took note of what had just happened, one of them had a thoughtful expression on her face as she ran one finger along the diving knife in her hands, 'Hmm... this is a rather nice knife. Perhaps I should consider getting one?' Humming, Nobu gave a nod before walking over to Harry and holding it out, hilt first, "Thank you, Harry-San."

Chuckling, he smiled a bit, "You're welcome, Nobu-San-"

Before he could continue, Nobu grinned and her next words caused everyone to freeze, "So, you're an Onmyouji then?"

Moments later, she winced as Okita slapped her upside the head, "Nobu-Chan!"

Pouting, the former Warlord sniffed a bit, "What? We might as well not bother to hide it. We know about magic after all. Best handle it like that time you taped my mouth shut and just tear it off."

Usagi raised a finger and took a breath before pausing and shrugging, "Never mind, that would be too easy."

Everyone glanced at her before turning back to the three "No-Majs".

A thought suddenly struck Natsumi and she blinked, "Wait. You're not surprised? Or... or anything?"

Sharing a look with the others, Uesugi sighed a little as she cleaned her glasses, "No, we are not. All of us are... aware, as it were, of the fact that magic is real."

Lightly laughing, Nobu placed her hands behind her head, "Haaa! That's right, we all do. Besides..." She then jerked her thumb at a thoughtful Harry who was looking between them, "I'm pretty sure that Harry-San here has figured out the truth, or most of it." Nobu shot a grin at a confused, though concerned, Okita, "You weren't the most subtle there, Okita-Chan. Not that I think that he would mind since you saved his life there, maybe."

When they all looked at him, he chewed his lip a little, "I... Natsumi-Chan? Hoshi-San and what her and Tsuki-San found under Yokosuka. I think that they're from that."

Utter silence met him as the Kitsune looked between Harry and a grinning Nobu, "That... you mean...?" Getting a nod, she frowned as she ran a hand through her hair, "So you're really..."

Just shrugging, Nobu hummed some, "Yeah, trust me, it was a surprise to me as well."

A shout made them turn to where Fudo looked frustrated as hell, "WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON HERE?!" Chest heaving, she looked from one to the other, "I have no idea what just happened, or why, and I want some answers!"

Leaning against the door and staring down the dark tunnel, Carnwennan frowned, "Well, part of this is most certainly your fault, I'm afraid."

That made the Tanto twist around and glare at him, "Excuse me?!"

Unconcerned, Carnwennan shrugged and gave her a look, "What you were doing as we were following. The youngsters might not have recognized it, but I certainly did." Narrowing his eyes, he frowned, "You were breaking the wards here."

Upon spotting Harry wince, Asuka frowned as she looked at him, "Uh... is that bad? I mean..."

Glancing at her, the lone wizard sucked his teeth, "In a way? Yes." He jerked his thumb towards the doorway, now ominous with what they knew lurked within the shadows, "This place was likely a Sub-Unit-942 facility at the very least if those are the guards. Which means that breaking the wards would have set off security measures..."

Face paling as she came to a realization, Fudo swallowed, "Which means that their guards would be heading for entrances to protect it against anyone trying to get inside."

More than a little freaked out, Asuka pointed at the door, "S-so we just shut the door, right? And stay here until someone comes and digs us out. We'll be safe, right? Right?"

Walking over, Natsumi placed a hand on her shoulder, "Unfortunately... it would not work that way. If they're an automated defence system, then they would be opening the door from their side to investigate and to stand guard. And we would still be trapped in here with them, this time without warning."

Right then, a soft voice spoke up, "I have worse news for all of you." When they looked at her, Rika continued as she looked at the pile of dust that was once an undead Samurai, "These things are being controlled by something... or someone deeper inside the facility." Looking up, she gave a shudder, "And whatever it was, it knows that we're here."

Everyone looked frightened or disturbed at that before Fudo held up her hands, "Okay, everyone just calm down." Turning towards Rika, she took a deep breath, "What can you tell us about these things? Because I'm assuming that by how you controlled one, you're a Nekomata."

Glancing at the piles of armour and ashes, Rika took a deep breath, "Despite what it may seem, they're not mindless. Their souls have been shackled to the bones somehow, their skills put to use with their personalities suppressed so that they can be used as guards. But... they do understand what is happening and are displeased with it and having been torn from the afterlife. This one fought in the Battle of Sakigahara for example. From what little I could see, others might be more recent.
And there's more of them... a lot more."

Several moments passed as everyone just stared at what had been a desecration no matter how one looked at it. People torn from the afterlife and their souls bound to there earthly remains. And why? To act as guards for some place.

It... was horrific at a deep level.

Fudo, for her part, was just staring at the piles as her expression shifted through various emotions. Yes, she had heard from Kotegiri about some of what they had discovered at the end of the last war. But... she had not wanted to believe it. The idea of some of what was spoken of on that August afternoon, just after the surrender was...

She could not bear the thought of what she had been involved in, even through just her support for the government and the war itself.

With a deep breath, Fudo walked over to the doorway and scratched some symbols into the concrete before muttering. One by one they lit up before a web appeared across the entrance and she nodded, "Okay, that should buy us a little time by repelling any that come. But I need more answers before we can decide on anything such as..." Turning, she fixed Harry with a look though she glanced at Nobu, "What exactly is it that you know?"

Wincing, the thirteen year old wizard took a deep breath and let it out. Briefly, he considered stating that it was classified, but... soon dismissed it. What they were in was beyond that by this point, "It has to do with an old project that Sub-Unit-942 was doing." He paused and looked towards the reincarnated teens, "...Oda Nobunaga and Okita Souji, I presume?"

Now grinning widely, Nobunaga laughed, "Correct, Harry-San! You're as clever and intelligent as I always thought." She turned and fixed her with a smirk, "Was I not right?"

Before either of the two could comment, a certain Masamune spoke up, "Wait a second! Oda Nobunaga?! Okita Souji?! That is a little difficult to believe!" Shaking her head, Fudo frowned, "Even if they reincarnated, they would not remember any part of their past lives."

Natsumi looked uncomfortable and shifted a bit, "The... Project was exactly to do that. To have them forcibly reincarnated with all their memories and skills, but in new bodies. They planned to do it to several leaders and heroes from Japanese history such as Miyamoto Musashi. We... kind of have encountered such before."

Gritting her teeth, Fudo took a deep breath before crossing her arms over her chest, "Prove it."

A sigh made her turn towards Okita who had a slight blush on her cheeks, "As Nobu-Chan would say... it cannot be helped." With a deep breath, she let it out, "In 1865, during one of my stays in Kyoto, you came to the headquarters for the Shinsengumi looking for me as I was an instructor there. You wished for me to teach your sister, Masamune-no-Tokunatakai the Mumyo-Ken. You explained to me over drinks that she had been beaten in a fight against a 'Gaijin Rapier' and that you wished me to teach her as she was foretold to one day face her once more. I... turned you down, stating that it would not be an easy thing for me to do. You rather got angry, especially when I stated that I was not interested in money, after which, you opened the top of your Kimono and stated that you were willing to do what was needed to protect your Imouto. Thankfully, your sister Musashi, knocked you out and carried you away."

Utter silence descended on the group as they noted that Okita and Fudo were both heavily blushing. For her part, Nobu blinked, "Oooh? Now this is rather interesting. Though hopefully you would agree that the Masamune are quite... beautiful."

Needless to say, that made both girls blush even more and Okita gave her friend an hear universal gesture, which only made Nobu cackle. Closing her eyes, Fudo attempted to centre herself, but it still took a bit, "That... yes, only myself and two others knew that happened." Glaring, she fixed the others with it, "Do not spread it among anyone else."

All of them, barring Nobu who grinned, nodded in agreement.

Still leaning against the wall, Carnwennan looked down the hallway, "We still need to decide what to do. As Miss Fudo stated, her spells will only keep them back so long. More than that, staying here means we could be overwhelmed as we have nothing with which to barricade ourselves with. So... do we stay, or do we try and go in to find another entrance?"

Chewing her lip, Usagi looked at the others, "If we do go, how are we going to inform anyone? Especially if they come looking."

Arms crossed, Harry shook his head, "Since I can use magic freely... I'll send them a message. And also inform them of what is going on." Ignoring the questions how, he closed his eyes and focused on the memories he had with Natsumi and others before bringing his wand up, "Expecto Patronum!"

Everyone gasped as a giant, silver stag appeared, the light from it driving back the darkness far better than their flashlights. Jaw dropping, Uesugi stared at it, "Beautiful..."

For her part, Nobu nodded, "Hai... it really is."

With a smile and glance at them, Harry cleared his throat, "Okay, find Tsukiakari and Juuchi with the following message..." Two minutes later, Prongs walked to the landslide and disappeared between the stones, "And there we go."

Rubbing her chin, the former Oda Clan head nodded, "Impressive. And it can travel across the country in minutes, you said?" At Harry's confirmation, she frowned, "It is certainly something that I wish I had access to. Would have made giving orders so much easier as well as receiving reports. Ah, what I would have given to have you at my side, Harry-San. Along with Kote-Chan and the others, we would have conquered Japan so much easier."

Under her breath, the Masamune muttered a bit as she thought back to the Boshin War and the like where western magic got used a lot, "You don't know the half of it." Briefly, she thought of Nobunaga having had access to instant transportation via things like portkeys or apparation allowing for one to appear in the middle of a defended area and shuddered, 'No, it would have been much quicker...' Shaking that off, she frowned, "That said, are we staying or going? I know which I would like, but I cannot make the decision for all of you."

They all shared a look and what followed was a conversation between them. As they talked, Harry had a look of deep concentration before he frowned, "If we go, we have three advantages in the form of people. Carnwennan, and perhaps Natsumi-Chan, can scout ahead with their abilities. But more important is Asuka-San and Rika-San."

It went without saying that both girls blinked at that in utter confusion, "Us?"

Glancing at Rika, Asuka shook her head and waved her hands around, "I-I mean... how am I an advantage?! I don't know how to fight! Ai only taught me a few things and I know some stuff from my... from my Otou-San before he died. But I don't really know how to fight. And I panicked before..."

Softly smiling, Carnwennan placed a hand on her shoulder, "Now, don't be putting yourself down like that, Asuka. Trust me, you did fine for your first real battle. I could tell you about some of the guys I know... Culhwch was not much older than you were when he set out on a grand adventure with Arthur's Knights. The point is, Asuka, you did fine and better than most. I would much rather have you than Dagonet any day at my side."

Lips twitching a bit, she hummed and nodded, "Thank you." When Carnwennan backed up a bit with a smile, Asuka turned to Harry, "I still don't know how I could help..."

With a chuckle, Harry looked between her and Rika, "Asuka-San, as a Tengu, you can sense the air currents and give us a warning of movement up ahead. And Rika-San? She can sense the unquiet dead, which is another warning. With Carnwennan and Natsumi-Chan? We got a good chance of knowing they're coming before they arrive."

Asuka stared at him for a few moments before looking at Rika who gave a nod herself. Then, slowly, she nodded as well as she fixed her expression into her best impression of a serious Ai. After gathering the weapons, and sending out another Patronus, the group began to make their way into the complex.

Into the Heart of Darkness hoping for light on the other side.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

"We have intruders, they tripped the wards and destroyed the guard contingent sent there."

Two eye sockets filled with witchfire turned away from where they were observing the glass cylinder that contained a fox's pelt, "And so? Send more teams, it matters not."

A dry, rattling chuckle could be heard before the second being froze as the first spoke, "Well then... and here I thought that you would be interested in how there is a... Demon among them that you thought dead."

Slowly, the second turned and fixed the empty eye sockets, also burning with witchfire, with it's own, "A... Demon."

Humming, the first looked at the glass tube which began to have cracks spiderwebbing along it as the pelt thrashed in it's liquid filled capsule, "Or perhaps a great fool." One could almost catch a glint of amusement in the flame that filled the skeletal being's eyes, "I believed that you should know."

Not saying anything, the second clenched it's fists with a creaking sound as a third spoke up, almost sounding bored, 'I see. Anyone else of concern?"

Turning towards him, the first was silent for a moment, "A few as a matter of fact. However, the Dragon shall be dealt with by myself, the Tiger. For I know that he will not be stopped by the fodder in the corridors." He then paused before nodding, "An old comrade of yours is with them, who never got the chance to die on the field of battle."

Upon seeing the eyes of the third light up as it checked the spells wired into it, glowing wires revealing bone that they were wrapped around, the second snorted, "Not going to comment? Or is your back aching enough not to spea-"

Voice colder than the arctic drifted past as the third spoke, "Be. Silent." After a few moments of contemplation, it nodded, "I see, so one of my Captains has returned then. Very well... we both wanted to see Japan saved and while I had my death on the battlefield, he did not. Though it is good to see he, too, has returned. Together, we shall save Japan and fulfill our last orders, last true orders."

Scoffing, the second spoke up as the sound of glass finally shattering could be heard as well as the rush of liquid, "He has perhaps grown soft and will not agree with your methods now. What will you do then?"

For a few seconds, none of them spoke before the third sighed, "Then I shall give him the death he should have gotten, not one where he wasted away."

Turning, he regarded the fox's pelt which slithered from the now broken containment tube. It moved across the floor until it reached a skeleton laying there where it had fallen as the original owner had died from his magical oath turning against him with the surrender of Japan to the allies. A slit appeared along the torso of the pelt as it split apart, opening like some sort of mouth before red strings whipped out and attached themselves to the bones, pulling the skeleton inside the empty fur, filling it and giving it form before the slit closed and the sound of bones reforming could be heard as the pelt twitched.

Other containers glowed in the labratory as well. In one, a skeletal arm, almost human though somewhat deformed and tipped by dirty claws floated. Beside it, another tube held a large skull within it that resembled a human's. From the head rose two long horns with smaller spikes along the eyebrow ridges and around the lower jaw as if they composed a beard. In another containment vessel, was a human skeleton floated, with frogs trying to get inside of it, while beside it was a long object in a tube of it's own that resembled a giant oni's horn, but one the size of a human and broken off at the bottom.

With a motion of his arm, the third silently ordered one of the guards to one tube in particular. Inside, glowing with a darkness, was a sliver of bone. One fed on suffering and the like, and it had gorged itself. At the bottom of the tube was the Kanji for "Eight" as well as "Death", able to be seen despite the dirt and rust. Moments after arrival, the skeletal warrior reached out, even as the soul inside recoiled in horror before pulling the switch that drained away the fluid. Watching, the third sighed, "By order of one of the Three Captains of the Guard of this facility, I release you."

Curious as the tube slowly retracted, the first hummed, "So you are releasing that then? Are you... concerned? As there is a Masamune, an unidentified dagger spirit which is quite powerful, an Onmyouji, and a number of powerful Yokai though one... has the touch of one of our prisoners to her."

Voice flat, the third watched as the skeletal guard he had sent reached out and grasped the bone shard, it suddenly seemingly become liquid and slithering up the guard's shoulder as it screamed, merging as it did so, "No. But to save Japan, to bring it back to what should have been and was even before our... benefectors brought us back... what is must be burned as the diseased thing it is. Those others can provide the raw materials."

Already, the unfortunate skeletal guard was writhing with dark power as bones cracked and broke, reforming as what seemed like a tail formed and large fangs grew in the mouth as the face stretched out into a muzzle and the neck lengthened.

In another part of the room, the fox pelt pulled in another skeleton, stood up and once more opened the torso, this time pulling in one of the skeletal guards with it not fighting back against the tendrils. It's head shifted and filled as bones beneath grew and shifted. The nose twitched and it turned it's head, eye sockets glowing ominously.

"MakE uS WhoLE..."

_________________________________________________________________________

Pausing as they snuck along the dimly lit corridor, Natsumi shuddered before looking around. Behind her, Harry frowned a bit as the atmosphere seemed to change, feeling far more oppressive, "What was that?"

Fudo, for her part, gripped her true body even tighter as the other yokai looked around in concern, "I don't know. But whatever that was? It was not good. Not good by far."

Suddenly, as if melting from the darkness, Carnwennan appeared and pulled back his hood some, "There's a room about twenty feet that way. No idea how big it is, but... the door is locked."

Lips twitching, the lone wizard nodded, "Well... let's see about it staying that way then." Slowly, they made their way up to the door, and upon reaching it Harry reached inside of a pouch and pulled out the lockpicking tool, 'Thank you, Tsukiakari. I got to get you something nice for your birthday.' Placing a hand against the metal of the door, his eyes glowed as he used divination to look inside, "It's not big, but... it looks like there's some desks and such. And what seems to be a locker." Cocking his head to the side, Harry frowned, "We... could take a break in it. Rika-San? Can you feel anything?"

The Nekomata walked up and focused on the door. After a few seconds, Rika shook her head as she whispered with her ears and tails twitching due to how the atmosphere changed with her next words causing the thirteen year old wizard to nod, "No, it's clear."

As he worked at the lock, Harry overheard the others talking to each other. That was, until Uesugi adjusted her glasses some and turned to the only other British member of their group, "So, Carnwennan-San?"

Keeping an eye out and alert, Carnwennan still gave her a glance, "That's right, Miss Uesugi."

While she nodded, Fudo glanced at him in thought, "You know... Honjo-Nee-San did mention you. Going by what she had told us, it is a good thing that you are here." Lips twitching, she gave a small chuckle, "Granted, she stated that you act as if you are quite old despite what your apparent age is."

Uesugi's next words caused the chuckle to die, "That is because he is." When everyone other than Harry, who continued to work, and Natsumi, who kept an eye out with her ears twitching, looked at her she continued, "You see, we covered some interesting stories a few years ago in English class. Ones that had a lot of the students asking Harry-San a number of questions and the like. Due to what he stated, I became interested in them and looked them up." The former warlord nodded towards Nobu and Okita who made sounds of agreement, "As did my friends."

His lips curling into a smile, the British Dagger chuckled, "I see, so you know who I am?"

Eyes thoughtful, Uesugi made a sound of amusement, "Hai. Carnwennan, whose name means 'White hilt'. A powerful dagger of legend who was originally..." Adjusting her glasses, she smiled, "One of the three great weapons of King Arthur of the British Iles alongside the sword Excalibur and the spear Rhongomyniad."

With her expression lighting up, Okita nodded, "A dagger said to be able to kill anything it was used against, no matter how powerful. Once, it was thrown at a witch and cut her in half down the middle. And another, it slew a giant by cleaving it's head in two. When unsheathed, it cloaks the person using it in shadow and makes them invisible." Seeing the amused glance that Harry gave her as well as Carnwennan and Natsumi, she blushed, "I like swords and it was so interesting."

Shoulders shaking from suppressed laughter, Carnwennan shook his head, "Well then, it seems that you have done your homework. Yes, that is who I am. And yes, King Arthur was my first Master."

About to shout, Ayaka found a hand over her mouth. Glancing at the equally shocked Usagi, she took a deep breath from her nose before pulling the Inaba's hand away from her mouth, "You mean to tell me... that... that Natsumi-San has a dagger from King Arthur?! Where did you...?!"

Natsumi was extremely amused as she looked at her "Rival" and motioned at Harry, "Harry-Chan gave Carnwennan to me. So that I would be able to protect myself against anything that might come."

Raising an eyebrow, Nobu looked at said black haired boy, "Did you know what he was?"

Simply continuing to work, Harry shook his head, "At the time? No. And before you ask, even after I found out, I wanted Natsumi-Chan to have him as her weapon."

There was a thoughtful look on the former head of the Oda Clan's face as she rubbed her chin and crouched by him, "I see, I see. Now that is rather informative, Harry-San." Inside her mind, Nobu's mind, her thoughts were awhirl as she reevaluated the relationship between the Kitsune and the British born wizard, 'To just gift such a weapon to someone. A legendary weapon that belonged to such a King, and not blink an eye as you see it insuring her safety.' Smugly smiling, she shook her head, 'You are truly an interesting person. If only you existed then...'

Unknown to them, Fudo was utterly stunned as she glanced at the dagger beside her before taking a deep breath, 'Honjo-Nee knew... she knew and never...' A realization occurred to her and she narrowed her eyes, 'You were waiting to drop this on us, weren't you?'

In Tokyo, Honjo sneezed before blinking as she looked around, 'Why do I feel like Fudo found out that I was going to prank her?' A sigh then escaped her and she shook her head, 'I'll always be thankful to you, Carnwennan, for teaching me how to do such.'

Back in the hidden facility, Harry paused as there was a click before nodding, "There... it's unlocked."

Opening the door and moving a ball of light inside, he moved to the side to let the others in while him, Natsumi, the Reincarnated, Fudo, and Carnwennan covered them. Once they were inside, they entered themselves one by one until finally Carnwennan was the only one outside with the dagger turning to them, "I'll go and scout out the area while you rest. When I return, I'll manifest next to you."

He then pulled his hood up and vanished into the shadows as if part of them. After a few seconds, Fudo closed the door and placed some spells against it, "Okay, five minute break. Do what you need to until Carnwennan-San gets back. Water and food, or if you need to do your business..." At the far end, she cast a spell and the air turned opaque between two of the lockers, "Do it over there and we'll vanish it when we leave."

Various members nodded and soon Harry conjured some cups and filled them with water before he began to unlock the filing cabinets so that Natsumi could look through the old, though preserved by magic, folders. Reaching the large locker, Harry considered it before going to work. It took him less than a minute before it was open and he whistled some which caught Kaku's attention, "You find something?"

Grinning, the wizard nodded before reaching in and pulling out a sheathed sword. One that he tossed to Okita who examined it and found that it showed no signs of corrosion, "You could say that. Seems I found a weapon's locker." Suddenly, he cocked his head to the side with an odd expression on his face, "What in the world...?"

With a glance at him, Natsumi noted the expression he had was one of complete and utter befuddlement, "Harry-Chan? What is it?"

Slowly, Harry blinked, "Uh... I'm not sure? I mean... is this real?"

Reaching inside, he pulled out something that caused everyone to blink. Said object was obviously a sword of some sort and was sheathed. But that was not the issue...
Mainly, the issue was that the "Hilt" was a Nambu pistol with the Katana-style blade coming up from where the rounds would be chambered.

Everyone just sort of stared in stunned disbelief at what they were seeing until Fudo looked over and blinked, "Oh, one of those?" When they turned to her, she shrugged, "A number of Officers had them made in the Imperial Magical Army. Kind of a... unique, idea. They're enchanted so that you can still place the magazine in without any trouble, while the sword's tang occupies a specially enchanted space. Heard a No-Maj had one made similar, but without magic."

Boggled, Harry just stood there for a few moments before looking at the serial number and mumbling to himself. After casting a spell, he shrugged and hung it from his side. At seeing the looks, he chuckled a bit, "It's a Pre-War Nambu going by the serial number. Means that it won't blow up in my hand from firing."

Poking her head around him, Nobu blinked, "Anything else interesting?"

In reply, Harry reached in and pulled out a handgun... if one that was apparently fitted to 25mm and sized for it could be called such, "Some stuff."

All Nobu did was grin and cackle in reply as she began digging around. Lips curling into a smile, she pulled out something and tossed it towards Asuka, "Here! Got something for you!'

Catching it, the Tengu felt her eyes widen as they closed around one end before bringing the object close. Asuka then flicked it open to reveal a fan with each rib ending in a small blade that had Kanji on it. In her hands, said symbols softly glowed as the weapon accepted her, "A Tengu iron war fan..." Holding it, she flicked her wrist and a burst of wind shot at the wall, cutting into it a bit, "Wow..." Then she cringed at the slight disapproval on Fudo's face, "Sorry."

However, Fudo just shook her head and waved her off before noticing something on one of the desks everyone was avoiding. Mainly because said desk had a skeleton slumped over it, still clad in tattered robes. Walking over, she moved one of the hands and ignored the cobwebs that stuck to her own hand, "Now what is this...?"

With a frown, Natsumi turned to her, "What is it?"

Not saying anything, the Masamune lifted up the object and blew the dust from it. Once the dust and cobwebs were gone, it was obviously a mirror which made them blink with Ayaka scratching her head as she looked away from the Tanto she had, "Uh... a mirror?"

Slowly, Fudo nodded as she turned it over, "Hai, but not an ordinary one. This is a message mirror." At the looks of confusion, she shook her head, "In Onmyoudo, it is known that one can trap spirits into mirrors. Back in the 1920s, using this as a basis and No-Maj film, government Onmyouji created a method that would record things on a mirror to be played back. It was often used to send messages, and this one... has one recorded on it." Looking around, she found a stand and rolled up her sleeves, "Let's see if I remember..."

Taking a deep breath, she went through the motions of the spell to activate it. For a few moments, there was nothing at all and everyone thought that she might have failed. Even Fudo did and she was about to try again, when a spark ran along the surface of the mirror, which seemed to ripple.

And when it cleared, it revealed a man with blood seeping out of his mouth and nose as he coughed more out, "{D-damn them... damn the No-Majs... and damn the No-Maj Emperor! He... he failed us... and we were so close. So damn close to final victory..."

Fudo had a grimace on her face as he suddenly seemed to have a fit with more blood spurting out, "No... no you were not."

Inside the mirror, the recording continued as the Onmyouji spat out something, smoke rising from his form, "{If only we had not taken... those magical oaths promising victory. A victory... that would have seen us magicals in charge as it should be... and Kamo as Shogun.}" Everyone stiffened at that and with Fudo paling while she trembled with rage, "{We had nearly perfected the... process as ordered... Our comrades in Yokosuka believed they had finally... managed to bring back those who were gone with all their memories. Yes... some of the subjects... were overwritten... by the past, but that... was acceptable to us as many more... could be awoken wit... no effects. Kamo himself accompanied... the data and told us... we were doing the work... needed. He was... pleased two days ago.}"

Within the Tanto's head, one it was silent from shock as one thought repeated, 'They knew... they knew and ordered...'

Meanwhile, the Onmyouji coughed out more blood, this somehow more thick as he clutched at his chest, "{WE WERE SO CLOSE! WE COULD HAVE BEATEN THE AMERICANS WITH MORE TIME... TIME THAT THE EMPEROR WOULD NOT GIVE US AND ABANDONED US WITH!}" Coughing, he snarled in the image, "{The others could focus on heroes and leaders such as Miyomoto Musashi... Tokugawa Ieyasu... Queen Himeko... Abe no Seimei... But we... we would have provided the true sword. we already... had subjects ready to be brought... their sacrifice would have provided... what was needed.}" Madness shone in his eyes, even as the blood vessels in one popped and blood began to flow like tears from that eye, "{I touched it, and held it... the pelt of Tamamo no Mae... the bones of Momiji, such beautiful power within them even now... the horn of Ōtakemaru... a shard of bone from the... of the Ya-}"

Briefly, he choked before puking something that steamed and was composed only partially of blood and he slumped a bit as everyone stared in horror before he started listing off again.

Finally, he groaned a bit, "{All we would... have needed was... material... bodies for their... essence... to consume and resurrect. And with the shard we took from the... Sword of Faded Memories... we could have manipulated their... minds and... controlled them. The Americans... the ICW... even Grindelwald... would have fallen... or burned before us and our weapons...}"

Jerkingly, he slumped to the desk and shook before a death rattle escaped him and the image faded away. Utter silence settled on the room as everyone stared from the mirror to the skeleton. For several moments, there was nothing before Fudo screamed in pure rage and kicked said desk sending it flying right before she shot a spell at the skeleton, shattering it. Not done, she stomped the skull into shards still screaming before lighting the whole thing on fire.

Having materialized next to Natsumi close to the beginning, Carnwennan blinked and raised an eyebrow, "Well... this is somewhat of a sticky situtation."

Nobu just continued to stare at the mirror before she gripped her sword, "Harry-San?"

With a slow nod, Harry glanced at her, "Hai, Nobu-San?"

Reaching up, the former Warlord lowered the brim of her everpresent hat and snarled, her eyes alight with pure rage and loathing, "Send out your patronus and let them know what is happening. If someone is active here, we are going to send them to Mugen Jigoku before this gets out of hand. This ends now."

It was then that Harry realized that who stood before him was not Nobu, a somewhat chunni teenage girl who liked to troll and tease. No, the person before him was the Warlord Oda Nobunaga, the man who nearly conquered Japan. With a glance, he could see the Captain of the Shinsengumi, Okita Souji as well as Oda's fellow Warlord, Uesugi Kenshin. Bowing, he gave a nod, "Hai!" Casting the spell, he sent off the longer message and watched as the stag vanished into the walls, "It is done."

Eyes widening a bit, Rika turned her head, "They're coming. A lot of them."

Breaking a chair, Kaku grabbed the chair leg and scratched some symbols into them before whispering a Buddhist sutra which caused said symbols to glow and the wood to become a staff. He could remember his grandfather, Shukaku's, lessons coming to the forefront of his mind, "Unforunately, they're dealing with us."

Usagi gained a smile on her face that had no right belonging on a rabbit, "Let's roll out the welcome mat."

Heart thudding and blood pounding in her ears, Asuka could almost feel her ancestors, adopted and otherwise, lending her strength as she snapped open the fan and grabbed a Tanto, wings spreading as the wind whipped around her, "Hai, let's."

Almost as one, they opened the door and walked out into the corridor with the Tengu already using the wind to map out a route to where the central labratory was likely located.

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A.N-How about a nice WAFF/fluff break before the plunge?

A Pint At The Three Broomsticks

The Three Broomsticks, Hogsmeade

June 6th 2014
Spoiler: A Day That Changed History

Pomona Sprout entered the pub and placed her broomstick in the offered rack by the door. Across the bustling pub, the familiar blonde hair of Madame Rosmerta turned to survey the new customer.

"Good day, Professor Sprout, your usual?" The bartender asked as she bustled over.

Pomona smiled and shook her head. "Deliver it up to Room 13, it's that time of the year again."

Rosemerta blushed. "Oh your private party again. Professor McGonagall is already up there. I'll have it sent right up." She paused. "I always wondered what your yearly get together was about."

Pomona paused at the stairs up to the private rooms and looked very distant, seeing a time and place far removed from the peaceful village that she was in. Her eyes brimmed with tears, and she smiled. "Just remembering friends long dead. Days great and terrible long gone by." Pomona finished with a wry smile. "You really had to be with us back there to understand."

With that, Pomona made her way inside the room. Minerva McGonagall was sitting there by the fire with an untouched pint glass of stout as she read a leather-bound book. Pomona gave her old friend a warm smile. "Minnie. You're here early."

Minerva returned the smile. "Pommie. Yes, I am. Augusta will be along shortly, she got sucked into that nasty business last month in France."

Pomona's lips twisted as she sat in a chair across from Minerva. "Verdun waking up? I heard the gossip, how bad was it?"

Augusta Longbottom entered and removed her vulture-crowned hat as a second pint of stout beer appeared on the table next to Pomona. "Verdun? It was a damn near close run thing. Albus, Lucius and I were all part of the ritual to help seal it back away. That said, I found some interesting news from it."

Pomona leaned forward. "Spill, Gussie. I can tell that you want to dish."

Augusta Longbottom sat down with a sigh. "Bloody hip's acting up. Well I was part of the ritual team chanelling through a forward strike force to slap a patch on the wards. I couldn't believe that Lucius actually called me to request my presence at first. But when I got there and briefed in alongside Albus, well he was right to do so. Lucius Malfoy came through and saved our bacon there, because if it had broken totally loose it would have been as bad as anything I have ever seen."

Minerva took her glasses off and began to clean them. "I must be going batty, because I just heard you compliment Lucius Malfoy. Saints preserve us."

Augusta laughed. "He actually has the semblance of a good point from time to time. Ruthless, scheming, and cunning though he is. But that was the second most shocking thing that happened at Verdun. While we were recovering from the strain of wrestling that thing back into submission, Lucius started working the room; you know how he is about that. So I decided to follow suit to see what he was up to and straighten out any lies that he told. Struck up an interesting conversation with an elderly witch from MACUSA who looked to be about our age who came across the Pond to help out." Augusta grinned as she dropped the bombshell, "Named Jézabel de Breuil in fact."

Pomona felt her jaw drop as Minerva dropped her glasses with a curse. "Merlin's Hairy Arse! DE BREUIL? Not The Major's sister is it?"

Augusta grinned as Minerva began to reach for her glasses. "By your left foot, Minnie. Oh, it gets better. She's related to The Major all right, but she is her mother. And The Major and Captain du Chasteler were, surprise surprise, right neck deep in the hairy end of the shit as part of the forward strike team who fought through to where they needed to be."

With that, Augusta, reached into her handbag, a mousetrap snapped, and then she pulled out a cut-out magical photograph that she placed on the table for the other two to examine while a third glass of stout appeared for her. "See?"

Pomona nodded her head as Minerva replaced her glasses and leaned over to look. "That's The Major, and Captain du Chasteler all right, they haven't aged a day either. I can't forget HER face, not after I followed her out the plane over Normandy. That crazy Frenchie's still carrying around her pigsticker too. The young blonde that The Major's talking to looks a lot like du Chasteler as well, daughter maybe."

Augusta shrugged. "Maybe a daughter. Good to see that they are still fighting the good fight in their own ways alongside us. Too many of us have fallen by the wayside over the years."

Minerva chuckled. "Well I hope you got The Major's address so we can invite her over to hoist a pint. She and du Chasteler both paid for entrance in our little club in the only coin that really matters seventy years ago today."

Augusta and Pomona both nodded solemnly in agreement. Augusta then spoke. "I'll write The Major and see if she knows how to get a hold of Captain du Chasteler. I'm sure that she does, she really never missed a trick like that all across Europe."

Pomona stood and took her glass, joined by Minerva and Augusta. "No, no she didn't. Saved me the first day when we hit that ritual site by drawing the Feldgeisters' fury onto herself."

Augusta spoke. "And me in Brussels when that Obscurial manifested."

Minerva finished "Dragged me to cover under fire during that counterattack in Chef-du-Pont after I took a bullet in the leg. She taught me how to fire your machine gun too."

Pomona laughed. "If the children we teach only knew where we got that machine gun mounted as a trophy in the back of my office."

Minerva smiled, "True, but it's time to remember. My turn to speak the words."

With that three glasses of stout beer were hoisted to touch in a toast and Minerva McGonagall began to recite from memory words written four hundred years ago by England's greatest playwright. Words that were later said on D-Day by an officer in the first wave leading the British troops on SWORD Beach as machine gun bullets pinged off the armor of his landing craft to inspire the men he would lead to liberate France. Words that had been lived by these three witches that had volunteered to risk their lives to go to war to save England from Hitler and Grindelwald despite official disapproval of their actions.
Spoiler: St. Crispin's Day

"What's he that wishes so?
My cousin Westmoreland? No, my fair cousin:
If we are mark'd to die, we are enow
To do our country loss; and if to live,
The fewer men, the greater share of honour.
God's will! I pray thee, wish not one man more.
Rather proclaim it, Westmoreland, through my host,
That he which hath no stomach to this fight,
Let him depart; his passport shall be made
And crowns for convoy put into his purse:
We would not die in that man's company
That fears his fellowship to die with us.
This day is called the feast of Crispian:
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when the day is named,
And rouse him at the name of Crispian.
He that shall see this day, and live old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
And say 'To-morrow is Saint Crispian's
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars.
And say 'These wounds I had on Crispin's day.'
Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot,
But he'll remember with advantages
What feats he did that day: then shall our names.
Familiar in his mouth as household words
Harry the king, Bedford and Exeter,
Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester,
Be in their flowing cups freshly remember'd.
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remember'd;
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day!"

(Henry V, Act IV Scene iii)

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Tsukiakari snarled as she held her sword in front of her as wind began to swirl around it, "MOVE SENPAI! HAAAAA!"

Eyebrow raising as she jumped back, Juuchi watched as the spell impacted the dirt that was burying the entrance to the bunker. It ripped and tore its way through the debris, she watched as one boulder splintered and broke apart. Glancing at the huffing Tsukiakari, she gave a slight nod at the hole revealed in the slide, "Very good, Tsu." Going into a stance, she swung her true self, with it cutting into the dirt easily, "Very good indeed."

Using a banishing charm, the Kyu-Gunto could only watch as more debris was smacked away, "Thank you, Senpai." She grimaced though as she noted that they had not gone too far into the hill, 'Master...'

A sympathetic look on her face, Juuchi flung yet more spells at the landslide before she caught sight of something and looked up to find Hedwig landing with a large box and Shiromizu around her neck, "Well now, seems that the first of the calvary has shown up."

Just slithering from her position, Shiromizu took a deep breath before gagging a bit, "Ugh... that's disgusting, smells like... snake? But way fouler..."

Juuchi just grimaced, "We've been informed of more regarding the inside since you left Yokosuka, Shiromizu. The situation has deteriorated."

With the box opened by Hedwig, the rest of the Potter Armory appeared and Andraste looked at the Muramasa, "How bad?"

Glancing at Tsu who was continuing to dig into the hill, for a few moments the Japanese blade was silent. However, Juuchi then took a deep breath, "This place is... a sister to the one under Yokosuka, which tried to reincarnate people. Except in this case? It was for the monsters..." Lips pressing together thinly, she glanced at Shiromizu, "Including, apparently, the Yamata no Orochi."

Upon hearing that, the Mizuchi paled and turned to look at the complex, "You mean that aura... it is of..."

Slowly, Juuchi nodded with a grunt, "Most likely it is awakening even as we work. Master, brave fool he is, is heading deeper into the complex to end it before it becomes too strong." A sardonic smirk appeared on her face, "Something that is truly Potter, when you think about it."

Despite her panic at what her little brother had gotten involved in with now, Shiromizu took a deep breath before rolling up her sleeves, "Senpai is coming and will be here soon, same with her mother and some of the others. According to her, Kyoto knows and is sending Aurors as well as the First Oni Guard to help clear it out... but if it is that bad..."

Grunting as she took a breather, Tsukiakari looked over at her, "We've already been in contact with Yokosuka. They're sending a number of shipgirls and others as well as a... Kotegiri-San." A frown on her face, she looked at Juuchi, "Juuchi-Senpai apparently knows her and approved."

On said Muramasa's face was a smug smirk, "Hai, and with very good reason, Tsu." Her expression then hardened, "But first, we need to reach Master..."

Shiromizu placed a hand on her shoulder and pushed her aside before walking forward and doing the same with Tsukiakari, "Allow me..."

Taking a deep breath, she lunged her head forward as she opened her mouth, steaming water streaming out like a firehose and impacting the landslide. As Juuchi watched, the water turned the dirt to mud, moving it away under the Mizuchi's control. Any rocks were shattered or cut apart by the spray as she kept it up, the landslide collapsing and moving to the side. Humming, she looked at Tsu and the two resumed launching spells to chew up what the Mizuchi could not, even as she noted Catherine kneel on the damp ground and draw her true self. The Sword of Jeanne d'Arc placed her forehead against her pommel and began to softly pray as it began to glow.

With a nod, Juuchi turned her head and resumed attacking the landslide, even as the others besides Catherine joined in best that they could. They all understood what was at stake after all, and would give it their all. And even as Hedwig noted the distant sound of Ospreys as well as pops in the nearby woods, Juuchi continued to work.

After all, they had a member of their family to save.
______________________________________________________________

Running down the hallway towards the group of undead charging at them, Harry and Natsumi glanced at each other before nodding. Looking over his shoulder, he shouted at Asuka who was following them, "I NEED A BLAST OF WIND IN TEN!"

Not saying anything, the Tengu brought back her war fan around which wind started gathering until it howled.

Meanwhile, Harry swiped with his wand as daggers appeared in the air around him, with a quick banishing charm sending them flying towards the undead, "NOW!" He could feel the wind blast past him, hitting the daggers and increasing their speed still further until they slammed into the guards. Those struck stumbled back, and some of the daggers punched through them and hit the ones behind. Which was when Harry did two things...

First, he cast a shield spell he found in an old book. It was not used much any more because it was only effective against physical attacks, and didn't do anything about magical. Secondly, the spell itself rotated to deflect attacks and the more magic, the faster it spun. In fact, it was a variant that some used to burrow through earth.

The second thing he did was cast the spell him and Natsumi had found in Voldemort's book as the Kitsune in question did the same thing beside him and they flew down the hallway.

Both of them impacted the guards at the same time as the rapidly spinning shield dug into the front ranks, ripping them apart as it touched them while Natsumi slashed at any that got flung to her side of the corridor. Meanwhile, in the rear of their group, Fudo and Carnwennan were fighting a rear guard action against those coming up from behind. Grabbing the hand of one, the Arthurian blade twisted and tore said arm off, bones splintering. He finished it off by taking said arm and shoving the broken end through the original owner's skull.

At his side, Fudo snarled as she struck down another undead, bisecting it with said creature bursting into flames. On her blade, the image of Fudo My'oo blazed with light and, from the warmth she could feel, her tattoo was doing the same, "HOW MANY OF THESE BASTARDS ARE THERE!?"

With a small shrug, Carnwennan hummed, "Enough, I would think." Snapping out with a kick that somehow glowed with shadow, he knocked the head off one of the undead, with the body collapsing, "Still, quite the refreshing walk! Haven't had quite this amount of fun in a long time."

Pausing for a moment, the Masamune blinked at that, 'Fun?' Ducking unconsciously under a slash, she returned it a moment later and ended the guard's existence, "You call this fun?!"

Unable to help himself, Carnwennan threw his head back and laughed, "Of course! And don't tell me that you're not enjoying blowing off some steam!"

Lightly blushing, Fudo took the head off another guard with a backhanded swipe. Instead, she focused on what was going on around them. Even in the head of battle, the Masamune had to admit that the teens were holding themselves together well besides the Reincarnated ones. Kaku cracking bones with his bo staff as it glowed and left damage behind that was unable to be regenerated as he muttered sutras under his breath. At the same time, Rika was grabbing control of some of the horde and sending them against the rest while the short sword in Usagi's grip blazed with light as she channeled her ancestry from the Hare of Inaba.

As for Asuka and Ayaka, the two were fighting back to back with the Inugami protecting the Tengu, who let loose bursts of wind to knock some of the guards back and give those there an oppotunity which made the Tanto nod before she turned her attention to her fight.

Nobu frowned as she parried the hit from one skeleton, twisting around and stabbing up and out of it's ribcage and into the skull. Even as it fell away, she grimaced, 'There's too many of them and they're regenerating.' Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the flash of light from either Harry or Natsumi using an Ofuda to vaporize their opponents. But it was seeing Rika do something that made her eyes widen before she grinned, "I have a plan! Asuka! How big of a burst of wind can you make?"

Rapidly blinking as her wind enshrouded fan threw one attacker away from her and into three more, the Tengu frowned, "Big, but I need time and-"

With a nod, Nobu grimly smiled, "We'll give you time! NATSUMI! TO MY SIDE, RIKA YOU AS WELL!"

Said girls didn't say anything, but did as asked, though Harry followed Natsumi with their area clear for now. Upon hearing what Nobu wanted, they nodded and prepared until Asuka let out a bird screech and thrust her fan towards the guards fighting Fudo and Carnwennan, with the Masamune throwing her true self at the wall next to Asuka and Carnwennan appearing beside Natsumi at Nobu's call...

Just in time for Natsumi and Rika to unleash their magical fire, combined with Harry's, down into the massive gust of wind.

All three different fires, one with the magic of Kitsune embued with purificiation energy, one of the Nekomata filled with necormantic energy, and just plain magical fire combined with the wind and Tengu magic to create a firestorm that swept through the undead guards. Their bones crackled and broke under the intense flames that left their weapons and armor glowing red hot. As they looked at the burnt corridor, everyone took a moment to rest.

Looking at Nobu, Harry shook his head, "Impressive."

The former warlord just shrugged, "I have seen enough wildfires to know what effects wind would have. Same with fire created in enclosed spaces, so it makes sense. With how Natsumi-San's and Rika-San's fires can harm them? With yours heating them up further alongside the wind from Asuka-San? It could only help." Looking around, she frowned, "Unfortunately, we only have a break."

Okita shook her head as she sheathed her sword, part of her wishing that it was one of the two she used in life, "Hai. The closer we get to the center, the more that there is. We're good... but only some of us are able to put them down on a permanent basis."

Considering that, Harry glanced at his pouch before nodding, "I can fix that, I think... never did it personally... but..." When he got a nod, he started pulling out Ofuda, "Nobu-San, Okita-San, Uesugi-San, I need your swords for a moment. Carnwennan, Ayaka-San? Your daggers."

Without a word, those in question did so and Harry wrapped the Ofuda around the hilts of their weapons as he muttered. Eyebrow raised as she watched him, Fudo nodded, "You're transferring the abilities of the Ofuda to the edges of the swords. Smart, but it won't last that long."

Just shrugging, Uesugi looked at her and brushed a bit of hair away from her sweaty face. "It doesn't need to last that long, just long enough. And we need every advantage we can get from it."

Nose twitching as she watched, Usagi gave Natsumi an intrigued look, "By the way... I've been wondering how your purification Ofuda can pull off what they do. My Onee-Sans have been Priestesses for years, same with my Onii-San... but they're just able to pull something like it off themselves with preparation."

Mood perking up a bit, the lone Masamune looked at the Kitsune herself, "I have been wondering the same. Toku-Chan can do something similar, but needs to be extremely careful while preparing them and she has experience."

Blinking, Natsumi gave a shrug and shook her head, "Harry-Chan made both me and Oba-Chan brush sets. Oba-Chan thinks that our Ofuda punch well above the normal level because Harry-Chan used unicorn hair in the brushes." She gestured at the hair ribbon she had, which glowed a soft silver in the dim light, "Same with my ribbons."

For several moments, Fudo only blinked at that before she gave a small nod, "I... see." Watching as the Ofuda burnt away, and left the weapons glowing softly, she frowned as a thought occurred to her, '... I wonder if I can have him make Toku-Chan a brush set much the same for her birthday...'

Unnoticed by the Kitsune, Okita had a thoughtful look on her face. And, glancing at Uesugi and the smirking Nobu, she could see that they had the same thought, 'To gift such a thing...' Looking at her sword, she could see it glowing with a light of purity and smiled a bit at her dirty reflection, 'Truly, you are lucky, Natsumi-San...'

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

Seeking The Way

Harry S. Truman Library and Museum, Independence, Missouri

May 28th, 2014
Spoiler: A Meeting of Sisters

"It is difficult to realize the true Way just through sword-fencing. Know the smallest things and the biggest things, the shallowest things and the deepest things." - Miyamoto Musashi, The Book Of Five Rings

As the mid morning sun shone upon this suburb of Kansas City, a lone figure walked to the steps of the Presidential Library. Dressed in a red baseball cap on her light purple-pink hair, a red T-shirt, blue jeans and sneakers and carrying a blue backpack, she seemed to be the image of a 20-something out for exercise. The only odd point was the black sword case that she had slung over her shoulder.
Spoiler: Masamune-no-Musashi

A sword case that contained the daisho katana and wakazashi paired set inherited by the greatest master of the Way of the Sword in Japanese history.

A sword case, now carried by the spirit of his weapons, his last apprentice, and the most skilled of the Masamunes.

Musashi hefted the case containing herself and began to walk up the steps to the museum honoring one of the most unlikely US Presidents.

She paid admission, and joined a tour group. Standing in the back, she raised a mental eyebrow as the displays, exhibits, and guide described the man who served as an artillery captain in the trenches during the First World War, then rose through the ranks of the Missouri political scene to eventually become a senator by the time that her country attacked America. The eyebrow raised higher as the man who this museum was about then was selected to run as Vice-President, only to then be forced into office when his legendary predecessor suffered a fatal stroke in 1945.

Musashi watched and listened as now-President Truman made the decision to use the then-experimental Atomic Bombs to destroy two Japanese cities as a last gambit before the invasion which would have gravely wounded America and destroyed Japan utterly. Hoping against hope that the Japanese government would see and accept that the war was lost and surrender rather than have their very culture obliterated. Her eyes shadowed as she remembered those days that she had lived through, the moment when she heard the scratchy recording of the Emperor of Japan ordering his people, ordering her to endure the unendurable and bear the unbearable.

She understood why Kotegiri called Emperor Showa Master.

She walked to the next exhibit and her lips curled in a fond, loving smile. A black and white photograph showed President Truman in the Oval Office of the White House being presented with an antique Japanese katana by the general commanding the Japanese Occupation Forces. A katana that was displayed under the photograph.
Spoiler: Truman And The Masamune

The woodgrain of the folded steel, waving hamon tempering like ocean waves breaking on the dividing line for her razor-sharp edge, and nioi martensite crystals like drifting clouds that had been formed by the smith's skill brought hushed expressions of awe from the people around her. She could hardly blame them for that, for her own eyes were filled with tears of joy to see her sister after so many decades in such a place of honor.

Masamune-no-Truman was known even among her own family for being the most beautiful and elegant of their sisterhood.

Musashi continued the tour, listening absently to the Cold War decisions of President Truman. Hearing of him removing General MacArthur from command for disobedience and dangerous adventurism brought an approving nod from her. After all, she reflected, her own country would have been much better off if a few heads of problematic junior officers had been taken during the Sengoku Jidai and then the 1930s.

But that was water under the bridge over a flowing stream. She paused to make a purchase of several souvenir pens and a button for her hat in the museum gift shop. She then flipped through a book about the library and frowned as she thought.

Truman had to know that she was here, so where was she hiding and why did she not appear to meet her estranged sister...?

Her eyes were caught by a passage in the book describing how every year since Truman's death in 1972 upon the anniversary of Japan's surrender and upon his death a bouquet of Japanese cherry blossoms had been discovered in the morning upon his grave by a secret admirer.

She hastily bought the book and walked to overlook the landscaped courtyard, seeing the subtle signs of a masterful gardener in its well-tended hedges and trimmed grass.

Of course!

With that she walked to the courtyard and approached the gardener who was replanting a flowerbed next to the graves of President Truman and his wife Bess. "{We need to talk, sister.}" She spoke quietly in Japanese as she stood next to the kneeling gardener.

The blond-haired young Caucasian woman spoke without looking at her. "{Sister. My answer is still the same.}" Her voice was polite, cool and utterly as strong as their shared steel.

Musashi's lips quirked as another flower was planted. "{I did not come here for a spar, much less to ask you again to return to us. The last time we spoke, I was in grave error and wish to tender my apologies. Kotegiri-han informed me that you had honorable reasons for your refusal to cross steel with me or return to Japan.}" With that she formally bowed deeply to complete the heartfelt apology.

A pause as a fresh flower was planted. "{Apology accepted, Sister. I see that you have learned wisdom since we met. Have you eaten yet?}" The voice under the straw hat was filled with more warmth than before.

Musashi shook her head. "{No. I have been sustaining myself upon the Way.}"

Truman's avatar turned to look at her sister, blue eyes full of patience and humility meeting Musashi's full of life and energy. "{There is a restaurant three blocks to the west down Highway 24. It is called 'A Little BBQ Joint.' I shall request permission to join you there for lunch for I sense that you did not come here merely to tender an apology.}"

"{No, I did not, Sister.}" Musashi said. "{Kotegiri-han asked for me to speak to you.}"

Truman nodded and resumed planting the flowers as Musashi left her.

A Little BBQ Joint, Independence Missouri

Musashi stood in the parking lot as her sister, dressed now in equally casual clothes, walked to meet her. Automatically Musashi sized up her sister's form. Gone was the raven dark waist length hair and equally dark eyes of the warrior maiden that she had been. Now instead her hair was short and blonde, framing her face in the waves of 1950s fashion and barely covering the nape of her neck. Her eyes were the warm blue of a cloudless summer sky.
Spoiler: The Truman Masamune's Avatar

All in all, she looked remarkably like the portrait of the daughter of Harry Truman that Musashi had seen, which caused the sword to wonder about the changes.

Truman paused and sized her sister up. "Musashi. You have not changed much. More wisdom, yes, tempered with the strength."

Musashi nodded. "You have changed a great deal from when we last spoke in 1954. And yet, underneath the skin you are still the same warrior who was one of my closest peers for skill in the Way. Do you not miss combat?"

Truman nodded once, her eyes unreadable. "Every day since the Surrender. But we should eat first. I recommend the smoked ends with baked beans, it a regional specialty."

Musashi surveyed the interior decor of Americana with 1950s cars, flags, and photographs from the postwar years from their seat in a corner booth. Truman was right, the food was quite good.

With that she looked across the table at her sister, who was savoring the last of her sandwich. "To matters. Kotegiri-han called a family meeting a week ago and everyone save yourself and Toku-han attended."

Truman nodded and reinforced their privacy ward using a french fry as a wand and ketchup for the ofuda ingredient. "What prompted it?"

Musashi chuckled. "Several things. First and foremost, Honjo-han was returned to us last year, and now serves the Tokugawas once more. One of the English wizards saved her from destruction and hid her away during the early stages of the Occupation, and when his great-grandson found out, he returned her to her family."

Truman stiffened briefly and then ate her french fry. "How is Honjo-nee?"

"Quite well, changed somewhat from her experiences. She actually has developed some level of friendship with Juuchi Yosamu-han, if you can believe that. Apparently the two were stored together for decades and came to some level of agreement. A Harry Potter was the responsible person. A young man of promise." Musashi said warmly. "Second and equally important, Father crafted a new sibling for us. The tanto Hogoshiri Odori-han was delivered by the Mizuchi Shiromizu-han to the manifest kami of the cruiser Jintsuu-han, who I and the others shall train to master her."

Truman looked at Musashi in shock and then nodded. "I see. Please when you see Honjo-nee and our youngest, convey both my sincere best wishes for their long and fruitful lives full of joy for themselves and their families and my sincere and humble apologies that I am restricted from departing from here to meet them."

Musashi looked at her sister and her voice sharpened. "Why?"

Truman gave her a sad look full of steel, "As I said when we spoke sixty years ago, I cannot say because of my oath."

Musashi nodded in reluctant agreement at her sister's unbending honor code. "Toku-han finally went out of the shrine to practice the Way in the service of Hachiman-dono on a warrior's pilgrimage. In the company of the rapier who took her down in 1864 who is also a Muramasa if you can believe it." Truman made a noncommittal sound of agreement at the family gossip and ate another french fry. "Apparently the Lord of Eight Banners wished for her to kick over the festering problems in the Reserves to get that cleaned up before the Statute of Secrecy falls."

Truman froze and spoke with precision in her now sharp voice. "Musashi-nee. Repeat that. The Statute of Secrecy is falling?"

Musashi met her sister's firm gaze unflinchingly, testing her spirit. "Yes. First it was Shipgirls and Abyssals a decade ago, then more and more matters have begun to emerge into the light of awareness. The ICW cannot hide matters as they have before, memory alteration spells lack effectiveness and with the strain that the Abyssal War puts on magicals, more things come to light. Earlier this month one of the tainted battlegrounds from the Great War nearly awoke in France and it took heroic efforts to ward it off again. Toku-han and her Muramasa were involved in that too." Musashi grinned with pride. "Imouto has certainly followed the Way in her life. From what I heard, I would have been hard-pressed to do better with what they faced in Verdun. In fact, after this I should track her down for a spar and see for myself how she has progressed. Fudo-han is coming along well in that regard too, when we last tested our steel."

"The Statute, Musashi-nee." Truman said patiently.

"Hai." Musashi said after a bite of her baked beans. "In brief, Kotegiri-han and Honjo-han estimate one year, two at the absolute most before matters are brought fully to light. Possibly much less. When that happens, the assumption from Kotegiri-han and Honjo-han is that the bulk of the various magical governments will be folded into their nonmagical equivalents as some cabinet department. So the Ministry of Magic, MACUSA, the Magical Diet and the like will go the way of the han system during the restoration that Kotegiri-han and Meiji-dono masterminded."

Tears filled Truman's eyes and she bowed her head. "I see," she spoke in a voice hoarse with emotion, "I can tell you this much, Sister. During the surrender negotiations, trust between Japan and America was at an extremely low point. What they claimed we did during the Pacific War was truly reprehensible. So they demanded... sureties... of the Diet and the Chrysanthemum Throne. Some were easy enough, such as handing over Minister Kamo and members of his government to stand trial along with those who committed crimes. Other ones," she paused and spoke quietly, "you know how matters were done among daimyo in the Jidai when treachery was feared."

Musashi nodded, remembering how noble children and heirs were used as hostages on the chess board of politics back then. Then her eyes widened as she looked at her sister in a new light. Her sister who had lived her life with honor every day of her existence, who had served her highly born magical family for centuries as one of the peerless weapons of war of Magical Japan, and who had willingly given herself up to be removed forever from the land of her birth that she loved so deeply.

Truman nodded in response to the unspoken question. "As Emperor Showa said to me, 'one must bear the unbearable and endure the unendurable'. It must be either myself, Kotegiri, you, or Honjo. Honjo vanished and Kotegiri was the Emperor's blade, representing His Honor."

Musashi bowed her head. "Then the Statute?"

Truman spoke. "Will bring certain matters to light then. Perhaps..." She shook her head. "I cannot and shall never ask for reappraisal of what was agreed to. But you shall know why I did what I did, and maybe one day I shall at least be permitted to practice with my hilt in my hands once more."

Musashi slid around to hug her sister. "And upon that day, we shall walk the Way together in honor, Sister. Forgive your sister's ignorance and rudeness, truly I have failed my Master's command to see all things clearly."

Truman returned the hug. "Admitting error is the first step upon the Way, Sister."

Musashi released her. "I see you have found some measure of peace. I must ask a personal question."

Truman nodded, "If I can answer, I shall."

"The cherry blossoms?" Musashi said quietly.

Truman closed her eyes. "They did not have to accept our surrender, you know. We were defeated. Many voices then and some even now said that he was too soft on us, that we were utter monsters deserving of obliteration. After reading of what they saw in us and comparing it to my own memories of those dark days, I cannot say that they did not have an argument."

Her voice softened and she looked at Musashi as she spoke warmly with pride in her words. "Toku-chan was right back then when she argued that other nations, other men had honor and strength equal to ours. The man I wept for when he was laid to rest in front of me never for an instant saw us, saw me, as the monster that I had striven so hard to be in the Pacific War."

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A.N.-Chapter quote is from this monument https://www.508pir.org/events/images/1984/1984_reunion_10_petry_25.jpg

She Ain't Heavy, She's My Sister

Tsurugaoka Hachimangū, Kamakura, Japan

23 June 2014
Spoiler: Musashi and Toku

"This Fudo Myo-o, whose name means "Immovable Wisdom King," is represented with a sword to cut through our ignorance and a rope to bind up our emotions"-Miyamoto Musashi, Book of Five Rings

Masamune-no-Tokunotakai slowly hung up the phone. This was the second time that she had tried to contact Fudo to arrange the dinner meeting and both times there had been no answer.

She frowned and looked out the window at the falling rain. The worst of the storm seemed to have passed. Perhaps that was responsible.

But a twisting in her gut told her that the storm was the least of her concerns.

Suddenly there was a deafening thunderclap and a loud crash.

Perhaps a walk around the courtyard to check for damage to the shrine should be done.

With that in mind she grabbed an umbrella from the stand near the door and walked outside after slipping on her sandals.

At the base of the steps, a lone figure began to climb the eight hundred year old stone staircase, watched by the mated wood pigeons who had returned from their errand for the Protector of Warriors.

Toku used her magic to carefully move a damaged tree branch away from the building that a toppled tree was leaning against. Suddenly a firm hand clapped her on the shoulder and Musashi's joyful voice spoke in her ear. "Toku-han! Shibaitaro ka?" (Toku! Do you want me to give you a beating?)

Toku smiled happily and nodded. "Once I finish moving this tree so it does not damage the shrine further, Musashi-neesama. Then I would be delighted. Have you had tea yet?"

Musashi drew her katana and gestured. A wave of force sliced through the next limb and Toku floated it clear. "A warm cup before the spar would not be amiss. I heard of Verdun, imouto."

Toku sighed deeply. "Verdun was... bad. Very bad and it has scarred my spirit."

Musashi stopped at the note in Toku's voice and then turned to face her. "Toku-han, look at me, please."

Toku did so, the miko's shadowed blue-green eyes meeting the bright energetic blue of the avatar of Masamune-no-Musashi, the most skillful and battle tested of their sisterhood.

Musashi nodded, "So ka. You have taken a life then."

Toku whispered, "Hai," as the last of the downed tree was safely removed.

Musashi walked with her sister inside the dojo and removed her sandals and hat. "Tea and conversation then. You need to talk about this with one who has traveled the path that you have begun to walk."

Toku nodded as she brewed a pot of tea. "Co-chan... Colombe du Chasteler and I have spoken about what happened. She has centuries of bitter experience that I lack. She explained to me that in that moment I had to chose between her life and that of the man I slew and that burden of choice weighs us down."

Musashi made a sound of agreement. "The Way of the Sword is the Way of Death. It should never be traveled lightly. I have known many, many warriors who have taken the step that you have. The ones who felt that burden, understood it as you have begun to, and accepted the weight have been those of the most worth in my experience."

The daisho took the teacup and sipped it after giving thanks. "Good tea, Toku-han. I confess increased curiosity about the Muramasa you favor and wish to meet her soon to test my steel against hers. She seems to be as worthy a training partner as yourself, Fudo, or the others."

Toku smiled as she sipped her own tea. "When I return to her side, I shall let her know and we can make arrangements for you and she to meet. Kote-neesama and Honjo-neesama also wish a friendly match. Hachiman has chosen well with her to be one of His Blades."

Musashi hummed and then sipped the tea. "Battle is never easy, nor should it be. But only in the heat there can you find and refine yourself into your purest form."

The phone rang in the kitchen. "Sumimasen(I'm sorry), Musashi-nee. I am hopeful that is Fudo-chan returning my call now that the storm is passing us."

Toku stood and hurried to the ringing phone. Musashi watched as she picked up and spoke. "Moshi moshi? Honjo-neesama! This is...." Toku's face paled and the grip on her phone tightened as she listened. Musashi's eyebrows raised and she hastily downed the tea in turn to go to her clearly shaken sister's aid.

"Honjo-neesama, Musashi is here with me at the Tsurugaoka Hachimangū. Let me put you on speaker and tell her what you just told me." Toku snapped out.

Toku punched the button and a moment later Honjo's voice spoke over the sounds of a helicopter. "Musashi, this is fortunate. Fudo-chan ran across an old bunker from the Pacific War outside of Yokosuka and is now trapped inside with some schoolchildren. It was used by elements of the Kamo government looking to bring back monsters for use back then, including Lady Duckweed, Momiji, and the Eight-Branched Serpent. Plus many yuurei bound into their desecrated corpses. Kotegiri is in command of the rescue operation now and I am hastening to join her."

Musashi's face split with a joyful smile as Toku began to pull ofuda and her gohei wand from her cabinet into a small pack. "Honjo-han, if you can send someone to transport us to the scene, Toku-han and I shall assist Kote-han and yourself in dealing with matters. We cannot let Fudo-han have all the fun, although I have no doubt that she will perform admirably."

Honjo's voice was a study in relief. "I will have a mage transport you to the site as quickly as is possible, wait in the courtyard."

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

Sub-Unit-942 Bunker Complex Outside Yokosuka

With a bang, Musashi and Tokunotakai appeared in the waistband of a Kyoto Auror who had Apparated to and from the shrine. Instantly manifesting, Toku grabbed the pack that he carried and hastened through the chaos to where a visibly winded Tsukiakari stood.

Behind her Musashi followed with the unhurried stride of Miyamoto Musashi, who knew the importance of timing in battle. Her stride paused minutely and her eyes widened as she sensed the power and quality of the weapons spirits surrounding the kyo gunto that Toku spoke to as an old friend. Including none other than that of Juuchi Yosamu-han

Or a comrade who had shed blood with her upon the field of battle, Musashi realized as her eyes narrowed fractionally and her smile widened. Toku knew these other spirits, each Masters of their own bodies, styles, and techniques from across the word. Certainly after fighting monsters from the darkest legends of Japan made whole once more, a few of Toku's friends might wish to cross steel in the days ahead with a fellow Master of the blade for the joy of the Way and of learning, neh?

 

[darthcourt10]

lt_agn02

After she dropped off her gear at the armory, Aso took a deep breath as she fished her rucksack from the hold of the cargo ship. While it was true that she had her own hold to store her personal items, something felt off about it to her. Sure, it would be natural to use her own hold instead of taking up space, but the Japanese carrier felt an odd sense of assurance when she left her things on the cargo ship instead of carrying them with her. It was that same feeling when she delivered goods to the village. The feeling of having to protect something behind her instead of carrying it with her.

She pushed the thought from her mind and laid her eyes on the katana that she brought from Japan. She picked it up and drew the blade only slightly, admiring the craftsmanship in the fluorescent light.

"What the heck am I supposed to do with this?" She asked herself. In truth, even though her thoughts of Japanese superiority had waned, she still held onto this one thing: a katana she had literally begged a student of the Masamune school to commission. It was by far the greatest expense the carrier ever had, costing up to six months of her salary. It was her most prized possession.

At least, until that day.

Since then, she honestly didn't know what to do about it. It used to be her pride and joy, even if she couldn't take it with her into battle. But now...she couldn't make heads or tails of it. The only reason she even brought it with her was because Katsuragi said so.

She steeled herself and grabbed the obi in her bag, ready to tie it around her waist and carry her sword with her to the dorm, but…

The thought left her mind. If she did that, she thought, she would be no better than the rumor mill made her out to be. Instead, she wrapped it in a thick cloth and secured it to her bags.

By the time she left the cargo ship and descended the gangplank, a car and two cruisers were waiting for her.

The larger of the two had wavy black hair tied in a ponytail and was dressed in what Aso could recognize as something like a camouflage-pattern Hawaiian shirt, jeans, and an Alaska-class parka tied around her waist.

The smaller wore a double-breasted coat on her shoulders over a simple white collared shirt, navy blue skirt, and thigh-high boots. A pair of black ribbons tied her hair in a pair of twintails. She stepped forward to greet the carrier.

"Aso, it's good to see you again. Been well?" She asked.

Aso nodded. "Yes, Honolulu-san. It's been a while, hasn't it?"

"Yeah, at least a year or two," Honolulu responded, crossing her arms. "Since we had that international fair over at Yokosuka, anyway."

The carrier bowed deeply. "Please excuse my behavior from back then."

The cruiser waved it off. "Meh, don't worry about it too much. I'm a Pearl Harbor survivor. It happens to me at times too."

"Y-You're a Pearl Harbor survivor?"

The light cruiser turned her head and exposed the scar on her jawline. "Got hit that day. Nothing too serious, but damn was it sore for the rest of the war."

Hawaii stepped forward. "All that aside, I never imagined you would come here, let alone be stationed here for six months."

Aso nodded. "I think you gai- I mean, Americans, say… 'shit happens'?"

"Regardless, we're happy to have you," the large cruiser stated. "We could always use more eyes in the sky. Last week, an Abyssal battle group managed to give us the slip until they got well past the pickets. The Air Force had to send in The Motherfuckers for that one."

Pausing, the carrier turned inquisitively to the large cruiser. "The...huh?"

"The Air Force's Maximum Force Kill and Reconnaissance Squadron," Honolulu answered. "It's a land-based air group specially trained to kill Abyssals anywhere within range of an air base."

This time, the carrier let out an amused snort. "Did the admiral name them?"

Hawaii tilted her head. "He gave the suggestion to the Air Force. Why?" A catlike grin emerged on the large cruiser's face. "It's because he looks like the guy, right?"

"You think the Admiral looks like him too? I thought I was the only one!" Aso commented. "The resemblance is uncanny!"

"I know, right? He doesn't like it when we say he looks like him, but come on! You can just picture him saying something like 'English, Motherfucker! Do you speak it?!' to an Abyssal, you know?" Hawaii put her hand to her chin. "If the stuff we do here ever gets turned into a movie, that guy should play Admiral Smith. It would be so cool."

"When I get to go on SGO again, I'm telling my sisters at home about this! They are going to be so jealous!"

Honolulu's mouth morphed into a smirk. "Well, I'm glad you at least managed to see something good out of this. I almost never see you carry on like this."

Aso blushed. "S-Sorry…"

"Don't be. You being friendly like that is so many degrees better than you being a ultra-nationalistic jerk. Anyway, the dorms are a bit far off, so we're here to take you to your assigned dorm with Bowfin." Honolulu gestured to the car in front of them. "This is a special car only ship girls like us can use. It's foot-powered, but it can easily make highway speed."

Next to her, the Natural Born Hawaii nodded. "When we do start it, you have to yell 'Yabba Dabba Doo!'"

"Y-Yabba…"

"Makana, that's not really…"

Hawaii hastily held her hand over Honolulu's mouth and smiled at the Japanese carrier. "Trust me, we all do it."

The carrier shrugged and placed her bags in the trunk, then made her way to the back seat. Before she could step in, she noticed the one glaring flaw in the car that she didn't notice at all before she opened the door. Yes, there were no windows, and she could deal with that. But if she were to step into the car, her feet would go straight through the nonexistent floor.

"Uh…"

"Yeah. Unlike cars on the mainland, this one is only geared for 'park', and 'neutral'," the smaller cruiser explained. "I wasn't lying when I said it's foot-powered."

"...Uh…"

A firey-haired light cruiser wearing Honolulu and Brooklyn's uniform suddenly appeared behind them. "Allow me to explain!"

"HOLY FUCK, SIS! Don't do that!" Honolulu shouted.

Phoenix ignored this. "Now, normally, a car requires an engine to move. However, with the lack of fuel, alkaline metals, et cetera, we had to make sure that any mode of transportation is both renewable and reliable. While bicycles are a very good substitute, we also have to keep in mind that we have cargo. That's where this comes in! Ship girls have many times more horsepower at their disposal than your average car! Regular humans already find it hard to push a car while on neutral, but it's nothing for a ship girl! Just kick off with your feet and let inertia do the rest of the work! As for braking, I modified it to use a handle on the steering wheel instead of a brake pedal."

"Nobody asked!" Honolulu scolded. "And don't sneak up on people like that!"

The other Brooklyn-class cruiser pouted. "Aww, but I wanted to introduce my baby to…"

"Wrong place, wrong time!" The other Brooklyn shouted. "And don't call your invention your 'baby'! It's weird!"

"It's not weird if it's true!"

Honolulu groaned. "Look, we're late. Save it for when we have the time, all right?"

Phoenix raised a finger in protest. "Then allow me to accompany you to the dorms. If I don't give back Sendai's Kikaida box set, she's gonna kill me."

Aso's eyes widened to the size of dinner plates as she loaded her rucksack and sword into the trunk of the car. "Sendai-san?! Is...Is she all right? I heard about what happened and all…"

"Oh, she's doing pretty well." Honolulu crossed her arms confidently. "There is no job too impossible for the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard! We can even bring battleships back from the dead!"

"Terms and conditions may apply," Hawaii added, entering the car and fastening her seatbelt. "You'll meet her soon, but for now, you have to meet your new roommate."

The carrier nodded as she entered the car.

To her embarrassment, she was the only one who yelled "YABBA DABBA DOO!" as the four ship girls pushed the car forward with their feet.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

"Commander Tsubaki-San."

With a blink, the Oni turned from where she was observing the various Yokai get set up and smiled a little, "Captain Itami." At the twitch in his eyebrow, she grinned, "So you guys were sent in here as well then?"

Just sighing, the JGSDF Officer nodded some with a slight frown, "Hai, because we know about magic and can at least work together with you." He glanced to the side where Tengu landed with a box that was enlarged. Moments later, the group of Itachi inside of it drove out in one of their mini-tanks, the guns already swivelling to aim at where the entrance to the bunker would be, "What's your thoughts on this?"

Glancing at him, Tsubaki sighed a little with a grimace, "My thoughts? Probably unprintable with what we've been told already..."

Not saying anything, Itami took a deep breath for about a minute before speaking up, "I see... and do you know about..."

Tsubaki looked at him directly, "That those fuckers desecrated my parents' remains? Hai. And before you ask, if somehow Shuten and Ibraki were to be brought back..." Her hand clenched hard, "I'll kill them just the same before they get too far, my parents or not."

All the young man next to her did was nod with a frown, "Might not be much, but I'd be giving you as much backup as I could."

Moments later though, he stumbled as Tsubaki laughed, "HA!" She grinned a bit at him, "Are you sure that you don't have a little Oni in you?"

Smirking, Itami shook his head, "No... and frankly, no offense, I don't want one."

It took a few moments, but the Oni realized what he had meant and laughed again, "That? That was a good one and I'll have to tell the others about it." Looking up, she noted another Tengu drop a crate and walk over, "And it seems that our armament is here."

Following her, Itami raised an eyebrow in askance, "Armament? I know that you have your assault rifles..."

Just snorting, Tsubaki shook her head, "No, no, those would be too much right at this moment. Especially in the tunnels with possible richochet. We're going in and going in hard as it was." Reaching the crate, which had another armored Oni rip off the top of it, she held out her hand, "Toss me a shield!"

When one was tossed to her, he whistled a little as it had to be at least five inches of high grade steel thick in a form similar to a riot shield. On it was the painted form of a Tsubaki blossom and a Haiku on the back extoling strength of character. However, Itami noticed something else and raised an eyebrow, "What the heck happened to the front to make it discolored like that?"

Shouldering the shield, Tsubaki shrugged a little bit, "Direct hit from a five inch shell during the Bonin Battle which had to be welded back into shape. I was one of the first to hit the beach and we put up a shield wall when the Abyssal Destroyers on land tried to shell us. At least one guy broke his legs and had to be carried back, but we shrugged it off and continued on."

Yet again, Itami could only shake his head some at hearing that. While he had reports and such detailing how the Kamo Government had used Oni as shocktroops, hearing things like this mentioned offhandingly brought it truly home. What happened next really did as one of the Oni tossed Tsubaki a double barreled shotgun...

One bigger than any Itami had ever seen before.

Blinking slowly, he brought up a finger and pointed at it, "Uh... what the hell is that, Tsubaki-San?"

With a hum as she also accepted a number of massive shells, Tsubaki raised an eyebrow at him, "A shotgun."

Simply sighing, Itami pinched his nose some, "Hai and I can see that. But not one that was ever that big..."

Realization dawned on the Oni's face and she gave a nod, "Right, right... well, you know how the IJN used 25mm guns, right? As did other Japanese forces?" When he nodded, she continued, "Well, there were several supply depots laying around. Some of the guys and myself knew there were some that had been missed which were for when the Americans invaded and we raided them in the early days. We found one with a large stock of 25mm barrels... but no gun parts. So basically useless, except..."

Eyes widening, Itami stared at the shotgun, "The barrels were good. Do you mean you took those barrels and cut them so you could make shotguns out of them? But that would mean..."

Tsubaki gave a small shrug, "We had to make the shells for them ourselves due to the size, but that's not too hard. Recoil is something of a bitch, though we can handle them easily enough." Grinning, she chuckled a little darkly, "A number of Abyssal ground troops and cultists found out that they are very useful in close quarters."

After a few moments, the JGSDF Officer nodded before pausing and raising an eyebrow, "And the reason why they look like the Super Shotgun from the DOOM games?"

Placing some shells into the chamber and cocking the gun, Tsubaki smirked, "Because us Oni respect strength. And who better to emulate than the Doom Marine himself?" She gave a bark of laughter, "Damn guy is practically the sort that male Oni look up to and many females would drape themselves over."

Only nodding, Itami snorted a bit, "I'm not too surprised at all."

His eyes went to the weapons that hung from the Oni's waist. As part of the deal with the deal with the JSDF, the Yokai Self-Defense Force got them some new weapons or spares for the ones they had. Tsubaki had gotten the "First Oni Guard" equipped with sidearms in the form of the Zeliska Revolver. Apparently the Oni absolutely adored them... and could remember hearing her squee in pure joy when the first shipment of them came in as well as bullets (which he swore never to mention, though it had made the giant, muscular woman seem... adorable, somehow).

Add in that they had a singlestick baton with bumps also hanging at their side and made out of tungsten... he sort of pitied anyone who fought them.

Just as he was about to comment though, he noted everyone become silent, Yokai, magical human, and normal human soldier as an Osprey touched down. As the back was lowered, a woman walked out clad in an red Kimono and a sword at her side. Out of the corner of his eye, he noted Tsubaki and all the Oni, as well as other Yokai, pale and snap to attention. While he did not know who she was, he did much the same as she passed them before pausing.

For a few moments, he felt like a mouse in front of a tiger being sized up to see if it would make for a good meal or not.

But then, the woman gave a small smile at the Oni, "Ah, Lieutenant Doji, I have heard of the work that you and your group have done." She smiled softly, though there was something... disturbing... about it, "Keep up the good work, the Chrysanthemum Throne is pleased with the First Oni Guard."

She was about to move on when Itami cleared his throat and she turned to him. Despite wanting to wet his pants, he took a deep breath, "Ma'am? With all due respect, Commander Doji is a good soldier."

There was something in her eyes before she smiled, though this seemed warmer somehow. Turning, she bowed slightly towards a shocked Tsubaki, "My deepest apologies for getting your rank wrong, Commander. It is a well deserved one."

With that, she continued walking towards one of the Kyoto Aurors in charge of the magicals who seemed rather pale.

Confused about it, Itami turned and looked towards the Oni behind him with a question on his lips. One that died due to them looking at him in utter shock and surprise. Expressions that soon turned into measuring looks and ones filled with respect and interest... as well as what looked like lust in the case of the females such as Tsubaki?

Only shaking his head free of those thoughts as he was certain he could not be right, Itami cleared his throat, "So... any idea who that is? Because she's rather frightening."

For a few moments, Tsubaki stared at him before shaking her head, "That, Itami, was Masamune no Kotegiri, the Emperor's Sword. Or as she is right now... Oda Kotegiri."

Lost, the human Officer blinked, "As she is now?"

Slowly, one of the other Oni gave a rumble, "Aye... When she puts that Kimono on, she wants to make a statement, Itami-San. And that statement usually means that someone will die."

Tsubaki gave a nod as she had a far off look, "Back in 1945, Oda Kotegiri arrived at the small base we were stationed at. We had been returned to Japan to be ready for the probable invasion of the Home Islands when the Emperor surrendered after the atomic bombs. She came to our base and told the Commander, who was one of the oldest, meanest Oni you have ever seen... he was a survivor of my parents' band after all, that we were to lay down our arms as was the Emperor's Will. Unfortunately, he was high up in the Kamo Government as well and told her that he would not."

Glancing between the two, Itami coughed, "So... what happened next?"

All Tsubaki did was fix him with a look, "What happened next is that he should have washed his neck." Trailing one claw along her own throat, she continued, "Single stroke, too fast to be seen. Needless to say, we all know better than to cross her."

Not saying anything, the human considered that as he could almost feel a ghost of an pain in his neck. Scratching his neck though, he shrugged as he looked back at where Kote was talking to the rapidly nodding Auror, "Well, even if I knew that, I would have told her to use your proper rank." Turning, Itami gave a shrug, "It is only respectful."

Every Oni there could hear the truthfulness in that statement and once more, Itami found himself blinking in confusion at the looks he was getting from the Oni females...

It was shortly after when Kote made her way over to where Juuchi was watching the excavation work being done magically while various Yokai and human soldiers set up positions. While a group would be heading in, they had to prevent anything from also getting out. Raising an eyebrow at the Masamune, the Muramasa hummed some, "Interesting to see you here, Kotegiri. Though from what I heard from Honjo, you don't often wear your old Kimono. What seems to be the special occasion?"

Cocking an eyebrow at the other sword, Kote hummed a bit, "The Emperor has asked for a member of the Oda to answer the call. Thus I have done so."

Lightly chuckling, Juuchi smugly smiled a bit, "Is that true? Hm, very interesting." She got a bit of a glare from Kote, but it washed over her like water over a duck's back. Instead, the Muramasa scratched her chin in thought, "What are your thoughts on this?"

Head tilted to the side, the Masamune considered the question. After a few moments, she gave an answer which made Juuchi chuckle, "That perhaps his execution in Death Potion was much too easy for Kamo and his. And that when I made sure he could not run, I should have made it... slower."

With a small shrug, Juuchi hummed, "Perhaps. But then, such things never truly concerned me since my Masters have always not cared about such when needed."

About to answer, Kote paused for a moment at seeing something in Juuchi's eyes as they gazed at the landslide. There was a spark of worry and concern well hidden behind the mask of smugness. Something that made Kote internally nod, 'It seems... Honjo-Chan was correct when she explained such to me.'

Right then, their attention was grabbed as a Portkey deposted a motely group of Yokai and the like. A snarl on her lips as she tasted the atmosphere, Jin glared pure hate at the bunker as scales began to climb up her neck and her eyes wept black, toxic ichor. Beside her, Kogamaru was dressed as his ancestors had when going to war with Shisashikon at his side while the circling mirror that was the great shield, Kawaakari no Shinju-kyo hovered over his left arm and the stones of the Omotenashi no Magatama around his neck glowed.

Koga noticed Kote and jerked, but relaxed as she gave him a slight, approving nod before he headed off to join the others.

Besides Koga, Sarutobi was also there and armored with an expression on his face that might well have been carved from stone. He glanced at Kote, gave a slight nod of approval, and walked off alongside Chisuheri who gave her sister a slight nod as well. Jin's mother, Mary Maleficus was also there alongside a somewhat nervous Kisei who was also armoured up with a dragon hide vest and the like. More than a few gave the two MACUSA Aurors a look, but stopped when Jin gave them glares back.

Shortly after, both Musashi the Sword and Toku arrived, with the second heading over to talk with Tsukiakari and the other. Looking away from the conversation, Juuchi gave a slight nod of respect to Musashi, who returned it. Of course, when said Masamune came close, Juuchi spoke, "I do hope that you are not looking for a spar here, Musashi."

Laughing, Musashi smirked back at her, "Not today, no. Because today, we draw our true steel and test ourselves in our mastery of the Way."

Clad in her muscle cuirass, Goldie opened one eye and gave a nod, "Very well said, Umu. Perhaps at a later date, but today, we must seek out our Praetor and give him aid."

His lips curled into a slight bemused smile, Bill tipped his hat to the dual-wielding Masamune, "I hate to say it, Little Missy, but I'm afraid that when the day comes, I'll have to sit out." Thumb spinning his cylinder, he nodded, "Only one way for me to duel."

Just laughing, the Masamune shot him a grin, "A shame, though I suppose that you have your own form of the Way, as I have mine."

Bill just smiled and tipped his hat again in reply.

A snort made them turn as Norimune appeared from thin air with an Kyoto Auror holding onto her and Umitsubame, "Well now, it seems that the gang is all here." Glancing at where Kote was talking with one of the non-magical commanders, she raised an eyebrow, "Hmm..." Suddenly, she paused and looked towards Yokosuka, "What in the world...?"

For her part, Tsukiakari blinked and looked in the same direction, "I think that Hoppou is... quite angry. And the others as well."

It was only fifteen minutes that a Chinook touched down with Mikasa stepping out with a look of Command on her face that even Kote nodded at while most of the military personnel saluted her. Behind her, Nagato strode down the ramp of the helicopter as well as Naka and Harder with Jintsuu beside her. Maruyu also walked down the same ramp with Hoshi, Haru, Sakuya, and Natsumi's grandparents walking down, all of them dressed for war and with Kogitsune-maru. For once, said blade did not have any humour in their expression. Suisan, too, walked beside them with a dagger in her hands and teeth exposed in a snarl

What came down the ramp behind them made more than a few people stiffen though.

Mainly because Hoppou's eyes were glowing as she stepped forward, mittened hands clenched in rage. Behind her, Regina and her escorts also walked, the Re-Class' tail snarling in rage as Aeroprin glared daggers at the bunker.

And, finally, Sakura and Ume also stepped off the transport, and came to a stop beside Hoppou. Slowly, said Princess took off her mittens and everyone could feel another cloud of darkness push back that of the Orochi's. An aura joined a few moments later as the Twins' eyes glowed as well. Almost everyone swore that the auras in the bunker seemed to turn their attention to the three Installations, with them weathering the storm and glaring back at it.

When, finally, Honjo arrived, Juuchi looked at Norimune and smugly smirked, "Now, the gang's all here."

Right then was when a call went out and everyone turned towards the hillside, "WE'RE ABOUT TO BREACH THE BUNKER! EVERYONE INTO POSITIONS AND GET CLEAR OF FIRING ZONE!"

Everyone did so and waited just a few seconds before there was a series of explosions and the dirt blew away from the hole, revealing part of the entrance to the bunker inside which there was darkness. For a few moments, there was stillness until one pair of blue lights appeared. And then another... and another...

Slowly, Catherine opened her eyes and rose to her feet as her blade burned brightly, pushing back the oppressive aura of what was inside the bunker and burning away the darkness it touched. At the same time, her clothes burned away to glowing embers, revealing her clad in shining armour. Behind her, the cape she wore flapped in the wind as she glared at the location where the Last Potter was trapped and fighting for more than just his life.

It was only moments after when the first skeletal guard appeared and charged into the hail of bullets that met it, a second being practically vaporized from the waist up as one of the Oni unloaded their shotgun into it. One, a skeletal Oni itself, charged forward, only for Catherine to meet it partway, unheeding of any bullets. With a swipe of her blade, the giant undead was cut laterally and seemed to crack and break apart even as it fell until only ashes remained.

Around her, the others were also fighting various undead, Norimune and and Toku lashing out as the doves on their hilts glowed brightly. Juuchi, Kote, and Honjo becoming like a whirlwind of death and destruction as they tore through any that faced them while Amalie, Bill, and Big Iron fired at any undead that they could. The Revolver once blowing the head apart of one, his bullet richocheting against the skull of one and sending it into Tsukiakari's waiting blade, while said richochet blew out the knee of a third one, sending it toppling.

Vala charged forward, meeting blow with her shield that destroyed said weapons and limbs, her sword slicing through the undead as Dracul lashed out alongside Umitsubame, both spears back to back. The vampiric weapon laughing gaily as her true self drained even the unlife from the creatures, "Yes! Come at me more~ Let me feed until there's no more~"

For their parts, Andraste worked alongside Sabah, the shield turning aside any blow and smashing said foe aside while the Arabic blade would strike like a snake, poison eating away the guards and preventing regeneration. Not far away, Goldie had a sneer on her face as she slashed again and again, her blade preventing any of her fallen foes from regenerating though she gave a nod as Jin simply impaled herself on the sword of one guard, her deadly blood dissolving said weapon and the user while Shiromizu was a dervish with her own swords to give her Senpai an easier time to hit. Raising her blade, Goldie brought it down splitting a skull through the middle "FOR THE PRAETOR!"

The Chinese swords, Xing and Feng, were a whirl of destruction as they fought alongside Nightbane who was humming as he struck out again and again with his true form at the end of a rifle he had gotten from a JGSDF soldier, "A nice little tussel, this. Look alive, boys! Wave's nearly done!"

In her part of the fighting, Musashi fought not too far from Tsukiakari. Blocking two blows with both blades of her true self, the Masamune took a moment to take in the Kyu-Gunto taking out four with a minimum of moves, using her scabbard as well as her blade to do so, 'Such interesting people you know and have fought beside, Toku-Chan...' Grinning, she cleaved one of the two attacking her in half, the second joining it a moment later, 'I look forward to testing her on the Way.'

Slowly, they managed to destroy the first wave. Striding towards the bunker, Catherine didn't bother to block one skeletal guard that lunged at her with it's hands out as if to claw out her throat. Even as it came close, it touched her aura and broke apart into ash. Ignoring what happened, she pointed her sword at the bunker, "Come, we have little time to spare with such. May their souls finally find peace."

With nods, the other weapon spirits joined her as they entered the bunker. They were followed by the First Oni Guard, Itami's squad, the shipgirls and Abyssals, as well as Jin, the rest of the JNHRO there, Mary, Kisei, and a number of Aurors. All of them stepping into the dark abyss that was a shadow of the past to prevent it from clouding the future.

On a nearby hillside, Uzume ignored the drizzle that was coming down as she watched alongside Susanoo and Kushinada-hime, the two other Kami armoured for war. With a growl, the storm Kami turned to the fourth member, "You better be right that this will stop it."

Not bothering with her usual wolf, Amaterasu was also armed up for war, "It will, because I believe in them. Mortal or not, they are able to do so..."

 

[darthcourt10]

Kab2

At the same time that four Kamis were discussing about their faith in the little army that went into the bunker, a lonely figure reached its entrance:

"Sorry" said the only member of the Oni Guard that remained outside "But this area is off limits, you can't go inside"

"Even if I have pending matters with two of their guests?"said the figure.

"Oda Kotegiri-Sama's orders, she is taking care of this matter as well as Tsubaki-Sama"

"I see" said the woman visibly relaxing "I suppose I am late to the party, would you mind if I wait here in the case something tries to go out?"

"Make yourself at home, Doujigiri-Sama, we can wait together for their return at the same time we wait for anything that comes at us"

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Eyes closed, Rika was silent and still. Neither her ears or tails moved behind her and one could be forgiven for believing her to be a statue. About the only thing that moved, and that was barely, was her chest. Suddenly, she opened her eyes which glowed from within with power as she made a gesture, "Go."

Around her, the four undead Samurai stood and moved. Watching that, Kaku raised an eyebrow, "You do realize how creepy that is?" At the raised eyebrow, he shrugged and made a motion with his hand, "The whole controlling undead."

Once more closing her eyes, Rika snorted, "I'm a Nekomata."

Just shaking his head, Kaku turned to Asuka with a slight frown on his face. Like him the other clan heirs had all gotten some form of self-defence training. Or ones to hone their powers. Currently, he was never so thankful that he listened to his grandfather, the Tanuki Shukaku, and learned from him. It had come into handy more than once.

But Asuka...

He had honestly been amazed with how she had been holding herself up thus far. It had to be exhausting for her, just like it was for the rest. But she never had the training that they had. Still... the Tengu has kept up with them, fought alongside them, and shed blood. Quite literally as she had a bandage around one arm that was slowly turning red despite Usagi and Harry using healing magic on it.

Currently, the Tengu was still like Rika and had cocked her head to the side as if listening to something only she could hear. And, Kaku reminded himself, she likely could. Tengu were masters of the wind, Daitengu especially which Asuka was half of. More than once she had guided them through a corridor of the twisting, turning maze of tunnels, only to shout moments before they were attacked. And even during their fights, she would use her new war fan to send out bursts of wind to push foes off balance.

Asuka's eyes suddenly snapped open and she frowned as she looked back the way they changed, "Something is happening in the upper levels."

Expression one of concern, Usagi looked at her even as she tied the bandage around Ayaka's leg, "Good or bad? Because activity behind us might not be good if they're going to come around."

For several moments, the Tengu was silent before she smiled a bit, "I think... I think that it's the others! They're coming for us!"

All of the other non-reincarnated teens seemed relieved, except for Harry and Natsumi. For a moment, the wizard was thoughtful before grimacing, "We need to move and end this, now."

Confused, Ayaka looked between him and a nodding Natsumi, "Wait, what? But they're coming and we can wait to meet up with them."

However, the thirteen year old shook his head, "No, because now we're going to be running on a very rapidly descending countdown." At their looks of confusion, he took a deep breath, "Whoever is controlling the undead will send all of them against the others with a rear guard. But that is just delaying, because they will be using the time bought to release what is in here."

Frowning, Okita gave him a look, "Why do you say that, Harry-San?"

Lips pressed together thinly, he shook his head, "Because it is what I would do in their place." Seeing their shocked looks, he smiled coldly, "These things are like nuclear weapons. And the usual tactics would apply, you either use them or lose them. There is no between, and if they're spiteful enough? They've already started as soon as the breach happened." He motioned around them, "You can already feel the darkness increasing, that would be the Orochi. But I suspect that the others will have been released by this point. Which is why it is important to get there and put a stop to it."

Softly snorting, Nobu shook her head some, "You're right, Harry-San. And a very good catch as you are right, it would be a viable tactic. Like you, I would do it myself in a way putting myself into their position." With a grunt, she stood up and gestured down the corridor, "We have a last stretch. Rika-San, now far?"

Just about to answer, she brought her hand to her head and hissed, "Only a few hundred meters. Something... just destroyed the undead I was using."

With a sigh, Fudo stood up, "Well, I've come this far. Like Hell I'm going to let a bunch of brats show me up... I would never be able to look Toku-Chan in the face if one of you died because of me."

The others looked at each other before they steeled their expressions and rose. Chuckling, Kaku shrugged, "Well, we'd be bad friends if we let you do all the work."

With his lips twitching as the others nodded, Harry smiled back at them, "Thanks, you guys. When we get out of this, I'll make you a bunch of treats and share with you a cold butterbeer."

Even as he got acknowledgements, Uesugi raised an eyebrow, "Butterbeer?"

Simply snorting, Fudo shook her head, "A drink that magicals from Britain came up with. Only has a bit of alcohol in it, but... what the fuck? I'll take you up on that."

Quickly reapplying the purification abilities to their weapons, Harry took a deep breath, 'Once more into the breach...'

Nearly as one, the group moved slowly through the corridor until they came to an doorway before them that looked like it was it. Behind, they could just make out light coming from glowing crystal as they looked at each other. The teens outside the Reincarnated had the thought that if this was an anime, this would be when they would charge in and perform poses with their weapons in hand.

But as it was not, instead they crept into the room and their eyes widened at the large laboratory.

In front of them was a massive room with the odd metal table here and there. As well, along the odd wall, one could see cabinets as well as other doors. Each of them grimaced a bit at one door labeled "Crematorium Disposal", as it was obvious what it was supposed to be for. However, it was what was along another wall that caught their attention as there were a series of tubes that stretched from floor to ceiling. Within said tubes was a glowing, green fluid with bones floating in them.

That said, it was the three forms in front of the tubes that really caught their attention. One of them spoke a bit, "Ah, so you have finally arrived. And with the material that is needed for completion."

Rika narrowed her eyes as she took a sniff, "You're dead..." She looked at the other two and her expression shifted to one of shock, "All of you are dead. But how...? Why...?"

One of them turned and regarded her coolly, as if she was barely worth the consideration, "We are simply obeying our orders. There is nothing more to it than that."

Another one darkly chuckled, "Oh, I don't know, in my case there is." He leered at Nobunaga and grinned somehow, "After all, I have been given a gift! Though I am surprised that you are a woman." Tilting his head, he gave a small shrug, "Or perhaps not. There was always something about you that was weak. You gave in far too easily to your emotions and were obviously too flighty to be a true leader."

Gripping the sword in her hand, the former "Unifier of Japan" tightened her grip hard enough that the hilt seemed to creak in her grasp, 'There is something that pisses me off about him... but what...?'

Beside her, Uesugi's eyes widened as she caught sight of a iron fan that hung at the side of one of the only one of the three undead that had not spoken. Her face paled and she trembled a little. Spotting that, Usagi whispered to her, "Uesugi-Chan? Are you alright?"

However, it was not fear that made Uesugi pale... but rather rage that she now felt bubbling in her blood. Looking the calm, silent spectre in the eyes, her voice barely rose above a whisper, but all of them heard it as tears gathered at the corner of her eyes, "Takeda-San... what did they do to you...?"

There was no anger, no hate, just respect in the flame that rested in Takeda Shingen's eyesockets, "Kenshin-San, it is good to see you once more." Gazing at his armoured hand, he gave a small sigh, "As to what they have done? They have brought me back as it were, I suppose. While they promised to bring me back fully, as you have been, I never did believe that it would happen."

Voice made of iron, Uesugi looked upon her old rival and despaired for him, "Why... why are you trying to bring about such evil...? The man I knew, you, would have never done such a thing."

Within his eyes was a sort of sadness, "Our will is no longer our own, I suppose. It binds us with what we want, perhaps twisting it, but my reasoning is different than the other two, my old friend. All I wanted..." Bringing out his fan, he snapped it open with the light glinting off the edges of the blades at the end of the ribs, "Has always been to face you once more in honourable combat upon the field of battle. To settle as was our way, once and for all."

Okita, for her part said nothing as she kept her gaze met that of the second one who had spoken. He regarded with some warmth and she took on various things. His voice, the rotten clothing that was the uniform of the Shinsengumi, and, finally, the metallic wires that wround around the spinal column where she could see glowing cracks. She did not want to admit it, but she knew who he was... "Hijikata-Senpai..."

The skeletal form of Hijikata Toshizo simply bowed his head a little, "Okita-Kun. It is good to see that you are in fine health still, though I am surprised at your current... state of being, I suppose. But then, was not some of the female Yokai strong? As was warriors such as Tomoe Gozen? I would think that it would not affect you much." He gave a slight nod, "Will you not join us, Okita-Kun? To bear out our oaths once more and protect Japan? The foreigners have infested our great land." He glanced at Harry, who glared back, "Sullying our land and traditions. Giving rise to the beliefs of those who fouled our land. It is because of the foreigners and the fall of the Tokugawa that such as this..." He gestured around them, "Happened. We shall enforce the original order we were given by our lord, by the Shogun with what is here. And then... raise the Tokugawa back to their proper position."

Close by, Fudo's hands shook as she listened to the words. It was only partially because of shock, and also with anger... Especially a few moments later when he turned to her, "What? Are you going to ask me the same thing?!"

Despite the fact that his face was that of a skull, the former Commander of the Shinsengumi seemed to smile, "Would you not as well, Masamune no Fudo My'oo? I know of you, met you, who fought and shed blood alongside myself and my men during the Boshin War. You agreed with Kamo and his ilk, but I know you. You only did so because it was the way you saw to bring back honour to our country."

The Masamune winced at the looks of shock on the faces of the teens as well as unsure expressions with some betrayal mixed in. Yes, she had once spoke out for them, that was true. But... but she had come to see the folly of her beliefs. And after this entire incident... it hammered home how wrong she was.

She was about to say something in her defense, as hollow as it would, when someone else did, "Oh, shut up why don't you? Honestly!" Everyone turned to Harry as he shook his head with a look of disbelief on his face, "Seriously? You're going for one of the oldest tricks in the evil villain handbook? Declaring that one of the heroes once followed you or had a dark secret and use it to put a wedge in the group! Bloody hell, you're scraping the barrel!"

The lights faded and came back as Hijikata stared at him, "I... What?"

Crossing his arms, Harry gave him a look, "Okay, look, Fudo-San here? If you're right, then she did it back in World War Two. And guess what? People change and learn from their mistakes, Mr Bones. If she was the type of person that you are suggesting, she would have turned her back on us a damn long time ago. Also?" Looking at Fudo, the wizard grinned, "There's an old English poem... 'For he who sheds blood with me on this day, shall be my brother.'" Pausing, he gave a shrug, "Or sister, as the case may be. Point remains, we trust her."

His little speech, as adhock as it was, still caused the others to straighten their backs. For a few moments, Fudo looked at Harry before turning back to the lost seeming Hijikata, "I'm afraid that I have changed, Hijikata-San. So I will not be taking your offer."

For her part, Okita shook her head as she placed her hand on her sword, "Much the same for me, Hijikata-Senpai. We swore to uphold the laws of Japan and to protect her people from any threats. You wish to unleash the threats here upon the innocent. Upon my honour as a Shinsengumi, I cannot allow for this. And if you believe otherwise..." Her gaze became hard as the steel of her sword, "Consider this my resignation."

Flames in his eyes growing small, the undead Shinsengumi gave her a look, "You realize the punishment for desertion..." Getting a nod, he placed his own hand onto his sword, "Very well."

The final guard just snorted and looked at the others, "Don't expect my reasons to be complicated. I willingly am doing this because Kamo gave me the chance for my revenge against all of Japan." He turned to Nobu, and somehow, she knew he was sneering at her, "To see the Japan you helped build be burned to the ground and all those of your blood be put to the sword as should have been. They cast me as a villain for doing what must be done..." The flames in his eyes burned brighter with hate, "For the enemy is at Honnō-ji!"

It took only moments for the former head of the Oda Clan to put it together. And when he managed to figure it out, his expression became one of pure hate and rage, "MITSUHIDE!" At the laugher from the how revealed Akechi Mitsuhide, Nobu snarled before pausing. Moments later, she was once more calm, "Heh... almost made me lose it. But then, you were always a disobedient dog, weren't you? Pissing and shitting on the Tatami mats without care. But unlike then... the quality and quantity both favour me. Here and above."

Now, if she expected anything from her former subordinate, it was anger. And it was there, along with hate, though it was more rage than anger. What she did not expect him to do was laugh and snap his fingers. From inside a doorway, a large form strode form followed by another. It was a skeleton clad in what had to be tank-grade armour styled like a Samurai's. Ghostly mist came from it's mouth and the eyes glowed malevolently as it strode forward, "Not quite, my old Lord. For unfortunately for them, our Elite Guard Will step forth and deal with some of them. Behold, the answer that Kamo-Dono's researchers came up with to the question of Grindelwald's Grendel."

About to comment, Nobu noticed Rika freeze and pale. Which told her there was more to this than a big skeleton, "Rika-San... What is it that you sense?"

What she had not expected was for the Nekomata to give a nearly hysterical giggle, "T-there's more than one soul in there! I-in fact there's a dozen at least!"

Takeda sighed and nodded, "Yes, in fact there is sixteen. Their remains ground up and mixed to form paste that would be shaped into the bones of the beings in front of you. Their souls than bound to the creations powered by their grudges with it having their collective skills. A horrific, deprived thing to create."

Harry and Natsumi both paled with the Kitsune looking like she might puke, "Oh dear Kami... Gashadokuro... they found a way to mass produce Gashadokuro in a smaller size..."

Darkly chuckling, Mitsuhide nodded, "Yes. And even as we speak, they are engaging the interlopers. There will be no interruptions for our business. Oh! And by the way, Nobunaga-Dono perhaps you should greet my personal Elite Guard..." Reaching out, he patted the one in question, "Your sons, Nobutada, Nobuhide, and your old friend, Ranmaru."

For several moments there was utter stillness and silence. As if the world had held its breath, just waiting... and then, Nobu erupted with white hot rage as she charged at Mitsuhide who drew his own sword, "MITSUHIDE!"

All the spectre did was laugh gaily as his sword clashed against his former lord's. Meanwhile, both Uesugi and Okita charged their own opponents while the other teens, Carnwennan, and Fudo dodged the attacking Gashadokuro. The two weapon spirits went one way, most of the teens another with Harry and Natsumi rolling along the ground and behind some of the metal examination tables. The Kitsune and wizard were about to start supporting their friends when they felt the hairs on their necks prickle. Reacting due to instincts from the "Lessons" from Hoshi, the two dodged a burst of fire that exploded against the metal and twisted to find a horse sized fox facing them... except instead of eyes, there was just black holes with a small flame in them. More than that, they spotted how the fox's skin hung off the frame it had and it took only moments for them to realize who and what they were facing before it spoke as it fixated on Natsumi, "MaKE uS WhoLe OnCE mOre..."

And then it leapt at them.

Fudo, meanwhile, was rushing for the teens who were facing one of the Gashadokuro as Carnwennan went after his own when movement out of the corner of her eye caused her to duck. And just in time as one of the heavy, metal tables passed through the space her head had been occupying just moments before. Looking back, she winced as it impacted the concrete hard enough to pulverize it. With a shudder, she turned to where it had come from and froze.

Mainly because standing roughly eight feet tall and nearly four feet wide in the rib cage, was a skeleton. Before her eyes, Fudo watched as another skeleton was absorbed, weakly fighting back only to still. And with cracking sounds, the skull and neck moved up to sit beside two others, one of which had become draconic and a second following. Before her eyes, the third skull began to reshape itself as three tails lashed behind the monstrosity and, from the feel, she knew what it was...

The Orochi, reborn.

Grimacing as she noticed that what looked like tendons began to form on the skeleton, as well as the bare hint of ligaments, Fudo took a deep breath, 'When I said that I wished for a day to be a hero... this was not what I meant.'

It was then that the image of Fudo My'oo on her true self and on her back shone as she channeled her power into it. Right before she charged at the monstrous shadow of the past.

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A Chat Between Parents

Castle Of Eight Banners, Takamagahara

22 June 2014
Spoiler: Final Preparations

The ink brush lifted from the rice paper, leaving behind the writer's signature and titles written in perfect kanji in vermillion ink. The writer placed his brush aside, folded the letters into origami cherry blossoms, and then sealed the written notes with His personal chop.

His attention shifted to the blond headed young woman dressed in a white ruffled silk shirt, red leather breeches, and black riding boots with a rapier at her belt standing at attention across from his writing table. She was waiting patiently next to a young man with a light brown pencil mustache and hair tied in a braided pigtail with a green silk ribbon likewise dressed in 17th Century French traveling gear. He tapped the note in front of the young woman. "This one goes to the All-Father or to His regent if he is absent."

Julie d'Aubigny curtsied in response. "Understood, sir!" Her beautiful contralto voice was filled with eagerness for the mission being given to her.

Hachiman nodded, and then turned to Jean-François du Chasteler and tapped the other message. "This to the Sky Father or his regent if absent."

Jean-François bowed just as he had to the Empress of Austria as she awarded him the title of nobility that his favorite child now bore. "At your command, Sire." His own baritone was filled with determination to perform the appointed task with honor and loyalty.

A pair of wood pigeons landed on the windowsill and cooed. Hachiman gave a satisfied smile at the message in their voices. "Tokunotakai has returned to My shrine. Good. Watch over her until the time comes for My Blades to be called upon to defend Japan. I shall arrange matters so her elder sister is available there too. Miyamoto asked for his prize pupil to have her understanding of herself and the Way to be put to the test in the battle that is to come."

Hachiman turned to the two spirits and spoke in a voice of battlefield command. "Now go. Time is becoming short before stones shall be removed from the board."

The two spirits picked up the folded messages and walked down the corridor from Hachiman's office. Julie spoke softly, "I do not know whether to be worried or to be happy that my daughter and grandchildren are not called upon for the coming battle. Verdun was terrible and I died inside as I watched Nori, Colombe, Ehren, and Ying fight their way through their foes." Her voice became contemplative and sad as they reached the stairs and began to descend. "I rode through the valley of the Meuse in springtime as a young woman. To see it turned into that was painful."

Jean-François placed a gloved hand on her shoulder and squeezed. "But they made it through. I confess I had equal concern for my favorite daughter and her children, along with no small measure of pride in them -- all four of them -- afterward for how they handled the Mill. Ma petit poissin is such a good parent for them. Although," he chuckled and shook his head as he remembered an eight-year old Colombe covered in mud and leaves from a failed attempt to pick the first apple from the tree for him when she should have been at deportment lessons, "I would never have believed it when she was growing up. So wild, so reckless, so much of a handful, and yet she did it all to try to prove herself to me, to imitate me. I do not deserve a daughter such as her, truly."

Julie gave him a warm smile, "And she would say that she did not deserve a Papa such as you to take her in to your house and then your heart, you know. She is Nori's child with me, but there is so much of you in her too. As there should be for a young dove looking up to the Poupou who taught her how to spread her wings to soar one day."

Jean-François laughed. "A touch, a veritable touch, Julie! Your wit is as swift and sharp as your blade. And I suppose that is why you get the Norse and I get the Greeks."

Julie's hand gently caressed the well worn hilt of her rapier. "They have come to see me as a warrior and a skald, so protected by guest-right when I come from a neutral Court. Although I shall no doubt draw steel for a friendly spar or three to relieve tension." Her voice became hushed as she continued, "I just hope that Norimune survives, for my daughter's sake. Even though I would be with Nori again, her death would break our child's heart since she has sought so long and so hard for acceptance from her parents. Tokunotakai too, for she completes Colombe in so many ways. Losing them would damage her so badly and she does not deserve the pain."

Jean-François rubbed his chin and stroked his pencil mustache. "As do I. I have faith that Norimune and Tokunotakai will excel when they are called upon to stand against the coming darkness. Then," his voice became solemn as they reached the courtyard where the stables were, "what must be shall be. There are worse fates than to fall in battle against a great evil in the company of your family of blood and fellowship. Even though it would wound Colombe greatly, she accepts that since she walks the same path, knowing what awaits her at the end one day too. She would eventually accept that they had no other choice but to sacrifice themselves to save those who they love."

Julie nodded as she sighed as their kirin mounts were led out for them. "I know. It still is not easy; I saw that after I died. What that did to Nori...." She trailed off and shook her head sadly before visibly perking up. "Still! We have our orders, and the other Courts do need to know what is stirring in Japan so they do not misconstrue events as a deliberate breach of the Accords if the worst happens."

With that she leapt flat-footed into the saddle of the dragon headed and scaled with deer antlers and hooves mythological beast from Asian myth. "Last one back home buys the first round!" Her cocky smug smirk was identical to that of her daughter as her favorite steed reared and kicked the air.

Jean-François mounted in turn. "You're on!" He shouted over the roar of the celestial flames enveloping his steed's body and hooves. As their steeds rocketed into the air and began to fly like paired comets toward Asgard and Olympus, the First Marquess of Moulbaix and Chasteler laughed. "That's the woman I fell for in my life. And that's the daughter I loved all over again, seeing in her the life that attracted me to you, Julie. Like a moth to the candle flame, I was. But you, you both burn so brightly against the darkness."

 

[darthcourt10]

lt_agn02

A/N: Screw it, I'm posting this. I need to get my mind off finals anyway.

Machete in hand, Thomas Cruz cleared away the vegetation in front of him. Occasionally, he checked the map he had on his person. This time around, he scratched his head at what he saw.

The standard map given to him by his Auror superiors was blank.

If it was working normally, then there was supposed to be at least a small "X" on it, indicating an individual ward of a magical community. Or a perimeter marking the boundary between the magical community and the NoMaj world.

However, the so-called "map" displayed literally nothing. No path, no mountain, not even a shoreline. It was as useless as, well, an old piece of blank paper.

Maybe taking this assignment in Hawaii was a bad idea after all.

It was supposed to be a simple letter delivery! How the heck did he end up in a God-forsaken location in the Wild West of the ICW?



"I'm sure you're aware of Hawaii's status in the ICW, correct?" his superior officer asked.

"I'm aware that we get a lot of alerts from there regarding their magical creatures and wizards," he responded. "If I recall correctly, because of the difficulty of policing it, we are having the state's magical government deal with it."

"Putting pressure on them, anyway. But that's the issue," he responded. "We recently received word from Senator Graham of Hawaii's magical government that there is a possibility that there is a relatively unknown entity acting on its own accord." He handed Cruz a sealed letter. "Because of the Abyssals, they're unable to take direct action against them. Honestly? I don't blame them. If I was a starving NoMaj and my neighbor came by with excess fruit from their trees, I wouldn't complain either. But the fact that Hawaii survived a two year siege is going to raise eyebrows."

"Shall I get the portkey and an Auror unit ready?"

The director waved him off. "No need for that. It's too late to punish people and if we were to take any sort of overt action, we'd be in over our heads. Don't forget: the deities are very...protective of their territory. I am not letting one of my good men get thrown to the sharks because they pissed off the wrong deity."

Cruz gulped.

"Now then, that aside, I burned a few favors for some information. Do not let it go to waste, okay?" The man handed the Auror a notebook with a few directions on it along with a map. "My sources tell me that what the Hawaii senator says might not be too far off. There are people that go missing while hiking and we have strong suspicions that there might be Native Hawaiian wizards at work. Take the letter to their leader or whoever is the highest authority figure there. If we were to keep the Statute of Secrecy intact at least a little while longer, we need to at least wrangle their cooperation."

"Understood, sir."



That was what he said back at the office, but now was a different story. Finding a rock to rest on, he pulled out his water jug and his wand. At the very least, he should replenish his water supply.

"Aquari."

It was a simple spell he learned as a youth. A steady stream of water flowed from his wand to his water jug.

At least, that was supposed to happen. He shook his wand and chanted the spell again. Still nothing. Again and again, he chanted, but nothing came of it. Even in a fit of rage, he tried burning the now-useless map with an angry "Incindio!"

Yet the map still sat uselessly on the log waiting for him to collect it and put it back in his pocket.

He groaned as he sat back down on the rock. No magic. No food. No water. The map was useless. It's approaching nightfall.

Some simple assignment this was.

Groaning, he collected his gear and stuffed them into his backpack as best he could. With magic disappeared to God knows where, he had no hope of being able to retrieve his tent before dark.

That was when he noticed the array of shadows in front of him.

Turning around, he found no less than seven men with spears. Like a well-oiled machine, they all brandished their weapons and pointed them at Cruz's throat.

"Uh...fellas? You're not here with a tent, are you?"

Suddenly, his vision went dark as the bag was placed over his head.

By the time he regained consciousness, there were already stars shining in the night sky. He scrambled to his feet, only to be forced into a bowing position with his head almost kissing the ground in front of him.

"Do not lay eyes on the chief," a voice beside him said. "Do so, and you will die."

A whimper escaped his mouth. Nobody said anything about dying!

Another voice, one the Auror could discern as the chief among them, spoke up. "Thank you for bringing him here. Now then, outsider, you are dressed very oddly for a simple hike, aren't you? From the look of your clothes, I assume you may be an Auror from the mainland. I see I was not wrong in declaring magic as kapu during council meetings."

"K-Kapu?"

The chief rested on his spear, yet maintained a regal presence. "Kapu. Forbidden. You cannot use magic of any sort within the perimeter.. Every single person here is no different than a common NoMaj. But I suppose you have a reason you're here, are you not? You wouldn't have wandered this far within the hu'a kapu otherwise."

"I-I bring a message...from MACUSA," Cruz stated, trying to be as calm as possible. Slowly, he fished the letter out of his pocket and placed it on the ground in front of him.

The ali'i looked down at the kowtowing Auror and grimaced. Using a feather quill from a mynah bird tail, he wrote a curt reply to the letter and handed it back to the Auror.

"I refuse," he stated. "We have no reason to ally ourselves with you."

"If I may ask, why?" The man could just feel one of the guards lowering a spear to his neck. "...S-Sir?"

"Your superiors seek cooperation and mutual respect. If you truly wish to work with us, you must show yourselves worthy of respect. However, you have done nothing to deserve it and everything to lose it." The man returned to his seat. "As it stands, if the NoMaj government were to declare war on MACUSA, then we shall ensure that you die by their shells or our spears."

"Please, sir," begged Cruz. "We suspect the Statute of Secrecy may be on the verge of collapse. We only need your help to give us time to establish some sort of transition period."

The chief glared at him. "And force us to stop assisting those in need? To leave the Kama'aina to die from hunger?"

"I-I'm not saying that specifically...working with the State magical…"

The sound of a speer striking stone made the Auror clench both his jaw and his sphincter.

"I want nothing to do with MACUSA's puppet government," the chief replied. "They give us nothing, not even a voice. Therefore, we owe them nothing. We only do what we must to make sure our own magical traditions survive." He looked down at the Auror. "And do not speak of the bullshit that is Huna. It is as Hawaiian as pineapple pizza."

"Pineapple...Hold on, how do you know about that?!"

The chief crossed his arms. "If you honestly believe we continue to hole up in this dead magic zone for decades on end, we have a bridge to sell you. We are just a part of society as any Kama'aina on these lands." From where he knelt, Cruz could see the faintest hint of a smirk on the chief's face. "Tell me, Auror, do you have wifi?"

"What is…'wifi'?"

At that, he heard a small outburst of chuckling from the spearmen around him.

"And MACUSA calls us the backwards ones. After MACUSA got involved in the overthrow of the kingdom, we had nowhere to go. We had no reservations like Native Americans had. So we integrated into NoMaj society. We improvised. We adapted. We overcame. And now, after everything MACUSA has put us through, you have the audacity to come here, hat in hand, asking us for help? Tell your superiors this: If they sincerely want our cooperation to keep their own heads attached to their necks, then bring back to life every single man, woman, and child they unjustly executed for simply opposing the overthrow of our queen. Without turning them into undead!"

"That's impossible!!" the prostrated man shouted as best he could.

"And there you have our answer," the ali'i stated calmly. "As much as I prefer to avoid pressing personal matters, MACUSA killed my father. If your people somehow get it into your heads to use force, then we shall assume it is a declaration of war and respond accordingly. NOW BEGONE FROM MY SIGHT!"

Thomas Cruz felt the bag slip over his head again and everything went to black once more.

When he awoke, the sun had already risen. The response to the letter was clasped in his hands. As much as he wanted to investigate further, he dusted himself off and ran downhill. The sooner he delivered the letter and got the hell out of Hawaii, the better.

'I'm never coming to Hawaii for work again!' he grumbled.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Crouching some, Itami had the stock of his own rifle against his shoulder as his group and the First Oni Guard cleared one of the corridors. When a corner came up, he made some hand signals and whipped around it, rifle firing at one of the skeletal guards and riddling it with holes. A second had its upper portion cease to exist as Tsubaki fires her shotgun at it. With both destroyed, the two motioned for their subordinates to move down the corridor with both directions. Taking a moment, Itami moved his earbud and wiggled his finger in his ear, "Damn, those shotguns are loud."

Amused, Tsubaki looked at him with a smirk on her face, "Why do you think that we call them the Raijin Shotgun? They bring the thunder and are for Oni." Shifting a bit, she frowned, "This place is giving me the creeps though. And right now..."

Slowly, the human beside her nodded, "Feels like a storm has been building up and is about to break." Hearing shouting come over the radio as well down one of the corridors, Itami groaned, "And here comes the shoe."

Rifle held to his shoulder, he aimed down the corridor as gunfire erupted and waited. Of all things he did not expect, it was for both the Oni and human shoulder to looked panicked...

Nor was it for the massive nearly twelve foot tall skeleton clad in what looked like Samurai armour to come striding out behind them with what looked like a cleaver sized for it in one hand.

Beside him, Tsubaki boggled a bit, "What the fuck-"

Even before she finished the sentence, they were rushing towards the fight as were those around them. Of the two fleeing the skeleton, the human was faster and, as the Oni turned, it was met by the fist of the monstrosity impacting his head and sending him skidding along the dirty floor about a dozen feet. Noticing that the Oni was stunned and barely moving, the human soldier turned and got between him and the giant skeleton, firing his rifle to buy time for another Oni to grab the downed one. Instead of the armoured body though, the human aimed for the skull and was rewarded as it stumbled back a step.

It was not to last as the stunned Oni finally was dragged enough away as he recovered to see the skeleton move and seemingly blur until it was feet away from the human as it raised it's weapon. Already knowing he was about to die, said human raised his rifle to block... Only for the cleaver to cut through it, and cut him in half from shoulder to hip.

Eyes wide, Itami shouted at seeing the man die in front of him as blood gushed from the man's corpse, "Bakuda!"

Meanwhile, seeing a human sacrifice his life for one of their own sent the Oni into a rage as they charged and fired. The sheer amount of firepower hitting the giant skeleton made it stumble back several feet as sparks flew from impacts against the armour. Those slugs that hit the face splintered bone and sent small splinters flying...

Yet it did not fall.

Rather, it weathered the bullets striking it. Even as some of the other human soldiers fired grenades at it, all that did was make it stumble. Then, the firepower slackened as Tsubaki got into range and brought up her cut down tatsubo before smashing it into the monster's helm with a roar. In reply, it brought it's cleaver around and was blocked by the daughter of Shuten Douji. Sparks flew as the two fought, the Oni driving it back through sheer strength. A head butt from the monster caused her head to ring, while a punch from her knocked the helm off before she brought at club around and smashed it into said exposed skull, staggering it.

Gritting his teeth, Itami noticed that the two were evenly matched before he noticed something at Bakuda's corpse before grabbing some tape from his belt, "Bakuda... you magnificent bastard... never listening to me."

Down the hallway, Tsubaki stumbled as her head rang like a bell from a punch to it. She still managed to block the cleaver going for her throat though with her club, only for it to get knocked out of her hand. Next thing she felt was the monster skeleton's hand grip her throat and smash her her first into the concrete ceiling hard enough to crack said material and making her black out for a second. That was, until the pain of being slammed into the wall and leaving in an imprint brought her back to consciousness. Moments later, she was flying down the hallway and hit the ground hard as the creature crouched even as some of the others took potshots... before there was shouting.

To her stunned amazement, something in green leapt onto the back of the creature as it moved only for it to resolve into the form of Itami hanging on for dear life as the skeleton thrashed. He shoved something into the chest of the monster through the hole behind the first rib. Unfortunately, that was when the skeleton managed to grab him and toss him, "Itami!"

For Itami, when he slammed into the wall, his world exploded into pure pain and agony. He could feel something give way in his side and taste copper on his mouth as the breath was driven from his lungs. As well, he could feel his arm practically shatter from the impact... yet, despite that, he was smiling through bloody teeth. Raising his hand, he revealed a wire tied around a metal hoop, "Go back to Yomi... you son of a bitch..."

Inside the miniature Gashadokuro, the grenade went off... as did the claymore mine it was taped to.

Even through the hearing protection they wore, the explosion was loud. Contained by the armour, the effects were boosted as the grenade and C4 of the mine shattered bone and rent armour. Following the paths of weakness, the explosion ripped down both legs and arms, with the metal pellets going in the one direction they could as they richochet inside the steel drum that was the chest cavity.

And that was up and out of the neck, practically shattering the skull.

Yet, despite all the damage, it still did not fall and swayed in place as it stumbled a bit into the wall. Snarling around the blood that dropped from her forehead, Tsubaki grabbed her sidearm and brought it up, "HANDGUNS! KILL THAT FUCKER!"

Moments later, she fired and was joined by the other Oni as the .600 nitro slugs slammed into the monster, punching through the weakened armour. The JGSDF soldiers added their own rifles to the firepower brought to bear. Even as tough as it was, the miniature Gashadokuro slid down the wall, no one letting out firing on it until it collapsed.

But even then, the Oni brought out their clubs and hammered it until nothing remained but broken splinters of bone.

Hissing, Tsubaki glanced at a groaning Itami and stumbled to her feet. By the time she reached him, one of the human medics as well as an hannya medic were already there and doing their best to heal him, "How bad?"

Barely glancing at her, the hannya shook her head, "Shattered his arm, broke three ribs... maybe some spinal damage. Going to stabilize him and have one of the guys get him out on a shield to limit the damage as well as..."

She glanced towards Bakuda who laid in a pool of his blood. Slowly, Tsubaki nodded, "He will be honoured for what he did... you have my word."

Moments later, she watched as the Oni that Bakuda had saved walked up to his corpse. For a few seconds, he stared down at it before taking off one of his armoured gloves and dipping his fingers into the cooling blood. Then, he clenched his fists tightly until his claws punctured the touch skin of his palms, the blood mixing with Bakuda's, "You saved me, Bakuda-San. From this day, you are my Nii-San. May Fuujin-Sama's wind carry you to the heavens and Raijin-Sama's thunder herald your arrival as is right."

Then, he slammed his fist against his chest armour and bowed to the dead human, followed by the other Oni.

Watching that, Itami closed his eyes before coughing up some blood, "Thank you." Hearing the Oni nodded but stayed silent. Reaching over, he grasped Tsubaki's arm, "Commander Tsubaki... take care of my boys and girls."

Smiling, Tsubaki nodded some even as she watched Itami get slowly moved into a shield that two of the Oni grabbed to head back to the entrance. She then grasped his hand in hers, "Hai, you can be certain of that. Because they're one of us, if not in the form they should be."

All Itami did was nod and lay back as he began to be carried away. Though he found his lips twitching a bit as the Oni declared that he had to come drinking with them.

In another part of the complex, one of the Gashadokuro silently screamed as a ribbon of black fire wrapped itself around its knees, burning through them. Even as it lifted itself up onto its hands to crawl forward, there was a shout of "Fire in the hole!" Moments later, a one inch shell slammed into the skeletal being's face and shattered it, milliseconds later blowing out where it's crotch had been. Of course, no one took any chances and seconds later, several grenades hit it, destroying it still further.

With a sigh of relief as it no longer moved, one of the JSDF Special Forces lowered his gun before looking at the American witch beside him. The woman wore a hood that coveted most of her face and was lowering her own wand. And wasn't that something to say? Granted, in any other case her age would have been an issue as she looked like an old woman. But... Witches, who knew?

Instead, he focused on what had just attacked them... and the partially transformed Jin as she slugged it out with another one of the giant skeletons with a roar. Over the radio, he heard that a third had just been dispatched by the man with that floating shield, Kogamaru, as well as Sarutobi and Haru, though not without injuries. Pointing at the monster, he narrowed his eyes as he glanced between Mary and a still panting Kisei, "What the fuck was that?!"

Lost, Kisei shook her head in disbelief at what she saw, "I... don't know. Some kind of larger animated skeleton? Maybe an Oni? There wasn't anything like this in MIB records!"

Just snorting, Mary shook her head with a scowl, "And you wouldn't find them unless you have clearance." As everyone looked at her, she gestured at it, "Fought two of these on Okinawa and they're a bitch to bring down. Some sort of downsized version of the Gashadokuro that Kamo wanted to mass produce."

For several moments no one said a thing before another of the SpecOps cursed behind his bandana face mask, "Are you telling me... that these are some sort of Mini-Gashadokuro?! What the loving fuck was wrong with that bunch?!"

All the witch did was shrug with a small frown on her face, "You tell me?" Looking over at Jin, who had just killed her opponent, Mary clenched her hand, "But there is a lot more here... and those kids are in the thick of it."
____________________________________________________

If it could have, the miniature Gashadokuro would have growled as various scalpels, enhanced through wind magic, impacted it in the face, cutting off small bits of bone... and a few getting stuck in the nose hole and eye sockets.

Ducking under a thrown table, Usagi blinked before looking at Asuka who had flown above the object, "Well... it doesn't seem to be working."

Scowl on her face, the Tengu gave her a look, "No, really? I thought that it working well."

Rolling over a table, Kaku looked over at them with a shrug, "Well... Ground types are weak against flying... I think?"

Usagi's wars twitched a bit before she jumped back and over another thrown table, "Wouldn't a Gashadokuro be a ghost type though? Maybe earth as a secondary?"

Eyebrow twitching, Asuka gave them both a look before picking up more scalpels and throwing them with the same result as before, "I'm not a Pokémon!"

With a shrug, the Tanuki shook his head, "Same thing?" Flinching at the glare, he turned towards Rika, "Hey! Rika-Chan! What can you tell us?!"

On all fours, she slid along the floor and glanced at them, "Gashadokuro are made up of multiple souls and grudges. Hundreds of them... but these aren't. We're doing damage to it, but... it will take time to do so as each but whittles a bit more away from it."

Asuka could feel the burn in her limbs as she redirected one of the thrown debris away from them a bit. It was... becoming exhausting and she had no idea how much longer she could keep up, "Couldn't you, I don't know, take control?"

Glancing at her, the Nekomata snorted some, "I wish, would make all of this easier. No... I got my limits. Maybe one of my parents could pull it off. But me? Not a chance." Reaching towards it, she focused and twisted her hand. At the same time, the Gashadokuro stumbled as it was about to swipe at Ayaka, "The best that I can do is this. Make it stumble, hesitate, that sort of thing."

Gripping her Tanto, Usagi took a deep breath before nodding, "Hai, that will have to be good enough." Out of the corner of her eye, she watched as Fudo traced a glowing slice across the Orochi's chest, the bone glowing red in the path as it stumbled back with a roar... and already it was beginning to regenerate. But what concerned her was another battle, "Natsumi-Chan... Harry-Chan... keep safe."

And with that, they charged back in to fight.

Elsewhere, one could hear the clashing of steel against steel as Okita and Hijikata fought back and forth. Sword meeting sword, sparks flew as the reincarnated teen looked into the hollow, flame filled eye sockets of her former comrade, "Why, Senpai? Why are are you doing this?!" Sword lashing out again, more sparks flew, "Why threaten Japan?!"

The skeletal Shinsengumi tilted his head as the two disengaged, "For a very good reason, Okita-Kun. I have my orders, and that is all there is to it. As well..." Once more, sparks flew as they met, "This Japan is rotten to the core, diseased due to foreign influence. Does not the wildfire purify the forest? Does it not destroy the sickly, the dead and rotting? It is a cleansing thing, one that will allow for Japan to once more grow properly, this time. Do you not understand?"

His only answer was receiving another slash as they fought back and forth. With those of their skill, they were evenly matched with their different body types. Okita being smaller and somewhat weaker and Hijikata not feeling tired. It would come down to who made the first mistake as steel flashed and swords clashed.

Iron war fan deflected sword as Uesugi and Takeda danced one of death in their corner of the laboratory. With a slight nod, the skeletal form of the rival warlord nodded, "You have improved your technique, Uesugi-Kun. It is most impressive."

With a slight nod, Uesugi smiled thinly, "Thank you, Takeda-Kun. I will give full acknowledgement to Okita-Chan and Nobu-Chan. Both of them keep me on my toes during our sparring sessions." Blocking's a slash with the war fan, she returned it with her fan, "And the local Kendo club at school, as much as I need to hold back though bit as much in the championships."

Only nodding as he leaned back, the sword coming sighing millimetres of where his throat had been, Takeda hummed, "Ah, yes! I had overheard such a thing. Is schooling now open to everyone? And with some taking up a form of the Way of the Sword?" At the nod, he gave his version of a smile, "Wonderful. If you should win and I reincarnate, I hope to see such for myself."

Uesugi only nodded as the two continued their duel.

Meanwhile, for their own fight, Natsumi landed next to Harry, "What the hell?! Why does whatever we do not seem to work?!"

Rolling out of the way of a lunge, Harry lashed out with his knife, cutting into the pelt briefly before Tamamo leapt away, "Not a clue. Sometimes we seem to hit her and other times... other times we don't."

Eyes widening, Natsumi paled, "Harry-Chan... I think that she is using illusions!"

Both of them only had seconds for the realization to set in before the world seemed to invert. Up was down was suddenly sideways and then backwards. Then, something slammed into Harry from behind and he went flying... while seeing the Tamamo in front of them dissolve into mist right before he heard a scream. Twisting, he saw Natsumi knocked to the ground by Tamamo... whose chest cavity had begun to open. Leaping to his feet, he made to rush to her when chains suddenly appeared and manacles snapped shut on his limbs. Despite that, and lightning that ripped through him and leaving agony in its wake, he reached out for Natsumi even as tentacles made of some red matter wrapped around her, fingers touching each other before they were yanked away.

Not far away, Mitsuhide chuckled a bit as he clashed with Nobu, "And there we go, you should say goodbye to your Kitsune friend, she's going to make for a nice snack."

Eyes widening, Nobu's gaze snapped to where Harry was seemingly struggling against something invisible as a struggling Natsumi was pulled into Tamamo, "What the fuck?! Why is he fighting something?!"

About to rush over, she had to dodge a downward sword strike aimed for her head, "Ah-ah! You still have me to contend with, Nobunaga-Dono." Chuckling as he went on the offensive, Mitsuhide's eyes glowed, "You see... Tamamo's strength was in her illusions like all Kitsunes. But she took it to a whole other level." Lashing our with his foot, he caught Nobu in the midsection, sending her skidding, "If she wanted you immobilized, she would make you believe that you were chained up. If she wanted you sick? She would trick your mind into believing it was deathly ill. Tamamo could even Kill by making your brain believe that you had suffered a wound that killed you or something else had happened. Make you believe that an ally was an enemy, perhaps even her! Quite something... and she could cast it over dozens of people, making them believe what she wanted."

Not knowing of the jeering of Mitsuhide, or of Usagi screaming Natsumi's name along Ayaka and the others, Harry could only watch with wide eyes as the chest of Tamamo closed around his friend and he felt like he had been stabbed in the gut. Struggling against the chains, he reached for her, "NATSUMI-CHAN!"

Moments later, he was driven to the floor along with everyone else including Carnwennan who had just transported to his true self. Even the undead were forced to their knees as it seemed like gravity had increased a dozen times. Still, Harry tried to get to his feet as the pelt looked on with empty eyes. Yes, it could feel the Kitsune within still struggling, trying to break free. But it would not... and soon... it would be alive again.

Looking at the teenage boy it sneered. There was something about him, something familiar... and that enraged it. As much as it was enraged that he would keep her from reclaiming what was hers! What would make her whole! And he would suffer for it...

Moments later, Harry let out a scream as he felt his skin being peeled from his bones, lit on fire and lightning coursing along exposed nerves. Everyone could catch flashes of what was happening to him, but... that was enough. Inside Harry's head, he had what just happened to Natsumi. A final torture from Tamamo in retaliation for fighting her. Over and over until...

SoMEtHing bROkE...

Everyone could feel the hairs on their necks stand on end as there was a burst of magic in the air. More stunning was Harry slowly getting to his feet. Within the illusion, the chains began to crack and splinter even as he was burned, frozen, electrocuted, had all his bones broken again and again... He still continued to climb to his feet, "...ve... er... ck..."

From where he was struggling, Mitsuhide boggled, "What?!"

A giant grin on her face, Nobu chuckled darkly, "Go for it..."

Now on his feet, though his eyes were shadowed, Harry grunted, "Gi...h... b..." Then he lifted his face revealing his eyes glowing bright, poisonous green like the Killing Curse made manifest and his face in a snarl as his magic burst forth, whipping around him, "Give her BACK!"

 

[darthcourt10]

RCNAnon

Weasley's Warship Workshop 14

The drive to Passel House was growing familiar to Jean Bart. She knew exactly where and when she could gun her bike for the best speeds, the places she could stop if for some reason she needed petrol and even a few places where she could just stop and look over the countryside. It wasn't her countryside but that was rather the point. New things took getting used to and as much as she was generally loathe to loaf about, sometimes you at least needed to stop moving.

As she approached the gate to Passel House, she once again found it initially closed to entry. This wasn't unusual and though she still had yet to figure out what controlled the thing, it appeared that today was one of the better days as it opened rather promptly. Nodding slightly to herself, Jean Bart pulled up the driveway at an appropriate speed, noting that the grounds appeared to be well maintained even in the middle of November.

Pulling up to the front door, Jean Bart turned off the engine of her bike and dropped the kickstand, looking up to see Victoria already waiting by the front door. Somehow the maid always seemed to appear wherever she might be needed, almost as if by magic. Blinking to herself, Jean Bart suddenly realized that it might actually be magic, given what she'd learned from Ron not long ago. That would be… something to ask at a later time. She had other business here today after all. Walking over to where Victoria was standing on the step, she paused for a moment.

"Jean Bart here to see Duke of York," she said politely, if not overly formally.

Victoria took only a moment to nod, stepping back to open the door.

"Lady Duke is in her bedroom, she said you were to be sent up when you arrived. Up the stairs, second door to the left. Shall I get you any refreshments?" Victoria was formal as always, though Jean Bart thought she perhaps heard a bit more warmth than the other times she'd visited.

Perhaps.

"Nothing at the moment, thank you." Jean Bart took the open door as the invitation it was and stepped inside. With the staircase right in front of her, she simply continued upwards as directed, her long legs easily capable of taking the stairs two at a time like she normally preferred but instead taking them one at a time, feeling Victoria's eyes on her from below. As much as she found it slow and somewhat annoying, she was still a guest here.

Turning to the left, she found an open door where Victoria had indicated, along with the sound of voices.

"...onder you're glowing," came a somewhat smooth and soft voice.

"Is it really that noticeable?" That was Duke of York, her voice sounding more lively than it usually did.

"Sister, if I didn't know any better I'd assume you'd just been knighted, again." The other voice had a dark amused wit to it and as Jean Bart turned the corner and knocked on the door, she could see who it belonged to.

The woman in question turned as Duke looked up, revealing similar facial features and a set of eyeglasses framed by short brown hair, an almost mousy color but saved from that descriptor by the fact that Jean Bart could feel the quiet intensity of a fellow battleship radiating off of her.

"Sorry to interrupt," Jean Bart said, "But Victoria said to come right up."

"It's nothing to apologize for," Duke said, gesturing to the woman next to her, "Jean Bart meet my sister HMS Anson. Anson this is Jean Bart, the French Battleship we've been having over."

The brown haired woman nodded and offered her hand as Jean Bart stepped into the room. "A pleasure to meet you."

"The same," said Jean Bart in turn, their hands clasping for a moment before releasing. Neither bothered with the sort of hand gripping gestures that some were prone to, Anson because proper battleships knew better than to engage in something so petty. Jean Bart because she knew she would lose in her current state and the fact that she considered such things beneath her.

"What brings you to Passel House?" Anson asked Jean Bart.

"Your sister requested my presence," Jean Bart said, gesturing to Duke, "Aside from that, I'm not sure."

The two battleships turned to Duke, who merely smiled politely.

"I merely wanted to get to know you a bit better," she said, "Much like Warspite did not too long ago."

Anson's eyebrow rose at the comment, looking back to Jean Bart who found both of hers rising.

"If that's the case then I shall take my leave," said Anson with just a bit of a teasing tone in it, "I'm not looking to get drug in to the little squadron you're building."

Duke of York simply smiled back at her sister, long experience telling her that sometimes the best response was no response at all when it came to teasing siblings.

"Until next time sister," Anson said, leaning in to give Duke a brief hug which the blonde battleship returned.

"Until next time," Duke of York replied.

Anson merely nodded to Jean Bart, who nodded in turn as the other brunette made her way out of the room and shut the door behind her.

Duke of York turned her gaze to Jean Bart and put on a wry smile.

"Sisters are always… fun to deal with aren't they?" she half stated and half questioned.

Jean Bart thought back to Richelieu and all of her antics, "Fun" was not how she would describe most of them.

"I suppose you could say it like that," she said, "Though my sister is… quite different than yours seem to be."

Duke of York's nostrils flared in amusement, letting Jean Bart know that the British battleship had at least a passing acquaintance with her kin.

"I would say so yes. Anson and Howe have not even expressed interest in dating yet and while King George V and Prince of Wales have, they've been singularly unsuccessful. While your sister..." Duke trailed off in her explanation.

"While my sister is in a very public ménage-à-trois with not only her superior officer but another ship girl to boot, along with being known as a lecher, pervert and any other similar words you might be able to think of. That's not mentioning her modeling, dancing and a number of photo-shoots she has done that involve her tout nue." Jean Bart rattled off each bit of her explanation clinically, she'd long since stopped trying to make excuses for her sister. Seeing Duke of York's expression, Jean Bart let the ghost of a smile line her face. "Please, feel free to express yourself about my sister as you wish, I do not care and she certainly does not either."

Duke of York forced her mouth into some semblance of propriety and simply nodded to Jean Bart.

"Very well, if she does come up again I will not hold back. We aren't here to talk about her however, so may I offer you a seat?" Duke gestured to a set of chairs with a table between them setup in the corner of her room.

"Thank you," Jean Bart said, moving to take one of the seats. She resisted the urge to spin it around and sit with her front against the back, instead merely taking a seat and leaning it back on the rear legs as Duke took a seat.

"Refreshments?" Duke asked.

Jean Bart merely shook her head, her long ponytail waving behind her even as parts of it rested on the carpeted floor. "No, thank you. Victoria offered me some on my way up."

"Very well," Duke said, resting herself back against her own chair but not quite tilting it as Jean Bart was doing, "I suppose I should start by admitting that Warspite told me everything or near enough about your shooting session. What you discussed about Ron."

Jean Bart felt the hair on the back of her neck raise slightly, though she didn't let it show on her face. At least she tried not to. "I see. I suppose this is your own version of that?"

"Something close to that I suppose," said Duke of York, "I don't have much to talk about with you that Warspite hasn't already. Ron is dear to both of us and, according to Warspite, you see something in him as well."

"I… yes." Jean Bart could try to quibble but Duke of York had been forewarned and forearmed so there was little point in trying. "I am not sure to the full extent yet but…" she sighed.

"But you see the same things we do," said Duke, "Just without all the time spent."

Jean Bart didn't say anything to that, merely letting the moment pass.

"That's fair enough," Duke said after a few seconds, a small smile appearing on her face, "Your feelings are your own and it would not do well to push."

"I do appreciate it," Jean Bart replied, her eyes going back up to Duke's.

Duke nodded and then Jean Bart got to watch as she reached into her hold and pulled out a leather bound book.

"I simply wanted you to know that if and when you make your affections known to Ron, he will go all out for you." Duke pushed the book over to Jean Bart as she spoke, the leather sliding over the wood table. "All I ask is that you do not take advantage of that. He is still young and Warspite and I have already discussed how long the wait will be until certain things can happen."

Jean Bart looked down at the book in front of her, the bare cover enough of an indicator to her of what it was. Still she paused and looked up at Duke for a moment as her hand rested on the clasp.

"Even I… even if something were to happen, since as you say nothing has happened yet, I would know better than that," Jean Bart said, her tone sounding mildly offended.

Duke merely kept her smile on her face and waved a hand at the book and Jean Bart. "I did not say that you would either, simply that you not take advantage of Ron. How many hours do you think it takes him to make something like that? How much dedication? Such things can be turned against their owners even on accident Jean Bart. I think you would be the first to admit that you are a little, shall we say… headstrong?"

Jean Bart felt her face tense a little bit but she finally nodded. "I would call it élan but we are not talking about a battle in this case."

"Quite," Duke of York nodded in agreement. "In this case we are talking about Ron and how he is growing up."

She paused for a few moments, allowing Jean Bart the chance to undo the clasp on the book and open it, the page falling on one of Duke's turrets. It was a work of art, the clean lines showing the complex interlock system the British had developed for their new battleships after the catastrophic loss they'd had with lesser systems at Jutland.

"He does good work, doesn't he?" Duke's voice was softer now, less firm in her tone as she looked at it from upside down.

"He does," Jean Bart said back, reaching out to trace mechanisms that were so close to her own in overall design, yet so different in specifics.

"I do not mean to try and discourage you Jean Bart," Duke said after another brief silence, "In fact I would very much enjoy having another fast Battleship around, especially one with our own unique attributes. I think in some ways you will even be better for Ron than Warspite or I could ever be. We are not exactly well known for the… passion you bring to things."

Jean Bart nodded, coming to her own realization that Duke of York was perhaps simply worried over Ron due to her own circumstances.

"You care for him greatly," she ventured, Duke's face lighting up with a larger smile.

"That would be somewhat of an understatement I think," Duke admitted, "As there has been quite a lot that Ron has done for me. Including helping to bring me out of a self imposed semi-exile socially." She saw Jean Bart's quirked eyebrow and let out a soft chuckle. "Let us just say that when I came back in the early days of the war I was much more focused on being a battleship than a person. Including to my own comrades. It wasn't until things slowed down that I started to realize there were things outside of fighting that I should focus on and I had earned myself "The Iron Lady" as a nickname."

Though her situation was rather the opposite, Jean Bart at least understood where Duke was coming from.

"Getting back to what I truly meant to talk about and perhaps said in a bad way initially, I do hope things go well for you and Ron. I agree fully with Warspite that as long as things work out between you and Ron that we could welcome you into our little "Squadron" as my sister put it. Just please remember that Ron is still growing in character and that he will notice things you do and perhaps be swayed by them."

Jean Bart couldn't fault Duke of York for the way she phrased that request and nodded.

"I will keep that in mind. Though I hope you do understand that even then I will do things in my own way, yes?" Her reddish pink eyes met Duke's blue ones and Duke merely chuckled.

"Of course I do," Duke of York said, "I would expect nothing less of you, would want nothing less of you. If you tried to act me or Warspite you would be miserable at best and a proper Captain should learn to handle each of his ships as she goes and not as one of his prior commands."

Jean Bart couldn't help but grin a little bit at that.

"Then I will be the one that teaches him élan and how to handle a ship at speed," she said, "Though perhaps not all at once."

Duke nodded back to her, the smile on her face softening.

"I believe that will work Jean Bart," she said, letting herself relax a bit more. "Now that we've covered that topic, I do have another question for you."

"Yes?"

"What do you do with your hair?" Duke asked with a smile, "I know our fairies do most of the work but the selection of shampoo and conditioner..."

Jean Bart's own smile widened a slight bit more as she and Duke began to discuss hair care and their own individual issues with quad turrets.

In the end it was perhaps not the best start to a friendship ever but it was a start.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
AN: Bleh. I'm not really happy this took almost a month to get out but it's out and I hope you all enjoy. Questions, comments and concerns welcome as always. I also apologize for butchering the French language.

 

[darthcourt10]

Kab2

"Someone is coming out!" said the guard readying her shotgun in the case whatever came wasn't friendly.

"Mmm, they don't seem to be hostile..." said the sword spirit, narrowing her eyes as two figures came out carrying a third. "Wait, they are bringing an injured man out!"

"Oh shit, he's the boss!" said the guard hurrying to his side "Quick, bring in the mediwizards!"

"If I may ask, can I help? I have experience with magical healing, and at least I can keep my mind busy"

"Do not worry boss." said one of the oni that carried him out "You will be in good hands, we trust her at the same level we trust the Commander"

"If you trust her so much, your help is welcomed here then." said the injured before coughing a bit of blood.

"Okay then." said the woman as she began to concentrate in her task "First, you won't talk again as you are straining your body further; Second, I know that you can't tell me what's going on inside that building, but I have a good guess of what is happening, so I will ask you some questions that you can answer with a yes or no, thumb up and down, or stay still if you can't answer; are we clear?"

After a slight movement of his eyes, his only movement was upping his thumb.

"Good." then she looked at the mediwizards that were coming to treat the man. "Apart from the obvious damage to his arm, he has three broken ribs and maybe spinal damage, I will treat his ribs as you treat his arm and search his spine for damage."

The wizard where to say something about her unauthorized aid, but looking into her unwavering purple eyes, they knew that her authority was as unbreakable as millennial steel, so they began to work on their tasks like she was, with a lack of a better word, her mother.

"These Oni called you boss, so you have to be Captain Itami, am i wrong?"

Itami blinked as surprise was written in his face, then after a bit of thought and a suspicious look he upped his thumb.

"I know you are wondering how I know you, Captain." he thumbed up "I am friends with Tsubaki-San and she told me a bit about you; and before you ask she didn't tell me anything that she shouldn't have, now stay still, this may hurt a bit as I have to move this rib a bit for better healing."

He thumbed up again as he tried not to move a muscle; he winced a bit as he was feeling the process.

"Okay, now I will continue" she said while she moved a bit for better positioning "I first felt Shuten-Douji and Ibaraki-Douji's aura, but I don't feel theirs anymore, so I guess whatever is in there have put them in standby, now I feel a strong foul aura that I suppose is Yamata-no-Orochi or one of his spawns and another that I know is of Tamamo-no-Mae, I know you can't confirm or deny it, but I will ask two questions that you can answer; first, Kotegiri-San knew what was inside this bunker?"

Itami pondered a bit about what she asked her, and finally he lifted his thumb up.

"Very well; now the second question, I noticed a very strong dark aura that entered the bunker, is the owner of this aura on our side?"

This time he thumbed up almost immediately.

She exhaled a relieved sigh "I'm glad the two answers were affirmative, now I know she can manage this matter without me interfering" she smiled "Now be a good boy and don't move while we heal you, okay?"

Her smile made him remember something from long time ago, her mother taking care of him when he hurt his knee playing 'She has the same smile as her' and he felt his uneasiness slip away.

"Don't worry, you are in good hands, they will save Japan of this threat"

He felt the warmth radiating from her comfortable as they began to wait for the outcome of the battle below.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Having just bisected one of the Gashadokuro, Juuchi froze as a feeling washed over her. It was anger... it was rage... it was wrath. Beside her, Honjo noted that the Muramasa had stopped and turned towards the deeper parts of the bunker, "Juuchi-San? Is something wrong?"

For once, there was no smugness on her face when Juuchi spoke, "Perhaps... it is my Master."

Expertly deflecting a blow, Kote looked at her, "What do you mean by that?"

Slowly blinking, the Muramasa took a deep breath through her nose and shuddered, "Do you remember that you asked how it was that the Potters were able to handle me? Despite the rage?"

A frown on her face, Honjo furrowed her eyebrows and glanced at her sister and Chisuheri who was nearby, "Yes, I remember. You even mentioned that a Potter could handle your sister, Chisuheri-San at her worst."

Upon hearing that, it was not just Kote who paused and looked at Juuchi, but also Norimune and Toku as well as Chisuheri who stared at her. It was Juuchi's sister who spoke, "... You are not serious..."

Juuchi just continued looking deeper into the complex, "Utterly. A Potter's will is hard and nearly unbreakable. They can recognize what is their feelings and what is someone else's and fight against it successfully with effort. But that is not to say that they don't feel such things... they just are able to keep it chained, like a wild beast."

With a shiver, Toku gave her an disturbed look, "Someone like that can be a fright on the battlefield."

However, the Muramasa's next words caused her to freeze, "Hai, but what is more frightening is when a Potter lets go of those fetters and lets their rage take them over. Because it is not an explosion, but a cold blade with the Will behind it guiding it, targeting it. They do not lose themselves so much as their rage drives them to greater heights as they control it much like a swordsman might their blade but without care as to their own state of being as long as their target dies. And Master... has just done so."

Sharing a look, those blades there look at each other and double their efforts.

Elsewhere, the various other Potter weapons threw themselves into the fight even more. Tsukiakari had a look of fear and worry on her face as she chewed through the undead guards alongside Musashi who had a serious expression on her face after getting a similar expression.

Regina, for her part, shuddered a bit as she felt Harry's rage... no... his wrath through the connection that they had. He wanted something dead and was going to kill it, even if it meant tearing it apart. She had never felt something so... enraged, so dark and wanting to inflict pain on something. Deep inside her, she could feel her demon practically purr and lick it's lips. Nearby, Hoppou froze and looked deeper into the complex with wide eyes, "Big... brother..."

Dissolving a skeletal guard with her poisonous blood, Jin blinked and turned as she saw Shiromizu throw herself into the fight even more, "Kiddo? Something wrong?"
Just shuddering, Shiromizu looked at her, "Senpai... it's Harry! I... can't you feel it?!"

A frown on her face, the undead dragon ignored the questions from her mother and looked into the complex herself. It took her a few moments to spot the flame that was Harry's next to what had to be Tamamo from her memories as well as Orochi and she flinched a bit. Not because it was as large as the other two. Because it wasn't... but in some ways it was worse because in her mind it was like comparing two campfires, or perhaps bonfires with a smaller flame.

Except said flame was that of a welding torch, burning hot and focused enough to cut through steel.

Wincing, Jin just gave a nod, "Right, something just pissed him off. Let's pick up the pace people!"

___________________________________________________________

Natsumi struggled in the darkness that surrounded her, even as tendrils attempted to sink into her body. It burned, it burned so bad. And what made it worse was what she could feel from the darkness around her.

It hUngERed for her... and what she was.

The darkness wanted to devour her entirely, to rip apart what she was and is, all the while it destroyed what she could be. Thus she fought it with all her being. She had people that she cared for, and who cared for her back. She would not, could not, give into it. Something that seemed to frustrate the darkness with every second as the tendrils inside her withered and died, only to be replaced by others.

Suddenly, the darkness was blown back by blue fire and Natsumi took a deep breath as she fell to her knees as the pressure was relieved. However, she did blink a bit in utter confusion at what had just happened, "What the..."

From behind her was a dark chuckle, "I will admit, Little One, you have done a fine job holding out. But you don't need to worry any more." Turning, Natsumi paled at seeing the form of Tamamo looking at her in smug amusement, "No, you don't need to worry any longer."

Backing up a step, the teenage Kitsune narrowed her eyes, "Why should I trust you?"

Darkly laughing, Tamamo spread her arms with blood dripping from her claws, "You shouldn't. But what you should trust is that I want nothing to do with... that creature attempting to kill you, to devour what you are."

With a glance at the shadows she guessed was the pelt, Natsumi looked back at Tamamo, "Why? Aren't you the same thing in the end?"

Much to her surprised, while the feared Yokai in front of her continued to smugly smile at her, there was a... tiredness in her eyes, "No, we are not child. Once, perhaps, we were one and the same. But I..." She looked away with a grimace, "I have come to terms with things. But that Thing out there? It is empty, hungry for that which it wishes for. There is no intelligence really besides that. I suppose, in a way, that is what I was like at the end, just a maddened beast. Empty on the inside and attempting to fill it with vengeance, with anger and rage against the world. Something that I realized centuries ago when it was far too late." Pausing, Tamamo clenched her fist, "But I can do something about it now. And I will."

Still suspicious, Natsumi cocked her head to the side, "And what will you do then?"

Raising her hand, Tamamo made a gesture with her hand and the flames rose up around them, forming a spiderweb formation around them and blocking the darkness, "I shall hold it off for you, to protect you from my pelt's ravages. You simply work on getting free-"

Out of nowhere, she stopped and whipped her head to stare at something and Natsumi whimpered a bit, "Harry-Chan... what is she doing to him!? SHE'S HURTING HIM!"

About to say something, the older Kitsune paused and blinked before her eyebrow raised and she began to smirk. And then laugh as she realized what they were seeing/sensing, "You utter dumb beast." Biting her finger, her eyes became hooded and she shuddered, "Oh yes... he truly is a fine specimen..."

Unknown to Natsumi, she gained a smug look like Tamamo had, one nearly identical, "Of course, because he's my Harry."
___________________________________________________________

The empty eyes of Tamamo's pelt met the glowing orbs of Harry's as the wind whipped around him. Briefly, there was a pulse from him that sent the undead Yokai skittering backwards as various tables and debris around him were tossed. By Asuka and them, the "Wind" passed them by but still threw the Gashadokuro back about a dozen feet into a wall. Mitsuhide for himself tried to grab something before being flung bodily back and away from Harry as were the other undead and the even the Orochi skidded back a few feet as it roared.

Yet, for all the destruction, none of his friends nor did Fudo or Carnwennan feel much more than a breeze brushing past.

Suddenly, all the items in the air that had been close to him froze in the air before reversing their course and slamming into the Pelt. Most targeted the limbs, breaking them, while others smashed into it's head and sent it flying. As Harry took a step with a snarl, the tiles on the floor by his feet cracked before shattering, shards flying through their air and opening cuts on the Pelt's hide.

It screeched back at him in return even as it's wounds healed. As Harry began to walk forwards, the others could see the shadows of the illusions that it placed upon him. They watched as his limbs were not just broken now, but ripped from his body within the illusion.

But Harry kept walking forward as he did not care.

Tamamo's shadow reached up, punching a paw into his chest within the illusion, ripping out his beating heart and crushing it into a piece of pulp. Harry felt in his own chest, his heart suddenly feel like it had actually happened, like it had been torn out and pulped despite still being intact within his chest. Something that should have killed him even though it was an illusion.

He just did not care.

Within the illusion, Harry experienced his skin being flayed from his bones followed by the flesh. Every inch of his body dumped into a bin of salt, acid, and alcohol. Followed by being lit on fire. Exposed nerves being electrocuted as his bones were ground into dust, with him being conscious of every little bit.

He just did not care.

Claws made of shadow ripped out his spine and eyes, crushed his skull. Gravity was increased to where his body was utterly pulped, it was pulled apart. Chains flung themselves around his limbs and torso, the metal glowing white hot and melting into him, trying to stop and kill him. He felt every bit of this.

He.

Just.

Did.

Not.

Give.

A.

Shit.

If anything, it fueled his wrath, channeling back into his as he pushed through whatever the Pelt sent at him in the illusionary world it trapped him in as in the real one, he continued walking. For perhaps the first time, the Pelt felt something deep inside. A spark that twinkled in the darkness that was it's self.

A spark of fear.

No matter what it did, the human continued to walk towards her, his magic whipping around him. Illusions hit him, did not slip off... but he pushed through them. Within his eyes, the windows to his inner world and soul, it could only see two things. Two things that burned their way into the Pelt's own.

Wrath... and death.

It was then that it realized what was in front of it. Before it, was a person who did not fear pain, terror, or death. But embraced them in their entirety if it meant getting it's goals. And right now, those goals were to rescue the Kitsune it had ate, was trying to devour but was blocked by itself somehow.... As well to utterly destroy it.

Seeing that... utterly enraged the Shadow of Tamamo and it opened it's jaws wide and roared! How dare it! How dare this insignificant thing attempt to fight it! It should lay down and die! And instead-

Right then, Harry leaned forward as his magic concentrated around his feet. He knew of the "Flashstep" technique of course. Juuchi had shown it off to him once after all, but he did not know it. However, at that moment, he did not care about a insignificant fact as that, or that what he was doing could kill him. Instead, he focused his magic on the spell he had learned from Riddle's notes. The one that allowed for one to leap a dozen feet, and which could allow for one to lunge forward...

And promptly broke all the safeties on it via overloading it.

Under most circumstances, when he collided with Tamamo, it would have lead to him breaking most of his bones in the process at the speeds he travelled. But his magic instinctively created a shield in front of him as strong as iron. Thus instead of something like a squishy human hitting her, the Pelt was impacted in the head by an iron hard object at about two hundred miles per hour.

Those behind Harry could hear the snap and see the bulges in the back of his shirt as his arms broke out of their sockets from the impact, but he did not scream, just roar in rage. As for the Pelt, it's was sent backwards, through the air as the two were carried by the momentum. However, the impact caused the pelt's "Neck" to shatter and punched it's own skull back, and into, it's chest until all that stuck out from the middle of its shoulders were the tip of it's snout.

As they landed, Harry's feet cut furrows into the ground, even as broken tiles cut into his shoes and into his skin. At the same time, his magic forced his arms back into their sockets, though the damage remained. But he ignored that at the moment as Tamamo regenerated, it's head popping back up as the bones snapped back into place...

Just in time for Harry to upper cut it hard enough that he shattered the jaw and sent it upwards and through the ceiling, concrete breaking and pulverizing. And, at the same time... breaking every bone in his hand and wrist. While he had noticed the pain from his hand, Harry didn't care or let it stop him as he took his broken hand and grabbed the Pelt's slowly descending form by the neck with it moving as if in slow motion. Nor did he notice his vision bleed red as the blood vessels in his eyes began to pop. He only had two goals... get Natsumi back...

aNd MAke TaMAMo hURt.

But said Kitsune was not going to let Natsumi out and her mouth glowed bright blue before a torrent of flame poured out into Harry's face. Unlike normal foxfire, this was powered by her rage and malice. Even with his magic protecting him, Harry could feel his skin redden under the attack and blisters began to form. But all he did was bring his leg up and snap out a kick, once more pulverzing the Pelt's jaw before grabbing it by the back of the neck and forcibly flipping it... right into his knee which shattered it's lower spine even as various ligaments ripped and tore in his own body and it smoked from the previous attack.

Eyes wide as she boggled, Okita just stared as Harry ignored everything to continue his fight, "What the fuck..."

Nobu just blinked as she got to her feet, "Holy shit..."

Inside Harry's chest, his heart was pounding so hard that it hurt. But he pushed past that as pressed his palm into the Pelt's chest and moments later, a burst of magic flung it into the wall where it hung before two rebar from the ceiling ripped their way free of the broken concrete holding them and impaled the Yokai through the wrists. Once more, Harry was there in front of it as his bowie knife lashed out. First, he cut a line across Tamamo's chest from armpit to armpit, than a second one across her belly, and finished up with one from her neck to navel as he tried to pull her open.

Once more, the Kitsune roared and tried to break free of it's bonds. Seeing the wounds begin to close, Harry roared back and stuck his hands into the wounds. He could just feel the form of Natsumi and said hands slid around them as that was not his current target. Feeling his palms and fingers, broken and not, press against the inside of the ribs, he grinned.

"Depulso."

Everyone could hear bones snapping and the Pelt screaming as Harry's spell forcibly burst open it's chest revealing it to be empty except for ribs, the fur covering it... and an exhausted Natsumi bound with red tendrils that were trying to dig into her.

Into that, Harry plunged his hands as he dug into them. The tendrils came alive and dug into Harry's own flesh, creating what seemed like popping veins that inched up his arms... before they stopped as the parts outside began to smoke and die. Realizing why, Harry remembered that his biological mother left behind protection. And what Dumbledore described it as.

Love.

Thus, even as he tried to pull Natsumi free, Harry ignored all the pain and dove into his mind. Digging deep, be began to pull up memories...

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

The eight year old Harry blinked as the new girl, Natsumi, sat beside him, "U-um, hi?"

Smiling, the girl giggled a bit and bowed a bit, "Hello, I'm Ono Natsumi. I'm pleased to meet you."

Lightly blushing, though he did not know why, Harry bowed back, "H-hello, I'm Potter Harry."

Head tilting to the side, Natsumi gave him a bright smile, "Pleased to meet you, Potter-San..."

It was later that day that the two were leaving with them chatting. Natsumi nodded some before waving towards Haru, "There's my Oba-Chan, Harry-Chan." About to leave, she paused and gave him a hug, "Thanks, I know that we're going to be great friends."

With that, she walked off leaving a stunned Harry behind, her last words in his mind, 'Fri-friends? She sees me as a... friend? And wants to be a good one from now on?'
It caused his heart to ache in a good way and he brightly smiled.

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

Harry stared down at the small present in front of him with his cake forgotten. Mouth working a little, he felt tears prickle at the corners of his eyes before he turned to the nine year old Natsumi, "N-Natsumi-Chan? Wh-what is..."

Frowning, Natsumi looked from the present to him, "Um, what's wrong Harry-Chan? I... you haven't opened your present that I got you. And why are you crying? Are you alright?"

Just wiping at his eyes, he gave her a bright, though watery smile, "Thank you..."

All Natsumi did was give him a hug, "What are friends for, Harry-Chan?"

Eyes closing, Harry felt warm.

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

It was the week before he left for Hogwarts for the first time. Both him and Natsumi were cuddled up to one another as their tears soaked into each others clothing, "I-I don't want you to go, Harry-Chan. I know that you have to and why... b-but I don't want to..."

Face buried in the crook of her neck, Harry sniffled, "I don't want to leave you either, Natsumi-Chan. N-not now, not ever."

Blinking wet eyes, Natsumi kissed his wet cheek, "Harry-Chan... do... do you promise to be my friend? Forever?"

Only nodding, the black haired boy swallowed, "I-I do, Natsumi-Chan. As long as you want it, I will be your friend. And... could you be my friend forever?"

With a smile, she agreed and promised him.

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

Tilting her head, Natsumi smiled a bit as she looked at the sign in Diagon Alley as they got ready for his Third year, "Look at this, Harry-Chan."

Interested in what she had found, Harry walked over and blinked. Said object was one of those signs that one hung up on their walls inside their homes. The ones that had various sayings and the like on them. Cheeks heating up, he muttered as he read it allowed, "'Happiness is being married to your best friend...'"

A glance out of the corner of his eye caught Natsumi blushing as much as he was. But she still nodded despite her embarrassment, "It's, um... an interesting sign, right?"

The thirteen year old boy nodded as he looked away, "I-it really is, Natsumi-Chan." He really could not help himself as he glanced back at it with Natsumi doing the same. Both of them unable to look at each other, but staring at the sign.

He never did tell her that he had seen her buy it... and suspected that she knew that.

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

All that and more went through Harry's mind as he dragged up memory after memory. Happy memories, bittersweet ones, sad ones, terrifying ones. But they all had the exact same central theme.

Each were of him and Natsumi.

The final one was recent, from just a few months before. Where him and Natsumi stood during Hanami with the cherry blossoms falling around them, holding each others hands. How they looked at each other before leaning in, Natsumi tilting her head just enough. Her soft lips ghosting against his with the minimum amount of pressure. The scent of her shampoo in his nose as well as her underlaying smell, the warmth of her body and just how right it had felt.

Said memory rose up in Harry's mind as his aura went from the whitish color, to a golden one. The strands and tendrils holding Natsumi blackened and burst into ash, burning away at his touch as gold and silver flames raced along them. He could hear the Pelt screaming as it began to smoke and burn, but did not care as he pulled Natsumi's body feet and the two stumbled back.

Exhausted, but happy amber eyes met glowing green that seemed to ache at the sight of the other two, but were also filled with joy. Tears glistening, Natsumi smiled up at him as his magic continued to whip around them. But it did not, and would never, harm her which was something she knew. Rather she could feel it embrace her much like the boy who had stolen her heart was, "You came..."

Crackled and somewhat bleeding lips curled upwards despite the pain that was there with Harry nodding, "Of course. For you, Natsumi-Chan... I will always come and keep my promise."

However, they could hear the sound of cracking and something snapping and turned as Tamamo's Pelt launched itself at them with a wordless roar of rage.

Immediately, Harry's bowie knife appeared in his hand as his magic gathered around, and in it. For a moment, those seeing it could swear that he was holding a piece of a star, or perhaps the Sun itself, in his hand. And then Harry lashed out, "YOU'RE NOT TAKING HER FROM ME! NOT NOW, NOT EVER!"

The blade met the Pelt in the snout... and began to slice along it, the fur parting with the two halves flowing around them to either side before bursting into golden flame as it cracked and burned to ash. When the middle tail was sliced through, both Harry and Natsumi could almost swear that they heard a relieved sigh before turning as the ash swirled behind them. In it, he could see a ghostly version of Tamamo.

It looked at them sadly with realization and reached out with one hand that cupped Harry's cheek for a few moments before closing it's eyes and dissapating. No one saw golden motes of light in the ash slowly enter Natsumi, but they did notice that Harry's worst injuries seemed to heal themselves though his hand was still broken, his skin was not about to fall off. But he was still exhausted and both him as well as Natsumi collapsed to the floor breathing hard, still holding each other, but alive.

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A Trip To Asgard

Valaskjálf, Asgard

23 June 2014
Spoiler: A Trip To Asgard

Rainbow crackled under the hooves of the kirin as Julie d'Aubigny galloped along Bifrost. The spirit of the legendary 17th century French swashbuckler, opera singer, heroine, and adventuress grinned happily as her golden hair streamed behind her in the wind of her passage.

Finally she approached the lone armored figure waiting for her and slowed her steed to a walk. "Greetings. I'm here with diplomatic correspondence from Lord Hachiman on behalf of the Shinto pantheon."

Eyes that were impossibly bright and colored like the rainbow focused on her and looked deep into her hazel eyes, looked through her, for an eternally long moment. Julie found it impossible to breathe or move as she was examined by Heimdallr from his post atop the rainbow bridge linking Asgard to Midgard.

Finally the helmeted head nodded. "Pass, Julie d'Aubigny. Your arrival is expected. Be of good welcome in Asgard."

With that he stood aside to allow her to proceed.

She continued on her journey, finally reaching the ground as the rainbow ended in front of the hall of Himinbiörg. As always, she took a moment to admire the scenery.

Impossibly tall, snow covered mountains reached to the sky, while at their feet black and amber pebbled beaches were washed by the blue-gray of the ocean, with ships sailing from the era of the Vikings. Julie ran one hand through her golden hair and grinned, remembering the family legend that she was descended from a few of the raiders that had terrorized France and the rest of Europe eight centuries before her birth. Certainly something here called to a deeply buried part of her in ways that Takamagahara did not. Still, she thought as she guided her steed through the incredibly lush plains and woodlands of pine and oak, she had an errand to accomplish and could perhaps sight-see afterward while she stood ready to return any reply to Lord Hachiman's message.

Her lips quirked as in reminder of the doom that approached with every grain of sand from the hourglass, a quartet of armored women on giant wolves rode overhead with the bodies of the honored dead strapped to their saddles. The Valkyries were always collecting those warriors who died in battle valiantly, to feast and fight forevermore before the day of Ragnarök when all would end in prophesied fire and destruction. She shook her head wryly, absently rubbing her stomach as she remembered the face of Jean-Francois du Chasteler and the sight of her infant daughter Colombe looking at her with those impossibly beautiful blue eyes.

Her last memory in her life before the strain of the birth, poor sanitation, and an uterine hemorrhage had killed her at the age of 33 on June 13th, 1707.

She reached the walls of Asgard, encircling the homes of the Norse deities and dismounted, patting the kirin on her scaled neck. "{Thank you for the flight, Sky-Treader.}"

The dragon-horse snorted fire as a pair of grooms led her away to rest and be fed. A cart followed for the two space-expanded and shrunken for transport barrels of sake marked with the kanji of Inari's personal brewery that were her gift to return hospitality to the Norse.

A young man approached, clad in iron chain mail, and with a medieval longsword with a snarling wolf's head on the pommel on one hip balanced by a kidney-hilted dagger on the other side of his sword-belt. Over the thirteenth century armor, he had a white surcoat with a jet black cross as the only heraldry. The hood of his mail was thrown back to show a florid face with a blond beard and mustaches. Steely blue eyes twinkled as her surveyed her and grinned. "Well, well, look who showed up." He spoke in German-accented English.

Julie smirked smugly at one of her regular sparring partners during her visits here and curtsied. "Komtur Erik Ulv as I live and breathe. I'm here on diplomatic business. You are to be my escort to Valaskjálf then?"

The einherjar spirit chuckled. "Indeed I am. After you do that, care for a duel if our duties permit?"

Julie's smirk widened. "Absolutely. I need to work off some nervous energy here, after all." Her smile faded slightly. "Concern for events on the Mortal Plane here."

He clapped her on the shoulder as they mad e their way toward the silver-roofed hall crafted of oak. "You and me both. I have my own personal matters to worry about."

She glanced at him and he sighed. "Suffice it to say, the family line is not doing well. There's a crisis brewing over the inheritance and it promises to get very ugly and messy before too much longer."

"Ahh." Julie commented. "I can relate. My own daughter is quite a handful and a half, and it is a wonder that she has not turned my hair white with her escapades. I can only say that Norimune must have immunized me to crazy situations and near-death experiences." Julie laughed as they reached the oaken doors of the hall of Valaskjálf, carved with writhing beasts frolicking among the trees of a forest. "Although I suspect that Colombe's children Ying, Claire, and Ehren will be glorious revenge on her for all the times she nearly caused me to die all over again. And I can't wait to watch her find out."

Erik stared at her with naked shock and began to say something when the door opened. Then closed his mouth with a click and straightened to attention rigidly. He gestured Julie inside. "Proceed to your audience, Julie d'Aubigny, messenger of the Lord of Eight Banners."

Julie curtsied to him. "Thank you." With that she entered the vast hall.

Inside the roof overhead was supported by sheaves of gleaming spears and beams carved from whole mature oak trees. Tapestries with writhing forms of beats, men and Gods told the stories of the myths of the Norsemen. Oaken trestle tables to each side groaned under the weight of full-roasted pigs and oxen and vats of mead and ale as Julie advanced, her boots tapping on the golden rushes underfoot. All eyes seemed to turn to her and she steeled herself to confidence

Finally she reached the throne placed in the center of the hall.

A set of seven granite steps elevated the massive stone throne carved with the shape of serpents, wolves and ravens all intertwined. a pair of great black wolves, each the size of a draft horse crouched on either side surveying her, and overhead a pair of ravens the size of eagles watched her with more than human intelligence in their dark eyes.

All those were secondary to the figure watching her.

He was a elderly man with gray and white streaks in his full beard, yet as powerful as he would have been in the prime of life. A black eyepatch covered one eye, while the other blue eye was full of wisdom and comprehension. He was clad in shining mail under a sky-blue tunic pinned at the shoulders with gold brooches. A gold arm-ring crafted like a serpent eating its tail encircled his upper right arm, and an ash spear carved with Old Norse runes rested against the arm of the throne.

Julie stopped at the foot of the stairs and bowed. "Hail Fjölsviðr. I have come with a message from the Lord of Eight Banners about matters of importance in the land of Japan." She handed the letter that she had been given to a page, who took it to the throne.

Silence fell, and then rice paper crackled as Odin broke the seal and read the message.

Presently his single eye surveyed the room. "Baldr. Her master has requested an observer to watch their actions in handling this threat to matters on Midgard. Wilst thou go and insure that the Accords stand?"

Julie blinked tears out of her dazzled eyes as a golden-haired young man who shone with light stood. "I shall All-Father."

With that Odin focused his one eye upon her. "You have traveled long to our hearth and hall. Let none say that Gramr Hliðskjálfar is lacking in hospitality! Come, sit, and feast, for we have the ale of the brewery and the mead of poetry, meat and bread, and a warm fire!"

Julie bowed and at his gesture made her way to an open seat, where she picked up in both hands the offered drinking horn carved from a massive aurochs. "I raise the banded ivory to salute the master of the hall, great in wisdom and hospitality is he, and so may he ever be!" She cried out into the awaiting anticipatory silence as she grinned smugly while she remembered past trips here after the Pacific War.

The gods and heroes of the cold lands of the North roared as she then threw back her head and began to drink deeply of the foaming dark ale in it, gulping down as much as she could in one pull from the horn. Her head spun and she swayed as she gasped for air, feeling the rich alcohol hit her like a punch from an Oni on the sparring grounds.

Finally she could take no more and lowered the horn. The crowd hushed as she wiped foam from her lips with one elbow and then turned the horn upside down. Three drops of ale fell to the floor, but no more.

The roar that followed at her feat shook the mighty timbers as the feast resumed.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Jawbone moving, Mitsuhide just stared at the British and Kitsune teenagers at the other side of the lab where they sat against the wall, a few golden sparks twinkling around them. Despite having seen it with his own eyes... his mind could not believe what he had just seen. It was impossible, inconcievable... One of the Three Great Yokai of Japan, beings that had terrorized the nation in antiquity, Tamamo no Mae, the most powerful Kitsune...

Had just been beaten by two teenagers, and mostly through the efforts of one of them.

Unable to help himself, he just muttered in disbelief, "Impossible... that is impossible..."

Out of the corner of his eyesight, he saw a flash and brought his sword up in time to block that of a grinning Nobu, "No, not impossible, far from it." Glancing at Harry as she struck again, she chuckled, "After all, it happened and if anyone could do it, Harry could." Internally though, she also had her own disbelief, 'To think that he would have such power...'

Taking a step back, and deflecting another blow to the side, Mitsuhide snarled, "I REFUSE TO BELIEVE THAT HAPPENED! THAT SUCH A BEING COULD FALL TO THOSE LIKE THEM!"

Eyes narrowing, the teenage former warlord smirked, "Too bad that you cannot believe your eyes. Besides..." Steel clashed against steel as Nobu pushed her for back a footstep or two, "He's my friend, Mitsuhide. I only wish that he was around in my previous life, do you know why?" Ducking under a strike, she laughed madly, "Because with him, I would have conquered Japan alongside Kote-Chan, Ieyasu, Monkey, and Yasuke! He would have been a perfect retainer, better than you!" Leaning to the side as her foe's sword passed her head, Nobu continued, "Because he would have been worth more than you ever were... more than ten of you!"

For a moment, it looked like Mitsuhide had been struck... before the flames in his eyes blazed brightly and he lunged, "DAMN YOU! DIE!"

With a smirk, Nobu met him head on, their swords clashing once more. She did glance at her blade and noted the unmaintained blade was starting to chip, 'Hopefully one of us makes a mistake soon... and that someone is not me.'

Elsewhere in the lab, Okita and Hijikata were also clashing some. Blocking and rediverting a strike, the female of the two hummed, "What was that you were saying, Hijikata-Senpai? About how foreigners are nothing?" Sparks flew as their blades met and slid along one another, "Because if Harry-San is anything to go by... you're on the wrong side of history."

Tilting his head as Okita's sword nearly took it off, the flames in the undead Shinsengumi dimmed a bit, "It means nothing but that he is an exception to the rules. And there is always one."

Lips curling, Okita smirked, "It shook you though to the core." Her answer was a strike that she easily blocked, "Ah, getting sloppy, I see.

All Hijitaka did was dim the flames in his eyes in the undead version of narrowing one's eyes before once more meeting his former comrade in combat.

Meanwhile, for their part, neither Uesugi or Takeda were trading barbs with one another. Instead, the undead Warlord gave his foe a small tilt of the head before glancing at Harry as he blocked another strike of Uesugi's sword, "A most impressive young man, Uesugi-Kun. To have one of such will and determination in one so young already? Truly, the Kami and others are smiling down on you to have him as a comrade in this new life of yours."

Just leaning back some as the iron fan lashed out to slice her throat, just barely missing the blades on it, the teenage girl nodded, "Hai, you are quite correct Takeda-Kun. I am blessed to know him and have him as both comrade and friend." A chuckle escaped her as she lashed out with her sword, "If only I knew him in my previous life, though from what Nobu-Chan has stated, I would have had to fight her back than for the right to have him as one of my retainers."

With a hum, Takeda nodded slightly, "Or myself."

Both rivals chuckled before once more launching themselves into the fight.

Fudo, for her part, was simply trying to push aside what she had seen for now. Yes, Toku had told her that others outside of Japan could be powerful and honourable. Before World War Two, she had not believed it, though she had started to after. The fight she had with her sister's... suitor, and didn't that word leave a bit of a sour taste in her mouth, had reinforced it. But Colombe was someone with centuries of experience behind them, and all the skill as well as power that meant.

Not once did she ever think that she would see a foreign teenage wizard manage to kill what many warriors would have struggled to do so.

In part of her mind, there was a small part of her still boggling about that fact. The rest though made note of why he had been able to do it. Because someone he had cared deeply about had been taken and he wanted her back. It was something that she could respect to be quite honest. Mainly because she could see herself doing much the same for her younger sister among others. Right then, she swore that if they made it out, she would most definitely share that Butterbeer with him, despite not particularly liking it. Though... drinking ages were more flexible on the magical side.

RIght then, she caught movement out of the corner of her eye and brought up one arm in a flash. A shield with a Buddhist mandala manifested and blocked the tail strike from the Orochi and flashed as she skidded back a bit. Narrowing her eyes a bit, she grimaced, "Just have to survive this."

Suddenly, the Orochi staggered some as Carnwennan's blade embedded itself in the monster's back as it roared. His avatar appeared a few moments later, ripping his true self out and planting his boot between two of the necks. Seconds later, his other boot planted itself in the side of the Orochi's middle head, knocking it to the side. Leaping, and landing next to Fudo, he gave her a smile, "Been a while since I have had fun like this."

Glancing at him, Fudo arched an eyebrow though she found herself smiling back, "I would ask what your definition of fun is then."

Lightly laughing, the Arthurian blade shook his head as he brought his true self up and blocked one of the claws before punching the head at lunged at him to the side, "Beating the ever bloody crap out of monsters for the most part. Rather enjoyable, especially when one has not had their coffee yet."

That got him a snort before Fudo frowned, "Unfortunately, I don't know how long we can keep this up." Both of them dodged to the side, "Because it is not going down."

Of all the responses she could have expected, it was not for him to chuckle, "Well, you seem to be doing quite fine. And your attacks are working."

Furrowing her eyebrows, and with her shining blade cutting a furrow in the breastbone of the skeletal dragon, the Tanto looked back at him, "What are you talking about? It's regenerating from every hit! Look for yourself!"

Bemused, Carnwennan looked at the furrow which was closing and smiled a bit, "Quite, as I said, working." He then grinned at her, "After all, it stopped growing."

About to something, the Tanto paused and considered things... and realized that he was right, it had stopped growing, "What in the world...?"

Chuckling as he slid along the ground and kicked the back of the skeletal monster's knee, driving it forward for a strike along the ribs, Carnwennan nodded, "That is the trick with these sorts of monsters. They need a source of material in order to keep regenerating, to keep growing. Without that..."

Briefly, Fudo's eyes widened before they narrowed and she smirked, "Without that, they can't keep regenerating. They just heal with what they have on hand and every bit takes some of that away."

The older dagger nodded with a smile, "Quite right. And your abilities are perfect for that." Making some gestures and speaking in Welsh, chains made of shadow suddenly wrapped around the Orochi's limbs and yanked it backwards several feet, "Because with each hit, you weaken it just that much."

Only nodding, Fudo smirked, "Thanks..."

All she got was a slight nod in return before rushing at the Orochi as it broke free of the chains.

Sucking in breath after breath with her hair sticking to her forehead, Asuka just continued to look completely stunned at what had happened. Part of her was having issue connecting Harry, her friend, with the juggernaut that had just slew an undead version of Tamamo no Mae. Yes, it was weaker than she had been, but... he had still ripped her apart all to get Natsumi free from its clutches. She was broken out of her thoughts by Usagi who shook her, "Asuka-San! Get a hold of yourself!"

With a shake of her head, the Tengu nodded, "R-right! Sorry about that..."

That got her a look from Ayaka, the Inugami snorting, "I don't think that any of us blame you for being distracted. Because that was... was..."

Rika smirked a bit at her friend who was at a loss for words, "Badass? Because it really was." Shaking her head, she ran a hand through her dirty hair, "I mean, we all knew that Harry-Chan and Natsumi-Chan cared for each other, but that..."

For his part, Kaku chuckled, "Well, I fully approve of her match now, though I did before." His expression then turned grim and he pointed, "Unfortunately... we got other problems."

At that, the teens turned and winced as the Gashadokuro who they were fighting had finally freed itself from the wall it had been embedded in due to Harry's... explosion. Shoulders slumping, Asuka found her eyebrow twitching, "Why... why won't it die?"

Gripping Tanto tightly as she raised it, Usagi's nose twitched as she narrowed her eyes into a glare, "Unfortunately, we're not so lucky. Besides... this is the Boss Monster we're to face at the bottom of this dungeon."

Slowly blinking, the others looked at her with the lone Tanuki saying what was on their minds, "Really, Usagi-Chan? I mean, really?"

Usagi smirked a bit at him and grinned, "Hai, after all what else would you call it after all we've gone through?" Her tone than became dry, "Maybe you'll be able to get the attention of that one female Tanuki that is back in Yokosuka. You know, the one that was on the island with Baker-Sensei's children? I've seen you making eyes at her whenever you've seen her."

Blushing, Kaku looked away at that, "S-shut up... besides, Otou-San mentioned that our families are close anyways."

About to say something else, the Inaba's eyes widened and she jumped to the side, "MOVE!"

Thankfully, all of them did so as moments later, a metal table weighing a few hundred pounds impacted where they had been and crumpled under the impact. Above it, Asuka winced as she imagined what would have happened if it had hit them... right before she saw stars in her eyes as her head whacked on something running along the ceiling. Shaking her head, she turned only to blink, 'Wait...' Slowly, she looked around with her eyes and furrowed her eyebrows as she chewed her lip, 'Maybe...'

Down below, Kaku transformed into his animal form before turning back and using his staff to knock the legs out of the taller creature. As it stumbled, Usagi was already on it's shoulders, slashing with her knife before leaping several feet back as it tried to grab her, "Great... where is the damn Megaflare or Ultima when you need it?"

Scoffing, Rika sent fireballs at the skeletal being's face making it stumble a bit as the sword in Ayaka's hands sliced along it's face, leaving a furrow in the bone, "I would be happy with a Ragna Blade myself." Moments later, she jumped as an excited Asuka landed next to her, "Asuka-San! What are you-"

However, she was unable to finish as Asuka cut her off, "I think that I know how to beat it! But we need to work together!"

Glancing at the others, the Inaba shrugged some, "Sure, if you got an idea I'm all ears." The fact that she pointed at the rabbit ears on her head made them all snort, "What do you need us to do?"

With a deep breath, Asuka swallowed, "I need you and Kaku-San to distract it for... a minute or two. Ayaka-San? I need you to run over and grab that valve over there and turn it as much as you can."

Confused, the Inugami looked and frowned, "Why turn it?"

Lips twitching into a predatory smile, Asuka shook her head, "Because it is what is needed for the next bit. Rika-San? I need you to make as big of a Hi-Tama as possible. Can you do that?"

Simply shrugging, Rika nodded, "Sure thing."

Taking a deep breath, the Tengu smiled, "Good... good. But when I say move, both of you Usagi-San and Kaku-San need to move and fast."

At that, Kaku and Usagi only nodded before rushing at the Gashadokuro to provide the time needed. Meanwhile, Ayaka transformed into her dog form and rushed around the lab towards the valve needed. At one point, she dashed just behind Mitsuhide, causing him to stumble and swing wide, meaning that Nobu got the upper hand and kicked him onto one of the rolling trays and sending him flying back with a laugh and a shout of thanks.

Reaching the valve, the Inugami transformed back before grabbing it and grunting as she tried to turn it. With a growl that turned into a howl, Ayaka strained and didn't notice that one of her bandages had come loose and now bleeding. Said blood running down her arm and onto the valve... lubricating it. Suddenly, said valve twisted and she nearly let got before turning it as much as she was able and looking over her shoulder, "DONE!"

Back with the others, Usagi noticed Asuka kick something in the ceiling before motioning with her fan. The Inaba could feel the wind pick up and begin to swirl faster and faster around them and the Gashadokuro... right before her nose twitched and her eyes widened, 'No... she's not actually...'

Upon looking at Kaku who blocked a hit, she could see him come to the same realization. Neither of them did anything but obey when Asuka screeched at them to run and, a few seconds later, told Rika to throw her fire. Said fireball, composed of a Nekomata's flames which themselves were spiritual flames, hit the Gashadokuro... as well as the sphere of coal gas that Asuka had guided and compressed around it and was connected to the stream of gas gushing from the broken pipe that ran to the crematorium. Both Kaku and Usagi skidded along the floor from the detonation as heat washed over them, thankful that the wind shielded them.

Not far away, Hijitaka stumbled a bit from the blast and turned, "What-"

That distraction was all that Okita needed as she sheathed her sword and then drew it as fast as she could as she muttered to herself, "Sandanzuki..."

For the two former Shinsengumi, time seemed to slow to a crawl as Hijitaka turned back to her. But it was too late as Okita's sword flashed out, cutting cleanly through one shoulder. Even as said arm, holding the undead swordsman's sword began to fall, the teenage girl's sword had already slashed through the opposite shoulder and punched clear through Hijitaka's neck. Time sped back up as the skeletal guard dropped to his knees as his head rolled along the ground. The rest of his body following seconds later.

Having noticed the glow fading in his eye sockets, Okita bowed to him, "Goodbye, Hijitaka-Senpai. May you rest."

Briefly, the flame of the former Commander of the Shinsengumi's eyes went out before coming back, "Okita-Kun... listen... to what... I say... a final... gift..."

Okita just crouched down and listened, her eyes widening before her expression softened and she nodded as her former comrade died once more, tears running down her cheeks.

Unknowing of what had just happened, the Tengu grit her teeth as she pushed more power into the war fan she had and guided the escaping coal gas down the corridor of wind into the inferno burning mere meters away. Around them, the wind picked up more and more as the fire became a tornado of flame that scorched the ceiling and burned ever hotter as oxygen was added. A predatory screech like that of a bird of prey broke free from Asuka as the wind increased still further as she attempted to kill the Gashadokuro with Rika adding more ghostly flames.

Ducking behind one of the anchored tables, Usagi stuck her head up over the edge as her ears waved in the strong wind before her eyes widened as various objects were sucked into the flames. Including the Gashadokuro that Carnwennan had cripped on his way to join Fudo's fight, the legless skeleton clawing at the floor as it was pulled in, "Oh... wow..."

Inside the inferno, the Gashadokuro took a step forward even as the bones that made it up began to blacken in the heat. The steel armor it had on first glowed a dull red before the color became brighter and brighter, turning white hot as the undead monstrosity roared it's defiance to the heavens as it succumbed along with it's fellow. Eyes glowing as she focused on killing the monster, Asuka made sure that nothing was left but that made of ash before she realized there was a problem. Mainly, she could not stop the inferno and if she released it, all her friends would die. And so, she did the only thing possible even as she screamed for Ayaka to cut the gas, which the Inugami did so.

And that was to make it someone else's problem by throwing the inferno away from her friends.

Keeping a tight hold on the winds that held the tornado together, she only had a moment to realize that it was about to hit the containment tubes moments before it did so. Glass melted away as ice within a furnance and the bones inside were scorched and turned to ash as the tornado of hellish flame claimed them. One of the tubes, containing a female human skeleton was a close miss as it shattered. Even as the undead inside tried to pull itself to safety, it was sucked into the maelstrom and destroyed.

Eyes wide, Asuka just stared before suddenly she felt utterly exhausted and fell. Thankfully, Kaku caught her and gave her a smile, "Heh... not bad Asuka-San."

Blinking, the Tengu could feel her exhaustion catch up with her as she fell unconscious. Not, however, before giving a smile, "Thanks..."

Not far away, both Carnwennan and Fudo could see the tornado and what it did before sharing a glance. Silently, they came to an agreement and acted with the Arthurian dagger using a simple leviation charm while Fudo overloaded a banishing charm sending the skeletal dragon into the flames. Even though it was dissapating, the flames still scorched and blacked the Orochi's skeleton, creating cracks in it.

Out of the corner of his eye, Carnwennan noticed other skeletal guards flooding in and could sense that their allies were not far now. Glancing at Fudo, he raised an eyebrow, "Can you manage it from now?"

With a deep breath, Fudo nodded with a smirk, "Pretty sure that I can as a matter of fact." That only got her a nod before the other dagger threw his true self and cut one of the guards down before his avatar appeared and began to act like a blade version of the whirlwind that they had just seen. Eyebrow raised, Fudo hummed a bit, "Going to need to buy him a drink." Turning, she gave the burnt Orochi a glare. She could see that it was hurt and hurt badly. Enough so that it was regenerating slowly, "Now for you..."

Taking another deep breath, the Masamune raised her true self. She knew that she was nearly at the end of the line. That if she was about to do what she was, she would very likely die. But...

But...

Here, at this moment of time, in this place, having learned all that she had? There was a sense of peace that filled her as all she wanted to do was make things right...
She took a step as a glow formed around her.

Even if she was to die here, to fall...

Another step and the glow intensified as she charged the roaring monster.

Perhaps for once, just this once...

The glow burst into a flaming Shingon Buddhist mandala containing the Five Wisdom Kings of the Womb Realm.

She would be the hero and save the day from the monster.

Time slowed in her vision as the Orochi slashed at her with one heat blackened arm. In reply, Fudo brought up her true form, shining with light. Part of her swore that she could feel a comforting hand that was familiar rest itself on her shoulder as her blade met the Orochi's claw head on and a sense of strength filled her. The Tanto that she truly was began to slice along the arm, leaving a white cut behind with the bone breaking and burning around it as it broke apart into dust.

Her strike continued up the arm, to the shoulder before she pulled out with the skeletal dragon roaring as it's arm disintegrated. But Fudo was not done yet as she cut through one neck, and then a second leaving the middle head which swung the remaining arm at her. Unfortunately, the Tanto cut that to pieces seconds later before burying herself in it's chest and letting loose a blast of power directly into the Orochi's form. Her eyes met the glowing eye sockets of the monster as glowing cracks spread across every bone in it's body and it lunged for her face.

But... before it could, it turned to ash as the cracks spread with nothing remaining of it besides such.

On Fudo's face there was a smile as she fell backwards and into someone's arms. Seeing the worried, frightened expression on the familiar face, she sighed, "Sorry... Toku-Chan."

Suddenly, a clawed hand placed itself on her chest and she gasped as she felt herself be brought back by Qi being transfered into her. Rapidly blinking, she looked up to find a Kyuubi who looked familiar to her giving her a small smirk, "Now, now, no dying quite yet! We haven't thank you for looking after our grandchild yet."

It was then that she recognized the form of Kogitsune-Maru behind the Kitsune and realized that they resembled Natsumi. Seeing the grin on her fellow blade spirit, she groaned, "Kill me."

Giggling, the blade became female and glanced at Natsumi's grandfather, "No, not yet, Fudo-Han."

For her part, Musashi ran over and looked at where the Orochi had been before giving her sister a look. Right before she grinned herself and chuckled, "Once you are well, I see that I shall have to whittle a bokken as it seems that you have been holding back, Fudo-Han!"

All the Tanto did was facepalm before realizing something as she noticed Honjo was also there, "Wait... if you are all here, then... where is Kote-Nee-Sama?"

Toku blinked and pointed, "She ran over to help out a teenage girl fighting one of the guards, Fudo-Nee-San."

Glancing in the direction, Fudo blinked some as she realized that said girl was Nobu, just in time for her sword to break, "Oh... shit." Upon seeing Kote's true form summoned to Nobu's hand after a gesture, she shook her head and brought a shaking hand up, "Toku-Chan... they... they brought back Takeda Shingen... he's right over there... fighting Uesugi-Chan..."

Eyes widening, the Blade of Hachiman turned and looked before crying out at the sight of the man she had considered a brother having been forcibly resurrected. Placing a hand on her shoulder, Musashi gave her a serious expression, "Go."

Not waiting, she got to her feet and rushed towards the battle, only to see the teenage girl's sword pierce into Takeda's chest after he made a misstep...
__________________________________________________________________

Both Uesugi and Takeda had noticed the flaming tornado as it passed through the lab just far enough that they could feel the intense heat, but not close enough to harm. Noticing the tubes get destroyed, the undead Warlord gave a nod, "Good, they are destroyed then."

With a nod as she ducked under a slash and returned it, Uesugi sighed, "Hai, and you sound glad."

Lightly chuckling, Takeda somehow had her know he was smiling, "Hai, I am. Because now Japan is safe from such monsters. Your comrades are most effective and honourable, I am glad that you have such now whom you can trust."

Blocking a hit, the teenage smiled back, "As am I." Just a few minutes later, they could see the Orochi die a final time with Fudo killing it as various people rushed in, "And there goes the last threat."

Head tilting both in askance as well as to dodge a strike, Takeda chuckled, "You do not see me as a threat?"

Uesugi only shook her head some with a frown, "You are, but not in that way, I'm afraid."

All she got was a slight nod of the head before they continued their dance of death. Various people looked like they would jump in, but were unsure how. Out of the corner of his eye, Takeda noticed one blade in particular and would have smiled if he could as he recognized it. How could he not remember the Masamune his father had commissioned, and seeing her made him glad. Especially as there were a few hints of his father in her appearence. The whole time though, he did not stop fighting Uesugi as the two clashed.

That was... until he stepped on a piece of glass and slipped a little... but that was enough.

Seizing the chance, Uesugi lunged forward as he tried to block. But the war fan was too slow and so the sword plunged into his chest, piercing through his spine and paralyzing him from the shoulders down. As he fell, Uesugi took off his weapon arm. With only one arm working, Takeda managed to catch himself enough look up, "Ah... and now we know who is the better."

What made it worse to the reincarnated warlord was how there was no incrimination in the sentence. Just an acknowledgement of facts with a bit of happiness, "Hai, at least this time."

Even as Takeda nodded, Toku reached them and slowed, "Takeda-Kun... Otouto..."

Just turning, the undead warrior nodded as he took her in, "Tokunotakai-Chan... it is good to see your form besides your blade. You are as beautiful as I could have expected. And I can see Chichi-ue in you."

Cheeks wet with tears, the Masamune's voice was thick with emotion, "Thank you. I... I am sorry... so, so sorry that this..."

However, Takeda shook his head slowly, "It is not your fault, Tokunotakai-Chan. Rather, it is the fault of evil men, though I am thankful for even this short meeting... I am sorry that it is this short." Feeling himself regenerating a little, he turned to Uesugi, "Please... grant me a proper death before I am unable to do anything else. I ask this of you... my foe... my rival... my friend. Before I am forced to do any more evil."

Tears running down her cheeks, Uesugi closed her eyes and bowed some, "Hai." Opening them, she raised her sword up, "While I am glad to have met you once more, I am sorry it had to be in such circumstances, my friend."

Within the skull's eye sockets, the flames dimmed until nearly gone as he bowed back and exposed his neck, "I feel much the same... and I am glad that it is you to do this."

Breathing deeply, Uesugi nodded, "Hai... may you rest in peace and perhaps we shall meet again once more."

And, with that, the sword came down and seconds later, Takeda's skull rolled along the ground, the lights within it going out for a final time as the rest of his body collapsed. None of those there commented on how sobs ripped out from Uesugi's throat or how a tearful Okita pulled her into a hug followed by Toku.

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

The Enemy Is At Honnō-ji

Sub-Unit 942 Bunker Outside Yokosuka

23 June 2014
Spoiler: Honnō-ji

The last of the Gashadokoro blocking their path along the corridor fell to a swing of Norimune's blade, glowing brightly as Tokunotakai channeled Hachiman's power into her.

Kotegiri's eyes narrowed thoughtfully as she gestured with one hand to lead her squad deeper into the heart of darkness.

She could sense the desperation of their enemy, throwing men into the meat grinder of the corridor fight to save his own skin.

Their breakthrough had been inevitable two junctions ago, as those who could handle these undead monstrosities such as herself and her sisters formed into a shock unit to cleave to the heart of the complex.

Her foe's attempts to use his superior knowledge of the tunnel network to cut off her thrust at his command post had failed.

The first one had run head-on into the shipgirls, Abyssals, and twin Installations paralleling them and had... ceased to exist rather rapidly.

The second had likewise been smashed when they hit the First Oni Guard, who were fighting like men and women possessed alongside the humans assigned to them.

The third, a mass wave of lesser skeletons, had run into the Potter Armory and Musashi who had reaped their ranks mercilessly and swiftly like wheat before the scythe.

Her eyes hardened as she flash-stepped past a lesser skeleton as she took its head.

All battles had a rhythm, a heartbeat, a pulse.

She had been born to war and she knew the way of battle intimately.

She had seen this panicked wastage of troops before, this stuttering, juddering heartbeat as men were sacrificed to save the general's own skin as the battle turned against him.

Tedorigawa in 1577.

The Tedori river had ran red through Kaga Province as Uesugi Kenshin fought Nobunaga-dono.

She had seen that on the left flank as the Uesugi began to break through after opening the river's floodgates to split the Oda army.

The ashigaru troops under the command of Akechi Mitsuhide had been thrown into the furnace in fruitless, wasted attacks with wet gunpowder and matchlocks that would not fire against armored enemies armed with sword and bow spearheaded by Uesugi's elite Oni shock unit.

All so T͚͉͓ͅh̴̹̜̻̮̭̔̑̑̃͂ͨͅe̬̖̫̠̲̕ ̦͓Ţ̔r̜̜̘̟͆̍ͥ̒͞ǎ̀̃ͩ҉̻̘͍ͅit͋̍̏̊ͤ̾͗oŗ̠̪͇͈̐̈̾̑ could retreat himself and his household retainers over the swollen river once more right before Nobunaga-dono's order to withdraw from the budding catastrophe.

Her lips peeled back from her teeth in a merciless vicious razor-edged smile as she advanced over falling corpses in a unstoppable whirlwind of steel.

Her allies followed behind her as she slew and slew all between her and her goal faster than foes had ever fallen before her steel.

She had read the secret report that had hinted that during the Pacific War, the Kamo government had dared to violate the Wheel of Reincarnation to steal souls from the Yama Kings of the Afterlife.

Forcing them to be reincarnated in new body with their old lives recalled and their old personalities overwriting those of their hosts.

Yet one more crime of the men who she had supported while not suspecting of the madness under the facade.

Yet one more crime that would be purged from the Honor of Japan in the blood of the guilty on her blade.

Yet one more personal failure that would be redeemed in the destruction of all these tainted facilities and hidden laboratories wherever they lay.

The last of the chaff looked at her and ran toward the opened door at the junction.

The Blade of the Emperor sprinted after him like the coming of death.

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

Flames roared in the room as steel clashed on steel.

Nobu-chan grimaced as her borrowed sword snapped on the armor of Mitsuhide Akechi. While she was his superior in skill in her second life just as she had been in his first life, her weapons were lacking. Also it did not help that his armor was strong and he was regenerating what should have been death wounds.

Which would kill her again at the undead hands of the warlord who had betrayed and murdered him in 1582 in the burning of the temple of Honnō-ji.

She frantically ducked a swing of his blade as she dodged behind a table in the underground laboratory that they were fighting through. A skeletal guard sprinted into the room with steel drawn. Nobu braced herself to try to wrench his sword away as she sprinted around another table. She would die here, but she would die fighting just like in her first life.

Then the second guard's head flew from his shoulders in a flash of steel and a woman strode inside over his corpse as time stopped.

Masamune-no-Kotegiri was clad in the crimson kimono with the Mokka-mon crest of His Clan blazing in thread of gold that he had gifted her in 1564.

Her golden eyes were filled with seething furious anger that was honed and controlled to an edge sharper than her master-crafted steel.

Her lips were peeled back in her most furious smile showing all her teeth.

The razor-edged smile she reserved for the moment before she took a life.

Kote-chan had never been so beautiful as in that instant.

Mitsuhide paused in naked shock at the sight of the most feared of the Demon King's subordinates appearing like the Angel of Death that she had been forged to be.

He stepped back and to the side, moving toward the door for another laboratory.

Kotegiri's blazing golden eyes in a face that had been lined by her many labors surveyed the scene as time resumed.

"Kote-chan, to me!" Nobu tossed his broken sword at Mitsuhide to delay him for an instant as she waved her hand in the pattern of command on the battlefield that they knew so well as the broad grin of the Fool of Owari filled her face.

The golden eyes filled with tears and a loving whisper broke from her lips as her body flew across the room. "Master Nobu-dono..."

Kote-chan's intimately familiar sharkskin and silk kissed Nobu-chan's palms and a sense of rightness filled their souls as triumphant laughter from two throats as one echoed through the room over the roar of the flames and the scream of the dying Orochi.

The greatest warlord of the Warring States raised His Blade just as he had done in 1567 to unify Japan.

Tenka Fubu.

"Cover that which is under the sky with This Sword."

His Confidante.

His Strong Right Arm.

His Kote-chan.

Oda Nobunaga raised Masamune-no-Kotegiri, the Armor-Cutter of the Pure Smith, the second greatest of the Masamunes, into Chudan no Kamae and her eyes glittered. "Old Friend, you betrayed me in my first life, not least by persuading me to send her away from my side to make me vulnerable to your treachery."

"Now we settle this between us three once and for all. For 'The Enemy is at Honnō-ji'." With a sarcastic retelling of the words that had signaled his betrayal and murder Nobunaga moved to engage Mitsuhide.

Mitsuhide sprinted through the door that he had been moving toward with Nobunaga following after on his heels. Kotegiri's true body gleamed hungrily along her razor edge and glimmered as the intricate spiderweb of her enchantments and charms sprang to full life in the hands of Her Master.

The rush to follow was checked by Kotegiri's avatar raising a hand as she assumed command. "Iie. T̕hͯ̓̌̂ͧͬi͌sͯͫͭ͊ ͣ̉on̈͌͗̎ͭe I claim for myself and my Master alone. Personally." Her eyes half-hooded and she licked her lips disturbingly. "I have been waiting for this moment for over four centuries, and we shall not be denied."

The secondary laboratory was dimly lit and filled by bubbling alchemical containers. As Nobu-chan entered, she saw Mitsuhide grabbing a barrel of some glowing paste and smashing it against his chest. There was a bright flash and when she blinked spots from her eyes, Mitsuhide's armor glowed bone-white.

Nobu-chan moved to attack and steel clashed on steel once more. Kotegiri vibrated happily in her hands as she sliced through Mitsuhide's sword as if it was a sheet of paper... then stopped dead as she slammed into his chest-plate. Sparks and chips flew as the Armor-Cutter fought against the enchanted paste designed to make armor impenetrable.

A bony fist punched Nobunaga in the torso and the teenager doubled over as things popped and broke in her chest. "It worked... it actually worked... Now I need a sword to take his head again...." A kick sent her skidding across the floor half-dazed.

Nobunaga gasped for breath and coughed up some blood as Kotegiri vibrated with concern.

"I'm working on the plan, Kote-chan. Don't worry," she muttered through bloody lips.

Then as she focused through the pain, her eyes zeroed on one of the kegs of reagents pumping fluid into the transparent case containing a katana that Mitsuhide was unlocking.

"Got him. Once I throw you, manifest and hit him with a fire spell." Nobu gasped and then hurled Kotegiri at Mitsuhide.

The undead saw the flash of steel flying at him and ducked frantically.

Kotegiri flew over his head and split the reagent tank, spraying him with the thick, oily liquid inside it.

"Taking your fool head with your favorite sword, how fitting, Fool of Owari." Mitsuhide hissed in triumph as he reached for Kotegiri's hilt.

A moment later, that end of the room exploded in flames, turning Mitsuhide into a burning torch.

Nobu-chan staggered to her feet as Mitsuhide screamed in agony as he burned alive.

"Invulnerable armor means nothing when you are covered in kasha blood, 'old friend'. It burns with the fires of Jigoku when ignited, after all, as a foretaste of the punishment awaiting the souls that they claim." Her voice was merciless and ruthless, filled with the legendary spirit that had smashed all opposition to her ambitions and put thousands to the sword.

She grinned savagely as Mitsuhide's armor cracked and split from the heat as the paste shielding him burned to ashes. "Now, Kote-chan, give him his traitor's reward! I command it!"

Masamune-no-Kotegiri's avatar manifested next to the flaming pool where Mitsuhide burned helplessly.

The roaring inferno flashed from blood red silk, flickered from the falling cherry blossoms on the hem of her kimono, and gleamed from the golden Mokka-mon of the Oda Clan.

It paled to the Hell itself that danced in her golden eyes and along her blade.

Kotegiri raised Masamune steel over her head in two hands slowly as she moved into the opening stance for the pear-splitter, savoring the last moments of the doomed traitor begging for his life as he burned before her.

Her smiling lips opened in the moment between life and death to whisper lovingly into the silence between two heartbeats.

"At your command, Nobu-chan..."

The Armor-Cutter fell.

 

[darthcourt10]

Yellowhammer

A Butterknife's Reflection

Sub-Unit-942 Bunker Complex Outside Yokosuka

23 June 2014

Muramasa-no-Norimune slowly lowered her true self. She breathed out a sigh of relief that they had been in time, and the children trapped in the bunker were safe.

She turned to look at Kotegiri, who had taken command of their shock team and had spearheaded the final savage fighting through the last lines of enemy defense. As she opened her mouth to speak, the Masamune's avatar smiled viciously and then vanished.

Norimune looked at the door where a trickle of smoke was now issuing and where the teenage girl who Kotegiri had thrown herself to in her duel with the other skeleton had vanished.

Could that truly be...?
Spoiler: A Honorable Battle

She frowned as she watched the other girl duel the skeleton with the war fan.

She had seen this particular duel before.

When she was very young, half a century after being consecrated, before she even had the legend and spirit to form her avatar.

Fourth Kawanakajima when Uesugi Kenshin had outmaneuvered his rival Takeda Shigen through artifice, bluff, and use of the terrain to launch a furious all-out attack on the unprepared Takeda despite having a numerically inferior force.

She, in the hands of Uesugi's elite shock unit of Oni, alongside her sister Chisuheri had plunged into the bloody fighting as they launched wave after wave of savage attacks upon a wing of the Takeda army before the other wing could realize that Kenshin had slipped the encirclement that they planned and come to their lord's aid.

In the midst of the fighting she had seen it as her Oni wielder took a breather to get his wounds tended to.

Uesugi Kenshin himself, as he led them and his household bodyguards, sword in hand as he charged Takeda Shigen, who defended himself with his war fan as the elite of their armies fell like cherry blossoms around them in the most savage fighting of the bloodiest battle of the Jidai.

Blow met with parry, counterattack with riposte, feint and maneuver between two perfectly matched warriors until the tides of battle forced them to suspend their inconclusive duel as fresh troops arrived to reestablish the line before the next wave of attacks. It was one of the most beautiful scenes that she had ever been privileged to witness in her long life.

The sublime height of the Art of the Sword.

Which she was seeing again between this skeleton dressed in Shigen's old armor wielding a war fan and the teenage girl using the sword in Kenshin's style.

Norimune's eyes glistened with tears for the terribly transcendent beauty of two souls dancing along the border between life and death for honor's sake as she witnessed the battle, surrounded by her sisters and other legendary blades of Japan.

Perhaps beauty and honor in war was not as dead after all as she feared.

Not if it could produce this moment of understanding between two souls who had been rivals in life, and linked forever in legend as a result.

As the two separated for a second of pause before resuming, she glanced over at Masamune-no-Honjo who stood next to her sister Chisuheri.

She saw in their eyes what she knew was in her own.

They knew and stood in witness to the branch containing two cherry blossoms, awaiting which one would fall to the bloodstained grass first. Just as they had in 1561 when this battle truly began.

A momentary slip by Shigen leading to Kenshin's crippling strike produced a wordless stir as the battle ended.

Beside her, Tokunotakai made a stifled cry, and Norimune suddenly remembered her earliest memory.

Toku had been commissioned by the Takeda daimyo, Shigen's father, to be his offering to Hachiman-no-kami just as she had been commissioned by the Uesugi.

Her opposite.

Her rival.

Her fellow Blade of Hachiman.

Her.... friend.

With that insight, her hand, acting on its own, squeezed the Masamune's shoulder as her fellow Blade stood beside her. "Go to him," she whispered.

Toku gave her a thankful sidelong glance through her flowing tears as she hurried to the side of the dying man who on some level, she saw as her younger brother.

Norimune watched the girl, clearly the reborn spirit of Kenshin, begin to weep only to be comforted by her friend and by Toku. She walked close and reached through the group hug of her to place a reassuring squeeze on Kenshin's shoulder.

She paused and then spoke in a low voice as Chisuheri and Honjo joined them. "He died as he lived, in honor. Surely the Judges of the Underworld shall see that and weigh that against his sins."

A tear-filled nod answered her as the Dragon of Echigo cried for the Tiger of Kai.

------------------------------------------------
Spoiler: A Family Meeting

"Big Brother!" Norimune turned to the door to see a white haired and pale skinned little Abyssal girl surrounded by a dark roiling aura dash inside. Close on her heels were a group of shipgirls such as the raven-haired battleship, a white haired girl carrying a Cossack shashka saber, a pair of twins hefting an anchor and a flamethrower, a dark haired girl carrying a Muramasa, another pair of twins with their hair whipping in the wind and their eyes glowing, a Re cla---

WAIT.

Back that up.

Norimune boggled at the sight of the blade in the dark haired girl's hand. It was a Kodachi whose aura seemed to ripple in the light, like flowing water. Or the movement the moment before a shark attacked. The pattern and aura were unmistakable, but she had never seen this blade before in her life.

This... sister.

She grabbed Chisuheri's arm as her Buddhist sister examined the pile of ash where the firestorm had been raging. She hissed out "Chi-chan. Do you see what I see in the black haired pipsqueak's hand? The one over by those kids getting treated?"

Chisuheri glanced over, then did a visible double take as her jaw dropped. "Chikushou! It can't be!" The Buddhist swore in shock.

Norimune walked over to the petite girl, appraising her mentally, and nodding to herself. While she looked like a pipsqueak, her posture and movements were those of a highly skilled and veteran warrior. Since she was clearly a shipgirl, she was only weak in comparison to the others around her.

"Yo." Norimune greeted her with a wave and a smug grin, "if I can ask, what's the story on your sword?"

The girl blinked. "Oh hello, mogu mogu. Gyakuryuu was delivered to me by Harry and Shiromizu. She was gifted to me by the kami Muramasa this year. I'm the spirit of #3 Submergence Transport Vehicle, Maruyu."

Norimune blinked as Chisuheri joined them, "Um, well. I'm Muramasa-no-Norimune, and this is my sister Muramasa-no-Chisuheri. My kid sister Juuchi is over there talking to Honjo and Musashi." Norimune pointed at her next-to-youngest no longer sister. "Umi's around someplace too. Nice to see you too, Little Sister."

As Umitsubame appeared at the door, Norimune waved to her. "Yo Umi-chan! Get over here, got someone for you to meet." She then turned to the subgirl as Umi began to make her way over. "So, want a few tips on how to fight with a kodachi? I'm no Musashi or Toku, but I know a few tricks and have served as an instructor."

Maruyu grinned. "Sure. So are you it for the Muramasas, mogu mogu?"

Umisubame joined in. "Not really. Kago, Akutoku, Kyo-chan, Kansha, and Suisei didn't make it for various reasons, plus Nori's children and grandchildren. Although I'm a little surprised that your oldest didn't make this dumpster fire, Nori. And you need to tell her to hurry up and introduce her younger two children to the rest of us, speaking of. Why?"

Norimune got the rare pleasure of watching her irritating mother hen of a kid sister boggle when Chisuheri responded. "It seems that you and Kansha are not the youngest ones now, imouto. Go on, tell her what you told us, Maruyu. Hey Juuchi! You need to see this!"

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Currently, Harry was feeling three things. The first two were pain and agony from his body... or was that agony and pain? Sort of hard to keep straight. The third, oddly enough... was joy.

Joy due to the fact that his best friend was cuddled into his side and not gone.

Both teens just laid there with their backs to the wall just holding each other. Every once in a while, Natsumi shifted a bit closer to him, which sent spikes of agony through his body. But Harry did not say anything or make a sound. They watched as Asuka and the others burnt the Gashadokuro they were fighting to ash before taking out the stasis tubes. And Fudo kill the Orochi as well. What made them relax was when Honjo and the others rushed in and began taking charge. Seeing one of the SpecOps guys rush over to them, Harry gave a pained chuckle, "Hey, you guys are late. Missed the party and everything."

The SpecOps, who was one of those who had been part of Operation Witching Hour, winced at seeing Harry's state, "Damn kid... you're looking messed up there. What the hell did you do?"

Humming, Harry gave a slight shrug, "Went a round or two with Tamamo no Mae. Not a big deal, though she didn't seem to want tea and crumpets."

From where she was snuggled into his side, Natsumi snorted a bit, "Harry-Chan... please..."

Despite the pain he was in, that made him smile some, "What? It is true, Natsumi-Chan. And here I was all ready to bring out some cake as well." Looking at the disbelieving SpecOp, he shook his head, "Well, I'm not inviting her again. Pretty rude Kitsune to be quite honest."

More snorts came from Natsumi, through she could hear the voice she knew was Tamamo in her head grumbling about how she liked cake, "Especially peanut butter?"

Expression serious, Harry nodded, "Especially peanut butter, she ain't getting any from me."

This time, the Kitsune could hear the whine of despair in her mind before it faded away. Rather, Natsumi decided to focus on more important things... like cuddling up with Harry. That was very important, especially with how safe she felt with him.

Before long though, she heard running footsteps and a gasp as Hoppou burst out of one of the entrances followed by Nagato, Regina, and the Twins as well as the others. Upon seeing Harry, their eyes widened and they rushed over, soon seeing his injuries. The thirteen year old wizard was not surprised as Regina's eyes glowed as did Hoppou's.

He was somewhat surprised as the Twins' eyes glowed and their veins started turning black.

About to calm them down, Harry was distracted by Hoppou, "Big Brother, I want to know who hurt you and where they are."

Scratching the back of his neck, he chuckled a little, "Well... it was the pelt of Tamamo no Mae. As for where it is..."

Natsumi's dry toned voice spoke up as she began to point at various places, "There, there, over there, and up there."

For a brief moment, the Abyssal Princess blinked, "What?"

Lightly laughing, Harry winced, "Ow... remind me to not to laugh so hard for a bit." Taking a breath, he let it out, "What Natsumi-Chan means is... well, Tamamo is dead. I killed her."

It was not Hoppou, but Regina who answered as she gave a sharp nod, her escorts behind her, "Good!"

Both of them taking a breath, Ume and Sakura had a number of their medical fairies come out to take a look at him, "Now stay still while they scan you, Harry-Chan. Just to make sure that your injuries are not going to get worse."

All Harry did was nod in reply and relax, he knew better than to try and complain after all. Other shipgirls also began to enter at this point, with more than a few spotting Harry and rushing over... though Harry noted that Maruyu was pulled to the side by someone that had a rather long sword at their side. However, that was forgotten as Harry and Natsumi did give Inazuma a look considering she had a welder's mask on and with a flamethrower in hand. After a few moments, they looked at each other and sighed, "Not surprised."

Flipping her mask up, Inazuma blinked, "Nanodesu? Not surprised about what?"

Once more sharing a look, the teenage wizard and Kitsune spoke as one, "It's nothing."

Still frowning, the Destroyer only nodded before catching sight of how Harry looked and gasped, "Harry-Chan! What happened, Nanodesu!"

Wide eyed, Verniy rushed over and began to examine him. Meanwhile, Tenryuu gave a low whistle and winced, "No offends, Kiddo, but you look like you went a few rounds with someone from a Shonen manga."

Just wincing, Harry gave a nod and a pained chuckled, "Hai, I feel it since I'm a bit sore."

Grimacing as they got the report from their medical fairies, the Twins gave him a glare even as their fairies began to work, "That is putting it mildly, Harry-Chan. You have micro fractures in a number of your bones, ligaments and tendons torn as well as muscles, your hand is shattered, and your kneecap has a fracture right down the middle! That's not counting the burns and the bruises all over your body!"

Everyone went quiet as they stared at the boy who looked at where Tamamo's pelt had been for a minute. Then, he turned to Natsumi for a few moments before nodding, "Worth it, because otherwise Natsumi-Chan wouldn't be here."

A gasp made them turn as Natsumi's mother, aunt, and grandparents were there as well as Hoshi. Slowly, tears in her eyes, Sakuya turned to her daughter, "Natsumi-Chan? Is... is this true?"

Tears also appearing in her eyes, the fourteen year old Kitsune nodded, "H-hai, Haha-ue..." Blinking, she found her cheeks wet but looked at Harry who nodded before she launched herself at her older relatives, "HAHA-UE! OBA-CHAN! OBAA-CHAN AND OJII-CHAN! HOSHI-SAN!"

Catching her, the five Kitsune just held her close as she sobbed into their arms. All of them whispering comforting words as they stroked her head. Gently kissing her niece between the ears while holding the shuddering Kitsune, Haru turned towards Harry. Her tone of voice said that she did not want to know, but that she had to, "What happened, Harry-San?"

Lips pressed thinly together, Harry gave a sigh, "It... was not good. We entered the laboratory..."

Slowly, the group listened with mounting horror in regards to what happened. Upon hearing what had occurred to Natsumi and her being swallowed by Tamamo, they clutched at the younger Kitsune. And when Harry mentioned about what he had done... various members looked at the damages in question such as the torn up floor, hole in the reinforced concrete of the ceiling, and the bent rebar in the wall with an crater between them. Letting out a low whistle, Tenryuu shook her head, "Damn..."

Eyes wet as he finished his story, the older Kitsune all looked at each other before turning back to Harry. Natsumi's grandmother bowing low, "We... are in your debt, Harry-San. And you will always be welcome on our home..."

At that, the teen flushed and scratched his cheek with his good hand.

In another part of the laboratory, Asuka had her face buried in a muscular chest as Kiba held her and as she shook a bit at the adrenaline wore off and everything hit her at once as she sobbed in relief. Behind her, Usagi rubbed her back with a gentle smile on her face, "It's okay, Asuka-Chan... just let it out. Let it all out..."

Giving her a grateful glance, Kiba tightened the hug a little, "She's right, Asuka. Everything will be... okay. You're safe now."

All the Tengu did was nod into his chest as she continued to sniffle and he rubbed her back, "H-hai... I'm safe."

Examining the burnt floor, Jin could see a few charred pieces of bone seemingly stuck into it. Simply raising an eyebrow, she reached out and ran a finger along a ridge in the floor before pulling back at the sharpness and giving a low whistle, "Damn, Kiddo. Did you do this?"

Unsure, Asuka glanced Rika and flushed, "Um... all I did was use wind magic to guide some gas there. And, er... fan the flames?"

For a few moments the adults there looked at each other before the undead Mizuchi snorted and patted her on the shoulder, "Good job, Kiddo. You used your head, and that is always right."

Lightly blushing, Asuka nodded before Kiba picked her up. The Okuri Inu smiled lightly, "Let's get you over to the healers and see where we go from there..."

Elsewhere, Okita walked to the door to the secondary laboratory and walked in only to raise an eyebrow as she saw Nobu having her chest wrapped in bandages by a woman. Said woman glanced at her and, for a moment, seemed hostile. But then, the moment passed and they were back to considering. Deciding to ignore that for now, Okita gave her friend a wave, "Busted ribs, Nobu-Chan?"

Grinning, the reincarnated warlord chuckled before wincing, "Hai, Okita-Chan. Mitsuhide managed to get a punch or two in after I broke his sword."

Eyebrow raised, Okita glanced at the smouldering skeleton before shrugging it off, "I see." With a deep breath, she shook her head and smiled slightly, "It's good to see that you're alright..." The former Shinsengumi gave Nobu a once over, "Or at least as alright as you can be."

With a loud laugh, followed by a wince and hiss of pain, Nobu waving the other woman off, she gave a grin, "As if there was any doubt?"

Crossing her arms, Okita gave a snort, "Not really, no. And if you had, that means that I would need to grab you by the skull and drag you out of whatever fresh hell you landed in and back to life."

Just wincing, Nobu rubbed her head, "So violent, Okita-Chan." Her smile returned a few moments later, "Right! Kote-Chan? I'd like you to meet Okita-Chan, formerly Okita Souji in her previous existence and a good friend of mine in this one. Okita-Chan? Meet Kotegiri, my Right Hand from my previous life."

Kote smiled slightly and bowed towards her, the teen returning it, "Pleased to meet you, Okita-San." Head tilting for a moment, she chuckled, "I do remember you though we never fought. Both Honjo-Chan and Fudo-Chan had nothing but good to say about you." Hand on her true self's hilt, she sighed with a wistful expression, "I wish that I had met you on the field of Battle during the Restoration."

A far off look on her face, the former Shinsengumi nodded as she remembered some that she had heard back during those years, "Hai, it would have been an honour. Especially when..." Pausing, she shook her head, "You would have given me a clean, proper death. Not... that."

Grimacing, Kote nodded, "Hai, I would have indeed. I am only glad that such scourges are not as bad in this day and age."

Just nodding, Okita didn't say anything right away, just... thought. Suddenly, Nobu's expression became serious, "How is everyone? Including Uesugi-Chan?"

Recognizing the name, the Masamune thought back to when she had entered and recognized a somewhat familiar style being used by a teenage girl against one of the skeletons who used a fan, 'Hmm...'

Not knowing the sword spirit's thoughts, Okita sighed a bit, "They're all alive, Uesugi-Chan as well. As for how they are..." She gave a slightly helpless shrug, "They're okay I suppose. But Uesugi-Chan did not have or is having, a good time."

With a sigh, Nobu grimaced at that as she took off her cap, which had remained on the whole time somehow and undamaged, "I was afraid of that. The two of them were close after all..." Taking a breath, she looked at Okita, "How are you holding up?"

Eyes closing, the pale haired girl took a shuddering breath before letting it out, "It... was hard to see Hijitaka-Senpai like that. While we were not close, I knew him. And he was not... like that." Blinking away tears, she found Nobu hugging her and just leaned into it for several moments. After, she took a shuddering breath and shook her head, "I... I'm just glad that it's over for him now. Maybe we'll meet again someday."

For a few seconds, the former Warlord looked into her friend's eyes before smiling with an understanding look, "Hai, perhaps one day."

With a hum, Okita nodded before looking around, "After... after I took his head, before he died, Hijitaka-Senpai mentioned for me to come here and..." A gasp left her throat and she practically rushed over to the tank containing the sword and laid a hand on it, "Kashu Kiyomitsu..."

Her eyebrows raising, Nobu walked over to the tank in question, "Kashu Kiyomitsu..." Turning, she regarded her friend, "Was that not the sword of yours that broke, Okita-Chan?"

Kote raised an eyebrow as she joined them, keeping an eye on Nobu to make sure that her health did not worsen, "From what I know of history, the sword's tip broke off during the Ikedaya Incident and afterwards..."

Not turning, Okita kept her hand pressed against the warm glass of the tank, "That I abandoned my blade due to it being irreparable. But... I would never abandon a blade who served me well, even if damaged or for a better one. I searched the battlefield, ill as I was, until I found the tip. Then I went and searched during breaks in my routine as a Shinsengumi for someone to repair my blade until I found an alchemist. He had travelled to Europe shortly after the nation had been opened and learned from a man called Nicholas Flamel as well as a Johann Wolff, both very good alchemists. Hijitaka-Senpai and some of the others would have harmed him, but I saw no need. In my mind it was rangaku, if more direct. I stopped some of the others from harming his daughter and he thanked me. He explained that he had created a method that could repair a blade using a special liquid that one of the western alchemists had created which could heal weapon spirits as a basis. It would cause the metal between the pieces to grow back together, until it was like new. I was... unsure, at the time, but I still left Kashu Kiyomitsu in his care as I was feeling ill at the time due to a cough. I always meant to return, but..."

Piecing the rest together in her mind, Nobu nodded, "That had been when you came down with tuberculosis. So you were never able to return to retrieve your sword." When her friend nodded, the reincarnated Warlord turned to Kote with a small smile, "Kote-Chan, is there any harmful spells or enchantments in either the container or the sword?"

Simply bringing her true self up, the Masamune waved it in a variety of patterns before shaking her head, "No, Nobu-Chan. The... Traitor, likely disengaged them when he was trying to open the container." Seeing the tightening of Okita's muscles, she shook her head, "No, his filth did not touch your honoured blade."

Briefly, Okita swore she heard approval in Kote's voice before she shrugged it off as not something to worry about. Disengaging the rest of the locks, the teen watched as Kote levitated the sheathed sword up and dried it with a wave of her true self. With a shaking hand, Okita reached out and grasped it before unsheathing the blade. She could feel a sort of hum and a faint happy echo before smiling and moving into a stance. Moments later, she lashed out as an imaginary opponent, steel gleaming and flashing before coming to a stop.

Happy tears in her eyes, she slid it back into the sheath, "Welcome home, my old friend. I've finally come back for you."

Voice soft, Nobu looked at her, "Do you know why it was in that tank? Or where Yamatonokami Yasusada might be?"

Slowly, the former Shinsengumi sighed and shook her head, "No, I am afraid not. But I will keep searching until I draw no more breath and no sooner to find my other sword."

Finger tapping the table, Nobu glanced at the older, worn blade at Okita's side, "You are keeping the one that you fought with down here?"

Confused, Okita frowned at her friend, "Hai? It served me against our foes including Hijitaka-Senpai. Why would I throw it away?"

Just nodding, her friend glanced at Kote, "Kote-Chan, I know that I have no right to ask this of you and that you have your own duties, but if Okita-Chan was to tell you the name, could you see if the alchemist in question is still around?"

Eyebrow raised, Kote gave a nod, "I do not see why I could not do so, Nobu-Chan. But I cannot give much time to the search for such and will ask some others whom I know if they could have a look. Hopefully, they are not involved in this?"

Upon seeing Kote look at her, Okita shook her head, "I doubt it. They were quite honourable after all. And I can tell that this tank and what liquid is inside is not an example of their work."

All the Masamune did was nod at that, "Of course, and if they still live, I shall contact them. Though if I may ask why?"

Lips curling into a soft smile, Nobu took a deep breath before coughing a bit. Shaking her head and waving Kote off, she chuckled lightly, "Before your arrival today, I had been fighting with a sword I picked up in the complex. It carried itself well, but unfortunately broke during the fight just before you arrived. That sword washed itself of any dishonour, and I will not have it end up on the scrap heap for something that was not its fault. If I can have it repaired, than I shall do so."

Rather than be annoyed, much to Okita's surprise, Kote was happy and seemed to have sparkles in her eye, "Of course, Nobu-Chan." Her expression then turned stern, "But let us get you to some place for medical help first, and worry about repairing after."

With a sigh, the two teens nodded and left the small laboratory behind.

As they walked out, they blinked a little at the sight of Harry in a stretcher being carried out. Now, granted, that was not too odd considering... But what made it odd was that the person carrying it was Regina.

One end of the stretcher being held up by her tail using its secondaries and her holding the other end.

Seeing them, Harry gave a wave with his good hand, the other wrapped up tightly, "Hello there."

Chuckling, Nobu grinned some as she quickened the pace just enough to catch up, "Hello there, Harry-San." Briefly, he paused before placing her finger against her chin, "Or could I call you Harry-Kun or Chan?"

Only shrugging, though he winced after, the thirteen year old wizard shook his head, "Either is fine, though..."

Nobu waved her hand around in a gesture, "You can call me Nobu-Chan, like all my friends and true comrades."

After Harry turned to her, Okita gave a smile back, "And you can call me Okita-Chan as long as I can return it."

Behind her, Uesugi, eyes still red, nodded and said the same thing with Harry smiling at her. Grinning, Nobu looked over her shoulder at Kote, "Hey, Kote-Chan, I want you to meet someone." She then gestured at Harry, "This is Harry-Kun. Long story short? I wish that he was with us back when. He would have made a great Retainer alongside Yasuke, Ieyasu, and the others. We would have conquered Japan even faster... and likely not had the issue of a certain snake in the grass."

Lightly blushing at the praise, Harry still raised a finger, "I'll note that my adoptive sort of sister is a snake."

More amused than anything else, the former head of the Oda snorted, "True, it is an insult to snakes, I suppose. But still." Shaking her head, she held her hands up, "You got power, intelligence, loyalty and competence. Such rare skills I can see you having gone far."

Head tilted to the side, Kote looked at Harry in interest, "I see, though we have met before, Nobu-Chan. When he returned Honjo-Chan to her proper family almost a year ago."

Frowning, Nobu gave a nod at that, "Huh, forgot about that." With a shake of her head, she shrugged, "Can't he helped."

Neither of the two could see the odd looks being given to Kote and Nobu by the other Masamunes there. Though Musashi was giving Harry an intrigued look. Meanwhile, Okita was giving Harry a bemused look, "I will admit that I was surprised at how well you did."

With a snort, Harry shook his head, "Thanks. But after insane Dark Lords possessing people to try and kill me, giant spiders, a hundred plus, one thousand year old Basilisk, a psychotic Jorogumo powered up after eating who knows how many Yokai, and a hundred Dementors? This is getting to be old hat."

Those not in the know just sort of stared at the matter of fact way he had declared that before looking at Nagato. Said Battleship slowly gave a nod, "Hai, he has been involved in all that."

Considering things for a moment, Nobu nodded and gestured at him, "See what I mean, Kote-Chan? He would have been a great retainer."

Lips curling into a small smile, the Masamune nodded, "Hai, I can see what you mean, Nobu-Chan."

Blush deepening, Harry coughed before being reminded of things, "Oh! I also got permission to keep all the stuff that I picked up!"

Eyebrow raised, Tenryuu snorted some, "Like some of the swords and stuff?"

Now grinning, Harry untied the grimy bag at his waist and dug around in it, "Kind of? For example..." From within, he pulled the Nambu Pistol Sword, "This!"

Everyone sort of went quiet and stared for a few moments. Scratching her head, Tenryuu frowned in thought, "Huh... an actual gun sword. Any idea if it works?"

In reply, the thirteen year old wizard shrugged some, "Not a clue honestly. I was going to have Maruyu check it out and see if it was safe. Didn't use it as I know the... issues they Nambu pistols have."

With a blink, Maruyu took said gun sword and began to examine it, "Hmm... I think that the pistol at least is pre-war, Harry-Chan. But I'll have to examine it better when we get back to Yokosuka."

Just shrugging, Harry began to list off the other various items, which raised eyebrows until he opened what looked like a glasses case to reveal what looked like a small sword blade without a hilt with the tang showing. Leaning forward, Andraste frowned some, "What is this, Master?"

Unknown to her, some of the males behind took glances, only to look away at the glare from Sabah.

Not paying attention to the byplay, Harry shrugged, "It's a Kogatana. They're sort of small utility knives that one hangs from a sword. Pretty useful and Hoppou already said that she would contact Tanith and see if I can get some walrus or mammoth ivory to use for a hilt and sheath. It really should have them..." He then grinned a little bit, "Then, I can carry it around on me at places like Hogwarts in a hidden holster around my lower leg. Just in case."

Each of those there just nodded and they left the underground base. And, not long after, they were given a lift to the hospital on base. Soon enough, quiet fell onto the facility even as people form the JSDF secured it and the surrounding areas and the first teams from the First Investigation Division of the Criminal Affaire Bureau as well as intelligence agencies. At the entrance, no one noticed movement as a frog hopped out with something in its mouth, a small piece of bone. One which it swallowed and, just before leaping into a stream, it blinked, yellow eyes becoming human as it smirked with it slowly growing...

 

[darthcourt10]

Kab2

As the group were slowly exiting the bunker a certain blade noticed another one that shouldn't be there; giving some brief orders to the Aurors, she gestured the purple clad spirit to approach her.

"Doujigiri-San, It's a surprise seeing you here." she spoke after they distanced a bit from the site.

"I felt two old friends and I decided to come here for a visit Kotegiri-San, but it's a surprise that you knew what was happening here and you didn't tell me anything."

"It didn't seem your help was necessary." she shrugged a bit.

"I don't think so, you forgot about me, right?" Her eyes were like daggers ready to kill.

A shadow of a twitch crossed her face "No, I really didn't think that we needed your help, Douji-Goma."

A frightening smile appeared in Douji's face "What did you call me, Kote-Chibi?... Wait." She said as her face turned serious again. "We don't have time for this; I suggest a short walk together so you can tell me what happened in the bunker."

Kotegiri thought for a couple of seconds "Very well, they will be busy for a while so I can spare a bit of my time."

As they began to walk away they began to make privacy wards around them for precaution.

"It has been a while since we talked."

"1963 if I recall well, but this reminds me of February of 1868."

"Ah, the Hirakata Operation, I see why this reminds you of that."

Stopping at some distance the black haired avatar turned her face to confront the blue haired one.

"The Chrysanthemum Throne wishes these matters dealt with privately, although your discreet assistance would be appreciated."

Doujigiri narrowed her eyes as she understood the subtle meaning in her words "So Tell-no-meter eight then?"

Kotegiri laughed a bit as she recalled their old prank with the information security levels. "Indeed, with all its meaning implies." 'And I have a level 10 that I can't tell you' she thought in smug amusement.

"I won't like what I am going to hear, right?"

...

"And that's all what happened inside." she exaled a sigh as she could see Doujigiri's face turning more and more livid as a storm formed above the surroundings.

"IT'S NOT FAIR!" she exploded as some thunders cracked nearby "Why they have to be children?, they deserve to have a peaceful childhood, not face the evils of the world."

"Unluckily for them, most of them know the world's dark face from before they got there, and you don't know half the shit Kamo hid from us."

"Still, they don't deserve it" She looked around and spotted a tree of decent proportions "Now if you excuse me, I need a minute alone with that tree"

"Go ahead, vent your rage, I only regret that we didn't left any skeletons for you as I know you when there are children involved in this kind of situation, if you had come before..."

"I know, but that's water under the bridge now." she began to walk to the tree she looked before "After all this is resolved, I'm gonna talk with all of you, It seems like I lost a lot of what happened this last years."

"I'll be briefing the Aurors while you finish" she said turning to the crowd of people that was nearby.


After the minute of the worst electric storm Tokio suffered in the last decades has passed, where before stood a 3 meters tall tree, now the only remains left of said tree were a lot of cleanly cut charred pieces of wood.

"Now I feel better." said Doujigiri with a calm face, she approached Kotegiri as she walked towards her. "I,ll go back to help as much as I can, but when you have finished with your errands; can we meet for sharing tea and tell me about the last events?, of course all the people involved in this are invited to a shared cup of tea with me, as well as a sparring duel if they feel like it."

"As I have to leave to attend my errands, tell Honjo-San about it, It was good to see you full equipped again Doujigiri-San."

"Same to you in that Kimono, till next time we meet in a more peaceful time" said waving goodbye to the Oda kimono's clad blade.

As she walked to the referred blade, now that her head was clear of rage, she began to wonder about something 'If they brought back Oda Nobunaga, did they bring back my original master?'.
------

As a side note the last recorded electric storm as bad as this one was little after Kotegiri-San visited the museum with news about Kamo's plan to make kids into Obscurials, with a family suddenly found a lot of charred wood at their door, curiously they visited the museum some days ago and complained that they didn't have enough money for heating their house in winter.

 

[darthcourt10]

AntonioCC

A bit of a side story to the (just finished) events. More to follow later.

And, yes, Leferts okayed this.
============================================
Rota Naval Base. Quarters section. June 16 2014

The shipgirl Nuestra Señora de la Santísima Trinidad, generally better known as Trinidad or Trini to her close friends, was burning the midnight oil by reading reports. There had been unconfirmed reports of Abyssal activity close to Galicia and Northern Portugal, but nothing conclusive, but there was something odd about those reports, something she couldn't put her finger on. Maybe...

Her thoughts were interrupted by her phone ringing.

"Commander Trinidad, who is this?"

"Ma'am, I'm Corporal Benitez..."

"Ah, yes. I remember you. You are one of the sentries at the gate, right?" when the man answered affirmatively, she continued "Why are you calling me, though?"

"There is here a woman here in the gate that wants to talk with you, ma'am. She has used a red identity card."

Trini cursed internally, those red cards had been given to a handful of friendly magicals to seek refuge in case of problems, which given the last news from the Magical Government of Spain were becoming more and more probable.

"What is the code?"

"071201\1."

'Oh, yeah, her.' she thought before asking the sentry to confirm it. "Is she slim, around 1'75, with dark hair, steel-gray eyes, and wearing black pants and a white shirt?"

"Yes, ma'am. She was also..."

"Carrying a sword on her back, I know. Put her on the phone."

"One moment, ma'am."

"Hello, Trini." a voice she knew well said.

"What the Hell has happened?"

"Nothing bad, but it's not something that can be discussed by phone, and I am on a tight schedule, and bring your phone, you'll probably have to make some calls."

Trini sighed, but she got ready to do as she said. She was her usual contact with the magical faction most interested on a peaceful transition when the SoS would fall, and she knew her well enough to know that she wouldn't come here if thing weren't serious.

A few minutes later, she was in the gate, and there, waiting, was the sword spirit she had come to meet. After the greetings, they walked a bit apart from the gate to get some privacy.

"I have a friend in Japan, another sword spirit. And she has sent a message to me about shit going to go down there." the otehr woman said without more preamble.

Okay, this wasn't at all what she was expecting.

"I haven't heard anything." Trini said.

"And you wouldn't have until everything had finished. Reading between lines of what Mu..., what my friend told me, somebody found accidentally some kind of magical WMD from World War II about to go live, and they are trying to deal with it." the sword spirit said, "I'm going to help, and I want you or Pelayo to vouch for me."

"It's going to be me; Pelayo is in Ferrol, Abyssal sightings." Trini said, looking thoughtful, "How do you plan to go to Japan?"

"Portkey. We have a few prepared just in case things go South."

"Okay, I'll make the calls."

Half an hour later, they were entering a house in the outskirts of Cadiz. Three people were expecting for them. One was a black haired Japanese woman dressed in a Goth-style; other was a tall silver-haired man wearing a burgundy trenchcoat over a grey suit that almost looked like a uniform, with the hilt of a big sword on his back. The third person was the mistress of the house, Carmen Díez-Japón, sitting in her motorized wheelchair, who was the first to speak.

"I hoped to meet you in better circumstances, Miss Trinidad, but..." she said, before shrugging.

"Yeah, I know, ma'am." Trini answered.

"Very well, this big guy is Johann, also known as Schnittstahl, he is the spirit of the zweihander to his back." the man briefly bowed, but didn't say a word. Then Carmen looked at the Japanese woman and nodded. The other woman smirked and fox ears appeared on her head, followed by five tails appearing on her back.

"And I am Sakura, of the kitsune branch of the Hayashi clan of Owari." the now revealed kitsune said.

 

[darthcourt10]

Savato93

Well, the action might be over now, but I figure I might as well post this, give people a glimpse of what our favorite little sister was doing as she helped carve the path to Harry and the others.

...


Hoppou stared up impassively at the monstrous thing standing over her. At least seven feet tall, bound up in thick leather hide and plate armoring, the skeleton wielded a sword nearly twice as long as she was tall.

She remembered this thing... at least, she remembered something like it. The Gashadokuro, the skeleton kaiju that had threatened her family, her home, in the distant past. A creation of pure malice... hundreds, if not thousands of souls, tortured and fused together create an abomination that could only destroy everything it came into contact with.

Hoppou could tell that this thing was similar, albeit much smaller; far fewer souls powering it.

And as she stared at it, she had an idea.

The skeletal demon let out a deathly rattle as it flared down at the tiny girl in front of it. It didn't care about the near-singularity of darkness she emanated—she was just another intruder, another pest to be eliminated. It raised its sword high over its head and swung straight down, hoping to cleave the girl in twain where she stood.

If the demon had been capable of any sort of emotion other than hate, it might have been surprised when the little girl raised an arm.. and caught the blade with her bare hand.

The temperature in the chamber suddenly began to plummet. Clutching the blade in her small fingers, refusing to let her foe pull away, Hoppou's hand began to glow. Tendrils of star-filled voids and pure white nothingness grew over the Princess's arm as she focused her strength into that hand, pooling so much Abyssal power that it became visible to the naked eye. Licks of unholy flame rose from the hand burning with not-light, and wrapped themselves around the skeleton's blade; within seconds, the metal glowed white-hot, before abruptly dissolving away... leaving the flames to crawl up the hilt and onto its arm.

The skeleton staggered back, flailing wildly at the blue-white fire that began rapidly spreading over its body. Everything the fire touched began to burn—leather crumbling, armor melting into slag and falling away, until all that remained was the undead abomination beneath. It seemed like this fire burned hot enough that everything around the skeleton should have been set on fire by convection alone... but against all logic, the temperature of the entire chamber instead fell to near-freezing levels. To the members of the rescue group present, it felt like they were suddenly standing at the very bottom of the ocean... chilled to the bone, darkness surrounding them, crushing them.

Consumed by blackness and impossibly-cold flames, the miniature Gashadokuro let out a final unearthly screech... and then Hoppou reached out, clenched a fist, and yanked it back.

The skeleton's face seemed to explode outward, releasing a wave of glowing mist that rapidly dissipated into nothingness, leaving a white void where its eyes used to be. Any onmyoji and wizards present would immediately recognize the mist for what it was: the tortured souls that powered the skeletal demon. They had been set free... forcibly purged from their physical form. Without the spirits that powered it, held it together, the skeleton should have instantly broken down, disintegrated into dust...

but it continued to stand, twitching and jerking erratically, as the unholy flames stubbornly clung to its bones.

The Princess turned away, satisfied; her imps now had total control of the skeleton. The husk would last maybe a minute more, before the magic holding it together burned out... but that was plenty of time for her.

She looked back to the front, to the remaining evil spirits that blocked the path to her big brother. Raising her glowing hand, she pointed to them and uttered two words:

"Break them."

And her thrall obeyed.