Harry Potter & the Shipgirls

[darthcourt10]

sasahara17

A very, very quick and short followup to the latest Ham and Cheese Sub snip.

-=-

Sometime much, much later...

-=-

Hermione Granger, stared at the object in her hands with pure, undisguised fury. The intensity of her glare was so strong that, Hermione could have set fire to it if she wanted to... and considering Hermione was both a witch in training and a ship girl of her majesty's royal navy, this was not beyond the realm of possibility.

Of course, the bound, hardcover book she held was an inanimate object that cared not for her fury, and simply remained where it was in her hands without the slightest care in the world. Indeed, the copy of 'Ship Girl Infiltration Tactics and Strategy for Absolute Beginners, 1st Edition Limited Print', which was collectively authored by a bunch of complete idiots under the pen name 'THE VALIANT KNIGHTS OF THE DEEP BLUE UNDERSEA!', was much like it's authors in that regard.

As in, it didn't give a damn about what Hermione, or anyone else for that matter, wanted and did it's own thing.

On one hand, she wanted to chuck the offending tome in to the great lake (or burn it, or put it through a shredder, or some other destructive metbod of disposal) and be done with the damned thing. It was readily apparent to Hermione who was behind this book, and she had a gut feeling that keeping it around could possibly ensnare her in whatever harebrained plot the submarines had cooked up for her. Common sense would have her get rid of it before something disastrous happened.

On the other hand, it was a book... and an authentic first edition collectable, published by Penguin of all people. How the submarines had managed to get Britain's largest publishing house swept up in their little schemes, she didn't know. However, the book lover in her couldn't bear to get rid of the tome despite the threat it posed.

Then there was the little, inquisitive part of Hermione Granger that wanted to read the book to divine whatever secrets contained within...

Decisions, decisions.

"Wow, Hermione. I didn't know there was a book on ship girl covert operations," Harry said as he came up to where she was sitting in a quiet corner of the Gryffindor common room, "And it's published by Penguin Books too. I thought they mostly did fictional stuff like the classics and children's books."

"This is a children's book, Harry." Hermione flipped the book about to show Harry the illustrated cover, which had a brightly colored photograph of HMS Upholder in a conspicuous looking trench coat and fedora conspicuously trying to sneak through the front entrance of some old, medieval castle.

"Wha-"

"I had a look through the reviews on Amazon," Hermione grumbled, flipping the book back around so that she could continue to glare at the cover, "The whole thing is penned, and I quote 'like a satire'. It offers tips and tricks for a hypothetical young ship girl trying to, and I further quote, 'infiltrate a castle full of evil dark wizards for great justice'."

"Oh, so it's just a humor thing?" Harry said with a shrug.

"Penguin seems to have thought so. Not sure about the Submarines. My guess is the Submarines must have sent them the manuscript in their... usual way of communicating. The editors took it the only way a sensible person would," Hermione shook her head in disbelief, "I can't believe the submarines managed to pen a bestselling book. Over two hundred thousand copies sold, on the first day! How in the world...?"

"Hey, you know how much people are fascinated by ship girls. I bet a pencil drawing made by a ship girl would sell on eBay," Harry pointed out in jest, "Where did you get it, anyway? Did you sisters send you a copy through the owl post?"

"It was on my pillow, next to my head, when I woke up this morning," Hermione said simply, "It had a post it note stuck to the front from HMS Upholder saying how she used the stuff in the book to deliver it to me, and how I needed to study this to become a better at... stealthy stuff."

Harry paused. "Wait a moment. You found it next to your head when you woke up? And it wasn't there when you went to bed before?"

"No, no it was most assuredly NOT," Hermione confirmed with a growl, "So. From what I gather, Upholder snuck into my dorm room, which I share with several other people, in the middle of the night, hand delivered a copy of this book on ship girl infiltration techniques to me while I was sleeping, and then left with no one the wiser that she was even there. Harry... do you know what this means?"

A completely stumped Harry shook his head.

"That means that, whatever cheery nonsense this book looks like, there is a very high possibility that the information it has is correct, the techniques in it work... and this means it might be worth my time to read the damn thing!" Hermione dropped her head in her hands and gave a loud groan of utter frustration and despair.

Reading a book about STEALTH... written by THOSE submarines? The ones that gallivant around shouting at the top of their lungs about being 'knights of the undersea'?

How in the blazes did this happen?

-=-

A/N - And just so you know... unbeknownst to Hermione, HMS Upholder is STILL IN THE CASTLE demonstrating the techniques contained within her book to show Hermione that, yes, while they all come with cute little illustrated pictures... most of what the book teaches actually work in the context of sneaking through a castle full of 'not so evil' wizards.

Hm, I wonder what would happen when Upholder inevitably runs into the increased security measures that Harry's friends have placed around Hogwarts? That'll be a true test of Upholder's abilities, I'd think!

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Smacking their lips, Fred and George Weasley both woke up at the same moment before sitting up. The two yawned in sync before looking towards the window from which light was streaming in, and so telling them that it was morning. Off to the side, Lee Jorden snickered at his friends before shaking his head. "Can I just say how freaky it is to see you two acting like that?"

With a shared look between him and his twin, Fred smirked. "Yes, just like ever other morning."

As he got out of bed, George nodded. "Quite right, old bean. In fact, that does remind me of something."

Bemused, Fred looked over at him. "Oh, and what would that be?"

Tossing off his shirt as he dug out some clothes, George smirked. "Why, that we should get a tricycle for us. After all, Harry did suggest it of us."

Fred nodded at that in some amusement. "Quite, though why is beyond me. Along with us asking people if they could play with us."

Suddenly, Lee began to choke as one image came to mind with made the two turn towards him. However, he just waved them off. "It's nothing, nothing at all."

Positive that there was more to it, Fred and George shared a look between them that held a silent promise to find out what Harry had meant. Then the two of them walked into the bathroom and continued their morning routine. When they walked out, both of took note of Lee frowning as he looked out. "Something the matter, Lee?"

Slightly startled, he shook his head a little bit. "No, just... thinking about last night." A shudder ran through his body as he rubbed his arms. "I mean, sure, you told us about Potter's 'Big sister', but I thought that you were pulling my leg. Then last night she showed up with two Re-Class in trail."

Both Fred and George shared a look at that before turning back to Lee. "Like we said, they're not that bad, mostly."

Raising an eyebrow, Lee frowned a bit. "Yeah, about that, what did you mean by 'Mostly'?"

That got another glance between the twins before they shrugged. "They're nice and everything, but one of the Re-Class with her is Revina."

George nodded. "Sort of bonkers that one is."

His twin though shook his head. "No sort of at all. Totally..."

"Irrevocably..."

"Nutso that one."

"Quite a madwoman... Mad... Abyssal person, thing."

"Oh yes, quite insane. Lovely to watch her antics from a distance of course. The chaos is amazing to see."

"Less so from up close."

"Or if you happen to be her target."

By this point, Lee was rather amused at the two of them, but just shook his head. "I see... So rather like you two then?"

Shuddering, George shook his head. "No, not at all." With that, they left the Dorm and made their way downstairs only to blink at a sight that met them. Most of Gryffindor was gathered there and whispering among each other. That in and of itself was not that odd. Rather, it was what they were all looking at.

A large present wrapped in eye searing paper.

Upon seeing their names on the tag though, Fred and George attempted to walk around it. However, they were thwarted in the attempt as Percy intercepted them and threw his arms over their shoulders as he smirked. The fact that neither were able to escape had nothing to do with why he was smirking. Sipping his coffee, he gestured with his head at the present. "Aren't the two of you going to open it?"

On the two's faces was an odd expression before Fred shook his head. "No, I think that we shall have breakfast first before we open any odd packages. Is that not right, George."

Quickly nodding, George tried to smile, though it looked rather brittle. "Quite right oh brother of mine. Smart this fellow is."

The two arms though tightened a bit and slowly pushed them towards the present as Percy shook his head. "No, no, that would be rather rude of you two. Besides, we have plenty of time to make it down to breakfast."

Sharing a look, Fred tried once more. "But Perce, we might be late for classes otherwise! However does it look for a Prefect to cause two perfect students as us to be late to class for silliness?"

if anything though, that caused the smile on Percy's face to widen. "Oh, but brothers of mine, you were the one who told me to loosen up a little bit. So I am loosening up."

Both Fred and George shared a look at that before they were shoved at the present. Coming to a stop, they looked around only to find that no one was about to help them. "Bloody bastards, the bunch of you."

All Percy did was nod as he sipped his coffee. "Mmm."

Nervously, Fred and George slowly reached out before grasping the ribbon on top. Yanking on it, they snapped shields into place only to blink as the present fell apart to reveal a cake there declaring 'Happy Unbirthday'. "Um..." Their eyes narrowing, Fred and George called out. "Come on out, Revina! You're inside that cake, aren't you?"

Conjuring a stick, George poked it into the cake in several places and then blinked. "Huh?" Slowly, he turned to regard Fred. "It's... just a cake."

A frown on his face, Fred blinked. "You sure?"

Slowly, the two of them circled the cake, at one point pushing a potted plant out of the way before stopping. Frowning, George scratched his head. "Do you think that it's a trap?"

Before Fred could answer though, the potted plant exploded upwards revealing Revina who grinned. "You thought that it was I, REVINA! When in fact it was just a cake!" Needless to say, the Weasley twins both jumped forwards... right into the cake. Watching them struggle for a moment, Revina grinned. "Cake wrestling! Awesome idea you two!"

Freezing in place, Fred and George turned to each other with dawning looks of horror upon their faces. 'She's not...'

Her legs tensing, Revina leapt towards them. "Heeeeeere's REVINA!"

Seconds later, all those Gryffindors in the front of the group watching were splattered with cake and icing. Hermione's eyebrow twitched a little as she watched the carnage. "Is... this actually happening?"

Revina then sat up and her tongue came out before it licked all the icing and cake from her face. "Yum! Now let's paaarty!"

Bemused, Ron nodded as he watched Revina grab Fred and George as she wrestled them. "It's happening."

Meanwhile, Percy just dismissed the shield he had up before checking his watch. "Hmm... a little bit of early study sounds rather good at the moment."

From where the cake was, Fred called out. "PERCY! HEEEELP!"

Cackling, Revina could be heard calling out from behind him. "Oooo! Forward are we?"

Simply nodding, Percy opened the portrait hole and stepped out. 'Yes, a bit of early study would hit just the spot.'
_________________________________________________________________________________

Dumbledore was just chatting with Nagato as said Battleship demolished her breakfast when there was a knock at the door of the infirmary. With a raised eyebrow, the elderly wizard walked over to the door and opened it only to blink in surprise at who was there before warmly smiling. "Ah, Amelia." He then nodded at the Aurors with her. "Kingsley, Hestia, a good morning to you."

With a tight smile, Kingsley nodded some. "A good morning to you too, Headmaster."

Sighing, Amelia nodded. "Indeed, I wish that it was a courtesy call, but some unnerving reports have reached the Ministry and..." It was then that she spotted the others in the Hospital Wing and paled slightly at the sight of the Abyssals who were staring back at her. Another glance had her spot the various emplacements around the room manned by Fairies and the like. "... And I see that there is some truth to them."

As he chuckled some, Dumbledore nodded. "Yes, Mister Potter's friends and family do seem to elicit that reaction in some." Pausing, he leaned down and whispered into her ear. "I would have expected Cornelius to have come."

Her lips a thin line, Amelia whispered back. "He was, until it was explained that perhaps going into a dangerous situation was... inadvisable. Especially if his Auror Guard could not protect him against Abyssals and he stood the chance of dying. After that, he was more then willing to let me investigate myself, though I thought it was just false rumors, Albus."

Once more, Dumbledore chuckled. "I can assure you that it was not false."

Glancing at the Abyssals, Amelia tried not to flinch at their gazes. In fact, she was rather proud of herself and her Aurors for not reacting at the sight of not one, but twoPrincess class Abyssals and a Re-Class that was sitting on a bed beside who she assumed was the Boy-Who-Lived. It helped that there were shipgirls in the room. "I can see that for myself, Albus."

Still smiling, Dumbledore guided her inside and began introducing her. "Now then... you know about Mister Potter's mother, the Battleship Nagato. Miss Nagato, this is Amelia Bones, the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement."

A slight smile on her face, Nagato reached out and shook Amelia's hand. "I, Nagato of the Big Seven, greet you. Though perhaps later you might be willing to talk about some issues?"

Frowning, Amelia slowly nodded. "I can see what I can do."

When Nagato moved aside, Amelia gulped a little as Wanko walked over with Hoppou, with Dumbledore gesturing to them. "These are Mister Potter's adopted sisters. The taller one is Harbor Princess, or Wanko as she prefers to call. And the smaller one is his younger sister, Hoppou."

Just grimacing slightly, Amelia shook the giant claw offered, supressing the shiver at the thought of it ripping through her flesh. "It's nice to meet such august personas as yourself."

More then a little nervous as she guarded her boss, Hestia glanced around the room only to come to a stop at the sight of what looked like a girl no older then eleven, twelve at most. Said girl was in, of all things, a red and white swimsuit. But that was not what caught Hestia's attention. Rather it was the sword that said girl was slowly polishing.

Then the girl caught her eye and pulled out a napkin that she dropped onto the sword... and which split in half as it touched the blade's edge. Said girl then smiled in a predatory way and Hestia had to stop herself from shuddering at how cold her eyes seemed at that moment.

For some odd reason, Hestia felt that perhaps any quick movements should be avoided.

Perhaps.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Remus was walking along the small pathway as he looked around the property with a slight frown. Part of him still had issues with believing what was going on, but where he looked was the evidence. Off to one side, he could see one of the few weres he had a friendly relationship with working on one of the gardens. And even from where he was, Remus could hear the work going on inside the old boarding school as it was brought up to standard despite being abandoned for years. Most of the work was being done by werewolves that had gotten employment.

Some of them though wanted to be paid in their children being able to go to school, which was something that Remus was one hundred percent behind.

A small curse though caused him to glance to where someone was hopping around after dropping a brick on their foot. Once he was done, the were picked it up and then placed it into it's proper place as they continued to build the outbuilding. Unknown to most of the muggles, the building would be where various potions such as wolfsbane would be prepared. Shaking his head, Remus softly whispered to himself. "This might work... I only wish that you were here to see it, James, Lils..."

Not for the first time, his hand clinched and he fought back the wolf that threatened to rise. Despite time, he still wanted to kill his former friend, Sirius Black for his betrayal. Then Remus relaxed a bit and shook his head to clear it. "No, you're not going to ruin this. Not like everything else, Black."

"Still thinking of him after all these years, huh?"

Wincing, Remus turned to regard the blonde haired woman behind him. "Cassandra, I wish that you wouldn't do that."

The former Mediwitch gave him a wolfish grin before shaking it off. "But it's hilarious..." Her expression softened a little and she shook her head. "You really need to let it got, Remus. It won't help you one way or the other to continue to focus on it."

For several moments, Remus searched the face of the female werewolf in front of him. "I'm afraid that's quite impossible, Cassandra. He was such a large part of my past that I don't think that I will ever be able to let it go. Besides..." He looked down to see her rubbing a bite mark on her arm, the scar still red as if it had never healed. "I'm not the only one who has issues with letting go of the past."

Pausing, Cassandra followed his gaze before she slowly nodded. "I... suppose so. We all have things in our past that have marked us."

Remus just examined the were in front of him as they lapsed into silence. He was happy that she had joined in the project and brought her brother with her, his potions skills would of great help. But, even now, he could see in her what had attracted Fenrir to hunt her and then bite her, forever altering her life...

What had attracted him back during his Hogwarts days.

But, then Remus internally sighed. Those days were far in the past and things had widened between the two of them too much. Even though both Cassandra and her brother said otherwise, he still blamed himself for Fenrir going after her. The bastard wanted to hurt Remus like he had hurt his father, and had done so by marking the one woman he cared for. By now, the gulf between them had widened far too much for either of them to be more then friends. Something that Cassandra was saddened by, but still happy to have. "So... how goes the hospital wing?"

Smiling slightly, Cassandra shook her head as she chuckled. "It may not be Hogwarts', but it is going swimmingly. And even better, they're letting me set it up the way that I want to." Then she frowned as she glanced over at where there was a cement truck pouring it's contents into a hole. "And how goes our... shelter?"

As he blinked, Remus looked in the same direction. To the people working on it, what they were building was an air raid shelter just in case the Abyssals sent an air attack through the area. Most were doubtful, but decided that there was no harm in the people owning the school being safer then sorry. Unknown to them though, said shelter was actually to be where the werewolves would be able to transform on the night of the full moon. "The shelter should be ready in maybe a month or two..." He shook his head in amazement. "The Muggles amaze me sometimes."

Even as she nodded, a chuckle escaped from Cassandra. "They really do good work..." Trailing off, she blinked as she caught sight of something. "Is that an owl?"

Blinking, Remus turned in the direction that she was looking in and frowned. "Yeah... it is." Remus then held out his arm which the owl landed on. Taking the envelope, he opened it and read it with a slight frown. "Hmm..."

While he was doing that, Cassandra was looking over his shoulder. "Who's it from?"

Just raising an eyebrow at her, Remus waited until she backed off before shrugging. "It's from Hagrid. He... he's putting together an album of pictures for Harry." It went without saying that he didn't need to say the last name. "And wants to know if I have any pictures or copies of them that I can give."

Eyes wide, Cassandra gasped a bit. "Have you..." At the shake of the head, she frowned a bit. "Why not?"

A sigh escaping him, Remus shook his head. "I... he wouldn't want to meet me. I'm a werewolf after all and by the time I thought of him, he had to have been four or five."

Rolling her eyes, Cassandra knew that Remus was referrencing his grieving period. "Right, of course." Then a thoughtful look crossed her face. "So, what are you going to do? I know that I have a few pictures..."

On Remus' face there was a far off expression before he slowly nodded. "I... think that I have some pictures to give him. So that he knows what his parents looked like at least." After a few moments of thought, he shook it off and began walking towards the school. "Anyways... it's almost lunch and I want to see what Carmania comes up with this time."

That brought a smile to Cassandra's face as she rubbed her stomach. "Mmm, probably something good. If I knew that shipgirl cooking was that good, I would have eaten at some placed they cooked at before now."

Simply chuckling, Remus shook his head and continued to walk.
___________________________________________________________________________

Quill tapping against parchment, Amelia frowned before she sighed. 'When it rains, it pours I suppose...' Glancing at the cup of tea beside her as she put down the quill, she wished that she had taken the offer of a dab of whiskey. However, Amelia just took off her monocle and cleaned it. "Allow me to understand this, if you will. Mister Potter was kidnapped by a previously unknown follower of You-Know-Who, who believed that he held a key to an item of Albus' that he thought might be able to revive his Master."

Dumbledore only nodded as he sipped his tea. "That is correct, Amelia."

Leaning forward, she glared at him slightly. "This lead to a fight in which, unfortunately, the former Professor Quininus Quirrel died. Am I correct." Once more, Amelia got nods before she sighed. "And so, due to this, Mister Potter's family arrived with some friends to set up a protection detail just in case Quirrel had an accomplice."

Arms acrossed, Wanko gave a slow nod. "Yes, that... is why... we are here. No one... shall harm... Little Brother... if we... can help it."

With a glance at the shipgirls, the two Re-classes (though Amelia wondered why one had bits of cake of all things on her clothing that even now her tail's head was licking up), and the fairy emplacements, Amelia internally snorted. 'No, I doubt very much that anyone would be successful.' Externally, she just sighed. "Very well, this is rather understandable and there is precedent for such actions."

Clearing her throat, Nagato narrowed her eyes. "There is one other item though."

That brought a sigh from the Director of Magical Law Enforcement. "Yes, this idea that You-Know-Who somehow possessed Quirrel during his actions, though voluntarily on the part of the man. However, that runs into the facts which are You-Know-Who is dead. All that was left of him was his cloak and ashes at the ruins of the Potter residence after all."

In reply, Dumbledore sipped his tea and hummed. "Yes, though that in and of itself is not proof enough that he is truly dead."

A frown on her face, Amelia shook her head. "The Dark Marks on the Death Eaters also faded, Albus. And from all information that is only possible if You-Know-Who was dead. There has also been no activity from him for years, something that I know would be impossible if he was alive. Say what you will about that bastard, but laying low for that long would be impossible for him."

Sighing, Dumbledore nodded as he put his cup down. "I understand that, but there are methods of... surviving... in a way."

Eyes narrowing, Amelia frowned. "Methods that you will not disclose to me at this time."

Dumbledore grimaced a bit as he forced himself not to look at Harry. 'Because if I am right, then there's the possibility that some might take matters into their own hands. And there's still the chance that I am both wrong or that there is a way around it besides the one that I found.' Outwardly, he shook his head. "There are many methods, but I need more information before I can make any conclusions."

Grunting, Amelia shook her head. "Then until you have actual proof, I cannot unfortunately work on merely hearsay, Albus. And with various charms, it is possible to trick people and Merlin knows that I have had more then one Dark Wizard try to pretend to be You-Know-Who in order to use the fear and terror he had created to their own ends... or that Dark Witch in Ireland last year that tried to claim she was You-Know-Who after a curse turned her into a female."

That caused Dumbledore to wince, but he nodded. However, of all people Shinano spoke up. "Um... back in Japan there are legends about people who... still hold a lot of power after their deaths."

Somewhat interested, Amelia looked at her directly. "Oh? Go on..."

With a glance at Nagato, who nodded, Shinano took a deep breath. "They are known as the Nihon San Dai Onryō, or the Three Great Ghosts of Japan. They were powerful in life, and even more so after death when their spirits rose from their graves..."

As she listened to the stories that Shinano was telling, Amelia frowned. 'Hmm... interesting, I think that I should pay a visit to Crouch sometime soon. He could point me to someone that may be able to confirm, but if so...' Her eyes narrowed slightly. 'It would not be too hard to keep an eye out and an ear to the ground.'

Meanwhile, Shinano finished her stories as she placed her hands into her lap. "... And that is about everything that I know."

Slowly, Amelia nodded with a thoughtful look on her face. "While I have never heard of such things, I will say that I won't dismiss it. I shall have to look into this, though I doubt that You-Know-Who used such foreign magic. But I cannot dismiss the possibility." She then looked at the other shipgirls and Abyssals. "Now then, while I do not have any issue with you being here, I ask that you comport yourselves well. If a student or other person who is not out to harm Mister Potter is themselves harmed, then I will be forced to act. Something that would be most regrettable in the end."

Unsaid, of course, was who it would be most regrettable for.

Wanko only nodded slowly. "Very well... we shall... not harm anyone... who does not... try to... harm Little Brother."

Taking that as the best outcome she could get in this situation, Amelia drained her tea before standing. "Now then, I have most likely taken up enough of your time and I need to be back at the Ministry to calm some nerves. I wish you all a good day."

Even as the others nodded and said goodbye, Amelia was surprised as Nagato stood up. "May I walk with you outside, there is... something that I wish to ask in private."

Her eyebrow raising, Amelia nodded and gave her two Aurors a gesture to hang back. Once they were out the door, she glanced at Nagato with a frown. "What is it that you wish to discuss? I find myself rather curious after all."

For several moments, Nagato was silent before she turned to Amelia with a serious look. "I wish to know some things about Sirius Black."

Surprised, Amelia could only widen her eyes. 'Well now... this perhaps could be interesting...'

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

There were many, many ways to describe Hibiki. Ask her friends and they would tell you that she was extremely dependable and loyal. Someone that anyone would be proud and honored to have their backs. If one was to ask the Matsuda family, they would talk about how even headed she was and how she was often a rock for the Destroyers of DesDiv6. That she kept cool under circumstances that others might panic or lose their heads. Often, she was right there to help anchor them.

The Unsinkable Ship.

The Phoenix.

The Destroyer Having The Destiny To Survive The War.

What many though did not realize was that while it was hard to get her angry, once she was there was little to stop it. Said anger though was not shown through screaming. Nor tantrums. It was not a hot anger. No, her anger when present was as cold as the arctic tundra of Siberia in the middle of winter. An anger that was as cutting as the flakes of ice thrown around by polar storms. One that was impossible to stop as a glacier and which would crush foes like unforgiving sea ice.

And right now, that anger was running as cold as it ever did upon getting the news that her friend was attacked and was now laying in a coma.

It certainly did not help that when she asked, she was told that she could not head out to Hogwarts to keep watch over him. For most people who saw her, Hibiki's expression didn't change. To her sisters, mother, and aunt? They could see that she was just barely keeping her temper under control.

Of course, the last thing that Hibiki wanted to do was to explode at her sisters. And so, that was what found her out on the water with Mikasa just out of sight on the other side of Sarushima. Walking around her, as Hibiki concentrated and used that anger to hone her concentration, to fuel what she needed, Mikasa slowly nodded. "You've actually come further then the others you know, I think that this might be the point where you manage it. After all, you have the most spiritual weight of anyone outside of Chibi-Kon and her sisters."

Forehead creasing, Hibiki grunted with her eyes closed. "Da, as you have told me."

Softly snickering, Mikasa hummed. "Well, you had one oldest hulls when you were sunk." At seeing one eye open with a cold, yet burning intensity behind them, Mikasa only stood there and let it wash over her. "Despite how you feel, you were launched in 1932 and sunk in the 1970s. Forty years afloat at the very least does give one a good deal of spiritual weight which can only help you here."

Grumbling, Hibiki closed her eye. "I wish that I did not have to go so long without my sisters though. Even if we have been reunited again.

Mikasa only nodded at that. "You are not the only one to feel such, Hibiki-Chan. But at least now you have them with you." There was a pause as she gained a far off expression and then shook it off. Suddenly, she began to smile. 'Ah, there we go...'

Unnoticed by Hibiki, her body began to glow slightly and waves were spreading from her feet as the water began to bubble. Internally, the Destroyer could feel... a pull. Grabbing the metaphorical anchor chain in her mind, she yanked on it and began to reel it in. Around her feet, the ocean then began froth as it was lit from below. 'I... almost there...' Focusing on her anger and using that to sharpen her concentration, as fuel for her focus, Hibiki grit her teeth as sweat appeared on her brow. 'Almost...'

All of a sudden, she felt as if she was shooting up into the air until she came to a stop and sucked in a deep lungful of air. For several seconds, she just stood there looking out at the sea as waves sloshed around. Hibiki then blinked as she looked down at her side and could see Mikasa smiling up at her. "Congradulations, Dess!"

Very slowly, a smile spread on Hibiki's face as she took in deep lungfuls of air. 'I did it...'

From where she stood below her, Mikasa nodded. "Now then, we just need for you to practice until you can do it with little problem."

That only caused Hibiki to nod as she looked up at the sky above. "I cannot wait to show you, Harry-Chan..."
______________________________________________________________________

Looking out a window, Nagato folded her arms across her chest in thought before she looked at Dumbledore. "From what I understand, after the End of Year Feast, there is nothing for a week?"

With a slightly thoughtful expression on his face, Dumbledore nodded. "That is correct. The Feast is on the fourteenth with the students going home on the twentieth."

Fingers tapping against the windowsill, Nagato considered this before she frowned in thought. "I hate to impose upon you more then I have, but could I have him come home to Yokosuka for a few days? If nothing else, it would calm down the others to see him alive."

Dumbledore blinked before he chuckled and nodded. "Of course, I see no issue with allowing Mister Potter to head home for recovery. And I doubt very much that Poppy would have much trouble with it either."

Lips twitching, Nagato raised an eyebrow at him in some amusement. "Most likely due to us no longer taking up her infirmry I would guess."

That got her a chuckle from the Headmaster who nodded. "That would be the most likely reason, yes." He then sighed a little. "I hope though that he at least feels well enough to come back for the trainride home. It may be the last time he sees his friends here until September after all."

Slightly bowing, Nagato nodded. "Of course." Checking her internal clocks, she gave a small nod. "I believe that I have taken up enough of your time, Headmaster. After all, I am needed back at my son's side if only to make sure that things keep running smoothly."

Chuckling again, Dumbledore shook his head. "It's not a problem at all." Once she was gone, Dumbledore leaned back and looked at Fawkes who was watching him with twinkling eyes. "Ah, to be young again." The pheonix gave a warble which the old wizard smirked at. "Yes, if nothing else they'll be worth the entertainment that Mister Potter should bring about."

Above him, one of the elderly Headmistresses snorted and muttered to herself. "Sometimes life is wasted on the living."

That only got her eyerolls from the other portraits.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

And... my muse is in overdrive tonight...
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Hearing a knock, Wanko slowly got up from where she was watching Hoppou play Go Fish with Maruyu and Regina. 'Odd... I did not... expect Nagato... to have... returned by... now.' When she opened the door though, the Abyssal got a pleasant surprise in the form of the Groundskeeper there with a large smile. Already feeling some heat in her cheeks, Wanko blinked. "Hagrid...?"

With a chuckle, Hagrid nodded at her. "Aye, heard that yeh were watchin' over 'Arry here and came by ta see yeh."

If anything, that caused the blush on Wanko's face to increase. "You wished... to see... me...?"

Hagrid just nodded. "Aye." Then he held up a large bag in his hand. "I even made yeh some o' my famous rock cakes."

Surprised, Wanko brought one claw up to her lips before blinking. 'He... made me... some rock cakes?' There was a small smile on Wanko's face as she nodded. "Thank you... Hagrid. You are... too kind."

Rubbing the back of his head, Hagrid just shook his head. "Nah, besides, it's the least that I can do for yeh since yeh are watching over 'Arry." A moment later, he reached into the bag and pulled out one of the rock cakes which he held out to Wanko. "Here yeh go, have a try."

Curious, Wanko took the object and examined it from various angles before sniffing. When she glanced at Hagrid, the giant man just smiled and motioned her on. After a few seconds of thought, the Abyssal then took a bite and chewed before her eyes widened. 'It is... so good...' Closing her eyes in bliss, she swiftly gobbled the rest of it down before swallowing. "Thank you... Hagrid."

All Hagrid did was rub the back of his head with a large smile on his face. "Aw, yeh don't have ter thank me fer bringing yeh somemmat ter eat." Feeling a tug, he looked down to see Hoppou looking up at him. "Yes?"

Hoppou blinked and then tilted her head. "Hoppou wants some." At a cough from Wanko, Hoppou then added a little bit. "Please?"

Chuckling, Hagrid reached down and patted her head. "Well, of course yeh can!"

Simply watching as Hoppou took one for herself and some for the others before she skipped back to the group, Wanko smiled before turning to Hagrid. "How have... you been... Hagrid?"

That caused Hagrid to shake his head before he snorted. "Been fine, actually. Got a little bit o' a problem wit' some flesh eating slugs, but tha's nothing." Suddenly, his expression brightened. "Oh! An' I had me a dragon for a bit there."

Eyes widening, Wanko leaned in. "A dragon.... you say...?"

Nodding, Hagrid reached into his coat and pulled out a photo which he held out so that Wanko could see. Of course, he did not notice how the Abyssal was pressing into his side. "Aye, this is Norbert. 'E's a Norwiegan Ridgeback 'e is." Sniffling a bit, Hagrid pulled out a handkerchief and blew his nose. "'Ad ter give him up though. Against the law ter keep him and all that rot. Somethin' about it being dangerous." That caused the massive man to snort. "Rubbish, just a little misunderstood dragons are. Like yeh in fact."

Blinking owlishly, Wanko tried to ignore the heat in her cheeks as Hagrid continued to tell her all about his baby dragon. 'Such an... interesting man... Hagrid is...'

She did though tell him that when Harry woke up or on her next visit, she would take him up on his offer of tea.
____________________________________________________________________________

"If you're a bit tired, no one is stopping you from getting a little shuteye."

A little bit startled, Regina turned to regard Louisiana who was watching her from under the brim of her hat. "Ah... ah, what?"

Raising an eyebrow, Louisiana sat up from where she was laying on the bed beside Harry. "You're looking a little bit tired at the moment. No one is going to complain if you decide to have a little bit of a nap. Hell, I don't think that I have seen you sleep much since we got here."

Not replying right away, Regina stared down at her hooves before she whispered back. "I... I need to protect him."

Only nodding at that, Louisiana hummed a bit before swinging her legs over the edge of the bed and getting up. "Ain't going to be able to protect him well if you're tired though. Best to get some rest when you can, so that you can be at your best." Suddenly, she grinned. "Besides, you would not believe how comfortable it is just cuddling up to him."

She was rewarded by a blush on Regina's face as the Abyssal glanced at the sleeping Harry, who had Shinano cuddled into one side. Another glance showed her the dozing Nagato who had Hoppou in her arms. "I... I couldn't..."

Walking over, Louisiana clapped her on the shoulder and grinned. "Of course you can! Go on now, I'll take this watch while you rest them pretty red eyes of yours." Before Regina could say anything, Lousiana hauled her to her hooves and gently pushed her towards the bed that she just vacated. "Go on now, besides... you can still protect him while sleeping."

It took a moment, but Regina's eyes widened before she nodded. "O-oh... I see..." Walking over, Regina took a deep breath before looking back at Louisiana who winked. Just swallowing nervously, the Re-Class got up onto the bed and froze as it creaked under her weight. After a few moments, just to be sure that the bed would not collapse, she shuffled until she was right beside Harry. Then she laid her head down on his shoulder before glancing at Maruyu who was on top of the black haired boy as she slept. 'This... is nice...' Closing her eyes, she shifted her tail until it was laying on Harry's legs. 'This is very nice...'

From where she sat, Louisiana just grinned as she watched the breathing of the Re-Class Abyssal even out as she fell into slumber. 'Well now, isn't that just the most adorable sight.' Once she was sure that Regina was asleep though, the Battleship stood up and stretched as she ignored how Hamakaze and Isokaze glanced at her from the doorway where they stood guard with Wanko.

Or... maybe she didn't ignore them as she was internally grinning at catching their attention.

After a few stretches though, she walked over to one of the windows where RO was sitting with some of fairies as they played some sort of card game. Sitting down, Lousiana hummed to herself as she watched. "So... what's this now?"

RO glanced at her and then flashed a quick smile. "We're playing a game of Skat."

Just raising an eyebrow, the Battleship just nodded a little. "I see... can anyone join in your game? Or is just your crew."

That got a soft laugh from RO as the tanned girl shook her head. "Skat is for just three players, though if you wait for this game to finish up, I'll play one with you... or we'll perhaps play Doppelkopf."

Slightly bemused, Lousiana snorted. "I'm not an idiot."

Much to her amusement, RO rolled her eyes. "That would be dummkopf." Rubbing her chin as she considered the cards, the Uboat frowned. "Though I suspect that the game is not the only thing that you're interested in."

Quiet for a few seconds, Lousiana finally nodded. "No, I'm not." Becoming thoughtful, she leaned back and looked towards the bed where Harry laid. "I've talked with a number, and what I have heard has made me wonder something... what exactly is the plan you Submarines have?"

Glancing at her, RO followed her gaze and then smiled. "I suspect that it is much the same plans as you have."

Louisiana had a considering look in her eyes before slowly nodding. "I see... Now isn't that interesting." Turning, Louisiana stared RO in the eye with the Subgirl meeting her gaze. "Is it the same plan for all of you?"

With a chuckle, RO nodded. "Ja, it is. Harry-Chan is special, and so we want him happy."

Eyebrow raising, Lousiana leaned down some. "Is that so... and you?"

Her eyes crinkling a bit at the corners, RO smirked. "We all want him happy." Softly snorting, the Battleship leaned back. With a hum, RO turned her attention back to the game. "And you?"

For a moment, Louisiana was silent. And then she nodded. "... Yeah, it's much the same." Gazing out the window, she frowned. "I owe so much to him, I don't really care how it all comes to an end as long as he is happy and so is Natsumi. Of course, I would prefer it go a certain way mind you..."

That got her a grin from RO who nodded. "I think that we can all see that." At the startled look, she laughed a little. "You're a Battleship, you can't do things unobtrusively."

Raising an finger, Louisiana shook her head. "Washington."

Only rolling her eyes in reply, RO shook her head. "Even we have heard about what happened between her and the Yeoman Gale. That was not unobtrusive in the slightest."

Just blinking, Lousiana snorted and then sighed. "You have me there, I suppose." Suddenly, she looked towards RO with a frown. "Wait... you said 'Plans', as in multiple...'

The only answer she got from RO was a hum, a smile, and nothing else.
_______________________________________________________________

Clawing his way out of unconsciousness, the first thing that Harry was aware of was a weight on his chest and legs, as well as two on either side of him. As his thoughts flowed as slow as molasses on a cold, winter's day, it took a few seconds for him to realize that the weights were bodies cuddled into him. Twitching a bit, he let out an involuntary groan before his eyes fluttered open and he could see a head of brown hair on his chest. 'Maruyu-Chan...?' A look at either side caused him to blink. 'Shinano-Chan? Regina?' More then a little confused, he furrowed his eyebrows. 'What happened... last I remember was...!' His eyes then widened as he began to hyperventalate as it all came back. "I... P-Professor Quirrel... he..."

It was the feeling of him gasping that caused Regina's eyes to open. "Harry...?" Then upon seeing the state that he was in, she sat up. "Harry!"

Within moments, Shinano and Maruyu were also awake and trying to calm him down before Nagato got there. All three shipgirls moved away so that Nagato could pull him into an embrace as he shook. "Shhh... shhhh... it's okay, Harry. Everything is okay now."

Tightly holding her, Harry choked a bit. "Mu-mum... Professor Quirrel, he's-"

Nagato cut him off right then. "Dead, we know." Eyes softening, she nodded and stroked his head. "We know, Harry."

Internally though, Harry was shaking his head. 'No, Mum, you don't... you really don't.' There was a part of him, that part from his experiences from the Dursleys, that was whispering to him. Telling him that if they only knew that he had killed someone. That if they knew, they would not want anything to do with him.

Said whispers only caused him to hold all the more tighter to Nagato who after a few minutes as his shakes subsided, looked down. "Do you want to talk about it?"

However, she was not surprised in the slightest as Harry shook his head. "N-no, not right now, Mum."

Kissing his hair, she closed her eyes. "Okay, when you're ready though, we'll be here."

A half hour later though, after Pomfrey checked him out, Dumbledore finally arrived and frowned as he took in the sight of Harry half-heartedly pushing the food around on his plate. Waiting until Nagato walked up, he glanced at her. "Would it be okay if I spoke to him about what happened?"

Within moments, Nagato shook her head. "He doesn't want to talk about it right now I'm afraid. Eventually, but not right now and I don't want to force him." She then narrowed her eyes as she hissed. "He was in shock when he woke up and shaking, Headmaster. My son was actually sobbing when I was holding him..." Nagato's eyes burned with barely concealed rage. "Voldemort best hope that I never come across him."

Stroking his beard, Dumbledore nodded. "Agreed..." For almost a minute, he watched Harry as if examining him. Finally, he relaxed and, to Nagato's confusion, seemed almost... relieved. "I see no problem in waiting. What happened will keep for a few days." Before she could say anything though, Dumbledore cleared his throat. "Do you believe that he is able to attend tonight's feast?"

Simply frowning, Nagato glanced at him before she shook his head. "That is up to him, I'm afraid. If not, then we shall be leaving as soon as he is discharged. And if he is, then we shall be leaving after the end of the feast."

Dumbledore only nodded at that. "Of course, of course." With a sigh, he gave her a nod. "I think that I shall leave you now, Mister Potter needs you and his other friends and family more then he needs an old man asking questions."

All the Battleship did was tilt her head before he left. It was a quiet group that left Hogwarts that night, not even the fact that due to his friends Gryffindor won the House Cup raised Harry's spirits much.

Then, two days later at Yokosuka, Harry was sitting at the end of a dock when Haruna caught sight of him and walked over towards him.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Harry just sat at the end of the pier with his legs swinging below him as he stared out to sea. He had just wanted to get away from everyone and just... think. After all, what would they think of a murderer in their midst. And at the end of the pier, he could just be alone. What Harry didn't expect was for Haruna to sit down beside him and do the same thing. After a few minutes, Harry glanced over at her to see a smile on her face. "Does Harry-Chan want to talk about it?"

Frowning, Harry sighed and hung his head as he looked down at their reflections in the water. The bags under his eyes telling him that he really had not been sleeping well. "Not really, Haruna-Oba..."

Unlike some of the others who had tried to get him to talk, Haruna just nodded a bit. "Well, then Haruna is okay just spending some time with Harry-Chan in silence."

Once more, the two lapsed into quiet thoughtfulness for several minutes. For the next half hour, every once in a while Harry glanced at Haruna who only smiled and kicked her feet back and forth below the pier. However, she did not say anything else, only waited for what she knew would happen. Finally, Harry grimaced a bit. "Do you really want to know what happened?"

Tilting her head, Haruna hummed with the gentle smile still on her face. "Only if Harry-Chan wants to talk about it."

Still staring down at the water, Harry took a deep breath and began to let it out. He didn't quite know how, but somehow he just spilled everything that happened over the year as Haruna listened. Throughout it, the Fast Battleship just sat there and didn't say anything, just listened as the black haired boy beside her poured out his heart to her... even as hers ached for him. Eventually, he came to the end and sighed. "And... that's about it I guess."

Humming, Haruna looked out onto the harbour with a frown. "Does Harry-Chan really think that what happened will make us think differently about him?"

With a frown, Harry just shook his head. "I... killed him, Haruna-Oba. I held my hands to his face and throat as he burned and screamed and-"

Before he could continue, he got cut off by Haruna placing a finger to his lips. "Haruna wants Harry-Chan to know something really important." Once he nodded, she pulled away the finger and then pulled him into a hug. "Haruna is most saddened that Harry-Chan was put into that situation... That Harry-Chan had to do what he did... but Haruna is not saddened by how Harry-Chan is still with them. For that, Haruna is grateful to the Kami. And Harry-Chan? None of us would think of you any differently due to what happened. Not Haruna, not Nagato, not the submarines, not Rose-Chan, not Fubuki, not Hoppou... none of us."

Muffled, Harry's voice drifted up though there was a hint of tears in it. "You mean it?"

Even though she felt like giggling, Haruna held it back and only nodded as she gently stroked Harry's hair. "Hm-hm. Haruna means it and wants to see Harry-Chan be okay again. So, Haruna thinks that he should talk with Nagato about it and perhaps the others. We're all worried for Harry-Chan after all and only want to see him smile again."
Sighing, Harry pulled away some. "I... guess. You sure that she won't be..."

Haruna only poked him in the forehead. "Haruna is sure." Smiling, Harry leaned back against her as she held him in a one armed hug. Several minutes later, Harry mumbled something and Haruna looked down. "What was that, Harry-Chan?"

With a deep breath, Harry then let it out. "I... was asking if you could be there and..."

Leaning back, Haruna searched his eyes and then pushed his bangs to the side to place a soft kiss to his forehead. "Haruna would be honored to help Harry-Chan. Does Harry-Chan want anyone else there?"

For several moments, Harry bit his lip and then swallowed. "I... don't want to tell it more then once..." Shuddering a little as he felt drained, Harry leaned against her. "C-could you decide who should be there, Haruna-Oba?"

Gently humming, Haruna nodded. "Haruna can do that if that is what Harry-Chan wants." Once he nodded, she then stood up, dragging him with her. "Very well, Haruna will set it all up for Harry-Chan."

Harry's only response was to nod against her shoulder as she easily carried him in one arm while her other hand was busy texting.
_____________________________________________________________________________

Shifting in his chair, Harry glanced around the meeting room. Beside him, Haruna gently squeezed his shoulder while Goto and Kongou were quietly talking in one of their seats. Also there were Fubuki, Iowa, and to Harry's confusion, Hachi. Unable to meet their eyes, Harry just held the mug of tea in his hands which shook.

Then the small bits of talk stopped as there was a knock at the door and it opened to reveal Nagato, Naka, Haru, and Dumbledore. Once the other three sat down, Naka set up a camera quickly and then nodded to Harry with a soft smile at his confusion. "This way you'll never have to tell it again if you don't want to."

With a slow nod, Harry swallowed before Haruna leaned down to give him an encouraging smile. "Haruna is here for you, Harry-Chan. Trust Haruna when she says that nothing you say here will change how we see you."

Just shuddering, Harry gulped. "I... I know." Looking up, he glanced at each person. "I... you all want to know what happened, right?"

Goto gave him his best comforting smile which he had used on nervous Destroyers before, and it seemed to work here as Harry became slightly less tense. "Of course, but only on your terms, Harry."

Taking a deep breath, Harry held it for a few seconds and then let it out. This was followed by another and then another. Once he felt calm enough, Harry began to speak. "It started when I was walking with Neville to meet Hermione and Ron at Hagrid's hut..."

As he continued his story there were various reactions to what they were hearing. There was a flash of anger on Nagato's face at the revelation that Quirrel was the one who tried to kill her son both on his broom and, later, in the forest. When Harry got to the mirror, his voice cracked a bit at describing what he saw in it, though there were proud looks on several expressions with Kongou smiling. But then then he got to where Voldemort revealed himself and that smile fell off to be replaced by horror.

Dumbledore's expression turned stony at that piece of information while Haru narrowed her eyes and became thoughtful. Where she sat, Fubuki had to hold back a gag while Iowa rubbed her hand down her face. "Jesus H. Christ..."

Of course, when Harry reached the point where the he killed Quirrel, his voice cracked and he looked nearly on the edge of a breakdown as he relived it. The only reason that he did not was that his mother was there hugging him as Haruna kept her hand on his shoulder while giving it reassuring squeezes. "... I... I didn't want to kill him..." Looking up, Harry fixed them with tear filled eyes. "I just wanted... I didn't want to die and... wanted to see you all again..."

Holding him close, Nagato closed her eyes before kissing him on the forehead. "Harry..." When he didn't look at her, Nagato then placed her forehead against his. "Harry, look at me." Once he did, she continued. "I do not think of you any differently. If anything, I am so happy that you are here with us."

For several moments, Harry tried to say something when there was a scrape of a chair and then Hachi walked up. Taking one of his hands and placing it against his cheek, she took a deep breath. "Harry-Chan, you know all about Hacchan's past, right?"

Confused, Harry nodded before he shook his head. "Y-yeah, b-but-"

Suddenly, the Submarine cut him off. "You know of Hacchan's past, but do not hold it against me. Trust me when I say that you did nothing wrong. This Quirrel and Voldemort are... like Hacchan's crew." Gasps could be heard as various shipgirls and Goto's shot her surprised looks, even as Harry's eyes widened. "They would not have felt like Harry-Chan is right now. You regret taking a life so that you could live. People like Hacchan's old crews, Quirrel, and Voldemort? They would enjoy taking it. As far as Hacchan is concerned, Harry-Chan is a far, far better person then them. Do you hear me, Harry-Chan?"

Tears spilling out of his eyes, Harry sniffled as he looked down at the blonde haired girl. "H-hai..."

Fubuki then spoke up. "She's right Harry-Chan, none of us feel any differently about you and we're all just happy that you're here with us. And I agree with Hachi-San, you are by far a better person because you regret it and feel this way."

Across from her, Kongou nodded. "I've had some terrible people for crews, Harry-Chan. You are worth a hundred of them because you feel bad about this, Dess."

Hands folded on the table, Dumbledore looked at his reflection in sorrow before he took a deep breath. "They're right my boy, there was nothing wrong with what you did. Quirrel made his choice and by the time you met, he already had one foot in the grave."

That caused Goto to frown as he looked at him. "How would you know this?"

Sighing, the elderly wizard shook his head. "I know a few things about the type of possession that was performed here. The spirit possessing the person slowly feeds off them magically and draining their life force until all that is left keeping the victim alive is the possessing spirit itself... until it can no longer."

Eyes wide, Iowa shook her head. "Fuck, you mean..."

Dumbledore grimaced slightly. "Voldemort would have gotten the Stone before regaining his body, leaving Quirrel there to die. There was an apt thing that I heard a muggle say once that describes this perfectly... he was already dead, he just did not know it. You see, Voldemort has little more mercy for his followers then he does his victims."

A sniffle escaped from Harry. "Is that... supposed to make me feel better, Professor? Because it really doesn't."

Slowly, Dumbledore shook his head. "No, I suppose not." Then he sighed a little. "Harry, my boy, as much as I would like to leave it lie... would it be possible for me to retrieve a copy of the memory of the incident. So that we may all see it?"

Thoughtful, Goto furrowed his eyebrows. "Would it have any effect on Harry?"

Leaning back, Dumbledore frowned. "No, but it would give us all a... better idea. And I wish to confirm a few thoughts as much as I would like to leave this lie."

However, Haru then chose to speak up. "No need of that, I have... a better method. Onmyoudo has many applications, including divination. And while most think seeing the future is this, the past can also be seen." She then turned towards Harry with a gentle expression. "You would not need to re-experience it. If you want, I can have you asleep while we look."

After a few seconds of thought, Harry nodded before he looked at Dumbledore. "C... can I ask some questions first?"

Looking over his glasses, Dumbledore finally nodded. "Of course, but the truth can be a great and terrible thing, Harry. And there are some questions that I cannot answer for you quite yet as you are not old enough. I will not lie to you, so what I cannot say I will tell you that I can't. You have earned that much."

For a few moments, Harry looked torn before he nodded. "W-what's going to happen to me now?"

The elderly teacher gave him a sympathetic look. "Nothing, Harry. You see, I am the head of the Wizangamot, which is not only the top legislative body, but also functions as the highest court in Magical Britain. And so I rule that this is a case of self-defence." Ignoring the narrowed eyed looks given to him, Dumbledore nodded. "Therefore you have nothing to worry about."

Licking his lips, Harry tried to think of another question only for Nagato to speak up. "Why did his touch burn him, Headmaster?"

He watched her over the rims of his glasses as he replied to her question after some thought. "As you know, Harry's mother died in an attempt to save him. Such a sacrifice born of the pure love that a mother holds for her child is something that a person such as Voldemort or one whose soul is filled with greed, hatred, and ambition such as Quirrel could never understand. It leaves it's own mark upon a person, but not a physical one. No, you would never find a scar, a marking, or any sign that one can see. It leaves a form of some protection that would remain forever more. One that would be so pure and good that a being such as Voldemort or even, sadly enough, Quirrel, could never stand to touch."

There was a thoughtful look on Haru's face before she nodded. "I... have heard stories about how powerful a mother's love after death could be, but never did I think that I might see an example."

Meanwhile, Harry turned this over in his head for a few moments before nodding. "I... he mentioned my parents. Did... did he go after them because of me?"

Both wizards watched each other in silence before Dumbledore sighed. "Alas, that is one of the questions that I cannot give a full answer to you as of yet. But as you have proven to be able to handle some..." He stroked his beard a little before he nodded. "I can tell you, however, that your parents had been marked for death by Voldemort before he even knew that you had existed. You see, they were a thorn in his side during the war against his followers, fighting and capturing a number..." Dumbledore's eyes narrowed some. "And yes, it being a war, they had killed some when they had no choice, Harry. And they were not the only ones among the resistance against Voldemort."

As Harry blinked at that, he swallowed. "They... they did?"

With a nod, Dumbledore's expression became far off. "Those were times in which they had no choice. It was a dark deed I suppose, but committed against those who had done many dark deeds in a dark time. One must recognize both the circumstances and the nature of such an act when it is committed. Such things were... inevitable at the time." He then snapped out of it. "I myself have killed Harry, in order to protect others. It is a hard thing to deal with once committed and should never be easy. It is the fact that wizards such as I, or you, regret each death that makes sure that we never become like those we fight." For several moments, Dumbledore was silent before he shook his head. "Those who fight monsters should take care, lest they become ones themselves."

Kongou then spoke up. "And if one gazes into the Abyss for too long, they'll find that it gazes back."

That got her a surprised look from Dumbledore, but he nodded. "Quite." Then he turned back to Harry. "As to what happened, it shall take time. Once cannot get over such a thing in merely one conversation..." Dumbledore then trailed his eyes across the others in the room. "I dare say though that you have many who would be willing to help you, if only you ask."

Grunting, Goto folded his hands in front of his face. "My door is always open if you need to talk, Harry. No matter what."

From where she sat, Naka nodded. "Same here, Chibi." She then gave him a wink and a thumbs up. "Naka-Chan takes care of her number one co-host after all."

For the first time in the entire conversation, Harry smiled a bit. It was a ghost of a smile, but one nonetheless and everyone counted that as a victory. Then it fell away. "Professor... what about the Stone?"

Sipping his drink, Dumbledore considered what he was about to say before nodding. "Nicholas and myself had a talk and it was decided that the Stone that was within the mirror will be destroyed. It is for the best after all."

Eyes wide, Harry stared at him. "But... won't that mean that they'll die?"

On Dumbledore's face, there was a sad smile. "Perhaps, but once one lives for so long, dying becomes more like laying down to sleep after a so very long day. The Next Great Adventure is not something to be feared, after all." Suddenly, he chuckled. "It's quite strange you know. The Stone may not be quite the wonderful thing that people think. Eternal life and all the gold you want... but then, you would find those you once knew dying of old age while you do not. And gold makes for very poor companionship. It's quite strange, but us humans at times chose that which is the worst thing for us."

Biting his lip, Harry slowly nodded before he remembered something. "Um... he also said that Professor Snape saved my life at the Quidditch match. But why? I thought that he disliked me."

There was silence for a few seconds before Dumbledore shrugged a little bit. "A part of the reason that Professor Snape dislikes you is that years before you were born, your father saved his life."

Several heads whipped around at that with Kongou coming out with the word on all their minds. "What."

Nodding, Dumbledore chuckled. "Yes, rather surprising to be honest. It left him indebted to a man he hated. I suppose that in some small way, he can now go back to hating your father's memory in peace."

Even though he was not quite sure, Harry accepted that before he turned towards Haru. "I... I'm ready for that spell now." Walking over with a ofuda in her hands, Haru placed it on his forehead. "Just relax." As his eyes closed, Harry could hear her next words. "For everyone else, please turn to the wall behind him..."

When he awoke, it was to several pale, ill faces. Much to his surprise though, it was Goto who did any damage as the armrests for his chair broke under his grip. "Um..."

Hugging him tightly, Nagato shuddered a bit. "Hearing it was one thing, but seeing it..."

Iowa just shook her head. "Kiddo, that was just some majorly fucked up shit."

Slowly, Harry nodded. "Yeah... I know."

Feeling an hand on his arm though, he turned to see a slightly pale Fubuki giving him a smile. "After that, I feel like we need a pick me up... how about you, myself, and Hachi-San go and hit the ice cream shop?"

There was a sound and Harry and Fubuki found a card being slid across the table. Looking up, they saw Goto shaking his head. "Go out and enjoy yourselves, it's on me."

Gently pulling him to his feet, Fubuki gave him the best smile that she could. "Now, all we got to do is tell Yuudachi and Mutsuki to meet us..."

Moments later, they were out the door along with Hachi and Goto groaned. "Just the verbal description was bad enough, but that? I am not looking forward to seeing John's reaction to this."

Blinking, Dumbledore frowned. "John?"

Softly snorting, Goto shook his head. "Admiral John Richardson, United States Navy. He's in charge of Sasebo with Mutsu, Nagato's sister, as one of his ships. As it involves Harry, she needs to be informed which means he does as well. Hopefully they keep Jane from it, but..."

Nagato only sighed. "Mutsu... is not going to take it well. And I doubt that Arizona will either."

From where she sat, Naka shook her head. "Neither will Jintsuu. Kami..." Rubbing her face, she only sighed. "After seeing that, I need a drink."

No one disagreed with her on that.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

And now for a look elsewhere in the world. In particular, a place that some of you have wondered about...
________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Ripples splashed against the ladder before a greyish-blue arm rose above the water and gripped one of the rungs. With a powerful heave, the arm it belonged to pulled the rest of the body out of the water with another arm following. It was not long before the swimsuit clad body reached the top of the ladder, the water sloughing off easily while gills closed. A three fingered hand though stopped before the teenaged girl's face and she looked up to see a smiling form. "Here, let me give you a hand up Azure."

Gripping the offered hand, Azure was soon on the dock and wringing out her hair. "Thanks, and glad that's over..."

There was a frown on the human face as she raised one silvery white eyebrow. "Bad?"

Just shaking her head, Azure let out a sigh which revealed the rows of sharp teeth in her mouth. "Yeah... I caught sight of no less then three Abyssal Submarines. They're getting closer and closer. Akeme."

Worried, the other teenaged girl bit her lip before shaking her own head, whitish-silver hair whipping back and forth. "I really wish that you weren't the one doing this, Azure. You're my best friend and every time you go out I just worry..." Chuckling, Azure reached over and flicked the spiral horn that came from the otherwise normal forehead. As her friend smacked her hand away, the girl grinned getting a shudder from Akeme. "And stop grinning like that, you know that it freaks me the hell out."

Lightly laughing, Azure just pulled her friend in for a hug. "Why do you think I do that? Your expression is hilarious every time!" Her expression softening, Azure looked out at the blue waters of the sea. The calm waters hiding the danger below. "Besides, we both know that I'm one of the best for this. I'm too small for the Abyssals to really notice with sonar, my coloration disguises me, and I can dive too deep for them to follow easily." She then tapped her snout. "Besides, while they can't track me, I can track them more easily."

Huffing, Akeme glanced to the side where a boy leapt into the water, his black and white fluke glistening in the sun. Moments after entering the water, he surfaced and there was a burst of air and mist from a hole in the back of his neck before he dove again. Another patrol heading out, though not as far as Azure ranged as they kept an eye out for the Abyssals who kept coming closer and closer to their home as the ICW slowly withdrew.

Quickly shaking off that thought before it spiraled into darker places, Akeme glanced back at her friend who was grumbling as she began to rub a lotion into her skin to keep it moisturized. While most of those on their island could pass as human except for the odd animal features such as ears, tails, horns, or scales and feathers, there were others such as her friend who could not. Said people, called 'Throwbacks' or 'Beastmen' by some of the wizards, were more animalistic. The clack of her hooves against the cobblestone also reminded Akeme that some of those same wizards considered her such as well, though she looked perfectly human unless one looked closely and noticed her three fingered hands, horn, and hooves.

A laugh caused her to look where a boy with a wolf tail and ears was buying some grapes from a massive snake woman who also let out a hissing laugh as she shook her inhuman head. Hearing a grumble, she smiled at Azure who was suddenly embarrassed. "Hungry?"

That got a half-hearted glare before Azure sighed and nodded. "I guess... I haven't gotten anything to eat since I ran into a school of squid out at sea earlier today. And swimming makes you really hungry."

Needless to say, the response she got was exactly what she had expected as Akeme grimaced and gagged. "How can you eat that stuff raw!? Argh, gross!"


Once more grinning, Azure pulled her friend into another half-armed hug. "Don't knock it until you've tried it. Trust me, it's not bad at all." She then gave Akeme a snort. "Besides, I don't give you any crap about eating that green stuff."

Akeme gave her a huff and shook her head. "Vegetables are perfectly good for you! Besides, I don't mind squid... as long as it's been cooked and been dead longer then an hour."

In reply, Azure shrugged. "Wouldn't know, I can't eat vegetables remember?"

Nodding, Akeme held back a sigh at another facet of her friend's state, that her diet was limited to meat only, was once brought up. Then she shook it off. "Anyways... Erik's then?"

For a moment, Azure gave it some thought and then nodded. "Erik's."

The two of them shared a smile and then walked on before the unicorn girl cleared her throat. "So... any news on why Dumbledore ran out on that meeting with your mom a few days back? I mean, sure, she's scary for a cat woman, but..."

Crossing her arms, Azure frowned as she remembered what happened with the meeting between her adopted mother and Albus Dumbledore. The cat woman had taken her in after her own parents had been killed when she was very young by what some assumed to be Abyssals. "Nope, Mom hasn't told me anything. Though..." She looked around and frowned before leaning in. "She's been in more and more meetings with Johnathan."

Eyebrows furrowing, Akeme blinked. "Johnathan? The Irish Muggleborn?"

Only nodding, Azure glanced around. "Yeah, don't know what about but from what I caught he apparently is getting us stuff from people he knows. For when the ICW leaves fully."

Shuddering and rubbing her arms, Akeme bit her lip. "So they're doing it then? They're just going to leave us here to die?"

Within moments, Azure pulled her best friend into a hug. "Yeah... but don't worry about that. Mom will come up with something since she's our leader. Besides, I'll kick any Abyssal's ass that tries to come after you while I'm around. You know that."

Just sniffling, Akeme nodded and hugged her friend back. "Y-yeah, I know." Once she pulled away and wiped her eyes, she blinked a bit. "Look at me, I'm such a crybaby huh?"

Grinning, Azure let out a snicker. "Yup, which is why I've always had your back since we were in Preschool. Those bullies didn't know not to pick on you until the bigger predator, me, came by and showed them that they were small fry. And the Abyssals are the same way." Neither commented on how they both knew that the last bit was a lie. "Now come on, there's some fish that I hear calling out for me."

Simply letting out a sigh, Akeme nodded. "It's always calling out for you..." Suddenly, she grinned and began to run. "Last one there needs to pay for the meal!"

For a moment, Azure blinked before she took off after her friend. "Hey! No fair, Akeme!"

 

[darthcourt10]

sasahara17

Here's another quick snippet I figured would be a natural follow on from the whole 'ham and cheese subs write a book' thing. Cheers!

-=-

When Tunny called for an emergency meeting of all the submarine ship girls present in San Diego, including those who were just visiting, they had assumed the worst. It was sudden and unexpected, two things that never boded well, and the sheer urgency which she had been seen running around the naval base beforehand had hinted that something had greatly alarmed the Gato-class submarine.

Considering that Tunny was one of the most respected remembers of the silent service, the other submarines knew that something big was going down. However, when they had all shown up at the meeting proper, well… what Tunny had in store for them was something that none of the submarines could have predicted.

"What the hell do you mean, 'the Limey Subs have published a book'?" Halibut said incredulously.

"I meant what I said. The Royal Navy submarines have written a book," Tunny held up the colorful, hardcover book in question for the rest of the room to see. "It's called 'Ship Girl Infiltration Tactics and Strategy for Absolute Beginners', and it just went on sale three days ago."

"What? Why didn't anybody hear about it?" Wahoo asked in confusion.

"I don't know. I only just found out about it myself," Tunny admitted abashedly, "Just went on Amazon to buy a new backpack and found it on the top of the bestseller lists for kindle. It was just… there."

"And the hardcover?"

"On sale down at any local bookshop," Tully informed them, "I got mine at the new Kinokuniya that opened up down the road from the base."

There had been no press releases or media coverage that would have forewarned of the book's release, something especially weird considering that was about ship girls. Indeed, there wasn't any news about plans for distribution, translation of the books, or anything of the sort!

Much like the submarines who had authored it, the book had just appeared in bookstores across the globe one day, suddenly and completely warning, and had pretty much taken the entire world off guard… but now that it was here, there was no getting rid of it.

"Um, Tully… it says here that it's a kid's book," Cavalla said as she looked up from the screen of her smart phone, which she had just used to do some checking of her own, "Published by Penguin, meant for ages five and up. What in the… the Royal Navy went and authored a children's book?"

"Yeah. Yeah they did." Tunny confirmed. "It's written like some kind of instruction manual meant to teach surface warfare ship girls how infiltrate a secure location."

"What the fuck? They're publishing trade secrets? Publishing submarine trader secrets… in a children's book? The fuck are they thinking?" Darter exclaimed in alarm, a knee jerk reaction shared by several other submarines. After all, while the sub-thieves of the United States Navy were quite confident in their own abilities, having several of the secrets of silent service getting published in a book would make things unnecessarily difficult for… future operations.

"Well no," Tully quickly replied to allay her sister's concerns, "Like you I thought that's what they were doing. Then I actually read it. No, no we're in the clear."

"How can you be so sure about that?" Darter asked.

In response, Tully flipped open the book, turned to chapter four, and presented it to her sisters for their perusal. "There is an entire chapter this book there about the correct and proper use of life sized cardboard cutouts as tools of infiltration. It goes on for about twenty pages. Then the chapter after starts discussing possible uses of cardboard boxes, the chapter after that is how to distract patrolling guards using toys and kitchen appliances…"

"…what."

"Yeah, that was about my reaction as well."

"So wait… if this book doesn't have any of our trade secrets, that means it is just a children's book right? That it doesn't have anything of real relevance to us, right?" Growler growled in annoyance, quite peeved that the book, and the meeting itself, was turning out to be a colossal waste of her time, "What the fuck are we doing here then? Those idiot brits want to make themselves look stupid by writing a children's book, they can go ahead and be my guest. I'm not going to lose sleep over it."

"Growler has a point there. So long as what they do has no impact on us, then I don't see why we should be so concerned about what they do," Dace agreed, "So they wrote a book. Big deal. Why should we worry about this thing, anyway?"

"Because this book has sold three million copies to date." Tunny answered.

Safe to say, Tunny had the attention of every submarine in the room after that little depth charge.

"In three days, despite not having any press coverage or media campaign to let people know about it, this little children's book has sold three million copies in three days," Tully informed her follow submarines in as serious a voice as she possibly could, "It had no press coverage and a cold launch, and it is selling well. Really well. Projections show it's outing to sell at least five million copies in the United States alone."

"How in the goddamn…" Dace whispered in shock.

"It's a damn funny book, okay?" Tully sighed.

"Fourteen, ninety nine for a book including taxes, three million copies... even if we take only an average of 10% royalty for the author, we're talking… holy shit that's a lot of money." Cavalla said as she set down her smartphone, "Jesus Christ, if my calculations are correct… those crazy brits are making more dough through Royalties in three days than we have in the last year."

The submarines of the United States Navy sat together in the meeting room in silence as they digested what they had just heard. Their counterparts in the Royal Navy, the loudest, most obnoxious submarines to ever exist, were making cold, hard money through royalties from a children's book.

A children's book.

"So, yeah. The reason I called you all here today is because, well, I wanted to try and write our own book to get some of that. If the Brits can do it, I think we can, too," Tunny admitted with a sigh. "So, uh… are any of you girls in or out?"

-=-

A/N – It just occurred to me that other submarine services might have some initial reactions about the ham and cheese subs publishing a book about infiltration (especially since it is their trade and all that). Obviously the Brits aren't stupid enough to put anything in there that would give their secret skills away, especially true since the stealth 'skillz' for a surface warship will be different from those used by a submarine, but I'm sure the immediate reaction from the other subs would be 'WTF dude!, are you trying to get us all killed?'. The other submarines would calm down eventually once they actually sit down read the book, but that would be the initial reaction, I think.

 

[darthcourt10]

sasahara17

Here's another quick snip regarding an old idea that I had over in the KanColle Fanfic idea thread that I thought would fit in quite well with the wonderful world of Harry Potter and the ship girls.

-=-

Harry sprinted through the halls of Hogwarts as fast as his legs could carry him, his lungs burning as exhaustion threatened overcome him. However, despite his exhaustion, the young wizard continued his mad flight across the halls of the castle.

He wasn't even sure if there was anyone still pursuing him, and didn't dare turn around to check… but honestly, did it really matter? After the one sided slaughter that he had just witnessed in the Quidditch pitch, the only thing on Harry's mind was getting to safe harbor. Everything else could wait.

Thankfully safe haven wasn't too far away. Just ahead was the portrait of the Fat Lady, the door to the Gryffindor Common Room, and safety.

"Ah, Mister Potter," The Painting greeted as the boy drew near, "What's the pass-"

"Semper Fidelis, please let me in!" Harry practically screamed at the painting. The Fat Lady, realizing the poor thing before her was in no shape to talk, quickly swung open, thus allowing the tired, bedraggled and exhausted Harry Potter to stumble into the common room like a half dead zombie.

Collapsing to his knees once he was through the portal, Harry took in large gulps of fresh air as he attempted to calm his racing heart. He'd made it. Against all odds, he'd made it. He'd been so sure that it had been all over that time. But, somehow-

"Hands up where we can see them, Potter." Dean Thomas hissed warningly. "You know the rules."

Unable to turn down Finnegan's demands, Harry raised both arms in a gesture of surrender as he slowly got back to his feet and looked towards where the other surviving Gryffindors were watching him wearily. Set about ten feet from the entrance of the common room was a makeshift barricade made out of spare pillowcases and upturned tables.

Behind said barricade were two Gryffindor students acting as sentries, preventing anyone from getting past them into the dormitories where the other survivors were. These guards were keeping their weapons all trained on Harry, and it was clear they all had itchy trigger fingers.

"I'm still alive." Harry told them simply, and pointed to the red cloth that was still wrapped around his arm "Look, I'm not wearing a bandanna on my head, alright? It's here, on my arm, as it should be."

A few more, tense, seconds passed… before two sentries let out simultaneous sighs of relief.

"You're still alive. That's a bloody miracle, that's what it is." Dean said, setting down his weapon and beckoning Harry to come behind the safety of the fortifications.

"Sorry, Harry. We… we're a little twitchy right now," Seamus apologized quietly as he handed Harry a bottle of cold water, which Harry quickly drank up to sate his thirst, "When we saw what was happening down in the Quiddtch pitch from up here, we thought…"

"Yeah, I know," Harry shook his head tiredly, recalling the horrible events that had occurred not too long ago, "It was an ambush. A bloody ambush. We got surrounded on all sides, and got drowned out through sheer numbers. It was a slaughter."

"Did anyone else make it? It was so chaotic none of us could tell what was happening from up here," Dean asked, his sad tone hinting that he already knew the answer.

"I don't know," Harry replied morosely, "It was bedlam down there. One moment we were getting our supplies, the next… zombies. Zombies everywhere."

It was the worst, most well executed ambush Harry had ever seen in a game like this.

One moment Harry and sixteen other Gryffindors were getting ready to move the box of supplies, the next… headband wearing students were running at them from every conceivable direction. The last thing Harry had managed to do was give the general order for everyone to scatter and retreat back to the common room before the whole area had descended into general chaos.

Now Harry was here, the only survivor of their expedition to replenish the Gryffindor survivor's dwindling supply of foam Nerf Darts that had made it back thus far… and unless the other survivors were simply taking a longer route to get back, apparently the only survivor from the doomed escapade.

"I didn't even manage keep my weapon. I had to use it as a distraction to get away at one point." Harry recalled having to ditch his depleted Retaliator as a decoy ploy to evade Ron, Fred and George, who had been dead set on 'bringing him into the fold'. It had worked, but it had left the Gryffindors down a Retaliator that they really could have used in the future.

"Sixteen of us, in a single day," Dean shook his head ruefully, "This is getting ridiculous. Ever since Ron and Hermione went over to the other side it's been ambush after ambush with no end in sight. I know those two are smart, but come on!"

"I'm more concerned about the fact we didn't get those supplies," Seamus muttered, "We needed those extra darts, guys, and Harry losing his weapon on the way back isn't going to help us either."

"Don't forgot all the other stuff the rest of the team had with them. We're not getting any of those back either." Harry mumbled.

"We still have our socks." Dean pointed out.

"Like socks are going to help us." Seamus grumbled.

The Gryffindor team's store of Nerf darts had dwindled to the point where they couldn't even keep all their blasters fully supplied. Even with the recycling of used darts, the nature of the battles they waged inevitably meant that there would be darts that couldn't be retrieved after use… and after six days of struggle, their once amble stocks of munitions was almost depleted.

That supply run, a lifeline extended by the moderators, would have been the crucial lifeline that would have brought the Gryffindors from the brink. Alas, the zombie ambush had instead turned it into a farce where another sixteen members of the team had joined the enemy.

"If there is one consolation to this, though… the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaws will be having their mandatory missions after this," Harry said, "if I'm the only survivor… that means the zombie team now has sixteen more bodies they can throw at those poor sods."

"You're hoping that they give those guys a harder time than they did us?" Seamus raised an eyebrow at Harry, who gave a small savage smirk in response.

"Yeah. With luck, they'll bloody the other teams' worse than they did us… and I know that Ravenclaw's supply situation is even direr than ours," Harry said with a wide smile, "We might still have a chance at making Gryffindor the first Hogwarts Humans versus Zombies Campions after all!"

-=-

"Headmaster, I think this is getting a little out of hand. I mean, it's been six days already and, well, I've never quite seen the student body get so worked up over something so… barbaric."

"It's all rather fun, isn't it?"

"Sir, some of our students are wearing war paint. There are foam darts all over the hallways, there's always some kind of chase going on somewhere in the school… young Mister Longbottom was running around beating other students over the head with a foam sword and shield!"

"Only those wearing headbands, Minerva, and if I do recall Mister Longbottom is now wearing a headband himself."

"Only after ten older students hanged up on him, and not after he'd gotten eight of them. It's a right mess, Sir, and I'm only thankful it's happening during the winter break and not while there are classes! Professor Dumbledore… are you really sure about this?"

"Quite sure, Minerva. Quite sure. Now… lemon drop?"

-=-

A/N – FYI, this is a small extension from the time I wrote about Fubuki getting involved in a game of Humans Versus Zombies with the Americans over in the KanColle Fanfic Discussion thread. Can't remember where it was, though, but it was pretty fun. I figured that since Hogwarts is a school, and HvZ is best enjoyed in school, the student body at Hogwarts could enjoy a game of it.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

As the group walked into the ice cream store, a few of the customers there looked up and then decided to ignore them. It wasn't a rare sight to see shipgirls from the base that they were just outside of come in for some of the cold, creamy goodness after all. Though a few, if they were knowledgeable, might have raised eyebrows at the way the group was arranged around the black haired boy in the middle. If not for the fact that one of the girls was obviously a Submarine, it would have been a classic Escort pattern. Coming to a stop, Fubuki frowned and tapped her chin as she took in the shop. As always, the young woman just behind the counter caught her attention. Not just for the cooling vest she wore either.

There were not too many women in Yokosuka who had pure white hair and pale skin. Looking up, the woman smiled at them as she took them in with her eyes, both blue and almost looking like chips of ice. "Hello, you five. And Harry-San, I was not expecting to see you for at least another week!"

Each of the shipgirls were happy to note that Harry had a small ghost of a smile on his face. It wasn't much of a smile, but it was an improvement. "Some... stuff happened and I came home early, Miyuki-San."

Unnoticed by Harry, but something flashed across Miyuki's face before she glanced at the shipgirls, who had the uncomfortable feeling she knew more then they wanted. Then she was smiling again. "Well, it's good to see you anyways. So come on over here and let's see what I can make you today, hm?"

Before Harry could say anything, he felt the card that Goto had given Fubuki pressed into his hands. "Fubuki-Nee?"

The Destroyer just winked at him with a slight smile. "We'll go and pick out a seat while you and Hachi go and get us out ice creams, okay?" Once he nodded and walked off, Fubuki took a deep breath. "Let's take that booth, okay?"

Seeing the booth that Fubuki was gesturing at, Mutsuki only raised an eyebrow. It would give them a good view of the ice cream parlour so that they could know when someone was approaching. However, if she was curious, she didn't ask before nodding. "Okay, Fubuki-Chan."

It was only after they sat down that Yuudachi turned to her friend with a frown. "Fubuki-Chan?" When said Destroyer turned her, Yuudachi frowned. "What's going on, Poi?"

For a few seconds, Fubuki's jaw muscles worked before she sighed. "It's going to be all over the base soon enough, but... You both heard about what happened with Harry-Chan at the end of the year, right?"

Mutsuki searched her friend's face for a moment before nodding. "Yes? Harry-Chan was kidnapped and attacked. Why?" Narrowing her eyes for a moment, she then gasped. "How bad?"

Swallowing, Fubuki stared first into Mutsuki's eyes and then into Yuudachi's before letting out a shuddering sigh. "Bad... really, really bad." As she sighed, Fubuki reached up and rubbed at her eyes with one hand. "Harry-Chan was forced to kill his... to kill that man at his school, Quirrel."

Ignoring the gasp from Mutsuki, Yuudachi growled. "What?"

Not answering right away, Fubuki glanced to where Hachi was seeming to take her time examining the choices and talking with Harry. Said boy was also being pulled into conversation by Miyuki. "It would take to long to tell, but, here."

Placing her hand down, Fubuki's sleeve moved until some of her Fairies came out and jogged across the table to where Mutsuki and Yuudachi were. Both Destroyers glanced at her before putting their own hands down and accepting the fairies into themselves. Almost a minute passed as the expressions on both Destroyers shifted through various emotions. While Mutsuki just placed her hand over her mouth, Yuudachi's eyes began to glow in anger. "Well, seems that I have someone who I will be inviting to a Nightmare Party, Poi~"

A shudder ran through Fubuki before she shook it off and glanced at Harry. However, a hand brought her attention back to Mutsuki who had grasped hers. "Harry-Chan doesn't actually think that we would..." When Fubuki sighed, Mutsuki just shook her head. "Oh, Harry-Chan..."

There was a small frown on Fubuki's face before she shook her head. "Just for the next while, Harry-Chan might need us to keep a look out for him. And if we see him start slipping..."

Yuudachi just threw her fist into the air. "Cuddles for the Cuddle God, Hugs for the Hug Throne, Poi!"

Both Fubuki and Mutsuki stared at her for a moment before looking at each other. At seeing the looks they were giving the others, the two burst into giggles. "Yuudachi-Chan, that was..."

Closing her eyes, Yuudachi stuck her tongue out a little bit as she grinned. "Poi!"

It was then that they heard Harry and turned to see him looking between his surrogate sisters in confusion as he held the tray of ice cream. "Um... what's going on?" All he got though was mysterious smiles before Fubuki moved to the side to let him sit down. Then Hachi sat down next to him and grinned at his confusion before the three Destroyers started to laugh when he tilted his head to the side. "Poi?"
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

With a gasp, Harry sat up in his futon with his blankets clinging to his sweat soaked frame. Inside his head, the last echoes of his nightmare bounced around in his head, Quirrel's screams chief among them. 'J-just a dream... that was all it was... just a dream...'

Unnoticed by him, a fairy slipped out of his room. A few minutes later though, there was a soft knock and Harry turned to see Nagato looking in. "Can I come in?" Getting a nod, the Battleship slipped in soon followed by Hoppou. Not saying anything at first, Nagato crouched down and then rubbed her son's back gently through his shirt. "Bad dream?"

For a second, it looked like Harry was about to shake his head. But then, upon feeling Hoppou clutch his arm and looking down to see her worried expression, he sighed. "Y-yeah... a really bad dream, Mum. About... you know."

Only nodding, Nagato frowned. "I see..." Then she pulled him into a hug and kissed his brow before pulling back. "Do you want to talk about it?"

There was silence from Harry as various emotions flashed across his face. And then they settled and he closed his eyes and shuddered. "I... was back there fighting him..." It went without saying that he did not need to say who "Him" was. "A-and he was burning again. B-b-but this time you and the others were there and..."

Still gently rubbing his back, Nagato nodded though she suspected what he was about to say. "And..."

Just taking another breath, and letting it out, Harry gulped. "Y-you all turned your backs on me and... called me a murderer. Said that I was not worthy of b-being your son and..."

Nagato was about to comment on that when Hoppou beat her to the punch and brought her hand down in a pap on Harry's head. "Silly." As Harry blinked at her, she frowned before hugging him. "Hoppou loves Big Brother and would not say mean things about him. Big Brother not what he thinks he is, Hoppou says so! Big Brother is Big Brother."

The simple, plain belief in that statement was a balm to Harry's soul and he gripped the small Abyssal tightly even as tears tried to squeeze from the corners of his eye. "T-thank you..."

Another voice then chose that moment to speak up. "They're right, Master." Turning, they were met by the sight of Rose there with a look of sadness and grief on her face. Slowly, the tsukomogami stepped around the family until she came to a spot where she could kneel and then pull Harry into a hug. "I would never turn my back on you, Master...." For a moment, Rose bit her lip and then nodded as she said something that surprised everyone. "Harry. You are not a murderer and I shall not have you consider such lies, do you understand me, Harry?"

Blinking, Harry stared at her. "I... you called me Harry..."

On Rose's face there was a blush before she nodded with all the confidence she could scrounge up. "It does not feel right to call you Master at this moment, you are family after all."

Much to her surprise, Harry then hugged her tightly. "Rose... I... thank you."

Shiromizu then spoke up from her tank and Harry looked over at her. "{And if you don't want to believe them, believe me when I say that they're right. You're no murderer, Harry. And if it comes down to it... I much rather that you are here with us then someone like Quirrel.}"

Even though she could not understand what the snake was saying, Nagato nodded at how Harry had a slight smile on his face. 'I wonder when I should tell him...' Shaking that thought off and filing it away, Nagato then summoned some of her fairies which marched off. At Harry's look of confusion, she smiled at him. "They're getting us something... By the way, Rose, you wouldn't happen to have something that would help us sleep some."

With a slight smile, the tsukumogami pulled out some mugs and filled with a concoction that caused Nagato to raise an eyebrow which caused Rose to give her a slight smile. "Some nice Ovaltine should help us get some sleep."

Taking the offered mug, Nagato sipped it as she watched both Harry and Hoppou drain theirs. Out of the corner of her eye she could also see Rose do much the same. By the time her mug was done, her fairies had returned with various blankets. Tossing Harry's sweat soaked ones into the wash bin to get cleaned in the morning, Nagato then nudged Harry until there was some room on the bed before laying down. "Come on, just like old times."

It took Harry a few moments before he smiled and nodded. Snuggling into his adopted mother's side, he let out a sigh as he felt protected. As if none of his nightmares would be able to touch him now with Nagato's armor protecting him. Then he blinked as Hoppou laid down in such a way that she was on top of Nagato, but cuddled into her brother. However... that was when the real surprise happened and Harry could feel Rose lay down on his other side. "Rose?"

Face flushed slightly, Rose gave a small smile. "While normally it would not be proper, Harry... I think that in this case I may make an exception."

Relaxing, Harry only gave her a nod. "Thank you, Rose."

That caused her to brightly smile at him. "You're welcome, Harry."

If she could have, Shiromizu would have smiled. But nonetheless, she slipped out of her cage and slithered across the room until she had reached Harry. Then, gently coiling, Shiromizu made herself comfortable on top of Harry. "{There, now none of those dreams will dare bother you.}"

Now almost unable to hold back tears, Harry nodded as he hissed back. "{Yeah... you're right.}" Slowly, Harry then drifted off to sleep surrounded by his family.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Somewhat tired, Eugen walked up to the door to her and her sisters' quarters only to blink at a sound inside. For a few seconds, she stood there listening before she opened the door and walked in to see Hanna hurriedly shoving things into suitcases. "Hanna? What are you doing?"

Pausing for a moment, Hanna didn't turn before she resumed her packing. "I'm packing my bags. There's a place that I need to be, Schwester."

Just leaning against the door, Eugen considered this before nodding. "And that wouldn't happen to be Yokosuka, would it Hanna?"

Once more, the Natural Born paused before she tightly gripped the clothes in her hand. "You heard what happened to Harry?"

Humming, Eugen walked towards her with sadness in her eye. "I have."

With a shudder, Hanna squeezed her eyes tighter. "Harry... he should not have had to do that. He should not have to deal with what that means, what taking a life means."

A moment later, the Heavy Cruiser swept her sister up into a hug. "No, he should not have to." Feeling her shirt start to become wet, Eugen only gently stroked her sister's hair before nuzzling her head. "You're right, he should not deal with such a thing. But fate can often be cruel to us all and all we can do is deal with it."

Unable to help herself, Hanna gave a shudder as images ran through her mind. Of the feeling of a skull giving way beneath her fist. Of the sounds of bones breaking and howls of pain. Of a black haired boy comforting her, even though he did not know nor care why she needed it. "I... I need to be there for him. Like he was for me."

Gently humming, Eugen nodded as she rocked back and forth. "You can do no less, Hanna. And for what it counts, I am proud of you my Schwester for this." After getting a tearful chuckle, she continued. "Now then, if you would wait for a bit I shall talk to the Admiral. I am certain that he will be able to get us transport to Yokosuka so that you can get there much quicker."

That caused Hanna to blink before she looked up with tearful eyes. "Us?"

Nodding, Eugen smiled. "Us. Harry is not just your friend after all. And I cannot let you go alone, but I can be there to support you." Using her thumb, Eugen then wiped away the tear tracks beneath one eye before continuing with the other. "Now, dry those tears and allow me to make the arraignments, ja?"

With a tearful chuckle, Hanna nodded before tightly hugging Eugen. "Danke, danke..."

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Slowly chewing through a bagel as she stared ahead deep in thought, Naka blinked as she felt a finger tap her on her shoulder. "Naka-Nee?"

Turning, Naka's face lit up in a smile at seeing Harry standing there. "Chibi!" With a slight laugh, she reached out and grabbed Harry in a one armed hug. "Good morning!"

On Harry's face there was a slight blush, though he smiled. "Good morning to you too."

A smile still on her face, though it was a slightly sad one, Naka examined his expression. "How are you feeling today, Chibi?"

Grimacing a little, Harry shrugged. "Okay, I guess..."

With a small nod, Naka patted the seat next to her. "Come on then, come sit next to your Naka-Nee then, okay? I could use some decent company."

Beside her, Sendai blinked and then gave her a glare as Harry sat down. "Hey! What am I?"

Looking at her, Naka gave a snort. "I can tell you what you aren't, decent company." She then turned to Harry and staged whispered. "She was going on the other day about liking the rainy season because the Destroyers need to go running through the rain with their clothes sticking to them. "

Unperturbed, Sendai only shook her head and shrugged. "What can I say? I like seeing those cute little Destroyer-Chans like that. Almost as much fun as YASEN!"

Only scoffing, Naka shook her head as Harry began to eat his scrambled eggs. "Can you believe her, Chibi? And she wonders why she gets banned from bars."

Swallowing, Harry wagged a finger at her. "Destroyers are not for lewds."

With a snort, Sendai smirked. "Not all Destroyers-Chans. Besides, in a few years-"

Before she could get much further, Naka grabbed her mouth and narrowed her eyes. "He is not for lewding either."

Just blinking, Sendai rolled her eyes. 'Yet.'

Pulling her hand away before her sister could bite it, or worse, lick it, Naka gave her a small glare. "Maybe I should ask Jinstuu to come up here for a bit. She'd straighten you out."

Sendai gave a shudder at that. "No, thank you! Next thing you know she'd be trying to get me to eat lots of vegetables. And getting rid of my food!"

That only caused the Idol of the Fleet to give her a blank look. "All you got for food is instant and junk food."

Crossing her arms, Sendai nodded. "Exactly! The best kind of foods!" Then she scowled and held a clenched fist in front of her face. "Not that Jintsuu agrees with me..."

By this point, Harry was grinning at the often heard argument. Unknown to him, of course, that was the whole point between Naka's and Sendai's playful little spat. Seeing the grin, both Light Cruisers determined that their mission was a success and went back to eating, though Naka was watching something. Feeling another tap on her arm, Naka blinked and looked over at Harry. "Yeah, Chibi?"

A frown on his face, Harry huffed a bit. "I'm not a chibi."

In reply, Naka only ruffled his hair some. "Yes, you are. You'll always be my chibi after all." At his huff, she grinned a bit more. "So, what seems to be the problem then?"

His reply though brought her up short. "I was wondering why you were staring at Kaga-Oba and Kana-Chan..."

For several moments, Naka was silent before she put her food down. Taking a deep breath, the Light Cruiser closed her eyes and let it out. "I... was just thinking of sisters."

Just frowning, Harry looked over at where Kaga and Kana were sitting next to each other. "Sisters? But don't you have Sendai-Nee and Jintsuu-Nee?"

Lips twitching, Sendai nodded. "Yeah! Chibi is right-Ow!" As she rubbed her nose, Sendai frowned at Naka. "What the heck was that for?"

Naka just glared at her. "Chibi is my nickname for him, get your own." Ignoring the grumbles, Naka then turned back to Harry. "Anyways... you're right that I have sisters. But there were supposed to be eight of us, though only four were laid down."

That caused Harry to frown in thought. "Wait... who was the fourth?"

It was Sendai though who answered him. "That would be Kako."

However, if anything, that confused Harry even more. "Kako? But... she's a Furutaka class, right? And that's a Heavy Cruiser, not a Light Cruiser."

Slowly, Naka nodded. "And you would be right." There was a far away expression on her face as she took a bite of food and chewed it before swallowing. "Kako was laid down but they only worked on her for a month before she was scrapped due to the Washington Naval Treaty. They... used her materials and budget as well as name for the one that you're thinking of."

Wincing, Harry bit his lip. "Oh..."

All Naka did though was reach over and pat him on the head. "It's not that big of a deal, Chibi. Anyways... it's more Kaga and Kana that was interesting to me."

More then a little confused, Harry furrowed his eyebrows in thought. However, when he could not figure out what she meant, he tilted his head to the side. "Poi?" Then he frowned. "But... you're not a converted warship... are you?"

Laughing, Naka shook her head. "No, I'm not." She then considered her next answer carefully before nodding. "Anyways, as to your question? My hull was laid down in 1922 and I was going to be launched in 1923, a month after the Great Kanto Earthquake. But... something happened."

Eyes wide, Harry leaned in. "Something happened? What?"

Naka paused for a moment to look at Sendai who wasn't looking at her. "Well... during the earthquake, my hull caught fire. It was so damaged, they had to scrap it and re-lay me down. Hence why I wasn't launched until 1924. It's just..." There was a far away look in Naka's eyes as she leaned her chin against one hand. "If Kaga has a twin because of what happened... does that mean that I might have one?"

For several moments, Sendai thought that over before frowning. "Huh... never thought of it like that." Suddenly, she snorted. "Man, more then one Naka. Can you imagine it for a moment? All kinds of Nakas being here."

In reply though, Naka reached over and smacked her older sister ship in the back of the head. "Yasen-Baka."

 

[darthcourt10]

sasahara17

I'm not sure if Harry Leferts ultimately went with the idea that Inazuma and Ikazuchi's father happens to be in the Royal Navy, but this snip is going to assume that he is. I've also modified the concept a bit in that Mr. Drake is the captain of the Type 45 Destroyer *snerk* HMS Dragon (D35) instead of my original idea of having him be in charge of the HMS Albion because… um… reasons.

Anyway, let the awkwardness ensue!

-=-

It had been a long time coming, but Captain Nathaniel F. Drake was finally the Victoria Cross that he so richly deserved.

Drake had guided his faithful ship, the missile destroyer HMS Dragon, through the worst years of the Abyssal War. He'd managed to hold the line through is innovative tactics and strategies, many of which were eventually adopted as standard protocol by NATO forces. HMS Dragon's daring escapades in enemy held territory were the stuff legends were built upon.

Many believed that Captain Drake was the only reason the Falklands were free from Abyssal occupation.

If there was a man in Her Majesty's Royal Navy that deserved such a prestigious award, it would be Captain Drake. Drake was famous enough both at home and abroad he'd practically earned it already, and all that was left to make the award official.

Given Drake's high profile, it was natural that the award's presentation would have to be a public affair. Many among Drake's crew would also be getting their own prodigious awards, but everyone knew who was going to steal the show.

The plan was to have the presentation of the award take place when HMS Dragon returned to Britain to finally undergo her long overdue refit. It was unusual for such a ceremony to be held on the deck of a warship since most awards took place in Buckingham palace, but HMS Dragon hadn't been back in the home islands in years and it was felt that the crew of HMS Dragon's would appreciate the gesture.

Besides, with the revelation ships had souls just like humans, everyone knew that it would be remiss to leave out one of the most important members of Drake's loyal crew!

It was going to be a big affair.

Dozens of reporters from newspapers from all over the globe were going to be there. Hundreds, if not thousands, of well wishes were also going to be in attendance. Practically everyone wanted to see this legendary war hero get the highest award for gallantry in the United Kingdom…

…including two young girls by the names of Aki and Ami Matsuda, also known as the natural born ship girls Ikazuchi and Inazuma, who were elated that their biological father every bit as awesome as they had believed him to be.

To say they were excited would be an understatement; for years they had wondered who had been the man who had fathered them in that one night stand all those years ago. To have him be revealed to be Captain Nathaniel Drake, Hero of the Royal Navy, was like a dream come true for the two young girls. Their dad was a hero, and he was getting the Victoria Cross.

There was, however, one little problem that war marring their happiness…

"Wait… Mom doesn't want to go to Dad's ceremony?" Ikazuchi exclaimed in dismay in, "But… but why? We got the invitation and everything… Why can't we go?"

"Mama said we could, Ikazuchi-chan," Inazuma quickly replied before her more energetic sister did something hasty based on a knew jerk reaction, "She said it's okay if we attend as his daughters, nanodesu. It's just that she doesn't want to go with us, nanodesu!"

Because Inazuma had been the only one of the four Akatsuki sisters to escape punishment after one of their recent escapades had gone wrong, she had been the only one had been home with Tenryuu while the invitation to the award ceremony had arrived… delivered by hand by a Royal Navy sailor, of all things. As a consequence, the 'youngest' of the Akatsukis (and the older of the two Matsudas) had been the only one around to see her mother's knee jerk reaction to it.

It wasn't good.

"But… but why?" Ikazuchi tilted her head in confusion. "I know Dad well enough to know he would be ecstatic if Mom were to show up."

"Mama thinks it'll be embarrassing if she shows up, nanodesu." Ikazuchi said with a sigh.

Despite now being in her teens, at least in mind if not in body, Ikazuchi could still be quite innocent, naïve and idealistic at times. Ikazuchi wouldn't see any problem with Ryoko Matsuda turning up at Captain Drake's big day, and it was up to Inazuma to enlighten her.

"Papa is a big war hero. He's won so many battles and saved so many people, and everyone respects him for that, nanodesu," Inazuma explained, "But because he went and got mama pregnant when he was younger, she think it'll make him look bad on his big day if she shows up… especially with all those reporters around, nanodesu."

"That's a load 'a crap, and you know it," Ikazuchi declared, folding her arms stubbornly and gave an angry pout, "If Mom was really worried about having a reminder about him knocking her up when they were dumb kids, then we would be the real problem. Instead she says we can go, and she is gonna be the one to sit this out. Besides, we're war heroes too! Nothing strange about war heroes showing up at another war hero's ceremony as a show of respect."

"Ikazuchi-chan…?"

"You know what I think? I think Mom's just scared about meeting Dad with all those people there," Ikazuchi mused thoughtfully, "I know Dad said something to Mom they last time they met that's got Mom all jumpy and stuff. Dunno what it is, but I know Mom can be awfully twitchy when it comes to touchy feely stuff like this… Hm…"

Uh, oh. Ikazuchi now had that familiar look on her face, one that Inazuma had since learned to be wary off. That look meant that Ikazuchi was planning something crazy to get her way… and her plans were the kind that Marines and Sailors tended to come up with when they were bored.

So no, that was NOT a good thing.

"Ikazuchi-chan, um… I don't know if whatever you're thinking is going to be a good idea, nanodesu," Inazuma said to her sister, hoping to head this potential disaster off at the pass, "Maybe you should sit down and think about it more carefully before you decide to go and do something, nanodesu…"

"Nah," Ikazuchi snapped her fingers, the young destroyer's face lighting up with excitement as she came to a determination about her next course of action, "Don't worry about it, Inazuma! I got just the thing to make Mom show up at Dad's big day. Just sit tight and wait here while Big Sis takes care of everything, 'kay?"

"Ikazuchi-chan, wa-"

Before Inazuma could do anything to halt her sister, Ikazuchi was already out the door and was racing off in the direction of the HQ building… clearly intending enact whatever plan she had devised to make sure Tenryuu would be there at Drake's ceremony.

"Uh oh, nanodesu." Inazuma sighed.

This was not going to end well, nanodesu.

-=-

A/N – This is probably non-canon since I haven't really seen Inazuma and Ikazuchi's biological father appear in any of Harry Leferts' snips and don't actually know for sure what Harry's plans for the mysterious dad actually are, but honestly this just makes me more curious.

We know Tenryuu knows who he is by this time in the story, so.... Who is the Dad? What is his actual relationship to the extended Matsuda family? What role does he play in their lives, if any?

I hope we can see him show up for reals in the future in a canon snippet. In the meantime, we have this I guess.


EDIT - OMG, I just had a crazy thought.

We know ship girls who have, um, 'rings' have their 'limiters' (forgot the exact term) removed, thus allowing them to attain a level of power that they won't normally have access to.

What if this phenomenon, when discovered, is the final straw that prompts the biological father to finally bite the bullet, stop dodging his unresolved feelings about Ms. Ryoko Matsuda... by diving off the proverbial deep end by proposing to her straight off the bat?!

I know she's probably going to smack him in the head really, really hard for the audacity of coming to her out of the blue, dropping to his knees and giving her a really, really expensive ring... but what happens after?

What if he's serious about marrying her and becoming a part of her family, and this ring thing is just the catalyst needed to put a boot up his ass and get moving? What about her own feelings on this matter? What about Aki and Ami?

I know this is all speculation... but man, Soap Opera time!

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Unable to help himself, Harry let out some snickers at the look on Sendai's face, which Naka took internally as a victory. Once he was able to control himself, Harry continued chewing his food before he frowned as a thought occurred to him. "Naka-Nee?" Getting a hum, he continued. "What do you think that the other Naka might, um, be like?"

That caused Naka to pause for a moment and think. After a few seconds she finished off her bagel and clapped her hands together as she answered. "You know what, Chibi? That's a very good question." Thoughtful, Naka looked up at the ceiling before she finally shrugged. "I... honestly don't really know."

Frowning, Harry furrowed his eyebrows in thought. "Huh..."

Within a minute though, Naka filed her thoughts away for another time before grabbing an apple and biting into it with a satisfying crunch. "So... what are your plans for today, Chibi?"

Just finishing off the last of his eggs, Harry shrugged a bit. "Niiyodo-Chan wants me and DesDiv6 to head out to some island with her. Something about hot springs."

Blinking, Sendai suddenly grinned. "Hot springs on an isolated island, huh? Just you, a Light Cruiser, and a bunch of Destroyer-Chans-OW!"

Yet again, Naka flicked her in the ear before turning back to Harry with a slight smile. "Sounds like a trip out to Hanashima."

Confused, the black haired boy looked over at her in confusion. "Hanashima?"

Slowly, Naka gave a small nod before ruffling his hair. "Yeah, it's one of those hidden islands nearby. No one has been able to find a name for it anywhere, so we just named it after all the flowers on the island. It's rather beautiful actually."

Leaning back, Harry crossed his arms against his chest and tilted his head to the side. "Huh..."

With a slight smile, Naka brought up her fork and gestured with it. "So... what exactly are you all going to do over there?"

Moments later, Harry shrugged and went back to eating. "Don't know really, we're supposed to be meeting Akitsu Maru over there. Apparently they want our opinions on something thanks to our clubhouse."

It took a few seconds before Naka smiled as she leaned back. 'Smart, Niiyodo... really smart.' Shaking it off, the Light Cruiser gave him a smile. "Well, I'm pretty certain that you're going to do a pretty good job."
All she got was a small grin at that.
_____________________________________________________________________________

Held safely by the hands clasped beneath him, Harry glanced up at the slightly flushed face of Niiyodo who was the shipgirl holding him. "Are you okay?"

Looking down, Niiyodo gave him a slight smile. "I am, just... thinking of something." Then she bit her lip before giving a nod. "How are you doing though, Harry-Chan? Comfortable?"

In reply, Harry smiled back up at her. "Yeah, I am." Leaning back against Niiyodo, Harry missed her becoming slightly more red. "You're pretty comfortable."

Niiyodo swallowed slightly though she gave him a smile. "That's good to hear." A glance to the side though showed Hibiki giving her a slightly raised eyebrow which caused Niiyodo to give her a sheepish smile back. "A-anyways... we're nearly there."

Confused, Harry looked around best that he could. However, there was nothing he could see except for open ocean. "Um... we are?"

A moment later though he blinked as he felt a tingle carress his skin. Then before them, as Niiyodo nodded, an island appeared in a shimmer. "As a matter of fact, we're there now." Seeing Harry's mouth drop open, Niiyodo had to hold back a small giggle. "Kind of impressive, isn't it?"

Slowly, Harry nodded as his eyes roved across the coastline of the island which had a small enscarpment which he frowned at. "Is that... dirt?"

Knowing what he was looking at, Niiyodo nodded. "We think that one of the earthquakes caused the island to be uplifted more then it was... but we don't know which one."

However, that was when Harry's attention was caught by a pale skinned shipgirl striding across the island in a black uniform. Coming to a stop, said shipgirl gave them all nods before saluting Niiyodo. "Sir, welcome to Hanashima."

Somewhat embarrassed by the greeting, Niiyodo gave her a salute back. "Um, thanks."

Nodding, Akitsu Maru gave a small smile to Harry before she took up her place at the head of the small group as they continued to make their way towards the island. Then Niiyodo's attention was grabbed by Harry looking up at her. "Sir?"

Her face slightly red, Niiyodo scratched her cheek. "Um, Onee-Sama gave me command over the project of making this a place that us shipgirls can relax without problems..." Internally, she winced as she remembered one incident. 'Such as being stared at...'

What she did not expect was for Harry to look up at her and smile. "That's great! Ooyodo-Oba's made a great decision because then it's in great hands."

Flustered, Niiyodo tried to ignore the amused looks on the Destroyer's faces at that. Though it was the slight, almost missed, upturn on Akitsu Maru's lips that caused her no end of embarrassment. 'She's enjoying this...' Quickly shaking it off, Niiyodo took a deep, calming breath before looking towards the IJA shipgirl. "So how goes the project so far?"

Akitsu Maru nodded some and smiled. "It's going much faster then I had expected. With Maruyu-San's help with taking rocks from underwater nearby and bringing them up, I have managed to build a ramp beside the beach as you can see."

Looking in the direction given, Niiyodo only raised her eyes in some awe. Where there was once a slowly decaying pier, now there were two lines of stones and boulders jutting out to sea. Between them, big enough for two or so shipgirls with rigging, there was a ramp that slowly climbed upwards that had concrete blocks with stone between them. Off to the side though on the beach was something that caused Niiyodo to blink. "What's that?"

With a glance in the same direction, Akitsu Maru smiled a bit. The small hot spring visible that had flowed out of the enscarpment before vanishing into the sand now flowed down a small, tiled channel until it met a sheltered area of seawater created by several stones that were just high enough to stand above the high tide line. "It was a small idea that I had while my crew were working."

Even from where they were, something about the softly steaming seawater called to the shipgirls and they all wanted to take a dip. However, they put that aside as they heard a sound of rotars and looked up to see what looked like a tiny helicopter come in. It soon landed on Akitsu Maru's flight deck which she nodded at. Watching as the fairies tied a small bag of materials to it, Niiyodo nodded and adjusted her glasses. "Impressive."

Harry though was curious about something and frowned. "Did you move all that stone by yourself?"

A moment later though he blinked as Akitsu Maru chuckled and shook her head. "No, I had help." Holding out her clenched hand, she opened it to reveal what looked like a tank in it which had a bulldozer blade attached. "I have been... inspired, by some things that I have seen."

Intrigued, Niiyodo only nodded as she looked. "I see..."

Minutes later though, they were all standing at the top of the ramp with Niiyodo letting Harry down with the boy looking around in awe. "This place is amazing!"

Crossing her arms against her chest, Niiyodo nodded. "It is a beautiful spot..." She then turned towards Harry with a slight smile. "So, I suppose it is time to talk about what we need you for."

That caused Harry to look at DesDiv6 before he slowly nodded. "Something about our clubhouse, right?"

Niiyodo gave him a nod at that. "That's right." She then gestured at the island around them. "We were thinking of using something similar here on the island for us shipgirls. A place to get changed or to simply rest between the uses of the hot springs."

Much to her amusement, that caused Harry to frown in thought before he began discussing things with the rest of the Akatsuki sisters who looked rather excited.
___________________________________________________________________

Being put back down onto the ground at Yokosuka, Harry smiled up at Niiyodo. "Thanks for the ride there and back, Niiyodo-Chan!"

With a chuckle, Niiyodo looked around before ruffling his hair. "You're very welcome, Harry-Chan." Then she looked up at the sound of pattering feet. "Hmm?"

At that moment a panting Natsumi came into view and spotted them. For a moment her eyes were wide before her expression turned stormy and she stomped over to them. Despite something telling him to be scarce, Harry only blinked. "Natsumi-Chan?"

Once she reached him, Natsumi pulled him into a hug. "Harry-Chan no baka!" Then she bopped him on the head with her fist. "Baka!"

Rubbing his head, Harry winced a bit. "Ow, what was that for Natsumi-Chan?"

In reply, Natsumi pulled him back into a hug. "I've been looking all over for you, Harry-Chan. And you've been avoiding me!"

Sheepish, Harry glanced around. "No I haven't..."

Unfortunately for him, Hibiki chose that moment to speak up. "Yes, yes he has."

Giving her a betrayed look, all the black haired boy got was a slight upturn of her lips. Meanwhile, Natsumi gave the Destroyer a nod. "Thank you, Hibiki-Chan."

Face red, Harry couldn't look at Natsumi directly as he coughed. "Um... so why were you looking for me, Natsumi-Chan?"

With a huff, the kitsune pulled away slightly and gave Harry a narrowed eye look. "I've been looking for you all day, Harry-Chan. And don't say that you were busy because Niiyodo-San did not take you wherever until the afternoon."

Mumbling, Harry shrugged. "Kind of... been thinking all day."

Natsumi gave him a look before she sighed and leaned against him. "Oba-Chan told me what happened, Harry-Chan." She ignored how he stiffened before she continued. "And you got no right to feel guilty, Harry-Chan. Especially as my best friend is still here with me. And if you think otherwise, then you're a even bigger baka then normal."

A slight blush on his face, Harry just hugged her back. "Sorry."

Tilting her head back, Natsumi stared at him before snorting. "You better make up for avoiding me so much, Harry-Chan."

Slowly, Harry frowned before he chuckled weakly. 'Oooh, boy...' At her look, he winced a bit. "Sure, I'll make it up to you, Natsumi-Chan."

Before he could say anything else though, she began to smirk. "Great! Then I'll see you tonight for the sleepover at your place! You're going to be there, right, Hibiki-Chan?"

The Destroyer in question just gave a thumbs up. "Khorosho."

Finally snapping out of it, Harry looked between the two of them. "Wait, what? Since when-"

However, he got no further as Natsumi stood up on her tiptoes and gave him a kiss on the cheek even as she blushed. "Great, see you tonight, Harry-Chan, make sure to have stuff to make snacks."

Gobsmacked, Harry opened his mouth a few times as the blushing Natsumi rushed off before he could get anything out. "I... that... what... but... what?"

And then he got the second shock as Hibiki then gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "I'll see you tonight."

Watching as the flushed Destroyer walked off followed by her sisters, Niiyodo looked between them and Harry, who was making an odd noise. 'What just happened?'

Meanwhile, Ikazuchi had an sly look on her face as she examined her sister. "My, my, what was that, Hibiki-Chan~?"

Hibiki simply tilted the brim of her hat down somewhat. "I was just distracting him so that he won't think too much about what happened at his school."

Beside her, Inazuma frowned but nodded. "That makes some sense, Nanodesu."

Nodding, Akatsuki smiled. "Very lady-like."

Their attention was grabbed though as Ikazuchi chuckled. "My, my, is that why you say you did that, hmm~" Shrugging, Ikazuchi closed her hands and put her hands up with palms facing upwards. "I wonder what Kaa-San will say about that?"

When she opened her eyes though, she froze as Hibiki's face was nearly touching hers. "Kaa-San will not find out about what just happened. It would not be... Khorosho."

Eyebrow twitching, Ikazuchi felt some sweat gather on her forehead. "B-but-"

If it was possible, Hibiki got even closer to her sister. "Or perhaps... it would not be Khorosho. For you."

Still twitching, Ikazuchi swallowed nervously and then nodded. "S-sure, I won't say anything to Kaa-San, Hi-Hibiki-Chan..."

The white haired shipgirl gave a nod at that and then looked at her other two sisters who quickly nodded in agreement. With that secure, she walked off as Inazuma tried to get her fear under control. "Hibiki-Chan can be scary..."

Only nodding, Akatsuki and Ikazuchi gulped.

Unnoticed by them though was the smirking Tenryuu who was just out of sight looking at her phone which had a picture of Hibiki giving Harry a kiss on the cheek. "Hmm. Well, well, well... Such a shame that Kaa-San already knows then, Hibiki-Chan~"

For some odd reason, Hibiki felt a shiver go down her back and looked around nervously before she continued to make her way towards the Matsuda family quarters. After all, she had to get ready for tonight.

 

[darthcourt10]

sasahara17

Veeeeeery short snip today, but one that needed to be put out because it is too damn funny.

-=-

When Ryoko Matsuda had discovered Nathaniel F. Drake, Hero of the Royal Navy, was the biological father of her daughters, she had expected to be sailing into choppy seas. Considering how high profile Draken was, she had expected a media debacle to ensure over the scandal, followed by possible legal battles for custody of her kids and other horrible stuff to happen now that he was back in her life. After all, the last time she'd run into him, he'd knocked her up and left her alone.

It was natural that Tenryuu had expected the worst.

Thankfully, nothing of the sort happened. Drake had turned out to be a decent bloke when all was said and done, and in retrospect Tenryuu might have been panicking a bit too much when she envisioned all those calamities.

The initial media coverage of the scandal quickly gave way to feelings of adoration. Aki and Ami were way too cute for the public to focus on anything other than their adorableness, and with Tenryuu and Drake both being war heroes media focus shifted to the merits they'd achieved since their one night stand. Instead of the one night sand being regarded as something shameful, the mass media and general public eventually decided Aki and Ami were happy accidents to be celebrated, and quickly moved on.

Drake, being a reasonable and upstanding guy he was, didn't even consider fighting for custody (not that he would have had snowball's chance in hell, but the point stood). In fact, Drake was very understanding of their situation, what with being in the military himself. Sure he wasn't too happy his daughters were on the front lines, but he understood why it had to happen… and more importantly, that Tenryuu was there protecting Aki and Ami was something he was immensely grateful for.

In fact, Drake had immediately reached out to Tenryuu and asked if she needed any more assistance from him to make her life easier. She'd turned him down of course, she had never needed his help before and she wasn't about to start now, but privately breathed a sigh of relief that he wasn't a total scumbag out to wreck her life. Quite the opposite in fact.

All the potential disasters she'd feared would happen never crystalized. Instead, despite the roller coaster of emotions that she'd had to endure, the Matuda household had walked away from the affair in a much, much better position they had had going in. While Tenryuu was still unsure where Nate fit into her life, at very least she knew he was a friend. All in all, things had been looking up for Tenryuu. For a moment, she'd thought she'd managed to find clear seas again.

And then, just when she had let her guard down... she met Nathaniel's mother.

Francesca Drake, grandmother to Tenryuu's children, was elated that her son had finally given her grandkids, and had rushed over to Yokosuka to see them. The old woman had instantly fallen in love with Aki and Ami and, amazingly, the rest of DesDivSix. Francesca was so enamored with the new additions to her family, that she had decided to permanently relocate herself to Yokosuka to be closer to them. The old woman was retired after all, and needed something to do now that she had all this free time on her hands.

Grandkids seemed like just the thing!

Now, despite her own private reservations and worries, Tenryuu had been largely okay with that. Aki and Ami seemed to love their paternal grandmother, and Tenryuu refused to deprive them of that love no matter the cost to herself. That meant Tenryuu would put up with the woman no matter what Francesca thought of her for their sake. For her kids, Tenryuu decided that she would endure anything the old woman would do to her...

...but alas, her resolve didn't factor in things like Tatsuta and Francesca taking her out clothes shopping for pretty dresses.

"Oh, look at this one, dearie!" Francesca swooned as she picked off a rather expensive looking number, one that showed off waaaaaay too much leg, off the rack and presented it to Tatsuta, "It's Tenryuu's favorite shade of purple, and the gold dragon motif matches her perfectly!"

"Ara, ara... you're right as usual, mother in law!" Tatsuta clapped her hands together in agreement, "It will be perfect for Tenryuu-chan to wear for her next date with Nathaniel-nii-sama!"

"Sen-sational! We must get her to try it out straight away!" Francesca agreed with a cheer.

For her part Ryoko Matsuda, the reincarnated Japanese Ship Girl Tenryuu, remained frozen in place where she stood watching the pair in abject terror. Not for the first time, Tenryuu wondered how her life had come to this. None of her expectations about the most ancient and noble House of Drake had panned out the way poor Tenryuu had expected, and this was no different.

Tenryuu could deal with being hated, being regarded as the shame of the Drake family. Life as a single mother had been hard, and the feelings of scorn Tenryuu had expected to receive from Nate's mother would have been like old friends to her. Believing that she was far from the ideal daughter in law a 'traditional Englishwoman' would fancy, what with her hot temperament, roguish demeanor and overall lack of decorum, Tenryuu had been prepared to deal with long hours of dealing with Francesa's scorn.

The Light cruiser could have dealt with that.

Instead, Francesca had shown up… and fell in love with every member of the Matsuda household almost instantly. In fact, far from Tenryuu's predictions, Francesca had quickly decided that Tenryuu was the daughter she never had but always wanted. Courageous, independent, fiercely loyal and utterly devoted to family and duty… Francesca saw those qualities and decided that Tenryuu would be just a good an addition to the House of Drake as her two little daughters. THIS was the brilliant young woman that Francesca knew would the perfect bride for her son. They should get married!

Tenryuu had no idea how the fuck to deal with that.

And then Tatsuta… oh sweet heavens Tatsuta. Francesca and Tatsuta got along like a house on fire. If Tenryuu was the daughter Francesca always wanted, Tatsuta would have been that orphan girl that Francesca would have burned down the orphanage to take as plunder (seriously, there had to be something very wrong with that woman if she had been able to say such a thing with a straight face).

Two peas in a pod those two… and that was a very, very big problem in itself.

"Tenryuu-chan!" Tatsuta beamed with that terrifying smile as she handed the dress to the still frozen Tenryuu, "Here's another dress mother and I picked out for you to try. Why don't you go back to the changing rooms and put it on for us while mother and I go look at makeup to pretty you up?"

Tenryuu, still clothed in the pencil dress that the pair had last forced her into, looked up at the ceiling pitifully and cursed whatever powers that be decided that Francesca Drake would be anything other than a stereotypical snobby old crone that turned her nose up at the foolish youths around her. Oh, why couldn't Francesca have just hated Tenryuu like in the movies?

"Tatsuta...! The departmental store has a wedding cake sale in the basement! Let's go down and reserve some things in advance for Nate and Tenyuu's wedding!" Francesca called excitedly out from near the escalators.

"Coming, mother!" Tatsuta said as she skipped, skipped, off to where the woman was waiting... leaving Tenryuu to wallow in her misfortune alone.

"I hope Nate is finding this as distressing as I am," Tenryuu sighed, "How the heck am I going to deal with this?"

-=-

Enter the (not quite yet, but will soon if she has her way) Mother in Law.

How she appears in my mind's eye theater:

Obviously she isn't going to appear exactly like this (she's a brunette for one), but this is the template I was working from when I was devising her character) ​

She's a pretty cool old woman who may or may not have once served in MI-6 in some capacity. More importantly, Franceca took one look at Tenryuu-chan, decided chuunimomboat is the perfect waifu for her son, and now has gone into full on shipping mode to get them hitched.

Can Tenryuu and Nathan survive this latest trial, especially since Tatsuta has gone over to the dark side, and Aki and Ami love their cool grandma, and El Draque is using all her old MI-6 contacts (wait, what…?) to help her son and (future) daughter in law attain happily wedded bliss!

It appears that Tenryuu may have a problem here.

EDIT – Tidied the snip up a bit and added more bit's in to make it better. Cheers?

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

There was a small smile on Harry's face as he leaned back before hearing a giggle that made him look up. At seeing the smiling, purple cat onesie clad Shinano though, Harry only blinked. "What?"

However, all Shinano did though was wrap her arms around the eleven year old sitting in her lap and hum. "Just that I like seeing you enjoy the movie is all." Unsaid was the rest of her thought. 'Especially after what happened.'

Meanwhile, Harry only shrugged a bit and snuggle more into the giant Carrier's embrace. "Well... it's a pretty good movie."

A laugh caused him to turn to beside him and Shinano where Louisiana was also stretched out with a t-shirt and some short shorts for what she was wearing. Though besides clothing, another difference between her and Shinano was that Lousiana had Natsumi using her legs and lap as a cushion. "You would be right about that, mon chéri! It's a very good movie." Reaching out, she pulled Natsumi in close. "Is that not right, ma chérie?"

Blushing as she found her head laying against Louisiana's chest, Natsumi sighed a little. "Yeah, I guess so." Then she glared a bit as Louisiana grabbed another handful of popcorn. "And stop eating all the snacks!"

In reply though, Louisiana only shrugged. "Sorry about that, ma chérie." Suddenly, there was a twinkle in her eyes as she held one of the popped kernels in front of Natsumi. "Perhaps... you would like me to feed you some?"

Within moments, Natsumi was blushing as she realized how that would look and had her face in her hands. 'Oh, just come on...'

Frowning, Harry glanced over at her. "Wait, I thought that you had peanut butter and crackers? I could have sworn that you had a plate of them."

That, however, only made the kitsune blush more as she looked away. "Um, I sort of... ate them all? Heh..."

Slowly shaking his head, Harry gave her an amused look. "Natsumi-Chan... Only you."

By now, her face resembled something of a tomato before she pouted. "What? Peanut butter is amazing..." At the laughter, she grumbled. "Oh, shut up."

As he shook his head, Harry glanced to the side where Regina was looking at the television screen in awe. He had thought that her, Wanko, and Revina would have been heading home, but earlier was told that they would be staying until the school year was fully over. And though Harry didn't say anything, he knew for a fact that they knew how much that meant for him. "I don't think that I need to ask if you're enjoying it, Regina."

With a slight blush, Regina shook her head as she regarded the screen. "No, it's a good movie... though I, um, haven't seen that many..."

Patting her head, Harry just smiled at her. 'Well, then, we'll have to change that, won't we? I promise that we'll have movies to watch every time you visit, okay?"

There was a bright smile on the Abyssal's face as she nodded. "That sounds wonderful, thank you."

Still smiling, Harry nodded. "You're welcome." It was then that Harry felt Shinano's legs pushed apart some and looked down in time to see Iku lay back with her head now laying in his lap. "Iku-Chan?"

The Submarine just looked up at him and smiled. "What? Your lap is pretty comfy."

Ignoring the snickers from the others or agreements, Harry ruffled her hair to her enjoyment as they continued to watch the movie. After about a minute though, Harry glanced around to see various shipgirls in the quarters, all there for the sleepover. On Louisiana's opposite side to him, the three Akizuki sisters were sharing a carton of ice cream while at their feet, Imuya and Hachi were softly whispering to each other. Between Shinano's and Regina's legs, Hamakaze was also laying back while Isokaze did the same between Louisiana's and Shinano's.

Snuggled up into the two Destroyers' stomachs were RO and Shioi while Maruyu was sitting in Taigei's lap. The Submarine Tender in question had the Akatsuki sisters between her and Regina, sometimes taking some popcorn from the large bowl that Inazuma held. It went without saying that the sight of all his friends here for a sleepover actually caused Harry to relax some. There was something about it that just served as a balm for the hurt in his heart which caused him to smile.

And it was a really good movie.
___________________________________________________________________________

Feeling a hand ruffling his hair, Harry looked up to see a slightly concerned Nagato. "Are you okay with this, Harry? You could wait another day after all..."

With a grimace, Harry just shrugged a bit as he looked at the rope in his hand. "It's only two days, right? And... besides, I... can't really run away from this, can I?"

All Nagato did was lean down and give him a kiss on the head. Most boys Harry's age might have pulled away, but that, plus her next words though only filled Harry with warmth. "I'm very proud of you."

Suddenly, another voice then spoke up. "Ara, ara~ Besides, it's not like you'll be there by yourself." Turning, they regarded Tatsuta who walked up twirling her glaive in the air in various patterns. "After all, I'll be there and accompanying you on the train ride back."

Eyes wide, Harry ran over and gave her a hug. "Tatsuta-Oba!"

Bemused, Nagato raised an eyebrow at the Light Cruiser. "You know, strangely enough that does make me feel a lot better about this. Though I'll be there for at least the first day back as well."

Nodding as she gave the young boy currently hugging her a pat on the head, the infamous shipgirl smiled warmly for a change. "Don't worry, no one is going to touch him... or else I'll touch them."

Despite herself, and the warmness of the June air, Nagato felt a shiver run down her back at that. But she decided to ignore that in exchange for smiling at the sight before her and then checking the time. "Well it's almost time. Did you say goodbye to everyone, Harry?"

Harry just nodded at that. "Yeah, I said goodbye to Taigei-Chan this morning when she left with Iku-Chan, Hachi-Chan, and Imuya-Chan when they left for patrols this morning. Though... Shinano was looking kind of excited when I said goodbye..."

Chuckling, Nagato shook her head as she knew exactly why. And at the look she got from her son, she smiled. "Shinano-San is probably excited because Yukikaze is getting transferred here to Yokosuka and is due to arrive in a week or so. Then she'll have her original escorts with her when she heads out on sorties."

Eyes wide, Harry stared at her for a few moments. "Wait, Yukikaze-San? But I thought that she was stationed in Taiwan as a long term assignment... what happened?"

Lips twitching, the Battleship crossed her arms and looked towards the sky. "Well... as it turns out the Taiwanese have managed to summon some of the Republic of China's shipgirls from... before the war. And as she's been freed up, she asked to be assigned to Shinano-San which they agreed to as a reward for her service during her assignment."

Widely smiling, Harry nodded some as he continued to think. "I should do something... like bake her a cake."

Only shaking her head as some chuckles escaped her, Nagato held out the rope she had been given. "She would appreciate that I think. Now, ready?" Getting nods from both Harry and Tatsuta, Nagato tensed as a few seconds later she felt as if someone had shoved an anchor though her at amidships and then yanked. Around them, the world swirled until it stopped showing the Headmaster's office with Dumbledore there watching with a smile. "Good morning, Miss Nagato, Mister Potter, and..."

Tatsuta just opened one eye slightly before bowing slightly. "Matsuda Tatsuta, please take care of me."

Raising an eyebrow as something he gathered from years of experience told him that she was dangerous, Dumbledore only smiled. "Perhaps I should ask the same of you." If anything though, that caused Tatsuta's smile to widen a touch. "Now then, I believe that your friends have been waiting to see you for a few days now and I sent them a message to wait just outside the office."

A smile on his face, Harry nodded some. "Thanks, Professor."

Just as they were about to leave though, Dumbledore cleared his throat. "Miss Nagato... a moment if you would?"

Gesturing them on, Nagato walked back to the desk and waited. "Yes, Headmaster? You wished to speak to me?"

For a few seconds, Dumbledore was silent before he spoke. "Do you remember how your son asked me why Voldemort was after him? And I explained that I could not tell him then?"

Eyes narrowing, Nagato nodded with a rather large frown. "Yes, I remember." Crossing her arms against her chest, the muscles in her cheek twitched. "I thought that he took that rather well."

With a deep breath, Dumbledore leaned back and let out a sigh. "Quite." Looking her directly in the eye, he gave a nod. "You, however, have as much a right to know what I can tell you and I trust that you would be best to tell when your son is able to understand the weight that is upon his shoulders."

Sitting down, Nagato folded her hands in front of her face. "I see... Please continue."

The elderly wizard and the Battleship stared at each other before Dumbledore nodded. "Shortly before Mister Potter was born, a prophecy had been made. I was the one that it was made to, though Voldemort caught part of it."

Nagato only raised an eyebrow. "One which states that Harry will fight Voldemort, I presume?"

It went without saying that Dumbledore was somewhat surprised, but nodded. "That is correct. I... prefer to keep the whole prophecy secret at the moment. However, I can tell you the part that one of Voldemort's Death Eaters overheard and brought to him." Getting a nod, he cleared his throat and closed his eyes. "The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches... born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies..."

Opening his eyes, he regarded Nagato whose lips were moving as she repeated it. Then she looked up. "Are we sure that this means Harry though? Surely there were a number born at that time."

Simply sighing, Dumbledore gave the answer that Nagato was hoping not to get. "I'm afraid not. There's... more to it then I gave you, but I wish to keep, I believe that your military would call it, OpSec?" At her nod, he continued. "OpSec and spread it around as little as possible. However, as to there being any others? There were two boys born to parents who had 'Thrice Defied' Voldemort at the end of July that year. Defied in this case meaning having fought him and escaped I believe was what Voldemort thought. After all, they did not submit to him."

Now thoughtful, the Battleship nodded. "I see, that makes a certain amount of sense. So Harry's parents were one, and the other was...?"

Humming, Dumbledore looked at one of his many instruments. "The other was none other then Mister Longbottom's parents." At Nagato's look of surprise, he nodded. "Yes, Mister Longbottom was the other possibility. Though Voldemort went after Mister Potter's for... various reasons. If he had been more patient, he would have perhaps waited to see who would be the true threat. But at the time, he was so close to victory..."

With a snort, Nagato shook her head. "That he decided that he was going to stop any threat right then and there before it could stop him. And ended up bringing about his downfall... I hate prophecies."

To her surprise, she got a nod from Dumbledore and a chuckle. "Trust me, Miss Nagato, you are not the only one. I, too, have a certain amount of distaste for the subject. Far too many deaths and other disasters have occurred because of such after all, either from people attempting to bring them about or to stop them before they happen and thus causing them." Then Dumbledore reached into his desk and pulled out a small, wooden box. "As well, I have a small... gift, for you and yours."

Confused, Nagato frowned before she opened the box to revealed a sealed glass container that had glowing symbols etched into it. Lifting it though, she blinked at the sight of what looked like small shards of glowing red crystal inside. "What is this...?"

Slightly smiling, Dumbledore leaned back and glanced at the portraits above him. "After speaking with an old friend, we decided to gift you with the... remains... of an object. While useless for most things, we hope that perhaps it might be of use to you in your fight against the Abyssals."

It took only a few moments for the dots to connect and for Nagato's head to snap up. 'The fake Stone... he's giving me the shards from it which means...' Her eyes were then drawn back to the shards, glowing and twinkling as they danced around. '... This is... very big.' Shaking off the shock, she gave him a smile and then slipped the container back into it's box. That done, she slipped said box into her pants and could feel the energy from it as her fairies brought it to a safe deep inside her hull. Standing up, she bowed towards the Headmaster. "I, on behalf of my Teitoku, thank you for this gift."

On Dumbledore's face there was only a smile. "You are very welcome and I only hope that it can be of help. I do think that I have taken up a touch too much of your time, though before you leave..." He grasped his bowl and held it out. "Lemon drop?"

Laughing, Nagato only shook her head. Several moments later, she walked out into hallway to see Harry pulling away from Hermione's hugs, though she raised an eyebrow at how flustered Hermione looked. "Did something happen?"

All Harry did though was shrug. "Um... apparently Hermione didn't know that we knew that she was a shipgirl..." Scratching his cheek, Harry blinked a the glare she was giving him before sheepishly smiling. "I... kind of saw your hull way back at the beginning of the year."

That though caused Hermione to boggle at him, all her embarrassment and annoyance forgotten. "Wait, you saw my hull? How!?"

Harry only shrugged and then closed his eyes before opening them, and so revealing that they were glowing. "One of the things I learned how to do, it lets me see stuff other people can't, like the hulls of shipgirls." Closing them, Harry reopened them to reveal that they were no longer glowing. "It's not that big of a deal."

Sharing a look with Tatsuta as Hermione started interrogating him over his ability, Nagato still raised an eyebrow as the Cruiser frowned. "What do you have in your mouth?"

In reply, Nagato held out a hand which had some wrapped candies on it. "Lemon drop, want one?"

Bemused, Tatsuta shook her head but took one nonetheless."

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Sitting sideways on Harry's broom as it crossed the lake, Tatsuta hummed as she looked around. "Ara, ara~ Are you sure that we can trust these two, Harry-Chan?"

With a blink, Harry looked back at Tatsuta who had one eye cracked open. "Well, yeah?" He then turned back to continue to keep an eye on their progress. As Harry turned though, he could spot Hermione tightly gripping onto Ron as the red haired boy was flying one of Hogwarts extra brooms. "They've been really interested in summoning, so..."

All the Light Cruiser did though was hum before going back to enjoying their flight through the air. "I see..."

Meanwhile, Harry's mind went back to earlier when an owl arrived that caused him to blink in confusion. Having opened it, he found that Andrew and Melanie had invited him to a demonstration that they had set up across the Black Lake and outside of the wards of Hogwarts. It had taken some doing, but eventually Tatsuta had agreed on the condition of accompanying them.

Being as it was the last full day at Hogwarts, no one was really paying much attention when they left and headed out. Nor did they pay much attention to the two broomstick flying figures or to Nagato who was quickly crossing the lake beneath them with Neville on one shoulder seeing as said boy was still frightened of flying. Pulling ahead of Ron, Harry performed a quick pass and then nodded as he spotted an opening in the cliff face. "That must be it."

Thoughtful, Tatsuta examined the spot and then nodded. "It does match the place described, and there is the flag that they said would be outside of it." Sharing a look with Harry, she nodded. "I've informed Nagato and she has asked that we wait outside for her before we go in."

Harry only nodded as he shuddered a bit. "Yeah... that's probably a very good idea..."

Feeling a hand on his shoulder, Harry turned to see Tatsuta giving him a smile. "Everything will be okay, Harry-Chan. If they should try something, then..." She opened both eyes and gave him a smile. "They shall find that I do not take kindly to those who threaten those under my protection."

Most people would have shuddered at that, but Harry only felt relieved as he set down. "Thank you." Once he did set down though, followed shortly by Ron and Hermione, it was only a few minutes for Nagato to join them with Neville in tow. "Mum!"

Softly smiling, she patted him on the shoulder as she examined the entrance to what looked like a cave. "So this is the place?"

As Harry nodded, Hermione walked up and examined a rock chip that was just outside the cave among a pile. "Huh... this is actually pretty fresh." She then lifted it up for everyone to see. "See?"

Laughter caused them to turn to see Melanie come walking out of the darkness with a torch in one hand. "Well, Andrew and me did dig it out after all." Upon seeing Nagato and Tatsuta though her eyes widened as did her smile. "Oh wow... you brought actual shipgirls here?"

Not quite sure what was going on, Harry glanced at his mother and Tatsuta before shrugging. "After what happened a few days ago, um, no one wants to take a chance."

It took a few minutes, but the Seventh Year Ravenclaw winced. "Right, I heard something about that." Taking a deep breath, Malenie then let it out and smiled again. "Anyways, this actually helps out a lot." She then gestured for them to follow her as she turned to go back into the tunnel. "Especially if you can put in a good word for us."

That caused Nagato to raise an eyebrow as she took up the first position. "Put in a good word for you, with whom? I'm afraid that I don't know much about why you wanted us here."

Fifteen feet in, a heavy curtain that was there was brushed aside and Andrew gave his girlfriend a look. "You didn't tell them, Mel?"

More then a little sheepish, she rubbed the back of her neck. "Sorry. I was kind of excited and... yeah, sorry."

Only raising an eyebrow, Tatsuta glanced around the walls of the tunnel and had her fairies make a note. 'Rather smooth looking for something done in maybe a few months or even weeks. Hmm...'

Shaking his head, Andrew held the curtain open and the group passed through only to blink. Just past the curtain was a chamber that was roughly about thirty feet across with a pit that was about ten feet across in the middle. Part of Nagato also noted that the same pit was fifteen feet deep. Despite the fact that they were deep underground, light was provided by dozens of candles in recessed spaces in the wall or from torches that burned merrily in brazers inserted in the wall. The air was also thick with the smell of incense which caused Nagato's eyebrows to raise as she realized where they were. "A summoning chamber..."

Happy that she had made the connection, Melanie nodded. "Yup! And you're here to see the fruits of mine and Andrew's labors."

Tatsuta though gave her a look. "You understand that summoning is a very little understood process, correct? Something could go wrong in the process."

All Melanie did though was nod. "Well, yeah, we did do our research. On both sides of the divide."

Seeing their confusion, Andrew chuckled some and then placed his arm around his girlfriend's hip. "What my wonderful, though forgetful girlfriend here has forgotten to say is... that my family has some connections and I've gathered information on summoning attempts done by wizards."

Just ignoring how Melanie smacked Andrew in the shoulder, Nagato cleared her throat. "That is great and all... but still does not answer what you are doing exactly and why we're here."

Once more smiling, Melanie began to wag a finger. "Well... Miss Nagato, Miss..."

Chuckling, Tatsuta smiled a bit. "Ara, ara~ I'm Tatsuta."

Her smile falling a bit as her instincts told her that she might be in danger, Melanie continued on. "Miss Tatsuta. Anyways, with you two being here to vouch for us then you can put a good word in for us with the muggle military. Especially with all the work that we've done."

Beside her, Andrew nodded and continued with words that caused Neville to look at him with wide eyes. "Especially with how the Statute might fall in a few years. Besides Mel wanting to do this for... personal reasons, there is also the fact that being on the good side of the muggle military and government is a very good idea."

Eyes wide, Neville looked between them. "Wait, you think that the Statute is going to fall? Seriously?!"

Sighing, Andrew nodded. "Of course it is, it's far too damaged by this point. Trust me, anyone who thinks otherwise is a fool."

Just ignoring that, and now on famililar ground, if only due to dealing with Akashi's and Yuubari's antics for years, Nagato crossed her arms. "Perhaps. It depends on what you're doing here exactly."

Melanie nodded some as she walked towards the pit with several bottles that she levitated over the pit and then emptied. To the surprise of the shipgirls, they could smell seawater coming from the bottles and they continued to pour out well past the point where they should have emptied. In fact, as they watched, the bottom of the pit soon filled up. "We have a theory regarding a certain ship type that has been ignored. And, if we're right, we've figured out how to summon them."

That caused Nagato to blink as did Harry and Hermione, all three speaking at the same time. "Wait, an ignored ship type?"

Nodding, Melanie looked over at them. "That's right."

A chuckle escaped from Andrew as he shook his head. "As I said, it's something rather personal to Melanie." Looking into the pit, he held up his hands. "That should be enough, we got about five feet of water."

With a smile, Melanie turned the bottles up and then levitated them out of the room and through the curtain before grabbing a container and tapping it with her wand. When she opened it and tilted it though, chunks of white material fell out and into the pit. As soon as they hit the water, it started to bubble and emit a mist that climbed up the walls of the pit, filling it. Recognizing it, Hermione frowned. "Dry ice?"

Confused, Neville looked over at his friend. "Dry ice? How can ice be dry?"

Frowning, Hermione just rubbed her chin. "It's... frozen carbon dioxide, a gas." Looking around, the First Year grimaced. "This place has good ventalation I would hope."

Only shaking her head, Melanie chuckled. "Of course it does. Besides, the ground slopes towards the entrance." She then cracked her knuckes and took a deep breath. "Okay... we got all the summoning materials, the summoning area is now prepared... and we have our helpers."

That caused the shipgirls, Harry, and Ron to blink and they looked around as Melanie and Andrew began to chant. Off to one side, they spotted the familiar looking pile of tiny steel girders, small cans of fuel, and aluminum as well as ammunition in the form of shotgun shells. What they had not expected was for there to be small rolls of canvas, cherrybombs, and what looked like tiny gas canisters. Before they could get any further, the humans felt the hairs on their body start to stand as if the room was filled with static. The shipgirls at the same time felt the familiar pull as if there was a gate opening somewhere and, in the pit, the water could be heard sloshing around violently.

It was at that point, a wind filled the chamber and there was the sound of thunder as Melanie and Andrew increased the loudness of their voices to be heard. "Steel... Ammunition... Aluminum... Fuel... Canvas... and the gas of lightness! All these we offer in tribute to services gladly rendered and ask, humbly, for a return to service. We ask this of the sea and of the sky to allow for those who would return, to do so."

Much to the surprise of everyone except the two Seventh Years and Neville, the pile of summoning materials vanished and the motes of light streamed into the pit. Suddenly, the lights flickered out for a brief moment and then came back on with the wind having stopped. With a slow blink, Melanie looked around. "Did... did it work?"

A voice then rang out. "Did it work? Did what work?"

Then another and every one turned to look at the pit though they could not see what was going on. But the mist was being disturbed by something. "However should I know old bean... I say! What has happened to us? It seems that we are now human, wot wot?"

Cheering, Melanie leapt onto her boyfriend and kissed him as two forms slowly raised up from the mist. "It worked! It worked! I can't believe that we did it!"

Andrew only chuckled a bit. "Was there any doubt, Mel? After all, we have been working on this all year."

Surprised, Nagato stared at the two shipgirls as they rose up towards the ceiling, still talking. "... Airshipgirls... you found out how to summon airshipgirls..."

Pulling away from her boyfriend, Melanie nodded and gave a victory sign. "Yup! My Great-great-great Grandfather was crew of one during World War One." A tap on the shoulder caused her to turn to Andrew who had an odd look on his face. "What?"

Very slowly, he pointed upwards. "Are... they supposed to look like that?"

Eyebrows furrowed, Melanie followed his finger and frowned as she looked. Both airshipgirls looked like slightly chubby girls and had a minimum of rigging on them except for what looked like large backpacks as they spoke. "I am absolutely famished!"

Beside her, the other airshipgirl nodded. "Oh yes, I could also do with a nice spot of tea right now, and isn't that just the oddest, wot?"

It took a moment as the other one nodded for Melanie to spot the issue and when they did, she blinked. And then she rubbed her eyes before examining them again. Mainly for one reason... their ears that flopped to and fro with their nods.

Rabbit ears.

There was only one real response from Melanie for that sight. "... What."

 

[darthcourt10]

fijkus

Inspired by Harry's comment on the composition of Lousiana's crew.

* * *
It was a sunny day, and Shinanoa and Louisiana were enjoying the placid waters. The duo were accompanied by Iku and RO as they sailed to the new place of relaxation.

"It's a shame I can't land my airplanes here." Shinano sighed.

"A sentiment we both share, mon cheri," Louisana replied with a sage nod. "Well... maybe I could fly the floatplanes."

"Do you have floatplanes too?" Iku asked, grinning broadly. It was nice to finally have someone to talk shop with.

"Oui! ... well, non. Not all of my airplanes are floatplanes," Louisiana said.

"May we see?" RO asked. "I'm quite interested to see what American engineering would produce."

"I don't see the harm," Louisiana replied.

She reached into her pocket and pulled out miniturized J-3 cub, accompanied by two fairies wearing US Army style khakis with red epaulets and red piping on their garrison hats. RO turned pale as she made out the blue roundels with white triangles and red propellors on their wings and body, as well as their improvised bomb rack.

"Oh, it's all so adorable," Shinano cooed, as RO's wide eyes met with the fairies' curious beady ones.

"Hey?"

The fairies covered their ears as RO began to scream externally, before crash diving as deeply as she could safely go.

"... what was that about?" Iku asked.

* * *

US Civil Air Patrol aircraft attacking German U-boat.

(Civilian aviation fairies have not participated in 'boom boom'. Probably.)

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Having shut the door to the cabin, Harry practically collapsed into the seat. "Ugh... i cannot wait to get home..."

All Hermione did though was shake her head and crack open her book some. "It will be kind of nice to see my parents and sisters again. Though I might be out of contact for some of the summer."

That caused Ron to look over in interest. "Really? Why?"

For a moment, it looked like Hermione was considering whether to answer or not before she finally shrugged. "I'm heading to a mission in the Mediterranean." A sigh then escaped her and she smiled slightly. "It'll be nice being back there again."

Somewhat surprised, Neville looked over at her. "You've been to the Mediterranean, Hermione?"

Much to his confusion though, Hermione blushed. "Actually... no, at least not in this life anyways."

It took a moment, but Neville's eyes widened slightly. "Ooo, you mean when you were a ship?"

Chuckling, the brown haired witch nodded. "Yes, when I was a ship. The Med was one of the places I went to during the War after all." There was a far off expression on her face before she slowly nodded. "It'll be nice to see it now."

Tatsuta just hummed slightly before nodding. "It can be quite lovely as the Abyssals have mostly been wiped out there except for some holdouts."

A frown then crossed Harry's face before he blinked and turned towards Hermione. "By the way... what's going to happen with Melanie and Andrew? Any idea?"

Biting her lip, Hermione leaned back. "Well... the Admiralty is rather happy with what they came up with, they're still less so with... the eccentricities of R31 and R32."

Unable to help himself, Harry gave a snort."Which means that they dislike them having bunny ears, right?"

With a grimace, Hermione shook her head. "Rabbit ears, Harry.. and yes. Though it seems that they are slightly impressed with their armament." Shaking her head, the Cruiser frowned. "What were they thinking when they put a twelve pounder on them, I don't know..."

If anything though, that caused Neville to look over. "A twelve pound what?"

However, it was Ron who answered though he shrugged. "A muggle cannon... though why did they put one on them?"

Fist clinched before her face, Hermione coughed into it. "The... idea was to use it to target enemy Submarines when they were found surfaced from the air. And yes, I understand how ridiculous it sounds."

Slightly bemused, Tatsuta only shook her head before watching as the conversation went onto other topics. it was not far into the ride though when the door opened and Draco stood there. "Potter."

That was about as far as he got as he noticed Tatsuta there watching him with one eye cracked open. "Ara, ara~ is something wrong?"

Despite himself, something about her smile caused a shiver to run down his back. Then he shot Harry a small glare. "Watch out Potter, I did warn you about associating with the wrong people."

With that said, Draco then closed the door with a slam which made Tatsuta chuckle some. "What an unpleasant person."

Nodding, Harry was about to say something when he yawned. Quickly shaking it off, he sighed a little bit. "Yeah, he kind of is."

Expression softening, Tatsuta turned towards him with a slight frown on her face. "Rough night?"

Slowly, Harry gave her a nod though he grimaced a bit. "Didn't sleep well."

Much to his surprise though, the Light Cruiser only patted her lap with a small smile. "Well then, lay your head down and have a small nap. We do have some time after all."

Blinking, he turned towards her. "You sure, Tatsuta-Oba?"

As she chuckled, Tatsuta smiled a little bit more. "Of course, I am your Oba-San after all and you do need your sleep."

His expression softening, Harry shifted a bit and laid his head down as another yawn escaped him. "Thank you, Tatsuta-Oba."

Only nodding as she began to run her fingers through his hair gently, Tatsuta gave a chuckle. "You are very welcome, Harry-Chan. Now rest, your Oba-San will make sure that no bad dreams bother you while you sleep."

It went without saying that within a few moments, Harry was out like a light.
____________________________________________________________________________

Walking into the Burrow, the last thing that Ron expected to see was Warspite sitting at the table sipping a cup of tea. "Warspite? What are you doing here?"

Brightly smiling, the Battleship stood and made her way over to him before giving him a hug. "Well, I wished to greet you coming home from Hogwarts." Then, pulling away slightly, she made a pointed look at her walking stick. "And also to thank you for the lovely gift."

His attention now on it, Ron's face lit up. "Has it helped any? I mean, I was hoping that it might."

Fondly laughing, the Battleship ruffled his hair with a small smile on her face. "As a matter of fact, it has. Quite a bit to be honest." Leaning down, she grinned slightly. "Why, the day after I was walking around and didn't notice that I had managed to make it well past what I normally would."

A moment later though, she blushed some as Ron narrowed his eyes at her. "You should take it way easier, Warspite! It'll help, but it won't cure your legs."

Only biting her lip, Warspite nodded some before placing her hand on his head. "Perish the thought. At the time though, I had not expected it to help that much."

Chuckles though caused the two to turn to see Molly there with a smile on her face. "You know, I had been wondering why you were spending so much time with Aunt Muriel. Learning the old family art though... I am very proud of you, Ron."

Blushing, Ron turned as he felt the hand on his shoulder and spotted Warspite there with a soft smile. "And she is not the only one, Ronald. This is an exquisite piece of work after all and more then a few of the others have commented on it."

Eyebrows raising in surprise, Ron blinked. "They have?"

If anything, Warspite's smile brightened just a touch. "They have." She then hugged him again. "Even my older sister was rather impressed by it."

That caused Ron's eyebrows to nearly reach his hairline. After all it was hard to impress the name ship of the Queen Elizabeth class Battleships. Then he slowly grinned. "Wicked."

Giggling. Warspite only shook her head at her much younger friend. However, that was when Molly spoke up and the Battleship had to blink. "Now then, how about you and Ron go into the den and have one of your chess matches. I'm certain that the two of you are dying for one and it will be a bit before dinner."

Slowly shaking her head, Warspite sighed. "I'm not sure that I can stay for dinner-"

Molly though only cut her off. "Of course you can! Can't she Arthur?" Said man only smiled and raised his hands in answer which caused the Weasley Matriarch to shake her head. "Now, you and Ron go and enjoy yourselves and I'll call you for dinner."

To the Battleship's bemusement, she found herself and Ron behind shooed out of the kitchen. Once they were gone, Molly turned back to her stove and continued cooking. All the while Arthur just watched her. "Hmm..."

Narrowing her eyes, Molly then turned to him. "Don't you 'Hmm' me, Arthur."

In reply, Arthur only raised his hands. "Sorry, Molly. Just rather surprised is all, I do remember you having some doubts after all."

For a moment, Molly paused and looked out her window before slowly nodding. "Perhaps... but honestly Arthur, she's done so much for Ron over the past few years. She's practically family by this point." That more then anything made Arthur smile, though he had to bite back a laugh as his wife huffed a little. "Besides, she needs some nice homecooked meals. That... food, that they serve her is not the greatest."

Arthur just nodded and leaned back. "Of course..."

 

[darthcourt10]

First Summer Holidays - Summer ONE

START
​

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Sweat was dripping down Harry's face as he biked through the base, years of experience allowing him to avoid any obstracles in his way. It did not take him long to reach the Repair Docks where he slammed on his brakes and came to a stop. Quickly locking his bike up, he rushed in breathing heavily to see Iku, Hachi, and Imuya sitting in chairs as they leaned against each other. Each of them were showing scratches, scrapes, and cuts that leaked blood and oil, but not one of them cared. "Iku-Chan? Hachi-Chan? Imuya-Chan?"

Iku looked up and her eyes widened at seeing him there. Then she rushed over and grabbed Harry in a hug and was soon followed by the other Subgirls. "T-Taigei-Nee-Chan i-is..."

Reaching up, Harry rubbed their backs as he ignored his shirt getting wet. "I came as soon as I heard that Taigei-Chan was in the Docks, what happened?"

As none of the others were able to speak, Hachi swallowed heavily as Harry helped them back over to the chairs before he sat down. "W-we were on patrol with Taigei-Nee-Chan when Abyssal Floatplanes showed up from nowhere. Then they started bombing and s-strafing us..." Shuddering as the memories came back, Hachi shook her head. "W-we were able to avoid the worst but Taigei-Nee-Chan... she..."

The hold that Hachi had on Harry then tightened as he hugged her back as tightly as he could. Part of him looked over at what was termed the "Operating Room" for badly injured shipgirls, which had a red light above it showing that they were still at work. Then a scream nearly ripped it's way out of Iku's throat. "She nearly sank! It was only because Shinano was in the area with Louisiana as well as Montana and they chased off and shot down the floatplanes that she didn't!"

Hands clenching, Imuya sniffled. "And then Shinano and Lousiana carried her back here. T-the whole time she... she wanted to know if we were okay. She just kept asking."

Unable to do anything, Harry just held the three of them there for the next few minutes as they continued to finally release their pent up emotions. Then he heard the doors open and there was Shioi, RO, and Maruyu. The look on RO's face though told Harry that her "Yuu" personality was the one she was mainly relying on to keep as steady as she could. He could just barely hear the German mutter to herself as she stared at the closed door. "... I'm going to sink her."

A hand on her shoulder caused her to turn to see a stony looking Shioi there. "No, we're going to sink the bitch that did that."

Pretending not to hear that, or the murmurs of agreement from the three Subs he was currently hugging, Harry just continued to rub their backs even as he felt tears prickling at his own eyes. 'Please make it, Taigei-Chan... please.' Blinking, Harry looked down and frowned as he spotted the various small wounds on the Subgirls before looking up at Maruyu. It only took a moment, but the smallest of the Subgirls noticed him and he silently mouthed 'Get me a bucket of repair fluid and a cloth.'

Eyes wide, Maruyu nodded and rushed off. Not even two minutes later she returned with two buckets and several clothes, one of which she handed to Harry and taking another. Between the two of them, they started wiping at the three Subgirls' wounds as they sat there, exhausted. It was three hours later when the red light above the door turned off and the green one lit up before an tired Akashi walked out with a small smile. Her next words caused all of them to relax. "She's okay, still hurt, but no longer in danger."

Roughly twenty seconds later found here with all the Subgirls hugging her. "Thank you! Thank you!"

Her expression gentle, Akashi just patted them on the heads. "You're very welcome you bunch. Just keep her from straining herself for the next week or two and she should be fine." Akashi then looked over Iku, Imuya, and Hachi before nodding. "Good, someone's tended to your wounds but you should still head over to the docks."

Much to her slight bemusement though, Iku shook her head. "Not until Taigei is in there."

Chuckling, Akashi smiled but nodded just the same. "Of course."

She then opened the doors and two of the human technicians wheeled out a pale Taigei in a gurney which the Subgirls clustered around as they followed with Harry hanging back just a bit as he glanced up at Akashi. "Are you okay?"

In reply, Akashi blinked before smiling down at him and patting him on the head. "I am, though... I hope that we come up with something soon." Leaning back, a groan escaped her along with a crack from her back. "Because with everything that I need to do, I really need another shipgirl for assistance around here."

That only got her a nod they reached the repair docks and Harry watched as Taigei was gently lowered into the repair fluid, though he winced as part of her leg was just gone as was a hand. Instead of normal bandages though, the wounds were wrapped up with a metal foil which part of Harry remembered would be absorbed into the shipgirl as they healed. "She's going to be okay, right?"

Crouching a bit, the Repair Ship nodded. "Hai, she's going to be just fine, Harry-Chan." With a sigh, she straightened up as Harry hugged her before thanking her. Once he began to head over to where Taigei was though, Akashi walked over to the phone that was in the wall. Picking up the reciever, Akashi pushed several buttons and waited until it connected. "Rose-Chan?"

After there was a reply from the tsukumogami on the other end. "Yes, Miss Akashi? Is she out?"

Only nodding, Akashi chuckled a little bit as she watched Harry sit down next to the docks to watch over Taigei as the other Submarines took Hachi, Iku, and Imuya over to the showers to get them ready to enter the docks themselves. "Hai, the operation was a success. But she's going to need plenty of food for healing. Use whatever you want for her as she's going to need it."

The Repair Ship could almost imagine Rose nod on the other end as she replied. "Of course, I think that I know just the thing for her."

Lips twitching, Akashi hummed. "No doubt. Now, I'll just let you get to work at what you need, okay?" Getting another comfirmation as well as a mutual goodbye, Akashi hung up the phone and looked over at where Taigei was floating with Harry standing guard over her. 'Heh.' With a shake of the head, Akashi turned and began walking towards her office to write up the report and let Goto know that the operation was a success. At the same time though, she was also thinking up other things. 'Hmm... considering the damage, I wonder if Teitoku would allow me to give Taigei at least a partial rebuild. I know that I can at least replace her engines with those that she should get which shouldn't change her too much...'
___________________________________________________________________________

Snarling, Light Cruiser Oni reached up and winced as she cracked her jaw back into place. 'Those fucking bitches. Once I kill that Re-Class, I am going to find a way and kill them, including Light Cruiser Princess!' A dark grin spread across her face at that, though there was a grimace as she remembered the beating she had received from her 'Superiors' due to her failure to kill Supply Depot Princess several months earlier.
Deep inside, she could feel the darkness of the Abyss roil at the thoughts passing through her mind. 'Yes... seeing them on their knees before me would feel so damn good.'

Then her eyes narrowed as she heard a several small voices. 'S-stop... please...'

Snorting, she lashed out mentally and grinned at the screams. 'Oh, shut up already, you exist because I live. Don't forget that. Without me, you would not even be here.' At the whimpers as the voices retreated, Light Cruiser Oni looked up with a hum as her thoughts returned to their original track. "Now then... how to go about it. There must be a way..."

As she continued to stride through the water, she considered and then tossed away various ideas. Behind her, there was a dark slick of corruption that slowly disappated, though the various dead sea animals that bobbed to the surface and decayed inside the slick were also ignored. 'Hmm...'

It was then that she spotted something and frowned before narrowing her eyes at the dot high above. 'An aircraft perhaps...?' Then, after a few moments, her frown deepened at the sight of a human on a broom. 'One of those magicals? But what are they doing this far out...' Quickly checking out her charts, she realized that they were close to Nakanotorishima. 'Oh ho! I wonder what they may be doing over there?'

Normally, she would have reported the fact that the wizards had returned to the corrupted island. But the memories of the 'Punishment' she had received for her failure came to mind and slowly, she grinned. Even from here, she could sense the taint on the broken island that was still there. And her stomach grumbled as she caught sight of other magicals in the air. 'Blood and death... and an island ready to be claimed by some Abyssal Demon to become a Princess of... hehehe..'

With a mental command, she had her Destroyers submerge and slowly the water gathered around her as she realized that she was quite some time away. But she could sense the people on the island, though she cared not for what they were doing.

Death was death in the end after all. And once she became a Princess, then the others would bow to her. The wait would only make it more exquisite in the end.

She would see to it.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Scratching his head as he went down his list, Goto frowned. "We don't have anyone?"

Ooyodo only shook her head as she flipped through her tablet. "Unfortunately not. We could maybe switch around some Destroyers for Taigei as an escort, but that would mean pulling them from other areas."

For a moment, Goto tapped his pen against his desk as he turned and looked outside for several moments. "What about some of the Shimakaze sisters? We could pull some of them off from their training patrols."

That caused Nagato who was also there in her position as Secretary Ship to close her eyes and consider it for several moments. But then she shook her head with a sigh. "Unfortunately two Destroyers would not be enough for a decent escort. And the only two with enough experience would be Karakaze and Kiyokaze. But..."

Just sighing, Goto grimaced as he rolled the idea around in his head. "Two Destroyers are not enough for an escort. And I was hoping to attach them to Shinano's group." Leaning back in his chair, Goto considered the problem at hand. Part of him was smacking himself upside the head because of course there was going to be an issue eventually. He should have expected it even though Taigei had only operated in "Safe" waters. But as shown, he did not have enough small ships for escort. A thought which made him sit up. "I wonder... do either of you think it might be possible to summon any smaller shipgirls?"

Both Nagato and Ooyodo looked at each other as they considered this before the Battleship spoke up. "I do remember a number from my time as a ship..." The blush on her face as she remembered the small warships caused Goto to bite bite a smirk. "But none of them have returned yet."

Nodding, Ooyodo sat down and considered the issue. "We did have a number of small escort vessels for open ocean. But why haven't any of them returned yet?"

Much to their surprise, it was Goto who answered. "Perhaps because we haven't been calling on them." At their looks, he shook his head. "Look, we've been so focused on getting the most powerful ships we could that perhaps the ones smaller then a Destroyer just... i don't know, feel as if we wouldn't want them?"

Thoughtful, Ooyodo frowned some. "It couldn't be that simple... could it?"

A ding of an incoming message though caused Goto to turn to his computer and soon he was frowning at what he was reading. "... Now that's rather odd."

Frowning, Nagato looked over at him. "What's rather odd?"

Goto was silent for a few moments before he looked over at her. "The Donryu was tracking what they were sure was a Light Cruiser Oni just outside of our waters when she went under. After some consideration, they surfaced and sent out a UAV, but..."

He then clicked something and turned to regard the large monitor on one side of the office which now showed photographs of a familiar island. One which made Nagato's eyes widen. "Nakanotorishima... But what is she doing in that area?"
Eyebrows furrowing, Ooyodo noticed something else. "What are those dots there?"

Now leaning in herself, Nagato's frown only deepened. "Do we have any better photos, Teitoku?"

Much to their surprise, he grimaced. "Unfortunately not, but they did take a thermal photo." Said photo was brought up which revealed that the objects were hotter then the surrounding air. "But then him and his crew felt that they should move a distance away and report in... A rather odd decision to say the least, unless..."

Sighing and rubbing her forehead, Nagato shook her head. "Unless wizards are involved and set spells up to hide magic going on." Grunting, she turned back to the picture. "But that begs the question of what, exactly, are they even doing there? It was a barren rock before we got through with it."

There was a frown on Goto's face as he considered what he was seeing before he suddenly smiled. "You know... this does give me a small idea."

It said something that Ooyodo only sighed as she turned to him. "Yes, Teitoku?"

Raising his finger, he pointed at the island. "If I remember correctly, was it not pointed out that both Louisiana and Kana need experience?" At the nods and the slowly dawning realization on the faces of the two shipgirls, Goto nodded. "Ooyodo, get in contact with Shinano's group. They are to hold where they are currently until Fubuki's and Kana's group reaches them and then they are to proceed to Nakanotorishima for a... recon mission. Nagato, I need you to go and get me Fubuki and Kana. Perhaps Tenryuu and DesDiv6 if they're as she has charts for the island."

Saluting, both shipgirls nodded. "HA!"

After they left though, Goto just continued to watch the screen with a thoughtful gaze. 'So why did you decide to return after all these years, I wonder...'
________________________________________________________________________

Cursing as his boot caught in a crack and nearly sent him tumbling, the young wizard glared at his companion who was laughing. "Hey, you know that we're not here for a nice trip, dontcha?"

Muscles in his cheeks twitching, the wizard took a deep breath before letting it out. "Oh, fuck off, Robert." A breeze swept past him and despite how normally the air should be warm and nearly tropical, the wizard just pulled his cloak closer to try and ward off the chill that seemed to sink to his very bones. "Besides, we shouldn't even fucking be here. This place gives me the willies something fierce!"

That only got him a snort of derision from the older wizard. "There's nothing to be afraid of but some rocks and old bones." Bending down, Robert picked up a rock and then tossed it, the stone clacking against a piece of debris outside a crater and the sound echoing around them. "See, Aaron? Nothing."

Wincing, Aaron looked around nervously. "Don't do that!" Suddenly the earth trembled and there was a rumble from deep beneath their feet. "What was that?!"

Robert only shrugged his shoulders before blowing out a breath as the shaking stopped. "Probably nothing more then underground chambers collapsing. Those shipgirls did a pretty damn good job of blasting the island after all."

As his lips twitched downward into a scowl, Aaron glared at him. "That was an earthquake, Robert. I was stationed for a bit in California and I know what they feel like." Glancing to where some smoke was issuing from a crack and coming from deep underground, he shuddered. "We are not wanted here and something wants us gone."

Seconds later, Aaron was utterly unsurprised as Robert rolled his eyes. "Something wants us gone... really?" Walking over, Robert placed a hand onto Aaron's shoulder and patted him. "Look, kid, I know that you're worried about shit like that but really, relax. Besides, if what we're setting up here works, then we'll be able to cleanse the island and do the same to others like it. We'll be heroes, remember that."

Grimacing, Aaron shook his head. "And that's the other problem." Out of the corner of his eye, he could see a group of witches and wizards on brooms that were carrying what looked like a giant, glass container filled with a purplish substance heading towards the center of the island. Meanwhile, others were spraying something on various rocks. "You know that the No-Majs will notice when we set it off."

Now turning, Robert shook his head. "You worry too much, kid. Those muggles likely won't notice much. Besides, it won't matter in the end anyways, they'll forget all about this place like before."

That just got him a blank look from Aaron before the younger man groaned. "Don't tell me you believe that dragonshit. The no-majs know about magic at least in regards to the shipgirls and Abyssals! And they're getting harder and harder to obliviate too, which means that they might find out the rest soon enough and stuff like this!" He gestured around them. "Is not going to make it any easier to keep a secret."

In reply, Robert gave him a frown. "Don't tell me that you believe that idiocy about the Statute of Secrecy falling." At the look he got, he threw his hands up in the air. "Oh for... it's not going to happen, Aaron. Look, the war will eventually be over and we'll be able to convince those shipgirls that the right thing to do is go into hiding. It probably won't be that hard by then as they'll be tired of fighting and won't need to anymore. So there's the major problem out of the way."

Slowly, Aaron raised an eyebrow. "And what, exactly, about the fact that the No-Majs will still know that magic and the supernatural exist."

Chuckling, Robert shook his head in amusement. "That? That's easy, they'll do the work for us in that. You see, kid, muggles? They don't want to believe in magic. They're happy ignoring signs of it all over the place as long as it's not in their face. Hell, most of them are more then glad to just pretend that they know everything about what's around them. Look at Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, ghosts. Muggles as a whole routinely mock people who believe in them even though we know that they exist. So as soon as the shipgirls decide to be proper magical citizens and go fade out of view of the muggles, they'll be forgotten about. Sixty, seventy years from now? They'll be considered to be conspiracy theories, stuff made up. Heck, in a century or two the muggles will just think of them as being myths."

Disbelief on his face, Aaron turned to Robert and boggled at what he was hearing. "You cannot be serious. You can't believe that!"

Only waving him off, Robert only shook his head. "Believe it kid. I've been around for a long time. That war the muggles called World War Two? Had plenty of magic being tossed around. Muggles mostly just ignored it or covered it up for us. It'll be the same now."

Aaron stared at him for a moment and then shook his head as he walked off toward where there was a cage.
_________________________________________________________________________

Eyes fluttering open, Taigei winced from the sharp pains all over her body as the repair fluid gently washed over her. While one leg and hand were really painful, it felt like she was also covered in papercuts which she knew were from the cannons on the Abyssal floatplanes as well as shrapnel from near misses. Trying not to hiss, Taigei slowly turned her head and blinked at the worried expression on Harry's face. "Taigei-Chan?"

While her attempt to smile turned into an odd sort of grimace, Taigei was thankful that it caused Harry to give her a small smile back. "H-hai, Harry-Chan." Blinking, the Submarine Tender took a deep breath and then let it out. "Are... are Iku-Chan, Hachi-Chan, and Imuya-Chan okay?"

Lips twitching, Harry nodded as he tilted his head. "They're over there." However, when Taigei tried to grab hold of the sides small inlet of the repair pool, she found that one of her hands was missing as her arm ended in a metal bandage, which made Harry wince at the sight of it. A glance at her other arm made her wince as it had various cuts across it and was rather painful, which Harry noticed before he leaned down and helped Taigei see the rest of the repair pool better. "Easy, Taigei-Chan."

Even though her body protested the movement as Harry supported her shoulders so she could lift her head up, the Submarine Tender relaxed upon the sight of the three Submarines softly snoring where they laid in the pool. "Oh, thank the kami... they're okay.... They're okay."

Gently letting her back down, Harry just frowned at her. "We were really worried about you, Taigei-Chan."

A soft smile on her face, Taigei reached up and patted Harry on his head. "Thank you for that, Harry-Chan. I appreciate it."

Something that was not a lie as she really had appreciated how she had people who cared about her. Taigei could still remember back when she was a ship and how people complained about her flaws. However now, she was wanted and that warmed her boilers like nothing else. It made her glad for having returned as a shipgirl. For a moment though, Harry disappeared before he reappeared with a thermos and a small box of treats. "Um, Rose dropped off some tea and food for you."

Brightly smiling, Taigei nodded some as her stomach gave a rumble and her Chief Engineer reminded her that she needed food for repairs. "That sounds wonderful, Harry-Chan, thank you." When Harry poured some tea into a cup and held it close to her mouth though, she blushed a little. "Um, you don't need to do that."

Raising an eyebrow, the black haired boy shook his head. "You're hurting just moving and... um, your arm is not in the best of shape. So I'll hold it for you that way you don't need to move much."

Her face feeling like incendiaries had hit it from the blush she knew was there, Taigei bashfully smiled but leaned forward best that she could and sipped the tea. When Harry pulled the cup away though, she sighed happily as her throat was no longer parched. "Where are the others?"

Just shrugging, Harry looked around. "They left to get some food from the cafeteria so they could eat while they waited. But they left me to guard and look after you!"

Giggling, Taigei nodded up at him. "And a good thing that they did, Harry-Chan. You're a wonderful guard and helper." Then glancing at the food, she licked her lips a little at seeing what was there. "Um, speaking of helping..."

All Harry did though was grab one of the treats and held it out for Taigei to eat. By the time that the other Subs arrived back at the Docks, all the treats were gone and the Submarine Tender was laying back and relaxing as she softly talked with Harry. Out of all of them, it was RO who reacted first and rushed over. "Taigei-Nee-Chan!"

Harry just managed to get out of the way as RO moved as close as she could to Taigei and then wrapped her arms around the shipgirl's neck. She was soon followed by the others including the three in the Docks who had woken up when RO had shouted and were now gathered around her sobbing happily to see her awake. Meanwhile, Taigei just patted them all on the shoulders or heads as she smiled. "Shhh, shhh, it's okay. I'm okay and so are you. No need for tears now."

Sitting back, Harry just watched with a small grin as his friends comforted each other. Of course, spotting the food that the others had brought, Harry got up and pushed it over and soon those of them not in the docks were sitting around it eating and talking as Hachi, Iku, and Imuya all stayed as close to Taigei as possible without harming her as the Tender soaked in the warmth of their companionship as she healed.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Chewing her lip, Shinano barely noticed the waters of the North Pacific as her bow sliced through them. Up ahead, Nakanotorishima awaited them along with whatever was happening on it. A glance around her showed her usual escorts of Hamakaze and Isokaze, but others had joined them. Tenryuu and Tatsuta were up ahead with DesDiv6, while beside her Louisiana kept an eye on the horizon using her radar. However, what was causing her to be so nervous was the fact that she was the Flagship for the group.

It... was something that she had never expected to happen.

Shinano would have thought that either Tenryuu or Tatsuta should have had it due to sheer experience, but they did not have the facilities for command that she did. And while Louisiana should have been another choice due to her own flagship facilities, her lack of experience meant that was a no go. Thus, it fell to Shinano to serve as the flagship of their small fleet and that weighed heavily on her shoulders even as her fuel tanks felt like they were twisting themselves into knots. "Um..."

A clap on the shoulder caused her to turn to see Louisiana smile at her. "Don't be so nervous, ma chère. I know that you'll do just fine and that we're in good hands, non?"

Then Yukikaze piped in, the Destroyer practically bouncing. "That's right, Shinano-Sama! Besides, this time we'll protect you, Yukikaze promises!"

Beside her, Hamakaze and Isokaze only nodded with slight smiles. Despite herself, Shinano found herself slowly relaxing before a small smile bloomed on her face. Something that Louisiana pointed out a moment later. "Ah-ha! And there is the smile of ma chère that we all love to see."

Needless to say, that caused Shinano's smile to widen just a touch even as she blushed. However, she then turned back to the horizon where she could see a small smirk from where she was on Tenryuu's face. Wanting to change the subject before she got too embarrassed, Shinano then cleared her throat. "Um... anything on radar?"

Her expression turning to a thoughtful frown, Louisiana stared in the direction of the island. "Non, which is... concerning. What about your scouts, ma chère? Have they spotted anything?"

The Carrier's eyes fogged over for several moments which Louisiana knew meant that she was seeing out of the eyes of her Saiuns that were flying towards the island. "No, but the island is in sight..." Then her eyes widened and she gasped. "W-wait, there's plumes of smoke coming from the island!"

Whipping her head around, Tenryuu stared at her. "Wait, plumes of smoke? Are you sure about that?"

Slowly, Shinano nodded as her gaze swept from side to side. "H-hai, and I'm seeing a number of explosions..." Then she furrowed her eyebrows. "And... what looks like clouds of flames running across the island? I... I'm not sure what I am seeing right now..."

Lips turning downwards into a scowl, Tenryuu shook her head as she grumbled. "Now that's just great..." Seeing the flinch and hearing the 'Sorry' from Shinano, she just sighed. "It's not your fault, kiddo. Hell, when dealing with wizards I'd be plenty surprised if any of us knew if we were seeing for ourselves."

Closing her eyes, Shinano rolled choices around in her head before she nodded. "I'm going to fuel and arm my combat planes, just in case. I'll, um, send up a CAP as well."

Just glancing at her, Tenryuu smiled as she clicked her sword into a drawing position. "You're the boss, but I think that you're making a great choice there." The smile that Shinano had at the compliment caused Tenryuu to smirk before she turned towards where the island was and did some calculations. 'Hmm... we're maybe an hour out at most. But what in the Hell is going on there...?'
__________________________________________________________________

Running across the uneven ground, and careful not to step in any of the puddles, Aaron clutched the cage close to him even as the being inside gave out warbles between it's own gasps. Even as some blood ran into his eyes, the young wizard did not stop to wipe it away, only blinking. Around him was a scene of chaos as a group of Abyssals mounted an attack, though None of them had even expected the attack which was announced by a group of Destroyers coming ashore and bringing down those wizards and witches that were in the air.

And then that was when their leader came ashore cackling.

The group of magicals had, and the survivors still were, putting up a fierce fight. But for every Abyssal Destroyer they took down, ten or more magicals died. And nothing they did against the Abyssal Leader did any lasting harm as she was regenerating, changing as she walked across the island. Shuddering, Aaron remembered what happened when she had grabbed Robert, the wizard helpless as she grinned and then... the screams before they trailed off into gurgles as she...

Unable to help himself, Aaron pulled behind a chunk of debris and emptied what little was left in his stomach. Panting, he swallowed and tried to dismiss the image even as his frame shuddered. Which was when he noticed that the noise from the battle had ceased. A quiet descended on the island which made him feel all the more unease.

It was... unnatural.

Before he could think on it, he could hear giggles from a distance away along with a crunch. Moments later, a voice reached his ears and his eyes widened. "And then there was one... Come out, come out, wherever you are? Don't worry about your friends... they're here with me now.

Trying to keep the noise of his gasps down, Aaron's eyes searched around. 'Where is she... where is she?!'

Yet again, the voice rang out. "Come on out, Aaron. Nothing to be afraid of, or do you want to play a little game first? Hide and seek is such a lovely thing to play. But be quick now, or the game will be over too soon!"

Unknown to what was once Light Cruiser Oni, Aaron spotted what he was looking for and he swallowed as he summoned up his courage. 'Almost... there... just a bit further!'

Breaking from his cover, he ran as fast as he could as Apparition was out due to the tainted magic of the island. Cackles echoed from behind him as the landscape blurred around him. "There you are Aaron! Better run fast, because I'm going to catch you and the game will be all over!"

Less then a minute later, Aaron leapt over the lip of a crater left behind from the first attack on the island by shipgirls and came to a large, glass container filled with a purple liquid. Placing the cage on top, he looked at the inhabitant with a sorrowful expression. "I'm really sorry about this... but... Thank you for going along with this."

All he got was a comforting warble as the two honey colored eyes watched him while the head they were in nodded as Aaron pulled out a knife and stuck it between the bars, hot blood splattering the bottom of the cage and he slowly relaxed only to stiffen as the giggle that had been haunting him sounded from behind. "Seems that the game has ended, oh well..."

Turning, Aaron glared up at the creature that was once Light Cruiser Oni, but had grown in size. On her face was a shark toothed grin as she giggled. The Abyssal organism that had once made up her lower half having split in two with each half having grown arms which helped propel her across the ground. Even as Aaron watched, black mist seeped up from the ground and entered the Abyssal which caused him to spit blood to the side. "Fuck you, bitch."

Mock sadness on her face, the Abyssal brought up a finger and placed it on her cheek as she shook her head. "My, my, what language. And it seems that you killed your little pet... Oh!" Suddenly, she stiffened and shuddered with a moan as her body warped and twisted unnaturally. Her back bent backwards and her pale skin split and tore in various places revealing black metal and grey, dead looking muscle underneath which bulged outwards as more was added. Black, rotten smelling blood and oil sprayed from the wounds and her fingers tore apart as claws grew from where nails once had been.
Less then a minute later, the rips and tears slowly closed as the Abyssal panted with blue, ghostly flames exiting her mouth before she grinned. "O-oh yes... yes... Such wonderful, wonderful darkness. And such strength. Mmm..." Slowly turning her attention back onto Aaron, she put one hand onto her hip and smirked before her tongue snaked out and licked a bit of blood off her cheek. "And here we got dessert..." However, much to her surprise Aaron started to laugh. "And what is so funny?"

Unable to help himself, Aaron slowly slid down the container as he looked up at her with a grin. "Because... you're about to be fucked. Bravo!"

Then he felt a hook in his stomach and was whisked away leaving the Abyssal screaming in rage as her prey escaped. After a few seconds, she scoffed and, at hearing a weak warble, looked at the red bird that seemed to be smirking at her as it was dying in a pool of blood. "What are you grinning at, you overgrown seagull."

Not saying anything else, the pheonix, which had willingly gone with the wizards after it was explained what they wanted, closed it's eyes and breathed one final tile and was still. Before a moment had passed though, it burst into flames that melted quickly through the cage bottom and then through the glass into the liquid. Said liquid was made with various ingredients such as salamander tails, ashwinder ash, dragon blood. The inventor wanted to create a magical form of kerosene, but the result was far too unstable and boosted magical flames to a massive degree.

A fact that the former Light Cruiser Oni discovered a moment later as it detonated in her face, scorching her clothing and skin from her body even as the shockwave lifted her upwards and outwards, her screech of agony lost among the sound of the explosion.
_____________________________________________________________________________

Fifteen miles away, Shinano flinched at the explosion and whimpered a bit as beside her, Louisiana stared at the slowly climbing fireball. "Merde..."

Mouth working, Akatsuki looked around in fear. "Di-did someone just set off a nuke!? That was a nuke, right?!"

Biting her lip, Tenryuu only shook her head, unable to take her eyes off what she was seeing. "I... I don't think so. It's just made of fire."

Shinano though ripped her attention away as Yukikaze was shaking like a leaf as she watched the explosion. "Y-Yamato-Sama... n-no..."

However, before the Carrier could even attempt to comfort her, her eyes widened as her planes started being flipped in the air and she could see the waves being flattened. "BRACE!"

Moments later, gale force winds swept over the group with a roar and they had to look away or use their hands to protect their eyes. And then, as quick as it had come, it was gone and the group blinked as they looked back at the island which was now aflame. Even where they were, they could feel the sheer heat and could see rivers of molten rock streaming from the island and running into the ocean. Clouds of steam obscuring the island as the mushroom cloud climbed even higher.

But something more important though was what they could feel. As they had approached the island, there was an oppressive feeling. The taint that had seeped into the very rock of the isle due to the dark crimes committed there and the Abyssal that had once called it home. And yet...

And yet...

Even now, they could sense that feeling weakening. Lifting with the smoke that rose into the air along with the heat. It was as if the fire that covered the island was burning the darkness away somehow. And all they could do was just stare even as they began to make a turn away from the boiling seas around it.

Then tears slipped from their eyes as they could almost hear a wordless song on the wind...

 

[darthcourt10]

MagisterAurelius

Ship of Fools part the Sixth

Christmas break of Harry's third year at Hogwarts.

Yokosuka Naval Base.

-0-

Harry walked into the dorm room assigned to his holiday guests carrying a tray of steaming mugs of cocoa complete with candy cane stir sticks and marshmallows. Upon entering he saw Ron, Neville and Draco's henchmen Crabbe and Goyle all playing Texas Hold Em, with no sight of the Malfoy heir.

"Is Draco not back yet?"

Goyle pushed five green tea flavored Kit-Kats into the pot as he answered, "Bet. No, he should be back soonish, but he and Johnston were doing that couples Christmas Eve thing in Tokyo with Captain Yonehana and his girlfriend."

"Call." Crabbe tossed five peach flavored Kit-Kats onto the growing pile of chocolate. "And his name is Yonehara you git."

Harry watched as Ron look at his cards, only to scoot them to the middle of the table. Neville fiddled with his stack of chocolates briefly until he took fifteen of them and pushed them into the pot. "R-r-raise."

"We did just meet him earlier, so I mixed up one letter." Goyle's eyes narrowed at the visible cards, two knaves, a nine and the turn had just dropped a ten. With his Queen and eight he had a solid straight, but with the knaves out there for Longbottom to raise his bet probably meant that he had a full house. "Fold."

Crabbe smirked over at his compatriot. "Really Goyle, you getting faked out by Longbottom? Re-raise." Crabbe added thirty Kit-Kats to the pot and grinned at Neville. Who simply counted out and added fifteen more chocolates.

"Call."

Ron, as dealer for the round, removed the burn card from the top of the deck and then drew and placed the river card next to the other four. "King. Your bet Crabbe."

Crabbe smiled as he looked again at his pocket pair of Kings. Looking wolfishly at Neville, Crabbe pushed his remaining chocolates into the pot. "All in."

Neville sighed. "How much is that bet Ron?" Upon receiving the exact amount from his friend, Neville then counted out the exact amount. "Call."

"Full house Longbottom." Crabbe revealed his hand and made to collect the pot. "You really shouldn't try to fake someone out with a stutter. That kind of tell will lose you your trousers mate." But he stopped on looking up at Neville's smile. And Crabbe paled as Neville revealed his hand.

"Four knaves beats a full house."

Much to Harry's surprise, Crabbe just shook his head and took up a cup of the cocoa. As Neville raked in the bounty of chocolate, Harry remarked to Crabbe. "Nice hand but losing it all like that..."

Crabbe waved dismissively. "It's no big deal Potter. It's not like I was betting anything I couldn't lose. Draco pays the bills after all."

"Correction, Draco's father covers the expenses Crabbe," Goyle chipped in.

Ron looked at the two with confusion. "Wait a minute, aren't you two Draco's friends?"

"We are," Goyle explained, "but more we were sort of told to be Draco's friends by our parents."

"It's more of an arranged friendship sort of thing. I know my parents wanted access to the Malfoy family's influence, and Draco's dad wanted to make sure that Draco would have friends in school. Both sides get what they want." Crabbe looked at Ron and Harry's shocked expressions with mild incredulity. "I thought you knew how things worked Weasley?"

Harry spoke quietly. "Does Draco know about this?"

Goyle looked uncomfortable. "I'm not sure..."

Crabbe just shrugged. "It's just the way things are done in wizard society according to my parents." His expression turned to that of a dog chewing hot pitch. "Draco's lucky though. At least he hasn't been arranged to marry... Elspeth Haghund-Strelny."

Ron gave Crabbe a sympathetic wince. Seeing Harry's confusion he then explained. "Harry, Elspeth attends Durmstrang. And she has the reputation of having the most unpleasant personality of all Durmstrang students past, present and possibly future. And with Durmstrang, that's some pretty stiff competition." The boys then turned to the chuckling Goyle, who pulled out a copy of the Daily Prophet and pointed to a picture in the society section.

"If her personality wasn't enough just look at your bride to be Crabbe. She's rounder than some of the ornaments on the Christmas tree. I'm just glad my family isn't pure enough to get stuck with that!" Goyle's laughter grew until he fell out of his chair. Which was enough of a distraction for all the boys present to miss the door of the dorm room close silently.

-0-

Draco Malfoy silently closed the door to the room. He had been with Johnston to catch a movie and watch the tree lighting ceremony in Shibuya earlier. It was fun just tagging along with the hyperactive destroyer. The only time that they hadn't been holding hands was at dinner and the warmth of her hand still was fresh in his memory. So the evening had been perfect. And he had come back to find out...

They're paid... to be my friends. Or, are they paid to pretend to be my friends?

Draco left the door building and walked lost in thought. He eventually found himself in a quiet, nearly deserted recreational room with a fridge and wet bar on one side. Nearly deserted with the exception of a spiky purple haired girl bent over and digging through the fridge. Draco pulled out a stool and sat at the bar.

"May I have something to drink?"

–

Jun'you bumped her head on the top of the fridge as she started from hearing a voice behind her. Already two thirds of the way to being completely sloshed, with a couple bottles guaranteed to get all three sheets to the wind in hand, Jun'you turned her head to see the blond haired schoolmate of Harry's at the bar. The tone of his request and his depressed demeanor warned the small remaining sober bit of her consciousness that now was a time to be a RESPONSIBLE ADULT.

"Sure, let's see..." She hunted for anything non-alcoholic in the fridge. But nary a club soda, Coke, or even a juice box was to be found. But then her eyes lit on a simple bottle. "Ah! Here we go!" Jun'you removed a bottle from the fridge and poured the golden bubbling liquid into a glass for the boy. "No Coke or anything but sparkling cider shouldn't hurt."

"Thank you Miss?"

"Jun'you... ah! I remember now. You're Draco Malfoy right? The one Johnston likes?"

"Yes." Draco took a drink. Then looked at his glass and took another drink. "It's kind of good." He then finished his glass and refilled it from the bottle.

"So what's with the long face kiddo? Johnston dump you or something?" Jun'you poured sake in her own glass.

"No nothing like that. Things with Johnston are great. She's tons of fun to be with." Draco sighed and polished off his second glass. Refilling it again, he continued "I just found out that my dad paid for my friends to be my friends...er... more like paid their parents to make them be my friends. How do I know if they are really my friends or not...."

Jun'you tried to keep a neutral expression going as Draco continued on in burgeoning teenage angst. Playing the role of the sympathetic bartender was new to her as she was usually doing the drunken unburdening of the soul, and just how many glasses has he had of that cider anyway? A creeping sense of sobriety informed her that the bottle was now two thirds empty, Draco was looking rather flushed, and the 18% alcoholic content on the label of Sparkling Hard Cider.

"Fuck me."

"Umm... we jusht met. I don zhink itz a gud idea. Johnzton wood be pisht. I havnt eben kished er yet."

Jun'you jumped in alarm. "No no no... I wasn't meaning that!" Suddenly a wave of relief washed over the light carrier as Harry entered the building. "Harry! Come help me get your friend back to the dorm okay?"

As Harry approached Malfoy, the blond boy spun on his heels, pointing at Harry. "Potter! 'Splane yourshelf. I dont underztand. Frenz... how you know they'z your frenz?"

Harry looked accusingly at Jun'you as he got a face full of Draco's breath. "What are you talking about Malfoy?"

"Frenz! How can frenz be really frenz if your dad payz em to be yer frenz?"

Harry winced as the realization hit him. "You overheard Crabbe and Goyle at the dorm didn't you?"

"Yesh! I dont unnerstanz... you haz lotz o frenz. Why doez Dad buy frenz for me? Whatz wrong wid me?" Draco began to almost wail at this point.

As Jun'you moved up and put a comforting hand on his back, Harry looked with alarm at Draco's face. That had gone from a red flush to a steadily pale greenish tone. Harry attempted to move back a step as Draco spoke again.

"I dun feel sho gud." And he then doubled over and vomited all over Harry's slippers.

-0-

So yay, finally finished with the whole Christmas break stuff. Now on to more of Draco's adventures with Johnston and... someone I've been planning on introducing for awhile now.

 

[darthcourt10]

Omake: "Most Annoying Advice"

Mr Trickman said:
DesDiv6 stops and blinks as a small, sooty chick appeared on Hibikis head in a flash of fire, thankfully not setting her hat alight.
Phoenix chick: *Chirp!*
Hibiki:"...Khorosho."
Inazuma with sparkling eyes:"Nanodesu!"

There's a recipe for three ingredient brownies using Nutella, self rising flour and eggs I think. Real simple and easy. Maybe use more Nutella as icing?

(Hibiki was the one the owl landed on right?)​

... I can see that happening.

And yes, Nutella icing is a thing (the Sobeys near me sells brownies with Nutella icing).

Tiypo said:
I think that was Inazuma, though I may be wrong; I think the pyro of the group would be more inclined to care for it anyways.​

Point, though I can see her and Hibiki sharing.

And have a small omake:
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Harry took a deep breath as he walked out into view of the crowds in the stadium to cheers. There, in front of him and glaring was the Hungarian Horntail mother protecting her eggs. A growl tore from it's mouth as it glared at him and Harry only gulped before pulling out his wand. The spell on his lips though died as he was distracted by Naka shouting something. Blinking, Harry slowly turned and it was then that he realized what she was saying...

And his eyebrow twitched in annoyance.

Meanwhile, up in the stands, Naka cupped her hands around her throat and shouted. "GET ON THE DRAGON'S BACK!" Ignoring the stares she was getting, the Light Cruiser grinned and shouted again. "GET ON THE DRAGON'S BACK!"

Several seconds later, she nearly collapsed in laughter as Harry gave her his answer. "FUCK YOU, NAKA-NEE! FUCK YOU FOR MAKING ME REMEMBER THAT!"

 

[darthcourt10]

MagisterAurelius

Well played sasahara... well done indeed.

Here's a minor after snip of my last bit. After action reports as you might take them.

-0-

Neville couldn't shake the impending sense of doom that Christmas morning. No matter where he walked, the feeling of an overshadowing prescence hounding his steps had started the moment he stepped out of the dorm. Picking up his pace, he turned the corner of a building, only to almost run into a girl. Wearing her gray and purple hair in a side ponytail with her right eye hidden by bangs, the girl beamed at Neville.

"Hello Neville-san. The morning frost today is lovely isn't it?"

"Y-y-yes it seems so. Miss?"

The girl blushed slightly and walked forward up to Neville. "No need for formality. My name is Asashimo, Neville-san." She ran an index finger down his chest as she smiled up at him. "You're very tall, Neville-san."

As Neville's brain crashed into the blue screen of death, he failed to notice the two destroyer girls approach or Asashimo's smile turn to a tight grimace at her sight of them.

"Oh wow. I had heard a rumor that Neville-san that scored a lot of sweet candy last night. I guess that candy means sex." The grey and dark blue haired destroyer girl pointed at Asashimo. "So this is how you become a battleship then! I wanna have sex with the wizard too Asashimo! I can't let you beat me to becoming a battleship!"

As Asashimo, red with rage, tackled her sister and began pummelling her, the chestnut haired girl standing out of the brawl waved her hand in front of Neville's face. "Neville-san?"

"Huh? Yes?"

"Sorry about that. Destroyers get pretty wound up about sweets. I'm Akigumo. May I use your likeness in a work of speculative fiction? All names are changed to protect the innocent and if it does well I even give the characters a royalty."

Neville looked at the girl. It sounded harmless enough and she was asking permission. "I guess so..."

"Thanks! Please sign this release form. Just legal boilerplate I have to do before I can draw anything."

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Leaning back in his chair, Goto clicked his pen open and close with a slighy frown on his face. "Any word yet back from Shinano's group?"

Nagato looked up from her own paperwork with a slight frown before glancing at a screen next to her. "No, last report was two hours ago and that Shinano was going to launch her scout planes as they were an hour away. Their next report will be in about a half hour unless they meet resistance."

Still clicking his pen, Goto only sighed. "I see..." Turning his chair, he blinked as he looked at the slightly cloudy sky. "Hmm... what do you think, Ooyodo? Rain later?"

Blinking, Ooyodo turned and regarded him with a blank look on her face. "... What?"

In reply, Goto just gestured outside. "The weather. It's getting a bit cloudy out after all and it is the rainy season."

Her expression still blank, Ooyodo fixed him with a stare. "... Really."

Putting his hands behind his back, Goto smirked a little bit. "Really."

Just blinking, Ooyodo only sighed and shook her head as she went back to work. "Weather report is not calling for rain, Teitoku."

With a hum, Goto held his cheek in one hand before waving a hand around. "True. But then, the weather reports have been wrong. And I don't want to get caught in the rain tonight." From her mutters, Goto knew that she was somewhat annoyed at his antics. Perhaps he should stop... 'Naaw.' Grinning, he looked over his shoulder at her. "Sorry, Ooyodo, I didn't catch that."

Simply sighing, the Light Cruiser looked at him. "Most likely not, though when it rains it pours."

Goto was about to reply when suddenly alarms went off throughout the base and he fell out of his chair from surprise. "What the fuck!?" Quickly scrambling from the floor, he paled as he remembered where he had heard those alarms again and, sure enough, his phone was ringing off the hook and he grabbed it. "Rear Admiral Isoroku Goto, where?"

Confused, Nagato glanced towards Ooyodo who shrugged before she went back to coordinating various happenings on the base as the siren continued to wail. Turing back to Goto, Nagato noticed that he was writing something on a piece of paper. "Teitoku-"

However, he just raised a hand to silence her and nodded. "I see... yes... okay... one moment... Just one? You're positive? Well, yes... I understand..." Ripping the sheet off the notepad, he handed it to Nagato. "Place it now!"

Only nodding, Nagato rushed over to the map and then looked at the coordinates on it as behind Goto continued his conversation. She was about to mark it down when she froze and did a double take. 'No...' Whipping her head around, Nagato shouted to be heard over the siren. "Teitoku! It's Nakanotorishima!"

Eyes widening, Goto looked up. "You're sure about that, Nagato?" At her nod, he only had one response to that. "Shit..." Turning back to the phone, Goto nodded. "Okay, we got it placed. Any more? What about the Sats?" Several moments of silence happened before he relaxed a bit. "No double flash? Yes... uh-huh... stay alert, and ready forces. Understood. Goto out."

When he placed the phone down, Nagato scowled a little bit. "What the hell is going on, Teitoku? And what is with that siren? It's not the one for an attack."

Much to her surprise, Goto started to laugh harshly as he ran his hands through his hair. "Oh, it's for an attack alright." His next words though froze Nagato to the core. "That siren is for an possible above ground nuclear detonation. The last time I heard that was during Blood Week..."

Shaking, Nagato could remember a double flash of light accompanied by the paint being burned from her hull, parts of her superstructure being warped and blistered from the heat as animals on her deck burst into flames, screaming as they were immolated. Other animals, below decks, surviving the explosion only to die in agony from poisoning. Then a second flash and her hull being lifted up in the water-

A sharp pain caused her to blink as she found her head turned to the side and she turned to see Ooyodo there with a pained wince on her face as she held out her hand. "-nap out of it!"

Quickly shaking it off, Nagato nodded. "R-right, a nuclear detonation... HARRY! HOPPOU!" Ooyodo jumped back at that as Nagato turned toward the door. "Harry's out on the base and Hoppou's at home-"

She stopped though as Goto placed his hand on her shoulder and stopped her. "Harry's alright, he's in the docks with the Submarines, Taigei, and Akashi. He's perfectly safe and likely already being herded into the shelter there by Akashi. Hoppou is likely being herded into the shelter outside the Battleship Dorms."

Calming down, Nagato slowly brought her panic under control. "Yes... of course, I forgot about that."

Only patting her on the shoulder, Goto turned back to Ooyodo. "Anyways, we're not sure that it was a nuclear explosion, but it was on the scale of one. Until further notice though, we're at the highest alert, understood? Ooyodo, get in contact with Shinano right now!"

The Cruiser nodded and was about to say something when she paused and held onto her headset. "I got Louisiana on the line now and... I don't know why, but there's interference and she's having trouble reaching us.'

If anything though, that caused Goto to frown and furrow his eyebrows. "EMP?"

Now calm, Nagato shook her head. "No, our transmissions are unaffected." At the look, she shrugged. "Apparently South Dakota performed an experiement and... it was powerful enough to knock out a warship's own coms, but shipgirl coms were unaffected."

Raising an eyebrow, Goto shook his head. 'Later, ask about it later.' Turning towards Ooyodo, he noted that she was writing down on her own notepad and frowned. "What's the word from them? Abyssals?"

However, she shook her head in confusion. "No... they don't know what caused them, but they're claiming that besides a mushroom cloud, the island is on fire? Yes, on fire."

Fingers tapping against the desk, Goto shook his head. "Was there a double flash?" After a few moments, Ooyodo shook her head and the Admiral grimaced. "What the hell happened out there...?"
________________________________________________________________________

Looking around as sirens began to sound, Harry's eyes widened. "Is there an attack?!"

Akashi was also looking around and frowned as she narrowed her eyes even as the Submarines clustered around the frightened, and still healing, Taigei. 'That's not the normal siren...' Outwardly, she shook her head. "I don't know... but we have things to do now!" Turning, the Repair Ship regarded Harry before leaning down and placing her hand on his shoulder. "Harry-Chan, I need your help, can you give it."

Part of Akashi was amused by the look he gave her as if she was an idiot, but the rest was just too concerned with what was going on. "Of course I'll give it, what do you need me to do?"

Making her way to one of the lockers nearby, Akashi practically threw it open before tossing the blankets at Harry. "I need you to wrap Taigei in these. Then I need you to bring her over there in the Pool. Be as gentle as possible, but hurry!" Looking at where she pointed, Harry grabbed the blankets and just jumped into the repair pool, sinking up to his stomach in the water before wading to where Taigei was. But Akashi was not done and gestured at Maruyu. "I need you to go into the closet marked 'Emergency', there's a... bin there we can fill with repair fluid and wheel along. It's what we use when we need to evacuate shipgirls too injured to move themselves."

The small Submarine just nodded and snapped off salute. "HA!"

Just then, Rose came running into the room and Akashi focused on her. "Rose! Is everything off in your kitchen?" At her nod, Akashi then pointed at the door. "Go and find me some of the personnel and tell them that if they do not stop sitting with their hands up their asses and show up, I am shoving my fucking crane up there!"

Eyes wide, the tsukumogami rushed off as Akashi then focused on the Submarines. "I need your help and getting the gurreny in place to lift Taigei out..."

As that was going on, Harry reached a panicking Taigei who was looking around unsure. "H-Harry-Chan?"

Looking at her, Harry just gave her his best smile to relax her. "Don't worry, Taigei-Chan, I'm right here." Dipping the blankets into the water to wet them, he looked over the Submarine Tender in front of him. "Um, can you place your arms in front of you? So that it's easier to get these around you?"

Even as she nodded, Taigei did as asked. Though a moment later, she blushed as Harry began to gently wrap her in the blankets. "Uh..."

Harry only flinched as she hissed in pain. "S-sorry."

The shipgirl only shook her head. "I-it's okay, Harry-Chan. I know that you don't mean it and trying to be careful." Another wince escaped her and she bit her lip. "It's okay."

It was only a few moments before he had the blankets that Akashi had given him wrapped around her and he could see Akashi now directing the Submarines to lower the gurney that was normally hung from the rafters down. With a deep breath, Harry placed his arms underneath Taigei. "I'm going to lift now, okay?"

With a swallow, Taigei nodded. "Hai... and thank you."

Blinking, Harry just shrugged and gave her a shaky smile. "No problem, Taigei-Chan. Besides, you're a friend and I couldn't leave you."

Unknown to him, that only caused Taigei's blush to deepen, though a moment later she flinched as Harry lifted her so that he could bring her to the gurney being lowered. Normally, he couldn't have held her, but the water and her own boyancy helped and soon the two of them were getting close with Taigei leaning against him. 'O-oh my...'

Not long after, she was strapped in by Harry and he gave the thumbs up to Akashi who nodded and turned towards the Submarines as Maruyu returned pushing the bin. "Okay, you bunch, we're going to lift her out of the water and then I need you, Harry and..." Two members of the Dock personnel then appeared and Akashi shot them glares before pointing at the pool. "You two, help the kid push the gurney towards the tub so we can lower it and Taigei into it. NOW!"

The two just nodded and without any hesitation leapt into the pool and joined Harry as Akashi joined the Subgirls holding the chain. One of the two men gave her a thumbs up. "We're ready, Boss!"

Rolling her eyes, Akashi made sure that she had a good grip on the chain and looked at Rose who blinked. "Rose, as we're doing this I need you to fill the tub with repair fluid." All Rose did was nod and grab one of the buckets nearby before scooping repair fluid from the pool and dumping it into the tub. At the same time, Akashi grit her teeth. "Okay... on three... One... two... THREE! PULL!"

Each of the Subs held on as they pulled back on the heavy anchor chain with Akashi. Hissing through her teeth, Iku strained as they used every bit of engine power to lift the Submarine Tender from the water. "Come... On..."

Limbs shaking from strain, Akashi grunted. "Put your backs into it! Pull! Pull!"

Once the gurney was above the lip of the pool, Harry and the two men scrambled to push the it towards the tub which was now half filled with repair fluid. "Got it!"
Nodding as she huffed and puffed, Akashi took a moment. "Okay, time to lower her gently into the water. With me now!"

It was much quicker lowering her then it was to lift her and soon, Taigei was in the bin and Harry was beside her. "Are you okay, Taigei-Chan? Not hurt?"
All she did was shake her head and give him the best smile that she could. "No, I'm not hurt... thank you, Harry-Chan."

Feeling a hand on his head, Harry looked up to see Akashi there winking. "Great job, Kiddo. And in less then eight minutes! Now let's get to the shelter just in case." She snapped her fingers at the two men who took up a place on either side of the tub and began to push it and it's passenger towards the shelter. 'I only hope that nothing more happens... And I am running emergency drills for the next month!'

Several minutes later, they were inside the shelter and Akashi grabbed the heavy door and shouted out. "ARE PERSONNEL ALL SECURED?"

One of the people there nodded. "ALL SECURED AND ACCOUNTED FOR!"

Taking a deep gulp of air, Akashi let it out. "Right... CLOSING DOCK SHELTER DOOR! REPEAT, CLOSING DOCK SHELTER DOOR!" Normally, said door would take several people to close, but Akashi easily pulled it shut with a bang before locking it in place as the emergency batteries came on and provided light and air. Turning, she smiled as she clapped her hands. "And now... we wait."

Not having been there before, Taigei looked around. "Um... we'll be safe here, right?"

In reply, Akashi rapped her knuckles against the concrete. "Yeah, easily." She then frowned some as she quickly examined Taigei. "How are you feeling?"

The Submarine Tender only smiled up at her. "I'm alright, a little sore, but..."

Only nodding, Akashi patted her on the head. "Good to hear. Harry? I'm leaving her in your care for now, okay? I got to contact headquarters and find out what's going on."
Snapping a salute, Harry nodded. "Hai! I'll take good care of Taigei-Chan!"

A small smirk at the blush that crossed said shipgirl's face, Akashi just nodded and saluted Harry back. "I know that you will." With that, she walked towards the small office which contained the radio to contact the rest of the base. 'Now to find out what in the hell is going on...'

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Not the best, but...
___________________________________________________________________________________

"Did you manage to get in contact with them?"

Blinking, Louisiana nodded as she held one hand to her ear. "I have... hurrah for late war flagship capabilities."

With a slow nod, Shinano turned back to the island that they were now passing. The mushroom cloud that rose high above had lost much of it's shape and was now trailing in the direction of the wind. But the island on the other hand was still aflame. Even where they were, several miles offshore, they could feel the blistering heat as molten rock continued to flow and the earth shook. 'I wonder what happened here?'

Then an she heard a sigh and turned to see Inazuma looking at the island. But rather then the horror, disbelief, or fear on the other shipgirls' faces, the Destroyer had one of pure awe. "So... pretty... Nanodesu..."

Needless to say, that got her several looks before Tenryuu sighed. "I wonder about her sometimes... What is with her and fire?"

Just as Hamakaze was about to comment though, her eyes widened some as a chunk of reef detonated as they came around the corner of the island. "TORPEDOES!"

From where she was, Hibiki could just spot a torpedo heading for her and timed it's approached. At the moment it would have reached her, the little Destroyer leapt into the air with it harmlessly passing beneath her. When she landed though, she froze as she spotted what was coming out of the steam and smoke around the island.

A Princess Class Abyssal.

However, what made it worse was it seemed like large portions of her skin had been burned off and, even now, were smoking. One half of her face was nothing more then charred bone and metal as the sightless hollow where her eye was burned with a blue flame. Her good eye though focused on them and burned as well, but with pure hate. "Ship... girls... I will... send you... to the bottom!"

Moments later, she let loose with yet more torpedoes as a cackle ripped out of her throat. One of the Torpedoes managed to catch Louisiana and cause tore a chunk off her foot. "FUCK!"

And the Princess just laughed at Louisiana. "Yes... yes! I can feel... your pain! So... delicious and soon... I will have you with... me... making me stronger."

They had just started to fire on her when the Princess moved and then was in front of a frightened Akatsuki with her skeletal, nearly claw like hands stretched out to grab the Destroyer's neck. Before she could reach her though, there was a clang of metal against metal and Tenryuu and Tatsuta stood there with their weapons blocking the Princess. Snarling, the "Chunni-Boat" glared at the Princess. "Like Hell you're touching my daughter!"

Cackling, the Princess's hand closed around Waterline even as the blade bit deep into bone. "And in Hell... we shall all live!"

Tenryuu only had a moment to widen her eyes alongside Tatsuta before both were tossed away and fired on by the Princess' lesser guns. Guns that still, nonetheless, tore chunks from them. When the Princess turned back to Akatsuki though, the Destroyer glared at her before the Oxygen Torpedoes hit home, the explosions ripping one of the Princess' legs off as she screeched in pain and then backhanded the Destroyer. Such was the force that Akatsuki went skipping across the waves before coming to a stop with a groan.

Which was when the Princess found Tenryuu's blade punching through her back and out her chest as the bloodied Cruiser panted. "WHAT PART OF DON'T FUCKING TOUCH MY KID DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND!?" Yanking her blade free, Tenryuu hopped back in time for the torpedoes from Hamakaze and Isokaze to strike. Plumes of water obscured the Princess, but when they cleared, she was still there if looking worse for wear.

But even worse was how it looked like she was slowly regenerating from the hits, if slower each time.

Something that became moot as Shinano's planes then went on the attack, soon followed by Louisiana opening fire with her main battery and forcing the Princess to shield her face as the other Destroyers as well as Tenryuu and Tatsuta joined in. For a moment as the Abyssal collapsed to her knees, it looked like the fight was about to be over. But then she lunged forward towards Yukikaze who began to move to dodge. "N-no! I WILL... NOT DIE... LIKE THIS! NOT... IN THIS... PLACE! I SHALL... HAVE ALL... ON THEIR KNEES!"

Just as she was about to reach the Destroyer though, Shinano was with her fist wound up before it smashed into the Princess' face. "Leave her alone!" Then, grabbing some of the stunned Abyssal's hair, Shinano yanked her forward as the Carrier brought her own knee up and burying it in the Princess' gut. "LOUISIANA!"

Grinning, the Battleship grabbed one of the Princess' arms as Shinano grabbed the other. "Right here, Ma chère!"

Together, the two picked up the Abyssal Princess and redlined their engines as they twirled the Abyssal around. Once, twice, and on the third rotation, they let go causing the Princess to fly into the air and towards the still flaming island. Shinano then looked towards Louisiana and nodded. "If it flies..."

Louisiana grinned at that as she took aim with her five inchers, forty mills, and twenty mills. "It dies." Almost at the same time as she began to fire her guns, the Destroyers did the same as did Tenryuu and Tatsuta. Even Shinano joined in as the impacts and explosions carried the Abyssal Princess further and further away until she dropped out of sight and into the flames with a screech. "Ma chère, spot for me!"

Only nodding, Shinano narrowed her eyes as she connected with her planes yet again. "Will do."

Even as she began to feed information to Louisiana, the Abyssal Princess tried to stand up in the flames. But unlike before where her hull was able to keep them out, it was now riddled with holes and tears. Holes and tears that the purifying flames entered through and began to greedily devour everything in their path as they burned through bulkheads and doors. It was a mercy moments later when first Shinano's planes dropped their bombs and torpedoes on her, the heat of the flames causing the former to cook off and explode. Then she was finished as Louisiana fired, her Mark 8s slamming into the dying Princess and finishing her off.
Wincing from the pain of her wounds, Louisiana glanced towards Shinano. "Is she...?" The Support Carrier soon relaxed and the Battleship followed. "Good, Ma chère. That was rather-"

Tenryuu spat out a glob of blood and oil before interrupting her. "Easy?" At the nod, she snorted. "She was half dead as it was, so don't get cocky..." Then Tenryuu glanced around uneasily. "Still... where there's one Princess there's more Abyssals. And I don't know about you, but I think we shouldn't borrow more trouble then we already have."

From where she stood, Inazuma nodded as she put Akatsuki's arm around her shoulders to support her sister. "Yeah, we should be heading back, Nanodesu."

Slowly nodding, Shinano took a deep breath. "Y-yes, that's actually a good idea."

With that, the group turned and began to head back towards Yokosuka, the injured among them being watched over by Shinano and the others. Meanwhile, behind them, the last bits of what had been the Light Cruiser Oni, who had become Light Cruiser Water Princess, burned to ash and molten metal as embers rose from what had become her funeral pyre.

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

When the doors to the shelter opened, Harry blinked at the sight that met them. "Mum?"

A relived expression on her face, Nagato simply hugged her adopted son close. "It's good to see you, Harry."

More then a little confused, Harry hugged her back with a frown on his face. After a few seconds though, he pulled back some. "What's going on, Mum? Is it the Abyssals?"

Slowly, Nagato shook her head with a frown. "We're... not quite sure yet. But every thing is alright now. I just wanted to see you before I head back to Teitoku as I'm... not going to be home until it's real late."

Nodding, Harry furrowed his eyebrows. "Does that mean that I'm taking care of Hoppou tonight?"

With a small chuckle, Nagato ruffled his hair. "Yes, you'll be taking care of Hoppou tonight. But Kongou will be just down the hall if you need anything and I think that Rose will be home as well." The tsukumogami nodded as Nagato looked at her. "So you should be fine until I get home, okay?"

Harry shrugged a little bit though he had a smile on his face. "Sure Mum, but... um..."

Seeing him glance to where Taigei was in a bin, the Battleship smiled. "You can make sure that Taigei-San gets to the repair pools again, but head home after that. Understood?"

In reply, Harry snapped off a small salute that nearly caused Nagato to laugh. "Hai!"

Just shaking her head, Nagato pulled him into another hug. "Good, I'll see you when I get home."

Moments later though, the Battleship was leaning against the wall with a sigh, only to blink as Rose held up a cup of black tea. "Here you go, Miss Nagato."

Grateful, Nagato took it and sighed as she sipped. "At least I got you to stop calling me Mistress Nagato..." A shudder then went through her body. 'Because that brings images to my mind that I would rather not have.'

Only nodding, Rose frowned a little bit. "Of course... is there anything that you want me to do while you're gone?"

Taking a few seconds to consider her response, Nagato finally nodded. "Stay close to both Harry and Hoppou tonight. I doubt anything more will happen today, but..." She then shrugged. "That way I know that the two of them will be safe."

Rose frowned, but made a noise of agreement. Then the tsukumogami bit her lip and looked around to see no one within listening distance, or at least no humans. "If it would be okay, may I ask what happened? Those were not the usual sirens after all."

Humming, Nagato became thoughtful before sighing. "I have no doubt that it will be all over the news soon enough, Rose. But there was an explosion at Nakanotorishima that was... like a nuclear device in size. We're not sure what happened, but to be safe I want you ready to get Harry and Hoppou to the shelters as soon as possible."

Eyes wide, Rose nodded. "Of course, their safety is paramount."

Softly smiling, Nagato reached down and patted her on the shoulder. "Thank you. And I know that they'll be in safe hands with you." The smile she got was enough to lift her spirits some and Nagato finished off her tea before holding out the cup. "I hate to bother you, but could I have another cup? I'm going to need all the caffine I can get."

Giggling, Rose took the cup and then placed her hand over the top. "Certainly." When she pulled it away a moment later, said cup was full of steaming, black tea. "Here you go, just the way you like it."

The shipgirl just stared for a moment at the offered cup before taking it. After a few seconds though, she shook her head and sighed. "I shall never understand how you do that."

With another giggle, Rose gave her a wink and tipped the brim of her hat. "Um, MSTSB?"

Pausing for a moment, Nagato blinked and then gave her a look. "'MSTSB'?"

Slightly blushing, Rose nodded. "Magical Sparkly Tea Set... um..."

To her surprise though, that got her a snort from Nagato who looked like she was about to laugh. "Thank you, Rose. I needed that."

Although somewhat bemused, Rose only nodded. "You're welcome."
__________________________________________________________________________

In a sound not unlike a crack, Arthur appeared on a stone road and sighed. 'All done.'

However, he suddenly jumped as a voice sounded behind him. "So all done with your inspection, Arthur?" Turning, the red haired wizard blinked at the cat woman who was watching him as she leaned against a fence post. "Hmm?"

Putting his hand against his chest to calm down his heart, Arthur let out a sigh. "I hate it when you do that, Katrina. Why?"

Tail swishing to and fro, Katrina chuckled before picking a non-existant piece of lint from her sleeve and flicking it away with one clawed hand. "Because it's fun, Arthur... and I need all the fun that I can get with what is coming."

For a moment, Arthur considered the woman in front of him as he considered how much she had changed from her days at Hogwarts. She had been in the same year as him and Molly in school and, despite being known for being a dark witch and from a dark family, she had never been a supporter of Voldemort unlike some. In fact, after her father's unfortunate death, which had rumors surrounding it, she had become the head of her family. Under her, she had kept her family away from Voldemort despite the pressure to join him. And, despite not being an official member of the Order of the Pheonix, Dumbledore had asked Arthur to approach her and sound out if she would support them. However, she preferred to stay neutral in regards to the war. That was, until one day when someone had slipped her Polyjuice with a cat hair. With how she was unable to be turned back, she lost her position and was sent to Saint Brendan's Isle.

Years later, when he met her on one of his visits as a Ministry Official, Arthur was surprised when she laughed at the news her family had been destroyed in the war after joining Voldemort. When he had asked, she just looked at him with a bloodthirsty grin. "I had warned them, and look at what it got me. Backstabbed by my own flesh and blood in favor of a maniac who would lead them to death and ruin. They are now dead and I am alive in the end."

Of course, in the years since she had changed after adopting a young orphan and had become the leader of the island. A position that she held not least because she cared for her adopted nation. Something that Arthur was glad to see, if only because it made things easier.

Arthur was brought out of his thoughts though as he realized that Katrhrine had asked him something. "Sorry about that... What did you ask me?"

More then a little amused, Katrina shook her head. "I was wondering if you found anything out of the ordinary on your inspection. Especially as one of my fliers stated he saw you on one of our mountaintops."

Freezing, Arthur felt sweat drip down his back as he remembered the 'Beacons' that Admiral Cunningham had asked him to place before he smiled a little nervously. 'Bloody hell...'

Just as he was about to say something though, Katrina shrugged and pushed off the fence post. "None of my business if you want to go sight see, I suppose..." Her gaze then became somewhat melancholy. "After all, this is going to change soon enough."

Unable to help himself, Arthur winced. "Katrina, for what it's worth, I'm sorry-"

Holding up a hand, she snorted. "You have nothing to be sorry about Arthur. I have my sources you know and you're the last person to feel that way. No..." Lips turning up in a sneer, she looked in the direction that Arthur knew was the ICW compound. "They're the ones who should be sorry."

With a sigh, Arthur shook his head. "I'm just sorry that I couldn't do more to help."

For almost a minute, Katrina stood there until she looked at him. Oddly, her examination made Arthur feel as if he was a mouse in front of a cat before she suddenly nodded. "Well, you've helped a lot already, Arthur. Especially with those notes of yours that you slipped us under the table during your visit last year."

Blinking, it took a moment for him to realize what she was talking about. "Ah, the ones that you were using to enchant that bus for students?"

Very slowly, Katrina nodded before she gestured for him to follow her. As they walked, she placed her hands behind her back. "You know, Arthur, this would not be the first time that our island has been abandoned by the ICW. There have been other times."

That got her a look as Arthur tried to piece together what she was not telling him. "The war against Grindlewald, right?"

A grin on her face, the cat woman nodded as one of her ears twitched. "Yes, that is one example as the ICW was more focused on the European mainland then us. Of course, they ignored how Grindlewald sent raids against us. But there were other times. What the Muggles call the First World War, the fight against Elric the Bloody Skull in France back during the 1880s, and so on. Which is why back in the 1880s, we created a self-defense force for use when the ICW pulled out troops and we were left defenseless."

Wincing at that reminder, Arthur nodded as he could not hear distant explosions. "Made up mostly of what educated magic users among the islanders there are."

Eyes narrowing, Katrina let out a hiss. "Yes, though we're not technically allowed to set up a school..." Then she interrupted Arthur's response. "Once more, not your fault. Just stupidity as some don't count us as human. But we are also allowed to have... other items, as it were."

Raising an eyebrow, Arthur was about to comment when they came out to a clearing in the woods and he stopped. Tearing it's way across a field was a machine that he recognized, if only due to it's descendants he had seen rather often. "Is... that a tank!?"

Unable to help herself, Katrina let out a laugh. "Yes, yes it is. A Sherman I believe was what the Muggles called it. Though... we have made some modifications."

Slowly, Arthur turned towards her even as the tank fired with a part of him noting that the sound was being magically suppressed. "How? Where did you come across that?"

Watching as it fired again at a target which went up, Katrina sighed. "We have always had a number of us who can dive rather deep. We also had good relations with mermaids in the area of course." Placing a hand on the wooden railing, she looked down at her claws. "During the war against Grindlewald, the Muggles were fighting their own war. The people of the isle are not stupid, Arthur. They knew that Grindlewald's philosophy had no place for those like us in it."

It took a moment, but then he realized what she was hinting at. "Sunken ships..."

Katrina nodded as she turned towards him. "Yes, as distasteful as it may seem, the islanders of the time with help from mermaids salvaged various materials from ships sunken by both sides. What they could use to fight was top priority. They were also helped by sailors they found adrift or who managed to washup. Of course... they couldn't exactly leave after. And with the end of the war, we placed it all in storage under stasis charms. The ICW of the time knew though they didn't care as it was muggle stuff, but it seems they forgot we had them. Tanks, guns, even a few of those aeroplanes. And now we're bringing them all out and with the help of your notes, we can use them."

Blood draining from his face, Arthur stared at her as she looked out at the tank. "You cannot be serious, Katrina!? You're going to fight the Abyssals!? Anyone who does will-"

Cutting him off, she sighed. "Die? Of course, I know that and so does anyone else." Turning towards him, she blinked away some tears. "But what else can we do, Arthur? This is our home and we can do no less. Yes, we fully expect to die, but Merlin willing... we'll make them pay for each one of us that die, for each bit of land they take. We'll fight for our homes and each other. If our positions were reversed, would you do no less?"

For almost a minute, Arthur was silent and then he turned away. "No... I couldn't stand by if I was in your place."

With a nod, she turned back to the tank which now had a young man, though he had horns growing out his head, pop out of the hatch and give a whoop. "If it helps... I only authorized volunteers. The problem of course..."

The red haired wizard only nodded. "Is that you got more volunteers then you wanted." When she nodded, he ran a hand through his hair as he fought an internal battle. Finally he nodded. "If... if I was to tell you something that you needed to keep a secret from any members of the Ministry or from the ICW, would you?"

Eyes narrowing, she turned fully towards him. "I would, you know that there's no love lost between me and them. Why?" Glancing around, Arthur leaned in and whispered into her ear. Slowly, Katrina's eyes widened and her breath caught in her throat before turning towards him with hope. "Are you serious, Arthur? Because if you are lying..."

Shaking his head, the wizard gave her a small smile. "No, I'm not. Lying that is... But you do realize why this has to be kept secret, I hope?"

Lips curling upwards, Katrina laughed. "I do, and I only wish that I could see their reactions when that gets out." Then her expression turned gentle. "Thank you, Arthur. I know more then most what the fallout for you might be if it gets out that you were in anyway involved."

However, Arthur only shrugged. "Like you said, we can only do what we can."

Tapping a claw against her chin, Katrina suddenly smiled a little bit. "As you did that... I think that I shall show you one final surprise."

When she held out a hand, it only took a few seconds for Arthur to nod and gasp it. Then he felt himself pulled through a tube and, when he landed, he could smell the nearby sea and hear the waves. Finding himself a short distance from some cliffs, he frowned. "Where are we?"

A slight smile on her face, Katrina gestured for him to follow her. "We're by Springwater Cove. It's not very big and surrounded by cliffs. But we're making a few more preparations for the Abyssals here."

Curious, Arthur followed her and soon was walking down some steps. Down below, he could just see several of the inhabitants of the island working on ships. "What are those?"

Glancing in that direction, Katrina nodded. "Old landing ships from the muggle's Second World War. We've mostly used them for fishing, but now we're arming them. But that's not the big thing..." Her grin then became wide showing her fangs as they came around a corner and she could hear Arthur freeze. "This is."

For almost a minute, the wizard was unable to say a thing and then slowly turned towards her. "Is... that a Muggle warship?"

Proud of what she was seeing, Katrina chuckled though it was bittersweet. "It seems that back in the 1880s, they found an old shipwreck with quite a bit of treasure on it nearby. With it, and through the goblins, the islanders managed to have her built under the table as it were and brought here. Last time she was out, she was sinking some of the magical ships that Grindlewald used to raid the island. And now she's heading out again to defend us though against a overwhelming force..."

Frowning as he examined the ship that laid at anchor, various people on her decks and working to get her to working order, Arthur raised an eyebrow. "I've never seen a ship like that before."

All that Katrina did was shrug. "I'm not surprised, she only had one sister. Though..." Becoming thoughtful, she frowned. "I do remember a muggle friend of a muggleborn who settled here writing a book based on the island and having the ship appear in another novel he wrote just before the the end of the nineteenth century. Never read the story, but apparently it was quite popular..."

 

[darthcourt10]

Harry Leferts

Glancing back at the rest of the Convoy now that they were past Wake and heading for the next checkpoint as the Sun descended towards the horizon, Enterprise noticed something out of the corner of her eye. Yamato was looking towards where Japan was over the horizon with her fingers tapping out a beat on one of her turrets. Some other shipgirls would have assumed that she was just bored, but after so much time together, Enterprise knew better. "Something wrong, Princess?"

If she was startled out of whatever thoughts she had, the Battleship did not show it as she glanced at Enterprise. "I, Yamato, am just looking forward to getting home."

However, that only caused Enterprise to raise her eyebrows. "Uh-huh. That's bull, or at least partially anyways. We still have to clear Marcus Island checkpoint before we're in the clear."

Eyebrow twitching, Yamato held back a sigh. "Minami-Tori-Shima, Enterprise-San, not Marcus Island."

All the American Carrier did though was shrug. "Eh, to-mat-o, to-ma-to." Then she frowned some as the pensive look was back on Yamato's face. "So what's eating at you because I know that it's more then that. Sure, it might take a bit longer because we're being told to swing... south..." Narrowing her eyes as Yamato froze, Enterprise frowned. "Wait, is it because of the explosion?"

Knowing that it was now out in the open, Yamato grimaced some. "My sisters are based in Yokosuka and..."

Slowly, Enterprise nodded some. "And since Yokosuka would be high on any list for nukes, you're worried about them, Princess?"

Even though it was phrased as a question, both of them knew that it wasn't though Yamato nodded. "I am."

After a few moments, Enterprise sighed and shook her head. "Can't say that I blame you, Princess." When Yamato turned towards her, she continued. "Yorkie and Hornet are back in San Diego, which is also a target." Tilting her head, Enterprise looked towards the back of the convoy. "I'm just happy that Wasp is here where I can keep an eye on her."

Yamato glanced back and her rangefingers could just spot the smaller Carrier at the very back. "Indeed." Suddenly, her phone beeped and she pulled it out to look. Before Enterprise's eyes, she relaxed. "It's from Mushashi."

Chuckling, Enterprise reached over and gave Yamato a playful punch to the arm. "See? I tolf you that there was nothing to... worry about..." The Carrier though trailed off as Yamato's eyes widened and then her expression turned into one of barely kept rage. "Princess?"

With a deep breath, Yamato slowly let it out. Then she closed her eyes and hummed before giving a smile. "I, Yamato, may kill him when I arrive in Yokosuka."

Eyebrow raising at that, Enterprise simply blinked. "Kill? Kill who?"

The smile that was on Yamato's face caused the Carrier to shiver for reasons that she did not know. Oddly, it reminded her of one of Tatsuta's smiles. "Teitoku, of course."

More then a little perturbed, Enterprise coughed into one fist before glancing away. "And... why would you need to kill your Admiral?"

On Yamato's face, the smile grew slightly bigger. "Apparently, he received reports of wizards on Nakanotorishima and sent Shinano-Chan and some others there to investigate."

It took only a few moments for Enterprise to connect the dots. But when she did, her eyes widened slightly as she cursed. "Fuck, isn't that where..." Getting a nod, Enterprise winced. "Is she okay?"

Grateful for the concern, the Battleship nodded. "Yes, Shinano-Chan is okay apparently, though she was quite close when the explosion happened. At worst, the explosion caused a scare."

Relaxing, Enterprise sighed. "That's good to hear, she's a good kid after all." Suddenly chuckling, she shook her head. "Then again, she's a fucking floating fortress. Got a lot of potential in her..." At seeing the still angry look though, Enterprise's smile faded. "That's not all though, is it?"

With a grimace, Yamato shook her head. "No... because apparently there was an Abyssal Princess on the island when the explosion happened. A Princess that then attacked them."

Head snapping up, Enterprise stared at her. "The fuck!? But Hornet bombed that place back to the Stone Age, how the hell was there a Princess there? And I thought that you said that your sister was okay?"
Only shaking her head, Yamato frowned. "She is okay, apparently the Princess was badly damaged enough that they defeated her with only moderate damage to their group." Then she blinked and frowned as she noticed something. "That's rather odd, Mushashi-Chan sent me a video attachment. Something that was pieced together from video taken from the others?"

Coming close, Enterprise pressed herself against Yamato's arm as she craned her neck to look. "Show me."

Face somewhat flushed, Yamato gave her fellow the best glare that she could. "Do you mind, Enterprise-San?"

However, Enterprise just looked up at her and smirked a bit at seeing the small blush. "What's wrong, Princess? You seem rather flushed."

Eyebrow twitching, Yamato grumbled a bit. "Have you no shame in your body at all? Or respect for personal boundaries?"

Slowly, the Carrier grinned. "Nope! None at all." Then she laughed a bit. "Besides, do you know how many would kill to have me like this?" If anything, that caused Yamato's flush to increase before she turned back to her phone. Inside Enterprise's hull, one of her fairies went up to a large chalk board and replaced the number under Enterprise's name with the next highest. Beside it, there was Yamato's name with a rather high number underneath it. 'Gotcha!'

Unknown to Enterprise though, there was grumbles inside of Yamato from her fairies as they added a number to the scoreboard under Enterprise's name. In an attempt to distract herself, Yamato brought up the video and the two watched it. Once it was done though, Yamato blinked. "Did... did Shinano-Chan actually..."

Enterprise was the one who finished the sentence. "Beat the shit out of the Abyssal? Yes, yes she did. That was totally awesome by the way."

With a smirk on her face, Yamato nodded. "Of course, she is a Yamato after all."

Rolling her eyes, Enterprise waved her off. "Nah, it's because she's a Carrier. We're better then Battleships after all."

Just snorting, Yamato gave her a narrowed eyed look. "A Carrier converted from a Battleship, need I remind you. A Yamato class hull."

Yet again, Enterprise waved her off. "Sure, which means that she's armored and got a larger flight deck. Still a Carrier which automatically makes her better then a Battleship... or one of those Aviation Battleships."

Eyebrow twitching, Yamato was about to say something when she suddenly hummed with a smile. A combination that caused Enterprise to wait for the next volley. "Point, she certainly has a larger... flight deck then some."

It took a moment, as well as realizing where Yamato was looking, but Enterprise growled. "Again with the breast jokes. Seriously getting old, Princess. Do you always go for the low hanging fruit, or is it that you can't do any better?"

One eye opened, the Japanese shipgirl only smirked. "I, Yamato do not know what you mean by that, Enterprise-San. Besides, as the fable states, one should not ignore the grapes hanging lower for ones that are higher and perhaps more sour."

Giving her a narrowed eyed look, Enterprise frowned. "Did you just quote fucking Aesop at me? And at least I do not need shell caps from those oversized pea shooters of yours for my chest."

Eyes widening, Yamato soon narrowed them in a glare. "I, Yamato would have you know that I, Yamato, use them for support only and to not make my sister Musashi jealous. I do not use them to... pad myself out!"

Simply humming, Enterprise nodded as she poked Yamato. "Sure you do. I believe you."

With a growl, Yamato was about to say something when she realized something and blinked. Then her expression turned sly. "Wait a moment... how would you know what I use for such things unless..." A fake gasp then escaped her as she gave the American a scandlized expression. "Oh my, I, Yamato, always knew that you Americans could be rather open. But I never thought that Enterprise, the Grey Ghost, would be a pervert towards her fellow shipgirls!"

Blinking, Enterprise turned the conversation over in her head and slowly got redder. "I... you... It's not fucking like that!" At the smirk she got, the Carrier snarled and poked Yamato. "It's fucking hard not to notice those oversized fuel tanks of yours!"

However, she did not expect Yamato to look away and chuckle. "Oh my. So you have been looking I see."

Steadily getting redder, Enterprise snarled. "FUCK YOU, JAP!"

All Yamato did was fan her face. "Oh my... how forward, Enterprise."

Way at the back, Wasp looked up as she could just barely hear her sister's scream over the radio before sighing. "They're at it... again."

Beside her, Maya frowned as she sighed. "Because of course those two are." Putting her hand over her eyes, the Heavy Cruiser groaned. "Should we tell them that we can hear them over the radio?"

Considering it, Wasp finally shrugged. "Nah, besides it's letting the two of them blow off some steam and it's only on our channels, not the Convoy's. And both of them should remember that they still got their radios going."

Maya slowly nodded as continued to listen in. "True, and they can get rather inventive once they get a full head of steam." Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out a bag and opened it before offering it to Wasp. "Popcorn?"

With a chuckle, Wasp just reached over and took a handful as they continued to listen to the verbal spar. "Don't mind if I do."
_______________________________________________________________________

There was a confused expression on Shinano's face as she looked down at White Plains who was looking up at her with a large smile. "Um..." Smile widening, White gestured for her bend down. Glancing at Louisiana who seemed rather amused, Shinano did so. "Um, Kaa-San-"

She was cut off as White Plains threw her arms around Shinano's neck with a laugh. "I heard what happened! And then Musashi sent me video! That was so awesome and I am so proud of you, Shinano!"

Mouth working silently for a few moments, Shinano flushed though there was a small, pleased smile on her face. "R-really? You're proud?"

Pulling away slightly so that she could look at Shinano directly, White nodded. "Yup! You beat up that Princess really, really good! It was so cool!"

The smile on Shinano's face could have brightened up the entire room with how much happiness there was there. Biting her lip, the Support Carrier buried her face in White's hair. "O-oh... thank you, Kaa-San."

Simply hugging her tightly again, White nodded. Moments later though, she patted Shinano on the cheek. "You're welcome. But you should get to bed because we got a busy day tomorrow."

Eyes wide, Shinano blinked at that. "We do?"

Nodding, the small Escort Carrier was practically vibrating in place. "Yup! When I heard what happened, I just had to set it up! You deserve it after being so awesome. I'll even get Harry to come along with some of our friends." Then she looked over at Louisiana with a small frown. "Hopefully you can come, Louisiana."

With a shrug, the Battleship examined her foot which was bandaged up. "As long as there's not much walking, Miz White."

A blush on her face, Shinano gave White a large smile. "Thank you, Kaa-San." Hearing a shuffle though, Shinano looked over her shoulder to see an unsure Yukikaze there. Eyes widening, she gestured at her. "K-Kaa-San? I'd like you meet my newest Escort, Yukikaze-Chan."

Even though she was not quite sure about how an Amrican Escort Carrier was the mother to Shinano, Yukikaze had heard about her and so bowed deeply. "It's nice to meet you, White Plains-Dono."

However, what she did not expect was for the hyperactive White Plains to squeal and run over to hug her. "Just call me White Plains or White. And it's so great to meet you! Shinano has told me all about you!"

Blushing, Yukikaze looked over at the embarrassed Shinano who was scuffing her foot into the ground. "S-she did? Shinano-Sama talked about me?"

Only nodding, White Plains grinned. "Yup! She talked about you lots! It's great that Shinano now has you with her back. Awesome Carriers like her need awesome Destroyers to protect them after all."

It went without saying that Yukikaze only blushed at being complimented like that, though she slowly smiled.

Later that night though, Shinano was laying back in her bunk staring at the one above her as Yukikaze slept cuddled into her side with Isokaze on the other. On her chest, White Plains softly breathed as she dreamed. However, hearing the bunk above her creak, Shinano blinked and looked up. "Um, Louisiana?"

Above her, Louisiana blinked as she looked up at the ceiling, Hamakaze cuddled into her. "Yes, Ma chère?"

Shinano only frowned slightly at the small shiver in her the Battleship's voice. "Um... are you okay?"

With a sigh, the Battleship closed her eyes. "I can't seem to fall asleep, Ma chère. Everything... I just keep running over what happened in my mind. What happened."

Very slowly, Shinano nodded. "Oh... do you want to talk about it? I'm very good at listening."

There was a soft smile on Louisiana's face as she opened her eyes. "That... would be nice." Several moments later, she sighed. "You're first battle, was it like... that?"

Biting her lip, Shinano considered her answer before nodding. "M-my first battle when I came back was pretty scary. I couldn't stop shaking after it, but Kaa-San was there for me and helped."

Unseen by Shinano, Louisiana relaxed a little bit. "Really? I'm sorry, Ma chère, but that's hard to believe. We are talking about you, after all."

A soft giggle escaped Shinano as she answered. "I-I don't know about that... It's the truth though. B-but people needed me and I helped them. That's what we're here for, isn't it?"

Louisiana turned her head to stare at the wall opposite from her and Shinano. "So it's okay to feel like this then? To... keep thinking about it?"

Her voice nearly soft enough to be a whisper, Shinano answered her friend as she nodded. "Hai. I know that I still do. Um... it might not be worth much, but I'm here if you need me. And so is Harry-Chan, Kaa-San, Isokaze-Chan, Hamakaze-Chan, Yukikaze-Chan, Natsumi-San, and all the others."

Feeling a lump in her throat, Louisiana let out a sigh as she could see the lit nightlight in the form of Space Battleship Yamato softly glowing. White Plains had gotten it after finding out that the Louisiana needed a source of light nearby to stop from getting panic attacks if she woke up in the middle of the night to pitch darkness. Proof that her friends were there for her. "Thank you."

Below her, Shinano only smiled. "You're welcome, Louisiana."

As the Destroyer beside her cuddled closer, Louisiana sighed and closed her eyes. It helped that she could feel not just Shinano, but the three Destroyers and White Plains herself nearby. Slowly, she drifted off as below her Shinano did the same. Unnoticed by the Yamato class though, White Plains had one eye cracked open with a smile on her face before closing it. 'I'm so proud of you, Shinano...'

 

[Warwolf117]

You have the "Taigei is Hurt" threadmark twice with nothing distinguishing them, an unmarked omake post, and both times so far that St. Brendan's has appeared in a threadmark title, you've accidentally misspelled it as "Brendon's."